November 21, 2024, Hong Kong, China: In Hong Kong China PLA Navy Amphibious Assault Ship HAINAN is anchored at the Western Pier on Hong Kong Island for 5 days visit with Destroyer CHANGSHA. China PLA Navy Warship HAINAN is one of latest and largest Amphibious Assault Ship of it’s class which is capable of carrying nearly 30 helicopters. (Credit Image: © Liau Chung-ren/ZUMA Press Wire)
Scott Mc Kiernan, Founder & Editor-in-Chief, ZUMA Press
On December 30, 2025, Zoo officials warn that New Year’s Eve fireworks can cause significant stress to animals at the Berlin Zoological Garden, particularly sensitive species such as hoofed animals. Dr. Jennifer Hahn, Senior Curator at Zoo Berlin ( said many animals react fearfully to loud, unexpected noises they cannot associate with holiday celebrations. To reduce stress and prevent potential escapes, the zoo moves vulnerable and dangerous animals into indoor enclosures overnight. Zoo officials urged the public to show consideration and keep fireworks farther away from the zoo during year-end celebrations.
Soundbite translation (English – full)
Dr. Jennifer Hahn, Zoo Berlin:
“We have a very large variety of animals here at the zoo — around 1,000 species with about 18,000 individual animals. Naturally, different animals react very differently to New Year’s Eve. In the background you can see some hoofed animals, which are prey animals and generally more skittish than other species, making them especially sensitive to firecrackers and loud noises.
That’s why, as a zoo, we ask for greater consideration in the surrounding area — fewer fireworks and for people to set them off farther away from the zoo. We would also welcome a restricted zone nearby, simply so our animals can enjoy more peace during the night.
Animals, especially prey animals, are very easily frightened. When loud and unexpected noises occur, the animals don’t know — the way humans do — that it’s New Year’s Eve. They startle, become nervous, and instinctively try to flee.
That’s why we take specific precautions. All hoofed animals and potentially dangerous animals are moved into indoor enclosures overnight so they have a more protected space and to prevent any risk of escape. If fireworks were to cause damage and an outdoor enclosure were breached, this ensures that particularly dangerous animals cannot escape.”
Video Credit © Michael Kuenne/Presscov/ZUMA Press
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Scott Mc Kiernan, Founder & Editor-in-Chief, ZUMA Press
Police cars, fire engines, and ambulances are seen at Wittenbergplatz in Berlin, Germany, on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, following an earlier emergency response at a nearby supermarket. Nearby on Buelowstraße, barriers and warning signs marked designated fireworks and weapons ban zones ahead of New Year’s Eve celebrations. Berlin police announced bans on fireworks, knives, and other weapons in several neighborhoods, including parts of Schoeneberg, Neukoelln, Kreuzberg, and Mitte. Authorities said the measures are intended to reduce injuries, fires, and violent incidents during year-end celebrations after serious damage caused by illegal fireworks in previous years.
Video Credit © Michael Kuenne/Presscov/ZUMA Press
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Scott Mc Kiernan, Founder & Editor-in-Chief, ZUMA Press
December 24, 2025, Damascus, Syria: Festive scenes filled the streets and churches of the Bab Touma district, where thousands of people gathered to celebrate Christmas Eve amid holiday decorations and lights.
Video Credit © Mohammad Bashir Aldaher/ZUMA Press
Music Credit © Written by Dustin Ransom and Performed by Cast of Characters /Soundstripe
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Scott Mc Kiernan, Founder & Editor-in-Chief, ZUMA Press
On Saturday, December 27, 2025, icy road and sidewalk conditions in Berlin, Germany, created hazardous travel across the city as black ice formed during freezing temperatures. Berlin police said hundreds of traffic accidents were reported since Friday afternoon, with multiple injuries, as drivers and cyclists lost control on slick surfaces. Germany’s national weather service warned that freezing rain and over freezing moisture could keep conditions dangerous into the night.
Video Credit © Michael Kuenne/Presscov/ZUMA Press
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Scott Mc Kiernan, Founder & Editor-in-Chief, ZUMA Press
December 24, 2025, Glendale, California, USA: A man hangs on to the railing for dear life after stepping into the path of a rushing culvert and almost being swept into the Los Angeles River in Glendale’s famous Frog Town neighborhood during a Christmas Eve storm. (Credit Image: © Amy Katz/ZUMA Press Wire)
Scott Mc Kiernan, Founder & Editor-in-Chief, ZUMA Press
JEAN LOUIS TRINTIGNANT and BRIGITTE BARDOT in a scene from ”And God Created Woman’. (Credit Image: © Globe Photos/ZUMA Wire)
Scott Mc Kiernan, Founder & Editor-in-Chief, ZUMA Press
TRUMP ADDS HIS NAME TO JFK CENTER • MORE EPSTEIN FILES RELEASED • CHRISTMAS CELEBRATED AROUND THE WORLD •
Scott Mc Kiernan presents “The Pictures Of the Week” highlighting the best images from around the world by ZUMA Press contributors, curated by ZUMA Editor-at-large Jim Colton.
Enjoy thepicturesoftheweek.com 52, showcasing images from December 20-26, 2025 “The best two minutes you’ll spend on the internet today!”
#zumapress #photojournalism
ZUMA PHOTOGRAPHERS Featured:
Ioannis Alexopoulos, Jane Barlow, Scott Coleman, Richard Ellis, Moritz Frankenberg, Mark Edward Harris, Evandro Inetti, Matic Klansek, Peter Kovalev, Robin Loznak, Liam Mcburney, Nikolai Mikhalchenko, Shiraaz Mohamed, Lucy North, Marcin Nowak, Stefan Rousseau, JC Ruiz, Moiz Salhi, Gent Shkullaku, Christoph Soeder, Aditya Sutanta, Daniel Torok, Yoshio Tsunoda, Prabhat Kumar Verma
December 24, 2025, Glendale, CA, A LA Park Ranger in FrogTown passes by a drainage culvert pouring into the unusually high LA River that threatens to flood portions of the city on Christmas Eve.
Video Credit © Amy Katz/ZUMA Press
To license stills or footage contact licensing@zumapress.com
Scott Mc Kiernan, Founder & Editor-in-Chief, ZUMA Press
December 24, 2025, Los Angeles, California, USA: A man looks at a flooded intersection in the South Pasadena area of Los Angeles, while threats of flooding and travel delays persist through Christmas. A powerful atmospheric river brings steady rain that officials warn could trigger flooding, mudslides, and debris flows. (Credit Image: © Matthew Hoen/ZUMA Press Wire)
Scott Mc Kiernan, Founder & Editor-in-Chief, ZUMA Press
ZUMAland.com 