Ukrainian sisters Veronika and Anastasiia Trubitsyna were forcibly moved to a Russian orphanage following their mother's death amid the war in Ukraine. They were subjected to pro-war propaganda and pressure to adopt Russian citizenship. The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Vladimir Putin and Maria Alekseyevna Lvova-Belova for war crimes related to the deportation of Ukrainian children. Despite Russia's denial of child abductions, Ukrainian officials and human rights defenders label the actions as genocide. The sisters eventually escaped Russia with the help of their older sister Kateryna and the NGO SOS Children's Villages.

In Ukraine, civilians like Sergey Teterdinko and Tarasov Roman are risking their lives to de-mine their land due to the overwhelming number of unexploded ordnance left from the Russian occupation. Despite the UNDP's efforts and a recorded clearance of 540,000 items, the UN reports that nearly 10.7 million people still require mine action services. With emergency services prioritizing infrastructure and settlements, farmers have begun using drones and metal detectors to clear their fields. Alena Bolotnaya, another victim, faces the danger of unexploded bombs in her well, with her home destroyed by Russian forces. The war has left deep scars on the land and its people, with memories and livelihoods shattered.

In Ukraine, civilians like Sergey Teterdinko and Tarasov Roman are undertaking dangerous demining operations on their properties due to the overwhelming number of unexploded ordnance left from the Russian occupation. Despite the UNDP's efforts, with Alexander Lobov reporting 540,000 items cleared, the need is vast, with 10.7 million people requiring mine action services. The article details the personal struggles and risks faced by these individuals, including close encounters with death and the emotional toll of the war's destruction, as exemplified by Alena Bolotnaya's story of her ruined home and the unexploded bombs in her well.

Fan-Pei Koung, a 33-year-old Instagram influencer from Houston, Texas, has moved to Ukraine amidst the war, describing herself as an 'emotional support stripper.' She has engaged in intimate relationships with Ukrainian soldiers and offers her OnlyFans content for free to them, volunteers, and some locals. Koung, who has a following of over 50,000 on Instagram, has seen a drop in followers since focusing her content on Ukraine. She initially volunteered in women's shelters and orphanages but sought a closer connection with the military. Koung has faced judgment from other Western volunteers for her approach to volunteering and her open discussions about her intimate relationships with Ukrainians.

The tradition of snow days is at risk due to the shift towards virtual learning and the impacts of climate change. In February 2024, New York City Public Schools moved to remote learning during a severe winter storm, but faced technological issues. The pandemic had already prompted schools to consider virtual learning as an alternative to snow days. However, this change places a burden on families and children, affecting childcare arrangements and access to school meals. Some states, like Connecticut, do not count digital learning days towards the educational calendar. The end of the Affordable Connectivity Program also threatens internet access for many. Despite the challenges, many families prefer to preserve snow days, citing their importance for children's mental health and development.

Ukrainian soldiers express anxiety over the United States shifting its focus to the conflict between Israel and Hamas, fearing a reduction in military aid and supplies. The U.S. has provided substantial aid to Ukraine since the war with Russia began, but the emergence of another conflict in the Middle East could divert attention and resources. Ukrainian troops are concerned about potential advances by Russian forces and the impact of war fatigue among their allies. The upcoming U.S. presidential elections also add to the uncertainty, with worries about a potential halt in aid if Donald Trump is re-elected.

In Afghanistan, under the Taliban regime that forbids teaching girls past sixth grade, women are secretly running underground schools, including virtual platforms like Zoom and Google Meet. Despite challenges such as poor internet access and economic hardships, these schools offer education to girls and young women. A teacher, referred to as 'Fatima', shared her experiences and the difficulties faced, including the risk of execution if discovered by the Taliban. The article highlights the stark contrast in women's rights and education before and after the Taliban's takeover, the emergence of underground schools, and the determination of educators like Fatima to continue teaching despite the absence of international support.

Izyum, Ukraine, has suffered greatly from Russian landmines, with civilians like Valerii Borsch and Lydia Oleksandrivna facing life-altering injuries. Despite liberation from Russian control, the threat of landmines persists, leaving many awaiting prosthetics and support. Ukraine, one of the world's most landmine-contaminated countries, is undergoing demining efforts by the State Emergency Service and NGOs like HALO Trust. International aid, including significant contributions from the US and EU, supports these efforts, but the challenge remains immense, with the World Bank estimating a $37 billion cost for a full demining package. The United Nations reports that 10.7 million people in Ukraine require mine action service, highlighting the ongoing struggle against the remnants of war.

