Sednaya prison in Damascus was once synonymous with death and disappearance. Yet over the past week, thousands of families rushed to the prison in the hope of finding their missing loved ones. Many left with no answer. 

In recent months, Russian forces have been advancing in eastern Ukraine at the fastest pace since the early days of the full-scale invasion in 2022. Russia and Ukraine are seeing high casualty rates, which is forcing both sides to mobilize more troops to fill their ranks. But Ukraine’s leadership has been unwilling to mobilize younger men between 18 and 25 years old — despite pressure from its partners.

Syrians waited in long queues at border gates in southern Turkey this week, preparing to return to their homeland. With a dictator gone and loved ones newly released from prison, many Syrians who have lived in Turkey for years are eager to return. Others say an evolving security situation and financial concerns are giving them pause. 

International college students — and their schools in the US — are bracing for President-elect Donald Trump’s second term. College administrators insist foreign students are welcome on campus. But that message doesn’t always match the student experience.

For decades, Okinawa has prided itself as a hot spot for longevity. In 1999, the Japanese islands were listed as one of five “Blue Zones,” where people statistically live the longest, often into their 100s. A strong diet and emphasis on human connection were thought to be some of the biggest contributing factors. But new research suggests the entire concept of Blue Zones is a myth.