Upon look back on the past year, a assortment of exceptional feature-length stories stands out. These pieces probe complex themes from geopolitical intrigue and historical discoveries to deeply personal sagas.
The Enigmatic Writer and the Conscience of a Nation
An author gained prominence in the 1990s with scathing commentaries on power. While many of his writer peers have encountered suppression or fled the nation, he continues to sell millions of copies. This poses a key question: Has the author evolved into an defender for the Kremlin?
Survival and Collaboration in Syria's Horrific Civil War
The story of Mustafa, who at eighteen was told that his only route to escape prison was to join the regime military. Following 14 long years, his past as one of Assad's fighters may still put him in mortal danger.
The Fierce Feud Over Humanity's Earliest Beginnings
The discovery of fossilised bones in the Djurab desert in the early 2000s was heralded as fundamentally rewriting the narrative of our human race. However, not everyone was in agreement. The subsequent intense scholarly debate has consumed the lives of researchers ever since.
The British Sect That Hid in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was only a child when her household became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she played a key role in uncover the disturbing extent of exploitation it had perpetrated.
A Leader's Puzzling Record on International Law
Numerous supporters expected that the prime minister would restore the UK's dedication to human rights. Yet, the track record over the first year in office has been curiously inconsistent.
Challenging a Nation's Identity
A film following a remorseful con artist as she sets up unscrupulous individuals with hidden cameras asks difficult queries: Is this person genuinely a new person, and is the filmmaker's own methods?
A Man Who Decontaminates Britain's Most Traumatic Stains
From murder scenes to biological waste, Ben Giles has witnessed – and cleaned – it all. In their darkest times, families rely on him to restore peace.
Can an Iconic Museum Weather an "Perfect Storm"?
Plagued by debates over its collection, precarious funding and the revelation of an insider theft, Britain's number one cultural institution is in a major crisis. The challenge remains: Is it possible to restore its legacy?
More Than "Morning Sickness": The Agony of Extreme Pregnancy
Known as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this condition has for centuries lacked an effective treatment remedy – until possibly now.
A Legacy of Extremism in Contemporary Politics
A violent fanatic and early advocate of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a marginalized pariah thirty-five years ago. Today, his ideology shape the uppermost echelons of the state.
The British Gentleman With a Dishonest Side
With his keen intellect and flawless background, it's little wonder that high-net-worth individuals entrusted him with their assets. Then they began to get uneasy.
A Small Nation That Emerged as the World's Mediation Capital
An astonishingly rich country has risen as a significant actor on the international scene, striving to mediate some of the most long-standing conflicts. Which factors are driving this unprecedented role?
A Close-Up View at a Leader Preparing for International Battle
Deeply unpopular at home, President Macron enjoys the world arena, where he projects himself as the statesman best placed to deal with a particular sitting American leader. 7 years after their last encounter, a writer 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 find herself at the a major court with her companion, charged with killing their two-week-old baby?
An Dismantling of a Global Development Organization: Not Widespread Mourning
When efforts were made to drastically cut a prominent aid agency, many around the world were shocked. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this latest disappointment was not unforeseen.
A Disturbing 1960s Study on South Asian Women
When information about a scientific study in the sixties became public, there was widespread outrage. But the full story of what happened is still partially shrouded.
The "Genius" of the Attention Age
He's endured 24 hours in a vat of goo, two days buried alive – and given away vast amounts of money to lucky participants. But are these productions simply incredibly clever clickbait – or acts of artistic genius?
Existence in a Country Endangered by the Encroaching Ocean
With sea levels increasing, much of Tuvalu's residents is facing the possibility that their islands may in the near future become uninhabitable. The pressing issue is: Where are they supposed to relocate?
A Heartbreaking Case of Childhood Destitution
As I encountered Craig he was thirteen and without a home. I still thought his situation might improve. That hope was tragically misplaced.
The Global Artificial Intelligence Race and a Key Move
In 2020, after spending 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 global AI race.
The finest narratives
