The visual narrative of Tuesday, 2 December 2025, unfolded across continents, captured by photojournalists and curated by The Guardian's picture editors. From the poignant aftermath of conflict in Ukraine to the raw power of nature in the Australian outback, the day's selected images offer a compelling snapshot of global events, politics, and human resilience.
Conflict, Climate, and Commemoration
In Lviv, Ukraine, a powerful symbol of loss and endurance was documented at the Lychakiv cemetery. The head of a damaged sculpture, now naturally adorned with ivy leaves and berries, rests upon a gravestone, a silent testament to the ongoing impact of war. Meanwhile, in Nablus, West Bank, Israeli forces carried out the demolition of a house belonging to Palestinian prisoner Abdul Karim Sanoubar, highlighting continued regional tensions.
The force of nature made a dramatic appearance in Tanami, Australia, where a vast dust storm swept through the Northern Territory's desert. In Palembayan, Indonesia, the devastating consequences of extreme weather were seen inside a home ravaged by deadly flash floods following heavy rains in West Sumatra. Rescue efforts were also underway in Colombo, Sri Lanka, where security forces and volunteers worked to save victims from severe flooding in the suburb of Wellampitiya.
Political Actions and Public Demonstrations
Political theatre and public dissent were equally visible. In Caracas, Venezuela, President Nicolás Maduro was photographed kissing a Venezuelan flag during a rally. In stark contrast, a protester in New Orleans, US, waved a flag defiantly in pouring rain during a demonstration against an impending immigration crackdown by Customs and Border Patrol.
European streets also saw activism, as in Nantes, France, where a protester's t-shirt sarcastically reading ‘Thanks, boss!’ underscored a nationwide call by trade unions for strikes demanding higher wages and protesting austerity measures.
Ceremony, Crisis, and Culture
The day also encompassed formal ceremonies and responses to tragedy. Vientiane, Laos, hosted a military parade along That Luang Esplanade to commemorate 50 years of communist rule. In Hong Kong, Chief Executive John Lee addressed the media before a darkened screen following a deadly fire in the region.
Elsewhere, moments of faith, whimsy, and emergency response were captured. A woman prayed at the Lama Temple in Beijing, China, while in Jal el-Dib, Lebanon, children dressed as the pope and Swiss Guards gathered during a papal visit to a psychiatric hospital. Firefighters battled a significant blaze at a waste wood processing plant in Seogwipo, South Korea, and performer Deborah Cox took the stage at the 2025 HOPE Global Forum in Atlanta, US. A final, serene image from Srinagar, Kashmir, showed a man walking a wooden bridge enveloped in morning fog.
Together, these photographs from Tuesday, 2 December 2025, create a multifaceted portrait of our world, documenting its conflicts, its climate, and the enduring human spirit across diverse cultures and circumstances.
