While we look back on the year gone by, a curated list of outstanding long-form stories stands out. Such narratives probe multifaceted topics from political machinations and historical revelations to deeply human stories.
A Puzzling Author and the Moral Fabric of a Nation
Victor Pelevin rose to fame in the nineties with biting commentaries on power. Whereas numerous of his writer contemporaries have faced censorship or left the country, he continues to move millions of copies. This poses a pertinent query: Has he become an apologist for the regime?
Endurance and Collaboration in the Syrian Devastating Conflict
The account of a young man, who at eighteen was given an ultimatum that his only route to escape prison was to enlist in the regime military. After fourteen years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers could still put him in mortal danger.
The Bitter Feud Over Our Ancient Origins
The discovery of ancient remains in the Chadian sands in the early 2000s was proclaimed as radically re-writing the narrative of our human race. But, not everyone was convinced. The ensuing heated argument has dominated the lives of researchers ever since.
The UK Religious Group That Operated in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was just a young girl when her household became part of the a religious community. As an adult, she played a key role in uncover the disturbing breadth of mistreatment it had perpetrated.
The Prime Minister's Puzzling Record on Human Rights
Numerous voters anticipated that the former human rights lawyer would renew the Britain's commitment to human rights. Yet, the track record over the past year has been curiously inconsistent.
Challenging a Country's Myth
A film tracking a remorseful con artist as she sets up unscrupulous clients with covert recording raises thorny queries: Is this person really changed, and is the director's own motives?
The Man Who Cleans Britain's Most Difficult Stains
From homicide sites to biological waste, Ben Giles has encountered – and cleaned – everything. In their darkest hours, people depend on him to bring back order.
Will an Iconic Museum Survive an "Perfect Storm"?
Beset by debates over its collection, precarious finances and the exposure of an insider theft, the UK's premier museum is in a major crisis. The challenge remains: Is it possible to repair its standing?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": A Suffering of Extreme Condition
Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this condition has long been without an consistent treatment solution – until potentially now.
The Ghost of Radicalism in Contemporary Politics
A violent extremist and early advocate of hate, Meir Kahane died a marginalized outcast thirty-five years ago. Now, his ideas influence the very highest echelons of the state.
The English Gentleman With a Fraudulent Side
With his sharp intellect and flawless reputation, it's no surprise that wealthy clients entrusted him with their assets. Until they started to become suspicious.
The Tiny State That Became the World's Mediation Hub
An extremely rich country has transformed into a major player on the international scene, striving to solve some of the most intractable disputes. What are driving this unprecedented endeavor?
A Close-Up Look at a President Gearing Up for Global Summitry
Extremely disliked at home, President Macron thrives on the international arena, where he positions himself as the leader best placed to handle a particular sitting American leader. Seven years after their previous encounter, a journalist accompanied him as he readied himself for the fray.
Inside the Court Case of a Tragic Case
How did the child of an wealthy family find herself at the a major court with her companion, facing charges with the death of their newborn baby?
An Dismantling of a Global Aid Agency: Far From Widespread Mourning
When efforts were made to dismantle a major US aid agency, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this latest betrayal was far from unforeseen.
The Shocking 1960s Study on South Asian Women
When information about a medical experiment in the 1960s were revealed, there was widespread shock. But the precise truth of the procedures is still somewhat shrouded.
A "Master" of the Attention Age
He's endured 24 hours in a vat of goo, two days buried alive – and distributed huge sums of money to lucky contestants. But are these productions simply very clever entertainment – or works of artistic brilliance?
Life in a Country Endangered by the Rising Ocean
With the ocean rising, much of this Pacific island nation's population is confronting the possibility that their home may soon become uninhabitable. The urgent issue is: Where are they supposed to relocate?
One Tragic Case of Youth Homelessness
As I encountered Craig he was thirteen and without a home. I still thought his situation might improve. That hope was sadly misplaced.
The Global AI Competition and a Pivotal Defection
In 2020, after living decades in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to his home country. Now, he could possess the answers to who prevails in the global technological rivalry.
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