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As we look back on the previous year, a selection of exceptional long-form pieces shines. These pieces delve into multifaceted subjects ranging from political machinations and scientific revelations to deeply personal sagas.

A Enigmatic Novelist and the Conscience of a Country

An author rose to fame in the nineties with biting satires on autocratic rule. Whereas several of his writer contemporaries have faced censorship or left the nation, he continues to sell vast numbers of copies. This raises a key question: Has he turned into an supporter for the regime?

Endurance and Complicity in the Syrian Horrific Civil War

The story of a young man, who at 18 was given an ultimatum that his sole route to escape prison was to join the government forces. Following 14 long years, his history as one of Assad's soldiers might now cost him his life.

A Acrimonious Dispute Over Our Earliest Beginnings

The discovery of ancient remains in the Chadian sands in 2001 was proclaimed as fundamentally rewriting the story of our human race. However, some scholars was persuaded. The resulting intense controversy has taken over the careers of scholars ever since.

A British Cult That Hid in the Open

Philippa Barnes was just a child when her family joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she helped expose the shocking scale of abuse it had committed.

A Statesman's Curious Stance on Human Rights

Numerous voters anticipated that the prime minister would restore the UK's commitment to international law. Yet, the track record over the past year has been notably ambiguous.

Shattering a Country's Myth

A documentary tracking a remorseful master criminal as she sets up corrupt clients with hidden cameras asks difficult questions: Is this person genuinely a new person, and what are the director's true methods?

The Person Who Cleans Britain's Most Difficult Stains

From crime scenes to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and dealt with – everything. In their most challenging times, people rely on him to restore peace.

Can an Famous Institution Endure an "Omni-Crisis"?

Burdened by restitution claims, strained funding and the exposure of an internal thief, Britain's leading cultural institution is in a major crisis. The challenge remains: Can it repair its legacy?

More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": A Agony of Extreme Condition

Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this illness has for centuries been without an consistent medical end – up until perhaps now.

A Legacy of Radicalism in Modern Politics

A militant extremist and early advocate of bigotry, a rabbi died a political pariah thirty-five years ago. In the present day, his teachings shape the uppermost levels of the state.

An British Gentleman With a Dishonest Side

With his sharp intellect and sterling background, it's understandable that high-net-worth clients entrusted him with their fortunes. Then they started to become wary.

A Small State That Became the World's Diplomatic Capital

An astonishingly wealthy country has risen as a major actor on the international scene, working to solve some of the most intractable conflicts. Which factors are behind this ambitious endeavor?

A Close-Up Look at a President Gearing Up for International Battle

Deeply disliked at home, President Macron enjoys the international arena, where he projects himself as the statesman best placed to manage a certain former US president. 7 years after their previous encounter, a writer accompanied him as he prepared for the fray.

Inside the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Story

What led to the child of an wealthy family find herself at the Old Bailey with her partner, facing charges with the death of their newborn infant?

An Dismantling of a Major Development Organization: Not Widespread Mourning

When efforts were made to wind down a prominent development organization, many around the world were taken aback. But on the ground in a West African nation, this latest letdown was far from unexpected.

A Disturbing Mid-Century Experiment on Indian Women

When information about a scientific study in the sixties became public, there was immense anxiety. But the full truth of what happened remains partially contested.

A "Master" of the Online Age

He's endured 24 hours in a vat of goo, 48 hours buried alive – and showered huge sums of cash to lucky contestants. But are these stunts simply incredibly clever entertainment – or acts of avant garde brilliance?

Existence in a Nation Endangered by the Rising Ocean

With sea levels increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's people is facing the reality that their islands may in the near future be submerged. The pressing question is: To where are they supposed to relocate?

A Sorrowful Story of Childhood Destitution

When I met a young boy he was thirteen and without a home. I still believed his life could change for the better. I was tragically wrong.

A International AI Race and a Pivotal Defection

In 2020, after spending decades in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to his home country. Now, he might possess the key to who wins the worldwide AI race.

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