On Wednesday, 17 December 2025, a series of powerful images from across the globe captured moments of conflict, culture, and daily life. The Guardian's picture editors curated a selection that tells diverse stories, from industrial action in European capitals to displacement in Gaza and a glittering ice festival in China.
Industrial Action and Social Unrest
In London, resident doctors began a significant five-day strike, forming picket lines outside St Thomas' Hospital. The industrial action, called by the British Medical Association (BMA), centres on a long-running dispute over pay and working conditions within the NHS.
Similarly, in Paris, museum employees continued their strike, forcing the iconic Louvre to remain closed. The action, which started on Monday, highlights grievances over working conditions, staffing levels, infrastructure problems, and concerns about rising ticket prices.
Social tensions were also visible in Honduras and France. In Tegucigalpa, a supporter of the Libre party displayed injuries sustained during a police operation to disperse a protest. The demonstration was calling for the final results of a recount from last month's general elections. Meanwhile, in Gironde, French farmers union members maintained a blockade on the A63 motorway near Bordeaux, protesting the government's mandatory cull of cattle herds affected by lumpy skin disease.
Displacement and Resilience
The human cost of housing crises and conflict was starkly illustrated. In Badalona, Spain, police observed as individuals adjusted their belongings on carts following eviction orders at an abandoned school. The site had been home to hundreds of people, most of whom were undocumented.
In Gaza, the ongoing war's impact was evident in two contrasting scenes. In Gaza City, Palestinians navigated a street lined with tents, surrounded by buildings destroyed by Israeli airstrikes and ground operations. Meanwhile, in Deir al-Balah, a moment of hope emerged as Palestinian music teacher Ahmed Abu Amsha brought music to children at a displacement camp.
In Sydney, Australia, family members mourned at the funeral of Rabbi Eli Schlanger, who was killed in the Bondi beach terror attack. The service was held at the Chabad of Bondi synagogue.
Culture, Sport, and the Everyday
Amidst the strife, glimpses of normalcy and celebration persisted. In Harbin, China, the world's largest snow and ice theme park opened its doors. Tourists were photographed admiring intricate ice sculptures at the popular annual festival.
The sporting world carried on, with Joakim Lagergren of Sweden participating in the pro-am event ahead of the Mauritius Open golf tournament in Bel Ombre. On the frontline in Ukraine, members of the 66th Separate Mechanised Brigade were pictured leaving their dugout with a Darts drone before launching it towards Russian positions near Donetsk.
A more mundane urban challenge was captured in Beijing, where a worker was seen stacking rental bikes in the central business district, a common sight in many major cities.
A World in Focus
This collection from a single day underscores the interconnected yet vastly different realities experienced around the world. From the picket lines of London hospitals to the frozen artistry of Harbin and the makeshift shelters of Gaza, these photographs provide a compelling, unfiltered snapshot of global human experience on Wednesday, 17 December 2025.
