Upon reflect on the year gone by, a assortment of exceptional long-form stories stands out. Such accounts delve into intricate themes from political intrigue and scientific discoveries to deeply personal stories.
A Mysterious Author and the Moral Fabric of a Country
An author became known in the post-Soviet era with biting satires on autocratic rule. While many of his literary contemporaries have faced suppression or left the nation, he continues to sell vast numbers of books. This raises a key query: Has he turned into an defender for the Kremlin?
Endurance and Collaboration in Syria's Devastating Conflict
The account of a young man, who at 18 was told that his sole path to escape incarceration was to join the regime military. Following fourteen years, his past as one of Assad's soldiers might now put him in mortal danger.
The Bitter Dispute Over Humanity's Ancient Origins
The finding of fossilised remains in the Chadian desert in the early 2000s was heralded as fundamentally rewriting the history of our species. However, a faction was persuaded. The subsequent heated scholarly debate has consumed the careers of scholars ever since.
The UK Sect That Operated in the Open
One woman was just a young girl when her household joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she played a key role in uncover the disturbing extent of mistreatment it had perpetrated.
The Prime Minister's Curious Record on Human Rights
Many supporters expected that the former human rights lawyer would restore the the nation's commitment to international law. However, the record over the past year has been curiously mixed.
Shattering a Nation's Self-Image
A film following a repentant master criminal as she records corrupt individuals with hidden cameras poses thorny queries: Is she really reformed, and what are the filmmaker's own intentions?
The Person Who Cleans the UK's Darkest Scenes
From murder scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has seen – and dealt with – everything. In their most challenging moments, people turn to him to bring back peace.
Will an Iconic Museum Endure an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Plagued by debates over its collection, strained funding and the exposure of an internal thief, the UK's premier museum is in deep trouble. The question remains: Is it possible to repair its legacy?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": A Suffering of Severe Pregnancy
Known as hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this illness has long lacked an consistent treatment remedy – until possibly now.
A Ghost of Extremism in Contemporary Government
A militant fanatic and early advocate of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a marginalized pariah 35 years ago. In the present day, his teachings permeate the very highest echelons of government.
An English Gentleman With a Fraudulent Secret
With his brilliant mind and flawless background, it's little wonder that high-net-worth individuals entrusted him with their wealth. Then they began to become suspicious.
The Small Nation That Became the Global Diplomatic Center
An astonishingly wealthy country has become a major player on the international scene, striving to mediate some of the most intractable disputes. What are driving this unprecedented role?
An Inside View at a Leader Gearing Up for International Summitry
Extremely disliked at home, President Macron relishes the international arena, where he presents himself as the leader best placed to deal with a certain sitting US president. 7 years after their previous encounter, a journalist accompanied him as he readied himself for battle.
During the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Story
How did the child of an aristocrat end up at the a major court with her companion, facing charges with killing their two-week-old infant?
The Dismantling of a Major Aid Organization: Far From Universal Mourning
When efforts were made to drastically cut a prominent aid agency, many around the world were shocked. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this latest disappointment was not unexpected.
A Disturbing 1960s Study on South Asian Mothers
When information about a scientific experiment in the 1960s came to light, there was widespread anxiety. But the exact nature of the events is still partially contested.
The "Genius" of the Attention Age
He's spent 24 hours in slime, two days underground – and distributed huge sums of money to lucky participants. But are these videos simply incredibly clever entertainment – or works of avant garde genius?
Life in a Nation Threatened by the Rising Seas
With the ocean increasing, much of Tuvalu's people is grappling with the reality that their home may in the near future cease to exist. The pressing question is: Where are they supposed to relocate?
One Tragic Case of Childhood Homelessness
As I encountered Craig he was 13 and homeless. Even then believed his situation could turn around. That hope was devastatingly mistaken.
A International Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Key Defection
In the recent past, after spending half his life in the US, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to his home country. Now, he might possess the answers to which nation wins the worldwide technological rivalry.
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