2024 Photojournalist of the Year – International

IDF soldiers walk through the rubble of Kfar Aza Kibbutz, Israel, Sunday, November 26, 2023. According to reports, more than 60 people have been killed...

IDF soldiers walk through the rubble of Kfar Aza Kibbutz, Israel, Sunday, November 26, 2023. According to reports, more than 60 people have been killed by the Hamas attack on Oct. 7. Once a lush communal farm, Kibbutz Kfar Aza now stands as a memorial. Its buildings are scarred by the assault that took place there. At least 60 people were killed as Hamas militants went house to house. Most of the surviving residents have been displaced to hotels or rental properties.

A group of Yemeni youth pray in a parking lot ahead of attending a wedding in Hamtramck, Michigan, Sunday, September 10, 2023. This city of...

A group of Yemeni youth pray in a parking lot ahead of attending a wedding in Hamtramck, Michigan, Sunday, September 10, 2023. This city of 28,000 was once so Polish it was dubbed “Little Warsaw.” But in recent decades, an influx of immigrants gave Hamtramck new character. Bengali and Arabic joined English on signs at City Hall. Yemeni and Bangladeshi mosques, restaurants and shops proliferated. And last year, a Muslim who emigrated from Yemen as a teenager became mayor — the city’s first leader in nearly a century with no Polish roots — alongside what is believed to be the nation’s only all-Muslim city council. Many residents in this tiny enclave just north of downtown Detroit saw these changes as a sign of the Hamtramck’s progressiveness. The Muslim community that had previously experienced discrimination, including voter intimidation and resistance to mosques’ public call to prayer, had finally taken its seats at the table. Yet the ethnic, cultural and religious diversity that made Hamtramck something of a model is being put severely to the test.

Mary Sara’s boots are photographed at her first cousin’s house in Wasilla, Alaska, Saturday, May 27, 2023. Mary Sara was an 18 year old Sami...

Mary Sara’s boots are photographed at her first cousin’s house in Wasilla, Alaska, Saturday, May 27, 2023. Mary Sara was an 18 year old Sami woman from Alaska, who died in Seattle in 1933 of tuberculosis. Her parents had immigrated to Alaska from Norway to teach reindeer herding to Native Alaskans as part of a US government initiative. When she died, she was alone in Seattle, and the doctor who was taking care of her Charles Firestone offered her brain to an anthropologist Ales Hrdlicka at the Smithsonian. Her family never knew. After the journalists broke the news to the family after their investigative into the Smithsonian brain collection, the family finally received back her brain decades after and buried properly.

Story Summary: The US invasion of Iraq 20 years ago brought catastrophic consequences. Toxic exposure affected Iraqi communities near US military bases, where open burn...

Story Summary: The US invasion of Iraq 20 years ago brought catastrophic consequences. Toxic exposure affected Iraqi communities near US military bases, where open burn pits were used for trash disposal. American veterans faced health issues, but the impact on Iraqis went unrecognized. Farmers witnessed harmful items burnt in pits, unaware of the health risks. The aftermath reveals a significant toll on both sides. Caption: Tamim Ahmed Al-Tamimi, 35, holds a photo of his late son 2-year-old, Mehdi, at home in the village of Albuhishma near the town of Balad, Iraq, Thursday, February 23, 2023. Al-Tamimi’s son was exposed to the smoke from the burn pit at the Joint Base Balad while he was with his mother at the farm next to the base and died after few days. “We were always coughing,” recalls Al-Tamimi, who worked the fields back then outside Joint Base Balad, 50 miles north of Baghdad. “But we didn’t know that this smoke could kill people. We thought that only rockets could kill people.”

Marwan Jassim, 32, and his daughter Aya, who suffers from a birth defect, at home near the town of Balad, Iraq, Tuesday, February 7, 2023....

Marwan Jassim, 32, and his daughter Aya, who suffers from a birth defect, at home near the town of Balad, Iraq, Tuesday, February 7, 2023. Jassim has breathing problems after working at the Joint Base Balad. In Balad, the burn pit was 10 acres large and it covered the town "like a poison blanket".

Ezzedin Abdulnabih, who suffers from health issues after working near the Joint Base Balad, is photographed at home near the town of Balad, Iraq, Thursday,...

Ezzedin Abdulnabih, who suffers from health issues after working near the Joint Base Balad, is photographed at home near the town of Balad, Iraq, Thursday, February 23, 2023.

Mohammed Malik, 30, who suffers from asthma after years of working with his dad on the farm, holds an x-ray of his chest near the...

Mohammed Malik, 30, who suffers from asthma after years of working with his dad on the farm, holds an x-ray of his chest near the town of Balad, Iraq, Thursday, February 23, 2023.

A young girl outside her family store near the town of Balad, Iraq, on Thursday, February 23, 2023. Children living near American military burn pits...

A young girl outside her family store near the town of Balad, Iraq, on Thursday, February 23, 2023. Children living near American military burn pits in Iraq have faced health risks as they are exposed to harmful pollutants, impacting their well-being due to the environmental hazards associated with these disposal sites.

Louay Mohamed Majeed, 26, with all his medicine at home near the town of Balad, Iraq, Friday, February 24, 2023. Majeed suffers from lung cancer...

Louay Mohamed Majeed, 26, with all his medicine at home near the town of Balad, Iraq, Friday, February 24, 2023. Majeed suffers from lung cancer and lives in a room dustproof to not make his condition worse.

Mahmoud Majeed Ali, 62, and his wife Raeda Mohmed Mahmoud, 58, visit the grave site of their son Ehab Hamid Majeed near the town of...

Mahmoud Majeed Ali, 62, and his wife Raeda Mohmed Mahmoud, 58, visit the grave site of their son Ehab Hamid Majeed near the town of Balad, Iraq, Friday, February 24, 2023. Ehab was shot dead by American soldiers as he approached the Joint Base Balad to put his name down to join the police service in the area after a call went out. After their plants started to die as a result of the burn pit from the base, Ali wanted to find another way to bring income for his family.

Story Summary: The 7.8-magnitude earthquakes in Turkey and Syria have claimed over 50,000 lives. Despite foreign rescue teams departing, thousands remain undiscovered under the rubble...

Story Summary: The 7.8-magnitude earthquakes in Turkey and Syria have claimed over 50,000 lives. Despite foreign rescue teams departing, thousands remain undiscovered under the rubble a month later. Nearly 85,000 buildings are damaged nationwide, leaving several million people homeless, now living in tents and struggling to survive. In earthquake-hit Syria, desperate cries for help echoed in Jinderis for four days after the quake. Women, separated from their children or fighting to save them, screamed without international rescue workers or aid shipments. This rebel-held area, already grappling with war, displacement, hunger, and disease, faced the earthquake's aftermath with 4.1 million people requiring humanitarian assistance. Caption: Relatives wait by a fire pit as rescue workers look for any survivors after one of the many buildings in Nurdagi, Turkey was destroyed by the 7.8-magnitude earthquake, Thursday, February 9, 2023. Rescue workers believe there are as many as 40 people are feared dead and some are still under the rubble. Back in Syria, where such scenes are common after more than a decade of war, rescuers usually dive right in, without proper equipment, often at great personal risk. “They would’ve cleared it in two days,” muttered one young man. His relatives grunted in agreement, huddled over an open fire as they waited to learn the fate of their missing family members.

Rescue workers look through the rubbles for survivors after a 7.8-magnitude earthquake hit the region in Kahramanmaras, Turkey, Wednesday, February 15, 2023.

Rescue workers look through the rubbles for survivors after a 7.8-magnitude earthquake hit the region in Kahramanmaras, Turkey, Wednesday, February 15, 2023.

People camp in olive farms miles away from their town after their homes were destroyed by a 7.8-magnitude earthquake that hit the region in the...

