In Pictures

Week in Pictures: 25-31 January

  • 1 February 2020

A selection of striking news photographs from around the world this week.

Chinese tourists wearing protective masks pray at the Erawan Shrine in Bangkok, Thailand. Image copyright Athit Perawongmetha / Reuters
Image caption Chinese tourists wearing protective masks pray at the Erawan Shrine in Bangkok, Thailand. The World Health Organisation declared a global health emergency over the outbreak of coronavirus, which originated in Wuhan, China. At least 213 people in China have died from the virus, with almost 10,000 cases nationally.
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Fans gathered at a mural to pay respects to Kobe Bryant after a helicopter crash killed the retired basketball star, in Los Angeles, California, 28 January 2020. Image copyright Kyle Grillot REUTERS/
Image caption People left tributes to basketball legend Kobe Bryant and his daughter at a new mural in Los Angeles, California, following the helicopter crash which killed the the NBA star, his daughter Gianna and seven others on Sunday.
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A member of the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament holds a scarf depicting the European Union and the Union Jack flags during a ceremony at the Europa Building in Brussels. Image copyright John Thys / AFP
Image caption A member of the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament holds a scarf depicting the European Union and the Union Jack flags. There were emotional scenes after MEPs ratified the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement in Brussels, and British members left the parliament for the last time.
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Participants stand at candles near the railroad tracks and an illuminated guard tower at the former Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp during the official ceremony to mark the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the camp. Image copyright Sean Gallup / Getty Images
Image caption Candles are lit near the railway tracks at the former Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp, during the ceremony to mark the 75th anniversary of its liberation. International leaders, as well as approximately 200 survivors and their families, attended the commemoration. The Nazi regime killed an estimated one million people at the camp. which was liberated by the Soviet Army on 27 January 1945.
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Year 7 students from St Timothy's Primary School with Holocaust survivor Janine Webber during the "Stand Together" Glasgow Schools" Holocaust Memorial event at Glasgow City Chambers. Image copyright Jane Barlow / PA Media
Image caption Scottish Year 7 students from St Timothy's Primary School, and Holocaust survivor Janine Webber, took part in the "Stand Together" Glasgow Schools' Holocaust Memorial event at Glasgow City Chambers. Pupils from schools across Scotland gathered to remember the liberation of Auschwitz 75 years ago.
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Members of the Jarl Squad in Lerwick on the Shetland Isles during the Up Helly Aa Viking festival. Originating in the 1880s, the festival celebrates Shetland's Norse heritage, 28 January 2020. Image copyright Andrew Milligan / PA
Image caption Members of the Jarl Squad in Lerwick on the Shetland Isles participate in the Up Helly Aa Viking festival. Originating in the 1880s, the festival celebrates Shetland's Norse heritage.
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Firefighters brandish flares as they climb on the Statue of Republic Triumph at Nation square in Paris during a demonstration to protest against French government's plan to overhaul the country's retirement system Image copyright Bertrand Guay / AFP
Image caption Firefighters brandish flares as they climb onto the statue of Le Triomphe de la Republique, in Paris, during a demonstration against the French government's plan to overhaul the country's retirement system. Since December, hundreds of thousands of people have marched in cities across France, against the government's reform plans.
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A farm work holding tobacco leaves aloft on Tilisa Farm in Bromley, Zimbabwe - Wednesday 29 January 2020 Image copyright EPA
Image caption A farm worker in a tobacco field in Zimbabwe carries freshly harvested leaves on Wednesday.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo conducts a phone call on his plane upon arrival in London. Image copyright Kevin Lamarque / Reuters
Image caption US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrives in London, ahead of talks with UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab.
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A baby bearded pygmy chameleon, one of three which have hatched at Chester Zoo, sits on the end of a pencil. Image copyright Chester Zoo / PA
Image caption A baby bearded pygmy chameleon, one of three which have hatched at Chester Zoo, sits on the end of a pencil. Found only in the coastal forests of Tanzania, the tiny reptiles can change colour and produce a line down the side of their body to perfectly blend in with leaves in their surroundings.
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US Senator Lamar Alexander exits the Trump impeachment trial in Washington. Image copyright Brendan McDermid / Reuters
Image caption US Senator Lamar Alexander leaves the Trump impeachment trial in Washington. Democrats have been dealt a major blow in their attempt to call witnesses at President Trump's trial. They needed four Republicans to vote with them to allow witness testimony, but Lamar Alexander, who had been undecided, said he will vote against the measure.
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Volunteers taking part in the "Great Yew" during the annual prune of the 400-year-old yew at the National Trust's Shugborough Estate in Staffordshire. Image copyright Jacob King / PA Media
Image caption Volunteers take part in the annual pruning of the 400-year-old yew at the National Trust's Shugborough Estate in Staffordshire, England.
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All photographs belong to the copyright holders as marked.