Australia’s prime minister insists his country will not accept women and children from a camp housing people with alleged ties to Islamic State, after Syrian officials attempted to repatriate them.

On Monday, 34 women and children from 11 families were supposed to make their way from Al Roj camp to the Syrian capital, Damascus, and then fly to Australia.

But they were returned to the camp after Syrian officials said the procedures for their departure were not complete, and they would not be able to travel.

When asked about the attempt to repatriate them, Australian ‌Prime Minister Anthony Albanese ‌told ABC News, “we won’t repatriate them”.

He added: “My mother would have said, ‘if you make your bed, you lie in it’. These are people who went overseas supporting Islamic State and went there to provide support for people who basically want a caliphate.

“We have a very firm view that we won’t be providing assistance or repatriation.”

Arguably, the most well-known resident of Al Roj camp, also known as Roj camp, is Shamima Begum. She was 15 when she and two other girls fled London in 2015 to marry IS fighters in Syria.

Begum married a Dutch man fighting for IS and had three children, who all died. She has lost an appeal against the British government’s decision to revoke her UK citizenship.

In November, a counterterrorism review called for Begum and other British-linked people in Syria to be repatriated, calling the UK an “outlier” in its policy towards such citizens

Hakmiyeh Ibrahim, the camp’s director, said Monday’s planned repatriations were organised by family members of the returnees and not directly with Australian authorities.

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Al Roj camp houses about 2,200 people from around 50 nationalities, mostly women and children, who have supposed links to the extremist group.

Most in the camp are not technically prisoners and have not been accused of a crime, but they have, in effect, been detained in the heavily guarded camp, controlled by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces.

During an interview with ABC News, Mr Albanese ‌hinted at potential consequences if people returned: “We want to make it clear… to the people involved that, if there are any breaches of the law, then they will face the full force of the Australian law.”

The fate of the Al Roj camp and the similar but larger Al Hol camp has been a matter of debate for years.

Human rights groups have cited poor living conditions and pervasive violence in the camps, but many countries have been reluctant to take back their citizens who are detained there.

Mr Ibrahim, the camp director, said 16 families were repatriated last year, including German, British and French nationals. In 2022, three Australian families were repatriated.

Queen’s University also paid tribute to the student, describing her as “bright, compassionate, and deeply committed to fulfilling her passion for nursing”.

Funeral details have been confirmed for a young student nurse who tragically died following a weekend crash between a car and bus in Co Antrim.

Claudia Jaczyk, 23 and from Newtownabbey, died on Saturday morning after the black Citroen C1 car she was driving collided with a bus on the Ballyrobin Road in Templepatrick.

The crash happened at around 8am on Valentine’s Day close to Belfast International Airport. The driver of the bus suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries, police said.

READ MORE: Claudia Jaczyk: Community ‘shocked and saddened’ by tragic crash death of student nurseREAD MORE: Claudia Jaczyk: Police name 23-year-old killed in crash between car and bus

A former pupil at Glengormley Integrated Primary School and Ballyclare Secondary School, Ms Jaczyk had recently started nursing studies at Queen’s University.

Paying tribute on social media, Ballyclare Secondary School said: “Claudia was a truly lovely young person – full of life, always chatty, enthusiastic, and friendly. Her bubbly nature, sweet personality, and love of singing brought light and joy to those around her, and she will be fondly remembered by all who knew her.

“The entire Ballyclare Secondary School community wishes to express our deepest sympathy to Claudia’s family and friends at this heartbreaking time. Our thoughts are with you all.”

Queen’s University School of Nursing and Midwifery added: “Claudia was a valued member of our September ’25 Adult Nursing cohort. She was bright, compassionate, and deeply committed to fulfilling her passion for nursing.

“Her kindness and dedication left a lasting impression on staff and fellow students alike. This news has come as a tremendous shock to our community, and our heartfelt thoughts and deepest sympathies are with Claudia’s family and friends at this incredibly difficult time.

“We will remember Claudia for her warmth, her dedication to her studies and the care she brought to her chosen profession. She will be deeply missed.”