People camp in olive farms miles away from their town after their homes were destroyed by a 7.8-magnitude earthquake that hit the region in the town of Jindires, Syria, Friday, February 10, 2023. This part of Syria has endured crisis after crisis, home to millions of people who have braved war and displacement, hunger, and disease. Even before the earthquake, 4.1 million here required humanitarian assistance.

Locals walk past the rubbles of homes and buildings on their street after it was destroyed by a 7.8-magnitude earthquake that hit the region in...

Locals walk past the rubbles of homes and buildings on their street after it was destroyed by a 7.8-magnitude earthquake that hit the region in the town of Jindires, Syria, Friday, February 10, 2023. It is estimated that 850 people were found dead and hundreds are believed dead still under the rubble.

Members of the Red Cross of Iran carry the body of a man named Guchan and his family after their building collapsed during the 7.8-magnitude...

Members of the Red Cross of Iran carry the body of a man named Guchan and his family after their building collapsed during the 7.8-magnitude earthquake that hit the region in the town of Islahiye, Turkey, Sunday, February 12, 2023. His brother, Mahmut Karakaya watched from a distance.

The family of Sakine Demir and her daughter greave as they gather at their home in the village of Colaklar near the town of Islahiye,...

The family of Sakine Demir and her daughter greave as they gather at their home in the village of Colaklar near the town of Islahiye, Turkey, Sunday, February 12, 2023. The family waits for the fate of their relative who has been buried under the rubble since the 7.8-magnitude earthquake hit the region.

Mohamed Jassim, 21, center, climbs above the rubbles of a house that he helped other locals pull a woman and save her life after a...

Mohamed Jassim, 21, center, climbs above the rubbles of a house that he helped other locals pull a woman and save her life after a 7.8-magnitude earthquake hit the region in the town of Sawran, Syria, Friday, February 10, 2023. In the same house, 9 people lost their lives after being stuck in the rubble and no one was able to get them out in time.

Nour Al-Nadee, 3, lays in the hospital as she waits for her amputation on her leg after being rescued from the rubble of her home...

Nour Al-Nadee, 3, lays in the hospital as she waits for her amputation on her leg after being rescued from the rubble of her home in Jindires, at a town of Afrin, Syria, Tuesday, February 14, 2023. She lost most of her family members but her dad survived after a 7.8-magnitude earthquake that hit the region.

Story Summary: The American military operation in Iraq, promised to “free its people” by President George W. Bush 20 years ago, instead plunged the nation...

Story Summary: The American military operation in Iraq, promised to “free its people” by President George W. Bush 20 years ago, instead plunged the nation into chaos and conflict. The Iraqi political system, shaped by American-backed exiles, divided the state along sectarian lines, leading to civil war. After nine years, 4,500 troop fatalities, and $1 trillion, U.S. troops withdrew in 2011, leaving Iraq with over 186,000 casualties and widespread corruption. Today, Iraqis grapple with the unfulfilled U.S. commitment to bring democracy, facing lingering disillusionment. Caption: Iraqis walk through Tahrir Square (Liberation Square) in Baghdad, Iraq, Monday, January 23, 2023. The 2019 protest at Tahrir Square in Iraq was a significant moment, where demonstrators rallied for political reforms and social justice, reflecting the aspirations of the Iraqi people. After two decades of war, life in Iraq today is marked by resilience, as the nation strives to rebuild amidst the remnants of conflict, navigating challenges to forge a path toward stability and recovery.

A photo of Muqtada Al-Sadr hangs in the Amin neighborhood in Baghdad, Iraq, Tuesday, January 24, 2023. Muqtada Al-Sadr is an influential Iraqi Shia cleric...

A photo of Muqtada Al-Sadr hangs in the Amin neighborhood in Baghdad, Iraq, Tuesday, January 24, 2023. Muqtada Al-Sadr is an influential Iraqi Shia cleric and political leader. Known for his role in post-Saddam Iraq, he has been involved in both religious and political activities, leading the Sadrist Movement and exerting considerable influence in Iraqi politics.

Iraqis ride a bus in Baghdad, Iraq, on Tuesday, February 28, 2023. The traffic in Baghdad is notoriously dense, causing delays and frustration as the...

Iraqis ride a bus in Baghdad, Iraq, on Tuesday, February 28, 2023. The traffic in Baghdad is notoriously dense, causing delays and frustration as the city contends with the challenging gridlock on its streets.

Riot police gather at Tahrir Square (Liberation Square) for an upcoming protest in Baghdad, Iraq, on Friday, February 3, 2023. The police came to prevent...

Riot police gather at Tahrir Square (Liberation Square) for an upcoming protest in Baghdad, Iraq, on Friday, February 3, 2023. The police came to prevent people from protesting about the high prices for consumer goods.

A suit jacket hangs on a tree at Abu Nuwas Park in Baghdad, Iraq, Friday, February 3, 2023. The park is a popular spot for...

A suit jacket hangs on a tree at Abu Nuwas Park in Baghdad, Iraq, Friday, February 3, 2023. The park is a popular spot for young Iraqis to spend time in the evenings.

Children play soccer in the Amin neighborhood in Baghdad, Iraq, on Tuesday, January 24, 2023. Children in Iraq today face challenges associated with the aftermath...

Children play soccer in the Amin neighborhood in Baghdad, Iraq, on Tuesday, January 24, 2023. Children in Iraq today face challenges associated with the aftermath of conflicts, navigating issues such as displacement, limited access to education, and the need for humanitarian support to ensure a better future.

A grilled meat seller prepares a meal in Baghdad, Iraq, Wednesday, February 22, 2023. Life in Iraq can be challenging, and food vendors often grapple...

A grilled meat seller prepares a meal in Baghdad, Iraq, Wednesday, February 22, 2023. Life in Iraq can be challenging, and food vendors often grapple with economic hardships and obstacles, striving to overcome difficulties in order to sustain their businesses and provide for their families.

Story Summary: The global rise of mariculture, cultivating sea plants and bivalves, is expanding from Asia to Europe and the U.S., with Alaska emphasizing the...

Story Summary: The global rise of mariculture, cultivating sea plants and bivalves, is expanding from Asia to Europe and the U.S., with Alaska emphasizing the urgent need for industry development. Climate change in Alaska is significantly impacting the fishing industry, with rising sea temperatures and changing ocean currents affecting fish migration patterns. This has led to shifts in the distribution of fish species, posing challenges for Alaskan fishermen and disrupting established fishing routines. Ocean farming in Alaska provides economic opportunities, particularly for Alaska Natives, offering an alternative to traditional extraction practices. Seaweed, hailed as "sea wheat," attracts investments from companies like Amazon and the European Union due to its low carbon footprint and nutritional richness, including fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, and essential vitamins. It's environmentally friendly, requiring no fertilizer and absorbing carbon during growth. Caption: Dune Lankard, the president and founder of the Native Conservancy, harvests kelp from a research area with his team in the Prince William Sound near Bligh Island, Alaska, Monday, May 22, 2023. Research on kelp harvesting is crucial as it enhances our understanding of sustainable marine resource utilization, supporting both ecological balance and the potential for kelp-based products in various industries.

Olivia Duner, 38, and Ozzie Beery, 38, of Sea Quester harvest kelp from their farm site outside of Juneau, Alaska, Tuesday, May 16, 2023. It's...

Olivia Duner, 38, and Ozzie Beery, 38, of Sea Quester harvest kelp from their farm site outside of Juneau, Alaska, Tuesday, May 16, 2023. It's the company first first-ever season of harvesting kelp and they hope to grow it as their fishing jobs disappear.

Bull kelp is seen underwater and is growing in a research area for the Native Conservancy in the Prince William Sound near Bligh Island, Alaska,...

