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While we look back on the previous year, a assortment of remarkable feature-length pieces shines. These pieces delve into intricate themes including geopolitical intrigue and scientific revelations to profoundly human sagas.

A Mysterious Author and the Soul of a Nation

Victor Pelevin gained prominence in the nineties with biting commentaries on autocratic rule. Whereas numerous of his writer contemporaries have faced suppression or fled the nation, he continues to move vast numbers of books. It poses a key question: Has he become an defender for the establishment?

Endurance and Collaboration in the Syrian Horrific Civil War

The tale of Mustafa, who at 18 was told that his only route out of incarceration was to enlist in the regime forces. Following fourteen long years, his former role as one of the Syrian leader's fighters might now put him in mortal danger.

The Fierce Argument Over Humanity's Earliest Origins

The discovery of fossilised remains in the Chadian desert in 2001 was proclaimed as fundamentally rewriting the narrative of our species. But, not everyone was persuaded. The subsequent heated scholarly debate has dominated the careers of scholars ever since.

The British Sect That Operated in the Open

One woman was only a young girl when her family became part of the a religious community. As an adult, she played a key role in expose the shocking breadth of exploitation it had perpetrated.

A Statesman's Curious Stance on International Law

Numerous voters expected that the former human rights lawyer would renew the the nation's dedication to human rights. However, the record over the past year has been strikingly ambiguous.

Shattering a Nation's Self-Image

A film featuring a repentant fraudster as she sets up corrupt individuals with hidden cameras raises difficult queries: Is she really reformed, and is the director's own methods?

A Person Who Decontaminates Britain's Darkest Stains

From crime scenes to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has encountered – and restored – everything. In their darkest moments, people depend on him to bring back order.

Will an Famous Institution Endure an "Perfect Storm"?

Plagued by restitution claims, difficult funding and the exposure of an internal thief, Britain's leading cultural institution is in deep trouble. The challenge remains: Is it possible to salvage its reputation?

More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": The Suffering of Severe Condition

Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this illness has long been without an reliable treatment remedy – until possibly now.

The Spectre of Extremism in Contemporary Government

A violent extremist and pioneer of hate, a rabbi died a marginalized outcast thirty-five years ago. Today, his ideology influence the highest echelons of government.

The British Professional With a Dishonest Secret

With his keen mind and impeccable reputation, it's little wonder that wealthy clients entrusted him with their assets. Then they started to get wary.

A Small Nation That Became the World's Diplomatic Center

An extremely wealthy Gulf state has become a key player on the world stage, striving to mediate some of the most complex disputes. Which factors are fueling this ambitious project?

An Close-Up View at a President Preparing for Global Summitry

Deeply unpopular at home, President Macron thrives on the international arena, where he presents himself as the leader uniquely positioned to manage a certain sitting American leader. Seven years after their previous meeting, a writer joined him as he readied himself for the fray.

Inside the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Case

What led to the child of an wealthy family find herself at the Old Bailey with her partner, charged with the death of their newborn baby?

An End of a Global Development Agency: Not Universal Regret

When efforts were made to drastically cut a prominent aid agency, many around the world were surprised. But on the ground in a West African nation, this most recent disappointment was not unexpected.

A Shocking 1960s Experiment on South Asian Women

When information about a scientific study in the sixties came to light, there was immense shock. But the full story of what happened remains partially unclear.

A "Mozart" of the Online Age

He's endured a full day in slime, two days buried alive – and distributed huge amounts of cash to lucky participants. But are these productions simply very clever entertainment – or works of artistic genius?

Existence in a Country Endangered by the Encroaching Seas

With sea levels rising, much of this Pacific island nation's population is grappling with the possibility that their islands may in the near future cease to exist. The critical question is: To where are they supposed to relocate?

One Tragic Story of Childhood Homelessness

When I met a young boy he was thirteen and homeless. Even then thought his situation might turn around. That hope was sadly wrong.

A Global AI Race and a Key Move

In 2020, after living decades in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to China. Now, he might hold the secret to which nation prevails in the worldwide technological rivalry.

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