Ciudad Juárez, on the U.S.-Mexico border, is one of the most dangerous places in the world for women. According to the UN, over 2,526 women have been murdered here in the past three decades. Hundreds are still missing. Amid the violence and pervasive machismo, female wrestlers known as ‘Luchadoras’ defy societal norms. For them, Lucha libre (a style of wrestling) is more than entertainment: it’s a bold stand against the violence in their city. In and outside the ring, they fight for respect, safety, and equality. Their courage inspires a new generation to challenge injustice and reclaim their place in society.
In the 2024 election year, immigration at the U.S.-Mexico border emerged as the top issue, according to a Gallup poll tracking Americans’ views on the most pressing political and economic concerns. Following President Biden’s efforts to curb illegal border crossings, immigration hit a five-year low. This story captures crucial moments of immigrants seeking a better future along the 2,000-mile stretch of the Southern U.S. border, from the Rio Grande Valley in the East to El Paso, Texas, and extending to Arizona and California in the West.
Israel’s 2024 offensive in Gaza left much of the region in ruins. The UN reports over 60% of homes destroyed and 95% of hospitals non-functional. Nearly two million people have been displaced, facing severe shortages of food, water, and medicine. Local photographers risk their lives to document the war. Ali Jadallah, who has lost family members, reflects: ‘Every time I photograph a destroyed house, I think of my own. Every time the wounded are pulled from the rubble, I remember my father and siblings.’
Black rhinos once thrived across Kenya, but poaching in the '70s and '80s drove them to near extinction. Over the past 30 years, government efforts have reversed this trend. In 2024, 21 critically endangered black rhinos were moved to Loisaba Conservancy due to overcrowding at other sanctuaries. This marked their return to their historic habitat for the first time in 50 years. No rhinos have been poached in Kenya for years, thanks to a strategy that safeguards both people and wildlife.
On July 13, 2024, Donald Trump, then the presumptive nominee of the Republican Party and future president of the United States, survived an assassination attempt during a campaign rally in Butler. He was shot in the ear by a gunman who also killed one attendee and injured two others before being fatally shot by Secret Service agents. Despite the chaos, Trump took cover behind his lectern, shielded by agents, and later, with blood on his face, defiantly shouted ‘Fight, fight!’ as he was escorted off the stage.
Rattlesnakes have been revered as symbols of renewal and feared as emissaries of the underworld. They evoke a powerful blend of fascination and fear. This story explores the complex relationship between humans and rattlesnakes, with a particular focus on the American West. Throughout history, these creatures have played significant roles in various cultures, yet they have also faced widespread persecution. Today, conservationists are working to protect them and shift public perception, highlighting their ecological and medical significance.
‘No Woman’s Land’ offers a poignant look at the lives of Afghan women under the Taliban’s strict regime, revealing their daily struggles and the harsh realities they face. This story not only documents the extreme living conditions these women are forced to endure but also highlights their extraordinary resilience and the silent acts of resistance that challenge their circumstances. Their defiance is not expressed through public protests, but quietly takes shape behind closed doors: within the walls of their homes, through secret classrooms, and in stolen moments of joy that testify to the strength and determination of spirits that refuse to yield.
The Inughuit migrated to northwest Greenland about a thousand years ago, and it is now the land they call home. This region in the High Arctic, while rich in wildlife, is fragile, and over time, hunters have learned to balance their needs with those of the seals and whales. To protect the populations of narwhals and seals, the Inughuit avoid using rifles or motorboats. Instead, hunters take to the waters in kayaks and use wooden harpoons. Mads Ole Kristiansen says, ‘Hunters seek balance, which is why we take care of our land. We are the balance, and that is why we are hunters.’
This photo series documents the unique community at a frontline stabilization point operated by the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ 5th Brigade in Donetsk Oblast. For nearly three years, Christopher has photographed the medics, nurses, and drivers who live and work in close quarters, facing constant danger, monotony, and brief moments of joy. Wounded soldiers are treated here before being transported to rear hospitals. The images provide an intimate look at their shared struggles, sense of purpose, and extraordinary efforts to save lives amidst the harsh realities of war.
The alarming and mysterious decline of caribou across the Arctic is an urgent yet overlooked environmental catastrophe. For millennia, Indigenous communities have depended on caribou for sustenance, but over the last 20 years, their population has declined from 5 million to 2 million. Scientists are seeking answers, investigating climate change, development, and disease as possible causes. However, we must not only listen to science but also to the voices of those who know the caribou best and have lived alongside them for generations, thus understanding their crucial role in the ecosystem.
