While we reflect on the previous year, a selection of outstanding feature-length pieces emerges. These pieces probe intricate themes ranging from geopolitical intrigue and historical discoveries to deeply personal sagas.
A Enigmatic Writer and the Soul of a Nation
An author became known in the nineties with biting satires on authoritarianism. While several of his literary contemporaries have encountered suppression or fled the nation, he continues to move vast numbers of books. This prompts a key question: Has the author evolved into an apologist for the establishment?
Endurance and Complicity in the Syrian Devastating Civil War
The account of a young man, who at eighteen was informed that his sole path to escape incarceration was to join the regime forces. After 14 years, his past as one of Assad's fighters could now put him in mortal danger.
A Bitter Feud Over Our Earliest Origins
The discovery of fossilised remains in the Chadian desert in the early 2000s was proclaimed as fundamentally changing the story of our species. But, not everyone was persuaded. The ensuing heated controversy has consumed the lives of scholars ever since.
The UK Religious Group That Operated in the Open
Philippa Barnes was only a young girl when her household became part of the a religious community. As an grown woman, she played a key role in reveal the disturbing scale of mistreatment it had committed.
The Leader's Unexpected Record on International Law
Numerous followers expected that the former human rights lawyer would reaffirm the the nation's commitment to human rights. Yet, the record over the past year has been curiously inconsistent.
Challenging a Country's Myth
A documentary tracking a repentant fraudster as she sets up corrupt clients with covert recording raises thorny queries: Is this person truly reformed, and is the director's true methods?
A Person Who Decontaminates Britain's Darkest Scenes
From crime scenes to biological waste, Ben Giles has witnessed – and cleaned – everything. In their darkest hours, people rely on him to restore order.
Will an Renowned Institution Weather an "Perfect Storm"?
Beset by colonial controversy, precarious funding and the discovery of an insider theft, Britain's premier cultural institution is in serious difficulty. The challenge remains: Can it salvage its reputation?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": The Suffering of Severe Pregnancy
Referred to as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this condition has for centuries lacked an consistent medical remedy – up until possibly now.
A Spectre of Extremism in Modern Politics
A militant fanatic and pioneer of hate, a rabbi died a political outcast 35 years ago. In the present day, his teachings influence the highest echelons of the state.
An English Professional With a Crooked Secret
With his brilliant intellect and impeccable background, it's little wonder that high-net-worth clients trusted him with their fortunes. Until they began to become wary.
The Tiny Nation That Became the World's Mediation Capital
An extremely rich country has transformed into a major player on the world stage, attempting to mediate some of the most long-standing disputes. Which factors are fueling this unprecedented project?
A Close-Up View at a President Gearing Up for Global Summitry
Extremely unpopular at home, President Macron relishes the world stage, where he presents himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to handle a certain former US president. 7 years after their last meeting, a journalist joined him as he readied himself for battle.
Inside the Trial of a Tragic Case
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?
The End of a Major Aid Organization: Not Universal Mourning
When actions were made to dismantle a prominent development organization, many around the world were taken aback. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this most recent disappointment was far from unexpected.
The Unethical Mid-Century Study on South Asian Mothers
When information about a scientific study in the 1960s were revealed, there was widespread outrage. But the exact nature of the procedures remains somewhat unclear.
A "Master" of the Online Economy
He's spent 24 hours in slime, two days underground – and distributed vast sums of money to selected contestants. But are these stunts simply very clever clickbait – or works of artistic genius?
Life in a Nation Threatened by the Rising Ocean
With sea levels increasing, much of Tuvalu's population is grappling with the prospect that their homeland may soon be submerged. The critical question is: To where are they supposed to go?
A Heartbreaking Story of Youth Homelessness
As I met a young boy he was 13 and without a home. I still thought his life might improve. That hope was tragically wrong.
The International AI Race and a Pivotal Move
In 2020, after living decades in the US, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to China. Today, he might hold the answers to who prevails in the worldwide technological rivalry.
The most impactful stories
