World Photos

In 2016, China scrapped its decades-old one-child policy - initially imposed to halt a population explosion - with a two-child limit, which failed to result in a sustained surge in births as the high cost of raising children in Chinese cities deterred many couples from starting families.

World’s richest families: These wealthiest dynasties keep getting richer despite COVID-19 pandemic

A pandemic hasn’t stopped many of the planet’s wealthiest dynasties from adding to their fortunes.

In post-pandemic Europe, migrants will face digital fortress

Greek border police are firing bursts of deafening noise from an armored truck over the frontier into Turkey. Mounted on the vehicle, the long-range acoustic device, or 'sound cannon,' is the size of a small TV set but can match the volume of a jet engine.

Last week in pictures: A look at the most striking images from around the world

From demonstrators marching across the Brooklyn Bridge as they remember George Floyd on the one-year anniversary of his death, to an Indian woman separating grain from the husk in a paddy field ​on the outskirts of Guwahati, here are some of the most compelling images from around the world.

The old and the new at rebuilt LaGuardia Airport

A multibillion-dollar makeover of New York City’s LaGuardia Airport isn’t completely wiping away the airport’s storied past. The airport is in the midst of an $8 billion modernisation effort that involves constructing 72 gates and two new main terminals to replace notoriously cramped corridors and ticketing areas. The work has been done even as flights continue to come and go. Quietly functioning on the nearly 700 acres of the evolving transport hub are some of the oldest continuously operating airport facilities in the U.S. Just west of the gleaming hull of the airport’s new Terminal B stand two American Airlines airplane hangars that date back more than 70 years, to the earliest days of civil aviation and the advent of cross-country flights.

In pics | Countries eager to reopen to travel as COVID-19 pandemic recedes

The World Travel and Tourism Council estimated that the sector lost nearly $4.5 trillion and 62 million jobs last year. Airlines alone lost $126 billion last year, and are on track to lose another $48 billion this year, according to their largest trade group. The rollout of vaccines against COVID-19 is giving government officials in many countries new confidence to welcome visitors. But time is critical.

George Floyd’s death anniversary: Moment of silence marks one year since African American man was killed by Minneapolis police

Scores of people gathered at the George Floyd Square in Minneapolis to commemorate the first anniversary of Floyd's death.

Explained: What is a volcano? How does it erupt?

As Congo’s Mount Nyiragongo erupts after almost two decades. Here's an explainer on volcano eruptions.

Bob Dylan Turns 80: From breaking into the music scene to winning the Nobel, a look back at music icon’s journey

Bob Dylan, the living icon celebrates a milestone birthday on May 24 as he turns 80. Known as a master of folk music, Dylan has embraced every form of popular music.

To prevent future pandemics, countries are investing in biosafety labs

As the world grapples with the coronavirus, more and more countries are investing in biosafety labs (to study contagious materials safely and effectively) to prevent future pandemics.

Gaza fishermen take to water again after ceasefire

Israeli security forces prevented fishermen from sailing during the conflict but they began allowing a limited number of ships to set out beginning May 22 as Egyptian mediators worked to firm up a ceasefire that took effect a day earlier.

In pics | Brood X cicadas emerge after living underground for 17 years

The bugs will be gone by around July 4 after the females lay eggs in tree branches. The eggs will hatch in July and August, the baby bugs will tumble to ground, burrow below the soil, feed off tree roots and stay hidden until 2038.

Cricket bat shortage: Brazilians start manufacturing their own as sport gains popularity

The popularity of cricket is growing rapidly in Brazil, especially among women. The country's women teams have won four of the last five South American championships.

In pics | Art Basel Hong Kong returns after pandemic hiatus

Art Basel, one of the world's most prestigious modern and contemporary art exhibitions, is returning to Hong Kong in its ninth edition. The prestige art fair is hosting 104 galleries from 23 countries and territories.

Last week in pictures: A look at the most striking images from around the world

From Palestinians clashing with Israeli forces in West Bank, to Spanish civil guard waiting for migrants to arrive near the Morocco-Spain border and lava flowing from a volcanic eruption in Iceland, here are some of last week's most compelling images from around the world.

In Pics | Cricket gear donation brings joy to migrants stuck in Bosnia

The opportunity for relaxation and fun at the Blazuj camp in Bosnia's capital, Sarajevo, was made possible by a Rome-based humanitarian group which brought in donated cricket gear for refugees and migrants in the Balkan country.

