Week in Photos: Diplomatic Triumphs, Olympic Glory, and Global Protests
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) - This week’s global headlines capture a diverse range of significant events: a historic prisoner swap between the United States and Russia, poignant moments of reunion and mourning in conflict zones, widespread protests, and the electrifying atmosphere of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
From the emotional embrace of a former prisoner with her family at Joint Base Andrews to the somber funeral processions in Majdal Shams and the thrilling athletic feats in Paris, these images offer a powerful glimpse into the stories shaping our world.
Diplomatic Efforts and Prisoner Swaps
Joint Base Andrews, United States:
US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris watch as former prisoner held by Russia, US-Russian journalist Alsu Kurmasheva, embraces her family upon arrival at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on August 1, 2024. Biden hailed the prisoner swap with Russia as a "feat of diplomacy" that has ended their "agony." Jailed US journalist Evan Gershkovich and a Russian intelligence colonel jailed for a Berlin murder were among two dozen prisoners freed on August 1, 2024, in the biggest East-West prisoner swap since the Cold War. In total, 10 Russians -- including two minors -- were exchanged for 16 Westerners and Russians imprisoned in Russia, said a statement released by the Turkish presidency.
Moscow, Russia:
In this pool photograph distributed by Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin welcomes Russian citizens released in a major prisoner swap with the West, at Moscow's Vnukovo airport on August 1, 2024.
Conflict and Mourning
Majdal Shams, Israel-annexed Golan Heights:
Ibrahim Ibrahim, the father of 11-year-old Guevara Ibrahim, killed in a reported strike from Lebanon which struck a playing field in the Druze village of Majdal Shams, holds his son's Brazilian football fan cushion as he stands in his bedroom on July 31, 2024.
Majdal Shams, Israel-annexed Golan Heights:
Druze elders and mourners surround the coffins of 10 of the 12 people killed in a rocket strike from Lebanon a day earlier, during a mass funeral on July 28, 2024. The Israeli military said the victims were struck by an Iranian-made rocket carrying a 50-kilogram warhead fired by the Lebanese Hezbollah group at a soccer field. Hezbollah has denied responsibility for the strike.
Majdal Shams, Israel-annexed Golan Heights:
Local residents comfort each other as they gather at a site where a reported strike from Lebanon fell on July 27, 2024. Israel's emergency medical service Magen David Adom said at least nine people were killed and 34 wounded, including 17 in critical condition.
Tehran, Iran:
The photo shows Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei (center) leading the prayer next to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian (center-right) over the coffin of late Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and his bodyguard during his funeral procession in Tehran on August 1, 2024. Ismail was in Tehran to participate in the inauguration of the newly elected president of Iran, Masoud Pezeshkian.
Valencia, Venezuela:
A relative of Victor Alfonzo Bustos, 35, mourns his death in front of his coffin during the wake at his home in Valencia, Carabobo State, Venezuela, on July 31, 2024. According to his family, Bustos died on July 30 while participating in a protest against the results of Venezuela's presidential election that was repressed by police.
Cali, Colombia:
Demonstrators take part in a protest against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's questioned victory in the Venezuelan presidential elections during a vigil on July 31, 2024. International pressure mounted on Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro to release voting records to back his contested election victory claim that has sent thousands onto the streets in protest, leaving 16 dead.
Dhaka, Bangladesh:
A Bangladesh police personnel detains a student during a rally against quotas in government jobs along a street in Dhaka on July 29, 2024. Bangladeshi students called new street protests for July 29, after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government ignored an ultimatum to release their leaders and apologize for those killed in deadly unrest.
Olympic Highlights
Paris, France:
A lightning strike is seen close to the Eiffel Tower before the men's 20km race walk of the athletics event at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Trocadero in Paris on August 1, 2024.
Nanterre, France:
An underwater view shows US' Regan Smith competing in the semifinal of the women's 200m butterfly swimming event during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Paris La Defense Arena on July 31, 2024.
Nanterre, France:
France's Leon Marchand competes in the final of the men's 200m butterfly swimming event during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Paris La Defense Arena on July 31, 2024.
Paris, France:
Croatia's Marin Rantes is seen behind spectators as he competes in the Men's Cycling BMX Freestyle Park qualification during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on July 30, 2024.
Paris, France:
Argentina's Jose Torres Gil takes part in a BMX freestyle training session during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at La Concorde in Paris on July 29, 2024.
Teahupo'o, France:
Brazil's Gabriel Medina reacts after getting a large wave in the 5th heat of the men's surfing round 3, during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Teahupo'o, on the French Polynesian Island of Tahiti, on July 29, 2024.
Paris, France:
Japan's Daiki Hashimoto competes in the parallel bars event of the artistic gymnastics men's qualification during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Bercy Arena on July 27, 2024.
Paris, France:
Spectators watch the women's pool C beach volleyball match between the USA and Czech Republic during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Eiffel Tower Stadium on July 28, 2024.
Paris, France:
People take pictures of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games cauldron attached in the Jardin des Tuileries to a balloon during sunset on July 28, 2024.
Paris, France:
Japan's Koki Kano and Hungary's Tibor Andrasfi compete in the men's epee individual semi-final bout during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Grand Palais on July 28, 2024.
Political Campaigns
Atlanta, United States:
US Vice President and 2024 Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris gestures as she speaks at a campaign event in Atlanta, Georgia, on July 30, 2024.
Human Connections Amid Conflict
Kramatorsk, Ukraine:
Mykhailo, a Ukrainian serviceman, embraces his girlfriend Viktoria who arrived on a train from Kyiv to visit him at a railway station in Kramatorsk, eastern Donetsk region, on August 1, 2024, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