Bull kelp is seen underwater and is growing in a research area for the Native Conservancy in the Prince William Sound near Bligh Island, Alaska, Monday, May 22, 2023. Bull Kelp, a prominent marine plant, is valued for its ecological benefits and economic potential in initiatives like mariculture, offering a sustainable source of nutrition and contributing to carbon absorption in ocean environments.

Sea Quester crew deliver a box of sugar kelp that they harvested at their farm to Lia Heifetz, co-founder of Barnacle Foods in Juneau, Alaska,...

Sea Quester crew deliver a box of sugar kelp that they harvested at their farm to Lia Heifetz, co-founder of Barnacle Foods in Juneau, Alaska, Tuesday, May 16, 2023.

Sugar kelp that was harvested from a research area by the Native Conservancy team is measured for data in Cordova, Alaska, on Monday, May 22,...

Sugar kelp that was harvested from a research area by the Native Conservancy team is measured for data in Cordova, Alaska, on Monday, May 22, 2023. Sugar Kelp, a versatile seaweed species, is prized for its nutritional richness, serving as a source of essential vitamins and minerals, while also showing promise in sustainable aquaculture practices due to its rapid growth and environmental benefits.

Sugar kelp is smoked by Dune Lankard, right, the president and founder of the Native Conservancy, and Brandyn Ashley Comparan in Cordova, Alaska, on Tuesday,...

Sugar kelp is smoked by Dune Lankard, right, the president and founder of the Native Conservancy, and Brandyn Ashley Comparan in Cordova, Alaska, on Tuesday, May 23, 2023. Smoked sugar kelp introduces a savory dimension to culinary experiences, blending the distinct umami of sugar kelp with a smoky essence, creating a flavorful addition to various dishes.

Story Summary: In a recent conflict, Hamas attacked Israel, leading to significant casualties and hostage situations. Israel responded with unprecedented force in Gaza, resulting in...

Story Summary: In a recent conflict, Hamas attacked Israel, leading to significant casualties and hostage situations. Israel responded with unprecedented force in Gaza, resulting in a high number of casualties. In the West Bank, Israeli settlers intensified attacks on Palestinian communities, contributing to Arab displacement. The situation has fueled a new wave of Palestinian militancy. A specific incident in the Balata refugee camp involved an Israeli airstrike that killed five Palestinians, including 16-year-old Mohammed Emsamy. Amid the conflict, Israel released Palestinian prisoners in exchange for Israeli hostages, bringing some relief to Palestinians during this devastating war. Caption: Israeli police block the entry of Old City Lions’ gate to prevent Muslim worshipers from reaching Al-Aqsa Mosque ahead of Friday prayer in Jerusalem, Israel, Friday, November 17, 2023. The Israeli police have been repeatedly blocking Palestinians who made their way from East Jerusalem and West Bank from entering the Old City to pray at Al-Aqsa. They have even tear-gassed worshipers who prayed outside the walls of the Old City.

Relatives of 16-year-old Mohammed Al-Musseimi visit the site where he was killed by an Israeli airstrike on a building that targeted militias at the Balata...

Relatives of 16-year-old Mohammed Al-Musseimi visit the site where he was killed by an Israeli airstrike on a building that targeted militias at the Balata refugee camp in Nablus, Occupied West Bank, Saturday, November 18, 2023. The airstrike on November 18th, Israeli officials say wiped out a terrorist cell of Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, killing 5 members. At the time of the airstrike, Musseimi family says he was just walking past the building when the missile hit.

Relatives of 16-year-old Mohammed Al-Musseimi mourn his death after he was killed by an Israeli airstrike on a building that targeted militias, meters from his...

Relatives of 16-year-old Mohammed Al-Musseimi mourn his death after he was killed by an Israeli airstrike on a building that targeted militias, meters from his home at the Balata refugee camp in Nablus, Occupied West Bank, Saturday, November 18, 2023. The airstrike on November 18th, Israeli officials say wiped out a terrorist cell of Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, killing 5 members. At the time of the airstrike, Musseimi family says he was just walking past the building when the missile hit.

People attend the funeral of five Palestinian fighters at the Balata refugee camp in Nablus, Occupied West Bank, Saturday, November 18, 2023. Israeli officials say...

People attend the funeral of five Palestinian fighters at the Balata refugee camp in Nablus, Occupied West Bank, Saturday, November 18, 2023. Israeli officials say the airstrike on November 18th wiped out a terrorist cell of Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, killing 5 members.

One of the fighter's daughters reacts as people carry the body of her father during a funeral of five Palestinian fighters at the Balata refugee...

One of the fighter's daughters reacts as people carry the body of her father during a funeral of five Palestinian fighters at the Balata refugee camp in Nablus, Occupied West Bank, Saturday, November 18, 2023. Israeli officials say the airstrike on November 18th wiped out a terrorist cell of Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, killing 5 members.

People gather at a coffee shop to listen to a speech by Hamas’ spokesperson Abu Obaida as he speaks about the latest on the war...

People gather at a coffee shop to listen to a speech by Hamas’ spokesperson Abu Obaida as he speaks about the latest on the war in Gaza, Ramallah, Occupied West Bank, Thursday, November 23, 2023.

Locals walk to welcome the prisoner Noorhan Awad, 24, after her release from Israeli prison in Qalandiya refugee camp, Occupied West Bank, on Sunday, November...

Locals walk to welcome the prisoner Noorhan Awad, 24, after her release from Israeli prison in Qalandiya refugee camp, Occupied West Bank, on Sunday, November 26, 2023. Awad at the age of 16 years old, was convicted of a stabbing attempt in 2015. She was sentenced to 13 years but dropped to 10 years in jail. She has spent 8 years in Israeli jail already.

Noorhan Awad, 24, right, hugs her mother after her release from Israeli prison in Qalandiya refugee camp, Occupied West Bank, on Sunday, November 26, 2023....

Noorhan Awad, 24, right, hugs her mother after her release from Israeli prison in Qalandiya refugee camp, Occupied West Bank, on Sunday, November 26, 2023. Awad at the age of 16 years old, was convicted of a stabbing attempt in 2015. She was sentenced to 13 years but dropped to 10 years in jail. She has spent 8 years in Israeli jail already.

The grenade launcher is old and worn. The record during one day of shelling the Russian lines is 180 grenades. Slava is in charge of...

The grenade launcher is old and worn. The record during one day of shelling the Russian lines is 180 grenades. Slava is in charge of transporting the shells from storage when the commander Robin gets the coordinates from the surveillance drone. The impact from the blast makes everything shudder when the shot is fired. The target is a Russian troop concentration approximately 5000 meters away.

The bullet that killed Ahmed Saduq hit him in the head, went through a glass door and got lodged into the façade of the building....

The bullet that killed Ahmed Saduq hit him in the head, went through a glass door and got lodged into the façade of the building. He looked outside when he heard the commotion of an Israeli raid into Bethlehem and a soldier shot him on sight. He was seventeen years old. Large parts of the West Bank is closed off and his sister Iman took a big risk getting to the family house to attend his funeral.

The demonstrations against the attempt of the Netanyahu government to make the justice system politized have been taking on biblical proportions for many weeks. In...

The demonstrations against the attempt of the Netanyahu government to make the justice system politized have been taking on biblical proportions for many weeks. In cities and towns all over Israel people gather in the streets. Sometimes they try to block of roads and disrupt traffic – but when they do they are met by hundreds of police.

Emil Strid is put to rest by his parents Ingrid and Magnus and his dog Taurus. Emil died when he was fifteen years old. If...

Emil Strid is put to rest by his parents Ingrid and Magnus and his dog Taurus. Emil died when he was fifteen years old. If his disease would have been diagnosed earlier, his life could have been saved. It all started with pain in the legs, problems with the eyes and hearing. After a long process and many tests, it turned out that Emil was sick with Adrenoleukodystrofi (ALD). A genetic disease that gradually will break down his body and eventually kill him. In Sweden all children are tested for rare, and curable/stoppable diseases at birth – but ALD is not included. Emil’s parents Magnus and Ingrid are devastated. “It is such a draw out, and horrible process. To see your child slowly fade away into death. And knowing that his life could have been saved, via a simple blood test.”

