In a captivating collection of images from around the globe, Friday's photo selection features a range of powerful and poignant moments. At Chester Zoo in the UK, rare 15-week-old giant otter pups cooled off after their first swimming lesson, marking a milestone for the endangered species. In Colorado Springs, US Vice-President JD Vance exchanged a celebratory chest bump with a graduating cadet at the US Air Force Academy.
Cultural and Historical Highlights
In Zagreb, Croatia, Antonia Gasperov performed on a wire 30 metres above the Manduševac fountain during the opening of the 30th Cest is dBest street festival. Meanwhile, in London, British artist Sue Tilley stood beside Lucian Freud's portrait of her, Sleeping by the Lion Carpet, ahead of its auction debut at Sotheby's, where it is expected to fetch £25-35 million.
In Liverpool, a memorial was unveiled at Anfield on the 41st anniversary of the Heysel Stadium disaster, which claimed 39 lives in 1985. In Essen, Germany, a swimmer plunged from the 10-metre diving tower at Grugabad lido amid unseasonably high temperatures.
Conflict and Resilience
In Tyre, Lebanon, a fireball rose from a building after an Israeli strike, part of ongoing attacks on Hezbollah infrastructure. In Gaza City, a Palestinian boy sat amid rubble after an overnight Israeli strike on tents housing displaced families, which local health authorities said killed 10 people.
On a lighter note, on Jeju Island, South Korea, a visitor toured the Manjanggul lava tube, a UNESCO World Heritage site, reopened after two years of maintenance. In Cape Canaveral, Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket exploded during a test flight; founder Jeff Bezos confirmed all employees were safe but called it a 'very rough day.'
Protests and Natural Phenomena
In Newark, New Jersey, an enforcement agent sprayed a chemical irritant at a protester outside Delaney Hall. In Edinburgh, the waxing moon rose near Arthur's Seat in Holyrood Park. In New York City, people photographed Manhattanhenge along 42nd Street, a biannual event where the setting sun aligns with the city's grid.
Finally, in Washington DC, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent displayed a proposed $250 bill featuring President Donald Trump during a White House press conference.
