Upon consider the year gone by, a selection of remarkable feature-length stories emerges. Such pieces probe complex themes from geopolitical intrigue and scientific revelations to deeply personal stories.
A Mysterious Writer and the Moral Fabric of a Nation
An author became known in the 1990s with scathing commentaries on authoritarianism. While several of his literary contemporaries have faced censorship or left the nation, he continues to sell millions of copies. This poses a key question: Has he become an supporter for the establishment?
Endurance and Complicity in Syria's Devastating Conflict
The account of Mustafa, who at 18 was informed that his only way out of prison was to join the government military. After fourteen long years, his former role as one of the Syrian leader's fighters might now get him killed.
A Bitter Feud Over Our Earliest Beginnings
The unearthing of ancient bones in the Djurab sands in the early 2000s was hailed as radically rewriting the story of our human race. However, a faction was in agreement. The ensuing intense argument has taken over the careers of scholars ever since.
The UK Cult That Hid in the Open
Philippa Barnes was only a young girl when her household joined the a religious community. As an grown woman, she helped reveal the disturbing extent of mistreatment it had carried out.
The Leader's Curious Stance on Human Rights
Many followers expected that the prime minister would renew the the nation's commitment to human rights. But, the performance over the past year has been curiously ambiguous.
Shattering a Nation's Myth
A film tracking a repentant con artist as she sets up unscrupulous clients with covert recording raises thorny questions: Is this person truly changed, and is the director's true methods?
A Person Who Decontaminates the UK's Darkest Stains
From murder scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has seen – and dealt with – everything. In their stickiest moments, people depend on him to bring back peace.
Will an Iconic Institution Survive an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Plagued by colonial controversy, difficult finances and the revelation of an insider theft, Britain's leading museum is in deep trouble. The question remains: Can it restore its reputation?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": A Torture of Extreme Pregnancy
Called a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this illness has for centuries been without an effective treatment remedy – up until potentially now.
A Legacy of Radicalism in Modern Government
A militant fanatic and early advocate of bigotry, a rabbi died a political outcast thirty-five years ago. Today, his teachings influence the very highest levels of government.
An British Professional With a Fraudulent Side
With his sharp mind and sterling reputation, it's no surprise that high-net-worth individuals trusted him with their wealth. Then they started to get suspicious.
The Tiny Nation That Emerged as the Global Mediation Hub
An astonishingly wealthy country has risen as a major player on the international scene, attempting to broker peace in some of the most long-standing conflicts. What are fueling this ambitious endeavor?
An Close-Up Look at a Leader Gearing Up for Global Battle
Deeply unpopular at domestically, President Macron relishes the world stage, where he projects himself as the statesman most equipped to handle a particular sitting US president. Seven years after their previous meeting, a journalist accompanied him as he readied himself for the fray.
During the Court Case of a Tragic Story
How did the daughter of an wealthy family find herself at the a major court with her partner, charged with the death of their two-week-old baby?
An End of a Global Aid Agency: Far From Universal Regret
When actions were made to drastically cut a prominent development organization, many around the world were surprised. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this latest betrayal was not unexpected.
A Shocking Mid-Century Experiment on Indian Mothers
When details about a scientific study in the 1960s became public, there was immense anxiety. But the full truth of the events is still somewhat unclear.
The "Genius" of the Attention Economy
He's endured 24 hours in a vat of goo, 48 hours underground – and showered huge amounts of money to selected participants. But are these productions simply incredibly savvy entertainment – or works of daring brilliance?
Life in a Nation Endangered by the Rising Seas
With the ocean rising, much of this Pacific island nation's people is facing the prospect that their homeland may soon cease to exist. The critical issue is: To where are they supposed to go?
One Tragic Story of Childhood Homelessness
When I encountered a young boy he was 13 and without a home. Even then thought his situation could change for the better. That hope was devastatingly misplaced.
A International Artificial Intelligence Race and a Key Move
In the recent past, after spending decades in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to his home country. Today, he might possess the key to who prevails in the worldwide technological rivalry.
The finest narratives