People gather in the thousands outside of the Knesset to honor the dead after the Hamas attack on odtober 7th. More than 1200 Israelis were...

People gather in the thousands outside of the Knesset to honor the dead after the Hamas attack on odtober 7th. More than 1200 Israelis were murdered and 240 were taken as hostages to Gaza. When the names of the killed are projected on a screen many start to cry.

Frida reads a last story from a children’s book for her son Nima. He would have turned six years old this week. When she is...

Frida reads a last story from a children’s book for her son Nima. He would have turned six years old this week. When she is done she asks the undertaker Niklas Hilmersson to put the book, Nima’s favourite, in the coffin. Nima got stuck in between the inner and outer door in the elevator where he lives with his mother Frida. She could hear him scream for help and a neighbor called the emergency services. When they tried to get him loose, they lost him and he fell 20 meters to the bottom of the elevator shaft. Sweden has the oldest elevators in Europe with many thousands more like the one that caused Nima’s death. Now Frida lobbies for a change in the law – forcing landlords to upgrade their elevators. “No more children should have to die like my son.”

The wooden cross is a temporary solution until the personally designed headstone is ready. Arranging the funeral and working to lobby lawmakers to implement safety...

The wooden cross is a temporary solution until the personally designed headstone is ready. Arranging the funeral and working to lobby lawmakers to implement safety measures for elevators takes up almost all of Frida’s time. She is exhausted. She is trying to keep herself as busy as she can, in a way it’s therapeutic as well as important for the greater good. Her friend, and carpenter, Christofer answered her call for help immediately when a cross had to be made on a very short notice. He used a part of his kitchen table. “I feel that it’s an honour to be able to help.”

A small coffin is a very heavy burden. Frida’s friends, Gabriel, Frans, Mika and Eddie take the coffin from the family van to the church....

A small coffin is a very heavy burden. Frida’s friends, Gabriel, Frans, Mika and Eddie take the coffin from the family van to the church. Eddie has had nightmares about dropping the coffin. Gabriel is reminded of the day of the accident. Seeing Nima, crying behind the glass door of the elevator. Not being able to move, the elevator moving up, revealing a deep blackness underneath. “It could just as well have been my daughter. It could have been anybody.”

Frida’s friend Filippa Bräutigam tries to comfort her daughter Siri outside the church. All the friends are here, and they have been working around the...

Frida’s friend Filippa Bräutigam tries to comfort her daughter Siri outside the church. All the friends are here, and they have been working around the clock to help with everything. Frida calls them her “Team” and they have all taken responsibility for different tasks. Frida herself is often overcome with grief. “Nima was always happy, it’s all so complex, I know he would have wanted me to be happy, but just can’t. Not without him.”

Frida still talks about her son in present tense. “Nima loves his daycare, talks about it constantly and he is very happy to soon start...

Frida still talks about her son in present tense. “Nima loves his daycare, talks about it constantly and he is very happy to soon start ‘big kid school’ together with them.” A lot of his friends are present for the funeral, but not his best friend, the neighbor’s daughter Sofia. “I will go to his funeral when I grow up.”

Ann-Charlotte Lundgren works at the Sahlgrenska hospital in Gothenburg where Nima died. Frida asked her to officiate the funeral ceremony and afterwards family and friends...

Ann-Charlotte Lundgren works at the Sahlgrenska hospital in Gothenburg where Nima died. Frida asked her to officiate the funeral ceremony and afterwards family and friends say their final farewell by the coffin. Ingela, Louise and Timya tries to console a devastated Fria.

The West cemetary in Gothenburg. The small coffin is soon totally covered with flowers. Frida cries and laughs at the same time, sitting by the...

The West cemetary in Gothenburg. The small coffin is soon totally covered with flowers. Frida cries and laughs at the same time, sitting by the grave – talking to Nima, thanking him for having been his son. For giving her his love.

Afterwards. Caroline, Malin and Filippa circle their wagons of friendship around an exhausted Frida after the funeral. For Frida Nima will always be alive, in...

Afterwards. Caroline, Malin and Filippa circle their wagons of friendship around an exhausted Frida after the funeral. For Frida Nima will always be alive, in more than one way. When she was asked about organ donation she immediately said yes. Today, five children have gotten a new chance to live. . A small girl in the south of Sweden got his heart and is doing good. “In the middle of all the devastation it feels good that something of Nima is still alive.”

The trip to Greece never happened. As with all her grandchildren, Camilla was taking Nima on a trip when he turned six. A hotel with...

The trip to Greece never happened. As with all her grandchildren, Camilla was taking Nima on a trip when he turned six. A hotel with several pools was booked. Nima loved to swim. She sits on his bed, cries. “I miss him so, he was such a ray of sunshine in our lives.”

Frida works as a hairdresser and works when she finds the energy. To give her mother a full treatment is very therapeutic but it takes...

Frida works as a hairdresser and works when she finds the energy. To give her mother a full treatment is very therapeutic but it takes “forever” according to Nima’s cousin Lily and soon the six year old makes the salon into her own private dance hall. After the accident Lily insisted to come and see Nima at the hospital. Camilla was hesitant at first but it turned out good. ” It was so healing for us all. She cried, made him drawings. She thought he looked so peaceful where he lay. “

The bodies are gone but the bloody trails are still there and the smell is nauseating. The destruction in the Be’er kibbutz is devastating. The...

The bodies are gone but the bloody trails are still there and the smell is nauseating. The destruction in the Be’er kibbutz is devastating. The proof and testimonies after the deadliest attack on jewish people since the Holocaust is overwhelming. Moments of pure brutality has frozen the scene into a still life of death.

They were inseparable from first grade in school. Wherever one of them went, the other one followed. They were both at the Nova festival when...

They were inseparable from first grade in school. Wherever one of them went, the other one followed. They were both at the Nova festival when Hamas attacked. Aviad managed to call home and tell them that he was shot and give the family their location. He pleaded for help, but the help came too late. Today they are buried side by side in the small cemetary outside their home of Gan Handarom. Aviad’s mother Dasi is devastated.

Israeli soldiers killed a Ahmed Siduq during a raid. He was standing on the family balcony., trying to see what was going on in the...

Israeli soldiers killed a Ahmed Siduq during a raid. He was standing on the family balcony., trying to see what was going on in the street. Fatima Siduq is deeply traumatized by her son death. She heard the shot from the Israeli soldier that killed him, saw how her husband Museer tried to give him CPR. But it was too late. Ahmed was seventeen years old. “He was lying there, with a bullet hole in his head. How will I ever get that picture out of my brain?” 2023 was the deadliest year for Palestinians in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, since the UN started recording casualties there in 2005 – with 507 Palestinians recorded killed.

The Palestinian authorities called for a “day of rage” and there were several outbursts of violence in cities around the West Bank. In Bethlehem, the...

The Palestinian authorities called for a “day of rage” and there were several outbursts of violence in cities around the West Bank. In Bethlehem, the street facing the separating wall was filled with men setting up barricades and throwing rocks. They were met with live fire resulting in one dead and two injured.

The homework from school is still on his table at home. When teargas started to leak into the family apartment in Bethlehem Ahmed Sadiq stepped...

The homework from school is still on his table at home. When teargas started to leak into the family apartment in Bethlehem Ahmed Sadiq stepped out on the balcony to see what was going on. It was the last thing he did. An Israeli police officer shot him in the head. Ahmed is one of more than five hundred killed Palestinian on the West Bank during 2023. He is buried in the “Cemetery for martyrs” in Bethlehem by friends a family.

