The final days of January 2025 produced a remarkable range of world press photos that document both heartbreak and hope across every corner of the globe. From a devastating aviation disaster in Washington to acts of quiet compassion in a Welsh children’s hospice, these images collectively tell the story of a world in constant, often dramatic, motion.
Faith and Celebration: Lunar New Year in Indonesia
The week opened with scenes of spiritual devotion as communities across Asia welcomed the Chinese Lunar New Year. In Bandung, West Java, Indonesia, worshippers gathered at the Darma Ramsi Temple on January 29, 2025, to offer prayers and light candles in honour of the occasion.
Paris Fashion Week: Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2025
Paris once again became the global epicentre of high fashion during the Women’s Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2025 shows. Indian designer Gaurav Gupta unveiled a striking collection on January 29, with models moving through sculptural, otherworldly silhouettes on the runway.
Swiss designer Kevin Germanier also presented his Spring/Summer 2025 Haute Couture collection on January 30, earning attention for his commitment to sustainable luxury. Multiple looks from the Germanier fashion house were captured by photographers from EPA/EFE and Reuters.
For a broader look at how January unfolded through the lens of photojournalists, see our coverage of the best world press photos from early January 2025.
Tragedy Over the Potomac: The American Eagle Flight 5342 Crash
One of the most devastating news events of the month occurred on January 30, 2025, when American Eagle flight 5342 collided with a military helicopter while approaching Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The aircraft crashed into the Potomac River, triggering an immediate emergency response.
Images released by the U.S. Coast Guard showed wreckage scattered across the river surface. At Ronald Reagan National Airport itself, emergency notices were swiftly posted at baggage claim areas as authorities worked to notify passengers and their families.
FireAid: Music Unites for a Cause
On the evening of January 30, Inglewood, California hosted the FireAid benefit concert — a major fundraising event staged across two venues in response to the devastating wildfires that had struck the Los Angeles region. Gwen Stefani and Tony Kanal of No Doubt reunited on stage at The Forum, delivering an emotionally charged performance for a sold-out crowd.
Meanwhile, at the nearby Intuit Dome, singer-songwriter Olivia Rodrigo brought her signature intensity to a powerful set that resonated deeply with the audience.
Crisis in the Congo: M23 Advances on Goma
On January 30, 2025, the city of Goma in the Democratic Republic of the Congo witnessed scenes that underscored the gravity of the ongoing conflict in the region. Government soldiers and police officers who had surrendered to M23 rebels were loaded onto trucks and transported to an undisclosed location — a stark visual reminder of the armed group’s rapid territorial gains.
A Moment of Relief: Agam Berger’s Release
Also on January 30, crowds gathered in Holon, Israel, to watch the release of Agam Berger — a young soldier who had been taken hostage from her army base in southern Israel during the deadly Hamas attack of October 7, 2023. Family members and supporters watched live footage of her release on a large screen, their faces reflecting an overwhelming mixture of relief and emotion.
The Princess of Wales at Tŷ Hafan Hospice
In a deeply moving moment on January 30, the Princess of Wales visited Tŷ Hafan, a children’s hospice located in Sully, near Cardiff, Wales. During her visit, she painted the hand of a four-year-old girl named Maggie, whose sibling is being cared for at the facility, so that Maggie’s handprint could join the wall of prints displayed at the hospice.
Anthony Mackie Brings Captain America to London
Marvel Studios’ Captain America: Brave New World made a splash in the United Kingdom on January 30, as star Anthony Mackie attended a photocall at the iconic Trafalgar Square in London. The promotional event drew considerable attention ahead of the film’s theatrical release.
Political Tension in Tennessee
Inside the Tennessee State Legislature on January 29, tensions boiled over during a special session focused on immigration policy. Michelle Flynn was physically removed from a House committee meeting by State Troopers after disrupting the proceedings — a moment captured in a striking image by AP photographer George Walker IV.
Storm Ivo Batters Western France
Severe flooding struck western France on January 30 as Storm Ivo swept through the region. In the town of Redon, floodwaters rose so high that only the tops of road signs remained visible above the surface — a haunting image of the storm’s destructive power.
Power Slap 11 in Riyadh
At ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the Power Slap 11 Super Heavyweight Title Match took place on January 30. Jackie “The Hybrid” Cataline faced off against Sheena “The Hungarian Hurricane” Bathory in a contest that drew international media coverage and no shortage of dramatic photographs.
Devotion at the Hazratbal Shrine in Kashmir
On January 31, Kashmiri Muslim worshippers gathered at the revered Hazratbal shrine on the outskirts of Srinagar to observe Mehraj-u-Alam — the day traditionally believed to commemorate the ascension of the Prophet Muhammad to heaven. The scene of collective prayer offered a moment of profound spiritual reflection amid the region’s complex realities.
Inspiration on Wheels: Abdul Rahman Makhlouf
From Amman, Jordan, came one of the most inspiring images of the collection. Abdul Rahman Makhlouf, a 19-year-old athlete who uses a wheelchair, was photographed practising calisthenics on January 30. Makhlouf has set his sights on achieving a Guinness World Record, and his dedication is already turning heads far beyond Jordan’s borders.
Lady Gaga Immortalised at Madame Tussauds London
Rounding out the week on a lighter note, Madame Tussauds London announced the unveiling of a new wax figure of Lady Gaga, set to go on display at the Baker Street attraction from Monday, February 3, 2025. The figure is dressed in a meticulous replica of the Armani Privé gown the singer wore to the 2022 Grammy Awards ceremony.
A Week Captured in World Press Photos
These eighteen images from late January 2025 span continents and emotions — tragedy, faith, glamour, conflict, compassion, and resilience. Together, they demonstrate why photojournalism remains one of the most powerful forms of storytelling available to us. To explore more landmark images from this period, browse our collection of the most powerful world press photos of 2025 – Set 5.
