As we reflect on the previous year, a selection of exceptional feature-length pieces stands out. These narratives explore intricate topics ranging from geopolitical machinations and scientific revelations to profoundly personal sagas.
A Mysterious Author and the Moral Fabric of a Country
A certain Russian novelist became known in the 1990s with biting critiques on authoritarianism. While numerous of his writer contemporaries have encountered suppression or left the country, he continues to move millions of books. This poses a pressing question: Has he evolved into an apologist for the regime?
Endurance and Collaboration in the Syrian Brutal Conflict
The account of Mustafa, who at eighteen was told that his only path to escape prison was to join the regime military. After fourteen years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's fighters might still cost him his life.
A Fierce Feud Over Humanity's Ancient Origins
The unearthing of fossilised remains in the Chadian sands in 2001 was proclaimed as fundamentally rewriting the history of our human race. But, some scholars was persuaded. The resulting heated argument has consumed the careers of scholars ever since.
A British Sect That Operated in Plain Sight
One woman was only a young girl when her family became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she played a key role in uncover the shocking scale of abuse it had committed.
A Leader's Curious Record on Human Rights
Numerous followers anticipated that the prime minister would renew the the nation's commitment to international law. But, the performance over the first year in office has been notably ambiguous.
Shattering a Nation's Identity
A film featuring a repentant master criminal as she ensnares corrupt clients with covert recording raises difficult queries: Is this person truly changed, and what are the filmmaker's true intentions?
A Man Who Decontaminates Britain's Darkest Scenes
From homicide sites to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has encountered – and cleaned – it all. In their darkest times, families turn to him to restore order.
Can an Renowned Museum Weather an "Perfect Storm"?
Burdened by colonial controversy, strained funding and the discovery of an insider theft, Britain's leading cultural institution is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Can it salvage its reputation?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": A Torture of Severe Pregnancy
Known as hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this illness has for centuries lacked an effective medical solution – until perhaps now.
A Spectre of Extremism in Modern Politics
A violent extremist and pioneer of hate, a rabbi died a marginalized pariah 35 years ago. Today, his ideology permeate the uppermost levels of the state.
The English Professional With a Crooked Side
With his keen mind and sterling credentials, it's no surprise that high-net-worth individuals trusted him with their fortunes. Then they started to get wary.
A Tiny Nation That Emerged as the World's Mediation Center
An astonishingly wealthy Gulf state has risen as a key force on the world stage, striving to mediate some of the most complex conflicts. Which factors are behind this unprecedented role?
A Inside Look at a President Gearing Up for International Battle
Extremely disliked at home, President Macron relishes the international stage, where he presents himself as the leader most equipped to deal with a particular sitting American leader. 7 years after their last meeting, a writer accompanied him as he readied himself for the summit.
During the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Story
How did the child of an wealthy family end up at the a major court with her companion, facing charges with killing their newborn baby?
An Dismantling of a Major Development Organization: Not Widespread Mourning
When efforts were made to dismantle a major US aid agency, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this most recent betrayal was not unforeseen.
A Shocking 1960s Study on South Asian Women
When information about a medical experiment in the sixties were revealed, there was immense outrage. But the precise truth of what happened remains partially shrouded.
A "Genius" of the Online Economy
He's endured 24 hours in a vat of goo, 48 hours underground – and given away huge amounts of money to selected contestants. But are these productions simply very clever clickbait – or works of avant garde genius?
Existence in a Nation Endangered by the Rising Seas
With sea levels rising, much of this Pacific island nation's population is confronting the reality that their islands may in the near future be submerged. The critical issue is: Where are they supposed to go?
A Sorrowful Case of Youth Homelessness
As I encountered Craig he was thirteen and without a home. I still believed his situation could change for the better. That hope was devastatingly wrong.
A International Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Key Move
In 2020, after living half his life in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to China. Now, he may possess the key to who wins the worldwide AI race.
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