Global Snapshot: From NYC Soup Kitchens to West Bank Tensions
Global Photos: Byrne, Blaze, and Border Tensions

The world on Tuesday, 18th November 2025, presented a tapestry of human experience, from cultural celebrations and political gestures to stark reminders of conflict and environmental concern. The Guardian's picture editors have curated a powerful selection of images capturing these moments from every corner of the globe.

Political Gestures and Global Tensions

In New York City, the focus was on local leadership as Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani was photographed serving food at a soup kitchen in the Bronx. This act of public service offered a glimpse into the priorities of the city's incoming administration.

Meanwhile, tensions in the West Bank were palpable. In Jaba, a Palestinian man was pictured inspecting a vehicle reportedly damaged by Israeli settlers, a scene underscoring the ongoing and complex conflict in the region. In Southern Israel, the juxtaposition of faith and military was evident as an ultra-Orthodox Jewish man conversed with a soldier at a bus stop near the border with the Gaza Strip.

Domestic policy in the United States also came into view, with federal agents seen searching for undocumented migrants at a petrol station in Charlotte, North Carolina. In Washington DC, a message projected onto the FBI's headquarters added a layer of intrigue, publicly calling on Congress to vote for the release of the Epstein files.

Cultural Moments and Environmental Alerts

The arts and entertainment world provided moments of spectacle and style. In San Francisco, the iconic David Byrne delivered a performance at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium. Meanwhile, in Los Angeles, actors Teyana Taylor and Jayme Lawson brought glamour to Elle's 2025 Women in Hollywood celebration.

Public dissent and environmental issues took centre stage in other parts of the world. In Delhi, India, protesters demanded government action to curb the city's severe pollution levels. A more serene spiritual scene unfolded in Kolkata, where a Hindu devotee offered prayers to the rising sun after a ritual dip in the Hooghly River.

International Incidents and Seasonal Shifts

An international incident unfolded in Jakarta, Indonesia, where Chinese cybercrime suspects, wanted by Beijing, were pictured at a press conference concerning their deportation.

Emergency services were in action in Zagreb, Croatia, where firefighters battled a significant blaze in a high-rise building. In a stark contrast, the first snowfalls of the season brought a quieter transformation to landscapes in both St Margrethenberg, Switzerland, and Carrshield, England, marking a definitive shift into the winter months.

This collection of photographs from Tuesday, 18th November 2025, serves as a compelling visual record of a day filled with both conflict and calm, political action and personal devotion.