Upon consider the past year, a curated list of remarkable feature-length stories emerges. These accounts delve into complex subjects ranging from geopolitical intrigue and scientific revelations to profoundly human sagas.
The Mysterious Author and the Conscience of a Country
Victor Pelevin rose to fame in the 1990s with biting commentaries on autocratic rule. Whereas numerous of his writer contemporaries have encountered suppression or fled the nation, he continues to move millions of copies. This prompts a key query: Has he evolved into an defender for the regime?
Survival and Collaboration in the Syrian Devastating Civil War
The tale of a young man, who at eighteen was told that his only way to escape incarceration was to enlist in the government military. After fourteen years, his history as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers might now cost him his life.
A Fierce Feud Over Our Earliest Beginnings
The unearthing of fossilised remains in the Djurab sands in the early 2000s was proclaimed as completely changing the history of our species. However, not everyone was in agreement. The ensuing intense argument has dominated the careers of researchers ever since.
The UK Sect That Operated in Plain Sight
One woman was just a young girl when her family joined the a religious community. As an grown woman, she played a key role in expose the appalling extent of exploitation it had committed.
The Leader's Puzzling Record on Human Rights
A great many voters hoped that the prime minister would renew the the nation's dedication to international law. Yet, the record over the first year in office has been notably mixed.
Breaking a Nation's Self-Image
A documentary following a repentant fraudster as she sets up unscrupulous clients with covert recording raises thorny questions: Is she truly changed, and is the filmmaker's true motives?
The Person Who Remediates the UK's Most Difficult Stains
From homicide sites to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has encountered – and cleaned – it all. In their darkest moments, individuals rely on him to restore peace.
Can an Famous Institution Weather an "Perfect Storm"?
Plagued by restitution claims, strained finances and the discovery of an internal thief, Britain's number one museum is in deep trouble. The question remains: Can it salvage its standing?
More Than "Morning Sickness": A Agony of Severe Pregnancy
Known as hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this illness has long lacked an consistent medical end – until potentially now.
The Legacy of Extremism in Contemporary Politics
A violent fanatic and pioneer of hate, Meir Kahane died a marginalized pariah thirty-five years ago. Today, his teachings permeate the very highest levels of government.
The English Gentleman With a Fraudulent Secret
With his sharp mind and flawless reputation, it's little wonder that wealthy individuals entrusted him with their fortunes. Then they began to get uneasy.
A Small State That Became the World's Diplomatic Center
An extremely wealthy country has become a significant player on the international scene, striving to mediate some of the most intractable disputes. What are fueling this ambitious endeavor?
A Inside Look at a Leader Gearing Up for Global Battle
Deeply disliked at domestically, President Macron relishes the international arena, where he projects himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to handle a particular sitting US president. 7 years after their previous meeting, a writer joined him as he readied himself for battle.
Inside the Trial of a Tragic Story
How did the child of an aristocrat find herself at the a major court with her partner, charged with the death of their newborn infant?
The End of a Global Development Organization: Not Widespread Regret
When actions were made to dismantle a major US aid agency, many around the globe were surprised. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this latest letdown was far from unforeseen.
The Shocking 1960s Study on Indian Women
When information about a scientific study in the sixties became public, there was widespread anxiety. But the exact nature of what happened remains somewhat shrouded.
The "Genius" of the Attention Economy
He's endured a full day in slime, two days buried alive – and distributed huge amounts of cash to selected participants. But are these productions simply incredibly savvy clickbait – or acts of artistic genius?
Existence in a Nation Endangered by the Rising Seas
With the ocean increasing, much of Tuvalu's population is grappling with the reality that their islands may in the near future be submerged. The urgent issue is: To where are they supposed to relocate?
One Sorrowful Case of Childhood Homelessness
As I met Craig he was 13 and homeless. I still thought his life might change for the better. That hope was tragically mistaken.
The International AI Competition and a Pivotal Defection
In 2020, after living half his life in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to his home country. Now, he could hold the key to who wins the worldwide technological rivalry.
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