As we reflect on the year gone by, a selection of remarkable long-form stories stands out. These narratives explore multifaceted themes including political machinations and historical revelations to deeply personal sagas.
The Puzzling Writer and the Conscience of a Nation
A certain Russian novelist became known in the 1990s with scathing commentaries on autocratic rule. Although several of his writer peers have encountered censorship or left the country, he still move millions of copies. It poses a pertinent query: Has the author become an defender for the regime?
Endurance and Complicity in Syria's Brutal Conflict
The account of Mustafa, who at eighteen was told that his only route to escape incarceration was to enlist in the regime military. Following 14 long years, his past as one of Assad's soldiers could still get him killed.
The Fierce Dispute Over Humanity's Earliest Beginnings
The discovery of ancient remains in the Djurab sands in 2001 was proclaimed as completely rewriting the history of our species. Yet, a faction was convinced. The subsequent intense controversy has taken over the careers of researchers ever since.
A UK Cult That Hid in the Open
One woman was only a young girl when her household became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she played a key role in reveal the disturbing scale of abuse it had carried out.
A Prime Minister's Puzzling Stance on Human Rights
Many followers anticipated that the former human rights lawyer would renew the the nation's dedication to human rights. But, the record over the past year has been notably ambiguous.
Challenging a Country's Myth
A documentary tracking a repentant con artist as she sets up unscrupulous clients with covert recording asks thorny queries: Is she truly reformed, and is the director's true motives?
The Person Who Decontaminates Britain's Most Difficult Stains
From homicide sites to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has encountered – and restored – it all. In their most challenging moments, people rely on him to restore peace.
Can an Famous Museum Endure an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Plagued by restitution claims, precarious funding and the exposure of an internal thief, the UK's premier cultural institution is in a major crisis. The question remains: Is it possible to repair its legacy?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": The Agony of Extreme Pregnancy
Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this condition has for centuries lacked an reliable medical remedy – up until potentially now.
A Legacy of Extremism in Contemporary Politics
A militant extremist and early advocate of bigotry, a rabbi died a political pariah thirty-five years ago. In the present day, his ideas influence the uppermost echelons of government.
The British Professional With a Fraudulent Secret
With his keen intellect and impeccable credentials, it's little wonder that affluent clients entrusted him with their assets. Until they began to get wary.
The Tiny Nation That Emerged as the World's Mediation Capital
An incredibly rich country has become a major player on the international scene, striving to mediate some of the most intractable conflicts. Which factors are fueling this unprecedented endeavor?
A Close-Up View at a President Gearing Up for Global Summitry
Extremely disliked at home, the French leader enjoys the world arena, where he projects himself as the statesman best placed to manage a particular sitting US president. Seven years after their last meeting, a writer accompanied him as he readied himself for battle.
Inside the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Story
How did the child of an aristocrat find herself at the Old Bailey with her partner, facing charges with killing their two-week-old infant?
An End of a Global Development Agency: Not Universal Regret
When efforts were made to dismantle a major US development organization, many around the globe were shocked. But on the ground in a West African nation, this latest betrayal was far from unexpected.
The Unethical 1960s Study on South Asian Mothers
When information about a medical study in the sixties were revealed, there was widespread anxiety. But the exact truth of the events remains somewhat contested.
A "Mozart" of the Online Age
He's spent a full day in slime, two days buried alive – and distributed enormous sums of cash to lucky contestants. But are these stunts simply very clever clickbait – or works of daring genius?
Existence in a Country Endangered by the Rising Seas
With the ocean increasing, much of Tuvalu's people is confronting the possibility that their homeland may soon cease to exist. The critical question is: To where are they supposed to go?
One Tragic Story of Childhood Homelessness
When I met Craig he was 13 and without a home. I still believed his situation could change for the better. That hope was sadly wrong.
The Global AI Race and a Pivotal Move
In the recent past, after spending half his life in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to China. Today, he might possess the key to who wins the worldwide technological rivalry.
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