Her death notice reads: “Beloved daughter of Damian and Marzena, devoted sister of Kuba, cherished partner of David, adored granddaughter of Krzysztof and Zofia, much loved niece of Grzesiek, Piotr and Marlena, loving cousin of Alan, Oliver and Nathan. She will be sadly missed by her entire family circle and all her many friends.”

Claudia will be reposing at her own residence 37 Hollybrook Court, Newtownabbey from Tuesday, February 17. House strictly private on Tuesday. Those wishing to pay their respects are welcome on Wednesday 18 from 2pm-9pm.

A celebration of Claudia’s life will be held this Thursday, February 19 in Newtownabbey Crematorium, Doagh Road at 10am.

Meanwhile, a GoFundMe appeal set up to help Ms Jaczyk’s grieving family fly over from her native Poland to attend her funeral and with funeral costs has gathered £17,000 in donations.

Anyone who witnessed the collision, or who may have digital footage which could assist with the police investigation, is asked to contact the Collision Investigation Unit on 101, quoting reference number 341 of February 14.

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Kate Moss for Topshop. Joni jeans. The Ivy Park collection.

It’s been five years since big Topshop closed its doors, and I think I speak for all millennials when I say we never really got over it.

But finally, our prayers have been answered: Topshop is returning to the UK high-street. It might not be exactly what you had in mind though.

The flagship Oxford Street shop, which closed in 2021, remains a massive IKEA. But from today (February 17), you’ll be able to get your hands on Topshop clothes in 32 John Lewis stores across the country.

Topshop and sister brand Topman have been sorely missed on the UK high streets since former owner Arcadia collapsed into administration in 2021.
The brand was snapped up by current owner ASOS, where Topshop is sold online.

But it’s not quite the same as perusing the racks, is it?

The John Lewis launch will cover a collection of 130 of Topshop’s ‘most in-demand pieces,’ including their signature denim items. Topshop and Topman products will also be available across John Lewis’s online platforms as part of the launch.

Michelle Wilson, managing director of Topshop, said: ‘Today is about making it easier for customers to access the Topshop and Topman pieces they love.

‘From our cult denim to new‑season footwear, you can see it, feel it and take it home the same day.

‘Partnering with John Lewis brings Topshop back to high streets across the UK with the level of service our customers expect.’

But John Lewis isn’t the first…

While we’re suitably nostalgic about shopping Topshop in-store, John Lewis isn’t the first department store to sell it.

Last year, the brand returned to physical retail with a launch in Liberty, the famous department store on Regent’s Street, a mere stone’s throw from where big Topshop used to be.

The brand teased the partnership in an Instagram video, posted on August 19, which appeared to reveal the recognisable Liberty storefront.

Comments on the post quickly noticed the setting, and questioned whether Liberty would be the first to have Topshop’s AW25 collection on the rails.

The news was then later confirmed by Liberty’s group buying and merchandising director, Lydia King.

Police who discovered the bodies of Tawnia McGeehan and her daughter Addi Smith at the Rio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada on Sunday, called the case “a sad and tragic incident”

A mum shot dead her daughter and then herself in a hotel room, police say.

When Tawnia McGeehan and her daughter Addi Smith failed to turn up for a cheerleading competition on the weekend, authorities in Las Vegas, Nevada, led a search for the pair. Police found Tawnia and Addi dead in their room at the Rio Hotel and Casino in the city, and also discovered a note.

Tributes have poured in for the relatives, including from Utah Xtreme Cheer for which little Addi represented in cheerleading. A GoFundMe appeal has also been launched to help family members.

Speaking to reporters about the heartbreaking case, Police Lieutenant Robert Price, of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, said: “This is a sad and tragic incident, and our hearts go out to the family.” He added a motive for the killing is “still part of our investigation.”

According to police, officers received a request for a welfare check just before 11am on Sunday. The police press release reads: “Patrol officers along with security personnel for the property attempted to contact the two. Officers knocked on the door and called into the room several times but did not get a response. Based on the details at the time, there was no belief that either was in danger and officers cleared.”

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But hotel security received additional requests to check on the mother and daughter and later entered their room around 2.27pm, per the press release. Tawnia and Addi were found unresponsive and security called 911.

