A Finest Long-Form Reads of 2025: An Selection of Thought-Provoking Narratives

Upon look back on the previous year, a assortment of outstanding feature-length stories emerges. Such accounts delve into multifaceted subjects from geopolitical machinations and historical revelations to profoundly personal sagas.

A Enigmatic Author and the Soul of a Country

An author gained prominence in the post-Soviet era with scathing critiques on authoritarianism. Whereas many of his literary contemporaries have faced suppression or fled the country, he continues to move vast numbers of books. It poses a key question: Has he turned into an apologist for the Kremlin?

Survival and Complicity in Syria's Horrific Conflict

The account of a young man, who at 18 was informed that his sole path out of incarceration was to enlist in the regime military. Following fourteen long years, his history as one of the Syrian leader's fighters may still get him killed.

A Fierce Argument Over Humanity's Earliest Origins

The discovery of fossilised bones in the Chadian desert in the early 2000s was proclaimed as radically changing the story of our species. Yet, some scholars was convinced. The subsequent heated scholarly debate has dominated the lives of researchers ever since.

A British Cult That Operated in the Open

One woman was only a young girl when her household became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she played a key role in reveal the appalling breadth of abuse it had carried out.

A Leader's Unexpected Stance on Human Rights

A great many supporters anticipated that the former human rights lawyer would renew the UK's commitment to human rights. Yet, the record over the past year has been curiously mixed.

Shattering a Country's Identity

A film following a remorseful fraudster as she records corrupt individuals with hidden cameras asks thorny queries: Is this person truly changed, and what are the director's true intentions?

The Man Who Remediates the UK's Most Traumatic Scenes

From crime scenes to whale blubber, Ben Giles has seen – and cleaned – it all. In their darkest times, families depend on him to bring back normalcy.

Will an Famous Institution Endure an "Perfect Storm"?

Plagued by colonial controversy, difficult funding and the exposure of an insider theft, the UK's number one museum is in serious difficulty. The challenge remains: Can it repair its legacy?

More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": The Agony of Severe Condition

Known as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this illness has for centuries been without an effective treatment end – up until potentially now.

A Legacy of Extremism in Modern Politics

A violent fanatic and early advocate of hate, a rabbi died a marginalized pariah thirty-five years ago. Now, his ideology influence the uppermost levels of government.

The English Professional With a Dishonest Secret

With his keen mind and flawless credentials, it's understandable that affluent clients trusted him with their assets. Then they started to become suspicious.

The Small State That Became the Global Mediation Center

An astonishingly wealthy Gulf state has transformed into a key actor on the international scene, attempting to solve some of the most long-standing conflicts. Which factors are fueling this unprecedented project?

An Inside View at a Leader Gearing Up for Global Battle

Extremely unpopular at home, President Macron enjoys the international stage, where he positions himself as the statesman best placed to deal with a particular former US president. Seven years after their previous encounter, a journalist joined him as he readied himself for the summit.

Inside the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Case

What led to the child of an aristocrat find herself at the a major court with her companion, charged with killing their newborn infant?

The Dismantling of a Major Development Organization: Not Universal Mourning

When actions were made to drastically cut a prominent aid agency, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the ground in a West African nation, this latest disappointment was not unforeseen.

A Unethical Mid-Century Experiment on Indian Women

When information about a scientific experiment in the 1960s became public, there was widespread outrage. But the full nature of the procedures remains partially shrouded.

The "Master" of the Attention Age

He's spent a full day in slime, two days buried alive – and showered enormous sums of money to selected participants. But are these videos simply incredibly savvy entertainment – or works of daring genius?

Existence in a Nation Threatened by the Encroaching Ocean

With sea levels increasing, much of Tuvalu's residents is confronting the reality that their islands may in the near future become uninhabitable. The pressing question is: Where are they going to relocate?

A Tragic Story of Youth Homelessness

When I met a young boy he was 13 and without a home. I still believed his life might turn around. That hope was sadly mistaken.

A International Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Crucial Defection

In 2020, after living decades in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to his home country. Today, he may possess the answers to who prevails in the worldwide AI race.

The most impactful stories

Charles Dudley
Charles Dudley

Lena is a stationery enthusiast and designer who curates unique paper goods and shares tips on personalizing greetings.