In Pictures: Eurovision delivers decades of songs, spectacle

A few international stars have emerged from Eurovision's sequined ranks, including Swedish pop titans ABBA — victors in 1974 with "Waterloo" — and Canadian chanteuse Celine Dion, who won the 1988 contest for Switzerland.

In pics | A return to the 'joie de vivre' in France

As part of the plan’s first stage, France’s 7 p.m. nightly curfew was pushed back to 9 p.m. and museums, theaters and cinemas reopened, along with cafe terraces.

Israel vs Palestine: Take a look at the history of the conflict

A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, the Islamist movement which controls the Gaza Strip, came into force early Friday after 11 days of deadly fighting that pounded the Palestinian enclave and forced countless Israelis to seek shelter from rockets.

Explained | What is Israel’s Iron Dome Defence System, how does it work?

The Israeli Defence Forces continue to rely on the so-called Iron Dome to intercept and neutralise the rockets fired by militant groups, including Hamas. The Iron Dome got operational in 2011 and intercepted a rocket launched from Gaza for the first time on April 7, 2011.

Taiwan emerges as the happiest place to work as per expats, here are the top ten countries who made the list

As per data collected Internations, a global expat community for its Expat Insider Survey, Taiwan has emerged as reported being the happiest across a broad range of factors including quality of life, career prospects, ease of settling in and satisfaction with life abroad in general. Here are the top ten countries based on more than 12,000 responses as per a report by CNBC.

Explained | What are coronavirus tests used for early identification of severe forms of COVID-19?

Your guide to COVID-19 tests being used for early identification of severe forms of the disease.

Rebuilding the fire-damaged Notre-Dame Cathedral

Rebuilding the fire-damaged Notre-Dame Cathedral.

In Charts | Cyclone Tauktae: Changing trend in cyclone frequency, intensity in Arabian Sea

Cyclone Tauktae: Cyclone Tauktae is the fourth cyclone in consecutive years to develop in cyclone shy Arabian Sea. A look at the changing trend in cyclone frequency and intensity in the region.

In pics | New Dutch exhibition takes unflinching look at slavery

The stark contrast between finery and brutality, wealth and inhumanity is a recurring pattern at the museum’s unflinching exhibition titled, simply, “Slavery,” that examines the history of Dutch involvement in the international slave trade.

Mars missions 2021 | All about the three missions and how different they are from each other

China landed Tianwen-1 spacecraft on Mars on May 15, becoming the third country to perform successful landing on the red planet after U.S. and the Soviet Union. The three Mars missions in 2021 and how they are different from each other.

COVID-19 | Free at last to hug and party: UK reopens for business

Most of the British will be free once again to hug, albeit cautiously, drink in their pub, sit down to an indoor meal or visit the cinema after a series of lockdowns that imposed the strictest restrictions in peacetime history.

Miss Universe 2021: Do you see a potential winner among these contestants?

Women representing 74 countries are preparing to compete for the title of Miss Universe 2021. The 69th Miss Universe competition will take place at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood in Hollywood, Florida.

In Pics | Israel-Palestine conflict: Fear, grief grip Gaza anew amid familiar glare

To the outside world, the scenes of rocket fire, bombing raids and angry protests in the Middle East this week may have looked familiar. To the people of Israel and especially the Gaza Strip, they were anything but routine.

COVID-19 | Masks off, Poles cheer reopening of bars and restaurants

Poles pulled off their masks, hugged their friends and made toasts to their regained freedom as restaurants, bars and pubs reopened for the first time in seven months and the government dropped a requirement for people to cover their faces outdoors.

Check pics: Huge Titanic replica to open as Chinese tourist destination

The Titanic is being brought back from the deep, more than a century after its ill-fated maiden voyage, at a landlocked Chinese theme park where tourists can soon splash out for a night on a full-scale replica.

Icelandic volcanic eruption a 'wonder of nature'

With international travel slowly opening up, more and more people will be able to make the same journey to marvel at the volcanic show.

Israel-Palestine Conflict In Pictures | Media offices bombed in Gaza; protests continue in US, Canada & France

Israel slammed the Gaza Strip with airstrikes, in a dramatic escalation that included bombing the home of a senior Hamas leader, killing a family of 10 in a refugee camp — most of them children — and pulverizing a high-rise that housed The Associated Press and other media.