In Kharkiv, Ukraine, a strip club named Flash Dancers, run by a mother-daughter duo, Walerija Zawadskaja and Walerija Ksenia, provides a distraction from the war for its patrons, including Ukrainian soldiers. Despite the ongoing conflict and a strict curfew ordered by President Wołodymir Zełenski, the club remains open seven nights a week. The club has lost employees due to the war, and with over a million residents fleeing Kharkiv, clientele is sparse. The club also serves as an air-raid shelter for employees and residents. The article details the personal stories of the owners and employees, the challenges they face, and the resilience they show in maintaining a semblance of normalcy amidst the chaos of war.

In Kharkiv, Ukraine, only 15 miles from the Russian border, Flash Dancers, the only women-owned exotic dance club, operates amid air-raid sirens and the ongoing war. Despite prostitution being illegal in Ukraine, the club exists in a legal gray area, with the local police preoccupied with war efforts. Valeriya Zavadskaya, the 24-year-old co-owner, leads rehearsals and performances under dim red lighting, offering a distraction from the war's austerity. The club, which also serves as an air-raid shelter, has lost employees to the war and struggles with low patronage due to economic hardships. Nevertheless, it remains open seven nights a week, symbolizing a defiant attempt at normality. Valeriya's mother, Valeriia Kseniya, a former professional Soviet dancer, opened the club a decade ago, aiming to create a modern-day Moulin Rouge. Despite the challenges, including the loss of staff and the need to hire inexperienced dancers, Flash Dancers has become a place of solace for its patrons, including Ukrainian soldiers seeking a respite from the war.

In Kharkiv, Ukraine, only 15 miles from the Russian border, Flash Dancers, the only women-owned exotic dance club, operates amid the ongoing war. Despite air-raid sirens and a strict curfew, the club, which doubles as an air-raid shelter, remains open as a defiant attempt at normality. Valeriya Zavadskaya, the 24-year-old co-owner, and her mother, Valeriia Kseniya, strive to provide a distraction from the war's austerity. The club has lost employees to the conflict and faces economic challenges, with a significant markup on drinks due to inflation. The International Monetary Fund notes signs of resilience in Ukraine's economy, but small businesses like Flash Dancers still struggle. The club's existence and the determination of its staff reflect the broader Ukrainian effort to maintain a semblance of normal life amidst the chaos of war.

Two ethnic Armenian soldiers who survived the offensive against Nagorno-Karabakh reported witnessing war crimes against civilians, despite the presence of Russian peacekeepers. Azerbaijan took control of the enclave after an assault that began on September 19, leading to accusations from Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan that Russia failed to intervene. The University Network For Human Rights is collecting witness allegations of war crimes in Armenia, including attacks on civilian infrastructure and forced deportation. Civilians described forced displacement and ethnic cleansing, with many still missing. Soldiers recounted the lack of preparedness and resources, and the horrors they witnessed, including civilian casualties and the destruction of Nagorno-Karabakh, now occupied by Azerbaijan.

Following a massive Azerbaijani offensive, around 50,000 ethnic Armenians fled Nagorno-Karabakh, an internationally recognized region of Azerbaijan with an Armenian majority. The Daily Beast gained exclusive access to the Lachin Corridor, the only road to Armenia, witnessing the exodus. An explosion at an oil depot in Stepanakert exacerbated the crisis. The conflict's roots trace back to 2020 when Azerbaijan forced Armenia to cede control. Russian peacekeepers, intended to stabilize the situation, were criticized for their ineffectiveness. Refugees recounted harrowing experiences, and many criticized the lack of international support. The recent offensive has left Nagorno-Karabakh residents in dire conditions, with some still trapped and awaiting evacuation.

Ethnic Armenian soldiers who survived the recent assault on Nagorno-Karabakh by Azerbaijan reported witnessing war crimes against civilians, despite the presence of Russian peacekeepers. The attack, which began on September 19, resulted in Azerbaijani control of the enclave within two days. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan accused Russia of failing to intervene. Soldiers recounted indiscriminate shelling of civilian areas and severe injuries to civilians, including children. The University Network For Human Rights is in Armenia documenting allegations of war crimes, including attacks on civilian infrastructure and forced deportation. Many refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh are now displaced, uncertain of their future, and mourning the loss of their homeland, referred to as 'Artsakh'.

Flash Dancers, the only women-owned exotic dance club in Kharkiv, Ukraine, operates just 15 miles from the Russian border, providing a respite from the war for its patrons and employees. Despite the ongoing conflict and a strict curfew, the club remains open seven nights a week, serving as a lifeline and a defiant attempt at normality. Co-owned by Valeriya Zavadskaya and her mother Valeriia Kseniya, the club has lost employees to the war and faces economic challenges, yet it continues to offer a unique experience with elaborate dance performances. The club's existence and the resilience of its staff reflect the broader Ukrainian struggle for normalcy amidst the hardships of war.

