While we reflect on the year gone by, a assortment of remarkable feature-length stories emerges. These pieces explore multifaceted topics ranging from political machinations and scientific revelations to deeply human stories.
A Mysterious Author and the Conscience of a Country
An author became known in the 1990s with scathing critiques on power. Although many of his literary contemporaries have encountered suppression or fled the country, he still move vast numbers of copies. It raises a pressing question: Has he become an apologist for the establishment?
Survival and Complicity in Syria's Brutal Conflict
The account of Mustafa, who at 18 was given an ultimatum that his only path to escape prison was to join the government military. After fourteen long years, his history as one of Assad's fighters could still put him in mortal danger.
The Fierce Feud Over Our Earliest Origins
The finding of fossilised remains in the Djurab sands in the early 2000s was proclaimed as radically changing the narrative of our species. However, not everyone was in agreement. The subsequent bitter controversy has taken over the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.
A British Cult That Hid in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was only a child when her household became part of the a religious community. As an adult, she played a key role in expose the disturbing scale of abuse it had carried out.
A Statesman's Unexpected Record on International Law
A great many voters expected that the prime minister would restore the UK's commitment to international law. But, the performance over the first year in office has been notably inconsistent.
Challenging a Country's Identity
A film tracking a repentant fraudster as she sets up unscrupulous individuals with covert recording poses thorny questions: Is this person truly reformed, and is the filmmaker's own motives?
The Person Who Remediates the UK's Darkest Stains
From homicide sites to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and restored – everything. In their stickiest hours, individuals turn to him to bring back order.
Will an Iconic Institution Weather an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Burdened by restitution claims, strained finances and the exposure of an internal thief, the UK's premier museum is in serious difficulty. The challenge remains: Can it salvage its standing?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": The Suffering of Extreme Pregnancy
Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this condition has long lacked an reliable medical end – up until possibly now.
The Spectre of Extremism in Modern Politics
A militant extremist and pioneer of hate, Meir Kahane died a marginalized pariah 35 years ago. In the present day, his ideas permeate the uppermost levels of the state.
An English Professional With a Dishonest Secret
With his keen mind and sterling background, it's little wonder that wealthy individuals trusted him with their wealth. Until they began to get suspicious.
A Tiny Nation That Became the Global Mediation Hub
An extremely rich country has become a major force on the international scene, working to solve some of the most long-standing conflicts. Which factors are fueling this ambitious endeavor?
A Inside Look at a Leader Gearing Up for Global Battle
Deeply disliked at home, President Macron enjoys the international arena, where he presents himself as the leader most equipped to handle a certain sitting US president. Seven years after their previous meeting, a journalist accompanied him as he readied himself for the summit.
During the Trial of a Heartbreaking Case
What led to the daughter of an aristocrat find herself at the Old Bailey with her partner, charged with killing their two-week-old infant?
An End of a Major Development Agency: Far From Widespread Mourning
When efforts were made to wind down a prominent aid agency, many around the globe were shocked. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this latest betrayal was far from unforeseen.
A Shocking Mid-Century Study on Indian Mothers
When details about a medical study in the sixties were revealed, there was immense anxiety. But the full truth of the events is still partially contested.
A "Mozart" of the Online Age
He's endured a full day in a vat of goo, 48 hours underground – and showered huge amounts of cash to selected participants. But are these stunts simply incredibly clever entertainment – or works of artistic brilliance?
Existence in a Country Endangered by the Encroaching Ocean
With sea levels increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's people is facing the possibility that their islands may soon be submerged. The pressing issue is: Where are they going to go?
One Sorrowful Story of Youth Destitution
When I encountered Craig he was thirteen and without a home. I still believed his situation might improve. That hope was tragically misplaced.
The International Artificial Intelligence Race and a Crucial Defection
In the recent past, after living half his life in the US, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to China. Today, he might hold the answers to which nation prevails in the worldwide technological rivalry.
The most impactful stories
