The World in Images - The year 2024 (2024)

Men, women, children serving displays worthy of colonial exhibitions. A century later, digital “greeting cards” are enjoying great success! Presented by Sonia Devillers, the magazine which analyzes the images making up our time.

In an unusual video somewhere between a teleshopping ad and a political broadcast, the Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida tucks in to seafood sourced from waters close the Fukushima power plant. Japan assures its citizens and the world that, after the nuclear disaster, fish caught in the area is safe. But many countries remain unconvinced…

Impassive faces, eyes fixed on the camera, two heads of state shake hands in front of a photographer. An analysis of a highly codified political gesture, far from insignificant in the highest political circles! Presented by Sonia Devillers, the magazine that analyzes the images of our time.

Taiwan: In front of its owner, a flying squirrel fakes its accidental death to distract from a mishap. The clip went viral. Animal videos garner millions of clicks online – the more anthropomorphic, the better!

With his music video "Try That In A Small Town," American country singer Jason Aldean caused a nationwide uproar in the summer of 2023. While some accused him of racist incitement, ultra-conservatives rallied to his defense. The song, which uses the visual aesthetics of country music as a political weapon, topped the charts for weeks.

A Ukrainian drone films and bombs a Russian trench. The scene unfolds in early 2023 during the Battle of Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine. The powerful and shocking video went viral as part of a carefully orchestrated wartime communication strategy.

In 2023, Netflix decided to adapt "One Piece", the most widely read manga in the world, into a live-action series. Presented by Sonia Devillers, The World in Images analyses visuals that define our era of times.

"Icon of the Seas" is the new star of the cruise industry. Numerous online comments, however, describe the world's largest "dream ship" as an ecological disaster.

The Chechen dictator Ramzan Kadyrov appears in a camouflage jacket – by Louis Vuitton. How do the war in Ukraine and haute couture fit together? The interplay between the war front and the fashion world is apparently not entirely new.

On September 20, 2023, a glamorous state banquet was held at the Palace of Versailles in honor of King Charles III and Queen Camilla. For the first time, such a reception was filmed—and the video both fascinated and outraged.

A war scene as if you were there: this is a reenactment of the Battle of Stalingrad in Russia. It took place in February 2023, during the 80th anniversary of this pivotal episode of World War II.

In a video posted on social media in February 2023 by the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence, a Russian athlete launches a javelin which transforms into a missile. Three other clips were created at the same time urging the international community to boycott Russian sport.

On May 17, 2023, mountain guide Tenzi Sherpa posted a video on Instagram of Camp 4 on Mount Everest: The ground there is littered with debris from previous expeditions. The contrast between the pristine snow and the accumulated trash sparked a wave of outrage. Tenzi Sherpa explains his reasons for the post.

On X, Joe Biden has turned a ridiculous mug into his new communication weapon. A few months before the presidential election, he humorously deflects insults from the opposing camp... and simultaneously finances his campaign with merchandise.

Kim Jong-un in front of his armored special train: The image went around the world in September 2023. The rolling fortress has been the North Korean leader's preferred means of transport for decades – and always good for a PR stunt.

October 7, 2023: Hamas breaches the border fence with Israel using a front-end loader. A highly symbolic image. Despite 140,000 tons of iron and steel, the border fence erected by Israel around the Gaza Strip could not withstand the Hamas attack. A front-end loader tore down the "Iron Wall," one of the strongest symbols of Israeli security policy.

The video initially shows, from a safe distance, a snow avalanche racing down a mountainside – and within seconds reaches the person filming... The simultaneously fascinating and terrifying images went viral.

February 2022: Putin and Macron sit opposite each other at a six-meter-long table. The symbolic photograph went around the world, was interpreted and caricatured in numerous ways. Are international relations entering a new era?

At haute couture shows like Berlin Fashion Week, the celebrities in the front row are at least as important as the new collections. Photos of the stars at the edge of the runway are the best marketing. From the selection of guests to their outfits and seating arrangements, every detail counts.

The tree lies on the ground, in two pieces; the police have cordoned off the area. Images of the felled sycamore maple sparked outrage worldwide. Why does the cutting down of a tree affect so many people?