Both were suffering from apparent gunshot wounds and pronounced dead at the scene, police said. Their statement continued: “Based on the preliminary evidence at the scene, detectives were able to determine the mother shot her daughter before shooting herself.”

Writing on Facebook, Utah Xtreme Cheer said: “With the heaviest hearts, we share the devastating news that our sweet athlete Addi has passed away. We are completely heartbroken. No words do the situation justice. She was so beyond loved, and she will always be a part of the UXC family. Please keep her family in your thoughts and prayers and continue to send them love as they navigate this unimaginable loss.”

People who follow Utah Xtreme Cheer, which is in Salt Lake City, offered their thoughts to the family, who are said to be suffering “unimaginable” pain. Any money raised through the GoFundMe page will be used to pay for Tawnia and Addi’s funerals. The appeal states “a heartbreaking event has left the family in deep shock and grief, struggling to come to terms with the sudden loss of Addi in such a way.”

It was all to mark the start of the Year of the Horse on Tuesday

Nursery pupils in Belfast have been getting hands-on with Chinese language and culture as schools across Northern Ireland mark the start of the Year of the Horse today (Tuesday, 17 February).

Children from St Paul’s Primary School in west Belfast were joined by friends from Fane Street Primary School in the south of the city to explore Chinese culture through a variety of workshops and activities, including ribbon dancing, interactive Chinese storytelling sessions and painting traditional Peking opera masks.

They also enjoyed performances from visiting artists, bringing the sights, sounds, and stories of Chinese New Year to life.

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St Paul’s is a Confucius classroom partner with a long-standing focus on Mandarin education. Pupils from P1 to P7 receive weekly beginner lessons, and the school regularly hosts international days where families watch performances, songs, and artwork created by the children. The school is widely recognised for its commitment to Chinese language and culture.

As part of the celebrations, the British Council launched its Year of the Horse Education Pack. The pack, aimed at pupils aged seven to 11, provides teachers with classroom activities and lesson ideas to explore the festival and Chinese culture. Activities include tangram puzzles, creative crafts such as scroll paintings and paper hobby horses, and opportunities to learn about Chinese language and the symbolism of horses in art.

Speaking at the event, Colm McGivern, Director, British Council Northern Ireland, said: “The Chinese New Year is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate culture and creativity. The children at St Paul’s have shown tremendous enthusiasm for Mandarin and Chinese traditions, and the British Council’s new education pack gives schools across Northern Ireland ways to bring these experiences into the classroom.

“Activities like these help children connect with other cultures, spark curiosity, and make learning about language and traditions exciting and meaningful.”

The Confucius Institute at Ulster University, which organised the event, runs its Year of the Horse Roadshow each Chinese New Year, visiting schools across Northern Ireland with workshops, performances and cultural activities.

The British Council’s Year of the Horse Education Pack can be downloaded free here.

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Michigan is No. 1 in The Associated Press men’s college basketball poll for the first time in 13 years, ending Arizona’s nine-week reign.

The Wolverines (24-1) claimed 60 of 61 first-place votes in Monday’s poll to climb one spot and supplant the Wildcats, who were unbeaten entering last week before falling at Kansas and at home to Texas Tech.

“Not much,” coach Dusty May said when asked by the AP after Saturday’s rout of UCLA about the significance of potentially topping the poll. “It means we haven’t drank our own Kool-Aid. We’ve put ourselves in a position to be playing the types of games in mid-February that we want to be in, but we’ve got to continue to improve.”

Michigan had been ranked No. 2 behind Arizona for six of Arizona’s nine weeks at the top but was No. 1 in analytics rankings by KenPom, Evan Miyakawa and Bart Torvik last week.

Now the Wolverines have their first AP No. 1 ranking since January 2013.

Houston and Duke each moved up one spot to sit behind Michigan, with the second-ranked Cougars claiming the remaining first-place vote. The Wolverines and Blue Devils are set to meet this weekend in a marquee nonconference matchup in the nation’s capital.

Arizona dropped three spots to No. 4. UConn was next at No. 5, followed by Iowa State, Purdue, Kansas, Nebraska and Illinois to round out the top 10.

