While we consider the previous year, a assortment of outstanding long-form stories shines. These accounts explore multifaceted subjects ranging from political intrigue and scientific discoveries to profoundly personal sagas.
A Mysterious Writer and the Soul of a Country
A certain Russian novelist rose to fame in the 1990s with sharp critiques on autocratic rule. Whereas numerous of his literary contemporaries have encountered censorship or fled the country, he still move millions of copies. It raises a key question: Has he become an apologist for the regime?
Endurance and Complicity in the Syrian Brutal Civil War
The tale of a young man, who at eighteen was told that his only route out of prison was to enlist in the regime forces. Following fourteen long years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's fighters could still put him in mortal danger.
The Fierce Feud Over Humanity's Ancient Beginnings
The unearthing of ancient bones in the Djurab desert in the early 2000s was heralded as radically re-writing the story of our human race. However, some scholars was persuaded. The subsequent bitter scholarly debate has dominated the careers of researchers ever since.
A UK Religious Group That Hid in the Open
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 uncover the appalling extent of exploitation it had committed.
The Leader's Unexpected Record on International Law
Numerous voters hoped that the prime minister would renew the UK's commitment to human rights. Yet, the record over the past year has been strikingly ambiguous.
Breaking a Nation's Self-Image
A documentary featuring a repentant fraudster as she sets up corrupt individuals with hidden cameras poses difficult queries: Is she truly reformed, and what are the director's own methods?
A Man Who Cleans the UK's Most Difficult Scenes
From crime scenes to biological waste, Ben Giles has encountered – and dealt with – everything. In their most challenging moments, individuals depend on him to restore peace.
Will an Famous Museum Endure an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Burdened by restitution claims, precarious finances and the exposure of an internal thief, Britain's leading museum is in deep trouble. The question remains: Can it salvage its legacy?
More Than "Morning Sickness": The Suffering of Extreme Condition
Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this condition has for centuries been without an effective medical end – up until possibly now.
The Spectre of Radicalism in Contemporary Politics
A militant fanatic and pioneer of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a political outcast thirty-five years ago. Now, his ideas influence the uppermost echelons of government.
An English Professional With a Crooked Side
With his sharp intellect and impeccable reputation, it's no surprise that affluent clients trusted him with their fortunes. Then they started to get uneasy.
A Small State That Became the Global Mediation Capital
An extremely wealthy Gulf state has transformed into a key force on the world stage, working to broker peace in some of the most long-standing disputes. Which factors are behind this ambitious endeavor?
A Close-Up View at a President Gearing Up for Global Summitry
Extremely disliked at domestically, President Macron thrives on the international stage, where he projects himself as the leader most equipped to deal with a certain former US president. 7 years after their previous meeting, a journalist joined him as he readied himself for the fray.
During the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Case
How did the child of an wealthy family find herself at the Old Bailey with her companion, facing charges with the death of their newborn infant?
An End of a Major Aid Organization: Far From Universal Mourning
When efforts were made to dismantle a major US development organization, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this latest disappointment was far from unexpected.
A Disturbing Mid-Century Experiment on Indian Mothers
When information about a medical experiment in the sixties came to light, there was immense outrage. But the full truth of the events remains somewhat contested.
The "Genius" of the Online Age
He's spent 24 hours in a vat of goo, two days buried alive – and showered huge amounts of money to lucky participants. But are these stunts simply very savvy clickbait – or acts of avant garde genius?
Existence in a Nation Threatened by the Encroaching Ocean
With the ocean increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's population is facing the prospect that their homeland may soon cease to exist. The critical question is: Where are they going to go?
A Sorrowful Case of Childhood Homelessness
As I encountered Craig he was thirteen and without a home. I still hoped his situation might turn around. I was devastatingly mistaken.
A International Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Pivotal Move
In the recent past, after spending half his life in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to his home country. Now, he may hold the key to who prevails in the worldwide AI race.
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