{"id":219493,"date":"2025-12-31T07:34:22","date_gmt":"2025-12-31T07:34:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/219493\/"},"modified":"2025-12-31T07:34:22","modified_gmt":"2025-12-31T07:34:22","slug":"a-cormorant-swallows-a-catfish-and-other-news-in-pictures","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/219493\/","title":{"rendered":"A cormorant swallows a catfish \u2014 and other news in pictures"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>A cormorant swallows a catfish \u2014 and other news in pictures    <\/p>\n<p>, The Times<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Silversmith Katie Watson hammering designs onto a silver sphere.\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/\/95e03dd3-dc64-4141-9306-99b399f8ab2e.jpg\" class=\"responsive-sc-1nnon4d-0 bAbKns\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Katie Watson, a silversmith, uses chasing and repouss\u00e9 techniques to create designs on jewellery and silverware in her studio on the Marchmont Estate in the Scottish Borders<\/p>\n<p>PHIL WILKINSON<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Tourists pose in front of a display of roses and fruit frozen in ice blocks in Shenyang, Liaoning Province.\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/\/c8f3203f-f390-4004-ad59-8d547b48c6f8.jpg\" class=\"responsive-sc-1nnon4d-0 bAbKns\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Shenyang, a city in China\u2019s northeastern Liaoning province, attracts tourists with winter attractions including ice installations<\/p>\n<p>VCG\/GETTY IMAGES<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Drone light show forming a character in the sky above a cityscape at night.\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/\/583dd00e-229a-4fcf-b628-2e9bf3f4839b.jpg\" class=\"responsive-sc-1nnon4d-0 bAbKns\"\/><\/p>\n<p>A themed drone light show is part of the tenth anniversary carnival for Honor of Kings, one of China\u2019s most popular video games, in the city of Shenzhen, where its developer is based<\/p>\n<p>VCG\/GETTY IMAGES<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Close-up of a Zaragozas parade member with a red mask and a person wearing a white mask and green hat behind them.\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/\/e6fe774e-dbce-4235-817b-fe8ca486b4bf.jpg\" class=\"responsive-sc-1nnon4d-0 bAbKns\"\/><\/p>\n<p>The Zaragozas parade through the streets of Sanare, Venezuela, during festivities marking Holy Innocents Day \u2014 the day on which King Herod is said to have ordered the execution of all male children to kill Jesus<\/p>\n<p>MAXWELL BRICENO\/ANADOLU\/GETTY IMAGES<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"An otter lying on its back in seaweed, paws extended upwards.\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/\/eb6d5cc1-ddbf-412c-93a2-2b6120960235.jpg\" class=\"responsive-sc-1nnon4d-0 bAbKns\"\/><\/p>\n<p>An otter floats on kelp and seaweed off Mull, in the Inner Hebrides. Such relaxed behaviour is only seen when an otter feels completely safe in its patch<\/p>\n<p>JOHN WELLS\/TWOPOINTO MEDIA<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"John Kobra Acevedo in his 7ft Voltron costume.\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/\/77825008-302d-4339-87c1-fe1e76e62b1f.jpg\" class=\"responsive-sc-1nnon4d-0 bAbKns\"\/><\/p>\n<p>John Kobra Acevedo, from Salina, Kansas, spent eight months creating a 7ft Voltron costume for Comic Con, crafted from gym floor foam and inspired by the 1985 animated series Voltron: Defender of the Universe<\/p>\n<p>JOHN KOBRA ACEVEDO\/SWNS<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"People participating in a traditional parade of fish-shaped lanterns in Huangshan.\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/\/bc1aa005-b764-476c-8d2c-7628d9192b8b.jpg\" class=\"responsive-sc-1nnon4d-0 bAbKns\"\/><\/p>\n<p>People parade through Huangshan, Anhui province, with traditional fish-shaped lanterns to pray for a good harvest and prosperity. The event is recognised as part of China\u2019s intangible cultural heritage<\/p>\n<p>SHI YALEI\/VCG\/GETTY IMAGES<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"A large herring gull flying among many smaller black-headed gulls against a black background.\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/\/3cc2db39-2709-4267-861f-89d91f4b6547.jpg\" class=\"responsive-sc-1nnon4d-0 bAbKns\"\/><\/p>\n<p>A single herring gull among a flock of smaller black-headed gulls over Tice\u2019s Meadow, a nature reserve near Farnham, Surrey<\/p>\n<p>JON HAWKINS\/TWOPOINTO MEDIA<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"A donkey with an open mouth showing its teeth.\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/\/4fef795c-8eb4-441f-bf08-1fb7ab4aec55.jpg\" class=\"responsive-sc-1nnon4d-0 bAbKns\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Island Farm Donkey Sanctuary in Oxfordshire, is caring for more than 100 rescued and neglected donkeys and other animals. It provides lifelong support and rehabilitation<\/p>\n<p>GEOFFREY SWAINE\/AVALON<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"A star-forming region in the Large Magellanic Cloud, featuring clouds of cold hydrogen glowing deep red with newborn stars and dark clouds in the foreground.