An aerial view shows hoverboats on the ice of lake Baikal near the village of Bolshoye Goloustnoye in Irkutsk region, Russia, March 8, 2021. Lake Baikal remains one of the world's cleanest fresh water reservoirs. But pollution and the growth of weeds are harming microorganisms, sponges and some molluscs that filter its waters. The Baikal pulp and paper mill and its sewage treatment facilities were closed seven years ago, but pollution has spread significantly since then, according to local media. That, some experts say, is because pollution left behind at the industrial site is draining into the lake. Picture taken with a drone. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov SEARCH "GLOBAL WATER" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

Strangely, I can't clearly picture the face of the surgeon who changed my family's life. I'm not sure I'd recognize him if I bumped into him in the street. And yet I can vividly recall his face turning pale the instant he looked at the X-rays of my 14-year-old daughter's shoulder. Her chronic pain had first been diagnosed as a likely inflammation, and then possibly some problem in the muscle that could be fixed with a few physiotherapy sessions. But on that day, October 31, 2019, we found out that it was Ewing's Sarcoma, a rare and extremely aggressive form of bone cancer. The cancer had started deep in the sponge bone of her humerus and then broke out through the bone surface, causing excruciating pain, then metastasizing to several other parts of her body. Rebecca, or Becs, as we call her, was suddenly fighting for her life. REUTERS/Darrin Zammit Lupi SEARCH "REBECCA LUPI" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY THE IMAGES SHOULD ONLY BE USED TOGETHER WITH THE STORY - NO STAND-ALONE USES

A sponge with toothpicks is seen inside a lift to prevent people from touching the lift buttons with their bare hands at a residential society, amid the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Mumbai, India, August 2, 2020. REUTERS/Francis Mascarenhas TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

A Reuters photographer holds a picture of a "Zaldiko" hitting revellers with a sponge as he takes part in the procession of the Saints Day after the first running of the bulls at the San Fermin festival, taken in July 2019, in front of the street, during the first day of San Fermin festival which was cancelled due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Pamplona, Spain July 6, 2020. Picture taken July 6, 2020. REUTERS/Jon Nazca/Illustration

Toothpicks stick on a sponge as they hang inside an elevator amid concerns over the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Bangkok, Thailand May 7,2020. REUTERS/Jorge Silva  

A man wearing a face mask uses sponges to protect his hands while doing exercise after the quarantine was flexibilized, during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Caracas, Venezuela April 27, 2020. REUTERS/Manaure Quintero

Shari Redstone, chairwoman of ViacomCBS and president of National Amusements, and Robert Bakish, President and CEO of ViacomCBS, pose together with SpongeBob Squarepants, Phil Sims, Stephen Colbert and Trevor Noah, as they celebrate the company's merger at the Nasdaq MarketSite in New York, U.S., December 5, 2019. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid

A riot police officer uses a sponge grenade launcher during an anti-extradition bill protest demanding democracy and political reforms, at Kowloon Bay, in Hong Kong, China August 24, 2019. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu

Computer enthusiasts look at a cosplayer wearing a Sponge Bob mask during the first day of Europe's leading digital games fair Gamescom, which showcases the latest trends of the computer gaming scene in Cologne, Germany, August 21, 2019. REUTERS/Wolfgang Rattay

A child waves at characters Sponge Bob and Patrick Star from the television series SpongeBob SquarePants, at the pop culture festival Comic Con International during opening night in San Diego, California,U.S., July 17, 2019. REUTERS/Mike Blake

A "Kiliki" hits boys with a sponge during San Fermin festival's "Comparsa de gigantes y cabezudos" (Parade of the Giants and Big Heads) in Pamplona, Spain, July 8, 2019. REUTERS/Susana Vera

A "Zaldiko" (a man wearing a horse figure) hits revellers with a sponge as he takes part in the procession of the Saints Day after the first running of the bulls at the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, Spain, July 7, 2019. REUTERS/Jon Nazca

2019 Kids Choice Awards – Show – Los Angeles, California, U.S., March 23, 2019 – The cast of SpongeBob SquarePants the Musical perform. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

2019 Kids Choice Awards – Show – Los Angeles, California, U.S., March 23, 2019 – The cast of SpongeBob SquarePants the Musical perform. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

2019 Kids Choice Awards – Show – Los Angeles, California, U.S., March 23, 2019 – The cast of SpongeBob SquarePants the Musical perform. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

2019 Kids Choice Awards – Show – Los Angeles, California, U.S., March 23, 2019 – The cast of SpongeBob SquarePants the Musical perform. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

2019 Kids Choice Awards – Arrivals – Los Angeles, California, U.S., March 23, 2019 – Cast of Sponge Bob the Musical. REUTERS/Danny Moloshok

The SpongeBob SquarePants, balloon makes its way along 6th Avenue during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in Manhattan, New York, U.S., November 22, 2018. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid

A Sponge Bob Square Pants ballon is carried down 6th Avenue during the 92nd Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, New York, U.S., November 22, 2018. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri

A Sponge Bob Square Pants ballon is carried down 6th Avenue during the 92nd Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, New York, U.S., November 22, 2018. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri

