Topic: International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

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Japan: One year after Fukushima nuclear disaster, 4 repercussions

The March 11, 2011 Japan earthquake was one of the world's worst earthquakes. It triggered a tsunami, flooding, landslides, fires, and a meltdown at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.
In Pictures: It's Mardi Gras time all over the world!
In Pictures: Gilad Shalit released
Gilad Shalit: Why does he matter so much?

Gilad Shalit was kidnapped by Hamas fighters more than five years ago, sparking outrage across Israel. Now he's set to be freed in exchange for more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners.
In Pictures: North Dakota floods

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French journalist released by FARC says captors were respectful (+video)

Romeo Langlois, who was captured by FARC 33 days ago and released Wednesday, criticized the rebels for using his release as propaganda, but also empathized with their plight.
Peter Carl Fabergé: How Communism crushed the Faberge egg

Peter Carl Fabergé created a jeweled-egg empire, commemorated Wednesday by a Google doodle. But as the Russian Revolution toppled the Czar, it also upended the famous line of Imperial Faberge eggs.
Latin America Monitor
Colombia's FARC releases French journalist

More than a month after he was taken hostage by the FARC, French journalist Romeo Langlois was safely handed over to a humanitarian mission in Colombia today.
Two earthquakes in two weeks test Italians' morale

Workers had just returned to a biomedical factory in Medolla when the second quake hit, causing their building to collapse. Some unions have criticized what they say is a lack of safety concern.
US, 18 other nations, wrap up Eager Lion military exercise in Jordan

The sprawling Eager Lion military exercise was tied by some news outlets to the war in Syria. Though that was incorrect, the US is looking to deepen its military engagement with the region.
Northern Italy struck by another earthquake (+video)

A magnitude 5.8 earthquake struck northern Italy Tuesday, killing at least 10 people. It's the second major quake to strike northern Italy in 9 days.
Heed Balkan lessons for a fragmenting Syria and revise Kofi Annan plan

Kofi Annan's peace plan is failing to stop violence and ensure a political dialogue in Syria. To avoid a Balkans-like tragedy, an updated plan must include negotiations between Bashar al-Assad's regime and the opposition and deploy armed UN peacekeepers.
Refugees use Facebook to keep scattered families connected

Refugees use Facebook to keep scattered families connected, despite long distances and hostile borders. Among the Palestinian refugees living in camps along the Lebanon border, social media connects far-flung relatives and friends.
Terrorism & Security
US hostage Warren Weinstein makes plea to Obama in Al Qaeda video (+video)

Warren Weinstein, a long time development expert who was kidnapped in Pakistan last year, said in a video released by Al Qaeda 'my life is in your hands, Mr. President.'
Separate bomb blasts rock Nigeria's newspapers, at least six killed

While no one has taken credit for the twin blasts, the methods used in the attacks on the newspaper offices appear similar to those used by the Islamist fundamentalist group, Boko Haram.
Change Agent
Looking for a few good boomers to help others

Retiring baby boomers are proving to be valuable volunteers. 'A part of paying for our spot on earth is to help those who need help,' says one.
Gordon Brown: 'Education without Borders' is a must for kids in conflict zones

Failure to protect the right to education for children in conflict zones fuels violence by drawing children to terrorist groups. In South Sudan, girls are more likely to die in childbirth than make it through primary school. The World Bank and IMF spring meeting must address this.
Midwest tornadoes pose severe threat across hundreds of miles

Tornadoes raking communities across the Midwest and Plains left five people dead and at least 29 injured in Oklahoma as a vast severe weather front plunged eastward Sunday across the nation's midsection.
As Syria killings rise, a plea for world conscience

As a UN cease-fire effort in Syria fails with more killings – and the Syrian Army fires into Turkish territory – an end to the violence will require greater appeals to conscience. Will Russia listen?
Suicide car bombing kills 38 in Nigeria on Easter Sunday

Authorities believe the attacker was trying to detonate explosives near churches holding Easter services on Sunday.
Texas tornadoes: How much warning time was possible? (+video)

Texas tornadoes that hit the Dallas area Tuesday resulted in no fatalities, in part due to timely warnings. But a new model could improve tornado warning times dramatically.
FARC hostage release: Colombian rebels free 10 captives (+video)

Colombia's FARC rebels on Monday released four soldiers and six police officials held hostage in jungle prison camps for more than a decade.
Gaza man killed by soldiers as thousands protest Israel policy

Security forces in riot gear deployed in high numbers along the frontiers of Israel and the Palestinian territories in anticipation of a repeat of last year's violence, in which at least 38 people died near the borders with Lebanon and Syria.
Tiny Qatar's outsized role

This week, Iraq takes over the Arab League presidency from Qatar, which has ruffled feathers with its surge in leadership. A Russian official famously told Qatar, 'Go back to your size.'
Federal crews plan to contain wildfire in Colorado

Federal fire crews today expect to take control of the 7-square-mile wildfire blaze that may have claimed two lives and destroyed 28 homes in the mountains southwest of Denver.
Colorado wildfire may have started from controlled burn

There had been a controlled burn to prevent wildfires near the area where the 7-square-mile fire started.
As Syria's war rages, Assad bans military-age men from leaving

The Syrian regime issued new travel restrictions for military-aged men on Monday.
Two vetoes later, Russia says it will now back UN plan on Syria

Russia has steadfastly rejected pressure by the UN Security Council for Syrian President Assad to step aside. It says it will now support a UN resolution supporting a cease-fire, Red Cross access.
Difference Maker
Dina Fesler opens a unique school in Afghanistan

Dina Fesler went to Afghanistan to learn how to teach U.S. students about the country. Now she's opened a school there.
At least 125 homes hammered by tornadoes in Michigan (+video)

Thursday night, Dexter, Mich. was hit by a tornado that left a 10-mile path of destruction. Two other tornadoes were reported in Michigan.