On October 29, 2024, the Valencia region was struck by the worst floods of the century in Spain: over 220 people lost their lives in flash floods caused by torrential rains, and dozens of towns were destroyed. At the epicenter was Paiporta, a town of 27,000 residents, which was devastated by a mudslide that swept everything away. In the days and weeks that followed, Paiporta became a symbol of the catastrophe. Thanks to local residents and thousands of volunteers, the mud was gradually cleared.
In the Navajo Nation, the largest Native American reservation in the United States, water is a precious resource. Among the Diné (as the Navajo refer to themselves), more than one in three are forced to haul it over long distances. The Diné use the least water per person, but pay the highest rates. Just 80 miles away, in Washington County, residents draw from the same water supply but at a much lower cost. This inequality reflects the injustices tied to the history of Indigenous land dispossession in the United States.
Valtellina, in the heart of the Italian Alps, is home to 120 mountain pastures and 7,000 dairy cattle. Every June, cows are led to pastures above 1,800 meters, where unique grasses contribute to the production of exceptional cheese. The harsh conditions demand great dedication. Pastoral life, essential for the environment, has always been at the heart of the culture and the pastoral traditions endure through respect for nature. In a fast-paced world, Valtellina’s timeless rhythms remind us of the importance of nature’s cycles.
The Philippine crocodile is considered the rarest crocodilian species on Earth, with around 100 individuals remaining in the Northern Sierra Madre Rainforest. To put this into perspective, there are about 1,800 giant pandas and 5,000 tigers in the wild—species emblematic of the global biodiversity crisis. The Indigenous community-based conservation approach, adopted in the region since 1999, has contributed to the species’ recovery, serving as a powerful example of what can be achieved in conservation through the application of traditional knowledge.
On October 7, 2023, at 6:28 a.m., the Golan family’s life changed. Their home, once considered safe and impenetrable, was breached. Their quiet kibbutz turned into a killing field, invaded by hundreds of terrorists. For hours, they sat locked in the reinforced room with their one-and-a-half-year-old daughter, with no food and little water, terrified by the sounds of gunfire and explosions. A few hours later, five terrorists broke into their house and set it on fire while they were inside. Despite severe injuries, the three managed to survive.
The Baird’s tapir, recognized as nature’s ‘gardener of the forest,’ plays a critical role in dispersing the seeds of an endemic tree known as the Jicaro Danto. Both the tapir and the Jicaro are endangered. As fragmented forests push tapirs out of their natural habitats, leaving them scarred by territorial disputes and competition, they face increased risks of infection from a flesh-eating parasite, the screwworm. In the small village of Bijagua, a diverse team has come together with an inspiring mission to ensure the survival of this extraordinary symbiosis.
The fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in December 2024 marked the end of over 50 years of Assad family rule in Syria. It was the result of years of internal dissent, economic collapse, and dwindling support from allies like Russia and Iran. Assad’s authoritarianism and the devastating civil war that followed the 2011 Arab Spring left over 580,000 dead. A rebel coalition launched a final offensive on Damascus, forcing Assad to flee to Moscow. Syria now faces the challenge of rebuilding, fostering stability, and addressing humanitarian needs.
Last year, over 100,000 people died from overdoses in the U.S., with the opioid crisis responsible for most of these victims. The Kensington neighborhood in Philadelphia is one of the largest illegal drug markets in the U.S. The most common drug is called ‘Tranq-dope’: a mix of fentanyl and xylazine, an animal tranquilizer, and a fix costs 5 USD. The area attracts drug users from near and far, many of whom live and die on Kensington Avenue and the adjacent streets. Meanwhile, drug dealers compete for the most profitable street corners.
Migrants are drawn to the Rio Grande at the Texas-Mexico border, believing it to be safer than the desert. However, its treacherous currents have led to a rise in drownings. Eagle Pass authorities face overwhelming challenges in identifying victims and managing the influx of bodies, forcing families to endure the painful search and repatriation process. Since 2017, over 1,100 drownings have occurred, many involving women and children. Despite barriers and patrols meant to deter migration, people still risk their lives crossing.
