TODAY'S PHOTO ROUNDUP focuses on a protest of Syrian Kurds, who surrounded a US armoured convoy in Hasakeh Province, near the Turkish border today, brandishing Kurdish flags. The small demonstration was prompted following the news that the Trump administration will be pulling troops out of the region, making way for a Turkish offensive in northern Syria. 

IN TODAY'S BEST PHOTOS from around the world, we lead with a shot from Aleppo Province, where displaced Syrian civilians are fleeing intense bombardment from regime forces as the Syrian Arab Army attempts to retake southwestern Aleppo from rebel forces. We also have snowfall in Srinagar, impeachment stationery, and the aftermath of the Taal Volcano. 

IN TODAY'S BEST PHOTOS from around the world, we lead with an image of the Great Wall of China, which has been partly closed by authorities in Beijing in an attempt to reduce the spread of the deadly Wuhan Coronavirus outbreak that has already claimed dozens of lives. We also have an earthquake in Turkey, Lunar New Year in Pyongyang, and the Monte Carlo Rally. 

IN TODAY'S BEST PHOTOS from around the world, we lead with a shot from the streets of Jerusalem, where Israel's tight coronavirus restrictions haven't prevented partygoers from hitting the town to celebrate the annual Jewish holiday of Purim. We also have a photo of a rare white giraffe, a coronavirus map in Honduras, and a slum fire in Dhaka. 

IN TODAY'S BEST PHOTOS from around the world, we lead with a shot of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom today, who gave a contentious Queen's Speech amid ongoing turmoil over Brexit. In addition, we have a photo of orangutans rescued from forest fires in Indonesia, a bombed-out Iranian oil tanker, and protests in Catalunya. 

IN TODAY'S BEST PHOTOS from around the world, we lead with a photo from Hong Kong Polytechnic University, which security forces have laid siege to as protests from students continue to spiral. We also have a bridge collapse in Toulouse, protests in Tibilisi, and a Christmas festival in Bergen. 

IN TODAY'S BEST PHOTOS FROM AROUND THE WORLD, we lead with a shot from Times Square, where the iconic New Years' Ball located atop One Times Square has received a makeover. In addition, we have a baby giraffe in Mexico City, Father Frost on the Moscow Metro, and an extra-terrestrial protestor in Chile. 

IN TODAY'S BEST PHOTOS from around the world, we lead with a shot of the Taj Mahal, which US First Couple Donald and Melania Trump visited today during their state trip to India. We also have the Rio Carnival, 'Free Assange' protests, and the Diamond Princess Cruise Liner. 

IN TODAY'S ROUNDUP OF THE BEST PHOTOS from around the world, we lead with a photo taken outside the US Supreme Court today, where judges are deliberating over whether to include workplace protections for LGBT people as a part of the Civil Rights Act. We also have photos from an airplane graveyard in Thailand, protests in Quito, and baby sea turtles in Costa Rica. 

IN TODAY'S BEST PHOTOS FROM AROUND THE WORLD, we lead with the cover of TIME Magazine, where teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg has been named as Person of the Year. We also have a hospital attack in Lahore, a satellite launch in India, and a photo from a Rohingya refugee camp. 

IN TODAY'S BEST PHOTOS from around the world, we lead with a photo from Kho Phi Phi in Thailand, where authorities have closed the area made famous by the hit film The Beach in response to over-tourism. In addition, we have farmer strikes in France, the Nobel Prize ceremony, and sunset in Tokyo. 

IN TODAY'S ROUNDUP OF THE BEST PHOTOS from around the world, we lead with a photo from the protests in Baghdad, where unrest is at its highest level in years and hundreds have been killed. We also have a funeral in Vietnam, unrest in Columbia, and a snowstorm Iowa. 

IN TODAY'S BEST PHOTOS from around the world, we lead with a shot from the NASDAQ stock exchange on Wall Street, where investors began to panic this morning as fears over the COVID-19 virus and crashing oil prices led to a downturn in the global financial markets. We also have a shot from Italy in lockdown, health workers celebrating in China, and pro-refugee protests in Berlin. 

AT LEAST 23 PEOPLE HAVE DIED so far in what is already being described as one of the most severe typhoons to hit Japan in modern times. Typhoon Hagibis reached peak speeds of 241 km/h yesterday evening prior to making landfall in Shizuoka Prefecture at about 7pm local time. 

IN TODAY'S BEST PHOTOS FROM AROUND THE WORLD, we lead with a scene from Idlib Province in Syria, which has come under increased bombardment from the Damascus-based government forces in recent days. We also have flooding in the Gaza Strip, a political rally in North Korea, and a car explosion at the Dakar Rally. 

WINTER SOLSTICE HAS FINALLY ARRIVED IN FINLAND TODAY, meaning that the days will now begin getting longer and brighter. In one week from today, the daylight hours in Helsinki will be seven minutes longer than they are today. 

FINNISH LGBT ICON AND CELEBRATED EROTIC ARTIST TOM OF FINLAND, AKA Touko Laaksonen, has received a commemorative plaque outside of his former Ullanlinna home today, in celebration of the 100th anniversary of his birthday.

THE LARGEST CLIMATE STRIKE IN HISTORY took place today, with over 3600 actions taking place across the globe. A large number of protestors gathered in central Helsinki on Friday to protest government inaction in the face of mounting ecological catastrophe. 

FINLAND'S LARGEST MULTI-ARTS FESTIVAL officially kicked off last night, with performances, acts, and openings occurring across the city. The two-week festival is expected to draw close to half a million attendees from across the country and beyond. 

A transnationalorganised crime group is suspected of smuggling 12 Afghan nationals into Finland and illegally transporting them to Germany in return for thousands of euros.  

According to the Turku crime prevention unit of the West Finland Coast Guard, the suspected crimes took place between May and December 2019.