**Captivating Moments: This Week in Pictures**

**From powerful weather phenomena to community gatherings, this week's news photographs offer a vivid snapshot of global happenings, including celebrations, tragedies, and moments of resilience.**

This week showcased a blend of celebrations and poignant events across the globe. In Essex, England, Stephen Morton welcomed fellow enthusiasts to his home, where they engaged in an annual competition of Subbuteo, surrounded by a collection of football memorabilia. Meanwhile, in South Korea, tragic news was reported as firefighters worked amidst the wreckage of a Jeju Air plane that crashed on December 29, claiming the lives of 179 individuals. Only two crew members survived, marking one of the gravest air disasters in the country’s history.

In China, the Harbin Ice Lantern Art Fair captivated locals and tourists alike, with thousands admiring the stunning sculptures illuminated by colorful lights. The breathtaking sights continued in Russia, where residents of Krasnoyarsk marveled at the Northern Lights, a dazzling display sparked by a solar storm on New Year’s Day.

As the world welcomed 2025, jubilant celebrations erupted in multiple cities, including Jakarta, Indonesia, where families gathered to enjoy magnificent firework displays. The iconic pyramids in Giza provided a stunning backdrop for a vibrant pyrotechnic show that captivated onlookers. On the first day of the new year, many brave souls, like Angela McClements in Northern Ireland, took a chilly dip in the harbor, joining a charity event that celebrates community spirit.

In the Gaza Strip, amid ongoing conflict, Palestinians sought refuge in humanitarian efforts as they gathered for meals distributed by charity kitchens in Khan Younis. Meanwhile, in Las Vegas, police confirmed an explosion outside the Trump Hotel was not connected to a separate car-ramming incident, which left one person dead and several injured.

These images encapsulate a week marked by both triumph and turmoil, reflecting the resilience and spirit of communities worldwide.