The past seven days have been captured in a series of stark and powerful images by leading photojournalists across the globe, documenting a world grappling with conflict, natural disaster, and moments of political spectacle.
Conflict and Humanitarian Crises
The ongoing wars in Ukraine and Gaza continued to dominate the visual narrative. In Ukraine, the frontline town of Kostyantynivka showed a soldier walking past utterly destroyed buildings, a testament to the intensifying Russian attacks. Kyiv is reportedly running out of money to fund its defence, though the EU has pledged to raise €90 billion to support the country through 2026 and 2027.
Further imagery from Ukraine included the damaged central market in Kramatorsk, viewed by a young boy, and the poignant sight of a Ukrainian soldier's uniform hanging in a charred wardrobe after a drone strike in the capital.
In Gaza, the humanitarian catastrophe deepened. Displaced children were photographed playing in the wreckage of a car in Gaza City's Tel al-Hawa neighbourhood. The Palestinian health ministry stated the death toll has now surpassed 70,000. Another image showed mourners at a funeral in Khan Younis for five Palestinians, including two children, killed in an Israeli strike.
A contrasting moment of fleeting normalcy came as a youth played on rubble with the 'Cold Moon', the year's last supermoon, rising over the Nuseirat camp for displaced Palestinians.
Political Manoeuvres and Immigration Crackdowns
On the political stage, former US President Donald Trump was in the spotlight, receiving the inaugural FIFA peace prize from president Gianni Infantino during the 2026 World Cup draw in Washington DC.
Meanwhile, his administration's immigration policies were in force in Louisiana. Under an operation dubbed 'Catahoula Crunch', Border Patrol agents detained dozens of people at worksites and on streets in the New Orleans area, leaving immigrant communities terrified and in hiding, according to advocates.
In diplomatic news, Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, affirming Russia's readiness for 'uninterrupted' oil shipments to India and calling their ties 'resilient to external pressure'.
Natural Disasters and Global Events
Heavy monsoon rains and tropical cyclones brought devastation to parts of Asia. In Sri Lanka and Indonesia, military personnel were deployed to help victims of severe flooding that has killed more than 1,100 people across four countries. Images from Colombo, Chennai, and Padang showed submerged villages and people wading through floodwaters. In Indonesia's Sumatra alone, the death toll rose to 708 with 504 missing.
Other global events included a deadly fire in Hong Kong's Tai Po district, where at least 159 people were confirmed dead, and officials warned against 'external forces' exploiting the tragedy.
Lighter moments were also captured: Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni laughed at a Winter Olympics event in Rome, historical reenactors marked Napoleon's retreat in the Czech Republic, and a fire-breathing performer celebrated National Clown Day in El Salvador.
These twenty frames collectively tell a story of a planet marked by profound human struggle, political tension, environmental fury, and resilient pockets of life and ceremony.
