Douglas McAuthur McCain, an American, was killed in Syria while fighting for ISIS, as reported by the Free Syrian Army. His death was confirmed by senior administration officials and the National Security Council. McCain, originally from San Diego, California, had a history of minor criminal offenses and converted to Islam around 2004. He was remembered by friends and classmates as a cheerful person who enjoyed basketball. His social media profiles depicted his journey from an aspiring rapper to a devout Muslim with sympathies for ISIS. Concerns have been raised about Americans traveling to Syria to join extremist groups and the potential threat they pose upon returning to the U.S. The article also touches on the broader issue of foreign fighters in Syria and the impact of ISIS's propaganda, including the beheading of American journalist James Foley.

The article discusses the work of Dr. Rebecca Gomperts and her organization, Women on Web, which provides access to medical abortions through the shipment of abortion pills. Gomperts, who has a background in art and medicine, began with an 'abortion ship' to provide services in international waters to countries where abortion was illegal. With the advent of abortion pills, her strategy shifted to using an online platform to assist women worldwide. Despite legal challenges and the seizure of pills by customs in some countries, Women on Web continues to operate, offering consultations and shipping pills to those in need. The article also touches on the broader context of abortion laws in Europe, the challenges women face in accessing abortions even in countries where it is legal, and the potential implications for similar services in the United States.

The article discusses the increasing emigration of French Jews to Israel, a movement facilitated by The Jewish Agency, due to rising anti-Semitism in France. This trend has been exacerbated by recent terrorist attacks, including the siege of a kosher supermarket in Paris by Ahmed Coulibaly, which resulted in four hostages' deaths. The Jewish Agency noted a significant rise in emigration, with 7,000 French Jews moving to Israel in the previous year and expectations of further increases. The article includes statements from agency spokesman Avi Mayer and Simone Rodan-Benzaquen, director of the American Jewish Committee in Paris, highlighting the climate of fear among French Jews. Personal accounts from individuals like Menahem Bensimon, who emigrated to Israel and lost a friend in the supermarket attack, underscore the sense of insecurity driving the Jewish community's exodus from France.

Boris Rehlinger and his wife attended an Eagles of Death Metal concert at the Bataclan concert hall in Paris when it was attacked by terrorists. Rehlinger described the initial confusion, thinking the gunshots were fireworks, and the subsequent realization of the attack as he recognized the smell of gunpowder. He witnessed people being shot, heard attackers justifying their actions by referencing France's involvement in Syria, and experienced the terror of lying still among the chaos to avoid being targeted. He recalled the silence after a large detonation and the eventual rescue by French SWAT teams. Rehlinger, who managed to find his wife and friends after the attack, is still processing the traumatic event and acknowledges that the memory of the bodies will always stay with him.

The article follows the harrowing journey of Salma, a Syrian refugee, and her family as they flee the war in Syria to seek asylum in Germany. Salma, who studied English at the University of Damascus and worked at the Four Seasons, along with her husband Tarek, children, niece, mother, and best friend Nour, endure a perilous and exhausting trek. They navigate through various countries, including Turkey, Greece, Macedonia, Serbia, and Hungary, facing challenges such as crossing borders, dealing with traffickers, and surviving without basic necessities. Despite the hardships, Salma's determination is fueled by the hope of providing a better life and education for her children. The family's journey is fraught with uncertainty, but they persevere, eventually reaching Germany, where they are welcomed and begin to look forward to rebuilding their lives.

The article discusses the severe humanitarian crisis in South Sudan, where the civil war has led to widespread hunger and the threat of famine. Nyabany, a mother of five, recounts her family's struggle to survive by eating water lilies while hiding in swamps to avoid gunfire. The conflict, which has escalated since July, has displaced millions and caused the economy to plummet. The U.N. has warned of an unprecedented food security deterioration, with 4.6 million South Sudanese facing acute hunger in 2017. The World Food Program and UNICEF are working to address malnutrition, which is above emergency levels in many parts of the country. The article highlights that famine is a political crisis, exacerbated by the conflict, and not a natural phenomenon. With no political solution in sight, aid agencies fear the situation could become uncontainable.

The article reports on the dire situation in South Sudan, where a civil war has forced thousands to seek refuge in swamps and U.N. bases to escape violence. The conflict, largely along ethnic lines between the Dinka and Nuer, has seen a breakdown of a peace agreement and the appointment of Taban Deng as vice president, which has led to further fracturing of opposition forces. The government's troops have been accused of committing atrocities such as rape, pillage, and murder against civilians. Despite the U.N.'s warning of an impending genocide and the need for an arms embargo, the Security Council failed to pass such measures. The violence has escalated, particularly in the Unity state and the Equatorias region, with reports of ethnic cleansing and mass atrocities. Civilians, confused and traumatized, continue to suffer the most, with many losing their homes and loved ones to the conflict.