Today's Liberal News

Alan Taylor

Photos of the Week: Patagonian Eclipse, Canal Skating, Sydney Surf

Images from the past two weeks, including a robot assistant in an Indian hospital, Santa in a snow globe in Seattle, an orangutan returned to Indonesia, Fashion Week in Senegal, a snowstorm in the northeastern U.S., a gingerbread town in Norway, a health-care worker in a nativity scene in Italy, and much more.

2020: The Year in Volcanic Activity

This has been a relatively average year for the world’s active volcanoes. Out of an estimated 1,500 active volcanoes, about 50 erupt every year, spewing steam, ash, toxic gases, and lava. In 2020, erupting volcanoes included Taal Volcano in the Philippines, La Cumbre in the Galapagos, Mount Shishaldin in Alaska, Pacaya Volcano in Guatemala, Mount Semeru and Mount Sinabung in Indonesia, Piton de la Fournaise on Réunion Island, Mount Etna in Sicily, and more.

Virginia: Images of the Old Dominion

More than 8.5 million people live across Virginia, the 35th-largest state by area. From the Blue Ridge Mountains, through the Shenandoah National Park, and from the Potomac River to Virginia Beach, here are a few glimpses of the landscape of Virginia, and some of the wildlife and people calling it home.This photo story is part of Fifty, a collection of images from each of the United States.

Hopeful Images From 2020

This has been a year like no other, and moments of joy were difficult to come by. The few happy events that took place did so despite harrowing circumstances—or, in many cases, as a response to overwhelming adversity. Health-care workers took on enormous burdens, saved countless lives, and earned the gratitude and admiration of millions. Celebrations and public events were modified for safety, but many still took place. And new vaccines against COVID-19 are starting to roll out.

2020 in Photos: Wrapping Up the Year

As the year comes to a close, it’s time to take a look at some of the most memorable events and images of 2020. Events covered in this essay (the last of a three-part photo summary of the year) include the devastating wildfires in California, the passing of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the Nagorno-Karabakh War, the U.S. presidential election, the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, and much more.

2020 in Photos: A Look at the Middle Months

As the year comes to a close, it’s time to revisit some of the most memorable events and images of 2020. Events covered in this essay (the second of a three-part photo summary of the year) include the widespread protests against the killing of George Floyd, the realities of the growing coronavirus pandemic, historic flooding across China, locust swarms in Africa, a terrifying explosion in Beirut, and much more.

2020 in Photos: How the First Months Unfolded

As the year comes to a close, it’s time to take a look at some of the most memorable events and images of 2020. Events covered in this essay (the first of a three-part photo summary of the year) include the disastrous Australian wildfires, the onset of the global coronavirus pandemic and the new reality of empty public spaces, innovative ways to cope with social-distancing measures, the Democratic presidential primaries, Brexit Day, and much more.

Top 25 News Photos of 2020

As we approach the end of a year unlike any other in recent memory, here is a look back at some of the major news events and moments of 2020. The coronavirus pandemic took center stage worldwide, disrupting societies, sickening tens of millions, and killing more than 1.5 million people. In June, widespread protests against racial injustice and police brutality erupted after the Minneapolis police killed George Floyd. In the U.S.

Nevada: Images of the Silver State

While 3 million people live in the state of Nevada—the seventh-largest state by area—nearly 75 percent of that population is concentrated in just one county, Clark County, home to the city of Las Vegas. From the Jarbidge Wilderness Area, through the Great Basin, to Lake Tahoe, and down to the Hoover Dam, here are a few glimpses of the landscape of Nevada, and some of the wildlife and people calling it home.

Photos of the Week: Taxi Ornament, Russky Bridge, Turning Torso

Aquarium dining in Singapore, the damaged Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico, starlings over Rome, increasing COVID-19 cases worldwide, a drive-through Santa experience in Los Angeles, an aggressive woodpecker in New York, Christmas lights in in London, snow-making in Switzerland, and much more.

Photos: The Reality of the Current Coronavirus Surge

As the number of cases of COVID-19 worldwide nears 65 million, and the number of deaths attributed to the disease approaches 1.5 million, many countries are enduring a crushing surge in numbers. The toll on health-care workers, families, and the victims of the disease has been enormous. Gathered below are photographs from around the world of the current battle against COVID-19, taken over the past few weeks.

Pennsylvania: Images of the Keystone State

Pennsylvania is the fifth-most-populous state in the U.S., home to nearly 13 million residents. From Lake Erie, through the Ridge and Valley region, across Pennsylvania Dutch Country, to the city of Philadelphia, here are a few glimpses of the landscape of Pennsylvania, and some of the wildlife and people calling it home.This photo story is part of Fifty, a collection of images from each of the United States.

Photos of the Week: Turkey Pardon, Deer Hoof, Seattle Owl

A foggy sunrise in Germany, a fiery protest in Guatemala, a resort in the Andaman Sea, a strongman contest in Crimea, the ongoing pandemic worldwide, mourning in Argentina for Diego Maradona, figure skating in Russia, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, and much more.

Kansas: Images of the Sunflower State

Kansas is the 15th-largest state in the U.S. by area, and home to almost 3 million residents. Nearly 90 percent of the state’s land is dedicated to agricultural use, carried out on some 59,500 farms. Here are a few glimpses of the landscape of Kansas, and some of the wildlife and people calling it home.This photo story is part of Fifty, a collection of images from each of the United States.

