Upon consider the previous year, a selection of exceptional long-form stories shines. These pieces probe multifaceted subjects ranging from geopolitical machinations and historical discoveries to profoundly personal stories.
A Mysterious Novelist and the Moral Fabric of a Country
An author gained prominence in the 1990s with scathing critiques on autocratic rule. While many of his writer peers have faced censorship or left the country, he continues to move vast numbers of copies. This prompts a key question: Has he evolved into an supporter for the establishment?
Survival and Collaboration in Syria's Horrific Civil War
The story of Mustafa, who at eighteen was given an ultimatum that his sole path to escape prison was to enlist in the government military. After fourteen long years, his past as one of Assad's fighters could still put him in mortal danger.
A Acrimonious Argument Over Humanity's Earliest Origins
The unearthing of fossilised bones in the Djurab desert in 2001 was proclaimed as radically rewriting the narrative of our human race. However, some scholars was convinced. The subsequent intense argument has consumed the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
A UK Cult That Hid in the Open
One woman was just a child when her household became part of the a religious community. As an grown woman, she played a key role in uncover the disturbing extent of exploitation it had committed.
The Prime Minister's Unexpected Stance on International Law
Many voters anticipated 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 mixed.
Challenging a Nation's Self-Image
A film following a remorseful fraudster as she ensnares unscrupulous clients with hidden cameras raises difficult questions: Is this person truly a new person, and what are the filmmaker's true intentions?
A Man Who Cleans Britain's Most Difficult Scenes
From homicide sites to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has encountered – and dealt with – it all. In their most challenging moments, people turn to him to restore peace.
Will an Famous Museum Weather an "Perfect Storm"?
Burdened by debates over its collection, strained finances and the exposure of an internal thief, the UK's premier cultural institution is in deep trouble. The question remains: Can it salvage its reputation?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": The Agony of Severe Condition
Called a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this illness has long been without an consistent treatment end – until potentially now.
A Ghost of Extremism in Modern Politics
A violent extremist and pioneer of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a marginalized pariah thirty-five years ago. Today, his teachings shape the very highest echelons of government.
An British Professional With a Dishonest Secret
With his brilliant mind and impeccable credentials, it's understandable that wealthy clients trusted him with their wealth. Until they started to get uneasy.
A Small Nation That Became the Global Diplomatic Center
An incredibly rich Gulf state has become a major actor on the international scene, striving to mediate some of the most intractable disputes. What are behind this unprecedented role?
A Close-Up Look at a President Gearing Up for International Summitry
Extremely unpopular at domestically, President Macron thrives on the world arena, where he positions himself as the statesman most equipped to manage a particular former US president. Seven years after their previous encounter, a journalist joined him as he prepared for the summit.
Inside the Court Case of a Tragic Story
What led to the daughter of an wealthy family end up at the Old Bailey with her companion, facing charges with killing their newborn infant?
An End of a Major Aid Organization: Not Universal Mourning
When efforts were made to drastically cut a major US aid agency, many around the globe were shocked. But on the ground in a West African nation, this most recent letdown was not unforeseen.
The Shocking Mid-Century Experiment on South Asian Women
When information about a scientific experiment in the sixties were revealed, there was immense anxiety. But the exact story of the events remains somewhat contested.
A "Mozart" of the Online Economy
He's endured 24 hours in a vat of goo, two days underground – and showered enormous sums of money to lucky participants. But are these videos simply incredibly savvy entertainment – or works of artistic brilliance?
Existence in a Nation Threatened by the Encroaching Seas
With sea levels rising, much of this Pacific island nation's residents is facing the prospect that their home may soon be submerged. The pressing question is: Where are they going to relocate?
One Tragic Story of Childhood Homelessness
When I encountered a young boy he was thirteen and homeless. Even then hoped his life could change for the better. I was sadly wrong.
A Global Artificial Intelligence Race and a Key Defection
In the recent past, after living half his life in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to his home country. Now, he could hold the key to who wins the worldwide technological rivalry.
The best stories
