A World in Motion: Stories Captured Through the Lens This Week

Nov. 29, 2024

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) - From the gilded halls of Erbil, where Britain’s Home Secretary Yvette Cooper solidified international cooperation with the Kurdistan Region, to the bustling streets of Tokyo adorned in autumn hues, this week’s photo report offers a vivid tapestry of global moments.

These images span the resilience of children in smog-choked New Delhi, the fiery aftermath of an airstrike in Beirut, and the poignant joy of Notre-Dame de Paris preparing to reopen after years of meticulous restoration.

Whether documenting the chaos of Manila’s slums ablaze, the quiet determination of saffron farmers in Syria, or the unyielding protests for justice and freedom in cities across the globe, each frame is a testament to the complex, interconnected narratives shaping our world.

Erbil, Kurdistan Region - Britain’s Home Secretary Yvette Cooper (L) shake hands with President of Kurdistan Region Nechirvan Barzani (R) during a visit at the Kurdish Region Presidency, in Erbil, on November 27, 2024. Britain's Home Secretary Yvette Cooper visited Bagdad and Erbil during an official three-day visit to Iraq, during which a Joint Statement between Iraq and Britain was signed to tackle people smuggling and organised crime networks operating across the region and in Europe. Further cooperation was agreed on tackling drug flows, modern slavery and continuing counter terrorism work. 

Tokyo, Japan - This picture taken on November 22, 2024 shows people along a steet in Tokyo. 

New Delhi, India - Harshita Gautam attends an online class on a mobile phone in her shanty in New Delhi on November 22, 2024. Confined to her family's ramshackle shanty by the toxic smog choking India's capital, Harshita Gautam strained to hear her teacher's instructions over a cheap mobile phone borrowed from her mother. The nine-year-old is among nearly two million students in and around New Delhi told to stay home after authorities once again ordered schools to shut because of worsening air pollution. 

Hong Kong, China - A busy street is reflected in an advertising screen in Hong Kong on November 22, 2024. 

Paris, France - This aerial picture, taken on November 22, 2024 shows Notre-Dame-de Paris cathedral a few days before its reopening. The Notre-Dame Cathedral is set to re-open early December 2024, with a planned weekend of ceremonies on December 7 and 8, 2024, five years after the 2019 fire which ravaged the world heritage landmark and toppled its spire. Some 250 companies and hundreds of experts were mobilised for the five-year restoration costing hundreds of millions of euros. 

Beirut, Lebanon - People walk between burned buildings at the site of an Israeli airstrike the previous night in Beirut's southern Rweiss neighbourhood on November 22, 2024, amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hezbollah. 

Beirut, Lebanon - An Israeli missile is pictured before hitting a building in Beirut's southern Shiyah neighbourhood on November 22, 2024, amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hezbollah. 

Toulouse, France - A pedestrian walks past a fresco called "La melodie des contrastes" (The melody of contrasts), painted by Remy Tournier, which represents a bust of Jean Jaures, in Toulouse, southwestern France, on November 22, 2024. On November 23, 2024, France will celebrate the centenary of the pantheonisation of Jean Jaures, an emblematic figure of French politics, Jean Jaures remains a powerful symbol of social justice and peace. 

Undefined - This undated handout image obtained on November 22, 2024, courstesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases shows three influenza A (H5N1/bird flu) virus particles (rod-shaped). Note: Layout incorporates two CDC transmission electron micrographs that have been inverted, repositioned, and colorized by NIAID. A child in California has become the first in the United States to test positive for bird flu infection, authorities announced on November 22, 2024, as health officials reached out to potentially exposed contacts at their daycare. 

Windsor, United States - An aerial view shows a van stuck on a flooded road in Windsor, California on November 22, 2024. A bomb cyclone has been wreaking havoc on the west coast bringing flooding and winds throughout the region. 

Saint-Denis, France - France's lock Thibaud Flament is tackled during the Autumn Nations Series international rugby union test match between France and Argentina at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, on November 22, 2024. 

