Venezuela crisis: Thousands continue to flee country

As political crisis deepens, those who have left say even if president has changed, recovery is still years away.

Millions of Venezuelans have escaped the economic pain and political turmoil.

They have fled to neighbouring countries to get away from the hardship.

Al Jazeera’s Lucia Newman, reports from Cucuta on Colombia’s border with Venezuela on whether they are now looking at returning home.

Parkour offers freedom to Gaza youth

A group of young men called Parkour Gaza trains everyday on walls and buildings scarred by bullets.

Israel’s 12-year blockade of Gaza has left two million people in the enclave struggling with unemployment, power blackouts and crumbling housing.

It is a place that offers little hope to Palestinian youth.

But in the town of Khan Younis, a group of young men are now performing a sport that’s tailor-made for an urban landscape scarred by war.

Al Jazeera’s Charles Stratford reports from southern Gaza.

UN refuses to take sides in Venezuela crisis

As tensions in Venezuela grow, some analysts say the United Nations should take a stand.

Over the decades, the United Nations has tackled some of the world’s biggest humanitarian crises and many say the situation in Venezuela is no different.

Washington has called for the UN Security Council to hold a special session on Venezuela on Saturday.

But for the UN, this remains a sovereign matter and, so far, it’s not taking sides.

As more nations side with Juan Guaido, Al Jazeera’s Andy Gallacher explains the difficulties facing the UN.

Qatari financial aid distributed to thousands of families in Gaza

Post offices in Gaza are distributing financial aid donated by Qatar to 94,000 Palestinian families.

Post offices in Gaza are distributing financial aid donated by Qatar to 94,000 Palestinian families.

The money is part of an informal deal with Israel, negotiated by the UN, and that was agreed to in November.

But the agreement, and the delivery of vital humanitarian aid, have been hindered by political interference in recent weeks.

Al Jazeera’s Charles Stratford reports from Gaza.

Israel ends international observer mission in Hebron

Netanyahu’s critics say he Is getting rid of the observers to try and win votes.

International observers, who have documented division, displacement and violence in the city of Hebron in the occupied West Bank since 1997, are going home.

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has refused to extend the agreement for the monitoring mission, calling it an international force acting against Israel.

Netanyahu’s critics say he’s getting rid of the observers to try and win votes.

Al Jazeera’s Harry Fawcett reports.

US immigration courts face heavy backlog after shutdown

Backlog of more than 800,000 cases after longest government closure in history means some asylum seekers will not know their fate for years.

Immigration courts in the United States are struggling to catch up after the longest government shutdown in history.

A backlog of more than 800,000 cases means, for some asylum seekers, their fate will not be known for years.

Al Jazeera’s Rob Reynolds reports from Los Angeles, California.

Activists caution as EU ends ban on Thailand fishing industry

The third-largest exporter of seafood rejoices the end of ban as it was criticised for poor regulations and unsustainable practices.

Thailand’s fishing and seafood industry has been criticised for poor regulations, bad working conditions and unsustainable practices.

The industry rejoiced when the European Commission lifted a “yellow card” warning, which was in place since 2015, earlier this month.

However, despite corrective measures by the government, activists have expressed concern saying there’s still a lot to be done.

Al Jazeera’s Scott Heidler reports from Bangkok.

'Trump-style wall': Pakistan building wall on Afghan border

A proposed fence along one of the world’s most dangerous border areas is causing friction between two Asian neighbours.

Pakistan is building a security barrier along its north-western border with Afghanistan.

A third of the 2,600-kilometre fence has already been completed. Pakistan says it has also installed surveillance technology aimed at monitoring cross border movement and thwarting future attacks from Afghanistan.

Al Jazeera’s Hashem Ahelbarra.

Lebanon struggles to protect currency's value

Beirut takes unprecedented measures to safeguard devaluing lira that threatens to worsen country’s economic crisis.

Lebanon’s currency, the lira, is under pressure.

There are fears that without much-needed reforms, it could lose its value even more, worsening an already bad economic situation.

The Central Bank has dismissed those fears, but for the first time, it is taking measures to safeguard the lira.

Al Jazeera’s Zeina Khodr reports from Beirut.

Russia's St Petersburg marks 75 years since Nazi siege

By the time the siege on the Russian capital was broken, hunger, disease, bombs and shells had killed more than half a million civilians.

This weekend, Russia has been marking 75 years since the Nazi siege of Leningrad was broken.

For nearly 900 days, the former Russian capital was cut-off.

Hundreds of thousands of people starved to death as the German army pounded the city with artillery fire and bombing runs.

Leningrad, now known by its original name St Petersburg, has been remembering the historic tragedy.

Al Jazeera’s Rory Challands reports from St Petersburg.