While we reflect on the year gone by, a curated list of remarkable feature-length stories shines. Such accounts delve into intricate subjects including political machinations and historical discoveries to deeply personal stories.
A Mysterious Writer and the Moral Fabric of a Nation
Victor Pelevin rose to fame in the 1990s with sharp commentaries on autocratic rule. Although numerous of his literary contemporaries have faced censorship or fled the country, he still move millions of copies. It prompts a pressing query: Has he turned into an supporter for the establishment?
Survival and Complicity in Syria's Brutal Civil War
The story of Mustafa, who at 18 was told that his only path to escape incarceration was to enlist in the regime military. After 14 long years, his former role as one of Assad's soldiers could still get him killed.
A Acrimonious Dispute Over Humanity's Ancient Origins
The discovery of ancient remains in the Djurab desert in the early 2000s was hailed as fundamentally re-writing the narrative of our species. But, some scholars was convinced. The subsequent intense argument has consumed the careers of scholars ever since.
A UK Sect That Operated in the Open
One woman was only a young girl when her family joined the a religious community. As an grown woman, she helped expose the appalling scale of exploitation it had perpetrated.
The Statesman's Curious Record on Human Rights
Many supporters hoped that the former human rights lawyer would restore the UK's commitment to human rights. Yet, the track record over the first year in office has been strikingly mixed.
Breaking a Nation's Identity
A documentary tracking a repentant master criminal as she ensnares corrupt clients with covert recording poses thorny queries: Is she genuinely a new person, and what are the director's own motives?
The Man Who Decontaminates Britain's Most Difficult Stains
From crime scenes to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has encountered – and dealt with – everything. In their most challenging moments, families rely on him to bring back normalcy.
Can an Famous Museum Survive an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Plagued by debates over its collection, strained finances and the exposure of an insider theft, Britain's leading cultural institution is in deep trouble. The challenge remains: Can it repair its standing?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": A Suffering of Severe Pregnancy
Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this condition has for centuries been without an reliable treatment end – until perhaps now.
A Legacy of Radicalism in Contemporary Politics
A violent extremist and early advocate of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a political pariah 35 years ago. Now, his ideas shape the uppermost levels of government.
The English Professional With a Fraudulent Side
With his sharp intellect and sterling credentials, it's no surprise that wealthy clients entrusted him with their fortunes. Until they started to become uneasy.
A Tiny Nation That Became the Global Diplomatic Hub
An extremely rich Gulf state has risen as a significant player on the world stage, attempting to mediate some of the most complex disputes. Which factors are behind this ambitious endeavor?
A Inside Look at a President Gearing Up for Global Battle
Extremely disliked at home, President Macron relishes the international arena, where he positions himself as the statesman most equipped to manage a certain sitting US president. 7 years after their last meeting, a writer joined him as he prepared for the fray.
During the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Story
What led to the daughter of an wealthy family find herself at the a major court with her partner, charged with the death of their newborn baby?
The End of a Global Development Agency: Not Universal Regret
When efforts were made to wind down a prominent aid agency, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this latest disappointment was not unexpected.
The Disturbing 1960s Study on South Asian Women
When information about a medical experiment in the sixties became public, there was immense shock. But the full nature of what happened is still somewhat shrouded.
A "Mozart" of the Attention Economy
He's endured a full day in a vat of goo, 48 hours buried alive – and given away vast sums of money to selected contestants. But are these videos simply very clever entertainment – or works of daring genius?
Existence in a Country Endangered by the Rising Ocean
With the ocean increasing, much of Tuvalu's population is facing the reality that their islands may in the near future become uninhabitable. The critical question is: Where are they supposed to relocate?
A Heartbreaking Case of Childhood Destitution
When I met Craig he was thirteen and homeless. I still thought his life might turn around. I was tragically wrong.
The Global Artificial Intelligence Race and a Crucial Move
In the recent past, after living half his life in the US, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to his home country. Now, he could possess the secret to which nation prevails in the global technological rivalry.
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