Upon reflect on the year gone by, a curated list of outstanding long-form stories stands out. These accounts delve into intricate topics ranging from political machinations and historical discoveries to profoundly personal sagas.
A Mysterious Novelist and the Soul of a Nation
A certain Russian novelist rose to fame in the nineties with biting satires on autocratic rule. While many of his writer contemporaries have faced censorship or left the nation, he continues to sell vast numbers of books. This prompts a key query: Has he turned into an apologist for the establishment?
Endurance and Collaboration in the Syrian Horrific Civil War
The tale of a young man, who at eighteen was informed that his sole route out of prison was to enlist in the regime military. Following 14 long years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers could now get him killed.
The Acrimonious Feud Over Our Earliest Origins
The discovery of fossilised remains in the Djurab desert in the early 2000s was hailed as fundamentally rewriting the history of our human race. Yet, a faction was convinced. The resulting intense argument has consumed the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
The British Sect That Operated in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was just a young girl when her household became part of the a religious community. As an grown woman, she played a key role in reveal the appalling scale of mistreatment it had perpetrated.
The Leader's Curious Stance on International Law
Numerous voters anticipated that the prime minister would restore the UK's commitment to international law. But, the record over the past year has been strikingly ambiguous.
Challenging a Country's Myth
A film following a remorseful con artist as she sets up corrupt individuals with covert recording asks difficult queries: Is she really a new person, and what are the director's true motives?
The Man Who Decontaminates the UK's Darkest Scenes
From homicide sites to biological waste, Ben Giles has encountered – and cleaned – everything. In their most challenging hours, families rely on him to restore normalcy.
Will an Renowned Museum Endure an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Beset by restitution claims, strained finances and the discovery of an insider theft, the UK's number one museum is in deep trouble. The question remains: Can it repair its legacy?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": The Suffering of Severe Condition
Known as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this illness has long been without an reliable medical end – up until possibly now.
The Ghost of Extremism in Modern Government
A violent extremist and pioneer of hate, Meir Kahane died a political pariah thirty-five years ago. In the present day, his ideology shape the very highest echelons of the state.
The English Gentleman With a Fraudulent Secret
With his sharp mind and impeccable background, it's little wonder that affluent clients entrusted him with their assets. Until they started to become suspicious.
The Small State That Became the World's Diplomatic Capital
An incredibly rich Gulf state has transformed into a key actor on the international scene, attempting to broker peace in some of the most intractable conflicts. What are behind this ambitious endeavor?
An Inside Look at a President Gearing Up for Global Battle
Deeply disliked at domestically, the French leader relishes the world stage, where he positions himself as the leader best placed to manage a certain sitting American leader. Seven years after their previous meeting, a writer joined him as he prepared for the fray.
Inside the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Case
What led to the daughter of an aristocrat find herself at the a major court with her companion, facing charges with killing their two-week-old baby?
An Dismantling of a Global Aid Agency: Not Universal Mourning
When actions were made to drastically cut a major US aid agency, many around the globe were surprised. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this latest betrayal was not unforeseen.
A Shocking 1960s Study on Indian Mothers
When information about a scientific experiment in the sixties became public, there was widespread shock. But the full truth of what happened is still partially shrouded.
A "Mozart" of the Attention Age
He's spent a full day in a vat of goo, two days buried alive – and distributed enormous sums of cash to selected contestants. But are these videos simply very clever entertainment – or works of avant garde brilliance?
Life in a Country Endangered by the Rising Seas
With sea levels increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's people is confronting the possibility that their home may soon be submerged. The critical question is: To where are they supposed to go?
One Tragic Story of Childhood Homelessness
As I encountered Craig he was thirteen and homeless. I still believed his situation might turn around. That hope was devastatingly misplaced.
The Global Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Key Defection
In 2020, after spending half his life in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to China. Now, he might hold the answers to who prevails in the worldwide technological rivalry.
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