While we reflect on the past year, a selection of exceptional feature-length stories shines. These pieces delve into multifaceted topics from political machinations and scientific revelations to profoundly human stories.
A Puzzling Novelist and the Conscience of a Country
A certain Russian novelist gained prominence in the post-Soviet era with sharp satires on authoritarianism. Whereas several of his literary peers have faced censorship or left the nation, he still sell millions of books. This raises a pertinent question: Has the author become an supporter for the regime?
Survival and Collaboration in Syria's Brutal Conflict
The story of Mustafa, who at eighteen was told that his sole path out of prison was to enlist in the regime forces. Following fourteen years, his history as one of the Syrian leader's fighters could now cost him his life.
The Bitter Feud Over Our Earliest Origins
The unearthing of fossilised remains in the Chadian sands in the early 2000s was heralded as completely re-writing the story of our human race. Yet, a faction was in agreement. The resulting heated argument has dominated the lives of scholars ever since.
The British Sect That Hid in Plain Sight
One woman was just a young girl when her household joined the a religious community. As an adult, she played a key role in uncover the disturbing extent of exploitation it had carried out.
A Prime Minister's Puzzling Stance on International Law
Numerous voters anticipated that the former human rights lawyer would renew the UK's commitment to international law. But, the track record over the first year in office has been strikingly ambiguous.
Shattering a Country's Myth
A documentary featuring a remorseful fraudster as she ensnares corrupt clients with covert recording asks complex questions: Is she really reformed, and is the filmmaker's true intentions?
A Person Who Decontaminates Britain's Darkest Stains
From crime scenes to biological waste, Ben Giles has witnessed – and dealt with – everything. In their stickiest hours, people depend on him to bring back normalcy.
Will an Famous Institution Endure an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Burdened by colonial controversy, difficult funding and the revelation of an insider theft, the UK's leading cultural institution is in a major crisis. The question remains: Can it repair its legacy?
More Than "Morning Sickness": The Agony of Severe Pregnancy
Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this condition has long been without an reliable treatment remedy – until perhaps now.
A Legacy of Extremism in Contemporary Government
A violent fanatic and pioneer of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a marginalized outcast 35 years ago. Today, his ideology shape the uppermost echelons of government.
The British Gentleman With a Crooked Secret
With his keen mind and flawless reputation, it's little wonder that high-net-worth individuals entrusted him with their fortunes. Then they began to become uneasy.
The Tiny Nation That Emerged as the World's Mediation Center
An astonishingly wealthy country has transformed into a major player on the world stage, working to mediate some of the most intractable disputes. Which factors are behind this unprecedented endeavor?
An Close-Up Look at a President Preparing for International Summitry
Extremely disliked at domestically, the French leader thrives on the international stage, where he projects himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to deal with a certain former American leader. 7 years after their previous meeting, a journalist joined him as he prepared for the fray.
Inside the Trial of a Heartbreaking Story
How did the daughter of an wealthy family end up at the a major court with her companion, facing charges with the death of their two-week-old infant?
The End of a Major Development Organization: Far From Widespread Regret
When efforts were made to drastically cut a major US aid agency, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the ground in a West African nation, this most recent letdown was not unexpected.
A Shocking 1960s Study on Indian Women
When information about a scientific experiment in the 1960s came to light, there was widespread outrage. But the precise story of the procedures is still partially shrouded.
The "Master" of the Attention Economy
He's endured 24 hours in slime, 48 hours buried alive – and given away enormous sums of cash to selected contestants. But are these productions simply very clever entertainment – or works of artistic brilliance?
Existence in a Country Threatened by the Rising Seas
With the ocean increasing, much of Tuvalu's population is confronting the prospect that their homeland may soon be submerged. The pressing question is: To where are they going to go?
One Sorrowful Case of Youth Homelessness
As I encountered a young boy he was thirteen and homeless. Even then hoped his life could change for the better. I was devastatingly mistaken.
A International Artificial Intelligence Race and a Crucial Defection
In 2020, after living half his life in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to his home country. Today, he might possess the answers to who wins the global AI race.
The most impactful narratives
