For more than 40 years, the Turkish government has fought the PKK in eastern Turkey, northern Iraq and Syria. Recent efforts to establish a ceasefire between the Turkish government and the PKK raise new hopes for stability in the Middle East.

Rising sea levels are a threat to coastal regions everywhere, but especially for islands. No example stands out more than the South Pacific nation of Tuvalu.

Ely is known as “the sad elephant.” She’s been depressed since she was rescued from abusive conditions at a circus years ago. Now, there are efforts underway to improve her conditions at a Mexican zoo after the country’s high court ruled in her favor.

On this day 12 years ago, Pope Francis became the first pope from Latin America. Since then, in all of his travels around the world, he has never gone back to visit his home country, Argentina. Now, Pope Francis is facing health issues and has been hospitalized since Feb. 14. His followers in Argentina are praying for his recovery — and hoping that he will finally come back on a papal visit. 

Among Japan’s famous martial arts there lies one that has remained almost unheard of in the West. Kyudo, the martial art used with a bow and arrow, dates back thousands of years and is being kept alive by its many athletes.