While we look back on the previous year, a selection of remarkable feature-length stories emerges. These accounts delve into multifaceted themes ranging from political intrigue and scientific discoveries to profoundly human journeys.
The Mysterious Writer and the Moral Fabric of a Country
A certain Russian novelist gained prominence in the nineties with biting critiques on authoritarianism. While many of his writer peers have encountered censorship or fled the nation, he continues to move millions of copies. This poses a key query: Has he become an apologist for the establishment?
Endurance and Collaboration in the Syrian Horrific Civil War
The tale of a young man, who at eighteen was informed that his sole route to escape prison was to join the government forces. After 14 years, his past as one of Assad's fighters might now put him in mortal danger.
The Acrimonious Argument Over Humanity's Earliest Origins
The discovery of ancient bones in the Djurab desert in 2001 was proclaimed as completely changing the narrative of our human race. However, not everyone was persuaded. The resulting intense controversy has dominated the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
A UK Sect That Hid in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was just a child when her family joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she played a key role in uncover the disturbing scale of mistreatment it had perpetrated.
A Leader's Curious Record on Human Rights
Many voters expected that the former human rights lawyer would renew the UK's commitment to international law. Yet, the record over the first year in office has been strikingly mixed.
Shattering a Nation's Identity
A film following a repentant master criminal as she sets up unscrupulous clients with hidden cameras poses thorny questions: Is she genuinely a new person, and is the director's own methods?
The Man Who Decontaminates Britain's Most Traumatic Scenes
From homicide sites to whale blubber, Ben Giles has seen – and dealt with – it all. In their darkest hours, individuals rely on him to bring back order.
Will an Renowned Museum Survive an "Perfect Storm"?
Plagued by colonial controversy, precarious funding and the discovery of an internal thief, Britain's leading cultural institution is in deep trouble. The question remains: Can it restore its standing?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": The Agony of Severe Condition
Referred to as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this condition has long been without an effective medical solution – up until potentially now.
A Spectre of Radicalism in Contemporary Politics
A militant extremist and pioneer of hate, Meir Kahane died a marginalized outcast thirty-five years ago. Now, his teachings shape the highest echelons of government.
The English Professional With a Fraudulent Side
With his keen mind and sterling background, it's no surprise that affluent individuals trusted him with their fortunes. Until they began to get suspicious.
The Small Nation That Emerged as the Global Mediation Center
An extremely rich country has become a significant force on the world stage, striving to mediate some of the most complex disputes. What are fueling this ambitious project?
An Close-Up Look at a President Gearing Up for International Battle
Deeply unpopular at domestically, President Macron thrives on the world arena, where he projects himself as the leader best placed to manage a particular former American leader. 7 years after their previous meeting, a writer accompanied him as he prepared for battle.
During the Court Case of a Tragic Case
What led to the daughter of an aristocrat find herself at the a major court with her companion, charged with killing their two-week-old baby?
The End of a Major Aid Agency: Far From Widespread Mourning
When efforts were made to drastically cut a prominent development organization, many around the world were surprised. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this latest disappointment was far from unexpected.
The Shocking 1960s Experiment on South Asian Mothers
When details about a medical study in the 1960s became public, there was widespread anxiety. But the precise truth of what happened remains somewhat unclear.
The "Master" of the Attention Economy
He's spent 24 hours in slime, 48 hours underground – and distributed enormous amounts of cash to lucky participants. But are these productions simply very clever clickbait – or works of artistic genius?
Life in a Country Endangered by the Rising Ocean
With the ocean rising, much of Tuvalu's residents is facing the reality that their homeland may in the near future become uninhabitable. The critical question is: To where are they going to relocate?
A Sorrowful Story of Childhood Homelessness
When I met Craig he was thirteen and without a home. Even then hoped his situation could turn around. I was sadly mistaken.
A Global Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Crucial Move
In 2020, after spending half his life in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to his home country. Now, he could hold the answers to which nation wins the global AI race.
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