Global Photo Highlights: Thursday, May 7, 2026
The Guardian’s picture editors present a selection of striking images from around the world on this Thursday.
Venice, Italy
The activist group Pussy Riot staged a protest against the readmission of Russia to the Venice Biennale. This marks the first time Russia has been allowed to participate since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which previously led to widespread protests and the resignation of the fair’s jury.
Nablus, West Bank
Samaritan worshippers gathered on Mount Gerizim during the Samaritan Passover pilgrimage. Members of the community congregated at their holiest site to commemorate the biblical exodus of the Israelites from Egypt. The Samaritan Passover typically occurs about a month after the Jewish Passover, following the ancient community’s distinct religious calendar.
London, UK
A person was seen holding the leads of their dogs as they left a polling station. Elections were taking place across Great Britain.
Edinburgh, Scotland
Reform, SNP, Green, and Labour signs and placards were displayed during the Scottish Parliament election at St Phillips Church in Portobello.
Vatican City
Swiss Guards took position before the arrival of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio for a private audience with Pope Leo XIV at the San Damaso courtyard.
Ban Ho, Vietnam
A farmer from the Red Dao ethnic group prepared his terraced paddies before planting rice in a village near Sapa. The economic fallout from the Iran war is affecting farmers across Asia as the planting season for staples such as rice gets under way. The costs of fuel and fertiliser coming from the Middle East through the Strait of Hormuz have rocketed.
Moscow, Russia
Russian security personnel patrolled an area on a pickup truck armed with a machine gun amid increased security measures for Victory Day, marking the anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany in the Second World War.
Ahmedabad, India
A man walked on a dried portion of the river Sabarmati as he returned after searching for reusable items.
Hengyang, China
A heron frolicked in a mountain forest in Hunan Province.
Morecambe, UK
A drone view showed an artist from the Sand In Your Eye art team putting the finishing touches to a giant sand portrait of David Attenborough to mark the conservationist’s 100th birthday.
Venice, Italy (second photo)
The activist group Pussy Riot protested again over the readmission of Russia to the Venice Biennale. This year is the first time Russia has been allowed at the art fair since the country’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which prompted widespread protest, including the resignation of the fair’s jury.
London, UK
Yeoman Warders were seen before the service for the Order of St Michael and St George at St Paul’s Cathedral.
Tapovan region, India
The first golden rays of dawn illuminated the peak of Mount Shivling, near the Gangotri Glacier of the Garhwal Himalaya range in the state of Uttarakhand.
Lake Chad
Chadian soldiers patrolled by boat from a military base. Chad declared three days of national mourning after an attack by Boko Haram jihadists on 6 May that killed two generals.
