While we look back on the past year, a assortment of exceptional feature-length stories shines. Such pieces delve into intricate topics including geopolitical machinations and scientific revelations to profoundly personal stories.
The Enigmatic Novelist and the Conscience of a Nation
A certain Russian novelist gained prominence in the nineties with sharp commentaries on authoritarianism. While several of his literary contemporaries have encountered censorship or left the nation, he still sell vast numbers of copies. This raises a key question: Has he turned into an apologist for the regime?
Endurance and Collaboration in the Syrian Brutal Conflict
The tale of a young man, who at 18 was told that his sole route out of prison was to enlist in the government military. Following fourteen years, his history as one of the Syrian leader's fighters could still put him in mortal danger.
The Fierce Argument Over Our Earliest Origins
The finding of ancient remains in the Djurab sands in 2001 was proclaimed as radically rewriting the history of our human race. However, some scholars was in agreement. The subsequent bitter argument has taken over the lives of researchers ever since.
A British Religious Group That Hid in the Open
Philippa Barnes was only a young girl when her household became part of the a religious community. As an grown woman, she helped reveal the disturbing breadth of abuse it had committed.
The Leader's Curious Stance on Human Rights
A great many followers expected that the former human rights lawyer would renew the UK's commitment to international law. However, the performance over the past year has been curiously ambiguous.
Challenging a Country's Identity
A film featuring a remorseful fraudster as she ensnares unscrupulous clients with covert recording poses complex queries: Is she genuinely changed, and is the filmmaker's own intentions?
A Person Who Remediates the UK's Darkest Scenes
From homicide sites to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has encountered – and restored – everything. In their stickiest moments, people turn to him to bring back normalcy.
Will an Famous Institution Survive an "Omni-Crisis"?
Plagued by restitution claims, strained funding and the discovery of an internal thief, the UK's number one cultural institution is in serious difficulty. The challenge remains: Is it possible to restore its reputation?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": The Suffering of Severe Pregnancy
Called a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this illness has long been without an reliable treatment end – up until potentially now.
A Legacy of Radicalism in Contemporary Politics
A militant extremist and early advocate of bigotry, a rabbi died a marginalized outcast 35 years ago. In the present day, his ideas influence the uppermost levels of government.
The British Professional With a Dishonest Side
With his sharp intellect and flawless credentials, it's understandable that affluent individuals trusted him with their fortunes. Then they began to become wary.
The Tiny Nation That Became the Global Mediation Capital
An astonishingly rich country has become a key player on the international scene, attempting to broker peace in some of the most complex disputes. What are driving this unprecedented endeavor?
A Inside View at a Leader Gearing Up for Global Summitry
Extremely unpopular at home, the French leader thrives on the international stage, where he positions himself as the statesman best placed to deal with a certain sitting US president. 7 years after their previous encounter, a journalist joined him as he readied himself for the fray.
Inside the Court Case of a Tragic Story
What led to the daughter of an wealthy family end up at the Old Bailey with her partner, facing charges with killing their two-week-old infant?
An Dismantling of a Global Aid Agency: Far From Widespread Regret
When efforts were made to dismantle a major US aid agency, many around the globe were surprised. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this most recent letdown was far from unforeseen.
The Unethical Mid-Century Experiment on Indian Mothers
When details about a scientific study in the 1960s came to light, there was immense outrage. But the exact nature of what happened remains partially contested.
A "Mozart" of the Online Age
He's spent a full day in a vat of goo, two days underground – and showered huge amounts of money to selected participants. But are these productions simply very savvy entertainment – or acts of artistic brilliance?
Life in a Country Endangered by the Rising Ocean
With sea levels increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's residents is facing the reality that their islands may soon become uninhabitable. The pressing question is: To where are they supposed to relocate?
A Tragic Case of Childhood Homelessness
When I encountered a young boy he was 13 and without a home. Even then hoped his life could turn around. That hope was devastatingly wrong.
A Global Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Pivotal Defection
In the recent past, after living decades in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to his home country. Today, he might hold the key to which nation wins the global technological rivalry.
The most impactful stories
