Thursday, 18th December 2025, offered a vivid tapestry of human and natural stories across the globe, captured through the lenses of photojournalists and curated by The Guardian's picture editors. The day's selection spans continents, encompassing rare wildlife behaviour, cultural traditions, geopolitical tensions, and moments of human endeavour.
Nature's Rare Moments and Seasonal Traditions
In the remote town of Churchill, Canada, a remarkable wildlife event unfolded. A wild female polar bear was photographed with two cubs, one of which she has adopted. This is an exceptionally rare occurrence, with only 13 such cases recorded in the country over the past 45 years, offering a poignant glimpse into animal behaviour.
Meanwhile, in the Holy Land, the festive spirit was present as Christian Palestinian Issa Kassissieh undertook her traditional tour through the Old City of Jerusalem. The photograph captures her delivering Christmas greetings to residents, a personal ritual highlighting enduring cultural traditions amidst a complex political landscape.
Global Events: From Protest to Performance
In Brussels, Belgian farmers staged protests against a proposed free-trade deal between the European Union and the South American Mercosur bloc, voicing economic concerns. Conversely, in Leeds, England, a moment of artistic preparation was seen as dancers participated in a dress rehearsal for the Northern Ballet's interpretation of the classic festive ballet, The Nutcracker.
The day also marked International Migrants Day, observed in London with the unveiling of 'The Tree of Belonging' at Marylebone station. This installation served as a symbolic gesture recognising the contributions of migrants. In a stark contrast, federal agents in Chicago, Illinois, were pictured detaining a woman during an immigration raid, underscoring the divergent global approaches to migration.
Scenes of Conflict, Industry, and Everyday Life
Images from conflict zones presented a sobering reality. Smoke billowed over Jbour, Lebanon, following reported Israeli airstrikes, while in the frontline Donetsk region town of Kostyantynivka, Ukraine, a soldier was pictured walking through the rubble of a badly damaged residential street.
Elsewhere, daily life and work continued. In Chattogram, Bangladesh, workers prepared salted fish for drying, and in Valencia, USA, robots moved packages in a logistics warehouse. From the fog-shrouded streets of Sarajevo to climbers ascending Turkey's Hel mountains, the collection provided a powerful, silent narrative of our shared world on a single December day.
