Upon consider the past year, a selection of remarkable feature-length stories stands out. Such pieces explore complex topics including geopolitical machinations and scientific discoveries to profoundly personal sagas.
The Mysterious Novelist and the Moral Fabric of a Nation
An author gained prominence in the post-Soviet era with biting commentaries on power. Although several of his writer peers have faced censorship or left the country, he continues to sell vast numbers of copies. This raises a pertinent query: Has the author evolved into an supporter for the Kremlin?
Endurance and Collaboration in the Syrian Devastating Civil War
The tale of a young man, who at eighteen was given an ultimatum that his sole route to escape incarceration was to enlist in the government military. After 14 long years, his former role as one of Assad's fighters might now get him killed.
The Acrimonious Dispute Over Our Earliest Beginnings
The unearthing of fossilised bones in the Chadian sands in 2001 was proclaimed as fundamentally changing the history of our species. However, some scholars was persuaded. The resulting intense scholarly debate has taken over the careers of scholars ever since.
A UK Religious Group That Operated in the Open
One woman was just a young girl when her household became part of the a religious community. As an adult, she helped uncover the appalling breadth of abuse it had carried out.
The Leader's Puzzling Record on International Law
A great many voters expected that the former human rights lawyer would restore the UK's dedication to human rights. However, the performance over the first year in office has been notably inconsistent.
Breaking a Nation's Self-Image
A documentary featuring a remorseful master criminal as she sets up unscrupulous individuals with hidden cameras raises thorny questions: Is this person truly changed, and is the filmmaker's true methods?
The Man Who Decontaminates Britain's Darkest Stains
From murder scenes to biological waste, Ben Giles has encountered – and cleaned – everything. In their darkest hours, families turn to him to bring back normalcy.
Can an Iconic Museum Survive an "Omni-Crisis"?
Plagued by colonial controversy, difficult finances and the revelation of an internal thief, Britain's premier museum is in deep trouble. The question remains: Can it salvage its legacy?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": A Torture of Extreme Condition
Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this illness has for centuries been without an consistent treatment remedy – up until potentially now.
The Spectre of Radicalism in Contemporary Politics
A militant fanatic and pioneer of hate, Meir Kahane died a political outcast 35 years ago. Today, his teachings permeate the very highest levels of government.
The English Gentleman With a Fraudulent Secret
With his brilliant mind and sterling credentials, it's no surprise that affluent individuals trusted him with their wealth. Until they began to get suspicious.
The Tiny Nation That Emerged as the Global Diplomatic Center
An incredibly wealthy country has transformed into a key force on the world stage, striving to broker peace in some of the most long-standing conflicts. What are behind this ambitious project?
An Close-Up View at a President Gearing Up for Global Summitry
Deeply unpopular at home, the French leader thrives on the world arena, where he positions himself as the leader uniquely positioned to manage a particular sitting American leader. Seven years after their last encounter, a journalist joined him as he prepared for the summit.
During the Trial of a Heartbreaking Case
What led to the daughter of an wealthy family find herself at the Old Bailey with her companion, charged with the death of their two-week-old baby?
The End of a Major Aid Agency: Not Widespread Regret
When actions were made to wind down a major US development organization, many around the world were shocked. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this latest letdown was not unexpected.
The Unethical 1960s Study on Indian Mothers
When information about a scientific experiment in the 1960s became public, there was widespread shock. But the exact story of what happened remains partially unclear.
The "Genius" of the Attention Economy
He's endured 24 hours in a vat of goo, 48 hours underground – and distributed enormous sums of money to lucky contestants. But are these stunts simply incredibly clever clickbait – or acts of artistic genius?
Existence in a Nation Threatened by the Encroaching Seas
With sea levels increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's residents is grappling with the prospect that their home may in the near future be submerged. The urgent question is: To where are they supposed to go?
A Tragic Case of Youth Destitution
As I met Craig he was thirteen and without a home. I still thought his situation could turn around. That hope was tragically wrong.
A Global AI Race and a Pivotal Move
In 2020, after living decades in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to his home country. Today, he might hold the answers to who prevails in the worldwide technological rivalry.
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