Upon reflect on the past year, a selection of outstanding feature-length pieces emerges. Such accounts delve into multifaceted themes from political intrigue and scientific discoveries to profoundly personal journeys.
The Mysterious Author and the Moral Fabric of a Nation
An author became known in the post-Soviet era with sharp satires on authoritarianism. Although several of his literary contemporaries have encountered suppression or left the country, he still move millions of copies. It poses a pertinent query: Has he become an apologist for the Kremlin?
Endurance and Collaboration in Syria's Horrific Civil War
The account of a young man, who at 18 was informed that his sole path out of prison was to join the regime military. After 14 years, his former role as one of Assad's fighters might now put him in mortal danger.
A Acrimonious Dispute Over Our Earliest Beginnings
The finding of ancient bones in the Djurab sands in the early 2000s was hailed as radically rewriting the story of our species. But, a faction was convinced. The ensuing intense argument has dominated the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
The UK Cult That Hid in the Open
One woman was just a child when her family became part of the a religious community. As an grown woman, she helped reveal the appalling breadth of exploitation it had carried out.
A Prime Minister's Puzzling Record on Human Rights
Numerous voters expected that the prime minister would restore the UK's commitment to human rights. Yet, the track record over the first year in office has been notably inconsistent.
Shattering a Country's Self-Image
A film tracking a repentant con artist as she ensnares corrupt clients with hidden cameras raises thorny questions: Is she truly reformed, and what are the filmmaker's true motives?
A Person Who Decontaminates the UK's Darkest Scenes
From homicide sites to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and restored – it all. In their most challenging moments, people turn to him to bring back peace.
Can an Renowned Museum Endure an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Beset by colonial controversy, precarious funding and the revelation of an insider theft, Britain's number one museum is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Can it restore its standing?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": A Agony of Extreme Pregnancy
Referred to as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this condition has long been without an effective treatment end – up until potentially now.
The Ghost of Extremism in Modern Politics
A militant extremist and early advocate of hate, a rabbi died a marginalized outcast 35 years ago. Now, his ideology permeate the very highest levels of the state.
An British Gentleman With a Dishonest Secret
With his keen intellect and impeccable reputation, it's little wonder that high-net-worth individuals entrusted him with their wealth. Then they began to become suspicious.
A Small State That Became the Global Mediation Capital
An astonishingly rich Gulf state has transformed into a key actor on the international scene, attempting to solve some of the most long-standing disputes. Which factors are driving this unprecedented project?
A Inside Look at a Leader Preparing for International Summitry
Deeply disliked at domestically, President Macron relishes the international stage, where he presents himself as the statesman best placed to deal with a certain former American leader. Seven years after their previous meeting, a writer accompanied him as he readied himself for the fray.
During the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Case
How did 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?
The Dismantling of a Global Development Organization: Far From Universal Regret
When actions were made to dismantle a major US aid agency, many around the world were surprised. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this latest letdown was far from unforeseen.
The Shocking 1960s Study on South Asian Mothers
When details about a medical experiment in the 1960s became public, there was widespread anxiety. But the full story of the procedures is still partially unclear.
The "Master" of the Online Economy
He's endured a full day in slime, 48 hours underground – and distributed huge sums of money to lucky participants. But are these videos simply incredibly savvy entertainment – or acts of avant garde genius?
Existence in a Country Endangered by the Rising Ocean
With sea levels increasing, much of Tuvalu's people is confronting the possibility that their homeland may in the near future become uninhabitable. The pressing issue is: To where are they supposed to go?
A Tragic Case of Youth Destitution
As I encountered a young boy he was 13 and homeless. I still hoped his life could improve. That hope was sadly wrong.
The Global AI Race and a Crucial Defection
In the recent past, after living half his life in the US, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to his home country. Today, he may hold the secret to who prevails in the global AI race.
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