Yuval Tal was severely injured during the Hamas attack. Escorted by paramedics he is given permission to attend the funeral of his soldier friend Amir...

Yuval Tal was severely injured during the Hamas attack. Escorted by paramedics he is given permission to attend the funeral of his soldier friend Amir Lavi. Mount Herzl in Jerusalem is the cemetary for the soldiers that have lost their life in the fight against Hamas.

Dagen efter en israelisk räd i staden Jenin är det oftast begravningar. Så även denna dag. I Jenin är motståndet, eller det som israeliska regeringstalesmän...

Dagen efter en israelisk räd i staden Jenin är det oftast begravningar. Så även denna dag. I Jenin är motståndet, eller det som israeliska regeringstalesmän kallar terroristerna, starkt beväpnade. Hit kommer ofta tungt beväpnade israeliska poliser och trupper i stort antal. Efter det att kriget bröt ut efter Hamas attack har räderna intensifierats. För första gången på många år har Israelisk militär även använt stridsflyg.

Ahmed Sidiq’s kid brother Mohammed pulled him to safety when he was shot. His father Museer tried to give him CPR, but Ahmed died. Israeli...

Ahmed Sidiq’s kid brother Mohammed pulled him to safety when he was shot. His father Museer tried to give him CPR, but Ahmed died. Israeli soldiers killed a Ahmed Siduq during a raid. He was standing on the family balcony., trying to see what was going on in the street. Fatima Siduq is deeply traumatized by her son death. She heard the shot from the Israeli soldier that killed him, saw how her husband Museer tried to give him CPR. But it was too late. Ahmed was seventeen years old.

Bodies are still lying in the streets two days after the attack by Hamas on communities in the south. A car pulls over and four...

Bodies are still lying in the streets two days after the attack by Hamas on communities in the south. A car pulls over and four young men asks if the dead body is of a Hamas terrorist, when that is confirmed, they start to kick the body and throw stones. A passing police officer start yelling at them, not because of their actions – but because the area is too dangerous.

The Russian attack on Ukraine continues. People are losing their lives every day, especially around the city of Bakhmut where the Ukrainian artillery does its...

The Russian attack on Ukraine continues. People are losing their lives every day, especially around the city of Bakhmut where the Ukrainian artillery does its utmost to keep the invaders at bay. This war is very much about heavy weapons, indirect fire that is coordinated and controlled via drones in the sky. When the ordered salvo is delivered the soldiers move extremely fast. The Russian anti-artillery radar and drones are a feared adversary.

Ivan Shulha was killed a week earlier at the front. He is put to rest in his hometown of Kiev by his wife Anastasia and...

Ivan Shulha was killed a week earlier at the front. He is put to rest in his hometown of Kiev by his wife Anastasia and their nine year old son Nazar. The number of dead soldiers is a closely guarded secret but it is estimated that the numbers are hundreds of thousands.

Sixty-nine year old Natalja Bilousova is being evacuated from Kherson by the local Red Cross. She was injured by a russian shell when she was...

Sixty-nine year old Natalja Bilousova is being evacuated from Kherson by the local Red Cross. She was injured by a russian shell when she was doing laundry at home. For her own safety and to get better care than at the local hospital, she is taken to Vinnytsia. The Russians are shelling Kherson city constantly, killing and injuring civilians on a daily basis.

Tetiana Shapir reviews what is left of her house after the devastating flood that was a result of the Russian attack on the Nova Kakhovka...

Tetiana Shapir reviews what is left of her house after the devastating flood that was a result of the Russian attack on the Nova Kakhovka dam. The Shapir family is in desperate need of assistance and if there is anyone willing dm me and I will put you in contact with the family.

Happiness is when grandma Tatjana brings home a balloon and play with five year old Dana. Jablunska street in Bucha was hard hit during the...

Happiness is when grandma Tatjana brings home a balloon and play with five year old Dana. Jablunska street in Bucha was hard hit during the Russian occupation with hundreds of people massacred. Today life is slowly returning, in the midst of war.

Another funeral in Kyiv’s Independence square. Ivan Shulha is dead, he was killed at the frontline last week and today hundreds of his friends and...

Another funeral in Kyiv’s Independence square. Ivan Shulha is dead, he was killed at the frontline last week and today hundreds of his friends and family say their final farewell. He was 34 years old and leaves his wife Anastasia and his nine year old son Nazar.

Serhi is a former elite soldier. A Russian tank shell injured his leg so bad that it had to be amputated. Today he is one...

Serhi is a former elite soldier. A Russian tank shell injured his leg so bad that it had to be amputated. Today he is one of thousands of amputees in Ukraine. Working hard to get back on their feet. The rehabilitation hospital in the west of the country is constantly full. Serhi is highly motivated and wants to continue fighting, in some capacity.

“Win or lose is for Generals. For the soldier it’s all about survival.” The Ukrainian officer sober words meet the reality when the battle close...

“Win or lose is for Generals. For the soldier it’s all about survival.” The Ukrainian officer sober words meet the reality when the battle close to Bakhmut intensifies and injured soldiers start to arrive. Roman, the chief paramedic and his colleagues gently help a walking wounded to an ambulance that will evacuate him. The soldier’s commander calls Roman on the radio, inquiring about the soldiers well-being. Roman is relieved. “It was not his time to die today.”

Death from above. There are eyes everywhere. The high resolution cameras of the drones is a feared weapon. The drones are not only used for...

Death from above. There are eyes everywhere. The high resolution cameras of the drones is a feared weapon. The drones are not only used for reconnaissance, they can also drop explosives. The Ukrainaian artillery crew constantly keep an eye on the sky when they themselves are exposed.

“All soldiers smoke, even those who don’t.” For Svjatoslav Tjernetskyj and his injured soldier friends the small laundry room/smoking corner is the most visited room...

“All soldiers smoke, even those who don’t.” For Svjatoslav Tjernetskyj and his injured soldier friends the small laundry room/smoking corner is the most visited room in the hospital. Thousands of soldiers have lost limbs during the during Russian attack. The hospital has forty beds for patients, when someone is discharged the bed is immediately filled. The need for rehabilitation is enormous.

Byn går man ur huse för att hedra Oleksandr Sjysjkin begravningskortegen anländer till hembyn Boryslav. Kyrkogården i byn har en särskild avdelning för de stupade...

Byn går man ur huse för att hedra Oleksandr Sjysjkin begravningskortegen anländer till hembyn Boryslav. Kyrkogården i byn har en särskild avdelning för de stupade i kriget. I täten kör en polisbil med blinkande ljus, sedan en svart van prydd med texten ”Hjältar Dör Aldrig” på ukrainska, därefter en rad civila bilar samt en buss, alla med sina varningsblinkrar påslagna och många prydda med den ukrainska flaggan. En son har kommit hem

Oleksandr Sjysjkin’s mother Lida is comforted by friends and family. The small church is filled to capacity when he is buried. January 26th Oleksander called...

Oleksandr Sjysjkin’s mother Lida is comforted by friends and family. The small church is filled to capacity when he is buried. January 26th Oleksander called his mother from the frontline around the village of Kreminna. The Russian artillery fire was intense. “Mom, I don´t think I will make it through this.” One hour later he was dead.

Maria Patricia Alcantara wheels Jose Epifanio Sanchez Trujeque to the bathroom at their home in Lebec, CA on September 20, 2023. Because he is paralyzed...

Maria Patricia Alcantara wheels Jose Epifanio Sanchez Trujeque to the bathroom at their home in Lebec, CA on September 20, 2023. Because he is paralyzed from Valley Fever, Alcantara must lift him out of his wheel chair and place him on the toilet, wait with him while he goes, and then lift him back into his chair. The mattress against the wall is where she sleeps--on the floor next to his bed every night--in case he needs anything in the night. Valley Fever is caused by a fungus whose spread is being credited to climate change.

