As we look back on the previous year, a assortment of remarkable feature-length stories stands out. Such accounts delve into multifaceted topics including geopolitical intrigue and scientific discoveries to profoundly human stories.
The Mysterious Writer and the Conscience of a Nation
Victor Pelevin rose to fame in the 1990s with scathing commentaries on authoritarianism. Although many of his literary peers have faced suppression or fled the nation, he continues to move millions of books. It poses a key query: Has the author turned into an supporter for the regime?
Survival and Complicity in the Syrian Brutal Civil War
The tale of a young man, who at eighteen was told that his sole route out of prison was to join the regime forces. Following fourteen long years, his past as one of Assad's fighters could still put him in mortal danger.
The Acrimonious Dispute Over Humanity's Earliest Origins
The finding of ancient remains in the Djurab sands in 2001 was heralded as radically changing the history of our human race. But, some scholars was persuaded. The resulting heated controversy has consumed the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
A British Sect That Operated in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was just a young girl when her family became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she played a key role in uncover the appalling scale of mistreatment it had perpetrated.
A Statesman's Puzzling Record on Human Rights
Numerous followers anticipated that the former human rights lawyer would restore the UK's commitment to human rights. But, the track record over the past year has been curiously mixed.
Breaking a Nation's Identity
A documentary tracking a remorseful fraudster as she ensnares corrupt individuals with hidden cameras asks difficult questions: Is this person really a new person, and is the director's true motives?
The Man Who Decontaminates Britain's Most Difficult Scenes
From homicide sites to biological waste, Ben Giles has seen – and cleaned – everything. In their darkest moments, people depend on him to restore order.
Will an Renowned Institution Weather an "Omni-Crisis"?
Beset by colonial controversy, strained finances and the discovery of an internal thief, the UK's premier museum is in serious difficulty. The challenge remains: Can it restore its standing?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": A Suffering of Extreme Condition
Referred to as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this condition has long been without an consistent medical remedy – until perhaps now.
A Ghost of Extremism in Modern Government
A militant fanatic and early advocate of hate, a rabbi died a marginalized pariah 35 years ago. Now, his ideology permeate the uppermost levels of government.
The English Professional With a Dishonest Secret
With his keen mind and flawless background, it's no surprise that wealthy clients trusted him with their fortunes. Until they began to get suspicious.
The Tiny State That Became the World's Diplomatic Capital
An incredibly wealthy Gulf state has risen as a significant actor on the international scene, attempting to solve some of the most long-standing conflicts. Which factors are behind this ambitious project?
A Close-Up Look at a President Gearing Up for Global Battle
Deeply disliked at home, the French leader thrives on the world stage, where he presents himself as the leader best placed to manage a certain sitting American leader. Seven years after their previous meeting, a journalist joined him as he prepared for battle.
During the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Story
How did the child of an aristocrat find herself at the a major court with her partner, charged with the death of their newborn baby?
An Dismantling of a Major Development Agency: Far From Widespread Mourning
When actions were made to drastically cut a major US development organization, many around the globe were surprised. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this latest disappointment was not unexpected.
The Disturbing 1960s Study on Indian Women
When information about a scientific study in the 1960s came to light, there was immense anxiety. But the precise nature of the events is still partially contested.
The "Master" of the Online Economy
He's spent 24 hours in slime, two days buried alive – and showered vast amounts of cash to selected participants. But are these videos simply very clever clickbait – or works of daring genius?
Life in a Nation Endangered by the Encroaching Seas
With the ocean rising, much of Tuvalu's people is facing the reality that their islands may in the near future become uninhabitable. The critical issue is: To where are they going to relocate?
A Sorrowful Story of Youth Homelessness
When I met a young boy he was 13 and without a home. Even then hoped his life could change for the better. That hope was sadly misplaced.
A Global AI Competition and a Key Defection
In the recent past, after spending half his life in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to China. Now, he may possess the key to which nation wins the worldwide AI race.
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