Omar Duwaji is a producer at The World.Duwaji has reported on the 2016 US election cycle, the ongoing refugee crisis, race and segregation in Chicago, decline of coal mining in Appalachia, gentrification in San Francisco and assimilation of Syrian refugees in the US.Duwaji has worked in the field and in the studio for AJ+, AlJazeera English and BuzzFeed News.
US authorities arrest a former Syrian official in Los Angeles
Samir Ousman al-Sheikh, an ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, was arrested at the airport on his way out of the US this week. The World’s host Carolyn Beeler discussed the significance of the move with Mouaz Mustafa, who played a key role in his detention.
US urges restraint and deescalation as Israel and Iran trade attacks
Israel carried out another attack on Iran, this time on the city of Isfahan. It follows Iran’s firing of hundreds of drones and missiles at Israel for Israel’s strike on the Iranian Embassy complex in Syria. US officials have urged restraint and a deescalation of tensions. The World’s host Carol Hills speaks with Ali Vaez, the Iran project director for the International Crisis Group.
Saudi Arabia’s conservative clerics have a new relationship with the government under Mohammed bin Salman
Social change in Saudi Arabia has long been deemed impossible due to the influence of the conservative clerical establishment. But as Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman supports new cultural attractions, experts are wondering whether the power of these clerics has diminished. Raihan Ismail, professor of contemporary Islamic studies at Oxford University, spoke to The World’s host Carolyn Beeler about what role the clerics play in Saudi society today.
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.
‘Everyone is worried about starvation’: Aid worker discusses dire situation in Gaza
The UN says it’s no longer able to run humanitarian aid operations in the Gaza Strip. In recent days, the number of relief trucks getting into the territory has dwindled. The World’s host Carolyn Beeler spoke to Shaina Low of the Norwegian Refugee Council in Jerusalem, who says the situation in northern Gaza is especially bad.
Renowned conductor Seiji Ozawa is remembered as ‘graceful,’ ‘supernaturally’ gifted
Seiji Ozawa, who led the Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO) for nearly three decades, died this week in his home country of Japan. The World speaks to Brian McCreath, who broadcasts the Boston Symphony Orchestra on WCRB in Boston, about Ozawa’s life and legacy.