Among the fish populations that could be harmed by the Xayaburi dam in Laos is the critically endangered Mekong giant catfish, considered by the Guinness Book of World Records to be the world’s largest freshwater fish. The fish, which grows to 650 pounds and about 10 feet long, is only found in the Mekong River. It is migratory, moving between downstream habitats in Cambodia upstream to northern Thailand and Laos each year to spawn. Some experts fear the Xayaburi dam could block the migration and drive the giant catfish to extinction. (Photo by Courtesy of Zeb Hogan/University of Nevada, Reno)

An Algerian demonstrator wearing face paint in the colours of the national flag takes part in an anti-government demonstration in the capital Algiers on November 1, 2019. Demonstrators converged on Algiers in their thousands for a massive anti-government rally called to coincide with official celebrations of the anniversary of the war that won Algeria's independence from France. (Photo by Ryad Kramdi/AFP Photo)

A man poses in front of a portrait of late Chinese Chairman Mao Zedong during the opening of an exhibition of Mao related art in Beijing, China, September 8, 2016. (Photo by Thomas Peter/Reuters)

A man cools off under a pipe of flowing water on a hot summer day in New Delhi, India, May 11, 2022. (Photo by Anushree Fadnavis/Reuters)

Two female holidaymakers relax on an unidentified beach of England, September 21, 1940, as a soldier, eyes straight ahead, stands guard at a barrier built as a defense against possible invasion by Germany. (Photo by AP Photo)

Construction workers walk past a mural in Phnom Penh on September 6, 2022. (Photo by Tang Chhin Sothy/AFP Photo)

Fish-eye lens with a twist: the Norwegian photographer Brutus Ostling uses bait to lure a herring gull for a close-up in September 2022. (Photo by Brutus Ostling/Solent News)

Rihanna attends the Balmain show as part of the Paris Fashion Week Womenswear Fall/Winter 2014-2015 on February 27, 2014 in Paris, France. (Photo by Dennis Leupold/The Guardian)