Upon consider the past year, a selection of exceptional long-form stories stands out. These narratives probe multifaceted subjects including political machinations and scientific revelations to profoundly human stories.
The Puzzling Author and the Moral Fabric of a Nation
An author gained prominence in the nineties with sharp critiques on autocratic rule. Whereas many of his literary peers have encountered censorship or left the country, he still move vast numbers of copies. It raises a key query: Has the author turned into an supporter for the Kremlin?
Survival and Collaboration in Syria's Devastating Conflict
The story of Mustafa, who at eighteen was given an ultimatum that his sole route to escape incarceration was to join the regime military. Following 14 long years, his former role as one of Assad's soldiers might still put him in mortal danger.
The Acrimonious Dispute Over Our Earliest Beginnings
The unearthing of fossilised bones in the Djurab desert in the early 2000s was proclaimed as fundamentally rewriting the story of our species. But, a faction was persuaded. The resulting bitter scholarly debate has taken over the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
A British Religious Group That Hid in the Open
Philippa Barnes was just a child when her household joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she played a key role in uncover the shocking extent of abuse it had carried out.
The Leader's Puzzling Record on Human Rights
Many supporters hoped that the prime minister would renew the UK's dedication to international law. However, the performance over the first year in office has been strikingly inconsistent.
Shattering a Country's Identity
A documentary tracking a repentant con artist as she records corrupt clients with hidden cameras raises complex questions: Is this person really changed, and what are the filmmaker's own intentions?
A Person Who Decontaminates the UK's Most Difficult Stains
From murder scenes to biological waste, Ben Giles has encountered – and cleaned – everything. In their stickiest times, people turn to him to bring back normalcy.
Will an Iconic Institution Weather an "Perfect Storm"?
Burdened by debates over its collection, strained funding and the discovery of an insider theft, Britain's leading cultural institution is in a major crisis. The question remains: Can it repair its legacy?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": A Torture of Severe Condition
Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this condition has for centuries been without an consistent medical solution – until potentially now.
A Ghost of Extremism in Modern Politics
A militant fanatic and pioneer of hate, Meir Kahane died a political pariah thirty-five years ago. Today, his teachings influence the highest levels of government.
The British Professional With a Fraudulent Side
With his brilliant mind and sterling background, it's understandable that affluent individuals trusted him with their fortunes. Then they began to become uneasy.
The Small Nation That Emerged as the Global Diplomatic Hub
An astonishingly rich country has transformed into a major player on the international scene, attempting to solve some of the most complex disputes. What are behind this ambitious role?
An Inside View at a President Gearing Up for International Summitry
Extremely unpopular at home, the French leader enjoys the world stage, where he positions himself as the leader uniquely positioned to deal with a certain sitting American leader. 7 years after their previous encounter, a journalist joined him as he readied himself for the fray.
During the Trial of a Heartbreaking Story
How did the daughter of an wealthy family find herself at the Old Bailey with her companion, charged with the death of their newborn infant?
An Dismantling of a Major Aid Organization: Not Universal Regret
When efforts were made to dismantle a major US development organization, many around the world were taken aback. But on the ground in a West African nation, this latest disappointment was far from unforeseen.
A Shocking 1960s Experiment on South Asian Women
When details about a scientific experiment in the 1960s came to light, there was immense outrage. But the exact truth of what happened remains somewhat contested.
The "Master" of the Online Age
He's spent a full day in a vat of goo, 48 hours buried alive – and showered huge sums of cash to selected contestants. But are these videos simply very clever clickbait – or works of artistic brilliance?
Existence in a Nation Endangered by the Encroaching Seas
With sea levels increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's residents is grappling with the prospect that their islands may soon become uninhabitable. The urgent issue is: To where are they supposed to go?
A Sorrowful Case of Childhood Destitution
As I encountered a young boy he was 13 and without a home. Even then believed his situation could turn around. I was devastatingly wrong.
A Global AI Race and a Crucial Move
In the recent past, after spending decades in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to his home country. Today, he may possess the key to which nation prevails in the global AI race.
The best narratives