The article by Anna Conkling discusses the experiences of Ukrainian refugees who have decided to return to their homeland amidst the ongoing war. Yevheniia Soia and Iuliia, two Ukrainian women, share their stories of fleeing to the Netherlands and Germany, respectively, and their eventual return to Kyiv. Despite starting new lives in foreign countries, the emotional pull of their homeland and the desire to reunite with family prompted their return. The UN Refugee Agency reports that 7.2 million Ukrainian refugees are in Europe, with 5.5 million displaced persons returning home, some from abroad. The article highlights the challenges and emotional turmoil faced by these individuals as they adapt to life back in Ukraine, under the constant threat of attack, and their resilience in the face of such adversity.

Fan-Pei Koung, a 33-year-old Instagram influencer from Houston, Texas, has become an 'emotional support stripper' in Ukraine, offering her OnlyFans content for free to Ukrainian soldiers, volunteers, and locals. Koung, who has a following of over 50,000, has lost followers since focusing on Ukraine-related content. She initially volunteered in women's shelters and orphanages but sought a closer connection with the military. Koung has had intimate relationships with Ukrainian men, including soldiers, and has been learning Ukrainian. Despite her efforts, she has faced judgment from other Western volunteers. Koung's experiences highlight the diverse range of volunteers in Ukraine and the complexities of gender roles in volunteer work.

Fan-Pei Koung, a 33-year-old Instagram influencer from Houston, Texas, has become an 'emotional support stripper' in Ukraine, offering her OnlyFans content for free to Ukrainian soldiers, volunteers, and locals. Koung, who has a following of over 50,000, has lost followers since focusing on Ukraine-related content. She initially volunteered in women's shelters and orphanages but sought a more unique experience with the military. Koung has had intimate relationships with Ukrainian men, including soldiers, and has been learning Ukrainian. Despite her efforts, she has faced judgment from other Western volunteers.

Ukrainian soldiers have unexpectedly become the focus of attention and admiration from women, receiving flirty messages and unsolicited pictures on social media since Russia's invasion. This phenomenon has provided some soldiers with stress relief, while others find it overwhelming. The attention varies with the success of Ukraine's military efforts, and while some soldiers enjoy the interaction, others prefer support through fundraising and donations for the military. The article highlights individual experiences and the broader social trend of soldier fetishization in Ukraine.

The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Children’s Rights Commissioner Maria Alekseyevna Lvova-Belova for war crimes related to the deportation of Ukrainian children. In addition to children, 200 nursing home residents from the Kherson region were forcibly relocated to Russia in November 2022. Many of these residents had disabilities and were long-time occupants of the home. Two residents who escaped shared their experiences of living under occupation and being transferred to Russian nursing homes. The United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine is documenting forced transfers and deportations, including those from care facilities. The article details the hardships faced by the residents during the occupation, the annexation attempts by Russia, and the eventual escape and assistance provided by the NGO Helping To Leave, which has helped over 53,100 Ukrainians flee since the full-scale invasion began.

Veronika and Anastasiia Trubitsyna, orphaned Ukrainian sisters, were forcibly moved to a Russian orphanage following their mother's death. They were subjected to pro-war propaganda and pressured to become Russian citizens. The International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for Vladimir Putin and Maria Alekseyevna Lvova-Belova for war crimes related to the deportation of Ukrainian children. Human Rights Watch defines forcible transfer broadly, including when people lack a meaningful choice. The sisters eventually escaped Russia with the help of their elder sister Kateryna and SOS Children's Village, after overcoming numerous challenges and the loss of their mother to health issues exacerbated by the war.

In Ukraine, surgeons at the Okhmatdyt Children’s Hospital are adapting to the demands of war by performing facial reconstruction surgeries for children injured in Russian attacks. The war has led to a significant increase in such surgeries, with the hospital staff learning on the go and receiving support from Doctors Without Borders. The United Nations Human Rights Chief, Volker Türk, reports over 21,000 civilian casualties. Organizations like No Scar are providing free scar removal treatments to aid recovery. The article shares personal stories of individuals like Ruslan, a Border Control worker, and Olya Osadcha, a military nurse, who have suffered injuries and are undergoing treatment to heal both physically and emotionally.

