Photo Essays

Dust and bones as Turkey's Lake Van shrinks

Shepherd Ibrahim Koc recalls his youth with fondness as he grazes cattle on a barren field that was once lush with vegetation on the edge of Turkey's largest lake.
Kirkpinar: Turkey's annual oil wrestling tournament

Held each year in late June or early July in Turkey's northwestern town of Edirne, Kirkpinar – on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list since 2010 – is officially recognised as the longest continuously running sporting competition in the world. By Konstantin Novakovic
Cultivating chillies in a changing climate – Pakistan's tough harvest

Extreme heat and drought followed by floods. Such weather patterns indicate that Pakistan's climate is already changing. The consequences include failed harvests, as can be seen in the chilli capital Kunri.
Iraq: thousands of dead fish wash up amid on-going drought

Masses of dead fish have washed up in the rivers of Iraq's marshlands, highlighting the impact of the climate crisis on the region. By Florian Meyer
Landmark hajj: first full pilgrimage following COVID

Millions of Muslims from around the world have started converging this week on Mecca in Saudi Arabia to begin the several days of rituals at holy sites in and around the city.
Iran: Defiant Shia cleric takes in stray dogs

It's rare these days for a turbaned cleric in Iran to attract a large following of adoring young fans on Instagram, but Sayed Mahdi Tabatabaei has done it by rescuing street dogs in defiance of a local taboo.
The Balti people of Turtuk

Nestling in the Karakoram range in remote Baltistan on the Indo-Pakistan border lies the historic and storied village of Turtuk, once an important stopover on the ancient Silk Road. By Sugato Mukherjee
First aid, but little hope in Sudan

Heavy fighting in Sudan has been going on for a fortnight now. So far, no ceasefire has held. On Sunday, Red Cross aid supplies for the population arrived in the country for the first time. By Beate Hinrichs
Taliban sports ban: Afghan women take a stand

The Taliban's takeover of power has meant wide-ranging restrictions on Afghan women's freedom. This includes a ban on sport. Some women have taken a stand against this – and had their sports equipment photographed anonymously.
Egypt's female Islamic chanters

These Egyptian artists are challenging traditional norms by performing 'inshad', a form of Islamic chanting typically done by men.