According to the U.S. government, Moldova, one of the poorest countries in Europe, depends on about $1.6 billion annually sent back from the roughly one million Moldovans who left for work in in Europe, Russia, and other former Soviet Bloc countries. Photographer Myriam Meloni went to Moldova to document what she refers to as “social orphans” – children whose parents have emigrated to another country in search of a job and a better future for their families. Here: Lulia is seen washing dishes in her grandmother's house, where she lives. (Photo by Myriam Meloni)

Peter Weiss, director of the Space Department of COMEX, (c) tests a pressurized suit identical to those used in space expeditions in the lava tunnel of “Caverne Gendarme” on October 12, 2018 in Saint-Philippe, the French overseas island of Reunion. Reunion could become a training site for astronauts. (Photo by Richard Bouhet/AFP Photo)

Araya A. Hargate, nickname Chompoo poses on the red carpet for the screening of the film “Les Miserables” during the 72nd annual Cannes Film Festival on May 15, 2019 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Stephane Mahe/Reuters)

A cow sits on an empty beach near Barbate, in Cadiz province, south of Spain, Saturday, February 5, 2022. (Photo by Emilio Morenatti/AP Photo)

Assamese girls wearing traditional Mekhela Chadar perform the Bihu folk dance during the Rongali Bihu festival, organized by All Assam Students Union in Guwahati, capital of the north eastern state of Assam, India, Saturday, April 13, 2024. (Photo by Anupam Nath/AP Photo)

In this July 15, 2015 photo, Nepalese amputee victims Khendo Tamang, left, and Nirmala Pariyar, both 8, share a single pair of shoes at the Bir Trauma Center in Kathmandu, Nepal. After suffering serious leg wounds in Nepal's massive 2015 earthquake that killed and injured thousands, both girls were brought to the Bir Trauma Center in Kathmandu, to receive single leg amputations. Following their surgeries, Nirmala's relentless cheerfulness drew a still very depressed Khendo close and both found an inseparable friendship which has helped their emotional wounds heal. (Photo by Niranjan Shrestha/AP Photo)

First place, The Beauty of Plants. “There are many stages of lotus growth on display at the Aquatic Gardens, but to come across twotwisted dancing stems of nelumbo nucifera was unexpected and quite magical”. (Photo by Kathleen Furey/The Guardian)

A pro-government supporter scuffles with an anti-extradition supporter outside the office of pro-China lawmaker Junius Ho in Tsuen Wan in Hong Kong, China on July 22, 2019. Hong Kong demonstrators gathered for another weekend of protests against the controversial extradition bill and with a growing list of grievances, maintaining pressure on Chief Executive Carrie Lam. (Photo by Edgar Su/Reuters)