A Top Feature Reads of the Year: A Selection of Profound Narratives
While we look back on the year gone by, a selection of remarkable long-form pieces emerges. These narratives explore multifaceted topics from geopolitical intrigue and scientific discoveries to profoundly human sagas.
A Enigmatic Writer and the Conscience of a Nation
Victor Pelevin gained prominence in the 1990s with scathing commentaries on authoritarianism. Although numerous of his literary contemporaries have faced suppression or left the nation, he continues to move millions of copies. It raises a key question: Has the author turned into an apologist for the Kremlin?
Endurance and Complicity in Syria's Brutal Conflict
The account of Mustafa, who at eighteen was given an ultimatum that his only route out of incarceration was to enlist in the government forces. After fourteen years, his former role as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers may now put him in mortal danger.
A Acrimonious Dispute Over Humanity's Earliest Origins
The finding of fossilised remains in the Chadian sands in 2001 was heralded as fundamentally rewriting the history of our human race. But, some scholars was convinced. The resulting heated argument has consumed the lives of researchers ever since.
The British Cult That Hid in the Open
Philippa Barnes was only a young girl when her family joined the a religious community. As an grown woman, she played a key role in expose the disturbing extent of exploitation it had perpetrated.
A Statesman's Curious Stance on Human Rights
A great many supporters anticipated that the prime minister would restore the the nation's dedication to human rights. Yet, the record over the first year in office has been strikingly mixed.
Challenging a Nation's Self-Image
A film tracking a remorseful master criminal as she sets up corrupt clients with hidden cameras raises thorny queries: Is this person really changed, and what are the filmmaker's true intentions?
The Person Who Decontaminates the UK's Darkest Scenes
From homicide sites to biological waste, Ben Giles has encountered – and cleaned – it all. In their darkest moments, families turn to him to restore peace.
Will an Iconic Museum Survive an "Omni-Crisis"?
Plagued by restitution claims, strained funding and the discovery of an internal thief, Britain's premier cultural institution is in deep trouble. The question remains: Can it restore its legacy?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": The Agony of Severe Pregnancy
Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this illness has for centuries been without an effective treatment solution – until potentially now.
The Legacy of Extremism in Modern Politics
A militant fanatic and pioneer of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a political pariah 35 years ago. Now, his teachings permeate the uppermost levels of the state.
An British Professional With a Crooked Secret
With his sharp mind and sterling credentials, it's no surprise that wealthy clients entrusted him with their fortunes. Until they began to get uneasy.
A Small Nation That Emerged as the World's Diplomatic Capital
An extremely wealthy Gulf state has become a significant force on the international scene, attempting to mediate some of the most intractable conflicts. What are fueling this ambitious role?
An Inside View at a President Gearing Up for International Summitry
Deeply unpopular at home, the French leader enjoys the international arena, where he presents himself as the statesman most equipped to deal with a particular former American leader. Seven years after their last encounter, a journalist joined him as he prepared for battle.
During the Trial of a Heartbreaking Case
What led to the daughter of an wealthy family end up at the a major court with her partner, charged with killing their newborn infant?
An Dismantling of a Major Aid Agency: Not Widespread Regret
When efforts were made to wind down a prominent aid agency, many around the globe were shocked. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this latest betrayal was far from unforeseen.
The Unethical Mid-Century Experiment on South Asian Mothers
When details about a scientific experiment in the 1960s came to light, there was widespread outrage. But the precise story of what happened remains partially contested.
The "Genius" of the Attention Age
He's spent a full day in slime, two days buried alive – and showered vast amounts of money to selected contestants. But are these videos simply incredibly clever clickbait – or acts of avant garde genius?
Life in a Nation Threatened by the Encroaching Seas
With sea levels rising, much of this Pacific island nation's people is grappling with the reality that their islands may soon become uninhabitable. The critical question is: To where are they going to relocate?
One Tragic Story of Youth Homelessness
When I encountered a young boy he was thirteen and without a home. Even then believed his situation could turn around. I was sadly misplaced.
A International AI Competition and a Pivotal Defection
In 2020, after living decades in the US, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to China. Today, he may possess the key to which nation prevails in the global AI race.
The best narratives
