Sky News picture editors have compiled a compelling visual narrative of the week ending Saturday 24 January 2026, showcasing a diverse array of global events through striking photography.
A World in Focus: From Space to Street Level
This week's collection spans continents and contexts, offering a poignant snapshot of human activity, natural phenomena, and political unrest. The images serve as a powerful testament to the role of photojournalism in documenting our shared reality.
Celestial Wonders and Earthly Struggles
A breathtaking view of the Aurora Borealis, captured from the unique vantage point of the International Space Station by Roscosmos cosmonaut Sergey Kud-Sverchkov, provides a moment of cosmic beauty. In stark contrast, the streets of Tehran tell a story of conflict, with images of burnt-out buses illustrating the violent aftermath of mass protests and a severe regime crackdown in Iran that resulted in thousands of casualties and arrests.
Cultural Rituals and Sporting Tensions
The week also highlighted profound cultural traditions. In St Petersburg, Russian Orthodox believers braved icy waters for the Epiphany, while in Prayagraj, India, Hindu devotees gathered at the confluence of the Ganges and Yamuna rivers for the Basant Panchami festival, marking the advent of spring during the Magh Mela. The sporting world was not without drama, as the Africa Cup of Nations final between Senegal and Morocco descended into controversy, with Senegalese fans attempting to storm the pitch and players walking off in protest after a late penalty award to the hosts.
Environmental and Political Flashpoints
Environmental crises featured prominently, with firefighters battling intense forest fires in Chile's Biobio region, prompting emergency evacuations. Meanwhile, a Cold War-era nuclear bunker in Tunstall, East Yorkshire, perched precariously on the eroding Holderness coastline, symbolises the relentless force of nature, with experts warning it could collapse into the sea imminently.
Further images captured global political moments, including a protest in Minneapolis over a fatal shooting by an ICE agent, and the toppling of a statue in Tabqa, Syria, following the city's takeover by the Syrian army. From the Australian Open tennis courts to a quirky scene of a German farmer left with a surplus of potatoes, the selection underscores the vast spectrum of human experience.
Unusual Pursuits and Natural Fury
The week also featured more unusual sights, such as the hybrid sport of 'ice winging' on Hungary's frozen Lake Balaton, combining ice skating, windsurfing, and kiteboarding. Nature's power was on full display with stormy waves crashing against the lighthouse in South Shields, UK, during severe weather that brought flooding to the North East coast.
This visual roundup not only informs but evokes, reminding viewers of the interconnected stories unfolding across our planet each week.
