LIBYA — Finding refuge to survive, gaining the power of literacy to thrive: Sudanese student Magdah Abu Kassem, 12, who left Sudan with her family during the civil war, poses with her notebook in front of her classroom at a refugee school for children, in Tajoura, east Tripoli, Monday, May 18, 2026.
Last year, InfoMigrants counted 940,000 migrants in Libya. The largest group of these, about 30-35%, comes from Sudan, according to data from 2025. Many of them are trying to find a way to enter the European Union, though many are staying in Libya in greater numbers.
Sudan’s civil war has become more deadly as armed forces are being increasingly supplied with drones from various Middle Eastern countries.
GENEVA — Freeze frame photo shows the ‘aura of velocity’: United States’ Alex Michelsen returns the ball to compatriot Learner Tien during a quarterfinal match, at the Geneva Open tennis tournament in Switzerland, Thursday, May 21, 2026.
Tien won the match and advances to the semifinals in the Geneva Open, which runs through Saturday. The 20-year-old from Irvine, California, will play next against Alexander Bublik of Kazakhstan.
NORTHERN IRELAND — A jolly king: Britain’s King Charles III plays a ukulele while meeting members of the Loughries Men’s Shed Ukulele Ensemble at Ards Allotments, near Strangford Lough in Newtownards, Thursday.
Men’s Sheds are a global community movement of localized groups aimed at reducing isolation among older men and providing social connection.
The Loughries Men’s Shed ukulele ensemble formed around three years ago and regularly performs at community events, including local care homes and festivals.
CANNES — This proves it — red carpet is only a background: A woman poses for a photographer in front of a poster showcasing the famous red carpet during the 79th Cannes International Film Festival in southern France, Thursday, May 14, 2026.
On Thursday, Cannes, which runs through May 23, presented the 2026 La Cinef Prizes during a ceremony preceding the screening of the winning entries. The first prize was awarded to New York University student Lucas Acher for his film, “Laser-Gato” (Laser Cat).
Originally from Brazil, Acher is pursuing his graduate degree in film at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts Graduate Film program, where he was awarded the Martin Scorsese Young Filmmakers Scholarship.
WEST BANK — For some of the most impoverished, it’s the only time of year they can eat meat: Palestinians shop for sheep and goats ahead of the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha at a livestock market in Nablus, Thursday.
This major Islamic holiday commemorates the Festival of Sacrifice: God’s test of Ibrahim’s love and devotion to Him, commanding him to sacrifice his son, Ishmael. In the Abrahamic traditions, God provides a ram in Ishmael’s place.
Because it follows the lunar calendar, the timing of Eid al-Adha varies each year and by country. In 2026, it is expected to fall around May 27–31, depending on local moon sightings.
CANNES — Film festival gets theatrical: Arisa Sasaki poses for photographers at the photo call for the film ‘Titanic Ocean’ at Cannes, Thursday.
The surreal coming-of-age drama follows teenage girls at a Japanese boarding school that trains them to become professional mermaids, with some breathtaking transformations.
ARLINGTON — Making generational memory for Memorial Day: 1st. Sgt. Kosovare Fain carries her four-year-old daughter Reagan Fain on her shoulders as she joins other members of the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment placing U.S. flags at each headstone during the Annual Flags-In Ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery in preparation for Memorial Day, Thursday, in Virginia.
In the days before Memorial Day weekend, soldiers from the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, known as The Old Guard, place American flags at the gravesites of service members buried at Arlington National Cemetery and the U.S. Soldiers’ and Airmen’s Home National Cemetery in Washington, D.C., including the columbarium courts and walls.
The “Flags In” tradition has been held annually since the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment was designated as the Army’s official ceremonial unit in 1948.
HARLEM — Bodyguard — ‘wait … I need to have a look at that trophy … oh well’: New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani is handed a replica World Cup Trophy by Ezequiel Cecchi, 49, after making a World Cup soccer tournament announcement at Harlem Tavern, Thursday, in New York.
Mamdani announced that the City of New York and the NYNJ Host Committee will give away 1,000 2026 FIFA World Cup tickets to New Yorkers at $50 per seat.
That price will include free round-trip bus transportation to MetLife Stadium.
