Today in Pictures, Aug 19, 2024

The Hungry Ghost Festival as observed in Beijing, a child dressed as Olympic breakdancer Raygun at a fancy dress parade in Ireland, and more images from around the world in Today in Pictures.

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epa11554757 A group of Nepalese students from a Hindu school attend a mass worship ceremony to mark the Janai Purnima Festival celebrations on the premises of Pashupatinath temple in Kathmandu, Nepal, 19 August 2024. During Janai Purnima, also known as the Sacred Thread festival or Rakshya Bandhan festival, Hindu men, especially the Brahmans and Chettris, perform their annual change of Janai, sacred threads worn across the chest or tied around the wrist. Purified by mantras, the thread symbolizes protection, according to Hindu belief. The festival also marks the end of the monsoon season. EPA-EFE/NARENDRA SHRESTHA — A group of Nepalese students from a Hindu school attending a worship ceremony to mark the Janai Purnima festival at the Pashupatinath temple in Kathmandu, Nepal, on Aug 19, 2024. During the festival, which is also known as the Sacred Thread festival or Rakshya Bandhan festival, Hindu men, especially the Brahmans and Chettris, perform their annual change of Janai, sacred threads worn across the chest or tied around the wrist. Purified by mantras, the thread symbolises protection, according to Hindu belief.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE

TOPSHOT - A woman burns offerings for her dead ancestors on a street during the Hungry Ghost Festival in Beijing on August 18, 2024. The festival is celebrated in the seventh lunar month of the lunar new year calendar among communities in southern China, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong and Taiwan, marks the belief that the "Gates of Hell" are opened to let out the hungry ghosts who then wander in the land of the living while foraging for food. During the festival food offerings are made while paper money and joss sticks are burnt outside homes to keep the spirits of dead ancestors happy and to bring good luck. (Photo by Pedro Pardo / AFP) — A woman burning offerings for her ancestors on a street during the Hungry Ghost Festival in Beijing on Aug 18, 2024. The festival, celebrated in the seventh month of the lunar calendar among communities in southern China, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong and Taiwan, marks the belief that the "Gates of Hell" are opened to let out the hungry ghosts who then wander the land of the living while foraging for food.
PHOTO: AFP

Participants react as they try to reach the top of a greased pole to collect the prizes, during a "Panjat Pinang" competition, that is held to celebrate Indonesia's 79th Independence Day at Ancol in Jakarta, Indonesia, August 17, 2024. REUTERS/Ajeng Dinar Ulfiana TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY — Participants trying to reach the top of a greased pole to collect the prizes during a "Panjat Pinang" competition, held to celebrate Indonesia's 79th Independence Day, at Ancol in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Aug 17, 2024.
PHOTO: REUTERS

Brodie White, 1, dressed as the Australian Olympic breakdancer Rachael Gunn, known by her competition name Raygun who participated in the sport of Breaking, is held by his dad at a children's fancy dress parade at the Cruinniu na mBad (gathering of the boats) regatta in Kinvara, Ireland August 18, 2024. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY — One-year-old Brodie White, dressed as Australian Olympic breakdancer Rachael Gunn, known by her competition name Raygun, is held by his dad at a children's fancy dress parade at the Cruinniu na mBad (gathering of the boats) regatta in Kinvara, Ireland, on Aug 18, 2024.
PHOTO: REUTERS

Former Thailand Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra leaves the Criminal court after appearing for the hearing of a lese majeste case, also known as a royal insult case in Bangkok, Thailand, August 19, 2024. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha — Former Thailand prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra leaving the Criminal Court after appearing for the hearing of a lese majeste case, also known as a royal insult case, in Bangkok, Thailand, on Aug 19, 2024.
PHOTO: REUTERS

epa11553879 A handout photo made available by the Pheu Thai Party shows Thailand's newly elected Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra (C) next to her father, former premier Thaksin Shinawatra (L) and former prime minister Srettha Thavisin (R) while posing for a photo after she received a royal command appointment to become prime minister, in front of a portrait of the King at Pheu Thai Party's headquarters in Bangkok, Thailand, 18 August 2024. The ruling Pheu Thai Party leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the youngest daughter of the coup-ousted former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, succeeded in the parliamentary vote to become Thailand's 31st prime minister and the country's youngest prime minister in history. EPA-EFE/THE PHEU THAI PARTY / HANDOUT HANDOUT HANDOUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY/NO SALES — Thailand's newly elected Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, flaked by her father, former premier Thaksin Shinawatra (left) and former prime minister Srettha Thavisin, posing for a photo after she received a royal command appointment to become prime minister, in front of a portrait of the King at Pheu Thai Party's headquarters in Bangkok, Thailand, on Aug 18, 2024.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE

TOPSHOT - People look at animated kites soaring over the sky on the third day of the Tamil Nadu International Kite Festival on the outskirts of Chennai on August 17, 2024. (Photo by R. Satish BABU / AFP) — Colourful kites flying in the sky on the third day of the Tamil Nadu International Kite Festival on the outskirts of Chennai, India, on Aug 17, 2024.
PHOTO: AFP

TOPSHOT - Children stand alongside the "World's Largest Rubber Duck" at Rye Playland Beach in Rye, New York, on August 17, 2024. The 61-foot-tall (19-meter) duck, named "Mama Duck," is spending the weekend at the beach to celebrate the Second Annual Duck Days of Summer. (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP) — Children standing in front of the "World's Largest Rubber Duck" at Rye Playland Beach in Rye, New York, on Aug 17, 2024. The 19-metre tall duck named "Mama Duck" spent the weekend at the beach to celebrate the Second Annual Duck Days of Summer.
PHOTO: AFP

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