Rows of people kneeling in prayer

Tens of thousands attend Friday prayers at Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem

On April 5, the final Friday in the Islamic holy month of Ramadan this year — a special time for Muslims worldwide — more than 3,500 Israeli police were deployed at the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. Here, an estimated 57,000 Muslims attended Friday prayers. 

Tens of thousands attend Friday prayers at Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem
man in front of bookcase

Sharing the national burden in Israel

Sharing the national burden in Israel
Riot police check spectators' bags as they guard an area at the Oktyabrsky Concert Hall prior to the concert of the rock group Picnic and the symphony orchestra Tavrichesky, in St. Petersburg, Russia, March 27, 2024.

Central Asians in Russia face increased scrutiny, discrimination after mass shooting 

Central Asians in Russia face increased scrutiny, discrimination after mass shooting 
Man taking photo of self in mirror with a desert background

Out of Eden Walk: Cyprus

Out of Eden Walk: Cyprus
The sun rises over a Mosque on the Persian Gulf in Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia, Sept. 9, 1990.

Saudi Arabia's conservative clerics have a new relationship with the government under Mohammed bin Salman

Saudi Arabia's conservative clerics have a new relationship with the government under Mohammed bin Salman
Screenshot of a video of Sudanese male singers.

Sudan Tapes Archive preserves music across decades and continents

Sudanese American Haneen Sidahmed is digitizing cassettes tapes of classic Sudanese songs dating back to the 1960s. In the process, she's created a music archive called Sudan Tapes Archive. Reporter Hana Baba, of station KALW and the podcast, "The Stoop," talked to Sidahmed about how her work has taken on new urgency amid war in Sudan.

Sudan Tapes Archive preserves music across decades and continents
People inspect the site where World Central Kitchen workers were killed in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, April 2, 2024.

Aid worker says they can’t operate after 7 World Center Kitchen staffers are killed in Israeli strike

An Israeli airstrike in Gaza killed seven aid workers from the relief group World Central Kitchen (WCK) overnight. Among the dead were three British nationals, an Australian, a Polish national, an American Canadian dual citizen and a Palestinian. The World's host Carolyn Beeler speaks to Sean Carroll, the CEO of ANERA, which works closely with WCK, about the incident.

Aid worker says they can’t operate after 7 World Center Kitchen staffers are killed in Israeli strike
Screenshot from Rapémathematiques

What rhymes with isosceles triangle? This French math teacher has the answer.

Antoine Carrier, a middle school teacher in Bordeaux, southwest France, stays up late many nights, pen in hand, crafting math rhymes. Online, tens of thousands of kids know him as A’Rieka, the rapping math teacher. 

What rhymes with isosceles triangle? This French math teacher has the answer.
A convoy of Brazilian army troops, tanks and other vehicles pauses on the way to Rio de Janeiro, on April 1, 1964, after conspirators in the country's military high command overthrew the government and forced Brazilian President João Goulart to flee. 

Brazil remembers the 1964 coup and victims of the dictatorship 

Brazil is remembering the 1964 coup that began on March 31 that year. The event 60 years ago sunk Brazil into a brutal 21-yearlong dictatorship that would last until 1985. Today, the country is still grappling with the meaning and memory of what happened. 

Brazil remembers the 1964 coup and victims of the dictatorship 
Israelis demonstrate outside the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, to call for new elections, Jerusalem, April 1, 2024.

Israelis set up a tent city in Jerusalem to protest Netanyahu and call for new elections

Demonstrators are calling for new elections to protest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government. They've camped out in front of the Knesset. Protests in Israel are not new, but what is new are the people who've joined ranks in this demonstration. The World's host, Marco Werman, and reporter Matthew Bell are in Jerusalem.

Israelis set up a tent city in Jerusalem to protest Netanyahu and call for new elections
Three collaged photos of international college students

International students weigh in on hurdles and successes of studying in the US

For many international students, going to college in the US is part of a lifelong dream. But it can be difficult to overcome all kinds of hurdles to doing so. Nevertheless, The World spoke to a number of students who are carving their own pathways to pursue higher education in the US. Here are a few of their stories below, in their own words.

International students weigh in on hurdles and successes of studying in the US
The back of a group of students in black gowns and graduation caps.

The World’s 2024 education special: The price of higher ed 

Higher education transformed the US into the country it is today. Its premier universities are why the US is the No. 1 choice among international students. But nowhere else is tuition as expensive, and many are in debt.

The World’s 2024 education special: The price of higher ed 
Striped red-and-white flags adorn a sacred grove in a quiet neighborhood in Ranchi in India. The ubiquitous flags are an assertion of tribal identity.

Adherents of Sarnaism try to preserve their identity and culture by pushing for more recognition of their faith in India

India is home to millions of Indigenous people consisting of hundreds of tribes. Now, the followers of Sarnaism want official recognition of their religion by the state.

Adherents of Sarnaism try to preserve their identity and culture by pushing for more recognition of their faith in India
Students in black caps and gowns holding inflatable globes in the air

High fees paid by international students help US universities balance their books

The US is the world's top destination for higher education, with more than 1 million international students generating over $40 billion each year. Their families save up for decades — with their full-fare tuition dollars going to subsidize US students. The World's Carolyn Beeler speaks to The Chronicle of Higher Education reporter Karin Fischer, who writes the weekly "Latitudes" newsletter that covers international higher education.

High fees paid by international students help US universities balance their books
Two girls in casual attire at home

How a US education is already paying off for some

International students don't qualify for federal financial aid, and they pay much higher fees at state schools. However, for a group of young Indian science and engineering students getting their master’s degrees at San Jose State University, the shot at opportunities and high future earnings are worth it. KQED reporter Madi Bolaños says their cramped shared apartment has not dampened their spirits.

How a US education is already paying off for some