While we look back on the past year, a selection of remarkable long-form pieces emerges. Such narratives explore multifaceted topics ranging from geopolitical machinations and historical revelations to profoundly human journeys.
A Enigmatic Author and the Soul of a Country
Victor Pelevin became known in the nineties with biting commentaries on autocratic rule. Although numerous of his literary contemporaries have faced suppression or left the country, he still sell vast numbers of books. It prompts a key query: Has the author evolved into an defender for the regime?
Endurance and Collaboration in the Syrian Devastating Conflict
The story of Mustafa, who at eighteen was informed that his only path out of prison was to enlist in the regime military. Following 14 years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's fighters could now put him in mortal danger.
A Acrimonious Dispute Over Our Ancient Origins
The discovery of fossilised 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 resulting heated controversy has dominated the lives of researchers ever since.
The UK Sect That Hid in the Open
One woman was just a child when her household joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she helped reveal the shocking scale of exploitation it had perpetrated.
A Prime Minister's Unexpected Stance on International Law
Numerous supporters expected that the former human rights lawyer would renew the UK's dedication to international law. However, the record over the first year in office has been strikingly mixed.
Shattering a Country's Identity
A documentary following a repentant master criminal as she sets up unscrupulous individuals with covert recording raises difficult questions: Is she really a new person, and what are the director's true methods?
The Person Who Cleans Britain's Most Difficult Stains
From homicide sites to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has encountered – and dealt with – it all. In their stickiest times, families depend on him to bring back order.
Can an Iconic Museum Endure an "Omni-Crisis"?
Burdened by colonial controversy, strained funding and the exposure of an insider theft, the UK's leading cultural institution is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Can it restore its standing?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": The Agony of Severe Pregnancy
Known as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this condition has long been without an effective medical remedy – up until potentially now.
The Ghost of Radicalism in Modern Government
A violent fanatic and early advocate of bigotry, a rabbi died a political outcast thirty-five years ago. Today, his teachings shape the uppermost levels of government.
An British Gentleman With a Crooked Secret
With his keen mind and sterling credentials, it's understandable that affluent individuals trusted him with their assets. Then they began to get suspicious.
The Small State That Emerged as the Global Diplomatic Center
An extremely wealthy country has risen as a major force on the world stage, attempting to solve some of the most long-standing conflicts. Which factors are fueling this ambitious role?
A Close-Up View at a President Gearing Up for Global Summitry
Extremely unpopular at home, President Macron enjoys the international arena, where he projects himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to handle a particular sitting US president. Seven years after their previous encounter, a journalist accompanied him as he prepared for the summit.
During the Court Case of a Tragic Story
How did the daughter of an aristocrat end up at the Old Bailey with her companion, charged with the death of their two-week-old infant?
The Dismantling of a Major Development Organization: Not Widespread Mourning
When efforts were made to drastically cut a major US aid agency, many around the globe were surprised. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this latest letdown was not unexpected.
A Unethical Mid-Century Experiment on Indian Mothers
When details about a medical study in the 1960s became public, there was widespread outrage. But the full truth of what happened is still somewhat contested.
The "Master" of the Attention Age
He's endured 24 hours in a vat of goo, two days underground – and distributed huge amounts of cash to lucky contestants. But are these videos simply very clever clickbait – or acts of artistic genius?
Life in a Nation Threatened by the Encroaching Seas
With sea levels rising, much of Tuvalu's population is confronting the prospect that their homeland may soon be submerged. The pressing question is: To where are they going to relocate?
A Tragic Story of Youth Homelessness
As I met a young boy he was thirteen and homeless. I still believed his life could turn around. That hope was tragically mistaken.
A Global Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Crucial Move
In 2020, after living decades in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to China. Today, he might possess the secret to which nation prevails in the global AI race.
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