Stanford University has banned hard liquor at on-campus parties and limited bottle sizes in undergraduate housing as part of a new alcohol policy. Critics argue the policy is an inadequate response to sexual assault, particularly in light of the Brock Turner case, where the convicted former athlete blamed the university's party culture for his actions. Stanford law professor Michele Landis Dauber believes the policy is a reaction to the case, while university spokesperson Lisa Ann Lapin asserts the policy was not connected to the case and had been in development for some time.

Fatima Ibrahimi, originally from Iran and raised in Afghanistan, has faced societal and dangerous opposition to her passion for running, especially as a woman. Despite these challenges, she competed internationally for Afghanistan's national team and worked with the nonprofit Free to Run to empower young women through sports. Following the Taliban's resurgence in 2021, Fatima was evacuated and eventually settled in Thunder Bay, Canada. Free to Run continues to seek ways to operate in Afghanistan and has programs in Iraq. Fatima remains dedicated to encouraging girls to pursue their dreams and participate in sports without fear.

Amy Rusiecki, a trail runner and race director, has been instrumental in promoting adaptive athletics in the trail running and ultrarunning community. She has directed the Vermont 100 Mile, which has a history of including adaptive athletes, and has introduced specific categories for them. Rusiecki's background in engineering and her experience in various endurance sports have contributed to her success in race directing. The article also acknowledges other women race directors like Krissy Moehl, Tia Bodington, Keira Henninger, and Candice Burt, who are making significant contributions to the sport.

The 2021 Desert Solstice Track Invitational showcased exceptional performances with multiple American records broken. Nick Coury set a new men’s American 24-hour record with 173.01 miles. Camille Herron reset her women’s American 100-mile track record to 13:21:51. Pam Smith established four women’s American age group records in her 100-mile effort. The event, held in Phoenix, Arizona, featured elite runners competing in 24-hour and 100-mile races, with notable achievements including Jacob Jackson's men’s American age group record for 200 kilometers and Marisa Lizak's victory in the women's 24-hour race despite visible pain.

The 2022 Hardrock 100 ultramarathon lottery results have been announced, with 119 runners chosen from a pool of 1,916 applicants. The event will start 145 runners, including 18 international rollovers, two returning champions, and six picks by Run Director Dale Garland. The lottery adhered to a new Gender Equity Policy ensuring women's representation on the start line is proportional to their lottery application percentage. Notable entrants include defending champions Sabrina Stanley and François D’Haene, among others. Waitlists were also drawn for potential additional entrants.

Lucy Bartholomew, known for her ultrarunning achievements, is featured in the new film 'Running Out.' Despite challenges such as dehydration and getting lost, she successfully sets the women's supported fastest known time on the 223-kilometer Larapinta Trail, finishing in 2 days, 6 hours, and 23 minutes. The film captures her journey along the trail, which is typically completed over several weeks, with the support of filmmaker Bryan Hynes and photographer Josh Lynnot.

Ashley Brasovan, a competitive trail runner from the U.S., has a unique affinity for both mountains and the sea. Her background in swimming and diving in Florida sparked her interest in environmental issues, leading her to a career in environmental sustainability. Brasovan, who has competed in the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials twice, excels in sub-ultramarathon-distance mountain races, recently placing second at the 2021 Pikes Peak Ascent and the Mount Washington Road Race, and winning the 2021 Speedgoat 50k. Now residing in Golden, Colorado, she works on renewable energy and energy efficiency strategy, finding a connection between her environmental career and trail preservation. After overcoming an eating disorder and stress fractures, Brasovan has become a formidable competitor in the sub-ultra racing world. She plans to race the Moab Trail Marathon and then take a break for skiing, swimming, travel, and her upcoming wedding.

Women are increasingly becoming a significant presence in wildland firefighting, a field historically dominated by men. Initiatives like the National Interagency Prescribed Fire Training Center and the Women in Wildland Fire Bootcamp are fostering leadership and operational confidence among women firefighters. Despite facing challenges such as implicit bias and sexism, women like Hannah Gross and Shawna Legarza have made strides in the profession, with women now comprising over 10% of wildland firefighters. These efforts are not only increasing the number of women in the field but also enhancing team dynamics and broadening perspectives within fire crews.

Women are increasingly joining the ranks of wildland firefighters, a field historically dominated by men. Initiatives like the Cedar City Hotshots, National Forest Foundation, and National Interagency Prescribed Fire Training Center are supporting the growth of women in this sector. Women now make up 12 percent of wildland firefighters, up from 5 percent in the past. They face challenges such as implicit bias and sexism but are making strides in leadership positions. The presence of women is said to bring a different perspective and improve team cohesion in firefighting crews.

Mosul, Iraq, symbolizes the future of the country post-ISIS, with its reconstruction being crucial for the millions of displaced children. The city's Old City has been particularly devastated, and while physical reconstruction is underway, there are significant challenges in addressing poverty, employment, and psychosocial issues. The U.S. played a major role in the offensive against ISIS but does not plan to contribute financially to Iraq's rebuilding, focusing instead on Afghanistan. The Kuwait International Conference for the Reconstruction of Iraq estimated the cost at over $88 billion. The success of Iraq's next generation depends on the investment in their reconstruction and well-being.

The Euphrates River, once the lifeblood of Mesopotamia, is facing a severe water crisis, with NASA and the World Resources Institute predicting extreme water stress by 2040. The river's decline is linked to dam construction in Turkey and Syria, reduced rainfall, and increased water usage. This crisis has historical and current political implications, as water shortages have contributed to conflicts such as the Syrian civil war. Iraq's dependence on the Euphrates for agriculture, drinking water, and electricity is at risk, with the river's flow reduced and quality diminished. The article explores the river's significance through visits to key Iraqi locations and interviews with experts, officials, and locals, revealing the environmental, economic, and social challenges Iraq faces as the Euphrates deteriorates.

Afghan families in Germany face the threat of deportation despite the dangers they fled from in Afghanistan. Farida Ashraf and Alia Ghafoori, who escaped violence and threats, are among those seeking asylum. Germany, which initially welcomed refugees, is now considering deportations due to changing political winds and public sentiment. The German government and the EU have negotiated agreements to deport Afghan citizens, and asylum seekers must prove personal risk to obtain asylum. The situation is complicated by the varying levels of danger across Afghanistan and the political influence on asylum decisions. The fate of these families hangs on the outcome of their asylum interviews, while they struggle with the uncertainty and pressure to integrate.