Upon look back on the past year, a curated list of outstanding feature-length stories stands out. Such accounts delve into complex subjects from geopolitical intrigue and historical discoveries to profoundly human sagas.
A Mysterious Novelist and the Soul of a Country
A certain Russian novelist became known in the post-Soviet era with biting commentaries on power. While many of his literary contemporaries have encountered suppression or fled the country, he still move millions of books. This prompts a pressing query: Has he become an defender for the regime?
Endurance and Collaboration in the Syrian Brutal Conflict
The account of Mustafa, who at 18 was given an ultimatum that his only route to escape prison was to enlist in the regime forces. Following 14 long years, his history as one of Assad's soldiers could now get him killed.
A Bitter Dispute Over Our Earliest Beginnings
The discovery of fossilised remains in the Chadian desert in the early 2000s was hailed as completely re-writing the history of our species. Yet, not everyone was persuaded. The resulting intense controversy has consumed the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
The British Sect That Hid in the Open
One woman was only a young girl when her household became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she played a key role in expose the appalling scale of mistreatment it had committed.
The Statesman's Curious Record on International Law
Many voters expected that the former human rights lawyer would restore the the nation's commitment to human rights. However, the record over the first year in office has been notably ambiguous.
Shattering a Nation's Myth
A film following a repentant master criminal as she ensnares corrupt clients with hidden cameras asks difficult queries: Is this person really reformed, and is the director's own motives?
The Man Who Remediates Britain's Most Difficult Stains
From murder scenes to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has seen – and dealt with – it all. In their most challenging moments, families depend on him to restore normalcy.
Can an Renowned Museum Survive an "Omni-Crisis"?
Burdened by debates over its collection, difficult finances and the discovery of an internal thief, Britain's number one cultural institution is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Is it possible to repair its reputation?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": A Agony of Severe Pregnancy
Known as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this condition has long lacked an consistent medical solution – until possibly now.
A Spectre of Radicalism in Contemporary Politics
A violent fanatic and pioneer of hate, a rabbi died a political pariah thirty-five years ago. Now, his ideology permeate the uppermost echelons of government.
The English Professional With a Crooked Side
With his keen intellect and impeccable credentials, it's little wonder that wealthy individuals entrusted him with their wealth. Then they started to get uneasy.
A Small State That Became the Global Mediation Hub
An incredibly rich Gulf state has risen as a major force on the world stage, attempting to solve some of the most intractable conflicts. What are fueling this ambitious role?
A Inside View at a Leader Preparing for International Battle
Deeply unpopular at home, President Macron thrives on the world stage, where he presents himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to handle a particular sitting American leader. Seven years after their previous encounter, a journalist accompanied him as he readied himself for the fray.
During the Court Case of a Tragic Case
What led to the child of an aristocrat end up at the a major court with her companion, charged with the death of their two-week-old baby?
The Dismantling of a Global Development Organization: Far From Universal Regret
When efforts were made to dismantle a major US aid agency, many around the globe were shocked. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this latest disappointment was far from unexpected.
The Unethical Mid-Century Study on Indian Mothers
When information about a medical study in the sixties came to light, there was widespread outrage. But the precise nature of what happened remains partially unclear.
A "Mozart" of the Online Economy
He's endured a full day in slime, 48 hours underground – and given away huge amounts of cash to selected contestants. But are these videos simply very clever clickbait – or works of artistic genius?
Life in a Nation Threatened by the Rising Ocean
With sea levels rising, much of Tuvalu's residents is grappling with the prospect that their homeland may in the near future be submerged. The urgent question is: To where are they supposed to go?
One Tragic Story of Childhood Destitution
As I met a young boy he was 13 and without a home. Even then hoped his situation might turn around. I was sadly mistaken.
A International AI Competition and a Key Defection
In the recent past, after living half his life in the US, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to his home country. Today, he might possess the secret to who prevails in the global AI race.
The finest narratives
