As we consider the year gone by, a selection of outstanding feature-length stories emerges. These accounts probe intricate topics including political intrigue and scientific revelations to profoundly human journeys.
The Puzzling Writer and the Moral Fabric of a Country
Victor Pelevin gained prominence in the 1990s with sharp critiques on power. Although numerous of his writer peers have encountered censorship or left the nation, he continues to sell vast numbers of books. It raises a key question: Has the author become an defender for the regime?
Survival and Collaboration in the Syrian Devastating Civil War
The tale of Mustafa, who at 18 was told that his only way to escape prison was to join the government forces. After 14 years, his history as one of Assad's fighters may now cost him his life.
The Bitter Feud Over Humanity's Earliest Origins
The discovery of fossilised bones in the Djurab sands in 2001 was hailed as radically changing the narrative of our human race. However, a faction was persuaded. The subsequent intense controversy has taken over the careers of scholars ever since.
A UK Sect That Operated in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was just a child when her household joined the a religious community. As an grown woman, she played a key role in uncover the shocking breadth of mistreatment it had perpetrated.
A Prime Minister's Curious Stance on International Law
Numerous followers anticipated that the prime minister would restore the UK's commitment to human rights. However, the track record over the past year has been strikingly mixed.
Breaking a Nation's Myth
A documentary featuring a remorseful master criminal as she ensnares corrupt individuals with covert recording asks thorny queries: Is she genuinely changed, and what are the filmmaker's true intentions?
A Man Who Decontaminates the UK's Darkest Stains
From crime scenes to whale blubber, Ben Giles has witnessed – and restored – it all. In their stickiest hours, people rely on him to restore order.
Can an Famous Institution Weather an "Perfect Storm"?
Burdened by restitution claims, strained finances and the revelation of an insider theft, Britain's number one museum is in a major crisis. The challenge remains: Is it possible to salvage its standing?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": The Suffering of Severe Pregnancy
Known as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this illness has long been without an effective medical solution – until potentially now.
The Spectre of Radicalism in Modern Government
A violent extremist and early advocate of hate, a rabbi died a marginalized pariah 35 years ago. In the present day, his ideology influence the very highest echelons of the state.
The English Gentleman With a Crooked Side
With his brilliant mind and sterling background, it's no surprise that high-net-worth clients trusted him with their assets. Then they began to get suspicious.
The Tiny State That Emerged as the World's Mediation Capital
An astonishingly wealthy Gulf state has risen as a significant force on the world stage, working to broker peace in some of the most complex conflicts. Which factors are fueling this ambitious endeavor?
An Close-Up Look at a President Gearing Up for International Battle
Deeply unpopular at domestically, the French leader relishes the international arena, where he positions himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to manage a certain former US president. Seven years after their previous encounter, a writer accompanied him as he prepared for the fray.
Inside the Trial of a Heartbreaking Case
How did the child of an aristocrat find herself at the Old Bailey with her partner, charged with the death of their two-week-old infant?
An End of a Major Development Agency: Not Universal Regret
When efforts were made to dismantle a major US aid agency, many around the globe were surprised. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this most recent betrayal was not unexpected.
A Disturbing 1960s Study on Indian Women
When information about a scientific study in the sixties came to light, there was widespread outrage. But the exact nature of what happened remains partially shrouded.
A "Master" of the Online Economy
He's endured 24 hours in a vat of goo, 48 hours buried alive – and showered huge amounts of cash to selected contestants. But are these videos simply very clever entertainment – or acts of artistic brilliance?
Existence in a Country Threatened by the Rising Seas
With the ocean rising, much of this Pacific island nation's population is confronting the prospect that their homeland may soon be submerged. The critical question is: Where are they going to relocate?
A Heartbreaking Case of Youth Destitution
When I met a young boy he was thirteen and homeless. Even then thought his situation could improve. That hope was sadly wrong.
The International AI Race and a Crucial Move
In 2020, after living decades in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to his home country. Now, he could hold the key to who prevails in the worldwide technological rivalry.
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