As we reflect on the previous year, a assortment of outstanding long-form stories emerges. These accounts explore intricate topics from geopolitical intrigue and historical discoveries to profoundly human stories.
The Puzzling Author and the Conscience of a Country
A certain Russian novelist rose to fame in the 1990s with scathing commentaries on authoritarianism. While numerous of his writer peers have encountered censorship or left the nation, he still sell vast numbers of copies. It prompts a key query: Has he turned into an defender for the establishment?
Survival and Complicity in Syria's Brutal Conflict
The tale of a young man, who at eighteen was given an ultimatum that his sole path to escape incarceration was to join the regime forces. Following fourteen long years, his past as one of Assad's fighters might still get him killed.
A Acrimonious Feud Over Humanity's Earliest Beginnings
The discovery of ancient bones in the Djurab sands in 2001 was heralded as fundamentally changing the story of our human race. But, some scholars was in agreement. The subsequent bitter argument has taken over the lives of scholars ever since.
A UK Cult That Operated in Plain Sight
One woman was just a young girl when her household joined the a religious community. As an adult, she helped uncover the appalling extent of mistreatment it had carried out.
The Statesman's Puzzling Stance on Human Rights
Many followers expected that the former human rights lawyer would renew the Britain's dedication to international law. Yet, the record over the first year in office has been notably inconsistent.
Challenging a Nation's Identity
A film following a repentant con artist as she records unscrupulous individuals with covert recording raises difficult questions: Is this person genuinely changed, and what are the filmmaker's own methods?
A Person Who Remediates the UK's Darkest Scenes
From homicide sites to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has encountered – and restored – it all. In their stickiest times, individuals rely on him to bring back normalcy.
Will an Famous Institution Weather an "Omni-Crisis"?
Beset by colonial controversy, strained finances and the exposure of an internal thief, Britain's number one cultural institution is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Can it restore its reputation?
More Than "Morning Sickness": The Suffering of Extreme Condition
Referred to as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this condition has for centuries lacked an consistent treatment solution – until potentially now.
The Spectre of Extremism in Contemporary Government
A militant fanatic and early advocate of bigotry, a rabbi died a marginalized outcast 35 years ago. Now, his teachings permeate the highest echelons of the state.
The British Professional With a Crooked Secret
With his keen mind and sterling reputation, it's little wonder that wealthy clients entrusted him with their wealth. Then they began to become suspicious.
The Tiny State That Emerged as the Global Diplomatic Center
An astonishingly rich Gulf state has transformed into a significant actor on the international scene, striving to broker peace in some of the most intractable disputes. What are behind this unprecedented role?
An Close-Up Look at a President Preparing for Global Summitry
Extremely unpopular at home, the French leader enjoys the international arena, where he presents himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to manage a certain former American leader. 7 years after their previous meeting, a writer joined him as he prepared for battle.
During the Trial of a Heartbreaking Case
What led to the daughter of an wealthy family find herself at the Old Bailey with her companion, charged with killing their newborn infant?
An End of a Major Aid Agency: Far From Universal Regret
When efforts were made to drastically cut a prominent aid agency, many around the world were shocked. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this latest letdown was far from unexpected.
A Disturbing 1960s Experiment on Indian Mothers
When details about a scientific experiment in the 1960s came to light, there was widespread anxiety. But the precise nature of the procedures is still partially shrouded.
A "Mozart" of the Attention Age
He's endured a full day in a vat of goo, two days buried alive – and given away huge amounts of cash to lucky contestants. But are these videos simply very clever clickbait – or acts of daring genius?
Existence in a Country Endangered by the Encroaching Ocean
With the ocean rising, much of Tuvalu's population is facing the possibility that their home may in the near future be submerged. The critical issue is: To where are they going to go?
One Sorrowful Story of Childhood Homelessness
As I met Craig he was thirteen and without a home. I still hoped his situation could change for the better. That hope was devastatingly misplaced.
The International Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Key Defection
In 2020, after spending half his life in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to his home country. Now, he may possess the key to which nation wins the global AI race.
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