Rising

The seventh-ranked Boilermakers jumped six spots for the week’s biggest leap, coming after an overtime win at Nebraska and a win at Iowa. The preseason No. 1 has won four straight entering Tuesday’s visit from Michigan.

No. 13 Texas Tech rose three spots after its home win against Colorado followed by the OT win at Arizona. As did No. 21 Louisville, with freshman Mikel Brown starring with an Atlantic Coast Conference freshman-record 45 points in a win against N.C. State and 29 more in a win against Baylor.

In all, 13 teams moved up from last week.

Sliding

No. 15 Michigan State and No. 16 North Carolina had the week’s biggest tumbles of five spots. The Spartans lost at Wisconsin on Friday, while the Tar Heels lost at Miami while also learning that star freshman Caleb Wilson is out indefinitely with a fractured bone in his left hand.

Seven ranked teams fell from last week’s position.

Quick turnaround for Badgers

Wisconsin returned to the poll, going from receiving no votes last week to No. 24 after back-to-back wins against top-10 opponents Illinois and Michigan State last week.

Wisconsin previously had fallen out of the poll after a Nov. 21 loss to BYU as the Badgers struggled through a 7-4 start. Last week’s wins, along with being the only team to take down Michigan, has the Badgers alongside the Red Raiders as the only teams with victories against three top-10 teams this year.

“Early in the year we were soft mentally and physically,” coach Greg Gard said after the 92-71 win against the Spartans. “We had to mature, had to grow up collectively and individually. You’re not going to be able to compete in these types of games in the upper echelon of this league if you’re not physically and mentally tough. This group has responded.”

Comings and goings

No. 25 Alabama joined Wisconsin as the week’s new additions after the Crimson Tide pushed to a four-game winning streak.

They replaced Clemson (No. 20) and Kentucky (No. 25) in the poll.

Conference watch

The Big 12 and Big Ten dominated the top of the poll while tying with a national-best six ranked teams. Those two leagues combined to have eight spots in the top 10.

The ACC and Southeastern Conference were next with four ranked teams each. The Big East had two, while the West Coast Conference, Atlantic 10 and Mid-American Conference each had one.

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AP Sports Writers Larry Lage in Michigan and Steve Megargee in Wisconsin contributed to this report.

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Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here and here (AP mobile app). AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball

Condensation can damage your windows and furniture, and it can also cause mould which could be detrimental to your health to form.

Ben Gallizzi, energy expert at Uswitch.com , said: “Keeping your home warm can help prevent mould from building up during the coldest months of the year.

“Experts recommend that people in good health should heat their home to between 18 and 21 degrees celsius.”

This is everything you need to know about why condensation may be forming on your windows, and how you can prevent it from happening.

Why is their condensation on my windows?

Stephen Hankinson, energy efficiency expert at Electric Radiators Direct explains how condensation is caused, what the health risks are with having a very humid or ‘damp’ home, and what to do about it.

He said: “Humidity is a measurement of the water content in the air. It’s usually measured in percentages or grams per cubic metre.

null (Image: Getty Images)

“Ideally, our indoor spaces should have a humidity level of about 50%. While most of us won’t be able to measure this, there will be some clear signs if your home’s humidity is too high or low.

“If your home’s humidity is too high, you may notice condensation on your windows or mirrors. Condensation happens when there’s too much moisture in the air, and it collects as droplets on a cool surface.”

How to prevent condensation on your windows

In terms of getting your home’s humidity to the right level, there are a couple of solutions that can really make a difference.

While investing in a humidifier or dehumidifier may be the most obvious step to consider, it’s important to get to the bottom of why your home’s humidity levels are too high or low in the first place – otherwise you’re merely putting a plaster over the real issue.

Keep your rooms heated and ventilated

It’s important to keep your rooms heated to prevent condensation and high humidity, as this will keep the water in the air in vapour form by preventing it from cooling too much. It will also increase the air’s circulation, allowing it to cycle out of the room more easily.

Doing this while keeping your windows or vents open will help excess moisture to escape. Of course, keeping your windows open in winter is easier said than done.

Opening your windows for just five minutes a day could make a difference, if you can’t withstand doing it for longer.

