The week around the world in 20 pictures

Russia carried out a massive aerial attack on Kyiv, bombarding the Ukrainian capital with ballistic missiles shortly after Putin announced his agreement to resume trilateral negotiations with US envoy Steve Witkoff. In Kyiv, residents like Natalya witnessed the destruction firsthand as their homes were damaged in the strikes.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian infantrymen withdrew from a position in Zaporizhzhia they had held for over 10 months. President Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to western partners who acknowledged the reality of Russia's intentions and called for stronger air defenses and increased sanctions against Moscow.

European unrest

France imposed partial curfews in several cities including parts of Paris after the government admitted police had 'lost control' during violent weekend protests. Demonstrations against rising living costs spread across the country, joining students' grievances that have rocked France six months before a crucial presidential election.

In Lyon, protesters attacked a tourism office during demonstrations against economic pressures. The unrest follows weeks of protests by high school students that have sometimes turned violent with clashes with police.

Middle East violence

In Gaza, Palestinian women and children watched a strongman championship among the rubble of destroyed buildings, while family members surveyed their homes following Israeli airstrikes. In the West Bank, Israeli soldiers stood beside a wounded Palestinian man they had shot after a settler attack on Palestinians harvesting olives.

Hebron saw armed Palestinian men exchanging fire with Israeli forces at a checkpoint. Netanyahu ordered the army to prepare for a 'very extensive' operation in the occupied West Bank after two Israeli soldiers and two Palestinians were killed in recent violence.

Global conflicts and disasters

In Russia, people watched a burning oil terminal after an air attack in St Petersburg, with Russia's defense ministry claiming its forces had destroyed 1,015 Ukrainian drones over 15 Russian regions, Crimea and the Black Sea. In Yemen, Saudi-backed fighters battled Iran-allied Houthis near Taiz, where the city of over 900,000 people has been largely encircled.

Wildfires in southern California burned at least six homes and injured two firefighters as the Norte Fire spread through the region. In Indonesia, students protested across Kalimantan and Sumatra demanding government accountability for wildfires and toxic haze blanketing the region.

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, several hundred Ebola orphans are being cared for in emergency nurseries at the epidemic's epicenter, which continues to spread nearly six months after its official declaration.

Political tensions

Albania saw lawmakers clash in parliament as opposition MPs disrupted a session, throwing objects and ripping microphones from ruling majority desks. Several opposition MPs held up images of students injured by police during protests in Tirana.

In India, security personnel detained the All India Students' Association president during a protest demanding the election commissioner's resignation. An Indian court ordered the release of two leaders of the Cockroach movement who had been jailed amid a crackdown on youth-led protests.

Brazil's presidential election remains on a knife edge as deforestation in the Amazon has fallen to its lowest level since records began. The outcome of the October 25 run-off between candidates with sharply different visions for the rainforest could determine whether this success continues.