About half a million Syrians living in Turkey have returned to Syria — just one in five. Although aid groups estimate many more will follow, it's a difficult decision, and many are wary of Syria's new leader and struggling economy. Also, a stretched polar vortex is bringing severe winter storm conditions to half the continental US, and is causing temperatures to plummet across even more of the northern hemisphere. And, Guinea-Bissau's minister of health announced Thursday that the country was halting a controversial Danish-led, US-funded trial of a hepatitis B vaccine. Plus, a groundbreaking Australian play has come to New York for a few weeks. It's called "The Visitors," and it tells an important piece of Australian history from an Aboriginal perspective.

In Iran, some families are still searching morgues for their loved ones. Among those who have found them, some say they have been intimidated and threatened by security forces for holding funerals. Also, Bobi Wine, the leading opposition figure in Uganda’s presidential elections, speaks to The World’s Marco Werman from hiding, one week after Uganda’s longtime president, Yoweri Museveni, was declared the winner of a disputed election. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was in Davos, Switzerland, on Thursday to appeal for support. Plus, National Geographic Explorer Paul Salopek shares some sticky situations he’s encountered on the Eden Walk.

The US immigration system sees one of the most radical policy shifts during US President Donald Trump's second term. Also, testimonies from Iranians fleeing into Turkey amid a crackdown on protests. And, Guatemala declares a state of emergency following coordinated attacks by gangs. Plus, a listen to Taiwan’s Indigenous Bunun music inspired by natural sounds.