Friday 9th January 2026 offered a stark visual reminder of our planet's diverse and often contrasting realities. From extreme weather events to cultural traditions and the grim toll of conflict, The Guardian's picture editors curated a powerful collection of images from across the globe.
Weather Extremes and Environmental Challenges
Extreme weather patterns dominated the day's visuals. In Melbourne, Australia, residents battled a severe heatwave as temperatures soared to a scorching 43 degrees Celsius. One poignant image showed a young girl seeking relief in front of misting fans, a common sight as the city sweltered.
Meanwhile, Europe faced the opposite problem. Storm Elli brought heavy snowfall to Hamburg, Germany, blanketing roads and pavements. In the UK, the aftermath of Storm Goretti was evident in St Stephen, Cornwall, where workers cleared a large tree that had fallen across a road due to high winds. In a lighter moment from the British Isles, an RNLI lifeboat crew performed a successful rescue on the Isle of Wight, saving a stranded border collie named Karoo from under a pier at Ryde.
Environmental challenges were also highlighted elsewhere. A terrifying wildfire raged through Patagonia in Argentina, sending plumes of smoke across the landscape near El Hoyo. In Albania, firefighters in Tirana battled a major blaze at market storage facilities, visible in dramatic drone footage.
Cultural Rituals and Political Events
The day also captured moments of faith, sport, and political preparation. In Manila, Philippines, devoted Filipino Catholics participated in a massive procession, clutching the cross of the Black Nazarene. On the slopes of St Moritz, Switzerland, Britain's Matt Weston competed in the heats of the men's skeleton at the IBSF World Championships.
Political machinery was in motion in Hanoi, Vietnam, where workers installed a large billboard advertising the upcoming 14th Congress of the Vietnamese Communist Party. In a nod to tradition in Denver, Colorado, longhorn steer were herded through the downtown streets in a parade marking the opening of the National Western Stock Show, a modern homage to historic cattle drives.
Conflict and Policy Changes
Some of the most harrowing images came from conflict zones. In Gaza, a young girl in the Bureij camp was pictured placing her salvaged belongings into a pink backpack following Israeli attacks. Further south in Khan Younis, mourners gathered after an Israeli strike in the Mawasi area killed four Palestinians, including two children.
The war in Ukraine was also documented, with one photograph showing the body of a paramedic lying in front of a residential building in Kyiv after a Russian double strike. Another image from the capital showed civilians taking shelter in a metro station during drone and missile attacks.
In a significant policy shift aimed at managing visitor numbers, Rome announced a new measure for its iconic Trevi Fountain. Images showed workers cleaning the fountain and collecting coins tossed by tourists. From 1st February 2026, tourists will be required to pay a €2 entrance fee to access the immediate vicinity of the fountain, a direct effort by authorities to tackle the persistent issue of over-tourism.
