As we reflect on the past year, a selection of outstanding feature-length articles stands out. Such pieces explore intricate themes ranging from political machinations and historical revelations to deeply human stories.
The Puzzling Writer and the Conscience of a Nation
An author rose to fame in the post-Soviet era with scathing commentaries on authoritarianism. While several of his writer peers have faced suppression or left the country, he continues to sell millions of books. This poses a pertinent question: Has the author turned into an supporter for the establishment?
Endurance and Collaboration in Syria's Brutal Civil War
The tale of a young man, who at 18 was informed that his only way out of incarceration was to enlist in the government military. After fourteen long years, his former role as one of Assad's fighters could now get him killed.
A Fierce Dispute Over Our Earliest Beginnings
The discovery of fossilised remains in the Chadian desert in 2001 was heralded as fundamentally re-writing the story of our human race. But, some scholars was persuaded. The resulting heated controversy has taken over the lives of scholars ever since.
A UK Cult That Hid in the Open
One woman was only a child when her household joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she helped reveal the appalling scale of abuse it had committed.
The Prime Minister's Curious Stance on Human Rights
A great many voters expected that the prime minister would restore the UK's dedication to human rights. But, the record over the past year has been curiously inconsistent.
Challenging a Nation's Self-Image
A film featuring a remorseful fraudster as she records corrupt clients with covert recording poses complex questions: Is this person truly reformed, and what are the filmmaker's true methods?
The Man Who Remediates the UK's Most Traumatic Stains
From murder scenes to whale blubber, Ben Giles has witnessed – and cleaned – it all. In their darkest times, people turn to him to bring back peace.
Will an Renowned Institution Weather an "Perfect Storm"?
Burdened by restitution claims, difficult funding and the revelation of an internal thief, the UK's leading cultural institution is in a major crisis. The challenge remains: Can it salvage its reputation?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": A Suffering of Severe Condition
Known as hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this illness has long lacked an reliable treatment end – up until possibly now.
A Spectre of Extremism in Modern Government
A violent fanatic and pioneer of hate, Meir Kahane died a political pariah 35 years ago. In the present day, his ideology influence the highest levels of the state.
An British Professional With a Fraudulent Side
With his brilliant mind and impeccable credentials, it's no surprise that high-net-worth individuals trusted him with their fortunes. Until they began to get wary.
The Tiny State That Became the Global Mediation Center
An incredibly wealthy country has risen as a major actor on the international scene, attempting to broker peace in some of the most complex disputes. Which factors are driving this unprecedented project?
An Inside View at a President Preparing for Global Summitry
Extremely disliked at domestically, President Macron relishes the world arena, where he projects himself as the leader best placed to manage a particular former US president. Seven years after their last encounter, a journalist joined 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 companion, facing charges with killing their two-week-old infant?
An Dismantling of a Major Aid Organization: Far From Widespread Mourning
When actions were made to drastically cut a prominent development organization, many around the world were shocked. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this latest disappointment was far from unexpected.
The Disturbing Mid-Century Study on South Asian Mothers
When information about a medical experiment in the 1960s came to light, there was widespread outrage. But the exact truth of the events remains somewhat contested.
The "Mozart" of the Attention Economy
He's endured 24 hours in a vat of goo, 48 hours underground – and showered vast sums of money to lucky participants. But are these stunts simply incredibly clever entertainment – or acts of avant garde genius?
Existence in a Country Threatened by the Encroaching Seas
With the ocean rising, much of Tuvalu's population is facing the prospect that their islands may in the near future become uninhabitable. The critical issue is: Where are they going to relocate?
A Heartbreaking Case of Childhood Homelessness
As I met a young boy he was thirteen and homeless. Even then thought his life might turn around. I was devastatingly wrong.
The International Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Key Move
In 2020, after living half his life in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to China. Today, he could possess the secret to who wins the worldwide AI race.
The most impactful stories
