The increasingly powerful Russian Orthodox Church has built hundreds of new churches over the past decade. But some people in Moscow are pushing back against their construction, especially in places like city parks.

The Al-Kharrat family in Syria has kept the tradition of Sema, or the dance of the whirling dervishes, alive for decades. Under the Assad regime, they faced restrictions on permits and traveling abroad to participate in international events. Now, with a new government in place, they hope to expand their programs and to teach the dance to younger Syrians.

Once dismissed as working-class “noise,” sonidero DJs are now part of Mexico City’s cultural identity — and women are helping lead the transformation.

US officials have suspended visa interviews for all international students looking to study in the United States. They say they’re revamping policies to include the vetting of applicants’ social media accounts. The US has long been the top destination for students from Latin America. Many Latin American leaders have been educated in the country. But as Michael Fox reports from Quito, Ecuador, that trajectory could suddenly shift.

More than 30,000 people in Canada have been evacuated due to wildfires, and millions of acres have burned — and it’s only the start of the fire season. John Vaillant, author of “Fire Weather: A True Story from a Hotter World,” said climate change is making conditions ideal for stronger, more frequent fires.