Prayagraj, India - Sadhus or Hindu holy men arrive to raise Dharam Dhwaja (religious flag) ahead of the Maha Kumbh Mela festival in Prayagraj on November 23, 2024.

Kyiv, Ukraine - Civilians wearing military uniforms take part in a military training organized by Ukrainian soldiers of The Third Separate Assault Brigade in Kyiv, on November 23, 2024, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. 

Binnish, Syria - Farmers pick the stigmas from saffron flowers in a field in Binnish in Syria's northwestern Idlib province on November 23, 2024. 

Tel Aviv, Israel - Demonstrators stage a die-in during an anti-government protest demanding action for the release of Israelis held hostage by Palestinian militants in Gaza since the October 2023 attacks, in front of the Defence Ministry in Tel Aviv on November 23, 2024, amid the ongoing war between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas militant group. 

Manila, Philippines - A Philippine Air Foce helicopter drops water over houses on fire at Tondo in Manila on November 24, 2024. Raging orange flames and thick black smoke billowed into the sky, as fire ripped through hundreds of houses in a closely built slum area of the Philippine capital Manila. 

Panama City, Panama - People walk during the sunset at Plaza Francia in the Old Town of Panama City on November 23, 2024. 

Asuncion, Paraguay - Racing's players lift the trophy after after winning the Copa Sudamericana final football match between Argentina's Racing and Brazil's Cruzeiro at La Nueva Olla Stadium in Asuncion on November 23, 2024. 

Bureij, Palestinian Territories - Palestinian boys share a plate of food in their displacement tent at the Bureij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip on November 24, 2024, amid the ongoing war between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas militant group. 

Vang Vieng, Laos - Tourists look at the surroundings from Namxay Viewpoint in Vang Vieng on November 24, 2024. The Laos government said on November 23 it was "profoundly saddened" by the deaths of foreign tourists in Vang Vieng, with the toll from a suspected methanol poisoning incident now at six. Six tourists died of suspected methanol poisoning after a night out in the Laos backpacker hotspot of Vang Vieng last week. 

Chongqing, China - Japan's Rion Sumiyoshi performs in the gala exhibition during the ISU figure skating Grand Prix Cup of China 2024 in Chongqing, Southwestern China on November 24, 2024. 

Bucharest, Romania - A woman leaves the polling booth prior to vote for the presidential elections at a polling station in Bucharest on November 24, 2024. Romanians vote on November 24, 2024 in the first round of the presidential elections. The Social Democratic Prime Minister (PSD), Marcel Ciolacu, 56, remains the favorite with some 25% of voting intentions. 

Busan, South Korea - An aerial photo shows environmental activists gathering in the shape of letters that collectively read ‘End Plastic’, ahead of the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) in Busan on November 24, 2024, scheduled to run from November 25 to December 1. 

Montevideo, Uruguay - Uruguay's former President (2010-2015) Jose Mujica waits to cast his vote during the presidential runoff election in Montevideo on November 24, 2024. Uruguayans go to the polls Sunday, with former history teacher Yamandu Orsi of the leftist Frente Amplio (Broad Front) and ex-veterinarian Alvaro Delgado of the National Party, a member of outgoing President Luis Lacalle Pou's center-right Republican Coalition, going head-to-head. 

Windhoek, Namibia - The South West Africa People's Organisation (SWAPO) presidential candidate Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah attends a campaign rally in Windhoek on November 24, 2024, ahead of Namibia's general election due on November 27 to elect a new president and members of the National Assembly. 

Vilnius, Lithuania - This photograph taken on November 25, 2024 shows burning goods following the crash of a cargo plane near the Vilnius International Airport in Vilnius. A cargo plane flying from Germany to Lithuania crashed early on November 25, 2024 near the airport of the capital Vilnius killing one person, firefighters said. 

