As we reflect on the year gone by, a assortment of outstanding long-form pieces emerges. Such pieces explore multifaceted subjects including geopolitical machinations and scientific discoveries to profoundly human journeys.
A Enigmatic Writer and the Moral Fabric of a Country
A certain Russian novelist became known in the 1990s with biting satires on autocratic rule. Whereas several of his literary contemporaries have encountered censorship or left the country, he continues to move vast numbers of books. It raises a pressing query: Has the author evolved into an defender for the Kremlin?
Endurance and Collaboration in Syria's Brutal Conflict
The tale of Mustafa, who at 18 was told that his sole path to escape prison was to enlist in the regime military. After 14 long years, his former role as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers might now cost him his life.
A Fierce Dispute Over Our Earliest Beginnings
The finding of ancient remains in the Djurab desert in 2001 was heralded as radically changing the history of our human race. But, some scholars was in agreement. The ensuing bitter controversy has dominated the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
The British Religious Group That Operated in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was just a child when her household became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she played a key role in reveal the disturbing extent of abuse it had perpetrated.
The Leader's Unexpected Record on Human Rights
A great many voters expected that the prime minister would renew the Britain's commitment to human rights. However, the record over the first year in office has been strikingly ambiguous.
Breaking a Nation's Myth
A film tracking a repentant master criminal as she sets up corrupt clients with covert recording raises complex queries: Is this person genuinely changed, and what are the director's own motives?
A Person Who Cleans Britain's Most Difficult Stains
From homicide sites to biological waste, Ben Giles has seen – and restored – everything. In their stickiest times, individuals depend on him to bring back order.
Can an Renowned Museum Survive an "Omni-Crisis"?
Burdened by restitution claims, precarious finances and the revelation of an internal thief, Britain's leading cultural institution is in deep trouble. The challenge remains: Can it salvage its reputation?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": A Torture of Severe Condition
Known as hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this illness has for centuries been without an reliable treatment solution – until potentially now.
The Spectre of Radicalism in Modern Politics
A militant fanatic and pioneer of hate, a rabbi died a marginalized pariah 35 years ago. In the present day, his ideas permeate the very highest echelons of government.
An English Professional With a Fraudulent Side
With his sharp intellect and impeccable background, it's little wonder that wealthy clients entrusted him with their assets. Until they began to become wary.
The Small State That Became the World's Diplomatic Capital
An astonishingly rich Gulf state has transformed into a major actor on the international scene, attempting to solve some of the most intractable conflicts. What are behind this unprecedented endeavor?
A Close-Up Look at a Leader Gearing Up for Global Battle
Extremely disliked at home, the French leader relishes the world arena, where he positions himself as the leader most equipped to manage a particular sitting US president. 7 years after their last encounter, a writer joined him as he prepared for battle.
Inside the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Story
How did the child of an wealthy family end up at the a major court with her partner, facing charges with killing their newborn infant?
The End of a Global Aid Agency: Far From Universal Regret
When actions were made to drastically cut a major US aid agency, many around the world were shocked. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this latest betrayal was far from unexpected.
The Unethical 1960s Study on South Asian Mothers
When details about a scientific study in the 1960s were revealed, there was widespread shock. But the exact truth of the procedures is still somewhat contested.
The "Mozart" of the Attention Economy
He's endured a full day in a vat of goo, two days buried alive – and showered enormous sums of cash to lucky participants. But are these stunts simply very savvy clickbait – or acts of avant garde genius?
Life in a Country Endangered by the Rising Seas
With the ocean increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's people is facing the reality that their homeland may soon become uninhabitable. The urgent question is: To where are they supposed to relocate?
One Tragic Story of Youth Destitution
When I met a young boy he was 13 and homeless. I still hoped his situation could change for the better. I was tragically misplaced.
A Global AI Competition and a Crucial Move
In 2020, after spending decades in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to China. Today, he could possess the secret to which nation wins the global technological rivalry.
The most impactful stories