Matt Boyle tosses a small crab back as Luke McFadden, a crabber who has 1.6 million followers on TikTok, checks about 500 of his crab...

Matt Boyle tosses a small crab back as Luke McFadden, a crabber who has 1.6 million followers on TikTok, checks about 500 of his crab pots from his boat F.V. Southern Girl in the Chesapeake Bay on June 16, 2023 near Pasadena, MD. “I didn’t do this to get famous, I just want to crab,” he said. “There’s not a next generation of fishermen. All my peers are twice my age. They don’t retire. They can’t. They just die. My main point of social media is to make people care about watermen. The industry is at a crossroads right now.” A first generation crabber, he is one of the only crabbers of color and one of the youngest working on the Chesapeake Bay.

Emma Thomson of the Coral Restoration Foundation works among dead coral at a reef site called Pickles off the coast of Key Largo, FL on...

Emma Thomson of the Coral Restoration Foundation works among dead coral at a reef site called Pickles off the coast of Key Largo, FL on November 27, 2023. A marine heatwave over the summer killed much of the world’s third largest reef so quickly that the coral did not have time to bleach first. Thomson sobbed when she saw the reef for the first time after the mass death event. Dead coral lack color and are often covered in a moss-like overgrowth. “Back when I was an intern in 2016, I was working and feeling everything so deeply,” Thomson said. “Then Hurricane Irma hit and it wiped everything clear. Everything was just gone. It looked like someone had poured concrete over it and now, once again, another massive event comes through and decimates the corals. Seeing the skeletons is the worst part.”

Nancy Kidd, right, who is involved in running the Democrat tent, enjoys the Door County Fair with her granddaughter in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin on August...

Nancy Kidd, right, who is involved in running the Democrat tent, enjoys the Door County Fair with her granddaughter in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin on August 10, 2023. The Democrats used mason jars labeled with different political issues. They would hand passersby dried beans to put in the jar of the issues they cared most about. Reproductive rights ended up the most full of beans by the end of the fair.

Isela May Alcocer, 29, watches Ángel Hernandez, 2, play in the moldy, rat-infested trailer they share with seven others on May 16, 2023 in Door...

Isela May Alcocer, 29, watches Ángel Hernandez, 2, play in the moldy, rat-infested trailer they share with seven others on May 16, 2023 in Door County, WI. A demand for housing and large numbers of vacant rental properties for tourists have resulted in a housing crisis in the area. Low-income families, especially the families of the migrant workers on dairy farms and fruit orchards in the area, sometimes have to share trailers with other families in order to afford rent and food.

Teresa Cruz-Steele cares for her daughter Celia, 10, at home in Wichita, KS on May 1, 2023. Celia, who cannot walk or talk, has frequent...

Teresa Cruz-Steele cares for her daughter Celia, 10, at home in Wichita, KS on May 1, 2023. Celia, who cannot walk or talk, has frequent seizures, oxygen issues, and dystonia. After many tests, the answer was found in her genome. The issues lay in a gene called PDE 2A, which causes a condition she shares with only four other people. While she is on a lot of seizure medications, there is no cure or effective treatment for her condition. The remapping of the human genome, which was originally based on one man’s DNA, has opened the door for diagnosing and treating a wider array of rare genetic diseases.

Thousands of asylum-seeking migrants gathered on the US/Mexico border in the final hours of the Trump-era immigration policy, Title 42. When Title 42 expired at...

Thousands of asylum-seeking migrants gathered on the US/Mexico border in the final hours of the Trump-era immigration policy, Title 42. When Title 42 expired at midnight on May 11th and Title 8 went into effect, the repercussions for crossing the border illegally became more severe. The flow of migrants crossing the Rio Grande River slowed significantly. However, the conditions at the encampment are squalid and the migrants, especially those seeking asylum legally via the CBP One app, say they have nowhere to turn.

Alexander Nova holds Santiago Quintero, 6, as migrants seeking asylum traverse the Rio Grande River in order to cross the United States border before Title...

Alexander Nova holds Santiago Quintero, 6, as migrants seeking asylum traverse the Rio Grande River in order to cross the United States border before Title 42 expires on May 11, 2023 in Matamoros, Mexico.

Realizing the baby is drowning face-down in the water, migrants flip the baby over in an attempt to save its life while trying not to...

Realizing the baby is drowning face-down in the water, migrants flip the baby over in an attempt to save its life while trying not to drown themselves as they cross the Rio Grande River to the United States border on May 11, 2023 in Matamoros, Mexico. People waiting on the banks of the river could see the baby was drowning before the men in the water could, so they desperately shouted to the men. The thick vegetation in the river hid the reality of the deep water, making the crossing in hopes of asylum in the hours before Title 42 expired that night very dangerous.

Migrants help each other up the Rio Grande river bank after turning back from a failed attempt to cross to the United States border and...

Migrants help each other up the Rio Grande river bank after turning back from a failed attempt to cross to the United States border and ask for asylum as Title 42 expires on May 11, 2023 in Matamoros, Mexico. Title 42 is a Trump-era policy that allows border agents to quickly turn away migrants seeking asylum due to COVID-related concerns. The policy expired at 11:59 pm that day.

Diapers litter the ground across from the United States border as Title 42 expires on May 11, 2023 in Matamoros, Mexico. Families often wait for...

Diapers litter the ground across from the United States border as Title 42 expires on May 11, 2023 in Matamoros, Mexico. Families often wait for weeks on the border in squalid camps for their asylum claims to be processed.

Isabel Rizzo, 25, and Alejandro Torre Alva, 27, both migrants from Venezuela seeking asylum rest on a walkway near the United States border on May...

Isabel Rizzo, 25, and Alejandro Torre Alva, 27, both migrants from Venezuela seeking asylum rest on a walkway near the United States border on May 12, 2023 in Matamoros, Mexico. Information about changes to immigration policy spreads through migrant camps quickly, but is often inaccurate or confusing by the time it reaches an asylum-seeker. Resting along the main walkway through the tent encampment increases their chances of hearing enough information that they can piece together something close to the facts about how changes will affect them, such as with Title 42.

Thousands of migrants wait in an encampment as lightning crashes and rain floods the area on May 13, 2023 in Matamoros, Mexico. Many have been...

Thousands of migrants wait in an encampment as lightning crashes and rain floods the area on May 13, 2023 in Matamoros, Mexico. Many have been waiting months in the camp to get their asylum claim processed legally. When Title 42 expired and Title 8 went into effect, the repercussions for crossing the border illegally became more severe. The flow of migrants crossing the Rio Grande River slowed significantly. However, the conditions at the encampment are squalid and the migrants, especially those seeking asylum, say they have nowhere to turn.

Miley Vasquez, 9, waits with her family in hopes of getting a credible fear interview, a first step in the process of seeking asylum, at...

Miley Vasquez, 9, waits with her family in hopes of getting a credible fear interview, a first step in the process of seeking asylum, at the United States border on May 12, 2023 in Matamoros, Mexico. When Title 42 expired, Title 8 went into effect. In Title 8, Mexicans can once again seek asylum in the United States. Vasquez’s family said that gang violence in Acapulco, Mexico was driving them from their home so as soon as Title 42 lifted, they wanted to try for asylum.

Ramon Elias Suarez waits while he tries and fails to use an app to apply for asylum near the United States border on May 12,...

Ramon Elias Suarez waits while he tries and fails to use an app to apply for asylum near the United States border on May 12, 2023 in Matamoros, Mexico. The CBP One app, asylum-seekers say, is very unreliable. It often crashes or does not keep their place in the queue to get their claim processed, leaving them waiting sometimes for weeks.

Migrants who had been waiting on the Gateway International Bridge, in hopes of getting credible fear interviews for asylum in the United States, were told...

