Tens of thousands of religious Jews gathered in northern Israel to celebrate the annual holiday of Lag BaOmer. A stampede in a steep, tunnel-like passageway started when people slipped and fell, creating a deadly crush. And, elections in India continued this week despite the massive surge in COVID-19 cases. Also, the gun culture in both Brazil and the US is similar, but the current leaders in both nations are addressing the topic differently.

Tragedy in Israel following a stampede at a religious gathering

Host Marco Werman and his team of producers bring you the world's most interesting stories that remind us just how small our planet really is.

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In the third and final part of our reporting series from Syria, we have the story of a woman who married an American member of ISIS. She shares the story of her life under the brutal extremist group and the challenges she faces now. Also, in Barbados, there's a public outcry over a potential land deal that involves property owned by a member of the British parliament whose family got rich from the labor of enslaved people on the island.And, Toronto is seeing an epidemic of car thefts. A vehicle is being stolen about once every 40 minutes. We'll hear about how people there are trying to protect their cars.  Listen to today’s Music Heard on Air.

In Barbados, public outcry over a potential land deal

At its height, ISIS recruited and trained children to fight for its cause. Some participated in atrocities and appeared in propaganda videos. Others were brought to the so-called caliphate by their parents or they were born there. We hear about one young man from Trinidad who has been stuck there for 5 1/2 years. And, European police have busted a criminal ring that over a period of two years stole rare books by famous Russian authors from libraries across Europe. Europol says it has arrested four Georgian nationals in Georgia and Lithuania who are thought to have collaborated in the plot. Also, global average sea-surface temperatures have set records for more than a year straight. It's incredibly anomalous, and worrying for everything from marine life to hurricane season. Plus, a Venice tourist tax. Listen to today's Music Heard on Air.

The children of ISIS who remain in Syria

Thousands of people with perceived connections to ISIS remain locked away in detention camps across northeastern Syria. Some of the prisoners are children. We visited several sites in what's been called "Guantanamo on an epic scale." Plus, in Kenya, health care workers at public hospitals are on strike over insufficient pay. The strike has already had an impact, with some public hospitals no longer providing services. And, a look inside the European Union's struggle to keep economically and culturally significant plant species, like olive trees used to make olive oil in Italy, safe from imported pathogens and pests. Also, check out The World's Music Heard on Air playlist on Spotify.

In Syria, 'Guantanamo on an epic scale'

Britain’s Parliament has passed contentious legislation aimed at deterring asylum-seekers from heading to the UK. People arriving via small boats or any other “irregular means” will be deported to Rwanda where their asylum cases will be heard. Also, a new report by the Swiss investigative organization Public Eye says that several popular Nestle products sold in lower-income countries contain added sugar, often at high levels, while the same products, when sold in Switzerland, do not. And, a family in the West Bank village of Burin tells the story of their eldest son who was the victim of recent violence by the Israeli army and settlers against Palestinians. Plus, The Little Shop of Kindness, run by volunteers, offers clothes, toiletries and humanity to migrants in New York City.Music heard on air
Ta Nye
Sal Al Malecon
Flowing and Bending
Bbye

UK passes legislation aimed at deterring asylum-seekers

The head of military intelligence for Israel, Aharon Haliva, has resigned, saying his directorate failed to alert the military and nation in time to prevent Hamas's Oct. 7 attack. Also, the US House of Representatives passes another spending package worth $61 billion for Ukraine. And, a German bank has frozen the account of Judische Stimme (Jewish Voice). It comes amid a string of confrontations between the German government and Jewish artists and intellectuals who criticize the war in Gaza and Germany’s unwavering support for Israel. Plus, the Chinatown that has no Asian grocery store.Music heard on air
Makhafi 
Modul 22
Gedima
Shade 

Tragedy in Israel following a stampede at a religious gathering

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