Australian IS families in Syria camp turned back after leaving for home
The group of 34 women and children with family links to Islamic State group have been held in the Roj camp for nearly seven years.
World
Ancient bone may prove legendary war elephant crossing of Alps
It would be the first hard evidence that elephants were used in battle by General Hannibal.
News24 | Russia strongly rejects European claims it poisoned Navalny with dart frog toxin
The Kremlin has “strongly” rejected an assessment by five European countries that the Russian state killed jailed opposition leader Alexey Navalny by poisoning him.
Flying oranges: Italian town celebrates carnival with historic street battle
A town in northern Italy has started celebrating carnival with its annual Battle of the Oranges where people hurl the fruit at each other for fun.
News24 | Nigeria: Dozens killed in attacks on 3 villages
A group of gunmen attacked three villages in Nigeria in a dawn raid. At least 30 people have died and several are reportedly missing.
Five injured as Swiss train derails in heavy snow
One passenger was taken to hospital after the derailment, which police say could have been caused by an avalanche.
Mother of Alexei Navalny says poison finding confirms he was murdered
On the second anniversary of his death, Lyudmila Navalnaya says her son did not “simply die in prison”.
News24 | US Democrats ‘striking back’ over voter maps ahead on key midterms elections
The Democratic Party is willing to spend tens of millions on a Virginia redistricting effort that could gain the party four more seats in the US House of Representatives, the chamber’s top Democrat said.
Pressure grows for release of remaining Venezuelan political prisoners
An NGO says hundreds of people remain behind bars despite US pressure US to speed up their release.
DHS shuts down after a funding lapse. And, why athletes get the ‘yips’ at the Olympics
Congress is out on recess as a partial shutdown at the Department of Homeland Security is underway. And, why some superstar athletes have been getting the “yips” at the Winter Olympics in Italy.
News24 | Nervous about US security guarantees, Europe looks to build its own nuclear deterrence
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reflected a feeling of profound change among European leaders at the Munich Security Conference when she said: “Some lines have been crossed that cannot be uncrossed anymore.”
Giant robot tribute to Brazil’s President Lula leads start of Rio Carnival
Rio de Janeiro’s iconic Carnival parades begin with a tribute to Brazil’s President Lula, illustrating his rise from poverty to power.
Israel will begin contentious West Bank land registration
Israel will begin a contentious land regulation process in a large part of the occupied West Bank, which could result in Israel gaining control over wide swaths of the area for future development.
An Islamist party becomes Bangladesh’s main opposition for the first time
An Islamist party has become Bangladesh’s main opposition for the first time in the country’s history, challenging the old dynastic political system despite persistent concerns among critics about the party’s policies on women.
Russia, Ukraine and US officials to meet this week for more talks to end the war
As the war in Ukraine nears its fourth anniversary, officials from Russia, Ukraine and the U.S. will meet in Geneva Tuesday for another round of talks aimed at ending the war.
World leaders met in Munich to discuss the future of Europe. Here’s what happened
NPR’s Leila Fadel asks Kurt Volker, a former U.S. ambassador to NATO, for his takeaways following this year’s Munich Security Conference.
With no disarmament agreement, group says work to clear Gaza explosives hasn’t begun
The United Nations group that clears explosives from conflict zones tells NPR it has not started major clearing operations in Gaza, because Israel and Hamas have not yet agreed on the terms for disarmament of the territory.
US and Iran head to Geneva to continue talks on Iran’s nuclear program. What to know
NPR’s Steve Inskeep speaks with Vali Nasr, a professor of Middle East studies at Johns Hopkins University, about nuclear negotiations between the U.S. and Iran.
As US presence wanes, China works to increase its influence through foreign aid
When the U.S. pulled back on giving out foreign aid last year, fears emerged that China would swoop to take America’s place. But China’s approach may signify a different role for it in global health.
With no Gaza disarmament deal, UN group hasn’t begun major work to clear explosives
The United Nations group that clears explosives from conflict zones tells NPR it has not started major clearing operations in Gaza, because Israel and Hamas have not yet agreed on the terms for disarmament of the territory.
News24 | Israel strikes kill 4 ‘terrorists’ in Lebanon, 11 in Gaza, as Board of Peace set to meet
Lebanon said an Israeli strike near the Syrian border in the country’s east killed four people, as Israel said it had targeted operatives from Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad.