While we reflect on the past year, a curated list of remarkable long-form stories stands out. These narratives delve into multifaceted themes from geopolitical intrigue and scientific revelations to deeply human stories.
A Enigmatic Author and the Moral Fabric of a Nation
An author gained prominence in the 1990s with scathing commentaries on power. While several of his writer peers have faced suppression or left the country, he continues to move vast numbers of books. This prompts a pressing question: Has the author evolved into an apologist for the Kremlin?
Endurance and Collaboration in the Syrian Devastating Conflict
The account of a young man, who at eighteen was given an ultimatum that his sole path to escape incarceration was to enlist in the regime military. After fourteen long years, his former role as one of the Syrian leader's fighters could now put him in mortal danger.
A Acrimonious Argument Over Our Earliest Origins
The discovery of fossilised bones in the Djurab sands in the early 2000s was heralded as fundamentally re-writing the narrative of our species. However, some scholars was convinced. The resulting bitter argument has dominated the careers of researchers ever since.
A British Cult That Operated in Plain Sight
One woman was just a child when her family joined the a religious community. As an grown woman, she played a key role in expose the shocking breadth of exploitation it had carried out.
A Leader's Unexpected Stance on Human Rights
Many supporters expected that the former human rights lawyer would restore the Britain's dedication to human rights. Yet, the performance over the past year has been strikingly ambiguous.
Shattering a Country's Self-Image
A film following a repentant con artist as she records unscrupulous individuals with covert recording asks difficult questions: Is this person really a new person, and is the filmmaker's true motives?
A Person Who Cleans the UK's Darkest Stains
From murder scenes to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and restored – everything. In their most challenging hours, people turn to him to bring back peace.
Will an Famous Institution Weather an "Perfect Storm"?
Beset by debates over its collection, precarious funding and the discovery of an internal thief, the UK's leading cultural institution is in deep trouble. The challenge remains: Can it repair its reputation?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": The Suffering of Severe Condition
Referred to as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this illness has long lacked an effective treatment solution – up until perhaps now.
The Spectre of Extremism in Modern Government
A violent extremist and pioneer of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a marginalized outcast thirty-five years ago. In the present day, his ideas shape the uppermost levels of government.
The British Professional With a Crooked Side
With his keen intellect and flawless reputation, it's no surprise that affluent individuals trusted him with their wealth. Then they began to get suspicious.
The Small Nation That Emerged as the Global Diplomatic Capital
An incredibly wealthy country has transformed into a major player on the international scene, striving to broker peace in some of the most long-standing conflicts. Which factors are fueling this ambitious role?
A Inside View at a President Gearing Up for International Battle
Extremely disliked at home, the French leader enjoys the world arena, where he presents himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to manage a certain former American leader. Seven years after their last encounter, a writer joined him as he prepared for battle.
During the Trial of a Tragic Story
How did the daughter of an aristocrat end up at the a major court with her companion, charged with killing their newborn infant?
An End of a Major Development Organization: Not Widespread Regret
When efforts were made to wind down a prominent aid agency, many around the globe were surprised. But on the ground in a West African nation, this most recent disappointment was far from unforeseen.
A Disturbing 1960s Study on Indian Mothers
When information about a medical study in the 1960s were revealed, there was widespread anxiety. But the precise nature of the events is still partially contested.
The "Master" of the Attention Age
He's endured 24 hours in a vat of goo, two days buried alive – and distributed vast sums of money to lucky contestants. But are these videos simply incredibly clever entertainment – or acts of avant garde brilliance?
Life in a Country Threatened by the Rising Ocean
With the ocean rising, much of Tuvalu's residents is facing the prospect that their islands may in the near future be submerged. The critical issue is: To where are they supposed to go?
A Sorrowful Story of Childhood Destitution
When I met Craig he was thirteen and without a home. I still believed his situation could improve. That hope was sadly misplaced.
The Global AI Race and a Crucial Defection
In the recent past, after spending decades in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to his home country. Now, he could hold the answers to who prevails in the global technological rivalry.
The finest narratives
