The Guardian's picture editors have selected a series of photographs from around the world, capturing moments from a mermaid dance competition in China to the aftermath of flash floods in Nepal and the vibrant Manchester Pride parade.
Mermaid Dance Championship in China
Yang Lu of Team China competes in the women's individual mermaid dance preliminary round during the 2026 China Championship Mermaid Open at Hainan Ocean Paradise Resort. The event showcases the athletic and artistic elements of mermaid dance, a discipline that combines swimming, gymnastics, and performance.
Flood Aftermath in Nepal and Wildfire Rescue in Borneo
In Devighat, Nepal, a family photograph lies on a mud-coated mattress outside a house in the aftermath of flash floods, illustrating the personal losses suffered by residents. Meanwhile, in Kuala Satong, Borneo, an orangutan receives emergency treatment after being rescued from a palm-oil plantation in an area affected by wildfires, highlighting the environmental impact of the blazes.
Notting Hill Carnival and Manchester Pride
In London, England, a young performer dances during the Notting Hill carnival, a celebration of Caribbean culture. In Manchester, England, the Manchester Village Pride parade passes through St Peter's Square as thousands from the LGBTQ+ community and supporters march in torrential rain through the city centre towards the Gay Village, demonstrating resilience and solidarity.
Royal Mourning and Protests
In Oslo, Norway, people gather to pay their respects outside the royal palace after the death of Norway's King Harald. In Buenos Aires, Argentina, demonstrators protest against Peter Thiel, the chair of Palantir, reflecting ongoing public dissent against the tech billionaire.
Medical Treatment and Cultural Festivals
In Istanbul, Turkey, patients receive hyperbaric oxygen therapy inside a treatment chamber at Sultan Abdülhamid Han training and research hospital, where Yavuz Aslan, an underwater medicine specialist, treats a range of conditions. In Tokyo, Japan, participants perform during the 67th Koenji Awa Odori festival, a summer dance tradition welcoming ancestral spirits home.
War and Conflict Impacts
In Gaza, Palestinian teenager Mahmoud al-Durrah stands in his war-damaged home after losing his right leg in an Israeli shooting. A licensed football player, Al-Durrah said the injury had ended his hopes of becoming a professional athlete. In Kyiv, Ukraine, people walk at the site of a Russian strike on a goods storage facility, underscoring the ongoing toll of the conflict.
Music and Civil Unrest
In Reading, England, Sebastian Murphy of Viagra Boys performs live on stage during the 2026 Reading festival. In Melbourne, Australia, counterprotesters opposing an anti-immigration demonstration clash with police, highlighting social tensions in the city.
In Lingshui, China, Yang Lu of Team China competes again in the women's individual mermaid dance preliminary round during the 2026 China Championship Mermaid Open at Hainan Ocean Paradise Resort, as captured by China News Service/Getty Images.