Migrants who had been waiting on the Gateway International Bridge, in hopes of getting credible fear interviews for asylum in the United States, were told to turn back to Mexico to wait as lightning crashes and rain floods the area on May 13, 2023 in Matamoros, Mexico. Many have been waiting months in the squalid camp to get their asylum claim processed legally.

Freddie Castro, 46, holds his daughter Lorena Castro, 23, while they both cry about their predicament as they wait to legally seek asylum from Venezuela...

Freddie Castro, 46, holds his daughter Lorena Castro, 23, while they both cry about their predicament as they wait to legally seek asylum from Venezuela with thousands of migrants in an encampment on May 13, 2023 in Matamoros, Mexico. As rain pelted down, Lorena said she is concerned about the future for her two young children. Many have been waiting months in the camp to get their asylum claim processed legally. A few weeks after this photograph was taken, Freddie and one of his two daughters were allowed to proceed to New York while they wait for the next step in the asylum process. However, he remained distraught over being forced to leave his other daughter to wait in the squalid encampment alone for her turn to ask for asylum.

A man rests and checks his phone in a camp along the Rio Grande River near the United States border moments after Title 42 expires...

A man rests and checks his phone in a camp along the Rio Grande River near the United States border moments after Title 42 expires on May 12, 2023 in Matamoros, Mexico. With the stricter policy in place around crossing illegally, most said they planned to use the CBP One app on their phones to apply for asylum and wait in camps like this one, often for months, unless the policy changes again.

Migrants stand at a crossing point along the Rio Grande River near the United States border and converse with officials minutes after Title 42 expires...

Migrants stand at a crossing point along the Rio Grande River near the United States border and converse with officials minutes after Title 42 expires on May 12, 2023 in Matamoros, Mexico. Occasionally, in the stand-off the policy shift invoked, jokes were shouted back and forth across the river between migrants and border patrol agents as they all tried to figure out what came next.

Drug cartels are using the Galápagos Islands as a gas station for the boats they use to smuggle cocaine north to Mexico and the United...

Drug cartels are using the Galápagos Islands as a gas station for the boats they use to smuggle cocaine north to Mexico and the United States. The cartels extort local fishermen who have access to subsidized gas. The large swaths of undeveloped land and small ports and airports on the islands make it easy for drugs to be smuggled through. In 2023, the navy seized nearly 25 tons of cocaine around the Galápagos—a 150 percent increase over 2022. Weapons are now also being smuggled along routes near the islands as Ecuadorian gangs fight for control of drug routes and violence in Ecuador soars.

People hang out in Puerto Villamil on Isabela Island, Galápagos on April 25, 2023. While there is some demand for cocaine locally in this tourist...

People hang out in Puerto Villamil on Isabela Island, Galápagos on April 25, 2023. While there is some demand for cocaine locally in this tourist hotspot, the majority is passing through on routes from South America north to Mexico and the US. Mexican and Albanian cartels’ efforts to meet an increasing demand for cocaine have aided in a historic increase in violence in Ecuador.

Locals dive into the water near the Artisanal Market to snorkel and cool off in Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island, Galápagos on April 21,...

Locals dive into the water near the Artisanal Market to snorkel and cool off in Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island, Galápagos on April 21, 2023. This swimming hole is near one of the ports that fishermen, who are being extorted for their gas, leave from.

Tourists take photos as they visit Bartolomé Island, Galápagos on April 23, 2023. While tourists bring a small demand for cocaine locally, most tourists would...

Tourists take photos as they visit Bartolomé Island, Galápagos on April 23, 2023. While tourists bring a small demand for cocaine locally, most tourists would not notice the signs of cartel influence in the area.

Myr. Velasquez Farias Francisco Vinicio, a police officer, waves to a friend in Puerto Villamil on Isabela Island, Galápagos on April 25, 2023. He watches...

Myr. Velasquez Farias Francisco Vinicio, a police officer, waves to a friend in Puerto Villamil on Isabela Island, Galápagos on April 25, 2023. He watches over the main port on the island and handles incidents with seized drugs. At one point, cocaine washed up on a beach near this port.

An Ecuadorian Coast Guard team patrols the ports for suspicious activity in Guayaquil, Ecuador on April 20, 2023. The teams that patrol the waters around...

An Ecuadorian Coast Guard team patrols the ports for suspicious activity in Guayaquil, Ecuador on April 20, 2023. The teams that patrol the waters around Ecuador’s biggest export hub often come head-to-head with gang members who use container ships, submarines and fishing vessels to smuggle cocaine out of the violence-torn country to the US, Mexico and Europe. Guayaquil has been wracked with car bombings, murders, and hostage situations in recent months attributed to drug gangs. Most recently, Los Choneros gang leader José Adolfo Macías Villamar escaped a Guayaquil prison where he was serving a 34-year sentence for drug trafficking. This led the president to declare a state of emergency in the country.

An Ecuadorian Coast Guard team, including Victor John Coronado, boards and inspects a boat that they suspected smuggled gas off the coast of San Cristobal,...

An Ecuadorian Coast Guard team, including Victor John Coronado, boards and inspects a boat that they suspected smuggled gas off the coast of San Cristobal, Galápagos on April 27, 2023. Fishing vessels like this one are frequently used to smuggle the subsidized gas to drop points in the waters around the Galapagos, where cartel boats pick the gas tanks up to fuel their journeys north. In this case, the men claimed to have been out fishing and heading home. However, the Coast Guard said they were low on gas, all of their fishing equipment was stored and dry, and they did not have any fish onboard. While the team had their suspicions, they had nothing to hold the fishermen with so they let them go.

An Ecuadorian Coast Guard team brings their vessel, called the Darwin Island, back to San Cristobal, Galápagos on April 27, 2023. Officials estimate that seventy...

An Ecuadorian Coast Guard team brings their vessel, called the Darwin Island, back to San Cristobal, Galápagos on April 27, 2023. Officials estimate that seventy percent of the cocaine in Europe was smuggled out of Ecuador. Islanders, especially on nearby Isabela, have heard unauthorized planes and found packages of cocaine on beaches for years, but are often scared to report them. The navy intelligence service is looking into rumors that uninhabited areas hold clandestine runways for drug-laden planes.

Hilda Moscoso Espinoza, whose son has struggled with cocaine addiction for years, poses for a portrait on her bed at her farm on Isabela Island,...

Hilda Moscoso Espinoza, whose son has struggled with cocaine addiction for years, poses for a portrait on her bed at her farm on Isabela Island, Galápagos on April 26, 2023. Growing up on the island, she remembers when there were so few people there that they ate meals communally. “Little by little, the drugs are taking over the island,” she said. “And there is no help.”

An abandoned plane sits at Jose de Villamil Airport, where a “ghost plane” landed and subsequently disappeared, on Isabela Island, Galápagos on April 24, 2023....

An abandoned plane sits at Jose de Villamil Airport, where a “ghost plane” landed and subsequently disappeared, on Isabela Island, Galápagos on April 24, 2023. A mystery unfolded when an unauthorized plane landed at the tiny Isabela airport. Its pilot and crew escaped and, two months later, the plane disappeared. The mystery was never solved and the plane was never found. An airport administrator, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, was terrified to go to work and later was offered $250,000 by a stranger in exchange for access to the runway. The administrator declined, saying his life didn’t have a price. He said that intelligence officials later confirmed that the island was awash in drug money and the airport was an ideal place for “narcoplanes”.

A crowd watches as a large boat catches on fire in Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island, Galápagos on April 21, 2023. Later that night,...

A crowd watches as a large boat catches on fire in Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island, Galápagos on April 21, 2023. Later that night, a fisherman speaking anonymously out of fear for his life talked about how he had been extorted to bring subsidized gas for fishing to drop points for cartel boats. Local leaders, fishermen, intelligence officials, and residents all painted a picture of a place where locals get rich seemingly overnight, people are scared to speak out, and a cash-based local economy filled with tourists is perfect for money laundering. This UNESCO World Heritage site is increasingly facing a crisis as Ecuador’s drug cartels’ influence and violence grows.

