Upon look back on the year gone by, a curated list of remarkable feature-length pieces stands out. These pieces delve into complex topics from geopolitical machinations and scientific discoveries to profoundly human sagas.
A Mysterious Novelist and the Moral Fabric of a Country
An author became known in the post-Soviet era with biting commentaries on power. Although numerous of his literary contemporaries have encountered suppression or fled the nation, he continues to sell millions of copies. It prompts a key question: Has he turned into an defender for the regime?
Survival and Collaboration in the Syrian Devastating Civil War
The story of Mustafa, who at eighteen was informed that his only route out of prison was to join the regime military. Following 14 years, his history as one of Assad's fighters may still put him in mortal danger.
The Fierce Dispute Over Humanity's Earliest Beginnings
The unearthing of ancient remains in the Chadian sands in 2001 was proclaimed as radically changing the history of our species. But, a faction was persuaded. The ensuing intense argument has dominated the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.
A British Cult That Operated in the Open
One woman was only a child when her family joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she played a key role in expose the shocking extent of abuse it had perpetrated.
A Leader's Curious Record on International Law
Numerous supporters expected that the former human rights lawyer would restore the the nation's commitment to human rights. Yet, the track record over the first year in office has been notably mixed.
Shattering a Country's Self-Image
A documentary tracking a repentant master criminal as she ensnares corrupt clients with hidden cameras asks complex queries: Is she truly changed, and is the director's true methods?
The Man Who Cleans the UK's Most Traumatic Scenes
From crime scenes to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has seen – and restored – everything. In their darkest times, individuals rely on him to bring back normalcy.
Will an Famous Museum Weather an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Plagued by colonial controversy, difficult funding and the exposure of an insider theft, the UK's leading cultural institution is in deep trouble. The question remains: Can it repair its reputation?
More Than "Morning Sickness": A Agony of Severe Pregnancy
Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this illness has for centuries been without an effective treatment end – until potentially now.
A Ghost of Extremism in Modern Government
A militant fanatic and early advocate of hate, a rabbi died a marginalized pariah 35 years ago. Now, his ideas permeate the highest echelons of the state.
The English Professional With a Dishonest Side
With his keen intellect and flawless credentials, it's understandable that high-net-worth clients trusted him with their wealth. Then they began to get uneasy.
The Tiny Nation That Became the World's Diplomatic Hub
An incredibly rich Gulf state has risen as a key force on the international scene, attempting to broker peace in some of the most long-standing disputes. What are behind this ambitious endeavor?
An Close-Up Look at a President Gearing Up for Global Summitry
Deeply disliked at home, President Macron thrives on the world arena, where he projects himself as the statesman most equipped to manage a particular sitting US president. Seven years after their previous encounter, a journalist accompanied him as he prepared for the summit.
During the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Story
What led to the daughter of an wealthy family end up at the Old Bailey with her partner, charged with killing their newborn infant?
The Dismantling of a Major Aid Organization: Far From Universal Mourning
When actions were made to dismantle a major US development organization, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the ground in a West African nation, this latest disappointment was far from unexpected.
The Unethical Mid-Century Study on Indian Women
When information about a medical study in the sixties came to light, there was immense anxiety. But the exact truth of what happened remains partially unclear.
A "Master" of the Online Age
He's endured 24 hours in slime, 48 hours underground – and showered huge amounts of cash to selected contestants. But are these stunts simply incredibly clever entertainment – or works of daring genius?
Existence in a Country Endangered by the Rising Ocean
With sea levels increasing, much of Tuvalu's population is facing the reality that their homeland may soon become uninhabitable. The urgent question is: To where are they going to relocate?
A Sorrowful Story of Youth Homelessness
When I encountered Craig he was thirteen and homeless. Even then believed his life could change for the better. That hope was sadly wrong.
The Global AI Race and a Key Defection
In 2020, after living half his life in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to China. Today, he could possess the secret to who wins the worldwide technological rivalry.
The most impactful stories
