As we reflect on the previous year, a curated list of outstanding long-form stories stands out. Such accounts delve into complex topics ranging from political machinations and scientific revelations to deeply personal stories.
The Enigmatic Novelist and the Soul of a Country
Victor Pelevin gained prominence in the nineties with biting commentaries on power. While numerous of his writer peers have faced suppression or left the country, he continues to sell vast numbers of books. This poses a pertinent question: Has he become an apologist for the Kremlin?
Survival and Collaboration in the Syrian Brutal Civil War
The tale of Mustafa, who at eighteen was told that his only way out of prison was to join the government forces. Following 14 years, his past as one of Assad's fighters could now put him in mortal danger.
The Acrimonious Feud Over Humanity's Ancient Origins
The unearthing of ancient remains in the Djurab sands in the early 2000s was heralded as completely changing the narrative of our human race. However, some scholars was persuaded. The subsequent heated controversy has consumed the careers of researchers ever since.
A UK Religious Group That Operated in the Open
Philippa Barnes was just a child when her family became part of the a religious community. As an adult, she played a key role in reveal the appalling scale of mistreatment it had committed.
A Prime Minister's Puzzling Record on Human Rights
A great many followers anticipated that the prime minister would renew the UK's commitment to human rights. Yet, the track record over the first year in office has been notably inconsistent.
Breaking a Nation's Myth
A film tracking a remorseful fraudster as she records corrupt clients with hidden cameras poses complex questions: Is this person truly reformed, and what are the filmmaker's own methods?
The Person Who Remediates the UK's Most Difficult Scenes
From murder scenes to biological waste, Ben Giles has seen – and cleaned – it all. In their darkest hours, people rely on him to bring back order.
Can an Iconic Institution Weather an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Plagued by colonial controversy, strained funding and the exposure of an insider theft, the UK's number one museum is in deep trouble. The challenge remains: Can it salvage its standing?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": A Suffering of Severe Condition
Known as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this illness has for centuries lacked an effective treatment solution – until potentially now.
The Legacy of Extremism in Modern Government
A violent extremist and pioneer of hate, a rabbi died a marginalized pariah thirty-five years ago. Today, his ideology influence the very highest levels of the state.
The British Gentleman With a Dishonest Secret
With his keen intellect and sterling credentials, it's little wonder that affluent individuals entrusted him with their fortunes. Then they began to become suspicious.
The Tiny State That Became the World's Mediation Hub
An incredibly wealthy country has transformed into a significant player on the international scene, attempting to broker peace in some of the most intractable conflicts. Which factors are behind this unprecedented project?
A Inside View at a President Gearing Up for Global Summitry
Deeply disliked at domestically, the French leader relishes the international arena, where he projects himself as the leader most equipped to manage a particular former US president. Seven years after their previous meeting, a journalist accompanied him as he readied himself for the fray.
Inside the Court Case of a Tragic Story
What led to the child of an wealthy family find herself at the a major court with her partner, charged with killing their newborn baby?
An End of a Global Development Organization: Not Widespread Mourning
When actions were made to wind down a major US development organization, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this most recent letdown was not unforeseen.
A Disturbing Mid-Century Study on South Asian Women
When information about a medical study in the sixties became public, there was immense outrage. But the full truth of the procedures is still partially contested.
The "Master" of the Attention Age
He's spent a full day in slime, 48 hours buried alive – and showered vast sums of money to selected contestants. But are these videos simply very clever entertainment – or acts of avant garde brilliance?
Life in a Country Threatened by the Encroaching Ocean
With sea levels rising, much of Tuvalu's residents is grappling with the prospect that their home may in the near future cease to exist. The critical issue is: To where are they supposed to relocate?
A Sorrowful Case of Youth Destitution
As I encountered a young boy he was 13 and without a home. Even then thought his life could turn around. That hope was devastatingly mistaken.
A Global Artificial Intelligence Race and a Crucial Defection
In 2020, after spending half his life in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to China. Now, he could hold the key to which nation prevails in the worldwide technological rivalry.
The best stories
