Upon look back on the previous year, a selection of outstanding feature-length stories shines. These accounts probe complex subjects including geopolitical intrigue and scientific discoveries to deeply human journeys.
The Mysterious Novelist and the Moral Fabric of a Country
An author rose to fame in the post-Soviet era with scathing critiques on power. While several of his writer peers have faced censorship or left the country, he still move vast numbers of copies. It poses a key question: Has he turned into an defender for the regime?
Survival and Collaboration in Syria's Horrific Conflict
The story of Mustafa, who at 18 was informed that his sole route out of incarceration was to join the government forces. After 14 long years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's fighters may now cost him his life.
The Fierce Feud Over Our Earliest Beginnings
The finding of ancient remains in the Chadian desert in the early 2000s was heralded as radically rewriting the narrative of our species. However, not everyone was in agreement. The ensuing intense argument has taken over the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
The UK Sect That Operated in the Open
Philippa Barnes was just a young girl when her family became part of the a religious community. As an grown woman, she played a key role in expose the shocking scale of abuse it had committed.
The Prime Minister's Puzzling Record on International Law
Numerous supporters expected that the prime minister would restore the Britain's commitment to international law. Yet, the performance over the first year in office has been notably inconsistent.
Breaking a Country's Identity
A documentary tracking a repentant con artist as she records corrupt individuals with hidden cameras raises complex queries: Is this person genuinely reformed, and is the filmmaker's own methods?
The Man Who Remediates the UK's Most Traumatic Stains
From crime scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and cleaned – it all. In their darkest hours, individuals rely on him to bring back peace.
Will an Iconic Institution Endure an "Omni-Crisis"?
Plagued by restitution claims, precarious funding and the revelation of an internal thief, the UK's premier cultural institution is in deep trouble. The challenge remains: Can it restore its standing?
More Than "Morning Sickness": A Torture of Extreme Pregnancy
Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this illness has long been without an reliable treatment end – until possibly now.
The Legacy of Extremism in Contemporary Government
A violent fanatic and pioneer of hate, Meir Kahane died a marginalized outcast 35 years ago. In the present day, his ideology influence the very highest levels of the state.
An British Gentleman With a Fraudulent Secret
With his keen mind and flawless background, it's understandable that affluent individuals entrusted him with their fortunes. Until they started to get uneasy.
A Small State That Became the Global Diplomatic Hub
An astonishingly rich country has become a major force on the world stage, attempting to solve some of the most intractable conflicts. Which factors are driving this unprecedented endeavor?
An Close-Up Look at a Leader Preparing for Global Battle
Extremely unpopular at home, the French leader relishes the world arena, where he presents himself as the statesman most equipped to handle a particular sitting US president. 7 years after their previous encounter, a writer accompanied him as he prepared for battle.
Inside the Trial of a Tragic Story
How did the child of an aristocrat end up at the Old Bailey with her companion, facing charges with the death of their newborn infant?
The Dismantling of a Global Development Agency: Not Universal Mourning
When efforts were made to drastically cut a prominent aid agency, many around the globe were shocked. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this most recent disappointment was not unforeseen.
A Disturbing Mid-Century Study on South Asian Women
When details about a scientific study in the sixties were revealed, there was widespread shock. But the exact story of the procedures is still partially unclear.
A "Master" of the Attention Age
He's spent a full day in a vat of goo, 48 hours underground – and distributed enormous amounts of cash to lucky contestants. But are these productions simply incredibly savvy entertainment – or acts of daring brilliance?
Life in a Country Threatened by the Encroaching Seas
With sea levels increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's people is facing the prospect that their home may soon be submerged. The urgent issue is: Where are they supposed to go?
One Sorrowful Story of Youth Homelessness
When I met a young boy he was 13 and without a home. Even then hoped his situation could change for the better. That hope was sadly wrong.
A International AI Race and a Crucial Defection
In 2020, after living decades in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to his home country. Now, he could hold the secret to which nation wins the global AI race.
The most impactful stories
