While we reflect on the year gone by, a curated list of remarkable feature-length stories shines. Such pieces delve into multifaceted topics including political machinations and historical revelations to deeply human stories.
A Enigmatic Author and the Conscience of a Nation
An author gained prominence in the 1990s with scathing commentaries on autocratic rule. While several of his writer contemporaries have faced censorship or fled the country, he still move millions of copies. It poses a key query: Has the author evolved into an supporter for the regime?
Survival and Complicity in the Syrian Devastating Civil War
The account of Mustafa, who at eighteen was given an ultimatum that his sole path to escape incarceration was to enlist in the regime forces. After fourteen long years, his former role as one of Assad's soldiers might still cost him his life.
A Bitter Feud Over Our Ancient Origins
The finding of ancient remains in the Chadian desert in the early 2000s was heralded as radically rewriting the story of our species. But, some scholars was convinced. The ensuing heated argument has dominated the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
The British Sect That Hid in Plain Sight
One woman was only a young girl when her family joined the a religious community. As an grown woman, she helped expose the shocking breadth of mistreatment it had carried out.
A Prime Minister's Unexpected Stance on International Law
Numerous supporters expected that the former human rights lawyer would renew the Britain's commitment to human rights. Yet, the performance over the past year has been notably inconsistent.
Breaking a Country's Identity
A film following a remorseful con artist as she ensnares unscrupulous clients with hidden cameras poses complex questions: Is this person really reformed, and is the director's true motives?
A Person Who Decontaminates the UK's Most Traumatic Stains
From homicide sites to biological waste, Ben Giles has encountered – and dealt with – it all. In their stickiest hours, people turn to him to bring back order.
Can an Renowned Museum Weather an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Beset by colonial controversy, precarious funding and the exposure of an insider theft, the UK's premier cultural institution is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Can it salvage its reputation?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": The Agony of Extreme Condition
Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this illness has for centuries been without an consistent medical end – up until potentially now.
The Ghost of Extremism in Contemporary Government
A violent extremist and early advocate of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a marginalized pariah thirty-five years ago. In the present day, his ideology permeate the uppermost levels of the state.
An English Professional With a Dishonest Secret
With his sharp mind and flawless credentials, it's understandable that high-net-worth individuals trusted him with their assets. Until they started to get suspicious.
A Tiny State That Became the Global Diplomatic Capital
An astonishingly rich country has risen as a major force on the world stage, working to broker peace in some of the most complex conflicts. Which factors are fueling this unprecedented role?
An Close-Up Look at a President Gearing Up for Global Summitry
Deeply disliked at home, President Macron relishes the international arena, where he positions himself as the leader uniquely positioned to manage a particular sitting US president. Seven years after their last encounter, a writer accompanied him as he readied himself for the summit.
During the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Case
How did the daughter of an wealthy family end up at the Old Bailey with her companion, facing charges with killing their two-week-old infant?
An End of a Global Development Agency: Not Widespread Regret
When actions were made to drastically cut a prominent development organization, many around the world were surprised. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this latest betrayal was not unforeseen.
A Unethical 1960s Study on South Asian Women
When details about a scientific study in the sixties were revealed, there was widespread anxiety. But the full nature of what happened is still somewhat contested.
The "Genius" of the Online Age
He's endured 24 hours in slime, two days underground – and given away vast amounts of cash to selected participants. But are these stunts simply very clever entertainment – or works of avant garde brilliance?
Existence in a Nation Endangered by the Encroaching Ocean
With sea levels rising, much of Tuvalu's residents is facing the possibility that their home may soon become uninhabitable. The critical question is: Where are they supposed to go?
One Tragic Story of Youth Homelessness
As I met a young boy he was thirteen and without a home. Even then believed his life might change for the better. That hope was sadly misplaced.
A International Artificial Intelligence Race and a Pivotal Move
In the recent past, after living half his life in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to his home country. Now, he could possess the secret to who prevails in the global AI race.
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