Upon consider the year gone by, a curated list of outstanding feature-length stories shines. Such pieces probe intricate topics ranging from geopolitical intrigue and scientific revelations to profoundly human stories.
A Puzzling Writer and the Conscience of a Country
Victor Pelevin gained prominence in the 1990s with biting satires on power. Although numerous of his literary contemporaries have faced censorship or left the country, he still sell vast numbers of copies. It prompts a key query: Has the author become an defender for the regime?
Survival and Collaboration in Syria's Devastating Conflict
The tale of a young man, who at eighteen was given an ultimatum that his sole way to escape incarceration was to enlist in the regime forces. After 14 years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's fighters might still cost him his life.
A Fierce Dispute Over Our Earliest Beginnings
The finding of ancient remains in the Chadian desert in 2001 was proclaimed as radically changing the narrative of our species. But, not everyone was persuaded. The ensuing bitter scholarly debate has dominated the careers of scholars ever since.
A British Sect That Operated in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was just a child when her family became part of the a religious community. As an grown woman, she played a key role in uncover the appalling breadth of mistreatment it had committed.
The Statesman's Unexpected Record on Human Rights
Many voters expected that the former human rights lawyer would reaffirm the the nation's dedication to human rights. But, the record over the first year in office has been curiously ambiguous.
Shattering a Country's Myth
A documentary featuring a remorseful con artist as she sets up unscrupulous individuals with covert recording raises difficult questions: Is this person genuinely reformed, and is the filmmaker's own methods?
The Person Who Remediates the UK's Most Traumatic Scenes
From homicide sites to whale blubber, Ben Giles has seen – and restored – it all. In their most challenging times, individuals rely on him to bring back order.
Can an Famous Museum Endure an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Beset by colonial controversy, precarious funding and the exposure of an internal thief, the UK's leading museum is in serious difficulty. The challenge remains: Is it possible to restore its reputation?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": The Torture of Severe Condition
Referred to as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this illness has for centuries lacked an consistent medical remedy – up until potentially now.
A Legacy of Radicalism in Modern Government
A militant extremist and pioneer of hate, a rabbi died a political outcast thirty-five years ago. Now, his teachings permeate the very highest echelons of government.
An British Professional With a Fraudulent Side
With his keen intellect and flawless background, it's little wonder that wealthy individuals entrusted him with their assets. Then they began to become uneasy.
The Small State That Emerged as the Global Diplomatic Center
An astonishingly wealthy country has transformed into a major force on the world stage, striving to broker peace in some of the most long-standing conflicts. Which factors are driving this unprecedented role?
A Close-Up View at a Leader Gearing Up for International Battle
Deeply disliked at domestically, the French leader enjoys the world arena, where he positions himself as the leader best placed to manage a certain sitting US president. 7 years after their previous encounter, a journalist accompanied him as he prepared for battle.
Inside the Trial of a Heartbreaking Case
How did the daughter of an wealthy family find herself at the a major court with her partner, facing charges with the death of their two-week-old infant?
An End of a Major Aid Agency: Not Widespread Mourning
When efforts were made to wind down a prominent aid agency, many around the globe were surprised. But on the ground in a West African nation, this latest letdown was far from unexpected.
A Disturbing 1960s Study on South Asian Mothers
When details about a medical experiment in the 1960s came to light, there was immense anxiety. But the precise story of the procedures remains partially unclear.
The "Master" of the Attention Economy
He's endured a full day in slime, two days buried alive – and showered enormous amounts of money to lucky participants. But are these videos simply very clever entertainment – or works of avant garde genius?
Existence in a Country Endangered by the Encroaching Ocean
With the ocean increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's people is facing the reality that their home may in the near future be submerged. The pressing issue is: Where are they supposed to go?
One Sorrowful Case of Youth Homelessness
When I encountered Craig he was thirteen and without a home. I still believed his life might change for the better. That hope was sadly mistaken.
The International Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Pivotal Move
In the recent past, after living half his life in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to his home country. Today, he may possess the secret to who prevails in the worldwide AI race.
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