As we consider the past year, a selection of exceptional feature-length stories emerges. Such pieces probe complex subjects including geopolitical intrigue and scientific revelations to profoundly human journeys.
A Puzzling Novelist and the Soul of a Country
An author became known in the 1990s with sharp commentaries on authoritarianism. Whereas numerous of his writer contemporaries have encountered suppression or left the nation, he still sell vast numbers of copies. This raises a pressing query: Has the author evolved into an supporter for the regime?
Survival and Complicity in the Syrian Brutal Conflict
The tale of Mustafa, who at 18 was given an ultimatum that his sole path to escape incarceration was to join the regime military. Following fourteen years, his past as one of Assad's soldiers might now put him in mortal danger.
A Acrimonious Feud Over Our Ancient Origins
The unearthing of fossilised remains in the Chadian desert in 2001 was heralded as radically rewriting the history of our species. But, not everyone was in agreement. The subsequent heated controversy has dominated the lives of scholars ever since.
A UK Cult That Hid in the Open
Philippa Barnes was just a child when her family joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she played a key role in reveal the shocking scale of mistreatment it had carried out.
A Leader's Curious Record on Human Rights
Many voters hoped that the prime minister would renew the Britain's dedication to international law. However, the record over the first year in office has been strikingly mixed.
Breaking a Country's Myth
A film tracking a remorseful fraudster as she records unscrupulous individuals with hidden cameras raises complex questions: Is this person genuinely a new person, and is the filmmaker's own motives?
A Person Who Cleans the UK's Most Traumatic Stains
From homicide sites to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has encountered – and dealt with – everything. In their darkest times, individuals rely on him to restore normalcy.
Will an Iconic Museum Weather an "Perfect Storm"?
Beset by debates over its collection, difficult finances and the revelation of an insider theft, the UK's leading cultural institution is in deep trouble. The challenge remains: Is it possible to salvage its legacy?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": A Agony of Extreme Pregnancy
Referred to as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this condition has for centuries lacked an reliable treatment end – up until potentially now.
The Spectre of Extremism in Modern Government
A violent fanatic and early advocate of hate, a rabbi died a marginalized pariah 35 years ago. In the present day, his ideology influence the highest levels of government.
An British Professional With a Dishonest Secret
With his brilliant intellect and sterling credentials, it's little wonder that high-net-worth individuals trusted him with their wealth. Until they started to get wary.
The Small State That Emerged as the Global Mediation Hub
An astonishingly rich Gulf state has transformed into a major player on the world stage, attempting to mediate some of the most long-standing conflicts. What are behind this unprecedented endeavor?
A Inside Look at a Leader Preparing for International Battle
Deeply disliked at home, President Macron relishes the world arena, where he projects himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to deal with a certain sitting American leader. Seven years after their last meeting, a journalist accompanied him as he readied himself for battle.
During the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Story
What led to the child of an aristocrat find herself at the Old Bailey with her companion, charged with killing their two-week-old baby?
The Dismantling of a Major Development Organization: Far From Widespread Regret
When efforts were made to dismantle a prominent development organization, many around the world were surprised. But on the ground in a West African nation, this latest disappointment was not unforeseen.
The Shocking 1960s Experiment on Indian Women
When details about a scientific study in the sixties came to light, there was widespread anxiety. But the precise story of what happened is still somewhat contested.
The "Master" of the Attention Economy
He's spent 24 hours in slime, two days buried alive – and distributed enormous amounts of cash to selected participants. But are these stunts simply very savvy entertainment – or works of artistic brilliance?
Life in a Nation Endangered by the Encroaching Ocean
With the ocean increasing, much of Tuvalu's people is facing the prospect that their islands may in the near future cease to exist. The urgent issue is: To where are they supposed to go?
One Sorrowful Case of Youth Destitution
As I met Craig he was 13 and homeless. I still thought his situation could turn around. That hope was sadly mistaken.
A International AI Race and a Key Move
In 2020, after spending half his life in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to China. Now, he may possess the key to which nation prevails in the worldwide AI race.
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