As we look back on the previous year, a assortment of outstanding feature-length stories emerges. Such pieces explore intricate themes ranging from geopolitical intrigue and scientific discoveries to deeply personal sagas.
A Mysterious Novelist and the Moral Fabric of a Nation
Victor Pelevin became known in the nineties with sharp satires on autocratic rule. While many of his literary contemporaries have encountered censorship or fled the nation, he continues to sell vast numbers of copies. It prompts a pressing question: Has he become an apologist for the Kremlin?
Survival and Collaboration in Syria's Devastating Conflict
The story of a young man, who at eighteen was informed that his sole path to escape incarceration was to enlist in the government military. After fourteen years, his former role as one of the Syrian leader's fighters may now put him in mortal danger.
A Fierce Argument Over Our Earliest Origins
The unearthing of fossilised remains in the Chadian desert in 2001 was hailed as radically rewriting the history of our species. However, not everyone was persuaded. The ensuing heated controversy has dominated the lives of researchers ever since.
A UK Sect That Operated in the Open
Philippa Barnes was just a young girl when her household joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she played a key role in reveal the shocking breadth of mistreatment it had carried out.
A Statesman's Unexpected Stance on International Law
Many supporters hoped that the prime minister would renew the the nation's dedication to human rights. Yet, the performance over the past year has been strikingly mixed.
Shattering a Nation's Self-Image
A film tracking a repentant con artist as she records unscrupulous individuals with covert recording poses complex queries: Is this person truly changed, and is the filmmaker's true motives?
The Man Who Cleans the UK's Darkest Stains
From homicide sites to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has encountered – and restored – it all. In their stickiest moments, people rely on him to bring back order.
Can an Renowned Museum Endure an "Omni-Crisis"?
Burdened by colonial controversy, precarious funding and the discovery of an insider theft, Britain's premier museum is in deep trouble. The question remains: Can it restore its reputation?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": A Agony of Extreme 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 effective medical solution – up until potentially now.
A Ghost of Radicalism in Modern Politics
A militant extremist and early advocate of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a political outcast 35 years ago. Now, his teachings permeate the highest levels of the state.
The English Professional With a Dishonest Secret
With his brilliant intellect and flawless background, it's little wonder that high-net-worth individuals entrusted him with their assets. Until they began to become wary.
A Tiny State That Became the World's Mediation Capital
An astonishingly wealthy Gulf state has risen as a key actor on the world stage, striving to broker peace in some of the most complex disputes. Which factors are fueling this unprecedented role?
A Inside View at a President Preparing for Global Battle
Deeply disliked at domestically, President Macron enjoys the international stage, where he positions himself as the leader uniquely positioned to deal with a particular former US president. Seven years after their last meeting, a writer accompanied him as he readied himself for the summit.
Inside the Trial of a Heartbreaking Case
What led to the daughter of an aristocrat find herself at the Old Bailey with her companion, facing charges with killing their two-week-old infant?
The Dismantling of a Major Aid Organization: Far From Universal Mourning
When efforts were made to drastically cut a prominent development organization, many around the globe were shocked. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this most recent betrayal was not unexpected.
A Shocking 1960s Study on South Asian Mothers
When details about a scientific experiment in the 1960s became public, there was immense anxiety. But the full nature of what happened is still somewhat unclear.
The "Genius" of the Attention Age
He's spent a full day in a vat of goo, two days buried alive – and distributed enormous amounts of cash to selected contestants. But are these productions simply very savvy clickbait – or works of artistic genius?
Life in a Nation Threatened by the Rising Seas
With sea levels increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's population is confronting the prospect that their homeland may soon be submerged. The critical issue is: To where are they supposed to go?
A Tragic Story of Youth Homelessness
As I met Craig he was 13 and homeless. I still believed his situation could turn around. I was tragically mistaken.
The Global AI Race and a Crucial Move
In 2020, after living decades in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to China. Now, he might hold the key to who wins the global AI race.
The best stories