On October 7, Hamas took 251 hostages, primarily Israelis, including women, children, and soldiers. Following the attack, rallies for their release began, leading to the establishment of the 'Hostage Square' in Tel Aviv by the 'Hostages Families Forum,' which aimed to remain apolitical. While 'Hostage Square' continues its apolitical weekend rallies, some families have gathered at Begin Bridge to express their anger at Prime Minister Netanyahu, accusing him of neglecting their loved ones. These protests, known as 'We’re All Hostages,' are often confrontational and have at times escalated into clashes with police.
On October 7, 2023, Israel experienced the greatest disaster since its establishment. To this day, Israel is still processing and trying to understand the magnitude of what happened. On that Saturday, Hamas launched a ruthless attack on innocent civilians. Over 1,000 were brutally massacred, women were sexually assaulted, hundreds were kidnapped, including children and infants. After October 7, Israel amassed large military forces in preparation for a ground assault into the Strip. From October 31, 2023, to this day IDF forces have been locating and fighting Hamas in Gaza.
The Pantanal, the world's largest tropical wetland, is in crisis. Jaguars, tapirs, and caimans face survival challenges as drought and fire—driven by climate change—devastate their habitats. Satellite data show an 82% decline in long-term flooding since 1985. In October 2024, the Paraguay River—the ecosystem's lifeline—hit its lowest level since 1900, leaving 80% of floodable plains dry. Fires have destroyed over 1.5 million hectares in 2024. Wildlife struggles, with jaguars seeking shelter in culverts and caimans dying in dried-out flats. Yet, hope persists through local reforestation efforts.
Assad's fall followed years of bloodshed and division. For half a century, the Assad family ruled Syria with an iron fist, with long-documented reports of mass incarceration, torture, extrajudicial killings, and atrocities against their own people. On December 8, Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) seized power in Syria, ending the regime of Bashar al-Assad. After 13 years of civil war that fractured the country, the regime finally collapsed. Rebel fighters declared Damascus 'liberated' in a video statement broadcast on state television, prompting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to flee to Russia.
'Blessed Ground' examines gold mining's impact on rural communities in Mozambique. Fertile lands are destroyed, forcing locals into precarious artisanal mining, worsening poverty. Mercury and cyanide contaminate rivers, crops, and livestock, causing health issues that are often misattributed to sorcery. Social problems such as alcoholism and gender-based violence have increased. Opaque corporate deals have displaced farmers. Globally, artisanal mining employs 15 million people, including women and children, contributing to 35% of mercury pollution while producing up to 15% of the world’s gold.
As the European Union expands eastward, many children in Eastern Europe are left behind in their home countries while their parents go to Western Europe for better economic opportunities. These children are often cared for by grandparents or other relatives, but they struggle with feelings of abandonment and insecurity. The physical and emotional distance from their parents strains family bonds and leaves them longing for closeness—showing a difficult side of economic migration that isn't often discussed.
The Maasai Group Ranch that governed Maasai land rights in Amboseli has changed. Now, individuals can sell their land, threatening a system that previously preserved an intact land mass used harmoniously for both pastoralism and wildlife. This is causing fragmentation, as some Maasai have chosen to sell their land parcels to outsiders, resulting in the development of factories and large, water-intensive agricultural investments in elephant habitats. New fencing in previously open areas is trapping and killing disoriented wildlife, increasing human-wildlife conflict. Vital animal corridors are being disturbed and cut off.
Romania’s Carpathians, one of Europe’s last wildernesses, face a critical moment. For centuries, local communities have shaped this unique landscape, but climate change, deforestation, and rural depopulation now threaten its balance. A rewilding movement links ecological restoration with sustainable economies, supporting farming, ecotourism, and wildlife reintroductions. The region now faces a choice: pursue short-term gains or pioneer a sustainable path where nature, culture, and economic progress thrive together—an inspiration for Europe’s future.
On 24 February, 2022, the Russian Federation invaded Ukraine. The attempt to achieve a quick victory and encircle the capital was fortunately unsuccessful. Since the first day of the invasion, Russian troops have committed numerous war crimes. The war in Ukraine continues to deepen the trauma and suffering of ordinary people. Every day of conflict brings more victims and contributes to the systematic destruction—metre by metre—of Ukrainian land, including urban areas, rural communities, agricultural regions, and the natural environment. War also means that another generation of children and teenagers is growing up in fear.