Flash floods engulfed parts of Baghdad on December 25-26 after some of the heaviest rains in 30 years. A week later, the Iraqi capital -- whose sewer system is not equipped for heavy precipitation -- is still dealing with the aftermath.
Some 50 Georgian families who were living on the streets or unable to pay their rent have found shelter in an abandoned building that was once Tbilisi's Railway Hospital. They have been given a little holiday cheer.
As snow and ice cover Kabul, families living in refugee camps are the hardest hit. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has been distributing emergency winter aid to thousands of displaced people living in the camps, many of whom are returnees from Pakistan and Iran. Photojournalist Sabawoon of RFE/RL's Radio Free Afghanistan visited one camp in Kabul where families were anxiously waiting to pick up aid packages including warm children's clothing, blankets, and cooking supplies. (10 PHOTOS)
Some of the most compelling photographs from RFE/RL's broadcast region and beyond.
It's easy to get lost in Suren Manvelyan's eyes. Manvelyan, 36, is an Armenian photographer who's attracting quite a bit of attention for his sumptuous macro images of the human eye.
Russia's upper house of parliament has come under fire for unanimously approving a bill that bars U.S. citizens from adopting Russian children. But the storm of criticism sparked by the bill did not appear to spoil the festive mood in the Federation Council, where lawmakers held end-of-the-year celebrations -- including a concert and a clown show -- moments after endorsing the controversial bill. (6 PHOTOS)
The UNHCR has begun a winter assistance program for returnees from Pakistan and Iran, internally displaced persons, and others who are at risk from the winter weather.
A major fire has swept through a market area near the center of the Afghan capital, Kabul. There were no reports of casualties, but hundreds of shops and stalls were destroyed and Kabul's nearby currency-exchange center was evacuated, authorities say. (Photos by Sayedjan Sabawoon)
It was a busy year in sport with the London Olympics, Paralympics, and Euro 2012 soccer championship featuring in an action-packed calendar.
From civil war and natural disasters to punk protests, space jumps, and Olympic triumphs, these photographs tell the stories that defined 2012.
St. Petersburg-based photographer Aleksandr Belenky has spent years documenting the lives of children inside Russian orphanages. Russia's State Duma is set to pass in a final reading new legislation that proposes to ban Americans from adopting Russian children. But child-welfare advocates say the move will deprive thousands of needy children from ever finding a family. (13 PHOTOS)
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