As we reflect on the past year, a selection of remarkable feature-length stories stands out. These narratives delve into complex subjects ranging from geopolitical machinations and historical discoveries to profoundly human sagas.
The Mysterious Novelist and the Moral Fabric of a Country
Victor Pelevin gained prominence in the post-Soviet era with sharp commentaries on power. While several of his writer contemporaries have faced censorship or left the nation, he still sell vast numbers of books. It prompts a pertinent question: Has the author turned into an defender for the establishment?
Endurance and Collaboration in the Syrian Brutal Conflict
The tale of Mustafa, who at eighteen was informed that his only way out of incarceration was to enlist in the regime forces. After fourteen years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's fighters might now cost him his life.
A Bitter Argument Over Our Earliest Beginnings
The discovery of ancient bones in the Djurab sands in the early 2000s was hailed as fundamentally re-writing the story of our species. Yet, a faction was persuaded. The resulting heated controversy has dominated the careers of researchers ever since.
A UK Sect That Operated in the Open
Philippa Barnes was just a young girl when her family joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she helped uncover the disturbing breadth of mistreatment it had perpetrated.
A Statesman's Puzzling Record on Human Rights
Numerous followers hoped that the prime minister would reaffirm the UK's commitment to international law. But, the performance over the past year has been curiously mixed.
Shattering a Country's Identity
A film tracking a remorseful con artist as she records corrupt individuals with covert recording raises complex queries: Is she genuinely reformed, and is the filmmaker's own methods?
The Man Who Decontaminates the UK's Most Difficult Stains
From crime scenes to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has encountered – and restored – everything. In their darkest times, people turn to him to restore peace.
Will an Renowned Institution Endure an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Burdened by restitution claims, strained finances and the discovery of an internal thief, Britain's leading cultural institution is in a major crisis. The challenge remains: Is it possible to restore its reputation?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": A Suffering of Severe Pregnancy
Known as hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this condition has long been without an reliable treatment remedy – up until potentially now.
A Ghost of Radicalism in Contemporary Politics
A violent extremist and pioneer of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a political pariah 35 years ago. In the present day, his ideas permeate the very highest levels of government.
The British Professional With a Fraudulent Side
With his brilliant intellect and impeccable credentials, it's understandable that affluent individuals trusted him with their assets. Then they started to get suspicious.
A Small State That Emerged as the Global Mediation Hub
An astonishingly rich Gulf state has risen as a significant player on the international scene, working to mediate some of the most intractable conflicts. Which factors are behind this unprecedented project?
A Inside View at a President Preparing for International Battle
Deeply unpopular at domestically, President Macron thrives on the world stage, where he positions himself as the leader most equipped to manage a particular former US president. Seven years after their last meeting, a writer joined him as he prepared for battle.
During the Court Case of a Tragic Story
What led to the child of an wealthy family end up at the Old Bailey with her partner, facing charges with killing their two-week-old infant?
An End of a Major Aid Organization: Far From Universal Mourning
When efforts were made to wind down a major US aid agency, many around the world were shocked. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this latest disappointment was far from unexpected.
The Unethical 1960s Experiment on Indian Mothers
When details about a medical experiment in the 1960s became public, there was widespread shock. But the full nature of the procedures is still somewhat shrouded.
The "Master" of the Online Economy
He's endured 24 hours in slime, two days underground – and distributed vast amounts of money to lucky participants. But are these stunts simply incredibly savvy clickbait – or acts of avant garde brilliance?
Existence in a Nation Endangered by the Rising Seas
With sea levels increasing, much of Tuvalu's residents is grappling with the possibility that their home may in the near future be submerged. The urgent question is: Where are they going to relocate?
One Tragic Case of Youth Homelessness
When I met a young boy he was thirteen and without a home. Even then believed his life might improve. I was tragically misplaced.
The International Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Pivotal Defection
In 2020, after living decades in the US, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to his home country. Now, he might possess the answers to who prevails in the global technological rivalry.
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