Photos of the Week: Tiger Check, Spanish Fog, Duck Shields

The Bailong elevators in China, continued wildfires in California, hats on display in Russia, dancers in Australia and Italy, damaging storms in Honduras and the Philippines, a surge in COVID-19 cases in the U.S., Christmas preparations during a pandemic, a rocket launch to the International Space Station, and much more.

Top Shots From the 2020 International Landscape Photographer of the Year

More than 3,800 entries were received in this year’s landscape-photography competition, from professional and amateur photographers around the world. Judges of the International Landscape Photographer of the Year contest narrowed the field down to a “Top 101” and then further, to award several category prizes and the International Landscape Photographer of the Year award, which went to Kelvin Yuen for his images of Norway, Scotland, and the American Southwest.

Photos: The 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh War

One week ago, on November 10, a Russian-brokered ceasefire agreement was signed by the president of Azerbaijan and the prime minister of Armenia, ending six weeks of warfare over disputed territory in the Nagorno-Karabakh region. It is estimated that thousands of fighters and more than a hundred civilians were killed in the fierce conflict.

Montana: Images of the Treasure State

Montana is the fourth-largest state in the nation, yet it is home to just over 1 million residents. Big Sky Country has about 30 million acres of public lands—roughly one-third of the state. From the mountains, along the rivers, to the vast plains, here are a few glimpses of the landscape of Montana, and some of the wildlife and people calling it home.This photo story is part of Fifty, a collection of images from each of the United States.

Photos of the Week: Fire Tunnel, Golden Dog, Santa Mask

Dancing on Bolivia’s Salar de Uyuni, curfew measures in Bucharest, coronavirus testing in the U.K., monowheel broomsticks in Brazil, a marigold harvest in Kathmandu, celebrations of Joe Biden’s presidential win, a press conference at Philadelphia’s Four Seasons Total Landscaping, Veteran’s Day memorials, a wedding in Moscow, and much more.

Winners of Close-Up Photographer of the Year

The second year of the Close-Up Photographer of the Year competition has just come to a close, and the winners have been announced. The contest “celebrates close-up, macro, and micro photography,” among seven separate categories. More than 6,500 entries were received from 52 countries this year. Organizers have been kind enough to share some of the winners and finalists with us below.

New York: Images of the Empire State

New York has the fourth-largest population of any U.S. state, and is home to the most populous city in the country, New York City. From Buffalo, through the Finger Lakes, to the Hudson Valley, Manhattan, and more, here are a few glimpses of the landscape of New York, and some of the wildlife and people calling it home.This photo story is part of Fifty, a collection of images from each of the United States.An earlier version of this photo essay misidentified the location of one of the photos.

Photos: Celebrations in City Streets After Biden Win

After months of difficult campaigning, and days of waiting for the election results to be counted, Democrat Joe Biden has defeated President Donald Trump to become the 46th president of the United States. People in cities across the U.S. hit the streets to celebrate, honking horns, hugging, and gathering in squares.Updated at 6:25 p.m. ET with eight additional photos.

Photos of the Week: Golden Monkey, Bubble Dining, Water Dance

Hurricane Eta damage in Nicaragua, a Halloween blue moon, a presidential election in the U.S., earthquake aftermath in Turkey, a whale tail wreck in the Netherlands, colorful vineyards in Germany, the Day of the Dead in Mexico, a light show in Shanghai, and much more.

Scenes From New Zealand

On a day when much of the world’s attention is focused on the United States, I thought it might be nice to share some images from the other side of the planet—specifically the island country of New Zealand. Gathered below are a collection of photographs from the North Island, the South Island, and a few of the other 600 islands that make up the nation of New Zealand.

Mississippi: Images of the Magnolia State

Mississippi ranks 32nd in area and 34th in population among the states, with more than 2.9 million residents. From the Mississippi Delta, through Jackson, to the Gulf Coast, here are a few glimpses of the landscape of Mississippi, and some of the wildlife and people calling it home.This photo story is part of Fifty, a collection of images from each of the United States.

Photos of the Week: Murder Hornets, Giant Hands, China Fashion

Giant waves in Portugal, continued wildfires in California, scenes from Fashion Week in Beijing, the final days of presidential campaigning in the U.S., protests in Chile and Poland, thousands of white flags for COVID-19 victims in the U.S., motocross racing in Sweden, and much more.

Winners of the 2020 Epson International Pano Awards

The top-scoring panoramic photos entered in the 11th Epson International Pano Awards have just been announced. The contest is meant to showcase the best work of panoramic photographers around the world. Organizers reported that they received 5,859 entries from 1,452 photographers in 96 countries this year, competing for the top spots in five categories, for several special awards, and for some of the cash prizes offered.

Massachusetts: Images of the Bay State

Massachusetts is one of the smallest, but most densely populated, states, with a population of nearly 6.9 million. From the Berkshires through the Pioneer Valley to Boston, out to Cape Cod and the Islands, here are a few glimpses of the landscape of Massachusetts, and some of the wildlife and people calling it home.This photo story is part of Fifty, a collection of images from each of the United States.

Photos: Prodemocracy Protests in Thailand

In Thailand, demonstrations against the military-backed government and Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha have taken place, off and on, since February, interrupted by COVID-19 lockdowns until late July. On October 14, thousands of anti-government protestors rallied near Government House on the anniversary of a 1973 student uprising, calling for the resignation of Chan-o-cha and for reform of the monarchy.