Upon consider the year gone by, a curated list of outstanding feature-length pieces shines. Such pieces explore complex subjects from geopolitical intrigue and historical discoveries to profoundly human stories.
The Enigmatic Author and the Moral Fabric of a Nation
An author became known in the 1990s with biting critiques on authoritarianism. While numerous of his writer contemporaries have encountered suppression or left the nation, he continues to sell millions of copies. This poses a pressing query: Has he evolved into an defender for the regime?
Endurance and Collaboration in Syria's Devastating Conflict
The tale of a young man, who at 18 was given an ultimatum that his only path to escape incarceration was to join the government forces. Following 14 long years, his former role as one of Assad's soldiers may now get him killed.
A Bitter Feud Over Our Earliest Beginnings
The finding of fossilised bones in the Djurab sands in the early 2000s was hailed as fundamentally re-writing the story of our human race. But, not everyone was convinced. The ensuing bitter controversy has consumed the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.
A British Cult That Operated in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was only a child when her family became part of the a religious community. As an adult, she helped reveal the disturbing breadth of abuse it had perpetrated.
The Leader's Puzzling Stance on Human Rights
Numerous followers anticipated that the prime minister would reaffirm the UK's dedication to international law. However, the performance over the first year in office has been notably ambiguous.
Shattering a Country's Myth
A film featuring a remorseful fraudster as she records unscrupulous individuals with hidden cameras poses difficult questions: Is she really a new person, and is the filmmaker's own methods?
A Person Who Decontaminates Britain's Most Traumatic Scenes
From homicide sites to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has seen – and cleaned – everything. In their stickiest moments, families rely on him to restore normalcy.
Will an Famous Museum Endure an "Perfect Storm"?
Plagued by colonial controversy, difficult finances and the exposure of an insider theft, Britain's premier museum is in a major crisis. The challenge remains: Can it salvage its reputation?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": A Torture of Extreme Condition
Known as hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this condition has long been without an consistent medical remedy – up until possibly now.
The Ghost of Radicalism in Contemporary Politics
A militant extremist and pioneer of hate, Meir Kahane died a marginalized pariah 35 years ago. Now, his teachings permeate the very highest levels of the state.
The English Gentleman With a Crooked Secret
With his brilliant intellect and flawless reputation, it's little wonder that high-net-worth clients trusted him with their wealth. Until they began to get wary.
A Tiny State That Became the Global Diplomatic Hub
An incredibly rich Gulf state has transformed into a major actor on the international scene, attempting to broker peace in some of the most long-standing conflicts. Which factors are driving this ambitious endeavor?
A Close-Up View at a Leader Gearing Up for Global Battle
Deeply disliked at home, the French leader thrives on the world stage, where he presents himself as the statesman best placed to deal with a particular sitting American leader. Seven years after their previous meeting, a writer joined him as he prepared for the summit.
During the Court Case of a Tragic Story
What led to the daughter of an wealthy family find herself at the a major court with her partner, charged with the death of their two-week-old infant?
The End of a Major Aid Organization: Far From Widespread Regret
When actions were made to wind down a prominent development organization, many around the world were shocked. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this most recent letdown was far from unexpected.
The Shocking 1960s Experiment on Indian Women
When information about a medical experiment in the 1960s were revealed, there was immense outrage. But the exact truth of the procedures remains partially unclear.
The "Mozart" of the Attention Economy
He's spent a full day in a vat of goo, two days buried alive – and distributed vast amounts of cash to lucky participants. But are these stunts simply very savvy clickbait – or acts of artistic genius?
Life in a Country Threatened by the Rising Seas
With the ocean increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's population is facing the prospect that their homeland may soon become uninhabitable. The critical issue is: To where are they supposed to go?
One Tragic Story of Childhood Destitution
As I met a young boy he was thirteen and without a home. Even then hoped his situation might turn around. That hope was tragically misplaced.
The International AI Competition and a Key Defection
In 2020, after spending decades in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to China. Now, he might possess the answers to which nation prevails in the global AI race.
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