As we look back on the previous year, a selection of remarkable long-form stories shines. Such pieces explore complex themes from political machinations and scientific revelations to profoundly human stories.
The Puzzling Writer and the Moral Fabric of a Nation
Victor Pelevin became known in the post-Soviet era with sharp satires on authoritarianism. Whereas numerous of his literary peers have faced censorship or left the nation, he continues to sell vast numbers of books. It prompts a pertinent query: Has the author turned into an defender for the establishment?
Survival and Collaboration in Syria's Horrific Civil War
The story of Mustafa, who at eighteen was told that his only way to escape incarceration was to enlist in the government forces. After fourteen years, his former role as one of the Syrian leader's fighters might still get him killed.
The Bitter Argument Over Humanity's Earliest Beginnings
The finding of ancient remains in the Chadian desert in 2001 was proclaimed as radically changing the narrative of our human race. However, some scholars was persuaded. The resulting intense scholarly debate has taken over the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.
A British Sect That Operated in Plain Sight
One woman was just a young girl when her household became part of the a religious community. As an grown woman, she helped uncover the appalling extent of abuse it had perpetrated.
A Prime Minister's Puzzling Stance on International Law
Many followers hoped that the prime minister would renew the the nation's dedication to international law. Yet, the record over the first year in office has been curiously mixed.
Shattering a Nation's Myth
A documentary following a remorseful fraudster as she ensnares unscrupulous individuals with hidden cameras raises thorny queries: Is this person really a new person, and what are the filmmaker's true motives?
A Man Who Cleans Britain's Most Traumatic Scenes
From murder scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has seen – and cleaned – it all. In their stickiest moments, families depend on him to restore peace.
Can an Renowned Museum Survive an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Burdened by restitution claims, difficult funding and the discovery of an insider theft, the UK's number one museum is in serious difficulty. The challenge remains: Is it possible to repair its standing?
More Than "Morning Sickness": A Torture of Extreme Condition
Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this illness has for centuries been without an consistent medical solution – up until potentially now.
A Ghost of Extremism in Contemporary Government
A violent extremist and early advocate of hate, Meir Kahane died a marginalized outcast thirty-five years ago. Now, his ideology shape the very highest echelons of the state.
An British Gentleman With a Crooked Secret
With his brilliant mind and impeccable background, it's understandable that high-net-worth clients entrusted him with their wealth. Until they started to get suspicious.
The Small State That Emerged as the Global Mediation Capital
An extremely rich Gulf state has transformed into a major actor on the world stage, striving to solve some of the most long-standing disputes. Which factors are behind this unprecedented project?
A Inside View at a President Preparing for Global Summitry
Deeply disliked at domestically, the French leader thrives on the international stage, where he projects himself as the leader best placed to handle a certain former American leader. 7 years after their previous meeting, a writer accompanied him as he readied himself for the fray.
Inside the Trial of a Tragic Case
What led to the child of an aristocrat end up at the Old Bailey with her companion, facing charges with killing their two-week-old infant?
An Dismantling of a Major Aid Agency: Not Universal Mourning
When efforts were made to drastically cut a major US aid agency, many around the globe were shocked. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this most recent betrayal was not unexpected.
A Disturbing 1960s Study on South Asian Women
When information about a medical experiment in the sixties came to light, there was immense anxiety. But the precise truth of the procedures remains somewhat unclear.
The "Mozart" of the Attention Economy
He's endured a full day in slime, two days underground – and given away vast sums of cash to selected contestants. But are these stunts simply incredibly clever entertainment – or works of artistic brilliance?
Life in a Nation Endangered by the Rising Seas
With sea levels rising, much of Tuvalu's residents is grappling with the possibility that their home may soon become uninhabitable. The critical issue is: To where are they going to relocate?
One Sorrowful Case of Childhood Destitution
When I encountered a young boy he was 13 and homeless. I still believed his situation might improve. That hope was sadly wrong.
A International AI Competition and a Pivotal Defection
In 2020, after spending half his life in the US, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to his home country. Now, he might possess the answers to which nation wins the global AI race.
The most impactful stories
