Upon consider the year gone by, a assortment of remarkable long-form stories stands out. Such accounts explore complex subjects including political machinations and historical revelations to profoundly human journeys.
A Enigmatic Novelist and the Soul of a Country
A certain Russian novelist rose to fame in the 1990s with scathing critiques on power. While many of his writer peers have faced censorship or fled the nation, he still move millions of books. It poses a pressing question: Has the author turned into an defender for the regime?
Survival and Complicity in Syria's Devastating Civil War
The account of Mustafa, who at 18 was given an ultimatum that his sole path to escape prison was to enlist in the government military. After 14 long years, his history as one of Assad's soldiers might now get him killed.
A Bitter Feud Over Our Earliest Origins
The discovery of ancient bones in the Chadian desert in the early 2000s was heralded as completely changing the story of our species. However, not everyone was convinced. The ensuing bitter scholarly debate has dominated the careers of researchers ever since.
The British Sect 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 expose the appalling extent of abuse it had carried out.
The Statesman's Puzzling Stance on Human Rights
Many voters expected that the prime minister would restore the UK's dedication to international law. Yet, the track record over the past year has been curiously ambiguous.
Shattering a Country's Myth
A documentary following a remorseful master criminal as she ensnares unscrupulous individuals with covert recording raises thorny questions: Is this person really changed, and is the filmmaker's own intentions?
The Person Who Cleans the UK's Most Traumatic Stains
From homicide sites to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and cleaned – it all. In their darkest times, people depend on him to restore order.
Will an Famous Institution Survive an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Burdened by restitution claims, precarious finances and the revelation of an insider theft, the UK's premier cultural institution is in a major crisis. The question remains: Is it possible to salvage its legacy?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": A Agony of Severe Condition
Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this condition has for centuries lacked an reliable treatment end – up until potentially now.
A Legacy of Extremism in Modern Government
A militant fanatic and early advocate of hate, a rabbi died a marginalized outcast thirty-five years ago. Today, his ideas influence the uppermost levels of the state.
An English Professional With a Dishonest Side
With his brilliant mind and sterling credentials, it's understandable that high-net-worth clients trusted him with their fortunes. Then they began to get suspicious.
The Tiny Nation That Emerged as the World's Mediation Hub
An astonishingly rich Gulf state has transformed into a key player on the world stage, striving to mediate some of the most intractable conflicts. Which factors are behind this ambitious endeavor?
An Close-Up View at a Leader Gearing Up for International Summitry
Extremely disliked at home, the French leader thrives on the international arena, where he presents himself as the leader most equipped to manage a certain sitting US president. 7 years after their last meeting, a journalist accompanied him as he readied himself for the summit.
Inside the Court Case of a Tragic Case
How did the daughter of an aristocrat end up at the Old Bailey with her partner, charged with killing their newborn baby?
The Dismantling of a Global Aid Organization: Not Universal Mourning
When efforts were made to wind down a prominent aid agency, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the ground in a West African nation, this most recent letdown was far from unforeseen.
A Unethical 1960s Study on South Asian Women
When information about a medical study in the 1960s were revealed, there was immense outrage. But the precise story of the procedures remains somewhat contested.
The "Genius" of the Attention Economy
He's spent a full day in a vat of goo, two days underground – and showered vast amounts of money to lucky participants. But are these videos simply very clever entertainment – or acts of daring genius?
Life in a Nation Threatened by the Rising Ocean
With the ocean rising, much of Tuvalu's residents is grappling with the possibility that their islands may soon be submerged. The critical issue is: To where are they going to go?
A Tragic Story of Childhood Homelessness
As I encountered Craig he was thirteen and without a home. Even then hoped his life might improve. That hope was devastatingly wrong.
The Global AI Race and a Key Defection
In the recent past, after living decades in the US, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to his home country. Now, he might hold the answers to which nation prevails in the global technological rivalry.
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