Upon consider the previous year, a selection of outstanding feature-length stories emerges. These accounts delve into intricate themes from political machinations and scientific revelations to profoundly human sagas.
A Puzzling Novelist and the Soul of a Country
An author rose to fame in the 1990s with sharp commentaries on power. While many of his literary peers have faced suppression or fled the nation, he still sell vast numbers of copies. This prompts a pressing query: Has he evolved into an defender for the Kremlin?
Survival and Complicity in Syria's Brutal Conflict
The story of a young man, who at 18 was given an ultimatum that his only route out of incarceration was to enlist in the regime military. After 14 long years, his history as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers might now cost him his life.
The Fierce Feud Over Humanity's Ancient Beginnings
The discovery of ancient bones in the Djurab desert in 2001 was heralded as radically changing the narrative of our human race. However, a faction was convinced. The ensuing bitter argument has dominated the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
The UK Religious Group That Hid in the Open
One woman was only a child when her family became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she helped reveal the shocking extent of mistreatment it had perpetrated.
A Prime Minister's Puzzling Stance on Human Rights
Many supporters anticipated that the former human rights lawyer would renew the Britain's dedication to international law. However, the track record over the first year in office has been notably ambiguous.
Challenging a Nation's Self-Image
A film tracking a remorseful master criminal as she ensnares unscrupulous clients with covert recording asks thorny questions: Is this person really changed, and is the filmmaker's own methods?
The Man Who Decontaminates Britain's Darkest Stains
From murder scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has seen – and restored – everything. In their stickiest moments, individuals turn to him to restore normalcy.
Can an Renowned Institution Weather an "Omni-Crisis"?
Plagued by debates over its collection, precarious funding and the revelation of an internal thief, the UK's leading cultural institution is in deep trouble. The question remains: Is it possible to salvage its legacy?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": A Torture of Severe Pregnancy
Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this illness has for centuries been without an effective medical solution – until perhaps now.
A Legacy of Radicalism in Contemporary Politics
A violent fanatic and early advocate of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a marginalized outcast thirty-five years ago. Today, his teachings shape the highest levels of the state.
The British Gentleman With a Fraudulent Side
With his sharp mind and impeccable background, it's no surprise that wealthy individuals trusted him with their wealth. Until they started to become wary.
The Tiny Nation That Became the World's Mediation Capital
An extremely wealthy Gulf state has risen as a significant player on the world stage, striving to broker peace in some of the most long-standing conflicts. What are behind this unprecedented role?
A Inside View at a Leader Gearing Up for Global Summitry
Deeply unpopular at domestically, President Macron relishes the international stage, where he projects himself as the statesman best placed to handle a particular former US president. 7 years after their previous meeting, a writer joined him as he prepared for the summit.
Inside the Trial of a Tragic Case
How did the daughter of an wealthy family find herself at the Old Bailey with her companion, charged with the death of their two-week-old infant?
The End of a Global Development Organization: Not Universal Mourning
When efforts were made to drastically cut a major US aid agency, many around the world were taken aback. But on the ground in a West African nation, this most recent letdown was far from unforeseen.
The Shocking Mid-Century Experiment on Indian Women
When details about a medical experiment in the 1960s came to light, there was widespread shock. But the precise story of what happened remains partially unclear.
A "Master" of the Attention Age
He's spent a full day in slime, 48 hours underground – and showered vast amounts of money to lucky contestants. But are these stunts simply incredibly savvy entertainment – or works of daring genius?
Life in a Country Endangered by the Encroaching Seas
With the ocean increasing, much of Tuvalu's residents is grappling with the reality that their home may in the near future be submerged. The pressing issue is: Where are they going to relocate?
One Sorrowful Story of Childhood Destitution
When I met Craig he was thirteen and without a home. I still thought his situation might turn around. I was devastatingly mistaken.
The Global Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Crucial Defection
In 2020, after spending decades in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to his home country. Today, he could hold the answers to who prevails in the worldwide technological rivalry.
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