While we consider the past year, a selection of remarkable feature-length stories shines. These narratives probe intricate subjects from political intrigue and scientific revelations to deeply human sagas.
The Puzzling Writer and the Moral Fabric of a Country
An author became known in the post-Soviet era with sharp critiques on power. Whereas several of his writer peers have encountered censorship or fled the nation, he continues to sell millions of copies. It raises a key query: Has he become an apologist for the establishment?
Survival and Complicity in the Syrian Brutal Civil War
The account of a young man, who at 18 was given an ultimatum that his sole way to escape incarceration was to enlist in the government forces. After 14 years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's fighters could still get him killed.
A Acrimonious Feud Over Humanity's Earliest Beginnings
The discovery of fossilised bones in the Djurab desert in the early 2000s was heralded as radically rewriting the narrative of our human race. But, a faction was persuaded. The subsequent intense scholarly debate has dominated the lives of researchers ever since.
A British Sect That Operated in Plain Sight
One woman was only a child when her family became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she helped reveal the appalling extent of mistreatment it had committed.
A Prime Minister's Curious Stance on International Law
A great many supporters anticipated that the prime minister would reaffirm the UK's commitment to human rights. Yet, the record over the first year in office has been notably inconsistent.
Shattering a Nation's Self-Image
A film tracking a repentant master criminal as she ensnares unscrupulous clients with hidden cameras asks thorny queries: Is this person genuinely changed, and is the director's true motives?
A Person Who Remediates Britain's Most Difficult Scenes
From homicide sites to whale blubber, Ben Giles has witnessed – and restored – it all. In their most challenging moments, people depend on him to restore normalcy.
Can an Famous Museum Survive an "Omni-Crisis"?
Plagued by debates over its collection, difficult funding and the discovery of an internal thief, the UK's number one museum is in a major crisis. The challenge remains: Can it salvage its reputation?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": The Suffering of Severe Pregnancy
Called a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this condition has for centuries lacked an effective medical solution – until perhaps now.
The Spectre of Radicalism in Contemporary Politics
A militant fanatic and early advocate of hate, a rabbi died a political outcast 35 years ago. Today, his teachings shape the highest levels of government.
The English Gentleman With a Fraudulent Side
With his keen intellect and flawless background, it's understandable that high-net-worth individuals trusted him with their fortunes. Then they began to become uneasy.
The Tiny Nation That Emerged as the World's Mediation Hub
An extremely rich country has become a key player on the international scene, attempting to broker peace in some of the most long-standing conflicts. Which factors are driving this unprecedented project?
A Inside View at a President Preparing for Global Battle
Extremely disliked at home, President Macron enjoys the world stage, where he positions himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to manage a certain former US president. Seven years after their last encounter, a writer accompanied him as he prepared for the fray.
During the Trial of a Heartbreaking Case
What led to the daughter of an aristocrat end up at the Old Bailey with her companion, charged with the death of their two-week-old infant?
An Dismantling of a Major Aid Organization: Not Universal Regret
When efforts were made to dismantle a major US aid agency, many around the world were shocked. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this most recent betrayal was far from unexpected.
A Unethical Mid-Century Study on South Asian Women
When information about a medical study in the sixties came to light, there was immense anxiety. But the precise truth of the procedures remains somewhat contested.
The "Mozart" of the Online Economy
He's spent 24 hours in a vat of goo, two days buried alive – and showered enormous amounts of money to selected contestants. But are these stunts simply incredibly clever entertainment – or works of daring brilliance?
Existence in a Nation Endangered by the Encroaching Ocean
With sea levels rising, much of Tuvalu's residents is grappling with the reality that their home may soon become uninhabitable. The urgent question is: To where are they going to go?
One Heartbreaking Case of Youth Homelessness
When I met a young boy he was thirteen and without a home. Even then hoped his situation might improve. I was sadly mistaken.
The International Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Pivotal Defection
In 2020, after spending half his life in the US, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to China. Now, he may hold the key to which nation prevails in the global AI race.
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