As we reflect on the past year, a assortment of remarkable feature-length stories shines. Such pieces delve into intricate topics from geopolitical intrigue and scientific discoveries to deeply human sagas.
A Enigmatic Author and the Soul of a Nation
An author became known in the nineties with biting commentaries on authoritarianism. Although numerous of his literary peers have encountered suppression or fled the country, he still move vast numbers of copies. It raises a pertinent question: Has he become an apologist for the regime?
Survival and Complicity in the Syrian Horrific Conflict
The tale of Mustafa, who at eighteen was given an ultimatum that his sole way out of prison was to enlist in the government forces. After 14 years, his former role as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers could now cost him his life.
A Bitter Argument Over Humanity's Earliest Origins
The discovery of fossilised remains in the Djurab desert in the early 2000s was hailed as radically rewriting the history of our species. However, not everyone was persuaded. The subsequent intense scholarly debate has dominated the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.
The UK Cult That Hid in the Open
One woman was just a child when her household became part of the a religious community. As an grown woman, she played a key role in uncover the appalling breadth of abuse it had perpetrated.
A Prime Minister's Curious Stance on International Law
Numerous voters hoped that the prime minister would restore the UK's commitment to international law. However, the performance over the first year in office has been strikingly inconsistent.
Shattering a Nation's Identity
A documentary tracking a remorseful con artist as she records unscrupulous individuals with covert recording poses difficult questions: Is this person really changed, and what are the filmmaker's own methods?
A Man Who Remediates the UK's Darkest Scenes
From homicide sites to biological waste, Ben Giles has witnessed – and dealt with – it all. In their darkest moments, families rely on him to bring back order.
Will an Iconic Institution Survive an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Burdened by colonial controversy, strained funding and the exposure of an insider theft, the UK's number one museum is in deep trouble. The question remains: Can it repair its reputation?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": A Suffering of Severe Condition
Called a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this illness has for centuries been without an effective treatment solution – up until perhaps now.
The Legacy of Radicalism in Contemporary Government
A violent fanatic and early advocate of bigotry, a rabbi died a political outcast 35 years ago. Now, his ideology permeate the highest echelons of government.
An British Gentleman With a Fraudulent Side
With his keen intellect and impeccable background, it's little wonder that high-net-worth clients trusted him with their wealth. Until they started to become wary.
A Tiny State That Emerged as the Global Diplomatic Hub
An astonishingly rich country has become a major actor on the international scene, attempting to broker peace in some of the most complex disputes. What are driving this ambitious project?
A Inside View at a President Gearing Up for International Battle
Extremely disliked at home, President Macron thrives on the world stage, where he positions himself as the leader best placed to deal with a certain former US president. 7 years after their last meeting, a journalist joined him as he readied himself for the summit.
Inside the Court Case of a Tragic Case
How did the child of an wealthy family end up at the Old Bailey with her companion, facing charges with killing their newborn baby?
The Dismantling of a Major Aid Agency: Not Universal Mourning
When efforts were made to drastically cut 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 Unethical Mid-Century Study on South Asian Mothers
When details about a scientific study in the sixties came to light, there was widespread shock. But the precise truth of what happened is still partially contested.
The "Master" of the Attention Age
He's endured 24 hours in a vat of goo, two days underground – and given away vast sums of cash to lucky contestants. But are these videos simply incredibly savvy entertainment – or works of avant garde brilliance?
Life in a Country Threatened by the Rising Seas
With the ocean rising, much of this Pacific island nation's population is grappling with the possibility that their home may in the near future become uninhabitable. The critical issue is: Where are they going to go?
A Tragic Case of Youth Destitution
When I met a young boy he was 13 and without a home. I still believed his situation might improve. I was tragically wrong.
A Global Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Pivotal Move
In the recent past, after spending half his life in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to China. Today, he might hold the key to who prevails in the worldwide AI race.
The most impactful stories
