As we reflect on the year gone by, a selection of remarkable feature-length stories stands out. These accounts delve into intricate topics including political intrigue and historical discoveries to profoundly personal journeys.
The Enigmatic Author and the Conscience of a Nation
Victor Pelevin rose to fame in the post-Soviet era with scathing commentaries on autocratic rule. While numerous of his writer contemporaries have encountered censorship or fled the nation, he still move millions of books. It prompts a pressing query: Has the author become an defender for the establishment?
Survival and Complicity in Syria's Horrific Conflict
The account of a young man, who at 18 was told that his only path out of prison was to enlist in the regime forces. After 14 long years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's fighters might still put him in mortal danger.
A Bitter Dispute Over Humanity's Earliest Origins
The unearthing of fossilised remains in the Chadian sands in the early 2000s was hailed as completely re-writing the history of our human race. Yet, some scholars was in agreement. The resulting heated argument has consumed the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
A British Cult That Hid in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was just a young girl when her family joined the a religious community. As an adult, she played a key role in expose the appalling breadth of mistreatment it had committed.
The Leader's Unexpected Record on Human Rights
Many followers expected that the prime minister would renew the Britain's dedication to human rights. But, the performance over the first year in office has been strikingly ambiguous.
Challenging a Country's Self-Image
A documentary tracking a remorseful master criminal as she ensnares corrupt clients with covert recording raises thorny questions: Is this person really a new person, and what are the director's own intentions?
A Person Who Decontaminates Britain's Darkest Stains
From murder scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and cleaned – everything. In their darkest moments, families depend on him to restore order.
Can an Iconic Museum Weather an "Omni-Crisis"?
Burdened by restitution claims, difficult funding and the exposure of an internal thief, the UK's premier museum is in deep trouble. The challenge remains: Is it possible to repair its standing?
More Than "Morning Sickness": A Torture of Extreme Condition
Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this illness has for centuries been without an reliable medical end – until potentially now.
The Spectre of Extremism in Contemporary Politics
A violent fanatic and pioneer of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a marginalized pariah 35 years ago. Today, his ideology influence the highest levels of government.
An English Gentleman With a Dishonest Side
With his brilliant intellect and sterling background, it's understandable that high-net-worth clients entrusted him with their wealth. Until they started to get uneasy.
The Small State That Emerged as the World's Mediation Capital
An astonishingly rich Gulf state has become a key actor on the world stage, attempting to mediate some of the most complex conflicts. What are driving this ambitious endeavor?
An Close-Up Look at a Leader Gearing Up for Global Battle
Deeply disliked at home, the French leader thrives on the world stage, where he positions himself as the leader most equipped to manage a certain sitting US president. Seven years after their last meeting, a writer accompanied him as he readied himself for the summit.
During the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Case
How did the daughter of an wealthy family find herself at the Old Bailey with her companion, charged with the death of their newborn infant?
An Dismantling of a Major Aid Agency: Far From Universal Regret
When efforts were made to wind down a major US aid agency, many around the world were surprised. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this latest disappointment was far from unexpected.
The Disturbing 1960s Study on South Asian Mothers
When details about a scientific experiment in the 1960s were revealed, there was immense shock. But the precise story of the procedures remains somewhat unclear.
The "Mozart" of the Attention Age
He's spent a full day in slime, 48 hours underground – and given away vast amounts of cash to lucky participants. But are these productions simply very clever clickbait – or works of avant garde brilliance?
Life in a Country Threatened by the Rising Ocean
With sea levels rising, much of Tuvalu's residents is grappling with the possibility that their homeland may in the near future cease to exist. The pressing question is: Where are they supposed to relocate?
A Heartbreaking Case of Youth Homelessness
As I met a young boy he was thirteen and without a home. Even then hoped his situation might improve. I was devastatingly mistaken.
A Global AI Race and a Pivotal Move
In the recent past, after living decades in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to his home country. Now, he could hold the key to who prevails in the worldwide technological rivalry.
The most impactful stories