Mars Expedition | China lands Tianwen-1 spacecraft on the Red Planet

An uncrewed Chinese spacecraft successfully landed on the surface of Mars on May 15, making China only the second space-faring nation after the United States to land on the Red Planet.

This Week In Pictures: Stunning images from around the world

From a Muslim boy standing beside his father performing an Eid al-Fitr prayer along with others in Pakistan, to a Palestinian mother mourning over her son, who was killed in clashes with Israeli forces, during his funeral in the West Bank, and young migrants holding hands as they run at an intake area upon crossing the U.S.-Mexico border in Texas, this photo gallery highlights some of the most compelling images.

'Amazon Venice' scrambles to stay above floods

The rivers have been swelling for weeks in Brazil’s Amazon region, and residents in a town that bills itself as ‘The Venice of Amazonas’ traded motorcycles for canoes and are clambering atop fresh-laid planks inside their homes to stay dry.

A look at world’s most vulnerable cities and the threats they face

Of the 100 cities worldwide most vulnerable to environmental hazards all but one are in Asia, according to a risk assessment report.

In pics | Deadly conflict intensifies with rockets in Gaza Strip

Israel bombarded Gaza with artillery and air strikes on Friday following a new barrage of rocket fire from the Hamas-run enclave, intensifying a conflict that has now claimed 127 lives. The bombardment saw huge fireballs turn the night sky orange as explosions rocked the ground. Several homes in densely populated Gaza were destroyed or heavily damaged, AFP correspondents reported while rockets tore through the skies towards Israel.

Eid al-Fitr 2021 | Ramadan demonstrates Muslim courage and faith

The world spun madly on as followers of its second-largest religion practiced the traditions of Islam's holiest month, at times under circumstances that demanded as much courage as faith.

Eid al-Fitr 2021 | A look at Eid celebration around the world amid COVID-19

Muslims celebrated Eid al-Fitr in a subdued mood for a second year as the COVID-19 pandemic again forced mosque closings and family separations on the holiday, marking the end of Ramadan.

Myanmar anti-coup protest | 100 days of force and resistance in Myanmar

In the 100 days since its takeover, the military has failed to secure its position and faces battles on more fronts, as armed ethnic minority groups seeking more autonomy join their struggle to that of the democracy activists.

Here are some SARS-CoV-2 'variants of concern' and their spread

As WHO warns that B1617, the virus variant first detected in India, could be more contagious than most, a look at some SARS-CoV-2 strains being reported in the world today.

Israel-Palestine conflict: A look at some of the most shocking images of violence and damage

Nearly hundreds of Palestinians have been wounded in what is termed as the worst unrest the region of Jerusalem has seen in hundreds of years. In the region’s most intense hostilities in years, Israel carried out hundreds of airstrikes in Gaza on May 12 and Palestinian militants fired multiple rocket barrages at Tel Aviv and the southern city of Beersheba. Here are some of the shocking images of violence and damage in Gaza and Israel

This is how sodium is connected to our health: busting myths and addressing facts regarding salt intake

WHO recently has released a set of new benchmarks for sodium level across many food categories. Here is how sodium’ is connected to our health.

Argentine clinics struggle financially amid COVID-19 crisis

As COVID-19 deaths climb to new peaks in Argentina, the intensive care unit at the San Andres clinic in the capital is oddly silent.

Saving Malaysia's bees, one nest at a time

In Malaysia, green activists founded the "My Bee Savior Association" to help stem the decline. When the group is tipped off about nests in areas such as under roofs and near trees, their volunteers try to carefully remove the bees and take them to new sites.

In Pics | Two Tokyo Olympics: Inside and outside the National Stadium

Despite public opposition, all signs point to the Olympics opening on July 23. Japan has officially spent $15.4 billion on the Olympics — some estimates suggest twice that — and the International Olympic Committee relies on billions in television broadcast income that has been stalled by the pandemic.

COVID-19 | Hoping to lure back tourists, Greece reopens beaches despite second wave of pandemic

Greece fared well in keeping the first wave of the pandemic under control last year but a resurgence in cases pushed health services to the limit and prompted authorities to impose a second lockdown in November.

Here are some odd and unusual images from around the world

From the world's largest plane's second test flight to drones forming a logo of the UEFA Euro Cup, take a look at some quirky images from around the world.

In Pics | Tesla CEO and SpaceX founder Elon Musk hosts 'Saturday Night Live'

Elon Musk opened his monologue at 'SNL' by mocking his monotonal speaking style, saying no one can tell when he's joking.