Upon look back on the past year, a curated list of exceptional feature-length stories shines. Such narratives delve into multifaceted topics including geopolitical intrigue and historical revelations to deeply personal sagas.
The Enigmatic Novelist and the Soul of a Country
An author gained prominence in the post-Soviet era with biting critiques on authoritarianism. While numerous of his literary contemporaries have encountered suppression or fled the nation, he still move millions of books. This prompts a pressing query: Has he turned into an supporter for the regime?
Survival and Complicity in the Syrian Devastating Conflict
The story of Mustafa, who at eighteen was informed that his sole way out of prison was to enlist in the government forces. After fourteen long years, his history as one of Assad's fighters might now cost him his life.
A Bitter Dispute Over Our Ancient Origins
The discovery of ancient bones in the Chadian desert in 2001 was proclaimed as radically re-writing the narrative of our human race. However, some scholars was persuaded. The subsequent heated scholarly debate has consumed the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
A UK Religious Group That Operated in Plain Sight
One woman was only a child when her household joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she played a key role in reveal the shocking breadth of mistreatment it had committed.
A Statesman's Curious Stance on Human Rights
A great many voters hoped that the former human rights lawyer would restore the Britain's dedication to international law. Yet, the performance over the first year in office has been strikingly ambiguous.
Shattering a Country's Self-Image
A film following a repentant fraudster as she sets up unscrupulous clients with hidden cameras asks complex queries: Is she genuinely reformed, and what are the director's own methods?
A Person Who Cleans Britain's Darkest Stains
From crime scenes to whale blubber, Ben Giles has seen – and cleaned – it all. In their stickiest times, people turn to him to bring back normalcy.
Can an Iconic Museum Survive an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Beset by restitution claims, precarious funding and the exposure of an insider theft, Britain's leading museum is in deep trouble. The question remains: Is it possible to restore its standing?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": The Torture of Extreme Pregnancy
Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this illness has long been without an effective medical end – until potentially now.
The Ghost of Radicalism in Contemporary Politics
A militant extremist and pioneer of hate, a rabbi died a marginalized outcast thirty-five years ago. In the present day, his teachings shape the highest levels of the state.
The British Professional With a Crooked Side
With his brilliant mind and impeccable background, it's no surprise that high-net-worth clients entrusted him with their fortunes. Until they started to get uneasy.
A Small Nation That Became the Global Diplomatic Hub
An astonishingly wealthy Gulf state has risen as a significant force on the international scene, attempting to solve some of the most intractable conflicts. What are driving this unprecedented endeavor?
An Inside View at a Leader Gearing Up for Global Battle
Deeply disliked at domestically, the French leader relishes the world arena, where he projects himself as the leader most equipped to manage a particular sitting US president. Seven years after their last meeting, a writer accompanied him as he readied himself for the summit.
During the Trial of a Tragic Case
What led to the child of an aristocrat end up at the Old Bailey with her companion, facing charges with the death of their two-week-old infant?
An Dismantling of a Global Development Agency: Not Widespread Mourning
When actions were made to wind down a major US aid agency, many around the globe were surprised. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this latest disappointment was not unexpected.
The Shocking Mid-Century Experiment on South Asian Mothers
When details about a scientific study in the 1960s were revealed, there was widespread shock. But the precise nature of what happened is still partially contested.
A "Mozart" of the Online Economy
He's spent a full day in a vat of goo, two days underground – and distributed enormous amounts of money to selected contestants. But are these videos simply incredibly clever entertainment – or works of daring genius?
Life in a Nation Threatened by the Rising Ocean
With sea levels rising, much of Tuvalu's residents is grappling with the reality that their home may in the near future cease to exist. The critical question is: To where are they supposed to go?
One Tragic Case of Childhood Destitution
As I encountered a young boy he was 13 and homeless. Even then thought his life might turn around. I was tragically wrong.
A International Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Key Defection
In the recent past, after spending decades in the US, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to China. Today, he might hold the answers to which nation wins the worldwide technological rivalry.
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