This tifo didn't come from football fans attending a match. It's a representation of Pope Francis held up by the crowd during a mass the Holy Father celebrated in the Marseille stadium.

In September 2023, Azerbaijan launched a lightning offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh, forcing the local population to flee. Time seems to stand still in the central square of the capital, Stepanakert. Only the abandoned objects bear witness to what is no more.

Rihanna poses for a photo with her family: The image of her with her partner Asap Rocky and their two children looks like a spontaneous snap, but in reality is a carefully planned staged photo, part of Rihanna’s clearly thought out image that the superstar presents to the world.

A huge orange cloud of smoke drifts over New York. On the ground, residents photograph the eerie spectacle. But what is the real eye-catcher?

There are always situations where you just want to disappear into the ground. To humorously illustrate this emotion, there's the Homer Simpson hedge GIF, among others! These animated images are ubiquitous online.

Greta Thunberg is regularly at protests - against climate change, energy multinationals and in support of the Palestinian cause. But how has her image changed since she first started protesting at the age of 15?

On live television, a member of the military asks the Russian head of state to run in the 2024 presidential election. The staging, which portrays Vladimir Putin as the "savior of the people," is typical of the Kremlin's autocratic propaganda strategy.

Russia's war against Ukraine: A soldier in a hopeless situation documents the gruesome reality of war with his smartphone. He posts his "farewell video" on social media, where it is viewed millions of times within a very short time – putting pressure on the Ukrainian army.

This video is among the very first images to reach the world after the flood that killed thousands in Libya. Why did the event fade into the background in the European media?

One minute to learn an original pasta recipe: The kitchen is conquering social media. A pumpkin, pasta, and Parmesan. Add a few precise movements, point-of-view shots, and a quick edit: The kitchen clip is complete. What makes these videos so appealing?

In April 2023, the legendary American magazine "The New Yorker" chose a courtroom sketch for its cover. The event it depicts is unprecedented: former President Donald Trump is indicted on criminal charges.

The line between a diplomatic coup and a PR disaster is sometimes very thin. Photos of Ursula von der Leyen's visit to Kibbutz Kfar Aza less than a week after the Hamas terrorist attack caused quite a stir in both diplomatic circles and the media.

Wartime success or media trap? By staging the arrest of Ovidio Guzmán, drug trafficker and son of Mexican cartel boss "El Chapo," the Mexican government is fueling the legend of the drug lord.

Compilations of "fails," or fallouts, are a series of tumbles, slips, and all sorts of unexpected accidents. As absurd as they are hilarious, these videos of falls provoke laughter but also empathy. An investigation into human nature.

The video of a hijacked Israeli freighter went viral around the world – as proof of the Houthi rebels' solidarity with the Palestinians. In wars, where images become weapons, propaganda videos are created, filmed like Hollywood thrillers.

Hordes of people throng around the Acropolis: The photo is intended to inform, but above all to alarm. Almost everyone can now afford to travel, but this new overtourism threatens the cultural heritage and the quality of life of the local population.

March 2022, the beginning of the war in Ukraine: Bombs are raining down on Mariupol. A photograph of a severely injured, heavily pregnant woman captures life and death and all human suffering in a single image.

A white silhouette of a basketball player dribbling against a blue and red background... The iconic NBA logo is instantly recognizable. Yet, there are frequent discussions about changing its famous silhouette. So, should a logo be a living image or set in stone?

In November 2023, French journalists went to the Gaza Strip, "embedded" within the Israeli army that controls the borders. How does war reporting function when reporters are under the constant supervision of the military?

In a commercial for her new bra, Kim Kardashian offers us an unexpected solution to climate change with a touch of irony: the "Nipple Bra" with integrated nipples. Provocation or ingenious marketing?

Joe Biden makes his TikTok debut. With a Q&A video about the Super Bowl, the president is vying for the favor of young American voters. However attractive social networks may seem for political communication, they also harbor a number of pitfalls...

Canada is minting a coin bearing the likeness of King Charles III – a decision that is causing controversy in the country. Which portraits adorn coins is a far more political matter than one might think...

In August 2023, a young man and his family were caught in the wildfires raging on the Hawaiian island of Maui. While fleeing the flames, he filmed with his cell phone. His amateur footage went viral online and was repeatedly broadcast by American television stations.

