Upon reflect on the past year, a selection of exceptional long-form stories shines. These accounts delve into multifaceted topics ranging from political intrigue and scientific discoveries to profoundly personal journeys.
The Puzzling Author and the Soul of a Nation
Victor Pelevin became known in the nineties with sharp satires on power. Although several of his writer peers have faced suppression or left the country, he still move millions of copies. It prompts a pressing question: Has the author become an defender for the Kremlin?
Survival and Complicity in the Syrian Horrific Conflict
The tale of Mustafa, who at eighteen was told that his only path out of prison was to join the government forces. Following 14 long years, his former role as one of Assad's fighters could now cost him his life.
A Bitter Feud Over Humanity's Ancient Beginnings
The unearthing of fossilised bones in the Djurab desert in 2001 was heralded as completely rewriting the story of our human race. Yet, a faction was persuaded. The subsequent heated scholarly debate has consumed the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
A British Religious Group That Operated in the Open
Philippa Barnes was only a young girl when her family became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she played a key role in reveal the appalling scale of exploitation it had carried out.
The Statesman's Unexpected Stance on Human Rights
A great many supporters hoped that the former human rights lawyer would restore the Britain's commitment to human rights. But, the performance over the first year in office has been strikingly ambiguous.
Challenging a Nation's Identity
A film tracking a remorseful master criminal as she ensnares corrupt individuals with hidden cameras asks difficult questions: Is this person genuinely reformed, and what are the director's own motives?
A Man Who Cleans Britain's Most Difficult Stains
From murder scenes to biological waste, Ben Giles has witnessed – and dealt with – it all. In their darkest times, families depend on him to bring back peace.
Will an Iconic Museum Endure an "Perfect Storm"?
Beset by debates over its collection, difficult funding and the revelation of an insider theft, the UK's premier museum is in deep trouble. The question remains: Can it restore its reputation?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": A Suffering of Severe Pregnancy
Referred to as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this illness has long been without an consistent treatment end – until potentially now.
The Ghost of Radicalism in Modern Government
A militant extremist and pioneer of bigotry, a rabbi died a political outcast 35 years ago. Today, his teachings shape the uppermost levels of government.
The English Professional With a Dishonest Side
With his brilliant intellect and impeccable reputation, it's understandable that affluent clients entrusted him with their wealth. Then they started to get wary.
A Tiny Nation That Emerged as the World's Diplomatic Capital
An astonishingly wealthy country has become a significant actor on the international scene, working to solve some of the most long-standing disputes. What are fueling this unprecedented project?
An Inside Look at a Leader Gearing Up for International Battle
Deeply unpopular at home, President Macron thrives on the international stage, where he positions himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to manage a certain sitting American leader. 7 years after their previous meeting, a writer accompanied him as he prepared for the fray.
Inside the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Story
How did the daughter of an wealthy family find herself at the a major court with her companion, charged with killing their newborn baby?
The End of a Major Aid Agency: Not Universal Mourning
When actions were made to wind down a major US aid agency, many around the world were shocked. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this latest disappointment was not unforeseen.
The Disturbing Mid-Century Study on South Asian Women
When details about a scientific experiment in the 1960s became public, there was immense anxiety. But the precise story of the procedures remains partially contested.
The "Genius" of the Online Age
He's endured 24 hours in a vat of goo, two days buried alive – and given away enormous amounts of money to selected contestants. But are these stunts simply incredibly savvy clickbait – or works of avant garde genius?
Life in a Nation Endangered by the Rising Seas
With the ocean rising, much of this Pacific island nation's population is grappling with the prospect that their islands may soon become uninhabitable. The pressing question is: To where are they going to relocate?
A Heartbreaking Story of Childhood Homelessness
As I encountered Craig he was 13 and without a home. I still believed his life might improve. That hope was devastatingly wrong.
The Global AI Race and a Key Defection
In 2020, after living half his life in the US, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to China. Now, he may hold the secret to who prevails in the global AI race.
The finest narratives
