While we reflect on the past year, a assortment of exceptional feature-length stories shines. These pieces probe intricate subjects from political intrigue and historical revelations to profoundly personal sagas.
The Mysterious Novelist and the Soul of a Country
A certain Russian novelist rose to fame in the post-Soviet era with sharp satires on authoritarianism. Whereas numerous of his literary contemporaries have faced censorship or fled the country, he still sell vast numbers of copies. It raises a pressing query: Has the author evolved into an supporter for the regime?
Survival and Complicity in the Syrian Brutal Conflict
The account of Mustafa, who at eighteen was informed that his only route to escape prison was to join the government military. After fourteen long years, his former role as one of the Syrian leader's fighters might still get him killed.
The Bitter Dispute Over Our Earliest Beginnings
The discovery of fossilised remains in the Djurab sands in 2001 was heralded as radically rewriting the history of our human race. Yet, not everyone was persuaded. The resulting bitter argument has consumed the lives of researchers ever since.
A British Religious Group That Hid in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was just a young girl when her family became part of the a religious community. As an grown woman, she helped expose the disturbing breadth of mistreatment it had committed.
A Leader's Puzzling Stance on International Law
A great many voters hoped that the prime minister would restore the the nation's dedication to human rights. However, the record over the past year has been notably inconsistent.
Challenging a Nation's Myth
A film following a repentant con artist as she sets up corrupt individuals with covert recording raises thorny queries: Is she really changed, and what are the director's own motives?
The Person Who Remediates the UK's Darkest Scenes
From crime scenes to biological waste, Ben Giles has witnessed – and dealt with – everything. In their most challenging times, families depend on him to bring back order.
Can an Famous Institution Weather an "Perfect Storm"?
Plagued by debates over its collection, strained finances and the exposure of an internal thief, the UK's leading museum is in serious difficulty. The challenge remains: Is it possible to salvage its standing?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": A Torture of Extreme Pregnancy
Called a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this condition has for centuries been without an reliable treatment remedy – up until possibly now.
The Ghost of Radicalism in Modern Politics
A militant extremist and early advocate of hate, Meir Kahane died a political pariah thirty-five years ago. Today, his teachings permeate the highest echelons of the state.
The British Gentleman With a Dishonest Side
With his sharp intellect and sterling reputation, it's no surprise that wealthy individuals trusted him with their wealth. Until they began to get wary.
A Small State That Emerged as the Global Mediation Center
An astonishingly rich Gulf state has become a significant force on the international scene, working to broker peace in some of the most long-standing conflicts. Which factors are driving this unprecedented project?
An Close-Up View at a President Gearing Up for Global Battle
Deeply disliked at domestically, President Macron enjoys the international arena, where he positions himself as the leader best placed to handle a particular former American leader. 7 years after their previous meeting, a writer joined him as he readied himself for the summit.
During the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Case
What led to the daughter of an aristocrat find herself at the Old Bailey with her partner, facing charges with killing their newborn baby?
The End of a Global Development Agency: Not Universal Mourning
When actions were made to wind down a major US aid agency, many around the world were shocked. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this most recent letdown was far from unforeseen.
A Shocking 1960s Study on South Asian Women
When details about a medical study in the 1960s came to light, there was widespread shock. But the precise truth of what happened is still somewhat contested.
The "Genius" of the Attention Age
He's spent 24 hours in a vat of goo, 48 hours underground – and showered vast sums of cash to selected contestants. But are these productions simply very clever clickbait – or works of daring brilliance?
Existence in a Country Endangered by the Encroaching Ocean
With sea levels rising, much of this Pacific island nation's residents is grappling with the reality that their home may soon be submerged. The urgent issue is: Where are they going to relocate?
One Tragic Case of Youth Destitution
As I met Craig he was thirteen and homeless. Even then hoped his life might change for the better. That hope was tragically mistaken.
The Global AI Competition and a Pivotal Defection
In 2020, after living half his life in the US, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to China. Now, he might hold the secret to which nation wins the global AI race.
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