Upon reflect on the year gone by, a curated list of remarkable long-form stories shines. These narratives probe intricate subjects ranging from geopolitical machinations and scientific discoveries to profoundly personal sagas.
The Puzzling Author and the Moral Fabric of a Country
An author rose to fame in the nineties with sharp commentaries on power. Although many of his writer contemporaries have encountered suppression or left the country, he continues to sell vast numbers of copies. This poses a pressing question: Has he become an defender for the regime?
Survival and Complicity in the Syrian Brutal Conflict
The tale of a young man, who at eighteen was informed that his sole route to escape prison was to enlist in the government military. After 14 long years, his former role as one of Assad's fighters may now get him killed.
A Bitter Feud Over Humanity's Ancient Beginnings
The unearthing of ancient remains in the Chadian desert in the early 2000s was heralded as completely rewriting the story of our species. But, some scholars was in agreement. The subsequent bitter controversy has dominated the lives of scholars ever since.
A UK Religious Group That Operated in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was just a child when her family joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she helped reveal the shocking extent of abuse it had perpetrated.
The Prime Minister's Curious Stance on Human Rights
A great many supporters anticipated that the prime minister would renew the UK's commitment to human rights. But, the record over the past year has been curiously inconsistent.
Shattering a Country's Identity
A documentary tracking a repentant master criminal as she records corrupt clients with hidden cameras raises thorny questions: Is this person genuinely changed, and is the filmmaker's own methods?
A Person Who Cleans the UK's Most Traumatic Stains
From murder scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and restored – it all. In their darkest times, individuals rely on him to restore normalcy.
Can an Famous Institution Survive an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Beset by colonial controversy, difficult funding and the revelation of an insider theft, Britain's premier cultural institution is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Can it restore its reputation?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": A Agony of Severe Pregnancy
Referred to as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this condition has for centuries lacked an effective medical remedy – up until perhaps now.
A Spectre of Radicalism in Contemporary Government
A violent fanatic and early advocate of hate, a rabbi died a marginalized pariah thirty-five years ago. Now, his ideas influence the very highest echelons of government.
The British Gentleman With a Dishonest Side
With his brilliant mind and sterling credentials, it's no surprise that high-net-worth clients trusted him with their assets. Until they began to become suspicious.
A Tiny Nation That Emerged as the World's Diplomatic Hub
An incredibly rich Gulf state has risen as a key actor on the world stage, striving to solve some of the most complex disputes. What are driving this unprecedented role?
An Close-Up View at a Leader Gearing Up for Global Summitry
Extremely unpopular at home, President Macron enjoys the international stage, where he projects himself as the leader uniquely positioned to handle a certain former US president. 7 years after their last encounter, a journalist accompanied him as he prepared for the summit.
During the Trial of a Heartbreaking Case
How did the child of an wealthy family end up at the a major court with her companion, facing charges with the death of their newborn baby?
The Dismantling of a Global Aid Organization: Far From Widespread Regret
When efforts were made to dismantle a prominent development organization, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this latest disappointment was not unexpected.
A Shocking 1960s Experiment on Indian Mothers
When details about a scientific study in the 1960s came to light, there was widespread outrage. But the precise truth of what happened remains somewhat contested.
A "Master" of the Online Economy
He's endured a full day in a vat of goo, two days buried alive – and given away vast sums of cash to selected contestants. But are these productions simply incredibly savvy clickbait – or works of artistic genius?
Life in a Country Threatened by the Rising Ocean
With the ocean increasing, much of Tuvalu's population is grappling with the possibility that their islands may in the near future become uninhabitable. The urgent issue is: To where are they going to relocate?
A Heartbreaking Case of Childhood Homelessness
As I met Craig he was thirteen and homeless. I still hoped his life could turn around. That hope was devastatingly wrong.
A Global AI Race and a Crucial Move
In 2020, after living half his life in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to his home country. Now, he might hold the answers to who prevails in the worldwide AI race.
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