Sky News picture editors have curated a powerful and diverse collection of images from around the globe for the week ending Friday, 16 January 2026. The selection captures a spectrum of human experience, from political unrest and sporting drama to cultural traditions and moments of serene beauty.
Global Tensions and Political Unrest
The week's imagery did not shy away from scenes of conflict and protest. In Minneapolis, Minnesota, federal law enforcement deployed tear gas against angered community members, with one striking photograph showing an agent walking through the chemical haze. This followed the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent just days prior, an event that has galvanised local resistance.
Further political discourse was captured in the Arctic circle, where UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper visited Norway. She and Norwegian Foreign Minister Barth Eide were pictured sheltering from a helicopter at the Mauken Training Area near Bardufoss. The visit focused on discussions about Russian and Chinese threats to the Arctic and observing British and Norwegian troops in a NATO cold-weather training exercise.
Celebrations in Culture and Sport
In stark contrast, the week also highlighted celebration and achievement. At the Golden Globes, actress and singer Teyana Taylor posed with her award for Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role for One Battle After Another. The sporting world provided dynamic action, with a photo of the New York Knicks' Karl-Anthony Towns being fouled by the Golden State Warriors' Gui Santos during an NBA game in San Francisco.
Cultural traditions were beautifully documented in Japan. Young adults across the country celebrated Coming-of-Age Day, a centuries-old national holiday marking the transition from childhood to adulthood. In a more whimsical scene, Japanese monkeys were photographed bathing in a steamy hot spring amidst snowfall at the Hakodate Tropical Botanical Garden.
A World of Contrasting Moments
The editors' selection underscored the planet's simultaneous narratives. From the adrenaline of the Dakar Rally's Stage 10 in Saudi Arabia to the tranquil image of a girl feeding gulls at North Macedonia's Ohrid lake, the pictures told myriad stories.
Other notable frames included the wreckage of a train derailed by a collapsing construction crane, the immersive experience of Bubble Planet in Germany, and actress Leslie Bibb attending a For Your Consideration event for the series Palm Royale. Together, these images for 16 January 2026 form a vivid, global snapshot of a week filled with conflict, diplomacy, triumph, and tradition.