A Sponge Bob float hovers above the crowd during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in Manhattan,New York, U.S., November 22, 2018. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri

A sponge is seen at the bottom of the Adriatic sea of the island Mljet, Croatia, May 30, 2018. Picture taken May 30, 2018. REUTERS/Antonio Bronic

A sponge is seen at the bottom of the Adriatic sea of the island Mljet, Croatia, May 30, 2018. Picture taken May 30, 2018. REUTERS/Antonio Bronic

A view of a scene where a bottle containing flammable chemicals caught fire in a man's backpack, near the U.S. embassy in Cairo, Egypt, September 4, 2018. REUTERS/Mahmoud Mourad

Athletics - 2018 Asian Games - Women's 20km Walk - GBK Main Stadium - Jakarta, Indonesia - August 29, 2018 - An athlete squeezes a water-soaked sponge. REUTERS/Darren Whiteside

Made in China sponges are seen in a shop run by Chinese people in Rome, Italy, August 7, 2018. REUTERS/Max Rossi

"Zaldikos" (men wearing horse figures) hit a boy with their sponges during San Fermin festival's "Comparsa de gigantes y cabezudos" (Parade of the Giants and Big Heads) in Pamplona, northern Spain, July 13, 2018. REUTERS/Susana Vera

"Kilikis" hit children with their sponges during San Fermin festival's "Comparsa de gigantes y cabezudos" (Parade of the Giants and Big Heads) in Pamplona, northern Spain, July 13, 2018. REUTERS/Susana Vera

A "Kiliki" searches for children to hit with a sponge at a market during San Fermin festival's "Comparsa de gigantes y cabezudos" (Parade of the Giants and Big Heads) in Pamplona, northern Spain, July 13, 2018. REUTERS/Susana Vera

A "Kiliki" hits children with a sponge during San Fermin festival's "Comparsa de gigantes y cabezudos" (Parade of the Giants and Big Heads) in Pamplona, northern Spain, July 12, 2018. REUTERS/Susana Vera

A "Zaldiko" (men wearing horse figures) tries to hit the photographer with a sponge during San Fermin festival's "Comparsa de gigantes y cabezudos" (Parade of the Giants and Big Heads) in Pamplona, northern Spain, July 12, 2018. REUTERS/Susana Vera

A "Zaldiko" (men wearing horse figures) hits revellers with a sponge during San Fermin festival's "Comparsa de gigantes y cabezudos" (Parade of the Giants and Big Heads) in Pamplona, Spain July 11, 2018. REUTERS/Susana Vera

A woman is chased by a "Zaldiko" (men wearing horse figures) carrying a sponge at the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, July 10, 2018. REUTERS/Vincent West

A "Zaldiko" (men wearing horse figures) hit revellers with a sponge during San Fermin festival "Comparsa de gigantes y cabezudos" (Parade of the Giants and Big Heads) in Pamplona, northern Spain, July 9, 2018. REUTERS/Susana Vera

A boy reacts after seeing a "Kiliki" ready to hit with his sponge during San Fermin festival's "Comparsa de gigantes y cabezudos" (Parade of the Giants and Big Heads) in Pamplona, northern Spain, July 8, 2018. REUTERS/Susana Vera

Revellers dodge a "Kiliki" ready to hit with his sponge during San Fermin festival's "Comparsa de gigantes y cabezudos" (Parade of the Giants and Big Heads) in Pamplona, northern Spain, July 8, 2018. REUTERS/Susana Vera

72nd Annual Tony Awards - Photo Room - New York, U.S., 10/06/2018 - David Zinn poses with his Best scenic design of a musical award for "SpongeBob SquarePants: The Musical." REUTERS/Brendan McDermid

A worker pauses while preparing Harum Manis, steamed sponge cakes with a banana topping, in the central kitchen of traditional Peranakan confectionery HarriAnns in Singapore April 20, 2018. Picture taken April 20, 2018. REUTERS/Loriene Perera

The SpongeBob SquarePants balloon makes its way down 6th Ave during the 91st Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in the Manhattan borough of New York City, New York, U.S., November 23, 2017. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

The SpongeBob Squarepants balloon is held during the 91st Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, New York, U.S., November 23, 2017. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri

The SpongeBob Squarepants balloon takes part in the 91st Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, New York, U.S., November 23, 2017. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri

SpongeBob SquarePants is carried down Central Park West during the 91st Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in the Manhattan borough of New York City, New York, U.S., November 23, 2017. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz

A family poses for a picture with cartoon character Sponge Bob during the opening day of Comic Con International in San Diego, California, U.S., July 20, 2017. REUTERS/Mike Blake

A "Kiliki" hits children with a sponge during San Fermin festival's "Comparsa de gigantes y cabezudos" (Parade of the Giants and Big Heads) in Pamplona, northern Spain, July 13, 2017. REUTERS/Susana Vera

A "Zaldiko" (men wearing horse figures) hits children with a sponge during San Fermin festival's "Comparsa de gigantes y cabezudos" (Parade of the Giants and Big Heads) in Pamplona, Spain, July 11, 2017. REUTERS/Susana Vera