\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/\/667e1c8b-4d29-448a-a872-bbc635731fe0.jpg\" class=\"responsive-sc-1nnon4d-0 bAbKns\"\/><\/p>\n<p>A section of N159, a star-forming region in the Large Magellanic Cloud, captured by the Hubble space telescope, shows glowing clouds of hydrogen lit by newborn stars and carved by stellar winds<\/p>\n<p>NASA\/TWOPOINTO MEDIA<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Ricky Evans in a colorful shirt with his mouth open, holding green pom-poms during the World Darts Championship.\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/\/238e6340-4cb6-4b15-9e3f-607918bdc92b.jpg\" class=\"responsive-sc-1nnon4d-0 bAbKns\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Ricky Evans takes to the stage for his match against Charlie Manby on day 16 of the Paddy Power World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace in London<\/p>\n<p>JOHN WALTON\/PA<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Horses and jockeys jumping over a water obstacle at Newbury Racecourse.\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/\/a8cdfbd0-3347-4228-b1f9-af33d590e206.jpg\" class=\"responsive-sc-1nnon4d-0 bAbKns\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Freddie Mitchell rides Old Cowboy, number 5, over the water jump on their way to winning a handicap chase at Newbury Racecourse, Berkshire<\/p>\n<p>ALAN CROWHURST\/GETTY IMAGES<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"A father and son cast fishing nets in an algae-blanketed river in Rajshahi, Bangladesh.\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/\/7b9905e3-16ed-4c62-bafa-dfe0347a9caf.jpg\" class=\"responsive-sc-1nnon4d-0 bAbKns\"\/><\/p>\n<p>A father and son cast their fishing nets in an algae-covered river in Rajshahi, Bangladesh. They must navigate the thick growths to keep their livelihood going<\/p>\n<p>BIPUL AHMED\/SOLENT NEWS<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Newborn giraffe calf standing in an enclosure, with its mother partially visible.\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/\/64dfe1f9-cbcd-4264-bf57-9dd24a1f6169.jpg\" class=\"responsive-sc-1nnon4d-0 bAbKns\"\/><\/p>\n<p>A male giraffe calf was born to Ijuma at Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire as part of the international conservation breeding programme for endangered reticulated giraffes. He is already 6ft tall<\/p>\n<p>ALEX SIMPSON\/WHIPSNADE ZOO<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Cambodian Buddhist nuns sitting on white mats in an outdoor prayer ceremony.\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/\/66141e03-28ca-430d-888c-c5de4ac69512.jpg\" class=\"responsive-sc-1nnon4d-0 bAbKns\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Cambodian Buddhists pray for peace at a ceremony in the capital, Phnom Penh<\/p>\n<p>HENG SINITH\/AP<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Performer in a costume, holding a staff, participates in the traditional Rauhnacht run during &quot;The Twelve Nights of Christmas&quot; in Beilngries, Germany, surrounded by fire and sparks.\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/\/a6e447c9-3032-4ef7-93a7-4a64faeec1a6.jpg\" class=\"responsive-sc-1nnon4d-0 bAbKns\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Devils, witches, and fire-breathing monsters take to the streets of Beilngries, Bavaria, for the ancient \u201cRauhnacht\u201d run, which aims to drive away winter and evil spirits<\/p>\n<p>CHRISTIAN MANG\/REUTERS<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"A red squirrel peeking out from behind a tree trunk.\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/\/8fe1a215-7949-4ab4-9392-67dc1680e973.jpg\" class=\"responsive-sc-1nnon4d-0 bAbKns\"\/><\/p>\n<p>A red squirrel forages for food in Widdale red squirrel reserve in the Yorkshire Dales near Hawes, North Yorkshire<\/p>\n<p>DANNY LAWSON\/PA<\/p>\n<p class=\"responsive__Paragraph-sc-1pktst5-0 gaEeqC\">For more pictures from The Times <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/thetimes\" class=\"link__RespLink-sc-1ocvixa-0 csWvlP\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">follow us on Instagram<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p> <script async src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"A cormorant swallows a catfish \u2014 and other news in pictures , The Times Katie Watson, a silversmith,&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":219494,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[26],"tags":[61,60,82,263],"class_list":{"0":"post-219493","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-wildlife","8":"tag-ie","9":"tag-ireland","10":"tag-science","11":"tag-wildlife"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/219493","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=219493"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/219493\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/219494"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=219493"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=219493"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=219493"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}