Upon reflect on the year gone by, a curated list of exceptional long-form stories emerges. Such narratives probe multifaceted topics from geopolitical machinations and scientific discoveries to deeply personal sagas.
A Mysterious Novelist and the Soul of a Nation
An author became known in the nineties with scathing critiques on power. Although many of his writer peers have faced censorship or left the nation, he continues to sell vast numbers of books. It prompts a pertinent question: Has the author become an defender for the establishment?
Endurance and Collaboration in Syria's Brutal Conflict
The tale of Mustafa, who at 18 was told that his sole route to escape incarceration was to join the government forces. Following 14 long years, his former role as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers might still cost him his life.
A Fierce Dispute Over Humanity's Earliest Origins
The unearthing of fossilised remains in the Chadian desert in 2001 was heralded as radically changing the narrative of our species. Yet, not everyone was persuaded. The ensuing heated scholarly debate has dominated the careers of scholars ever since.
A UK Religious Group That Hid in the Open
Philippa Barnes was only a child when her family became part of the a religious community. As an grown woman, she played a key role in uncover the disturbing extent of abuse it had committed.
A Leader's Unexpected Stance on Human Rights
Many voters expected that the prime minister would reaffirm the the nation's commitment to international law. However, the track record over the past year has been strikingly ambiguous.
Breaking a Country's Myth
A documentary tracking a remorseful fraudster as she records unscrupulous clients with hidden cameras asks thorny questions: Is she really changed, and is the director's true motives?
The Man Who Decontaminates Britain's Most Difficult Scenes
From homicide sites to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has seen – and dealt with – it all. In their darkest hours, people turn to him to restore normalcy.
Can an Famous Museum Survive an "Omni-Crisis"?
Burdened by restitution claims, strained funding and the discovery of an internal thief, the UK's premier cultural institution is in a major crisis. The question remains: Is it possible to restore its standing?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": A Torture of Severe Condition
Known as hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this illness has long lacked an effective medical solution – up until perhaps now.
A Spectre of Radicalism in Contemporary Politics
A militant fanatic and pioneer of hate, Meir Kahane died a political pariah thirty-five years ago. Today, his ideas permeate the highest echelons of the state.
An British Professional With a Fraudulent Secret
With his keen mind and flawless background, it's no surprise that high-net-worth individuals entrusted him with their wealth. Until they began to get uneasy.
A Small State That Emerged as the World's Diplomatic Center
An incredibly wealthy Gulf state has transformed into a major actor on the world stage, striving to broker peace in some of the most complex conflicts. Which factors are fueling this ambitious endeavor?
A Inside View at a President Preparing for International Battle
Deeply unpopular at domestically, President Macron thrives on the international stage, where he positions himself as the statesman most equipped to deal with a particular former US president. 7 years after their last encounter, a journalist accompanied him as he prepared for battle.
Inside the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Story
How did the daughter of an wealthy family end up at the Old Bailey with her partner, charged with killing their newborn baby?
An Dismantling of a Global Aid Organization: Far From Widespread Mourning
When actions were made to dismantle a major US aid agency, many around the globe were surprised. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this latest disappointment was not unexpected.
A Disturbing 1960s Experiment on South Asian Mothers
When details about a scientific study in the sixties became public, there was immense shock. But the full story of what happened is still partially shrouded.
A "Mozart" of the Attention Economy
He's endured a full day in a vat of goo, 48 hours buried alive – and given away vast sums of money to lucky contestants. But are these stunts simply incredibly clever clickbait – or works of daring brilliance?
Life in a Nation Endangered by the Rising Seas
With the ocean increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's residents is confronting the reality that their home may in the near future be submerged. The critical issue is: Where are they supposed to relocate?
A Heartbreaking Case of Childhood Destitution
When I met a young boy he was thirteen and homeless. I still hoped his life might change for the better. That hope was devastatingly mistaken.
A Global Artificial Intelligence Race and a Crucial Defection
In the recent past, after spending decades in the US, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to China. Today, he may hold the key to which nation wins the worldwide AI race.
The best narratives