It’s especially important to ventilate your home when you’re cooking, or drying clothes inside. Always make sure you are using your extractor fan, and place damp laundry near an open window.

Look at improving your home’s insulation

If you’re heating and ventilating your home properly already, and still experiencing things like mould, damp or dust mites, there may be other factors at play.

Insulation keeps moisture out of your home, by sealing it from the outside. It eliminates cold surfaces where condensation can form, keeping your home warmer and dryer.

If your home is poorly insulated, then too much moisture may be entering your home, and heating and ventilating may only do so much.

Install a radiant heating system

If these steps don’t remedy your home’s humidity issues, or you want to ensure your property is extra-safe from humidity-related issues, you may want to consider investing in a heating system that uses radiant heat.

As radiant heat travels through the air rather than warming it directly, it has less of an effect on room humidity as it doesn’t rely on the air to transfer warmth. This means the air is more stable, as it isn’t circulating heat around your home. This can help to gradually increase humidity and has the added benefit of not spreading as many dust particles around your home.

There are a couple of options when it comes to radiant heating systems. The first is infrared panels, which provide 100% of their warmth through radiant heat. They’re slim units that can be installed on walls or ceilings. They can either blend in, or stand out, to fit your home’s design.

The second option is electric radiators, which provide around a third of their heat through radiation. This could be a good middle ground option for those who don’t want 100% of their home’s heat to be provided through radiation.

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — About 100 U.S. troops plus equipment have arrived in Nigeria to help train soldiers in the West African country as the government fights against Islamic militants and other armed groups, the Nigerian military announced Monday.

The arrival followed a request by the Nigerian government to the U.S government for help with training, technical support and intelligence-sharing, the military said in a statement.

The deployment follows an easing of tensions that flared between the U.S. and Nigeria when U.S. President Donald Trump said the country wasn’t protecting Christians from an alleged genocide. The Nigerian government has rejected the accusation, and analysts say it simplifies a very complicated situation in which people are often targeted regardless of their faith.

Maj. Gen. Samaila Uba, spokesman for Nigeria’s Defense Headquarters, previously has said that the U.S. troops won’t engage in combat or have a direct operational role, and that Nigerian forces will have complete command authority.

In December, U.S. forces launched airstrikes on Islamic State group-affiliated militants in northwestern Nigeria. Last month, following discussions with Nigerian authorities in Abuja, the head of U.S. Africa Command confirmed a small team of U.S. military officers were in Nigeria, focused on intelligence support.

Nigeria is facing a protracted fight with dozens of local armed groups increasingly battling for turf, including Islamic sects like the homegrown Boko Haram and its breakaway faction Islamic State West Africa Province. There is also the IS-linked Lakurawa, as well as other “bandit” groups that specialize in kidnapping for ransom and illegal mining.

Recently, the crisis has worsened to include other militants from the neighboring Sahel region, including the Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin, which claimed its first attack on Nigerian soil last year. Several thousand people in Nigeria have been killed, according to data from the United Nations. Analysts say not enough is being done by the government to protect its citizens.

While Christians have been among those targeted, analysts and residents say the majority of victims of the armed groups are Muslims in Nigeria’s Muslim-dominated north, where most attacks occur.

Bill Clinton was acquainted with Epstein, who died in prison in 2019, but has denied knowledge of his sex offending at the time and says he cut off contact two decades ago. Neither Clinton has been accused of wrongdoing by survivors of Epstein’s abuse, and they have denied knowledge of his sex offending at the time.

Police are appealing for witnesses

A moped rider has died after being hit by a car. Emergency services were called to the B1102 Swaffham Road, Lode, Cambridge at about 5.20pm on Sunday (February 15).

The crash involved a white Kia Venga, a red Toyota Corolla and a black Honda moped, with the Kia colliding with the moped. The moped rider, a 20-year-old man, died at the scene.

The driver of the Kia, an 18-year-old woman, was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. She has since been bailed.

Cambridgeshire Police said: “Anyone who saw what happened, has dashcam footage of the collision, was in the area at the time or the moments leading up to it, can report it through the force website or by calling 101, quoting incident 325 of 15 February.”