A Top Feature Articles of 2025: A Compendium of Compelling Journalism

As we reflect on the year gone by, a assortment of exceptional feature-length articles emerges. These narratives delve into intricate themes ranging from geopolitical machinations and scientific revelations to deeply personal journeys.

The Mysterious Novelist and the Moral Fabric of a Country

A certain Russian novelist became known in the nineties with scathing satires on authoritarianism. While many of his writer peers have faced suppression or fled the country, he still move vast numbers of copies. This raises a pertinent question: Has the author turned into an apologist for the establishment?

Endurance and Complicity in the Syrian Horrific Conflict

The story of Mustafa, who at 18 was told that his only way out of prison was to join the government military. Following 14 long years, his past as one of Assad's fighters could now get him killed.

The Fierce Dispute Over Humanity's Earliest Origins

The discovery of fossilised remains in the Djurab desert in 2001 was hailed as completely rewriting the story of our species. Yet, some scholars was in agreement. The ensuing heated scholarly debate has dominated the lives of researchers ever since.

A UK Cult That Hid in the Open

One woman was just a child when her household became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she played a key role in uncover the appalling breadth of mistreatment it had carried out.

A Leader's Unexpected Record on International Law

A great many supporters hoped that the prime minister would renew the UK's dedication to human rights. However, the track record over the past year has been notably mixed.

Shattering a Country's Self-Image

A film tracking a remorseful fraudster as she sets up corrupt clients with covert recording asks complex questions: Is this person really changed, and is the director's true intentions?

A Person Who Cleans the UK's Darkest Stains

From homicide sites to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and cleaned – it all. In their most challenging hours, families turn to him to restore peace.

Can an Iconic Museum Weather an "Perfect Storm"?

Plagued by debates over its collection, difficult finances and the revelation of an insider theft, the UK's leading cultural institution is in serious difficulty. The challenge remains: Is it possible to repair its reputation?

More Than "Morning Sickness": A Agony of Severe Pregnancy

Referred to as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this illness has for centuries been without an reliable treatment solution – until possibly now.

A Legacy of Radicalism in Contemporary Government

A violent extremist and early advocate of bigotry, a rabbi died a marginalized pariah thirty-five years ago. In the present day, his teachings permeate the highest levels of the state.

The English Professional With a Dishonest Secret

With his keen intellect and sterling credentials, it's little wonder that wealthy clients entrusted him with their fortunes. Then they began to get suspicious.

A Tiny State That Became the Global Mediation Capital

An astonishingly wealthy country has become a key actor on the world stage, striving to solve some of the most intractable disputes. What are behind this unprecedented project?

An Inside Look at a President Gearing Up for International Battle

Extremely unpopular at domestically, the French leader thrives on the international arena, where he projects himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to deal with a particular sitting American leader. Seven years after their last meeting, a journalist accompanied him as he readied himself for the summit.

Inside the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Story

How did the daughter of an aristocrat find herself at the a major court with her partner, charged with killing their newborn baby?

An Dismantling of a Global Development Organization: Not Widespread Mourning

When efforts were made to wind down a prominent development organization, many around the globe were surprised. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this most recent letdown was not unforeseen.

A Shocking 1960s Study on South Asian Mothers

When details about a scientific study in the sixties became public, there was widespread outrage. But the precise story of the procedures remains somewhat contested.

The "Genius" of the Online Economy

He's spent a full day in a vat of goo, two days underground – and showered enormous amounts of cash to selected participants. But are these productions simply very savvy entertainment – or works of avant garde genius?

Existence in a Nation Endangered by the Encroaching Seas

With the ocean increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's population is facing the possibility that their islands may soon become uninhabitable. The urgent question is: To where are they supposed to go?

One Sorrowful Story of Childhood Homelessness

As I encountered a young boy he was 13 and without a home. I still thought his life might turn around. I was devastatingly mistaken.

The Global AI Competition and a Pivotal Defection

In the recent past, after spending decades in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to China. Now, he might hold the answers to who wins the worldwide AI race.

The most impactful narratives

Rachel Bishop
Rachel Bishop

A seasoned journalist with over a decade of experience covering UK politics and social affairs, known for insightful reporting.