This short clip of a fairytale-style marriage proposal is just one of many that enjoy great popularity on social media. They come in a glossy, commercial style and reflect a view of gender roles from grandmother's time.

A Palme d'Or, six César Awards, two Golden Globes, and an Oscar – "Anatomy of a Fall" was undoubtedly one of the most talked-about films of 2023. A poster always determines a potential moviegoer's first impression of a film. "Anatomy of a Fall" didn't just have one poster, but two. Why?

For Starship's second test flight, SpaceX pulled off a successful PR stunt. The polished live video has been viewed over 9 million times on X. A skillfully orchestrated event that conceals major commercial and strategic stakes.

A video of a man sitting on the subway wearing Apple's augmented reality headset went viral. The clip is part of the tech giant's marketing strategy. At the same time, it highlights both the concerns and the fascination that this new technology evokes.

The Russian president takes off aboard a bomber capable of carrying nuclear weapons. Vladimir Putin thus fuels his ongoing personality cult, but above all seeks to place nuclear deterrence at the heart of the geostrategic game.

Celebrities from around the world gather for a party at a magnificent villa. The dress code: all in white! Kim Kardashian, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kylian Mbappé, Jay-Z, Jennifer Lopez, and Ben Affleck meet for a party at a villa in the Hamptons, near New York. Are the partying celebrities really there for fun?

The astonishing results of a new AI tool are generating excitement, but also raising concerns. The ultra-realistic video of a woman strolling in Tokyo was never filmed. It was created entirely by Sora, a new AI tool from the creators of ChatGPT. Will it even be possible to distinguish between truth and fakery in the future?

In the Gaza Strip, starving Palestinians stormed several trucks carrying aid supplies: The video, filmed by a drone, was released by the Israeli army to explain the deaths of 118 people that day. However, it also illustrates the precarious situation of the people in the region, who are facing famine.

Since a drug lord escaped from prison, Ecuador has been experiencing an unprecedented wave of violence. Against the backdrop of an extremely tense political situation, members of another gang are pursuing a specific goal with their live television hostage taking: to demonstrate their power to those in power.

Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, reveals her cancer diagnosis on live television. The video puts an end to the rumors sparked by her withdrawal from public life, but also highlights a growing need for transparency.

In just five steps to becoming the perfect Parisian! German influencer Franziska Nazarenus shows how in her video. What might seem amusing at first glance actually has a historical basis.

Is giving artificial intelligence a human face reassuring or frightening? The video of the first ever press conference conducted by humanoid robots marked a turning point. But is it a turning point for mankind?

Shielded by three white police officers, a little Black girl emerges from a school building, backpack in hand. This image from 1960 became a symbol of the desegregation of the United States. Its reappearance in the media in 2023 underscores that America has not yet come to terms with its old demons...

The climate stripes are meant to make global warming visually tangible. In just a few years, they have gained worldwide symbolic power. Can a simple graphic achieve more than a report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)?

In 2024, the first computer-generated images of Aquellum, one of the future districts of the futuristic megacity Neom, were shared on TikTok. This urban utopia is a showcase for Saudi Arabia and is also intended to distract from internal problems. Alain Musset explores why not everyone will benefit from this ultramodern Saudi Arabia.

Tucker Carlson was the first Western journalist to interview Russian president Vladimir Putin since the beginning of the war in Ukraine. The former Fox News presenter and Trump supporter is a controversial and influential figure, well connected in American right-wing circles.

Artist Émeric Lhuisset's reinterpretation of a famous 1891 painting is part of a memory war between Russia and Ukraine. His photograph has gone viral: Ukrainians have appropriated it in their ongoing struggle with Russia.

The photo of Elon Musk in Auschwitz was taken in January 2024. Musk visited the symbolic site to polish his image after facing criticism for antisemitic remarks. Public admission of guilt or a sophisticated strategy?

As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words. A standout picture from the floods in France in April 2024 was a photo of man standing inside his living room with nearly one metre of water. Sometimes the simplest images can really bring home the full measure of a catastrophe.

10 Downing Street, in the heart of London's Westminster district, is a highly symbolic address: one glance at its famous black lacquered door is enough to conjure up the residence of Her Majesty's Prime Minister. For decades, the men and women of British politics have been animating the hustle and bustle of power between appointments, reshuffles and resignations in front of this very threshold.

