The Guardian's picture editors have curated another compelling collection of images from across the globe for Tuesday, 2 December 2025. This daily visual digest captures moments of conflict, climate, protest, and poignant stillness, offering a window into the diverse narratives unfolding on a single day.
A World of Contrast: Conflict and Commemoration
In Lviv, Ukraine, a powerful symbol of resilience and loss was captured at the Lychakiv cemetery. The head of a damaged sculpture, now naturally adorned with ivy leaves and berries, rests upon a gravestone, a silent testament to the ongoing impact of war. The image, photographed by Sergei Gapon for AFP/Getty Images, speaks to the passage of time and nature reclaiming spaces marked by conflict.
Meanwhile, in Nablus, West Bank, tensions were visibly high as Israeli troops carried out the demolition of a house belonging to Palestinian prisoner Abdul Karim Sanoubar. The scene, documented by Alaa Badarneh for EPA, underscores the persistent and deeply rooted strife in the region.
Nature's Force and Human Response
The raw power of the environment was on full display in two very different settings. In the Tanami desert, Northern Territory, Australia, a vast and imposing dust storm was photographed rolling through the arid landscape by Lachlan Marchant for Severe Weather Australia. This dramatic event highlights the extreme weather conditions shaping the continent's interior.
Conversely, in Palembayan, Indonesia, the devastating aftermath of heavy rains was revealed. The interior of a home, hit by deadly flash floods in West Sumatra, was pictured by Willy Kurniawan for Reuters, illustrating the sudden and destructive force of such natural disasters. The human response to crisis was also seen in Colombo, Sri Lanka, where security forces and volunteers worked together to rescue flood victims in the suburb of Wellampitiya.
A different kind of emergency unfolded in Seogwipo, South Korea, where firefighters battled a significant blaze at a storage yard for a company that processes waste wood into solid fuel for electricity generation.
Protests, Power, and Pageantry
The day also featured scenes of public demonstration and political theatre. In New Orleans, US, a protester waved a flag defiantly in pouring rain during a demonstration against an impending Customs and Border Patrol immigration crackdown. In Nantes, France, a more sardonic tone was struck as a protester wore a t-shirt reading ‘Thanks, boss!’ during trade union strikes calling for higher wages and protesting austerity measures.
Political rallies provided starkly different imagery. In Caracas, Venezuela, President Nicolás Maduro was photographed kissing a Venezuelan flag during a rally, while in Vientiane, Laos, a military parade marched along That Luang Esplanade to commemorate 50 years of communist rule.
In Hong Kong, Chief Executive John Lee addressed the press before a darkened screen in the aftermath of a deadly fire in the region, his sombre demeanour reflecting the gravity of the situation.
The selection also included moments of cultural and spiritual significance. In Beijing, a woman was pictured burning incense and praying at the Lama Temple. A lighter, unique moment occurred in Jal el-Dib, Lebanon, where a child dressed as the pope, accompanied by others as Swiss Guards, gathered during Pope Leo XIV's visit to a psychiatric hospital.
From the performance of Deborah Cox at the HOPE Global Forum in Atlanta, US to the serene, fog-shrouded wooden bridge in Srinagar, Kashmir, the collection reminds us of the vast spectrum of human experience, captured in a single day by the lenses of photojournalists worldwide.
