As we consider the previous year, a assortment of outstanding long-form pieces shines. These accounts explore intricate subjects including geopolitical machinations and scientific discoveries to profoundly human sagas.
A Puzzling Novelist and the Soul of a Nation
A certain Russian novelist gained prominence in the 1990s with scathing satires on autocratic rule. While numerous of his literary contemporaries have encountered censorship or fled the country, he still move millions of books. This prompts a pertinent query: Has the author turned into an defender for the establishment?
Endurance and Complicity in Syria's Brutal Civil War
The account of Mustafa, who at eighteen was informed that his only path out of prison was to enlist in the regime forces. After 14 years, his past as one of Assad's fighters might now put him in mortal danger.
The Acrimonious Dispute Over Our Earliest Origins
The unearthing of fossilised remains in the Djurab sands in 2001 was heralded as completely rewriting the history of our human race. Yet, not everyone was convinced. The subsequent heated argument has dominated the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
A British Cult That Operated in the Open
Philippa Barnes was only a young girl when her household joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she helped uncover the disturbing scale of abuse it had committed.
The Prime Minister's Unexpected Stance on International Law
A great many followers hoped that the prime minister would renew the the nation's commitment to international law. However, the performance over the past year has been curiously ambiguous.
Breaking a Country's Myth
A documentary featuring a remorseful fraudster as she ensnares unscrupulous clients with hidden cameras poses difficult queries: Is she really a new person, and is the filmmaker's own intentions?
A Person Who Cleans the UK's Most Traumatic Stains
From homicide sites to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has seen – and dealt with – everything. In their stickiest hours, people depend on him to restore normalcy.
Will an Renowned Museum Survive an "Perfect Storm"?
Plagued by restitution claims, precarious funding and the revelation of an insider theft, Britain's premier museum is in serious difficulty. The challenge remains: Is it possible to repair its standing?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": A Torture of Severe Condition
Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this illness has long lacked an consistent medical remedy – until possibly now.
A Legacy of Extremism in Modern Government
A violent fanatic and early advocate of hate, Meir Kahane died a political outcast 35 years ago. Today, his teachings influence the uppermost echelons of the state.
An English Professional With a Dishonest Side
With his sharp mind and flawless reputation, it's no surprise that wealthy individuals trusted him with their wealth. Then they started to get suspicious.
A Tiny State That Became the World's Mediation Center
An astonishingly rich country has become a significant actor on the international scene, working to mediate some of the most long-standing conflicts. What are behind this ambitious project?
A Close-Up Look at a President Preparing for Global Battle
Deeply unpopular at domestically, President Macron enjoys the international arena, where he positions himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to deal with a particular sitting US president. Seven years after their last encounter, a journalist accompanied him as he prepared for the fray.
Inside the Court Case of a Tragic Case
How did the child of an wealthy family find herself at the Old Bailey with her companion, charged with killing their two-week-old baby?
An Dismantling of a Major Development Agency: Not Universal Regret
When actions were made to wind down a major US development organization, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this latest letdown was far from unexpected.
A Disturbing 1960s Experiment on Indian Women
When information about a medical experiment in the sixties became public, there was immense outrage. But the exact truth of the events remains partially unclear.
A "Mozart" of the Online Age
He's spent a full day in a vat of goo, 48 hours buried alive – and showered vast amounts of cash to lucky contestants. But are these stunts simply very savvy clickbait – or acts of avant garde brilliance?
Life in a Country Endangered by the Rising Ocean
With sea levels rising, much of this Pacific island nation's residents is grappling with the possibility that their homeland may in the near future cease to exist. The pressing issue is: Where are they going to go?
A Tragic Story of Youth Homelessness
As I encountered Craig he was 13 and without a home. Even then believed his situation could change for the better. That hope was devastatingly misplaced.
A International Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Crucial Move
In the recent past, after living half his life in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to China. Today, he could possess the answers to which nation prevails in the worldwide AI race.
The most impactful stories
