Members of community group Parents 4 Teachers display pro-teacher posters outside City Hall Friday in Chicago. The Chicago Teachers Union has threatened to strike Monday if negotiations fail. Sitthixay Ditthavong/AP hide caption

From left, Linda Ausen, Marvin Jansma, Diane Sandberg and David Griffith volunteer during bingo night in July at the VFW post in Rosemount, Minn. Jennifer Simonson/MPR hide caption

Singer-songwriter Maryanne Sokol left Houston for New York two years ago, hoping for greater exposure but aware of the increased competition. "I felt like I was going to be like a little piece of algae in a huge ocean," she says. Jonathan Sokol/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

Richard Tisei is running for U.S. House in Massachusetts, where he could be the first Republican in that seat in 15 years. Josh Reynolds/AP hide caption

The eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo has been ravaged by rebel groups for years. A new faction, the March 23 Movement, or M23, already controls a large area, and there are fears this could ignite another war. Here M23 fighters go out on a patrol. Mackenzie Knowles-Coursin for NPR hide caption

Though not the capital, Istanbul is the cultural, economic and financial heart of Turkey. Situated on the Bosporus strait, this metropolis spans Europe and Asia — and has a storied history as a gathering place for spies. Dan Kitwood/Getty Images hide caption

"My first memories are listening to music and feeling my body tingle," says Philip Rosheger, a classical guitarist who performs outdoors in Berkeley, Calif. Thom Brekke hide caption

Knitting Is for Pus**** is a work by crochet sculptor Olek. He has created an entire apartment blanketed in brightly colored, crocheted camouflage. Olek/Courtesy Jonathan LeVine Gallery, New York, N.Y. hide caption

The Raveonettes is the Danish-born duo of Sune Rose Wagner and Sharin Foo. The band's new album is titled Observator. Courtesy of the artist hide caption