While we reflect on the previous year, a selection of exceptional long-form stories shines. Such narratives explore complex topics from geopolitical machinations and historical revelations to profoundly personal sagas.
The Enigmatic Novelist and the Moral Fabric of a Country
Victor Pelevin rose to fame in the post-Soviet era with scathing satires on authoritarianism. Although several of his literary contemporaries have faced censorship or left the nation, he continues to sell millions of books. This prompts a pressing query: Has the author evolved into an supporter for the establishment?
Endurance and Collaboration in the Syrian Horrific Civil War
The story of a young man, who at 18 was informed that his sole route out of prison was to enlist in the government military. After 14 years, his history as one of Assad's soldiers might now cost him his life.
A Fierce Argument Over Our Earliest Origins
The discovery of fossilised remains in the Chadian desert in the early 2000s was heralded as fundamentally changing the narrative of our species. However, some scholars was persuaded. The ensuing intense controversy has dominated the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
The UK Cult That Hid in the Open
One woman was only a young girl when her family became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she helped uncover the appalling scale of abuse it had committed.
A Prime Minister's Curious Record on International Law
Numerous followers expected that the prime minister would renew the Britain's commitment to human rights. However, the track record over the past year has been notably ambiguous.
Challenging a Country's Identity
A film tracking a remorseful con artist as she ensnares corrupt individuals with covert recording poses difficult queries: Is she genuinely a new person, and what are the director's true methods?
A Person Who Cleans Britain's Most Difficult Scenes
From murder scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and restored – it all. In their stickiest hours, people depend on him to restore peace.
Will an Famous Museum Endure an "Omni-Crisis"?
Burdened by restitution claims, strained funding and the revelation of an internal thief, the UK's number one cultural institution is in a major crisis. The question remains: Can it restore its standing?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": A Suffering of Extreme Pregnancy
Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this illness has long lacked an effective treatment solution – up until possibly now.
The Legacy of Radicalism in Modern Government
A militant extremist and early advocate of bigotry, a rabbi died a political outcast thirty-five years ago. Today, his teachings shape the highest echelons of the state.
An English Gentleman With a Dishonest Side
With his keen mind and impeccable credentials, it's understandable that wealthy individuals entrusted him with their fortunes. Until they started to get suspicious.
A Small Nation That Emerged as the World's Mediation Hub
An astonishingly rich country has transformed into a significant force on the international scene, attempting to solve some of the most intractable disputes. What are fueling this unprecedented endeavor?
An Inside Look at a Leader Preparing for International Battle
Deeply unpopular at domestically, President Macron relishes the international arena, where he projects himself as the statesman best placed to manage a particular former American leader. 7 years after their previous encounter, a journalist joined him as he readied himself for the summit.
During the Trial of a Tragic Story
How did the child of an aristocrat end up at the a major court with her partner, facing charges with the death of their newborn infant?
An Dismantling of a Major Development Organization: Not Universal Mourning
When efforts were made to wind down a prominent development organization, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the ground in a West African nation, this most recent betrayal was far from unforeseen.
The Unethical Mid-Century Study on South Asian Mothers
When details about a scientific experiment in the 1960s were revealed, there was widespread shock. But the exact story of the events is still somewhat unclear.
The "Genius" of the Attention Age
He's endured a full day in a vat of goo, 48 hours buried alive – and distributed enormous amounts of cash to selected participants. But are these videos simply incredibly savvy entertainment – or acts of artistic genius?
Existence in a Country Endangered by the Encroaching Ocean
With sea levels increasing, much of Tuvalu's people is facing the possibility that their islands may soon become uninhabitable. The urgent question is: To where are they going to relocate?
A Tragic Case of Youth Homelessness
As I met a young boy he was thirteen and without a home. I still hoped his situation might change for the better. That hope was tragically misplaced.
The International Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Pivotal Move
In 2020, after spending half his life in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to China. Today, he could hold the answers to who prevails in the global AI race.
The most impactful stories
