Our world in photos: December 6
Brooklyn Eagle Staff
December 6, 2024
MYANMAR — Keeping the flames of faith burning: Buddhist devotees light candles during the full moon day of Tazaungmone, also known as the Festival of Lights, at a pagoda Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Yangon, Myanmar. This public holiday in Myanmar (formerly known as Burma in southeast Asia) takes place on the full moon day of Tazaungmone, the eighth month in the Burmese calendar (November in the Western calendar). The full moon of Tazaungmone also marks the end of Myanmar’s rainy season and the conclusion of the Kathina festival, during which monks are offered alms, including new robes. Across Myanmar, hot-air balloons are lit with candles and released into the night sky to drive away evil spirits and provide an offering to divine beings.
The number nine is an auspicious number in Myanmar. As part of the festival, 9,999 candles are lit up as offerings to Buddha in the Chaukhtatgyi Paya Pagoda on the night of the full moon day of Tazaungmone.
SLOVENIA — Airborne contact, athletic intensity: Slovenia’s Adam Gnezda Cerin, left, and Norway’s Lasse Johnsen go for the ball during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between Slovenia and Norway at Stozice stadium in Ljubljana, Slovenia, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. The two teams were playing the Matchday 5 of 6, which Norway won. Norway increased their points tally to 10. They come in second to Austria, with one round (Matchday) left.
Slovenia, which is across the Adriatic Sea from Italy, now ranks in third place, 3 points behind Austria and Norway, and 6 points ahead of Kazakhstan (a former Soviet republic), ranked at the bottom of the group.
JAKARTA — ‘Hugging? There’s no hugging in soccer … ’: But there is always soccer. Though 2026 is more than a year away, the 2026 World Cup Asian 3rd round qualifier soccer has already begun. Japan’s Reo Hatate battles for the ball against Indonesia’s Rafael Struick during their qualifying Group C match at Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium in Jakarta, Indonesia, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. Japan won, 4-0, moving further into the lead.
The Asian section of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification will serve as qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup for national teams of the Asian Football Confederation. These teams have been allocated eight direct qualifying slots and one inter-confederation play-off slot. The first two of five rounds in the qualification process will also be the qualifiers for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup.
The 2026 World Cup will be hosted in the three North American nations of the United States, Mexico and Canada.
WASHINGTON — Fresh meat for an aggressive new president? Newly-elected House members gather for a freshman class photo on the Capitol steps in Washington, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. Complicating the GOP’S new House majority is the plucking of several Congressmembers to be part of President-elect Donald Trump’s new Cabinet, including Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York, Mike Waltz and Matt Gaetz of Florida, as well as Senator Marco Rubio, also of Florida, who will reduce the GOP’s majority in the upper chamber by one.
Republicans reached the 218 majority on Tuesday, with Democrats elected or re-elected numbering at 211. Five House seats were still undetermined as of Friday afternoon.
INDIA — Whether river or pond, religious celebrations work best in water: Sikh devotees pray while standing in the pond surrounding the Golden Temple as they celebrate the birth anniversary of the first Sikh guru, Guru Nanak, in Amritsar, India, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. Nanak, who lived from 1469 to 1539, was an Indian spiritual teacher who is revered as the founder of this monotheistic religion that blends Hindu and Muslim influences, emphasizing unity, compassion and equality. This year marks his 555th birthday.
Celebrations surrounding this festival include Ardaas, a prayer ritual; they also partake in “langar,” a community meal open to all as a symbol of equality. They also observe Akhand Path, a continuous 48-hour reading of the Guru Granth Sahib in their homes and Gurdwaras, to mark the day’s sacred nature.
BEIRUT — Moments before an explosion: A bomb dropped from an Israeli jet prepares to hit a building in Tayouneh, Beirut, Lebanon, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. The strikes reportedly killed a family. Israeli strikes killed at least 11 people across Lebanon on Friday — including a mother, father and their three kids in a home, reports the Associated Press. Rescue workers suspended their search for survivors a day after an Israeli strike on a civil defense center killed 14 emergency workers and volunteers.
Lebanon’s prime minister reportedly urged Iran to convince the Hezbollah militant group to agree to a cease-fire deal with Israel, which could require them to pull back from the Israel-Lebanon border. However, Israeli strikes continued during this time.
PHILADELPHIA — Dramatic moment as ball and left foot cross the goal line: Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) scores during the second half of an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, in Philadelphia.
The Eagles (currently with an 8-2 season record) won 26-18. The Commanders have a 7-4 season record.
ISRAEL — For brief moments, escape from the intensity of politics and war: Youngsters dive into the Mediterranean Sea at the old city walls of Acre, Israel, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. Acre (also spelled Akko) has a rich history, dating back to Biblical times, and was arguably one of the cities that Israel did not conquer under the command of Joshua in the eponymous book of the Hebrew scriptures. Situated on the Mediterranean Sea to the north of the Bay of Haifa, Acre was under Ottoman Empire rule for four centuries until 1918, when it was incorporated into British Mandate Palestine.
Acre is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