The video shows members of the Taliban city guard skillfully gliding through Kabul on inline skates. The Islamist regime seized power in Afghanistan again in 2021. Since then, the Taliban have been trying to improve their image – not least through social media and YouTube influencers.

Mark Zuckerberg was summoned to a US Senate hearing where he faced serious accusations about the dangers of his social media platforms. But was his apology to parents sincere or just for show?

On July 17, 2023, all of France mourned Jane Birkin, and all the daily newspapers published obituaries. "Libération" featured a full-page black-and-white photograph of the singer and actress on its front page. "With Open Eyes" explores how these tributes shape the collective consciousness of the French.

A multicoloured whirlwind approaches the Mexican coast: this is the satellite image of Hurricane Otis in 2023. Published on X (Twitter) shortly before the disaster, the video was watched 16 million times. How did weather imagery become so popular?

A young, pretty woman fills her stomach with tons of food. The video illustrates the Mukbang phenomenon that comes from South Korea: the staging of a well-timed eating spree, followed by millions of fans. However, this is not entirely without risk. In a 12-minute video, 27-year-old influencer Tzuyang devours portions that would actually serve seven people. She is one of South Korea's biggest YouTube stars thanks to her mukbang videos. The anthropologist Benjamin Joinau explains the phenomenon, which, like K-pop or Korean films and series, is spreading worldwide via the Internet. Historian Florent Queller analyzes the spectacle from our Western perspective on excessive eating.

The horseshoe crab has been roaming the seabed for more than 450 million years and yet it has never been photographed so clearly. For this feat, this photo won the prestigious Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2023 award. Ten eyes, a horseshoe-shaped shell...: this horseshoe crab having survived the dinosaurs is fascinating. Behind this little-known animal hides one of the oldest species in our ecosystem. It was in the China Sea, in the middle of the night and at a depth of 15 meters, that Laurent Ballesta, biologist and underwater photographer, took this photo. He tells us about this quest for an extraordinary image: following the horseshoe crab for hours to get the perfect photo. This creature from the seabed brings to our imagination the disturbing world of the abyss. Fleur Hopkins, doctor in art history, explains to us how the horseshoe crab and its shell have inspired pop culture in recent years.

In January 2024 a commando unit of 12 Israeli soldiers carried out a raid in a hospital in the West Bank. Their objective was to kill members of Hamas and Islamic Jihad that they claimed were hiding out there. This stunning episode was captured on CCTV.

A young woman invalidates the ballots in a ballot box. During the presidential elections in March 2024, several incidents occurred at Russian polling stations. These symbolic attacks are highly risky. Political protest or state-directed propaganda?

The latest Calvin Klein ad campaign turns actor Jeremy Allen White into a "man-object" in a series of suggestive and sexualised poses. Is the way advertising treats the male body changing?

A giant moon rises behind a mountain spur. The so-called "blue supermoon" is a rare phenomenon. The impressive photo circulated widely in the media and testifies to the long-standing fascination with the moon and its power.

A silent congregation pays its respects to Alexei Navalny. This photograph of the funeral of Putin's main political opponent tells of the end of hope for democracy in Russia. But it also shows what Putin did not want at all: Navalny elevated to martyrdom.

During a live stream, Japanese artist Natue Coco presents herself as an anime character. These NPC (Non-Player Character) streams, with their repetitive dialogue and gestures, have gone viral on TikTok. A look back at a phenomenon as mesmerizing as it is unsettling.

In a slickly produced video posted on social media, Volodymyr Zelensky hails the delivery of F16 fighter jets to Ukraine. But why this public display from the Ukrainian president?

“They’re eating the dogs”. When Donald Trump affirmed in a televised presidential debate that Haitian immigrants were eating Americans' pets, this fake news story spawned a multitude of online ridicule and memes. But to whose advantage?

In this commercial, a hydraulic press crushes a trumpet, paint cans, and a guitar, leaving only a slim iPad tablet. But why did this image of the virtual world, crushing symbols of human creativity, provoke such a strong reaction?

It's a recurring scene every year: New Delhi's most famous street is shrouded in dense smog. The Indian government regularly emphasizes its efforts to combat the problem. But these measures often prove to be a drop in the ocean.

