As we look back on the past year, a selection of exceptional feature-length stories stands out. These pieces delve into multifaceted subjects including political intrigue and historical revelations to deeply personal stories.
The Puzzling Novelist and the Soul of a Nation
An author gained prominence in the nineties with sharp satires on authoritarianism. While numerous of his literary contemporaries have encountered suppression or fled the nation, he continues to sell vast numbers of copies. It poses a key query: Has he become an defender for the establishment?
Survival and Collaboration in Syria's Devastating Civil War
The tale of Mustafa, who at 18 was informed that his only route to escape prison was to join the regime military. Following 14 years, his history as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers could now cost him his life.
The Bitter Argument Over Our Ancient Origins
The discovery of fossilised bones in the Chadian sands in 2001 was proclaimed as completely rewriting the narrative of our species. Yet, a faction was convinced. The resulting heated argument has taken over the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.
A UK Cult That Operated in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was just a young girl when her household joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she played a key role in expose the shocking breadth of exploitation it had committed.
A Prime Minister's Puzzling Stance on International Law
A great many voters anticipated that the former human rights lawyer would restore the the nation's dedication to human rights. However, the performance over the past year has been curiously inconsistent.
Breaking a Nation's Myth
A film featuring a remorseful master criminal as she records corrupt individuals with hidden cameras poses complex questions: Is this person truly a new person, and what are the filmmaker's own methods?
The Person Who Decontaminates Britain's Darkest Stains
From murder scenes to whale blubber, Ben Giles has witnessed – and restored – it all. In their darkest times, people rely on him to restore order.
Can an Renowned Museum Weather an "Omni-Crisis"?
Burdened by restitution claims, difficult finances and the revelation of an insider theft, the UK's number one museum is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Can it repair its legacy?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": The Suffering of Severe Pregnancy
Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this condition has for centuries been without an effective treatment solution – up until perhaps now.
The Legacy of Radicalism in Modern Politics
A militant extremist and pioneer of hate, a rabbi died a political outcast 35 years ago. In the present day, his ideology influence the highest echelons of the state.
An British Professional With a Fraudulent Secret
With his sharp mind and impeccable credentials, it's understandable that high-net-worth clients entrusted him with their fortunes. Until they began to get suspicious.
The Small State That Emerged as the Global Diplomatic Capital
An astonishingly rich Gulf state has transformed into a key force on the international scene, attempting to broker peace in some of the most long-standing conflicts. Which factors are behind this ambitious endeavor?
A Inside Look at a President Preparing for Global Summitry
Extremely unpopular at home, President Macron enjoys the world arena, where he projects himself as the statesman most equipped to deal with a particular former US president. 7 years after their last meeting, a writer accompanied him as he readied himself for battle.
During the Court Case of a Tragic Story
What led to the daughter of an aristocrat end up at the Old Bailey with her companion, charged with killing their two-week-old baby?
An End of a Major Aid Organization: Not Widespread Regret
When actions were made to dismantle a major US development organization, many around the world were taken aback. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this most recent disappointment was not unforeseen.
A Disturbing 1960s Experiment on Indian Mothers
When information about a medical study in the sixties were revealed, there was immense shock. But the full truth of the procedures is still partially contested.
A "Mozart" of the Online Age
He's endured a full day in slime, 48 hours buried alive – and distributed vast sums of money to lucky participants. But are these productions simply incredibly clever entertainment – or acts of avant garde genius?
Existence in a Country Threatened by the Rising Seas
With sea levels rising, much of this Pacific island nation's people is facing the reality that their home may in the near future become uninhabitable. The critical issue is: To where are they going to relocate?
One Sorrowful Case of Childhood Homelessness
As I met a young boy he was 13 and homeless. I still believed his life could turn around. That hope was tragically wrong.
The Global Artificial Intelligence Race and a Pivotal Move
In 2020, after living half his life in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to China. Today, he might hold the key to who prevails in the global AI race.
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