Upon reflect on the previous year, a selection of exceptional feature-length stories emerges. Such accounts explore multifaceted themes from geopolitical intrigue and scientific revelations to profoundly human stories.
The Enigmatic Writer and the Moral Fabric of a Country
Victor Pelevin rose to fame in the 1990s with biting critiques on power. Whereas several of his writer contemporaries have encountered censorship or left the nation, he continues to move vast numbers of books. It raises a pressing question: Has the author become an defender for the regime?
Survival and Collaboration in the Syrian Horrific Conflict
The account of Mustafa, who at eighteen was given an ultimatum that his only way to escape incarceration was to join the government forces. Following 14 years, his history as one of the Syrian leader's fighters may still get him killed.
A Bitter Dispute Over Humanity's Earliest Beginnings
The unearthing of ancient bones in the Chadian sands in 2001 was heralded as fundamentally changing the story of our human race. However, a faction was in agreement. The ensuing intense argument has consumed the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
A UK Sect That Hid in Plain Sight
One woman was just a young girl when her household joined the a religious community. As an adult, she helped expose the shocking extent of exploitation it had perpetrated.
The Leader's Puzzling Record on Human Rights
Many followers expected that the prime minister would renew the Britain's commitment to human rights. However, the record over the first year in office has been curiously inconsistent.
Challenging a Country's Identity
A film featuring a repentant master criminal as she records unscrupulous clients with covert recording poses difficult queries: Is this person genuinely changed, and is the filmmaker's own intentions?
The Person Who Cleans the UK's Darkest Scenes
From homicide sites to whale blubber, Ben Giles has witnessed – and restored – everything. In their most challenging times, families depend on him to bring back normalcy.
Will an Famous Museum Survive an "Omni-Crisis"?
Plagued by debates over its collection, difficult finances and the revelation of an internal thief, Britain's number one cultural institution is in deep trouble. The question remains: Is it possible to restore its reputation?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": A Agony of Severe Pregnancy
Called a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this condition has long been without an reliable medical solution – up until perhaps now.
A Legacy of Radicalism in Modern Government
A militant extremist and pioneer of hate, a rabbi died a political outcast thirty-five years ago. Today, his ideas shape the very highest levels of the state.
The English Gentleman With a Crooked Secret
With his brilliant mind and sterling reputation, it's understandable that wealthy clients entrusted him with their wealth. Then they started to get suspicious.
The Small Nation That Became the World's Diplomatic Center
An extremely wealthy Gulf state has become a significant actor on the international scene, attempting to mediate some of the most long-standing conflicts. Which factors are driving this ambitious endeavor?
An Inside Look at a Leader Gearing Up for Global Summitry
Extremely disliked at domestically, President Macron thrives on the international stage, where he projects himself as the statesman best placed to deal with a particular sitting US president. 7 years after their last encounter, a journalist joined him as he readied himself for battle.
During the Trial of a Heartbreaking Case
What led to the daughter of an aristocrat end up at the a major court with her companion, charged with the death of their newborn infant?
The Dismantling of a Major Development Agency: Far From Widespread Mourning
When efforts were made to wind down a major US aid agency, many around the globe were shocked. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this latest disappointment was not unexpected.
The Disturbing 1960s Experiment on Indian Women
When information about a scientific experiment in the sixties came to light, there was immense outrage. But the precise story of the events remains somewhat shrouded.
A "Mozart" of the Online Age
He's spent 24 hours in a vat of goo, two days underground – and distributed vast sums of cash to selected contestants. But are these videos simply very clever clickbait – or acts of daring genius?
Life in a Nation Threatened by the Encroaching Seas
With the ocean rising, much of Tuvalu's population is confronting the reality that their islands may soon become uninhabitable. The critical issue is: To where are they going to relocate?
One Tragic Case of Youth Destitution
When I met a young boy he was thirteen and without a home. Even then hoped his situation could turn around. I was sadly wrong.
The Global AI Competition and a Pivotal Move
In 2020, after spending half his life in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to China. Now, he could hold the answers to which nation wins the global technological rivalry.
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