Twenty photographs of the week

The Taliban take over Kabul after the US withdrawal, Extinction Rebellion in London, protests in Gaza and Hurricane Ida – the most striking images from around the world this week

Main image: The Caldor fire burns in the hills above homes near South Lake Tahoe. Photograph: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

  • Kabul, Afghanistan

    The US army’s Maj Gen Chris Donahue, commander of the 82nd Airborne Division, steps onboard a C-17 transport plane. He was the last US service member to leave Hamid Karzai international airport.
    US Army Major General Chris Donahue, commander of the 82nd Airborne Division, steps on board a C-17 transport plane.

  • Kabul, Afghanistan

    Taliban fighters atop a Humvee take part in a rally to celebrate the US pulling all its troops out of the country to end the 20-year war.
    Taliban fighters atop a Humvee take part in a rally to celebrate the US pulling all its troops out of the country to end the 20-year war.

  • Kabul, Afghanistan

    An Afghan air force A-29 attack aircraft with armoured vests lying on the ground inside a hangar at the airport.
    An Afghan air force A-29 attack aircraft is photographed with armoured vests lying on the ground inside a hangar at the airport.

  • Reading, England

    Abandoned tents at the Reading festival campsite after the event.
    Abandoned tents at the Reading Festival campsite after the event.

  • Golden Meadow, Louisiana, US

    Tiffany Miller is embraced by her daughter Desilynn as she holds her one-year-old godchild Charleigh, after the family returned to their destroyed home in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida.
    Tiffany Miller is embraced by her daughter Desilynn as she holds her one year old godchild Charleigh, after the family returned to their destroyed home in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida.

  • Dover, Delaware, US

    President Joe Biden watches as a carry team moves the transfer case containing the remains of navy corpsman Maxton W Soviak during a casualty return at Dover air force base. Soviak died in an attack at Afghanistan’s Kabul airport, along with 12 other US service members.
    President Joe Biden watches as a carry team moves the transfer case containing the remains of navy corpsman Maxton W Soviak during a casualty return at Dover air force base.

  • Mediterranean Sea

    A pregnant woman reacts onboard a wooden boat as they wait for the Italian coastguard near the island of Lampedusa.
    Mediterranean SeaA pregnant woman reacts on board a wooden boat as they wait for the Italian coastguard near the island of Lampedusa.

  • Ramstein, Germany

    Evacuees from Afghanistan wait inside a hanger at the US airbase to fly to the United States or another safe location.
    Evacuees from Afghanistan wait inside a hanger at the US airbase to fly to the United States or another safe location.

  • South Lake Tahoe, California, US

    The Caldor fire burns in the hills above homes near the city of South Lake Tahoe. The fire has burned more than 175,000 acres and destroyed hundreds of homes.
    South Lake Tahoe, California, USThe Caldor fire burns in the hills above homes near South Lake Tahoe.

  • Panjshir, Afghanistan

    Afghan resistance movement and anti-Taliban uprising forces take part in military training in the province of Panjshir.
    Afghan resistance movement and anti-Taliban uprising forces take part in military training in the province of Panjshir.

  • Gaza

    Palestinian protesters burn tyres following a demonstration along the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel.
    Palestinian protesters burn tyres following a demonstration along the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel.

  • Gaza

    Relatives of Palestinian Omar al-Nile, 12, who was shot during a demonstration on the eastern border between Gaza and Israel, mourn during his funeral.
    Relatives of Palestinian Omar al-Nile, 12, who was shot during a demonstration on the eastern border between Gaza and Israel, mourn during his funeral.

  • Kyiv, Ukraine

    Young cadets attend a ceremony on the occasion of the first day of school at a lyceum in Kyiv.
    Young cadets attend a ceremony on the occasion of the first day of school at a lyceum in Kyiv.

  • LaPlace, Louisiana, US

    People are evacuated from floodwaters in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida in LaPlace.
    People are evacuated from floodwaters in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida in LaPlace.

  • Ilulissat, Greenland

    Ice floats around boats in the port of Ilulissat. Greenland is experiencing one of its biggest ice-melt years in recorded history. Scientists studying the Greenland ice sheet observed rainfall on the highest point of the country for the first time ever this August. Researchers from Denmark estimated that in July of this year enough ice melted on the Greenland ice sheet to cover the entire state of Florida with two inches of water.
    Ice floats around boats in the port of Ilulissat. Greenland is experiencing one of its biggest ice-melt years in recorded history.

  • Alcanar, Spain

    Carla Bayerri inspects her family restaurant after flooding in the seaside town of Alcanar. A downpour created flash floods that swept cars down streets in the Catalan town.
    Carla Bayerri inspects her family restaurant after flooding in the seaside town of Alcanar.

  • Mayabeque, Cuba

    A man, using a piece of plastic as protection against the rain caused by Hurricane Ida, rides his horse on a road leading to Batabano.
    A man, using a piece of plastic as protection against the rain caused by Hurricane Ida, rides his horse on a road leading to Batabano.

  • London, England

    An animal rights protestor holds a placard during a march through central London as part of Extinction Rebellion’s August protests.
    An animal rights protestor holds a placard during a march through central London as part of Extinction Rebellion’s August protests.

  • Sabucedo, Spain

    Aloitadores struggle with wild horses during the Rapa Das Bestas in the north-western village of Sabucedo. During the festival wild horses are rounded up from the mountains to be marked and to have their manes trimmed.
    Aloitadores struggle with wild horses during the Rapa Das Bestas in the northwestern village of Sabucedo.

  • South Lake Tahoe, California, US

    A firefighter monitors the Caldor fire burning near homes in South Lake Tahoe. As the winds returned this week, the fire roared over the Sierra crest and bore down on the southern end of Lake Tahoe.
    A firefighter monitors the Caldor fire burning near homes in South Lake Tahoe.
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