While we look back on the past year, a assortment of exceptional feature-length stories stands out. These accounts probe multifaceted topics including geopolitical intrigue and scientific revelations to deeply personal sagas.
The Enigmatic Writer and the Moral Fabric of a Nation
An author became known in the post-Soviet era with biting critiques on power. While numerous of his literary peers have faced suppression or left the country, he continues to move vast numbers of books. It raises a pertinent question: Has he become an defender for the establishment?
Survival and Collaboration in the Syrian Horrific Conflict
The account of Mustafa, who at 18 was given an ultimatum that his sole route to escape prison was to enlist in the regime forces. Following fourteen years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers could now cost him his life.
The Fierce Argument Over Our Earliest Origins
The finding of ancient bones in the Djurab desert in the early 2000s was heralded as fundamentally changing the story of our human race. Yet, not everyone was in agreement. The subsequent intense argument has dominated the lives of researchers ever since.
A UK Cult That Hid in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was just a young girl when her family became part of the a religious community. As an grown woman, she helped uncover the disturbing scale of exploitation it had carried out.
A Statesman's Puzzling Stance on International Law
A great many voters hoped that the prime minister would renew the Britain's dedication to human rights. However, the track record over the past year has been notably mixed.
Challenging a Country's Myth
A film featuring a remorseful con artist as she ensnares unscrupulous clients with hidden cameras raises thorny questions: Is this person really changed, and what are the filmmaker's true methods?
A Person Who Remediates Britain's Most Difficult Scenes
From homicide sites to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has seen – and cleaned – it all. In their darkest times, individuals depend on him to bring back normalcy.
Will an Renowned Institution Weather an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Beset by restitution claims, precarious funding and the discovery of an internal thief, the UK's leading museum is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Is it possible to restore its reputation?
More Than "Morning Sickness": The Suffering of Extreme Pregnancy
Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this condition has long lacked an reliable medical remedy – up until perhaps now.
The Spectre of Radicalism in Modern Politics
A militant fanatic and early advocate of bigotry, a rabbi died a political outcast thirty-five years ago. Now, his ideas shape the highest echelons of government.
The British Professional With a Crooked Side
With his sharp mind and flawless credentials, it's no surprise that high-net-worth clients entrusted him with their assets. Until they began to become uneasy.
A Tiny State That Became the World's Diplomatic Capital
An incredibly rich country has become a significant force on the international scene, striving to solve some of the most long-standing disputes. What are fueling this unprecedented endeavor?
A Inside View at a President Gearing Up for International Summitry
Extremely unpopular at domestically, the French leader thrives on the world arena, where he projects himself as the leader uniquely positioned to handle a certain sitting American leader. Seven years after their last encounter, a writer accompanied him as he readied himself for the fray.
Inside the Court Case of a Tragic Story
How did the child of an aristocrat end up at the a major court with her companion, charged with killing their two-week-old infant?
The End of a Global Aid Organization: Not Universal Regret
When actions were made to drastically cut a prominent development organization, many around the world were shocked. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this most recent letdown was far from unexpected.
A Shocking 1960s Experiment on South Asian Women
When information about a scientific experiment in the 1960s came to light, there was widespread anxiety. But the precise story of the events remains partially shrouded.
A "Genius" of the Online Economy
He's spent a full day in slime, 48 hours underground – and showered vast amounts of cash to selected participants. But are these stunts simply very clever clickbait – or acts of daring brilliance?
Life in a Country Endangered by the Rising Ocean
With the ocean rising, much of Tuvalu's residents is facing the prospect that their homeland may soon be submerged. The urgent question is: Where are they supposed to go?
A Tragic Case of Childhood Homelessness
As I encountered Craig he was 13 and without a home. Even then thought his situation could change for the better. That hope was devastatingly wrong.
A Global AI Race and a Crucial Move
In 2020, after living half his life in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to his home country. Today, he could hold the key to who wins the global technological rivalry.
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