While we consider the year gone by, a selection of remarkable feature-length stories emerges. These pieces delve into multifaceted subjects including political machinations and scientific discoveries to deeply human journeys.
The Enigmatic Author and the Conscience of a Country
An author gained prominence in the post-Soviet era with sharp commentaries on authoritarianism. While several of his literary contemporaries have encountered censorship or fled the nation, he continues to move millions of copies. It poses a pressing query: Has he become an supporter for the Kremlin?
Endurance and Complicity in Syria's Devastating Conflict
The tale of a young man, who at 18 was told that his only way out of incarceration was to enlist in the government military. Following 14 long years, his past as one of Assad's soldiers could still get him killed.
A Acrimonious Dispute Over Our Ancient Origins
The discovery of fossilised remains in the Chadian desert in 2001 was proclaimed as radically re-writing the narrative of our species. Yet, a faction was in agreement. The ensuing bitter argument has consumed the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
A British Sect That Hid in the Open
One woman was just a young girl when her family joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she helped uncover the appalling scale of abuse it had carried out.
The Prime Minister's Curious Record on Human Rights
Many followers hoped that the former human rights lawyer would restore the UK's commitment to international law. Yet, the track record over the first year in office has been notably ambiguous.
Breaking a Nation's Myth
A documentary featuring a repentant master criminal as she sets up unscrupulous individuals with hidden cameras raises thorny questions: Is this person genuinely a new person, and is the filmmaker's true methods?
A Person Who Decontaminates the UK's Most Difficult Scenes
From homicide sites to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and dealt with – it all. In their most challenging hours, individuals turn to him to restore order.
Can an Famous Museum Weather an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Burdened by colonial controversy, precarious finances and the exposure of an insider theft, the UK's premier cultural institution is in a major crisis. The challenge remains: Can it restore its reputation?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": A Agony of Severe Condition
Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this condition has long lacked an consistent treatment end – until perhaps now.
A Spectre of Extremism in Modern Government
A militant extremist and early advocate of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a political pariah thirty-five years ago. In the present day, his ideology influence the uppermost echelons of the state.
An English Professional With a Dishonest Secret
With his sharp intellect and flawless reputation, it's no surprise that high-net-worth clients entrusted him with their wealth. Then they began to get uneasy.
The Tiny Nation That Emerged as the World's Diplomatic Capital
An incredibly wealthy Gulf state has risen as a key player on the international scene, working to solve some of the most long-standing disputes. Which factors are driving this unprecedented project?
An Close-Up Look at a President Gearing Up for Global Battle
Extremely disliked at domestically, President Macron relishes the international arena, where he positions himself as the statesman most equipped to deal with a certain former American leader. 7 years after their previous encounter, a writer joined him as he readied himself for the summit.
Inside the Trial of a Heartbreaking Case
What led to the daughter of an aristocrat find herself at the Old Bailey with her companion, charged with the death of their newborn baby?
The Dismantling of a Major Aid Organization: Far From Universal Mourning
When actions were made to wind down a major US development organization, many around the globe were surprised. But on the ground in a West African nation, this most recent letdown was not unforeseen.
A Unethical 1960s Study on South Asian Women
When information about a medical study in the sixties became public, there was widespread shock. But the exact story of the events remains partially unclear.
The "Master" of the Online Economy
He's endured 24 hours in slime, 48 hours underground – and given away vast sums of money to selected participants. But are these videos simply very clever entertainment – or works of avant garde genius?
Existence in a Country Threatened by the Encroaching Ocean
With the ocean rising, much of Tuvalu's residents is facing the possibility that their homeland may in the near future cease to exist. The urgent question is: Where are they going to go?
One Sorrowful Case of Youth Destitution
When I met a young boy he was 13 and homeless. I still thought his situation might change for the better. That hope was sadly wrong.
A International AI Competition and a Key Move
In the recent past, after spending decades in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to his home country. Now, he could possess the key to which nation prevails in the global AI race.
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