Thursday, 27th November 2025, presented a day of stark contrasts across the globe, captured through the lenses of the world's photojournalists. From multi-million pound art in London to devastating fires in Hong Kong and festive preparations at Windsor Castle, the day's events unfolded with powerful visual narratives.
Culture and Calm: London's Artistic Showcases
In the heart of London, a unique blend of art and confectionery was on display. The Gingerbread City exhibition captivated visitors with its edible architecture, featuring over fifty distinct gingerbread structures. Meanwhile, the prestigious auction house Christie's unveiled Giuseppe Arcimboldo's 'The Four Seasons', a masterpiece expected to fetch between £800,000 and £1.2 million at its 2nd December auction.
Royal festivities were also taking shape as palace staff meticulously decorated St George's Hall at Windsor Castle for the Christmas season. The centrepiece, a magnificent 6-metre-high Nordmann Fir tree grown in Windsor Great Park, will greet visitors during the festive period.
Crisis and Conflict: Global Flashpoints
Tragedy struck in Hong Kong's Tai Po district, where a residential fire that began on 26th November had devastating consequences. By Thursday, the city's fire and rescue service confirmed at least 55 fatalities, with 279 people still reported missing. Dramatic images showed rescue teams continuing their efforts at the Wang Fuk Court buildings, with thick smoke billowing from the affected apartments.
In Gaza, search operations continued in the Zeitoun neighbourhood of Gaza City. Teams from the Izz al-Din al-Qassam brigades, coordinating with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), worked through the rubble to locate the bodies of Israeli captives under the ongoing ceasefire and hostage-prisoner exchange agreement. Simultaneously, in the al-Mawasi area, displaced Palestinians, including many women and children, gathered to receive hot meals from charitable organisations.
Other global incidents included rescuers in Padang, Indonesia, wading through flood waters to evacuate trapped residents, and a security scare in Washington DC, US, where law enforcement cordoned off an area after two National Guard members were reportedly shot near the White House.
Life and Leisure Around the World
Amidst the crises, daily life and leisure continued elsewhere. In Nanning, China, tourists were photographed enjoying floral displays at the Qingxiu mountain scenic area, captured by a drone's eye view. Australians in Redcliffe, Queensland, took to windsurfing to cope with high temperatures at Queens Beach.
In Uppsala, Sweden, Crown Princess Victoria joined student Lovisa Ode to celebrate the 250th anniversary of Swedish veterinary medicine at the Swedish University of Agriculture, sharing a moment to pet a dog. Sporting events also carried on, with Team Toyota Gazoo Racing participating in a rally in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and Ukrainian soldiers loading a pickup truck after a combat mission near the frontline town of Kostiantynivka in the Donetsk region.
Finally, in Paris, France, employees of ArcelorMittal, some adorned with stickers of the CGT union and portraits of Che Guevara, took part in trade union action supporting a draft bill to nationalise the French operations of the struggling steelmaking giant.
