Etihad Airways proudly welcomed the UAE Paralympics team on board this week as they embark on their ambitious journey.

The UAE’s national airline showed its support for the team of 22 athletes, coaches, medical staff and personnel with a celebratory send off at Zayed International Airport on Wednesday. The airline will also display a giant billboard across its Abu Dhabi headquarters building, featuring the slogan ‘Unstoppable passion. Unforgettable journey’ in a show of support for the competing athletes’ mission.

For the opening photo of this Photography News, I have borrowed the Bolivian Red-fronted Macaw (Ara rubrogenys) from its author Tomas Grim. This magnificent, critically endangered parrot does not nest in tree cavities like its relatives, but on high cliffs. Even there, it is not safe from nearby farmers and exotic bird traders. Think of this photo as a teaser for an upcoming photo book that you will soon be able to see and read. For more news from the 34th week of 2024, you can read below.

A couple of months ago, I asked whether photography can be considered a numbers game. My answer was yes – but not in the volume of photos you take. Instead, it’s how many times you go out and take photos in the first place. I experienced a great reminder of this recently.