While we look back on the year gone by, a curated list of remarkable feature-length stories shines. Such narratives probe complex topics including political machinations and scientific discoveries to profoundly human stories.
The Enigmatic Writer and the Conscience of a Nation
A certain Russian novelist gained prominence in the nineties with scathing commentaries on power. While many of his literary peers have encountered suppression or fled the country, he continues to sell vast numbers of books. This prompts a pertinent query: Has the author evolved into an apologist for the regime?
Survival and Complicity in Syria's Horrific Conflict
The tale of Mustafa, who at eighteen was informed that his only way out of prison was to enlist in the regime military. After fourteen years, his former role as one of the Syrian leader's fighters could now cost him his life.
The Bitter Argument Over Our Earliest Origins
The discovery of fossilised bones in the Chadian sands in the early 2000s was proclaimed as radically changing the story of our human race. But, not everyone was convinced. The resulting heated scholarly debate has consumed the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
A UK Sect That Hid in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was just a child when her family joined the a religious community. As an adult, she helped uncover the shocking extent of abuse it had perpetrated.
A Leader's Curious Record on International Law
Many voters hoped that the prime minister would restore the Britain's dedication to international law. However, the performance over the past year has been strikingly inconsistent.
Challenging a Nation's Self-Image
A documentary featuring a remorseful master criminal as she records unscrupulous individuals with covert recording raises difficult queries: Is she really changed, and is the filmmaker's own intentions?
The Man Who Cleans Britain's Darkest Stains
From crime scenes to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and dealt with – it all. In their stickiest hours, people depend on him to restore normalcy.
Can an Renowned Museum Weather an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Plagued by debates over its collection, strained funding and the discovery of an internal thief, the UK's premier cultural institution is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Can it repair its legacy?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": A Agony of Extreme Condition
Known as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this illness has for centuries lacked an reliable treatment solution – up until perhaps now.
A Ghost of Extremism in Contemporary Government
A violent fanatic and pioneer of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a political pariah thirty-five years ago. Now, his ideas shape the very highest levels of government.
The British Professional With a Crooked Secret
With his sharp intellect and sterling background, it's little wonder that affluent individuals entrusted him with their wealth. Until they began to get wary.
A Small Nation That Became the World's Mediation Capital
An astonishingly rich Gulf state has transformed into a major player on the world stage, striving to solve some of the most complex conflicts. Which factors are fueling this unprecedented role?
A Close-Up View at a President Preparing for International Battle
Deeply disliked at domestically, the French leader thrives on the international arena, where he presents himself as the leader most equipped to deal with a particular former US president. Seven years after their last encounter, a journalist joined him as he prepared for battle.
During the Trial of a Heartbreaking Case
What led to the daughter of an wealthy family end up at the a major court with her partner, facing charges with the death of their two-week-old infant?
The End of a Major Aid Agency: Not Universal Mourning
When efforts were made to drastically cut a major US development organization, many around the globe were surprised. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this latest betrayal was far from unexpected.
A Shocking 1960s Study on South Asian Women
When information about a scientific experiment in the 1960s became public, there was immense anxiety. But the full story of the events is still partially contested.
A "Genius" of the Online Age
He's endured 24 hours in a vat of goo, two days buried alive – and given away huge sums of cash to selected contestants. But are these productions simply very clever clickbait – or acts of daring brilliance?
Life in a Country Endangered by the Encroaching Ocean
With sea levels rising, much of this Pacific island nation's population is facing the possibility that their home may in the near future cease to exist. The critical issue is: To where are they going to go?
One Sorrowful Case of Youth Destitution
When I met a young boy he was 13 and homeless. Even then hoped his life might improve. I was devastatingly wrong.
A International AI Race and a Pivotal Move
In the recent past, after spending decades in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to China. Now, he may hold the answers to which nation prevails in the worldwide technological rivalry.
The best stories
