While we reflect on the year gone by, a selection of outstanding feature-length stories emerges. These pieces probe multifaceted subjects including political machinations and historical revelations to profoundly human sagas.
A Mysterious Novelist and the Conscience of a Country
An author became known in the post-Soviet era with sharp critiques on autocratic rule. Although several of his writer contemporaries have encountered censorship or fled the country, he still sell millions of copies. This raises a pertinent query: Has the author turned into an apologist for the establishment?
Endurance and Collaboration in Syria's Devastating Civil War
The story of a young man, who at 18 was informed that his sole route to escape prison was to join the government military. Following 14 years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's fighters could still put him in mortal danger.
The Fierce Dispute Over Humanity's Earliest Origins
The finding of fossilised remains in the Djurab sands in the early 2000s was hailed as radically re-writing the story of our human race. Yet, some scholars was in agreement. The ensuing intense scholarly debate has consumed the lives of researchers ever since.
A British Cult That Hid in Plain Sight
One woman was just a child when her family joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she helped expose the disturbing extent of abuse it had committed.
A Prime Minister's Unexpected Stance on Human Rights
Many followers hoped that the prime minister would reaffirm the the nation's dedication to human rights. But, the performance over the past year has been curiously inconsistent.
Shattering a Nation's Identity
A documentary featuring a repentant fraudster as she records corrupt clients with hidden cameras asks thorny queries: Is she really changed, and what are the director's true methods?
The Man Who Remediates Britain's Most Difficult Stains
From crime scenes to biological waste, Ben Giles has witnessed – and cleaned – everything. In their darkest moments, people rely on him to restore peace.
Can an Renowned Museum Weather an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Burdened by colonial controversy, strained finances and the revelation of an insider theft, Britain's leading cultural institution is in deep trouble. The challenge remains: Can it repair its reputation?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": A Agony of Extreme Condition
Known as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this illness has long been without an consistent medical remedy – up until perhaps now.
The Spectre of Extremism in Modern Government
A militant fanatic and pioneer of bigotry, a rabbi died a marginalized pariah thirty-five years ago. Today, his ideology shape the very highest levels of the state.
The English Professional With a Dishonest Secret
With his sharp mind and sterling reputation, it's little wonder that affluent clients trusted him with their fortunes. Then they started to become uneasy.
A Tiny Nation That Emerged as the Global Diplomatic Capital
An incredibly wealthy Gulf state has risen as a major force on the international scene, striving to mediate some of the most long-standing disputes. Which factors are fueling this ambitious endeavor?
A Inside View at a President Gearing Up for International Summitry
Deeply unpopular at home, President Macron relishes the world arena, where he positions himself as the leader uniquely positioned to deal with a particular sitting US president. Seven years after their previous meeting, a writer accompanied him as he prepared for battle.
Inside the Court Case of a Tragic Case
How did the child of an aristocrat end up at the a major court with her partner, charged with the death of their two-week-old infant?
An Dismantling of a Major Development Organization: Not Universal Regret
When actions were made to drastically cut a prominent aid agency, many around the world were surprised. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this most recent disappointment was not unforeseen.
A Disturbing 1960s Experiment on South Asian Mothers
When details about a scientific study in the 1960s were revealed, there was widespread shock. But the full story of the procedures remains somewhat shrouded.
The "Mozart" of the Online Age
He's endured a full day in a vat of goo, two days underground – and showered vast sums of money to lucky participants. But are these videos simply very clever entertainment – or acts of avant garde genius?
Life in a Country Threatened by the Encroaching Seas
With sea levels increasing, much of Tuvalu's population is confronting the possibility that their homeland may in the near future become uninhabitable. The critical question is: To where are they supposed to relocate?
One Heartbreaking Story of Childhood Destitution
When I met Craig he was thirteen and without a home. I still hoped his life could improve. That hope was sadly wrong.
The Global AI Race and a Key Defection
In 2020, after spending decades in the US, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to his home country. Now, he could hold the secret to who prevails in the worldwide technological rivalry.
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