While we reflect on the previous year, a curated list of outstanding feature-length pieces emerges. These narratives probe multifaceted subjects ranging from geopolitical intrigue and scientific revelations to profoundly personal stories.
A Puzzling Writer and the Conscience of a Country
An author rose to fame in the 1990s with biting critiques on autocratic rule. Whereas many of his writer contemporaries have faced suppression or fled the nation, he continues to move millions of copies. It poses a pertinent question: Has he become an apologist for the regime?
Endurance and Collaboration in Syria's Horrific Conflict
The story of Mustafa, who at 18 was informed that his sole way to escape incarceration was to enlist in the regime military. After fourteen years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers might now cost him his life.
A Fierce Dispute Over Humanity's Earliest Origins
The unearthing of ancient remains in the Chadian desert in the early 2000s was proclaimed as completely changing the story of our human race. But, some scholars was persuaded. The subsequent intense argument has dominated the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.
The British Sect That Hid in the Open
One woman was only a young girl when her family became part of the a religious community. As an grown woman, she helped expose the appalling extent of mistreatment it had perpetrated.
A Leader's Curious Record on International Law
Numerous voters expected that the prime minister would renew the the nation's commitment to international law. But, the performance over the first year in office has been strikingly ambiguous.
Shattering a Nation's Identity
A documentary tracking a repentant con artist as she ensnares corrupt clients with hidden cameras poses thorny queries: Is this person truly changed, and what are the director's own methods?
A Person Who Cleans the UK's Darkest Scenes
From homicide sites to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has seen – and dealt with – everything. In their darkest hours, families turn to him to bring back order.
Will an Iconic Museum Endure an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Beset by debates over its collection, strained finances and the discovery of an internal thief, Britain's premier cultural institution is in a major crisis. The challenge remains: Is it possible to salvage its reputation?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": A Torture of Severe Pregnancy
Called a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this condition has long been without an reliable treatment remedy – up until potentially now.
A Ghost of Radicalism in Contemporary Politics
A militant fanatic and early advocate of hate, a rabbi died a marginalized outcast thirty-five years ago. Now, his ideas permeate the very highest levels of the state.
The English Gentleman With a Fraudulent Side
With his brilliant mind and sterling credentials, it's no surprise that affluent individuals trusted him with their assets. Until they began to get suspicious.
The Tiny State That Became the World's Diplomatic Hub
An extremely wealthy Gulf state has transformed into a major actor on the international scene, striving to mediate some of the most complex conflicts. What are fueling this ambitious endeavor?
An Close-Up View at a President Gearing Up for International Summitry
Deeply disliked at domestically, the French leader relishes the international stage, where he projects himself as the statesman best placed to manage a certain former American leader. Seven years after their previous meeting, a writer accompanied him as he readied himself for battle.
During the Court Case of a Tragic Case
What led to the daughter of an aristocrat end up at the Old Bailey with her partner, facing charges with the death of their two-week-old infant?
The End of a Global Aid Agency: Far From Widespread Mourning
When efforts were made to drastically cut a major US aid agency, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this latest letdown was far from unforeseen.
A Disturbing Mid-Century Experiment on South Asian Women
When details about a scientific experiment in the sixties came to light, there was immense shock. But the exact truth of what happened is still somewhat unclear.
A "Mozart" of the Online Age
He's endured a full day in slime, 48 hours buried alive – and distributed vast sums of money to selected contestants. But are these stunts simply very savvy entertainment – or acts of daring genius?
Life in a Nation Endangered by the Encroaching Seas
With the ocean increasing, much of Tuvalu's people is confronting the possibility that their islands may soon become uninhabitable. The critical issue is: To where are they supposed to go?
A Heartbreaking Case of Childhood Destitution
When I encountered a young boy he was 13 and without a home. I still thought his life could turn around. That hope was sadly wrong.
A Global AI Race and a Crucial Move
In the recent past, after living half his life in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to his home country. Now, he might possess the secret to who prevails in the worldwide technological rivalry.
The finest narratives