Brooke High found out she was pregnant two days before the Texas Heartbeat Act went into effect, which banned abortions after about six weeks. Barely...

Brooke High found out she was pregnant two days before the Texas Heartbeat Act went into effect, which banned abortions after about six weeks. Barely missing the deadline, she was unable to access an abortion before the ban took effect. At 18-years-old, Brooke found herself juggling the feeding and sleeping schedules of twin newborns. Their father, Billy High, enlisted in the military, rather than chase his skateboarding dreams, in order to provide for his unexpected new family. Appearing in a story about the abortion ban shortly before Roe v. Wade was overturned, they became symbols on both sides of the abortion debate in the United States.

Brooke High and Billy High spend time resting in bed while their twins, Kendall and Olivia, nap at home in Tampa, FL on June 25,...

Brooke High and Billy High spend time resting in bed while their twins, Kendall and Olivia, nap at home in Tampa, FL on June 25, 2023. When their story first came out, politicians and advocates on both sides used their story to support their own viewpoints. “It doesn’t make sense to me that we would be that shining example [for antiabortion advocates],” she said. Their lives are, as she put it, “so imperfect.” Brooke likes to read fantasy novels to escape the stresses of her life. Meanwhile, Billy watches skateboarding videos on his phone in his spare time. Brooke appreciates when they have a quiet moment rather than filling it with arguments or chores. Brooke and Billy married and Billy joined the military when she couldn’t get an abortion in Texas. The closest clinic that could have given her an abortion was a 13-hour drive away in New Mexico. Brooke High found out she was pregnant two days before the Texas Heartbeat Act went into effect, which banned abortions after about six weeks. Barely missing the deadline, she was unable to access an abortion before the ban took effect. At 18-years-old, Brooke found herself juggling the feeding and sleeping schedules of twin newborns. Their father, Billy High, enlisted in the military, rather than chase his skateboarding dreams, in order to provide for his unexpected new family. Appearing in a story about the abortion ban shortly before Roe v. Wade was overturned, they became symbols on both sides of the abortion debate in the United States.

Brooke High vacuums as Billy High watches skateboarding videos and their twins, Kendall and Olivia, play at home in Tampa, FL on June 25, 2023....

Brooke High vacuums as Billy High watches skateboarding videos and their twins, Kendall and Olivia, play at home in Tampa, FL on June 25, 2023. Brooke often gets frustrated by doing chores while Billy hangs out or leaves a mess behind for her. They both gave up dreams to support the twins when she got unexpectedly pregnant and couldn’t access an abortion in Texas. For Brooke, it was giving up her plan to be a realtor. Now she feels stuck, because she doesn’t think she could provide for the twins if she left Billy.

While Billy High is at work, Brooke High comforts Kendall after Olivia bit her at home in Tampa, FL on June 26, 2023. As much...

While Billy High is at work, Brooke High comforts Kendall after Olivia bit her at home in Tampa, FL on June 26, 2023. As much as they struggle to get along sometimes, Brooke said the hours she is at home without Billy there to help her are the hardest. He works from 2 pm until after 11, so she has to take care of the girls’ bedtime routine alone.

When they disagreed about whose turn it was to change the diapers for their twins, Brooke and Billy High play Rock Paper Scissors to decide...

When they disagreed about whose turn it was to change the diapers for their twins, Brooke and Billy High play Rock Paper Scissors to decide at home in Tampa, FL on June 25, 2023. Games like Rock Paper Scissors help them avoid frequent arguments about who handles various chores and responsibilities.

Taking a break from playing video games, Brooke and Billy High toss Kendall as Olivia watches at home in Tampa, FL on June 25, 2023....

Taking a break from playing video games, Brooke and Billy High toss Kendall as Olivia watches at home in Tampa, FL on June 25, 2023. Brooke says she is proud of the decisions they have made for their family. Billy is a mechanic for the Air Force, while Brooke cares for the girls full time. However, they both said that they miss the freedom they had before.

While Billy High is at work, Brooke High takes care of their twins at home in Tampa, FL on June 26, 2023. Every time they...

While Billy High is at work, Brooke High takes care of their twins at home in Tampa, FL on June 26, 2023. Every time they put the girls down for bed, one of them reads Kendall and Olivia a bedtime story. Brooke was proud when a doctor called her girls "really smart" at a one-year checkup.

Billy High does a backflip as he and Brooke High play with their twins, Kendall and Olivia, at a park in Tampa, FL on June...

Billy High does a backflip as he and Brooke High play with their twins, Kendall and Olivia, at a park in Tampa, FL on June 25, 2023. A throwback to his days showing off at the skatepark where they met, Billy often does tricks like this at the playground instead. Sometimes Brooke finds it charming, but other times she just wants him to pay attention to her and the girls.

Brooke High gives Billy High a kiss as they play in the pool with their twins, Kendall and Olivia, in Tampa, FL on June 26,...

Brooke High gives Billy High a kiss as they play in the pool with their twins, Kendall and Olivia, in Tampa, FL on June 26, 2023. When they first moved to Tampa, she missed her new husband dearly. However, as time went on, he felt more distant—too tired from work to talk or give her validation of his love. To help with the arguments and tension in their marriage, Brooke and Billy now see a marriage counselor, who recommends that they each take time for themselves. Brooke takes Kendall and Olivia to swim lessons every week and continues their education whenever she can at the pool in their apartment complex. It is nearly impossible for her to handle them without Billy's help though because the girls will shoot off in different directions.

Brooke and Billy High put their twins, Kendall and Olivia, down for a nap at home in Tampa, FL on June 25, 2023. If they...

Brooke and Billy High put their twins, Kendall and Olivia, down for a nap at home in Tampa, FL on June 25, 2023. If they didn’t have the girls, they both admit their teen romance probably would have fizzled out and they would have moved on. Now, they instead share the experience of parenthood. A study by pro-abortion-rights research group at the University of California at San Francisco, which included nearly 1,000 women, found that women who are denied abortions experience worse financial, health, and family outcomes than those who are able to end their pregnancies.

Brooke High listens on a call with a career coach, to help her reach her new dream of being a personal trainer, at home in...

Brooke High listens on a call with a career coach, to help her reach her new dream of being a personal trainer, at home in Tampa, FL on June 26, 2023. “It’s a little bit scary,” Brooke said of how quickly their relationship could fall apart. “Billy and I haven’t been together that long.” So, using military spouse benefits, she found hope in having a plan to gain some independence and help support her children regardless of how things play out with Billy.

Billy High laughs as Kendall and Olivia High, wearing matching Air Force onesies, play with his hat before he leaves for work from their home...

Billy High laughs as Kendall and Olivia High, wearing matching Air Force onesies, play with his hat before he leaves for work from their home in Tampa, FL on June 26, 2023. After Air Force basic training, “I felt more able to take care of them,” he said. “I felt like I could do anything if I wanted to.” His daughters made him feel good about the person he was becoming. While Brooke is their main caregiver, one of the things she loves most about Billy is that he is the "fun" one who can always make their girls laugh.

Brooke High pushes Kendall and Olivia in a stroller on a walk with a friend, who she met in a military spouse support group on...

Brooke High pushes Kendall and Olivia in a stroller on a walk with a friend, who she met in a military spouse support group on Facebook, in Tampa, FL on June 26, 2023. They spoke of the struggles of parenthood, military life, and being more than a thousand miles from home. Brooke shared how well the call with a career counselor went earlier that day. How comforting it was to have a ray of hope amidst the uncertainties of their future. A year after the overturning of Roe v. Wade, Billy said of the abortion laws that led to their situation, “If I see it on the news, I’m like, ‘Yeah, that’s why I have two kids today. I think that for like a split second, then I move on.”