A woman wearing a “Free Luigi” T-shirt walks at the Manhattan Supreme Court on the day Luigi Mangione, the suspect in the killing of UnitedHealthcare chief executive Brian Thompson, is to appear on New York State murder and terrorism charges, in New York City, U.S., on September 16, 2025. (Photo by Mike Segar/Reuters)

A white ibis takes a shower at Lake Eola in Orlando, Florida, US on September 29, 2025. (Photo byRonen Tivony/NurPhoto/Rex Features/Shutterstock)

Only the most intrepid urban explorers cross the tattered ruins of the old Iron Curtain to endure the excessive bureaucracy, military paranoia and freezing winds of the East to hunt for the ghosts of an empire. Rebecca Litchfield is one who couldn’t resist the haunting allure of the ruins of the Soviet Union.

A child dressed as a Roman centurion poses during a parade to mark the anniversary of the foundation of Rome in 753 BC, on April 23, 2017 in Rome. (Photo by Alberto Pizzoli/AFP Photo)

Muhannad al-Kadiri (R),18, and Ibrahim Eid, 16, demonstrate their Parkour skills over a military vehicle in the rebel-held city of Inkhil, west of Deraa, Syria, February 4, 2017. (Photo by Alaa Al-Faqir/Reuters)

Two stallions confront each other at a horse fighting contest in Rongshui, China. More than 30 horses from surrounding regions took part in the traditional activity of the Lantern festival. (Photo by China Foto Press)

A family member of a torch relay runner wearing a protective mask uses a portable electric fan to cool down as she attends a torch kiss event during Tokyo 2020 Olympic torch relay celebration at Shinagawa Central Park in Tokyo, Japan, July 21, 2021. (Photo by Issei Kato/Reuters)

Best portfolio winner. Roseate Spoonbill, Platalea ajaja, by Petr Bambousek, Czech Republic. (Photo by Petr Bambousek/2018 Bird Photographer of the Year)