Upon reflect on the past year, a selection of outstanding long-form pieces emerges. These pieces delve into complex subjects ranging from geopolitical intrigue and scientific discoveries to deeply personal sagas.
The Puzzling Novelist and the Conscience of a Country
A certain Russian novelist became known in the 1990s with biting commentaries on authoritarianism. Although many of his writer contemporaries have faced censorship or fled the nation, he continues to move millions of books. This raises a pressing query: Has he evolved into an defender for the establishment?
Endurance and Complicity in the Syrian Devastating Civil War
The tale of Mustafa, who at eighteen was told that his sole route to escape prison was to join the regime forces. Following 14 long years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's fighters might now cost him his life.
A Fierce Feud Over Our Earliest Origins
The finding of fossilised remains in the Djurab desert in the early 2000s was heralded as radically rewriting the history of our species. However, not everyone was convinced. The subsequent bitter scholarly debate has dominated the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
The British Cult That Hid in the Open
One woman was only a child when her household joined the a religious community. As an grown woman, she helped expose the disturbing scale of exploitation it had perpetrated.
A Leader's Unexpected Stance on International Law
Many followers hoped that the former human rights lawyer would reaffirm the Britain's dedication to international law. But, the performance over the first year in office has been strikingly mixed.
Breaking a Nation's Self-Image
A film featuring a repentant master criminal as she sets up corrupt clients with covert recording poses complex queries: Is this person truly reformed, and what are the filmmaker's true motives?
The Man Who Cleans Britain's Most Traumatic Stains
From homicide sites to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and cleaned – it all. In their darkest moments, families depend on him to bring back normalcy.
Will an Famous Institution Survive an "Omni-Crisis"?
Burdened by colonial controversy, strained funding and the discovery of an insider theft, Britain's leading museum is in a major crisis. The question remains: Is it possible to salvage its reputation?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": A Agony of Extreme Pregnancy
Referred to as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this illness has for centuries lacked an effective treatment solution – until potentially now.
The Legacy of Extremism in Modern Politics
A violent extremist and pioneer of bigotry, a rabbi died a marginalized outcast thirty-five years ago. Today, his ideas shape the highest levels of government.
The British Professional With a Fraudulent Side
With his brilliant intellect and impeccable reputation, it's little wonder that wealthy clients trusted him with their assets. Then they began to become suspicious.
The Small Nation That Became the World's Mediation Capital
An astonishingly rich Gulf state has transformed into a significant force on the international scene, striving to mediate some of the most complex disputes. What are driving this ambitious endeavor?
An Close-Up Look at a President Preparing for Global Summitry
Deeply unpopular at home, the French leader thrives on the world arena, where he presents himself as the statesman most equipped to deal with a particular sitting American leader. 7 years after their previous meeting, a journalist joined him as he prepared for battle.
During the Court Case of a Tragic Story
How did the daughter of an wealthy family find herself at the a major court with her companion, facing charges with killing their two-week-old baby?
An End of a Major Aid Organization: Not Universal Mourning
When actions were made to dismantle a major US development organization, many around the globe were surprised. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this latest letdown was not unexpected.
The Shocking Mid-Century Experiment on South Asian Mothers
When details about a scientific study in the sixties were revealed, there was immense anxiety. But the exact story of what happened remains partially contested.
A "Genius" of the Attention Age
He's endured 24 hours in a vat of goo, 48 hours underground – and given away vast sums of cash to selected participants. But are these videos simply incredibly savvy clickbait – or acts of daring brilliance?
Existence in a Nation Threatened by the Encroaching Seas
With the ocean rising, much of Tuvalu's people is grappling with the reality that their homeland may in the near future become uninhabitable. The pressing question is: To where are they supposed to relocate?
One Sorrowful Story of Childhood Homelessness
When I encountered Craig he was 13 and without a home. Even then hoped his situation could turn around. I was sadly wrong.
A International AI Competition and a Pivotal Move
In 2020, after living half his life in the US, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to his home country. Today, he may possess the answers to which nation prevails in the global AI race.
The most impactful stories
