While we look back on the previous year, a selection of remarkable feature-length pieces stands out. These pieces explore intricate topics ranging from geopolitical intrigue and scientific revelations to profoundly human journeys.
The Puzzling Novelist and the Moral Fabric of a Nation
An author gained prominence in the post-Soviet era with scathing satires on authoritarianism. Whereas numerous of his literary contemporaries have faced censorship or left the nation, he still move vast numbers of books. This poses a pressing query: Has the author become an supporter for the Kremlin?
Endurance and Complicity in Syria's Brutal Conflict
The story of a young man, who at eighteen was given an ultimatum that his sole route out of incarceration was to join the government forces. After fourteen long years, his former role as one of Assad's soldiers might now cost him his life.
The Bitter Dispute Over Our Earliest Beginnings
The discovery of fossilised remains in the Djurab desert in the early 2000s was hailed as completely rewriting the narrative of our human race. But, not everyone was in agreement. The subsequent intense scholarly debate has dominated the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
A UK Religious Group That Operated in Plain Sight
One woman was only a young girl when her household joined the a religious community. As an grown woman, she played a key role in reveal the appalling breadth of mistreatment it had perpetrated.
A Leader's Unexpected Stance on International Law
A great many followers expected that the former human rights lawyer would restore the Britain's commitment to international law. However, the performance over the first year in office has been notably inconsistent.
Shattering a Country's Myth
A film featuring a remorseful master criminal as she ensnares unscrupulous individuals with hidden cameras poses thorny queries: Is this person genuinely changed, and what are the director's true motives?
A Man Who Cleans Britain's Most Traumatic Stains
From murder scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and restored – everything. In their darkest times, individuals turn to him to restore peace.
Will an Famous Institution Weather an "Omni-Crisis"?
Burdened by debates over its collection, difficult finances and the revelation of an insider theft, the UK's number one cultural institution is in deep trouble. The question remains: Is it possible to repair its standing?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": The Agony of Extreme Pregnancy
Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this illness has for centuries been without an effective treatment end – up until perhaps now.
A Legacy of Extremism in Modern Government
A violent extremist and pioneer of hate, Meir Kahane died a marginalized outcast thirty-five years ago. Today, his teachings shape the very highest echelons of government.
The British Gentleman With a Dishonest Secret
With his brilliant intellect and sterling credentials, it's no surprise that high-net-worth individuals trusted him with their assets. Until they started to get uneasy.
The Tiny Nation That Became the Global Mediation Center
An astonishingly rich country has risen as a major force on the world stage, working to solve some of the most intractable disputes. What are behind this unprecedented endeavor?
An Close-Up View at a President Gearing Up for International Battle
Deeply disliked at domestically, President Macron enjoys the international stage, where he presents himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to handle a particular former US president. 7 years after their last meeting, a writer accompanied him as he readied himself for the summit.
During the Trial of a Heartbreaking Case
How did the child of an aristocrat find herself at the Old Bailey with her partner, facing charges with killing their newborn baby?
An Dismantling of a Global Aid Agency: Not Widespread Regret
When actions were made to wind down a major US development organization, many around the world were taken aback. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this latest disappointment was not unexpected.
The Unethical Mid-Century Experiment on Indian Women
When information about a medical experiment in the sixties became public, there was immense outrage. But the precise nature of what happened remains somewhat shrouded.
The "Master" of the Attention Age
He's spent a full day in slime, two days underground – and showered vast sums of money to selected participants. But are these videos simply very clever clickbait – or works of daring genius?
Life in a Country Threatened by the Encroaching Seas
With the ocean rising, much of this Pacific island nation's population is grappling with the prospect that their homeland may in the near future become uninhabitable. The critical question is: To where are they going to relocate?
One Sorrowful Story of Youth Homelessness
As I encountered Craig he was thirteen and homeless. I still believed his situation might turn around. That hope was devastatingly wrong.
A International AI Race and a Crucial Move
In the recent past, after living decades in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to China. Now, he may hold the secret to who wins the global AI race.
The most impactful stories
