Upon consider the past year, a assortment of remarkable long-form pieces stands out. Such narratives explore intricate topics ranging from geopolitical machinations and scientific revelations to profoundly human journeys.
The Enigmatic Author and the Moral Fabric of a Nation
A certain Russian novelist became known in the 1990s with biting commentaries on power. Although several of his writer peers have faced suppression or left the country, he continues to move vast numbers of copies. This prompts a pressing query: Has the author evolved into an supporter for the regime?
Endurance and Complicity in the Syrian Devastating Conflict
The tale of a young man, who at 18 was given an ultimatum that his sole path to escape prison was to join the regime forces. Following fourteen years, his history as one of Assad's fighters may now cost him his life.
The Bitter Feud Over Our Earliest Beginnings
The discovery of fossilised bones in the Chadian sands in the early 2000s was hailed as radically re-writing the narrative of our human race. But, not everyone was in agreement. The subsequent intense controversy has consumed the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.
The British Sect That Hid in the Open
Philippa Barnes was just a child when her household joined the a religious community. As an grown woman, she helped uncover the shocking scale of abuse it had perpetrated.
A Statesman's Unexpected Stance on Human Rights
Numerous voters hoped that the prime minister would restore the UK's commitment to human rights. However, the record over the first year in office has been curiously mixed.
Shattering a Country's Myth
A film featuring a repentant master criminal as she ensnares unscrupulous individuals with covert recording asks difficult questions: Is this person truly changed, and is the director's true motives?
The Person Who Decontaminates Britain's Most Difficult Scenes
From homicide sites to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has seen – and dealt with – everything. In their stickiest hours, people depend on him to restore normalcy.
Will an Famous Institution Weather an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Plagued by debates over its collection, precarious funding and the discovery of an insider theft, Britain's leading cultural institution is in deep trouble. The challenge remains: Is it possible to restore its reputation?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": A Suffering of Extreme Pregnancy
Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this illness has long been without an consistent medical solution – up until possibly now.
The Legacy of Radicalism in Contemporary Politics
A militant extremist and pioneer of hate, Meir Kahane died a political pariah 35 years ago. Today, his ideology influence the uppermost levels of the state.
The English Gentleman With a Dishonest Side
With his brilliant mind and sterling background, it's little wonder that wealthy individuals trusted him with their assets. Then they began to become uneasy.
A Tiny State That Became the Global Mediation Capital
An astonishingly wealthy country has risen as a significant player on the world stage, working to mediate some of the most intractable disputes. What are driving this unprecedented endeavor?
An Inside View at a President Gearing Up for Global Summitry
Extremely unpopular at home, the French leader relishes the international stage, where he positions himself as the statesman best placed to manage a certain sitting American leader. Seven years after their last meeting, a journalist joined him as he prepared for battle.
Inside the Trial of a Heartbreaking Case
How did the daughter of an wealthy family find herself at the Old Bailey with her companion, charged with killing their two-week-old baby?
An End of a Major Development Organization: Far From Widespread Regret
When actions were made to dismantle a major US development organization, many around the world were surprised. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this latest betrayal was not unforeseen.
The Disturbing 1960s Study on South Asian Mothers
When details about a scientific experiment in the sixties were revealed, there was widespread shock. But the full truth of what happened is still somewhat contested.
The "Master" of the Attention Economy
He's endured 24 hours in a vat of goo, two days buried alive – and given away enormous amounts of money to selected contestants. But are these stunts simply very savvy entertainment – or works of daring genius?
Life in a Nation Endangered by the Encroaching Seas
With the ocean increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's people is confronting the possibility that their islands may in the near future become uninhabitable. The pressing question is: Where are they supposed to go?
A Sorrowful Case of Youth Destitution
When I met a young boy he was thirteen and without a home. Even then believed his life might improve. That hope was sadly wrong.
A Global AI Race and a Crucial Move
In 2020, after living decades in the US, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to his home country. Today, he could possess the answers to who prevails in the global technological rivalry.
The most impactful stories
