While we reflect on the past year, a selection of outstanding feature-length stories emerges. These pieces explore intricate themes from geopolitical intrigue and historical discoveries to deeply personal journeys.
A Puzzling Author and the Moral Fabric of a Country
An author became known in the nineties with biting commentaries on autocratic rule. While several of his literary contemporaries have faced censorship or left the country, he continues to sell vast numbers of copies. It poses a pressing query: Has he turned into an apologist for the regime?
Endurance and Collaboration in the Syrian Horrific Conflict
The account of a young man, who at 18 was given an ultimatum that his only way out of prison was to enlist in the regime forces. Following 14 long years, his former role as one of Assad's fighters may now cost him his life.
A Acrimonious Argument Over Our Earliest Beginnings
The finding of fossilised bones in the Chadian desert in the early 2000s was proclaimed as completely re-writing the narrative of our human race. However, a faction was convinced. The subsequent heated argument has taken over the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.
A UK Religious Group That Hid in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was just a young girl when her household joined the a religious community. As an adult, she helped expose the disturbing breadth of abuse it had perpetrated.
The Statesman's Curious Stance on Human Rights
Numerous followers hoped that the former human rights lawyer would renew the the nation's dedication to international law. However, the record over the past year has been strikingly ambiguous.
Shattering a Nation's Identity
A documentary featuring a remorseful master criminal as she records corrupt individuals with hidden cameras poses difficult questions: Is this person genuinely reformed, and what are the director's own motives?
A Person Who Remediates Britain's Darkest Scenes
From homicide sites to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has seen – and cleaned – everything. In their stickiest moments, families rely on him to restore peace.
Will an Famous Institution Survive an "Omni-Crisis"?
Beset by colonial controversy, strained funding and the revelation of an internal thief, Britain's leading museum is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Is it possible to restore its legacy?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": A Agony of Severe Condition
Known as hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this illness has long been without an effective medical solution – until perhaps now.
The Legacy of Radicalism in Contemporary Government
A militant fanatic and pioneer of hate, Meir Kahane died a political pariah 35 years ago. Today, his ideas shape the uppermost echelons of the state.
An English Professional With a Dishonest Side
With his sharp intellect and flawless reputation, it's understandable that high-net-worth individuals entrusted him with their wealth. Until they started to become wary.
The Tiny State That Emerged as the World's Diplomatic Center
An incredibly rich Gulf state has risen as a key player on the world stage, striving to broker peace in some of the most intractable disputes. What are fueling this unprecedented project?
An Close-Up Look at a Leader Preparing for International Battle
Extremely unpopular at domestically, the French leader enjoys the international stage, where he presents himself as the leader best placed to deal with a certain sitting US president. 7 years after their previous meeting, a writer joined him as he prepared for battle.
During the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Case
What led to the child of an aristocrat end up at the Old Bailey with her companion, charged with the death of their newborn infant?
The End of a Major Aid Organization: Not Widespread Mourning
When efforts were made to wind down a prominent aid agency, many around the globe were shocked. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this most recent letdown was not unforeseen.
The Shocking Mid-Century Study on South Asian Mothers
When information about a medical study in the sixties were revealed, there was immense shock. But the full story of the events is still partially unclear.
A "Master" of the Attention Age
He's endured a full day in slime, two days buried alive – and given away enormous sums of cash to lucky contestants. But are these videos simply incredibly savvy clickbait – or acts of artistic brilliance?
Existence in a Nation Endangered by the Encroaching Seas
With sea levels rising, much of Tuvalu's residents is confronting the prospect that their homeland may soon become uninhabitable. The pressing question is: To where are they supposed to relocate?
A Sorrowful Story of Childhood Homelessness
As I met a young boy he was thirteen and homeless. Even then hoped his situation might improve. I was devastatingly wrong.
The International AI Race and a Crucial Move
In the recent past, after spending decades in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to his home country. Now, he could possess the secret to who wins the global AI race.
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