As we reflect on the year gone by, a selection of remarkable long-form stories shines. These accounts probe multifaceted themes including political intrigue and historical discoveries to deeply personal stories.
A Mysterious Writer and the Moral Fabric of a Country
An author became known in the 1990s with biting satires on autocratic rule. While many of his writer peers have faced suppression or left the country, he still sell vast numbers of books. This prompts a pertinent query: Has the author become an supporter for the establishment?
Survival and Collaboration in Syria's Devastating Civil War
The tale of a young man, who at 18 was informed that his sole path out of prison was to enlist in the government military. After fourteen long years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers could still cost him his life.
A Fierce Dispute Over Our Ancient Beginnings
The finding of ancient bones in the Chadian desert in 2001 was proclaimed as completely rewriting the history of our species. But, some scholars was in agreement. The subsequent bitter controversy has consumed the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
The UK Cult That Hid in Plain Sight
One woman was only a child when her household became part of the a religious community. As an adult, she helped reveal the disturbing scale of exploitation it had carried out.
The Prime Minister's Unexpected Record on Human Rights
Many voters hoped that the former human rights lawyer would restore the Britain's commitment to international law. However, the track record over the first year in office has been curiously ambiguous.
Breaking a Country's Self-Image
A film tracking a remorseful fraudster as she ensnares unscrupulous individuals with hidden cameras raises difficult questions: Is this person genuinely a new person, and what are the filmmaker's own motives?
The Man Who Cleans the UK's Most Difficult Scenes
From murder scenes to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and restored – it all. In their darkest moments, individuals rely on him to restore normalcy.
Will an Famous Museum Endure an "Omni-Crisis"?
Plagued by debates over its collection, difficult funding and the revelation of an insider theft, Britain's leading museum is in a major crisis. The challenge remains: Is it possible to salvage its standing?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": The Suffering of Extreme Pregnancy
Called a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this condition has for centuries been without an consistent medical end – up until potentially now.
The Spectre of Extremism in Modern Government
A militant extremist and early advocate of bigotry, a rabbi died a marginalized pariah 35 years ago. Today, his ideology influence the very highest levels of the state.
An British Gentleman With a Fraudulent Side
With his keen mind and flawless credentials, it's understandable that high-net-worth clients entrusted him with their assets. Then they started to get suspicious.
A Tiny Nation That Became the World's Mediation Center
An extremely wealthy Gulf state has risen as a key actor on the world stage, attempting to solve some of the most complex disputes. What are driving this unprecedented project?
An Inside View at a Leader Preparing for Global Battle
Extremely disliked at domestically, the French leader thrives on the international arena, where he presents himself as the statesman most equipped to deal with a particular former US president. 7 years after their last meeting, a journalist joined him as he prepared for the fray.
During the Trial of a Tragic Case
What led to the child of an wealthy family find herself at the Old Bailey with her partner, charged with the death of their newborn infant?
The Dismantling of a Major Development Organization: Far From Universal Regret
When efforts were made to drastically cut a prominent aid agency, many around the world were surprised. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this most recent letdown was not unexpected.
A Disturbing Mid-Century Experiment on South Asian Women
When details about a scientific experiment in the 1960s came to light, there was widespread shock. But the full truth of what happened is still partially unclear.
The "Mozart" of the Attention Age
He's endured 24 hours in slime, two days underground – and given away huge sums of cash to selected contestants. But are these productions simply incredibly savvy entertainment – or works of artistic brilliance?
Life in a Country Endangered by the Encroaching Seas
With sea levels increasing, much of Tuvalu's residents is confronting the possibility that their homeland may in the near future become uninhabitable. The critical issue is: Where are they going to relocate?
One Sorrowful Story of Childhood Destitution
When I met Craig he was 13 and without a home. Even then believed his life could improve. I was devastatingly mistaken.
A Global AI Competition and a Pivotal Defection
In 2020, after living decades in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to China. Now, he might hold the answers to which nation prevails in the global technological rivalry.
The most impactful narratives
