While we reflect on the past year, a curated list of exceptional long-form stories shines. These accounts probe intricate subjects from political intrigue and scientific revelations to deeply personal sagas.
The Mysterious Writer and the Soul of a Country
An author gained prominence in the 1990s with scathing commentaries on autocratic rule. While many of his literary peers have faced censorship or fled the nation, he still sell vast numbers of books. This poses a key query: Has the author evolved into an defender for the establishment?
Survival and Complicity in the Syrian Horrific Conflict
The tale of a young man, who at eighteen was told that his only path out of incarceration was to join the regime forces. Following 14 years, his history as one of Assad's fighters may now put him in mortal danger.
The Acrimonious Feud Over Humanity's Earliest Beginnings
The finding of ancient remains in the Chadian sands in the early 2000s was heralded as fundamentally re-writing the narrative of our species. However, a faction was convinced. The resulting intense controversy has taken over the lives of researchers ever since.
The UK Religious Group That Operated in the Open
Philippa Barnes was just a young girl when her family became part of the a religious community. As an grown woman, she helped reveal the disturbing extent of abuse it had carried out.
A Leader's Puzzling Record on Human Rights
A great many followers 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 notably ambiguous.
Challenging a Nation's Myth
A film featuring a remorseful fraudster as she sets up unscrupulous clients with covert recording asks difficult questions: Is she really changed, and what are the director's own motives?
A Man Who Cleans Britain's Most Traumatic Scenes
From crime scenes to biological waste, Ben Giles has witnessed – and cleaned – everything. In their most challenging hours, individuals rely on him to bring back order.
Will an Famous Institution Survive an "Omni-Crisis"?
Burdened by colonial controversy, precarious funding and the discovery of an insider theft, the UK's premier museum is in a major crisis. The question remains: Can it salvage its legacy?
More Than "Morning Sickness": A Suffering of Extreme Pregnancy
Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this condition has for centuries lacked an consistent medical end – up until potentially now.
A Spectre of Extremism in Modern Politics
A violent fanatic and early advocate of hate, a rabbi died a marginalized outcast 35 years ago. In the present day, his teachings influence the highest levels of government.
The English Gentleman With a Fraudulent Secret
With his brilliant mind and flawless background, it's little wonder that affluent individuals entrusted him with their fortunes. Then they started to get suspicious.
The Small Nation That Emerged as the World's Diplomatic Capital
An extremely rich Gulf state has risen as a significant force on the world stage, working to broker peace in some of the most complex disputes. What are driving this unprecedented role?
A Inside View at a Leader Preparing for Global Summitry
Deeply disliked at home, President Macron enjoys the world stage, where he projects himself as the leader most equipped to handle a particular former US president. Seven years after their previous encounter, a journalist accompanied him as he prepared for the summit.
Inside the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Story
How did the daughter of an aristocrat end up at the Old Bailey with her partner, facing charges with killing their two-week-old infant?
An Dismantling of a Global Aid Agency: Far From Widespread Regret
When actions were made to wind down a prominent aid agency, many around the world were surprised. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this most recent letdown was far from unforeseen.
A Unethical 1960s Experiment on Indian Mothers
When details about a medical experiment in the 1960s became public, there was immense outrage. But the exact story of what happened is still partially unclear.
A "Mozart" of the Online Economy
He's spent a full day in slime, two days underground – and distributed huge sums of cash to selected participants. But are these videos simply very clever entertainment – or works of avant garde brilliance?
Existence in a Nation Threatened by the Rising Ocean
With sea levels rising, much of Tuvalu's people is grappling with the reality that their home may in the near future be submerged. The urgent issue is: Where are they supposed to go?
One Tragic Story of Childhood Homelessness
As I encountered a young boy he was 13 and without a home. I still thought his life might turn around. I was tragically misplaced.
A Global AI Competition and a Crucial Defection
In 2020, after spending half his life in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to China. Now, he might hold the answers to who prevails in the global AI race.
The most impactful stories