Paris, France - A staff member holds a drawing made by the French writer Paul Verlaine representing the French poet Arthur Rimbaud before an auction by Tessier & Sarrou at the Hotel Drouot, in Paris on November 25, 2024. Estimated at €100,000 - 200,000, it will be auctioned on December 2, 2024. 

Washington, United States - Peach and Blossom, the National Thanksgiving Turkeys, are seen on the South Lawn of the White House before recieving a Presidential Pardon from US President Joe Biden in Washington, DC, on November 25, 2024. The sparing of the wattle adorned gobbling poultry became tradition in 1989 when US President George HW Bush said, "But let me assure you, and this fine tom turkey, that he will not end up on anyone's dinner table, not this guy -- he's granted a Presidential pardon as of right now” and every US President since then has continued the act of mercy. 

Guatemala City, Guatemala - Indigenous women take part in a demonstration to demand justice for the victims of femicide in Guatemala City on November 25, 2024, within the commemoration of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. 

Avignon, France - Gisele Pelicot leaves the Avignon courthouse after attending the trial of her former partner Dominique Pelicot accused of drugging her for nearly ten years and inviting strangers to rape her at their home in Mazan, a small town in the south of France, in Avignon, southern France, on November 25, 2024. French prosectors said on November 25, 2024, they were seeking the maximum 20-year jail term for the man charged with enlisting dozens of strangers to rape his heavily-sedated wife, in a trial that has shaken France.

Bogotá, Colombia - A demonstrator participates in a march to commemorate the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women in Bogota on November 25, 2024. 

Sydney, Australia - This aerial view taken on November 26, 2024 shows a single property on a large piece of land amid a densely developed area with many homes in Sydney. 

Deir el-Balah, Palestinian Territories - Displaced Palestinian children wait in line to receive food at a distribution centre in Deir el-Balah in the central Gaza Strip on November 26, 2024, amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. 

Athens, Greece - Protestors and members of the Greek Labour Union PAME take part in a demonstration against NATO Secretary General's visit in Athens on November 26, 2024. Greek Prime Minister and NATO's Secretary General are set to meet on November 26, 2024. 

Baghdad, Iraq - A member of one the Iraqi troops speaks on the phone as she reviews the guard of honour in preparation for the arrival Britain's Home Secretary Yvette Cooper and Iraq's Minister of Interior Abdul Amir Al-Shimmari, at the Ministry of Interior of Iraq, in Baghdad, on November 26, 2024. Britain's Home Secretary Yvette Cooper visited Bagdad and Erbil during an official three-day visit to Iraq, during which a Joint Statement between Iraq and Britain was signed to tackle people smuggling and organised crime networks operating across the region and in Europe. Further cooperation was agreed on tackling drug flows, modern slavery and continuing counter terrorism work. 

Seoul, South Korea - Visitors wearing traditional hanbok dresses are seen on the grounds of Gyeongbokgung Palace amid heavy snowfall in central Seoul on November 27, 2024. South Korea's capital was blanketed on November 27 by the heaviest November snowfall since records began over a century ago, the weather agency said. 

Hanoi, Vietnam - A farm worker tends to flowers in a field in Hanoi on November 27, 2024. 

Paris, France - Former mayor of Paris' 10th arrondissement and French Socialist Party (PS) Senator Remi Feraud poses with a statue replica of Eiffel Tower during a photo session in Paris on November 27, 2024. Rémi Féraud is running for mayor of Paris in the 2026 municipal elections. 

Tokyo, Japan - People take pictures with ginkgo leaves in autumn colours at the Meiji Shrine Outer Garden in Tokyo on November 28, 2024. 

New York, United States - The Goku, from Dragon Ball, balloon floats during the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City on November 28, 2024. 

Al Ghāţ, Saudi Arabia - A park employee walks around in the Al-Ghat National Park on November 28, 2024. Saudi Arabia will host the COP16 UN conference on land degradation and desertification next week as the top oil exporter pitches itself as an environmental defender despite criticism of its role at climate talks.