A reveler and her baby are attacked by a kiliki holding a sponge during the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, northern Spain, July 8, 2017. REUTERS/Joseba Etxaburu

A reveler and her baby are attacked by a kiliki holding a sponge during the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, northern Spain, July 8, 2017. REUTERS/Joseba Etxaburu

A reveler and her baby are attacked by a kiliki holding a sponge during the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, northern Spain, July 8, 2017. REUTERS/Joseba Etxaburu

ATTENTION EDITORS - SPANISH LAW REQUIRES THAT THE FACES OF MINORS ARE MASKED IN PUBLICATIONS WITHIN SPAIN Revellers are attacked by a kiliki holding a sponge during the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, northern Spain, July 8, 2017. REUTERS/Joseba Etxaburu

Deep beneath the waters of the Atlantic off Brazil's most northern coast, French major Total SA is hunting for what it hopes will be Latin America's next big oil discovery. Metal drill bits, pipes and containers filled with equipment sit in the sweltering tropical port of Belem, near the mouth of the vast Amazon River, ready to sink the first exploratory wells 120 km (75 miles) offshore. Some geologists say the area, known as the Foz do Amazonas Basin, may contain as many as 14 billion barrels of petroleum, more than the entire proven reserves of Mexico. But another underwater discovery threatens to derail Total's plans: a massive system of coral reefs just 28 kilometres from where the French firm and its partners, Britain's BP PLC and Brazilian state oil company Petroleo Brasileiro SA, plan to drill.ÊEnvironmentalists are now pressuring regulators to block oil exploration in the area. They believe the thriving reef, which is more 1,000 kilometres long and teaming with brightly coloured coral and giant sponges, may be home to new marine species.ÊREUTERS/Ricardo Moraes SEARCH "OIL AMAZON" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY. Matching text: BRAZIL-OIL/AMAZON

Deep beneath the waters of the Atlantic off Brazil's most northern coast, French major Total SA is hunting for what it hopes will be Latin America's next big oil discovery. Metal drill bits, pipes and containers filled with equipment sit in the sweltering tropical port of Belem, near the mouth of the vast Amazon River, ready to sink the first exploratory wells 120 km (75 miles) offshore. Some geologists say the area, known as the Foz do Amazonas Basin, may contain as many as 14 billion barrels of petroleum, more than the entire proven reserves of Mexico. But another underwater discovery threatens to derail Total's plans: a massive system of coral reefs just 28 kilometres from where the French firm and its partners, Britain's BP PLC and Brazilian state oil company Petroleo Brasileiro SA, plan to drill.ÊEnvironmentalists are now pressuring regulators to block oil exploration in the area. They believe the thriving reef, which is more 1,000 kilometres long and teaming with brightly coloured coral and giant sponges, may be home to new marine species.ÊREUTERS/Ricardo Moraes SEARCH "OIL AMAZON" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY. Matching text: BRAZIL-OIL/AMAZON

Pottery worker Lisa Cooke demonstrates sponge decoration to British Prime Minister Theresa May and Stoke Central by-election candidate Jack Brereton, as they escorted by Emma Bridgewater (R) during a tour of the Emma Bridgewater pottery factory in Hanley, Britain, February 20, 2017. REUTERS/Christopher Furlong/Pool

Pottery worker Lisa Cooke demonstrates sponge decoration to British Prime Minister Theresa May and Stoke Central by-election candidate Jack Brereton, as they escorted by Emma Bridgewater (R) during a tour of the Emma Bridgewater pottery factory in Hanley, Britain, February 20, 2017. REUTERS/Christopher Furlong/Pool

Pottery worker Lisa Cooke demonstrates sponge decoration to British Prime Minister Theresa May and Stoke Central by-election candidate Jack Brereton, as they escorted by Emma Bridgewater (R) during a tour of the Emma Bridgewater pottery factory in Hanley, Britain, February 20, 2017. REUTERS/Christopher Furlong/Pool

An amateur rugby player dressed as Elvis Presley from the Blue Suede Shoes team gets a wet sponge-down during a break in their rugby union game against the Reddy Teddies during the 25th annual Parkes Elvis Festival in the rural Australian town of Parkes, west of Sydney, Australia January 13, 2017. REUTERS/Jason Reed

A SpongeBob float makes its way down 6th Avenue during the 90th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in the Manhattan borough of New York, U.S. November 24, 2016. REUTERS/Saul Martinez

Costumed attendees wearing SpongeBob SquarePants character masks pose on the convention floor during opening day of the annual Comic-Con International in San Diego, California, United States July 21, 2016. REUTERS/Mike Blake

A sponge hangs in the home of minimalist Katsuya Toyoda in Tokyo, Japan, March 5, 2016. REUTERS/Thomas Peter SEARCH "MINIMALISM" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "THE WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES

A worker rests on sacks filled with sponge iron at a steel factory on the outskirts of Jammu July 10, 2014. REUTERS/Mukesh Gupta/Files

The "Sponge Bob Square Pants" balloon makes its way down 6th Avenue during the 89th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in the Manhattan borough of New York,November 26, 2015. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri