While we consider the past year, a curated list of outstanding long-form stories stands out. These narratives probe intricate subjects including political intrigue and historical discoveries to profoundly personal journeys.
The Puzzling Novelist and the Moral Fabric of a Nation
Victor Pelevin rose to fame in the post-Soviet era with scathing satires on autocratic rule. Although many of his writer contemporaries have faced suppression or left the nation, he continues to sell millions of copies. It prompts a pertinent query: Has he evolved into an apologist for the establishment?
Survival and Collaboration in Syria's Brutal Conflict
The tale of Mustafa, who at 18 was informed that his only way out of incarceration was to join the government forces. Following 14 long years, his former role as one of Assad's fighters could still put him in mortal danger.
A Fierce Argument Over Our Earliest Beginnings
The unearthing of ancient remains in the Djurab sands in the early 2000s was proclaimed as fundamentally changing the story of our species. However, some scholars was convinced. The resulting intense scholarly debate has taken over the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
A UK Religious Group That Hid in Plain Sight
One woman was only a young girl when her family joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she helped reveal the appalling breadth of mistreatment it had perpetrated.
The Prime Minister's Puzzling Stance on Human Rights
Many followers hoped that the prime minister would reaffirm the Britain's commitment to international law. But, the record over the first year in office has been notably ambiguous.
Shattering a Nation's Identity
A film following a remorseful master criminal as she sets up corrupt individuals with covert recording poses thorny queries: Is she genuinely a new person, and what are the filmmaker's own motives?
A Person Who Cleans the UK's Most Traumatic Scenes
From murder scenes to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has seen – and restored – everything. In their most challenging hours, individuals turn to him to restore peace.
Will an Iconic Institution Survive an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Plagued by debates over its collection, difficult finances and the exposure of an insider theft, Britain's premier museum is in deep trouble. The question remains: Can it salvage its standing?
More Than "Morning Sickness": The Suffering of Extreme Condition
Called a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this illness has long lacked an reliable medical remedy – up until potentially now.
A Ghost of Radicalism in Contemporary Politics
A militant extremist and pioneer of bigotry, a rabbi died a political outcast thirty-five years ago. Today, his teachings shape the very highest echelons of the state.
The English Gentleman With a Crooked Secret
With his keen mind and flawless background, it's little wonder that wealthy clients entrusted him with their fortunes. Until they began to get wary.
A Small State That Emerged as the Global Diplomatic Capital
An incredibly rich country has transformed into a key force on the world stage, striving to broker peace in some of the most long-standing disputes. What are driving this ambitious project?
An Inside Look at a President Preparing for International Battle
Extremely disliked at home, the French leader relishes the international arena, where he positions himself as the statesman best placed to handle a particular sitting American leader. 7 years after their last encounter, a journalist joined him as he readied himself for the fray.
During the Trial of a Heartbreaking Story
What led to the daughter of an aristocrat end up at the a major court with her partner, charged with the death of their newborn baby?
An End of a Global Aid Agency: Far From Universal Mourning
When efforts were made to wind down a major US aid agency, many around the globe were surprised. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this most recent letdown was far from unexpected.
The Shocking Mid-Century Experiment on South Asian Mothers
When information about a scientific study in the 1960s came to light, there was widespread anxiety. But the exact nature of the procedures is still somewhat unclear.
The "Master" of the Attention Age
He's endured a full day in slime, 48 hours buried alive – and showered enormous sums of money to selected participants. But are these productions simply incredibly clever entertainment – or works of avant garde genius?
Existence in a Nation Endangered by the Encroaching Ocean
With the ocean rising, much of Tuvalu's people is confronting the possibility that their homeland may in the near future cease to exist. The critical issue is: Where are they supposed to go?
A Sorrowful Case of Childhood Homelessness
As I encountered Craig he was 13 and homeless. I still thought his situation could change for the better. I was devastatingly mistaken.
A International AI Race and a Pivotal Move
In the recent past, after spending decades in the US, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to China. Now, he may hold the answers to which nation wins the worldwide AI race.
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