The article provides a detailed account of the experiences of Ukrainian soldiers and civilians who have been thrust into the war against Russia. It highlights the drastic change in their lives, from peacetime activities to the harsh realities of war. The story focuses on individuals like Kydrava, a lieutenant officer, and Detcom, a DJ turned soldier, who have been on the frontlines since the invasion began. It also touches on the story of Arthur Ozerov, who went from environmental protection and drag performance to military service and making coffins for fallen soldiers. The article underscores the intensity of the conflict, the personal sacrifices made by the Ukrainian people, and the ongoing struggle for the nation's defense. The journalist, Anna Conkling, has been in contact with Ukrainian students, soldiers, and civilians to share their stories during the Russian invasion.

In Russia, teachers are being coerced into disseminating pro-Kremlin propaganda to students amidst the ongoing war in Ukraine. The education system has been altered to align with the state's political agenda, with new textbooks reframing Soviet history and justifying Russian aggression. Teachers face the risk of losing their jobs or imprisonment for any public opposition. Despite the oppressive environment, some educators engage in subtle acts of defiance. The article highlights the experiences of teachers like Igor and Emily, who resist the propaganda, and Nina Nesterova, who protested against the war and eventually fled to Armenia. The upcoming Russian presidential election is expected to be unfair, with Putin likely to remain in power. The report also touches on the crackdown on anti-war dissidents, with thousands detained and facing criminal charges.

German cities, including Cologne, are facing challenges in accommodating a new wave of migrants from the Western Balkans, surpassing their capacity by 107.23%. Unlike Ukrainian refugees, these migrants are seeking relief from the harsh winter and poor living conditions in their home countries. Cologne has seen more migrants from the Western Balkans in recent months than during the wars of 1991-2001. The Western Balkans route was the most used for illegal border crossings into the EU in 2022, with Frontex recording 145,600 illegal entries, a 136% increase from the previous year. The EU plans to increase its presence on the Western Balkan borders, with Frontex deploying more personnel. Cologne is obligated to house all refugees regardless of nationality, and the city's authorities failed in their prediction of a new large influx of Ukrainian refugees due to Russian attacks. The challenge now is to find affordable housing for refugees in areas like Cologne, where the demand for affordable apartments is high.

The article details the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine following the Russian invasion. It highlights the efforts of Ukrainian citizens like Yana Kachkovska and Oleh Mussi, who have been volunteering to provide aid and support to those affected by the war. Despite the global support, Ukraine's aid supplies are dwindling, and access to help within the country is challenging. The United Nations and its partners have scaled up aid delivery, but the situation on the ground is dire, with volunteers facing dangers and shortages. The emotional toll on volunteers is also discussed, with some, like Kachkovska, having to step back due to the immense stress and trauma. The article also touches on the experiences of individuals like Nikolai Polovin and Polina Mikulina, whose lives have been upended by the conflict. The piece underscores the resilience of Ukrainians and the critical need for continued humanitarian assistance.

The article discusses the extensive environmental damage caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, as reported by Ukraine’s Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources and other organizations like Eco Action. The ministry has documented over 1,200 environmental disasters, including air pollution from burning fuel depots and damaged gas pipelines, soil and water contamination, and increased carbon emissions. The war has also threatened Ukraine's efforts to transition to green energy and has put protected natural areas at risk. The potential for a nuclear disaster, especially after Russian troops occupied Chernobyl and currently control the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant, is a significant concern. The ministry is working on a comprehensive report to assess the damage and seek financial compensation, with the World Bank's coordination.

Zi Faámelu, a transgender woman, artist, and influencer, faced a dire situation in Ukraine amidst the Russian invasion. With martial law in place, her male passport classification put her at risk of being drafted, despite her gender identity. Transgender individuals in Ukraine, although no longer institutionalized for transitioning, still face legal and societal challenges. Faámelu, known for her appearances on Ukrainian reality shows and her Instagram presence, struggled to leave the country due to her recognizability. After failed attempts to cross the border and facing discrimination, she resorted to swimming across the Danube River to reach Romania. She was eventually taken to a refugee camp and is now safe in Germany. Faámelu's story highlights the plight of transgender individuals in conflict zones and the additional barriers they face in seeking safety.

In Kharkiv, Ukraine, near the front line, a strip club named Flash Dancers offers a respite from the war. Run by a mother, Valeriya Ksenia, a former Soviet professional dancer, and her daughter Valeriya, the club operates seven nights a week despite a strict curfew imposed by President Volodymyr Zelensky. The club, which also serves as an air-raid shelter, has lost three employees due to the war and struggles with fewer customers and higher prices. However, it remains a defiant attempt at normalcy, providing besieged clients and employees with a sense of escape through dance and performance.