While we reflect on the previous year, a selection of exceptional feature-length stories emerges. Such narratives probe intricate themes ranging from political intrigue and scientific discoveries to deeply human sagas.
The Enigmatic Writer and the Soul of a Country
An author rose to fame in the post-Soviet era with scathing commentaries on autocratic rule. While numerous of his literary peers have encountered censorship or fled the nation, he still move vast numbers of copies. This poses a key query: Has the author evolved into an supporter for the establishment?
Survival and Complicity in the Syrian Brutal Conflict
The account of Mustafa, who at eighteen was informed that his sole path out of incarceration was to join the government military. After 14 long years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers might still put him in mortal danger.
The Acrimonious Argument Over Our Earliest Origins
The discovery of ancient remains in the Djurab desert in 2001 was hailed as fundamentally re-writing the history of our human race. Yet, a faction was in agreement. The ensuing bitter controversy has consumed the lives of researchers ever since.
The British Cult That Hid in Plain Sight
One woman was just a young girl when her family joined the a religious community. As an grown woman, she helped expose the appalling breadth of mistreatment it had committed.
A Statesman's Curious Record on International Law
Numerous supporters anticipated that the prime minister would renew the Britain's commitment to human rights. Yet, the record over the past year has been strikingly ambiguous.
Breaking a Nation's Myth
A film following a repentant con artist as she ensnares unscrupulous individuals with hidden cameras asks difficult questions: Is this person truly reformed, and is the filmmaker's true intentions?
The Person Who Decontaminates Britain's Most Difficult Scenes
From crime scenes to whale blubber, Ben Giles has encountered – and restored – everything. In their most challenging times, families turn to him to bring back normalcy.
Will an Iconic Institution Survive an "Omni-Crisis"?
Beset by restitution claims, precarious funding and the revelation of an internal thief, the UK's premier museum is in a major crisis. The question remains: Can it salvage its legacy?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": A Agony of Severe Condition
Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this illness has long been without an effective medical end – up until potentially now.
A Spectre of Radicalism in Modern Government
A violent fanatic and early advocate of bigotry, a rabbi died a political outcast thirty-five years ago. In the present day, his teachings shape the uppermost levels of the state.
The English Professional With a Crooked Side
With his sharp mind and flawless background, it's no surprise that high-net-worth individuals trusted him with their fortunes. Until they began to get uneasy.
A Tiny Nation That Became the World's Diplomatic Center
An incredibly rich Gulf state has become a key player on the world stage, attempting to mediate some of the most complex conflicts. Which factors are driving this unprecedented project?
A Close-Up View at a Leader Gearing Up for International Summitry
Extremely unpopular at home, the French leader thrives on the international arena, where he positions himself as the statesman most equipped to manage a particular sitting US president. 7 years after their last encounter, a writer joined him as he prepared for the fray.
During the Trial of a Tragic Case
What led to the daughter of an aristocrat find herself at the Old Bailey with her companion, charged with the death of their newborn baby?
The Dismantling of a Global Development Organization: Far From Universal Regret
When actions were made to drastically cut a prominent aid agency, many around the world were surprised. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this latest betrayal was far from unforeseen.
A Unethical 1960s Experiment on Indian Mothers
When details about a scientific study in the sixties were revealed, there was immense outrage. But the precise truth of what happened is still somewhat contested.
The "Mozart" of the Online Economy
He's endured a full day in slime, 48 hours underground – and showered enormous sums of money to selected contestants. But are these productions simply incredibly clever entertainment – or acts of avant garde brilliance?
Life in a Country Threatened by the Encroaching Seas
With sea levels rising, much of this Pacific island nation's people is facing the prospect that their islands may soon cease to exist. The critical issue is: Where are they going to relocate?
One Tragic Case of Youth Destitution
As I encountered a young boy he was thirteen and homeless. Even then hoped his life might turn around. I was sadly wrong.
The International AI Race and a Pivotal Defection
In 2020, after living decades in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to his home country. Today, he might possess the key to which nation wins the global AI race.
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