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Upon consider the year gone by, a selection of remarkable feature-length stories stands out. These accounts probe complex topics ranging from geopolitical intrigue and scientific revelations to deeply personal sagas.

A Puzzling Writer and the Conscience of a Nation

Victor Pelevin became known in the nineties with sharp critiques on autocratic rule. While several of his literary contemporaries have encountered censorship or fled the country, he still move millions of books. This poses a pertinent query: Has the author turned into an defender for the Kremlin?

Survival and Complicity in Syria's Devastating Conflict

The account of a young man, who at eighteen was given an ultimatum that his sole way out of incarceration was to enlist in the regime military. Following fourteen years, his former role as one of Assad's fighters may still put him in mortal danger.

A Fierce Dispute Over Humanity's Ancient Beginnings

The finding of fossilised remains in the Djurab desert in the early 2000s was proclaimed as completely changing the history of our species. Yet, some scholars was persuaded. The subsequent intense argument has taken over the lives of scholars ever since.

A UK Religious Group That Operated in Plain Sight

One woman was just a child when her household joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she played a key role in reveal the disturbing scale of mistreatment it had carried out.

The Leader's Curious Stance on Human Rights

Many voters expected that the prime minister would restore the UK's commitment to human rights. However, the performance over the first year in office has been curiously ambiguous.

Breaking a Country's Self-Image

A film tracking a remorseful fraudster as she ensnares unscrupulous individuals with covert recording raises complex queries: Is she truly changed, and is the filmmaker's true motives?

The Man Who Remediates the UK's Most Traumatic Stains

From murder scenes to whale blubber, Ben Giles has encountered – and dealt with – everything. In their most challenging times, individuals rely on him to bring back normalcy.

Will an Renowned Institution Survive an "Omni-Crisis"?

Beset by debates over its collection, precarious finances and the revelation of an internal thief, the UK's premier museum is in a major crisis. The question remains: Can it restore its standing?

More Than "Morning Sickness": The Agony of Severe Pregnancy

Referred to as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this illness has for centuries lacked an consistent medical end – until possibly now.

A Legacy of Radicalism in Modern Politics

A militant extremist and pioneer of hate, Meir Kahane died a marginalized pariah thirty-five years ago. Now, his teachings shape the highest echelons of government.

The British Gentleman With a Crooked Side

With his keen intellect and sterling background, it's little wonder that wealthy clients entrusted him with their assets. Then they started to become suspicious.

The Tiny Nation That Emerged as the World's Diplomatic Hub

An astonishingly rich country has transformed into a significant actor on the world stage, working to solve some of the most complex conflicts. Which factors are fueling this unprecedented project?

An Inside Look at a President Gearing Up for International Battle

Extremely unpopular at domestically, President Macron thrives on the world stage, where he presents himself as the leader best placed to deal with a certain former US president. 7 years after their previous meeting, a writer joined him as he prepared for battle.

During the Court Case of a Tragic Case

What led to the daughter of an aristocrat find herself at the Old Bailey with her partner, charged with the death of their newborn infant?

An End of a Global Aid Organization: Not Widespread Mourning

When actions were made to dismantle a major US development organization, many around the globe were surprised. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this latest disappointment was far from unforeseen.

The Disturbing Mid-Century Study on South Asian Women

When details about a scientific experiment in the sixties became public, there was widespread anxiety. But the full story of the events is still partially contested.

The "Master" of the Online Economy

He's endured 24 hours in a vat of goo, two days buried alive – and showered huge sums of cash to selected contestants. But are these videos simply very savvy clickbait – or acts of daring genius?

Existence in a Nation Threatened by the Encroaching Seas

With sea levels rising, much of Tuvalu's residents is grappling with the prospect that their homeland may in the near future be submerged. The pressing issue is: To where are they going to relocate?

A Heartbreaking Case of Childhood Destitution

When I met Craig he was 13 and without a home. Even then believed his life could change for the better. That hope was sadly wrong.

A International Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Pivotal Move

In 2020, after spending half his life in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to China. Today, he could hold the answers to which nation wins the worldwide AI race.

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