IN PICTURES: London celebrates 60 years of Notting Hill Carnival, and more from around the world

The Notting Hill Carnival in London marked its 60th anniversary with vibrant displays of Caribbean culture and music, drawing tens of thousands of attendees despite challenging weather conditions. The annual event, which took place from 30 August to 31 August 2026, featured elaborate parades, live performances, and community celebrations. On 31 August, costumed participants performed in the adults' parade, showcasing traditional and contemporary costumes inspired by Caribbean heritage. Despite heavy rainfall, crowds gathered in central London, demonstrating the enduring appeal of the festival. The carnival, recognized as Europe's largest street carnival, continues to serve as a vital cultural event that honors the legacy of the Caribbean diaspora in Britain. Participants traveled through the London Underground to reach the event, highlighting the accessibility and popularity of the festival. Some individuals prepared for their performances while others sought shelter from the rain, illustrating the resilience of the community. The atmosphere was one of unity and celebration, with rainbow colors symbolizing diversity and inclusion. Meanwhile, in Manchester, the Village Pride parade on 29 August showcased similar themes of inclusivity, with participants displaying colorful outfits and engaging in joyful activities. These events reflect broader societal values of acceptance and cultural expression. In the United States, US President Donald Trump attended a ceremony at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston on 28 August, honoring the Artemis II crew. This mission represented a historic milestone, as the crew traveled farther into space than any previous human expedition, completing a lunar orbit journey in over five decades. The launch of the SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket on 30 August carried NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, designed to study dark energy and dark matter, offering new insights into the universe’s mysteries. These developments underscored the ongoing advancements in scientific exploration and technological innovation. Meanwhile, in Nepal, severe flash floods on 28 August caused devastation, particularly in DevGhat village near the Nepal-China border. A massive collapse of ice, mud, and rock into a Himalayan river resulted in numerous casualties and extensive damage. Search teams continued efforts to locate survivors, many trapped beneath layers of debris, as authorities issued additional flood warnings. In Baireni Bazar, a 13-year-old student named Prasamsha Magarati returned to her school days after the flood, retrieving personal items left behind. The tragedy highlighted the vulnerability of communities in mountainous regions to sudden environmental disasters. In Gaza City, Palestinian displacement camps remained amidst widespread destruction, even as an alleged truce held since October 2024. Each side accused the other of breaching the ceasefire, leading to periodic Israeli airstrikes. The situation underscored the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, with civilians caught in the crossfire. In Venezuela, the reopening of Simon Bolivar International Airport on 1 September followed damage sustained during a series of earthquakes. The airport, a critical transportation hub, faced challenges in restoring normal operations, reflecting the country’s broader struggles with infrastructure and economic stability. As the Notting Hill Carnival drew to a close, global attention shifted to these diverse events, each representing different facets of human experience, cultural celebration, scientific progress, natural disaster, and geopolitical tension. The carnival’s success demonstrated the power of community and tradition, while the other stories illustrated the complex realities facing nations worldwide. Looking ahead, the focus will remain on recovery efforts in Nepal, the continuation of international space missions, and the evolving dynamics in the Middle East and South America.