Upon consider the past year, a assortment of exceptional long-form stories stands out. Such accounts probe complex themes including geopolitical machinations and scientific discoveries to deeply personal journeys.
A Enigmatic Novelist and the Soul of a Country
A certain Russian novelist became known in the nineties with biting commentaries on autocratic rule. Whereas several of his literary peers have faced suppression or left the country, he still move millions of copies. This poses a pressing question: Has he evolved into an apologist for the establishment?
Endurance and Complicity in the Syrian Devastating Civil War
The account of Mustafa, who at eighteen was given an ultimatum that his sole path out of incarceration was to join the government forces. After fourteen years, his history as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers could now put him in mortal danger.
The Acrimonious Feud Over Our Ancient Beginnings
The finding of fossilised remains in the Chadian sands in 2001 was proclaimed as fundamentally rewriting the narrative of our species. Yet, a faction was persuaded. The subsequent heated argument has taken over the lives of scholars ever since.
A British Sect That Operated in Plain Sight
One woman was just a child when her family joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she played a key role in uncover the disturbing extent of abuse it had committed.
The Prime Minister's Unexpected Record on Human Rights
Many supporters anticipated that the former human rights lawyer would restore the the nation's dedication to international law. However, the record over the first year in office has been notably mixed.
Shattering a Country's Identity
A documentary featuring a remorseful fraudster as she ensnares corrupt clients with hidden cameras poses difficult questions: Is she truly reformed, and is the director's true motives?
The Man Who Cleans the UK's Most Traumatic Scenes
From crime scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and dealt with – everything. In their darkest times, people depend on him to bring back order.
Will an Iconic Museum Weather an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Plagued by restitution claims, precarious finances and the discovery of an insider theft, Britain's premier museum is in a major crisis. The question remains: Is it possible to restore its standing?
More Than "Morning Sickness": A Suffering of Severe Condition
Known as hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this illness has long been without an reliable medical solution – until perhaps now.
A Spectre of Radicalism in Modern Politics
A violent extremist and pioneer of bigotry, a rabbi died a political pariah thirty-five years ago. In the present day, his ideas shape the uppermost echelons of the state.
The British Professional With a Crooked Side
With his brilliant mind and sterling reputation, it's little wonder that wealthy clients entrusted him with their assets. Then they started to get suspicious.
A Small Nation That Emerged as the Global Diplomatic Hub
An extremely rich Gulf state has transformed into a key force on the international scene, working to mediate some of the most intractable conflicts. Which factors are fueling this unprecedented endeavor?
An Inside View at a President Gearing Up for International Battle
Extremely disliked at domestically, the French leader relishes the world arena, where he positions himself as the statesman best placed to deal with a particular former American leader. Seven years after their last encounter, a writer accompanied him as he readied himself for the fray.
During the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Story
How did the daughter of an aristocrat find herself at the Old Bailey with her companion, facing charges with the death of their two-week-old baby?
An End of a Global Development Agency: Not Widespread Mourning
When efforts were made to drastically cut a prominent development organization, many around the world were surprised. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this most recent betrayal was not unexpected.
A Unethical Mid-Century Study on South Asian Women
When information about a medical experiment in the 1960s came to light, there was immense anxiety. But the exact story of the procedures is still partially unclear.
The "Mozart" of the Online Age
He's spent a full day in slime, two days buried alive – and given away huge sums of money to lucky contestants. But are these stunts simply incredibly clever clickbait – or acts of artistic genius?
Existence in a Nation Endangered by the Rising Seas
With the ocean increasing, much of Tuvalu's residents is facing the reality that their homeland may soon become uninhabitable. The urgent issue is: Where are they supposed to go?
A Tragic Story of Youth Homelessness
When I encountered Craig he was thirteen and homeless. I still thought his life could turn around. That hope was devastatingly wrong.
A International Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Pivotal Move
In 2020, after living half his life in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to his home country. Now, he may possess the secret to who wins the global AI race.
The most impactful narratives
