The Guardian's picture editors have curated a selection of photographs from around the world, capturing moments of sport, culture, conflict, and daily life. The images span from an NFL pre-season game in the US to a traditional Scottish festival, and from the aftermath of an airstrike in Gaza to a humanoid robot playing tennis in China.
Sports and Festivities
In Inglewood, US, Los Angeles Rams cheerleaders performed before an NFL pre-season football game against the New Orleans Saints, as captured by photographer Ringo Chiu. Similarly, in Glendale, US, the Arizona Cardinals cheerleaders entertained the crowd before their pre-season NFL game against the Dallas Cowboys at State Farm Stadium, in a photo by Christian Petersen.
In Scotland, highland dancers competed during the Lonach Highland Gathering and Games in Strathdon. The annual traditional Scottish festival, held on the fourth Saturday of August in Bellabeg Park, is organised by the Lonach Highland and Friendly Society, founded in 1823. It is famed for the iconic March of the Lonach Highlanders, as photographed by Jeff J Mitchell.
In Pflug, Germany, a man attempted to pull his opponent over the table during the traditional German finger-pulling (Fingerhakeln) championships, a photo by Angelika Warmuth. Meanwhile, in Nairobi, Kenya, fans of manga, anime, and Japanese culture cheered as they watched performances from cosplayers during the Otamatsuri convention, captured by Luis Tato.
Conflict and Aftermath
In Zuwayda, Gaza, intense flames and smoke rose after an Israeli airstrike that destroyed several homes and tents where displaced Palestinians were staying, as photographed by Anadolu/Getty Images. In another part of Gaza, the Israeli army demolished buildings east of Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip, a scene captured by Abdel Kareem Hana/AP.
In Kolpino, Russia, smoke rose over a logistics centre after being hit by Ukrainian drones, with a person walking in front of a billboard promoting contract army service, as photographed by AFP/Getty Images. In Sade village, Indonesia, a drone view showed the aftermath at a traditional Sasak village that caught fire overnight in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara province, a photo by Reuters.
Culture and Nature
In Beijing, China, a Galbot humanoid robot took part in a tennis exhibition match against a human player during the opening ceremony for the second World Humanoid Robot Games, as photographed by Florence Lo/Reuters. In another event, technicians carried a robot out of the ring after the free combat event of the World Humanoid Robot Games, captured by Achmad Ibrahim/AP.
In Singapore, paddlers raced in outrigger canoes during the IVF World Sprint Championships 2026 at Marina Bayfront, a photo by Suhaimi Abdullah/NurPhoto/Shutterstock. Also in Singapore, an aircraft departing Changi airport was silhouetted against the sun at sunrise, captured by the same photographer.
In Guangyuan, China, tourists visited the Thousand Buddha cliffside statues scenic area in Sichuan province. On the east bank of the Jialing River north of Guangyuan city, the site is the largest grotto complex in Sichuan province, with carvings dating from the Northern Wei dynasty to the Qing dynasty spanning over 1,500 years, as photographed by China News Service/Getty Images.
Art, Sport, and Music
In St Mullins, Ireland, a satirical sculpture of Donald Trump entitled The Trash Talker by the Wexford artist TinKicker was on display, made in protest against the US president's forthcoming visit to Ireland, as part of the Can-al Fest street art festival in Co Carlow, a photo by Niall Carson/PA.
In Johannesburg, South Africa, a man danced before a rugby union match between South Africa and New Zealand at Ellis Park stadium, captured by Siphiwe Sibeko/Reuters. In Istanbul, Turkey, swimmers competed in the 38th Bosphorus cross-continental swimming race, which starts at Kanlıca Pier on the Asian side and finishes in Kuruçeşme on the European side, a photo by Anadolu/Getty Images.
In Amsterdam, Netherlands, audience members waved flags of the city of Amsterdam as musicians performed the song The City of Amsterdam. The 44th edition of the Prinsengrachtconcert took place on a floating stage on the Prinsengracht in front of Hotel Pulitzer, the largest free open-air classical music concert in the Netherlands, as photographed by James Petermeier/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock.
In La Guaira, Venezuela, veterinarians checked a dog rescued from destroyed buildings after recent 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes, in the Misión Nevado temporary shelter. Venezuela was struck by two earthquakes on 24 June, which left at least 6,438 people dead. Nearly two months later, pets rescued from the rubble remain in temporary shelters, waiting to be reunited with their former owners or their new adoptive families, a photo by Juan Barreto/AFP/Getty Images.
