As we reflect on the year gone by, a assortment of remarkable feature-length stories emerges. Such narratives explore complex themes from political machinations and scientific discoveries to deeply human journeys.
The Puzzling Writer and the Moral Fabric of a Nation
An author gained prominence in the 1990s with scathing commentaries on autocratic rule. While many of his writer peers have faced censorship or fled the nation, he continues to move millions of books. It raises a pertinent query: Has the author become an apologist for the Kremlin?
Endurance and Collaboration in the Syrian Brutal Civil War
The account of Mustafa, who at eighteen was told that his sole way out of prison was to enlist in the government military. Following 14 years, his history as one of Assad's fighters may still get him killed.
A Bitter Feud Over Our Earliest Origins
The unearthing of ancient bones in the Chadian desert in the early 2000s was heralded as fundamentally changing the narrative of our species. But, some scholars was convinced. The resulting intense scholarly debate has consumed the lives of scholars ever since.
The UK Religious Group That Operated in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was only a young girl when her family joined the a religious community. As an adult, she helped uncover the appalling breadth of mistreatment it had perpetrated.
The Statesman's Curious Stance on International Law
Numerous voters anticipated that the prime minister would reaffirm the UK's dedication to human rights. However, the performance over the past year has been curiously ambiguous.
Challenging a Nation's Myth
A documentary following a remorseful con artist as she ensnares unscrupulous individuals with covert recording raises difficult queries: Is she genuinely reformed, and what are the filmmaker's own intentions?
The Person Who Decontaminates the UK's Darkest Scenes
From crime scenes to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has encountered – and restored – it all. In their darkest times, families turn to him to bring back order.
Will an Renowned Institution Endure an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Beset by restitution claims, difficult finances and the revelation of an insider theft, the UK's premier cultural institution is in serious difficulty. The challenge remains: Can it repair its standing?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": A Agony of Extreme Pregnancy
Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this illness has long lacked an effective treatment remedy – until perhaps now.
A Ghost of Radicalism in Contemporary Government
A militant extremist and pioneer of bigotry, a rabbi died a political pariah 35 years ago. Today, his ideas influence the highest echelons of the state.
The British Professional With a Dishonest Secret
With his brilliant mind and flawless reputation, it's little wonder that high-net-worth individuals trusted him with their wealth. Then they started to get uneasy.
The Small State That Became the World's Mediation Center
An astonishingly wealthy country has risen as a major actor on the world stage, striving to mediate some of the most intractable conflicts. Which factors are driving this ambitious project?
A Close-Up Look at a Leader Preparing for International Battle
Extremely unpopular at domestically, the French leader relishes the world arena, where he positions himself as the leader most equipped to manage a certain sitting US president. 7 years after their previous encounter, a writer joined him as he readied himself for battle.
Inside the Court Case of a Tragic Story
What led to the child of an wealthy family find herself at the Old Bailey with her partner, charged with the death of their two-week-old infant?
An Dismantling of a Global Aid Agency: Far From Widespread Regret
When efforts were made to wind down a major US development organization, many around the globe were shocked. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this latest betrayal was far from unforeseen.
The Disturbing 1960s Study on Indian Women
When details about a scientific study in the 1960s came to light, there was widespread shock. But the exact story of the procedures is still somewhat shrouded.
A "Mozart" of the Attention Economy
He's endured 24 hours in a vat of goo, 48 hours buried alive – and distributed huge amounts of cash to lucky participants. But are these videos simply incredibly savvy clickbait – or works of avant garde brilliance?
Existence in a Country Threatened by the Encroaching Seas
With sea levels rising, much of this Pacific island nation's residents is confronting the possibility that their home may soon cease to exist. The urgent issue is: To where are they supposed to relocate?
One Heartbreaking Story of Childhood Homelessness
As I met Craig he was thirteen and without a home. I still believed his life could improve. I was sadly misplaced.
A Global AI Competition and a Pivotal Defection
In 2020, after spending decades in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to his home country. Today, he may possess the secret to who prevails in the global technological rivalry.
The finest narratives