The US magazine The New Yorker demonstrates its support for Kamala Harris with a portrait of the presidential candidate on its cover. Unlike other print media, The New Yorker commissions illustrators to design its covers exclusively: a focus on a unique selling point in the media landscape.

Blue for the Democrats, red for the Republicans. The results map of the American election is everywhere in the media, showing a divided nation. But the use of these colours to represent the two main political parties in the United States is very recent.

This a video of celebration, filmed by Israeli soldiers in the Gaza Strip, is one of a series of images posted on social networks by Israeli soldiers enjoying their destruction of Gaza. Photos and videos are transformed into modern day trophies of war.

Prisoners arrested for embezzlement face the press. In El Salvador, accustomed to parades of the condemned, the scene is striking in its staging. A look back at the "punitive communication" of the highly authoritarian President Bukele.

The new spokesperson for the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is an AI created avatar. How are these extremely convincing AI avatars shaking up power structures?

Unveiled in May 2024 at Buckingham Palace, the very first official portrait of Charles III sparked intense controversy. But why does a painted portrait ignite such passion? Let's take a look back at a royal portrait that is far from leaving us indifferent.

In July 2024, the Blue Screen of Death will appear on millions of Windows devices. The error message has sparked science-fiction-like fears: What if digital addiction leads to humanity's downfall? An explanation of the Damocles' sword of the blue screen.

Israeli drone footage of their enemy, Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, living out his last moments before being killed, were shared by the IDF on social media. But whose narrative does this really serve?

On September 27, 2024, Benjamin Netanyahu authorized the assassination of Hassan Nasrallah, leader of the pro-Iranian terrorist group Hezbollah for over 30 years, by telephone. With this act, he underscores his role as a military leader who also directs events throughout the Middle East region by telephone.

In March 2024, two videos and some photos from North Korea were posted on Reddit. The drone footage went viral on social media. Where does this fascination with images from the East Asian country come from?

In December 2023, a video of a haka, a ceremonial maori dance, during a session of the New Zealand Parliament went viral on social media. This performance by a newly elected Maori MP was a strong political statement, putting the culture of New Zealand’s indigenous people in the spotlight.

In a poster advertising campaign, Intermarché denounced the price increases of some products – explicitly mentioning the giant Unilever. The British corporation obtained an injunction, but Intermarché won in court. How far can criticism of brands go?

The photo shows Kim Jong-un between rows of centrifuges where uranium is enriched. The metal is essential for the production of nuclear weapons. What does the release of this photograph reveal about North Korea's nuclear policy?

A married couple and their children, both spies, are triumphantly welcomed by Vladimir Putin himself in August 2024. They are part of the largest prisoner exchange since the end of the Cold War. What is the story behind Putin's "illegals"?

On 17 October 2023, more than 110 civilians were killed by the Israeli army at Khan Younes in the Gaza strip. The Palestinian photographer Mohammed Salem captured a tragic scene of mourning. This photograph won the World Press Photo of the Year 2024 for its universal view of the victims of conflict.

No one had seen it for over 60 years, but now a photograph has been taken: The Attenborough long-beaked echidna has been photographed for the first time in its natural habitat by a team of researchers. How do images influence our memory of extinct species?

It's a completely new phenomenon: In the Indonesian election campaign, a presidential candidate and his running mate are being portrayed as cute comic characters on posters. What's the story behind it?

In January 2024, a spectacular volcanic eruption in Iceland threatened the town of Grindavik, attracting journalists and the general public who wanted to capture the moment on camera. But how close can you get to observe these highly dangerous natural phenomena?

The tried-and-tested formula “love, revenge and money” directly on your smartphone: mass-produced micro-dramas are the latest craze and are instantly addictive... Discover My Billionaire Husband's Double Life. The miniseries consists of 49 episodes lasting around one minute. Combining family drama and love stories, it is the latest hit from Chinese app Reelshort, which specializes in super-short format films and series. Shicong Zhu, executive producer of “The Double Life of My Billionaire Husband,” explains what goes into the script and production of this new form of series. Pop culture and media expert Delphine Chedaleux talks about a genre that is constantly reinventing itself: the soap opera.