A policeman stands before a screen showing news coverage of the South Korea ferry sinking, near Jindo harbor on April 17 as the frantic search for nearly 300 people, most of them schoolchildren, missing after the ferry capsized, extended into a second day. Distraught relatives maintained an agonizing vigil on shore. Heart-wrenching messages of fear, love, and despair, sent by high school students from the sinking ferry, added extra emotional weight to a tragedy that has stunned the entire nation.
More on why so many people die in ferry accidents from FP's Elias Groll here.
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Burmese celebrate the second day of their new year's water festival, called Thingyan, on April 14, in Yangon, Myanmar. Water-throwing is the distinguishing feature of this important festival during the first four days. Thingyan is similar to other new year festivities seen in southeast Asian countries such as Laos, Cambodia, and Songkran in Thailand.
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Chilean soldiers on patrol in Valparaiso, Chile, on April 13. More than 10,000 people were evacuated as an army of firefighters battled a killer blaze that tore through parts of Chile's historic port of Valparaiso and left at least 12 people dead, according to Al Jazeera. The fire, which started in a wooded area on Saturday, gutted 500 homes as flames advanced on the city of 270,000, famous for its UNESCO-listed center with cobblestone streets and brightly painted wooden homes.
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People dressed as devils perform as they protest against oil exploration off the coast of the Balearic Islands, at Playa de Palma in Palma de Mallorca on April 12. Earlier this spring, campaigners cautioned against environmental threats from new oil-prospecting projects off Spain's Balearic and Canary Islands, two major tourist destinations.
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An Indian child looks out a window as Farooq Abdullah, candidate for Srinagar's seat for the lower house of parliament in India's general election, speaks during an election rally in Rawalpora village, some 55 kms from Srinagar on April 15. Indians began voting April 7 in the world's biggest election, which is set to sweep the Hindu nationalist opposition to power at a time of low growth, anger over corruption and threats of religious unrest. Elections are being held in nine phases from April 7 until May 12. James Traub reports on the Indian elections for Foreign Policy.
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Members of the Spanish Legion carry a statue of the Christ of the Good Death to the Santo Domingo de Guzman church during a Holy Week procession in Malaga in southern Spain, on April 17. Christian believers around the world mark the Holy Week of Easter in celebration of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
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A man crossing a field looks at supporters gathered in the Jabulani district of Soweto listening to Democratic Alliance (DA) leader Helen Zille on April 12. Brief scuffles occurred when DA supporters marched in front of houses where residents are supporting the ANC government.
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Mourners carry the bodies of Hamas militants who were killed in an explosion during their funeral in the al-Nusairat refugee camp, in central Gaza Strip, on April 16. Witnesses said the blast took place at a training camp belonging to Hamas's armed wing Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades east of the city of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip, but it was unclear what caused the explosion. Aaron David Miller writes for Foreign Policy on the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.
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A relative weeps as she waits for missing passengers of a sunken ferry at the port in Jindo-gun, South Korea on April 17. CNN reported 28 people dead, with 270 still missing on Friday. The ferry identified as "The Sewol" was carrying about 470 passengers, including students and teachers, who were traveling to Jeju Island.
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Competitors in the 11/12 Girls Ceili Category wait to perform backstage at the World Irish Dance Championship on April 13, in London, England. The 44th World Irish Dance Championship is currently running at London's Hilton London Metropole hotel, and will host approximately 5,000 dancers competing during the week long event.
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Workers weigh scrap metal at a junkyard on April 16 in Tacloban, Leyte, Philippines. Scrap metal and wood from damaged homes is being sold at cheap prices and recycled to help people rebuild their homes. People continue to rebuild their lives five months after Typhoon Haiyan struck the coast on Nov. 8, 2013, leaving more than 6,000 dead, according to CNN, and many more homeless. Although many businesses and services are functioning, electricity and housing continue to be pressing issues, with many residents still living in temporary housing conditions due to "no build" areas preventing them from rebuilding their homes. This week marks the Holy Week across the Philippines and will see many people attend religious activities.
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Nepalese revellers sing and dance to traditional music during The Bisket Jatra Festival held in celebration of the Nepalese new year in Thimi, some 10 km east of Kathmandu on April 15. The festival, which started on April 10 is celebrated for nine days by the ethnic Newar community in Thimi, Bhadgaun.
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Prince William, Duke of Cambridge leans over the cliff as he and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge visit the Narrow Neck Lookout and observe abseiling by the Mountain Youth Services group in the Blue Mountains on April 17 in Katoomba, Australia. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are on a three-week tour of Australia and New Zealand, the first official trip overseas with their son, Prince George of Cambridge. Foreign Policy's Alicia Wittmeyer writes on New Zealand CEOs who forgo layoffs in anticipation of knighthood.
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Yorkshire Shepherdess Amanda Owen heads out high onto the moors through early morning frost to feed her sheep on April 15 near Kirkby Stephen, England. Amanda Owen runs a 2,000 acre working hill farm in Swaledale, which is one of the remotest areas on the North Yorkshire Moors. Working to the rhythm of the seasons, the farm has over 900 Swaledale sheep that are now entering the lambing season, as well as cattle and horses.
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Early beach-goers lay on the sand at Coney Island on April 12 in New York City. After one of the harshest winters in years, New Yorkers are enjoying the spring with plenty of sun and temperatures in the high 60s.
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