Fires in Europe, demonstrations in India and Tour de France: the week in pictures

By Remon Davis / July 26, 2026

A look back at the highlights of the week’s news and the most spectacular images: Europe affected by forest fires on an unprecedented scale, notably in Spain and the south-west of France, the demonstrations in India which led to the resignation of the Minister of Education, and the last week of the Tour de France where Tadej Pogacar has no rival.

Published on: 07/26/2026 – 3:48 p.m.

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Moutchic beach, on the shores of Lake Lacanau, in southwest France, on July 24, 2026, with clouds of smoke coming from the forest fire ravaging the north of the Arcachon Basin. — Moutchic beach, on the shores of Lake Lacanau, in southwest France, on July 24, 2026, with clouds of smoke coming from the forest fire ravaging the north of the Arcachon Basin. © Maximilien Lamy, AFP

Britain's new Prime Minister Andy Burnham holds a pint of beer during a visit to the Hare Inn pub in Harlow, east London, July 23, 2026. — Britain’s new Prime Minister Andy Burnham holds a pint of beer during a visit to the Hare Inn pub in Harlow, east London, July 23, 2026. © Richard Pohle, AFP

Spanish striker Ferran Torres holds up the World Cup trophy during La Roja's world title celebration at Cibeles Square in Madrid, July 20, 2026 — Spanish striker Ferran Torres holds up the World Cup trophy during La Roja’s world title celebration at Cibeles square in Madrid, July 20, 2026. © Oscar del Pozo, AFP

Indian security forces detain members of the Indian Congress Party during a demonstration to demand educational reforms in Srinagar, July 24, 2026 — Indian security forces detain members of the Indian Congress Party during a demonstration to demand educational reforms in Srinagar, July 24, 2026. © Dar Yasin, AP

Smoke from a forest fire near the town of Albendiego in the province of Guadalajara north of Madrid, July 22, 2026 — Smoke from a forest fire near the town of Albendiego in the province of Guadalajara north of Madrid, July 22, 2026. © Pierre-Philippe Marcou, AFP

Children in a public water playground in a park in the Edogawa district of Tokyo on a hot day in Japan, July 23, 2026 — Children in a public water playground in a park in the Edogawa district of Tokyo on a hot day in Japan, July 23, 2026. © Phil Fong, AFP

A Canadair from French Civil Security flies over the flames ravaging a forest on the outskirts of Cotignac, in the south-east of France, on July 23, 2026 — A Canadair from French Civil Security flies over the flames ravaging a forest on the outskirts of Cotignac, in the south-east of France, on July 23, 2026. © Thibaud Moritz, AFP

A truck transports Nubian giraffes to be transferred from Murchison Falls National Park to Ajai Nature Reserve in northwest Uganda, July 21, 2026. — A truck transports Nubian giraffes to be transferred from Murchison Falls National Park to Ajai Nature Reserve in northwest Uganda, July 21, 2026. © Hajarah Nalwadda, AP

Health workers disinfect an ambulance at the Ebola treatment center at Bunia General Hospital in DR Congo, July 22, 2026 — Health professionals disinfect an ambulance at the Ebola treatment center at the Bunia general hospital in DR Congo, July 22, 2026. © Dirole Lotsima Dieudonne, AP

Tour de France spectators standing on hay bales during the 17th stage between Chambéry and Voiron, July 22, 2026 — Tour de France spectators standing on hay bales during the 17th stage between Chambéry and Voiron, July 22, 2026. © Mosa’ab Elshamy, AP

Slovenian Tadej Pogacar, in yellow, ahead of Belgian Remco Evenepoel and Frenchman Paul Seixas in the Col du Galibier during the 20th stage of the Tour de France, July 25 — Slovenian Tadej Pogacar, in yellow, ahead of Belgian Remco Evenepoel and Frenchman Paul Seixas in the Col du Galibier during the 20th stage of the Tour de France, July 25, 2026. AP Photo/Thibault Camus – Thibault Camus

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