As we reflect on the past year, a assortment of remarkable feature-length pieces emerges. Such narratives probe intricate themes from political machinations and historical discoveries to profoundly personal journeys.
A Enigmatic Novelist and the Soul of a Nation
A certain Russian novelist gained prominence in the nineties with scathing critiques on power. While many of his literary peers have faced censorship or left the country, he continues to sell vast numbers of copies. It prompts a pressing question: Has he turned into an defender for the Kremlin?
Survival and Collaboration in Syria's Devastating Conflict
The account of a young man, who at eighteen was informed that his only path out of prison was to join the regime forces. Following 14 years, his former role as one of the Syrian leader's fighters might now cost him his life.
A Fierce Dispute Over Humanity's Earliest Beginnings
The unearthing of ancient bones in the Chadian sands in 2001 was heralded as fundamentally rewriting the story of our human race. However, some scholars was convinced. The resulting heated scholarly debate has consumed the lives of scholars ever since.
A British Sect That Operated in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was only a child when her household became part of the a religious community. As an adult, she helped reveal the shocking extent of exploitation it had carried out.
The Prime Minister's Puzzling Stance on Human Rights
A great many supporters expected that the prime minister would renew the UK's commitment to human rights. However, the record over the past year has been curiously mixed.
Challenging a Country's Myth
A film featuring a repentant master criminal as she sets up corrupt individuals with hidden cameras raises thorny queries: Is this person genuinely a new person, and is the filmmaker's true methods?
The Man Who Decontaminates the UK's Most Difficult Stains
From crime scenes to whale blubber, Ben Giles has encountered – and dealt with – it all. In their darkest times, families depend on him to restore order.
Can an Iconic Museum Weather an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Plagued by colonial controversy, difficult finances and the revelation of an insider theft, the UK's number one museum is in serious difficulty. The challenge remains: Is it possible to restore its reputation?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": The Suffering of Severe Pregnancy
Called a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this illness has long been without an reliable medical remedy – up until perhaps now.
A Legacy of Extremism in Contemporary Government
A violent fanatic and early advocate of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a political outcast 35 years ago. Today, his ideology influence the highest echelons of the state.
The English Professional With a Dishonest Secret
With his keen intellect and sterling background, it's no surprise that affluent clients entrusted him with their wealth. Then they started to get uneasy.
The Small Nation That Emerged as the World's Mediation Hub
An astonishingly rich Gulf state has transformed into a significant player on the world stage, attempting to mediate some of the most complex conflicts. Which factors are driving this ambitious endeavor?
An Close-Up Look at a President Preparing for Global Battle
Deeply disliked at home, President Macron relishes the world arena, where he positions himself as the statesman most equipped to manage a particular sitting US president. Seven years after their last meeting, a journalist accompanied him as he prepared for the summit.
During the Trial of a Heartbreaking Case
How did the daughter of an wealthy family find herself at the Old Bailey with her companion, charged with killing their two-week-old infant?
The Dismantling of a Major Aid Agency: Far From Universal Regret
When actions were made to dismantle a major US aid agency, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this most recent disappointment was not unexpected.
A Unethical Mid-Century Study on South Asian Women
When information about a medical study in the 1960s came to light, there was immense anxiety. But the exact truth of the procedures is still partially contested.
The "Genius" of the Online Economy
He's spent a full day in a vat of goo, two days buried alive – and given away vast sums of cash to lucky contestants. But are these videos simply incredibly clever clickbait – or acts of artistic genius?
Life in a Country Endangered by the Rising Seas
With the ocean rising, much of this Pacific island nation's population is grappling with the prospect that their homeland may in the near future be submerged. The pressing question is: To where are they going to go?
One Heartbreaking Case of Childhood Homelessness
When I encountered Craig he was thirteen and without a home. Even then hoped his life might turn around. That hope was sadly mistaken.
A International Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Crucial Defection
In the recent past, after living decades in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to China. Today, he may hold the secret to which nation prevails in the worldwide AI race.
The most impactful stories
