Upon consider the past year, a assortment of outstanding feature-length stories emerges. Such pieces delve into intricate themes from geopolitical intrigue and historical discoveries to deeply personal journeys.
The Mysterious Novelist and the Moral Fabric of a Nation
A certain Russian novelist became known in the nineties with scathing critiques on autocratic rule. Whereas several of his literary peers have faced suppression or fled the country, he continues to move millions of copies. This poses a key query: Has the author evolved into an apologist for the establishment?
Survival and Collaboration in Syria's Horrific Conflict
The tale of a young man, who at 18 was given an ultimatum that his only path out of prison was to enlist in the government forces. After fourteen years, his past as one of Assad's fighters may now get him killed.
A Bitter Argument Over Our Earliest Origins
The unearthing of fossilised bones in the Djurab sands in 2001 was hailed as completely rewriting the story of our species. Yet, some scholars was convinced. The resulting bitter controversy has consumed the careers of scholars ever since.
The UK Sect That Hid in the Open
One woman was only a young girl when her household became part of the a religious community. As an grown woman, she helped reveal the disturbing extent of exploitation it had carried out.
A Prime Minister's Curious Record on International Law
Numerous supporters hoped that the prime minister would reaffirm the Britain's commitment to human rights. However, the track record over the first year in office has been curiously inconsistent.
Shattering a Country's Identity
A documentary featuring a repentant master criminal as she ensnares unscrupulous clients with hidden cameras poses thorny questions: Is she genuinely changed, and what are the filmmaker's own intentions?
A Man Who Cleans the UK's Darkest Scenes
From crime scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has encountered – and cleaned – it all. In their most challenging moments, individuals turn to him to restore peace.
Can an Renowned Institution Weather an "Perfect Storm"?
Burdened by debates over its collection, precarious finances and the revelation of an insider theft, Britain's number one cultural institution is in serious difficulty. The challenge remains: Is it possible to restore its standing?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": The Torture of Severe Pregnancy
Called a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this illness has for centuries lacked an reliable treatment remedy – up until perhaps now.
A Legacy of Radicalism in Contemporary Politics
A militant extremist and early advocate of hate, Meir Kahane died a marginalized pariah 35 years ago. Now, his ideas permeate the uppermost levels of the state.
The British Gentleman With a Crooked Secret
With his keen mind and flawless credentials, it's no surprise that wealthy clients trusted him with their assets. Until they started to get wary.
The Tiny Nation That Became the World's Diplomatic Center
An incredibly wealthy Gulf state has become a major force on the international scene, working to mediate some of the most complex disputes. What are behind this unprecedented project?
An Close-Up View at a Leader Gearing Up for International Summitry
Extremely disliked at domestically, President Macron relishes the world stage, where he projects himself as the statesman best placed to handle a certain former US president. Seven years after their last meeting, a journalist accompanied him as he prepared for the fray.
Inside the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Story
What led to the daughter of an wealthy family end up at the Old Bailey with her companion, facing charges with killing 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 development organization, many around the world were surprised. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this latest disappointment was far from unexpected.
A Unethical 1960s Experiment on South Asian Women
When information about a medical study in the 1960s became public, there was widespread outrage. But the precise nature of the events remains partially unclear.
A "Master" of the Online Economy
He's spent a full day in a vat of goo, two days buried alive – and showered vast sums of money to selected participants. But are these videos simply incredibly savvy entertainment – or works of avant garde brilliance?
Life in a Country Threatened by the Encroaching Ocean
With the ocean increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's residents is facing the prospect that their homeland may soon become uninhabitable. The critical question is: To where are they going to go?
One Heartbreaking Case of Childhood Destitution
When I met a young boy he was thirteen and without a home. I still believed his situation might improve. That hope was tragically wrong.
The Global Artificial Intelligence Race and a Pivotal Move
In 2020, after living half his life in the US, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to China. Now, he could hold the secret to who prevails in the worldwide technological rivalry.
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