The best photos of 2025 from the opening weeks of January paint a vivid picture of a world in motion — marked by conflict, celebration, natural disaster, political upheaval, and technological ambition. This fifth instalment of our annual photo series brings together 19 powerful frames captured by some of the most skilled photojournalists working today. For more outstanding imagery from this period, take a look at our best world press photos from early January 2025.
Military, Conflict, and Political Unrest
On January 10, 2025, members of the 379th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron paused during a controlled demolition at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar to pose for a striking team photograph. The image showcases their full arsenal of protective equipment — bomb suits, reinforced vehicles, and remote-controlled disposal robots — with a C-17 military transport aircraft passing overhead. According to the U.S. Air Force, EOD technicians counter explosive threats using sophisticated tools including x-ray systems and chemical detection devices. (Photo by A1C Zeeshan Naeem/USAF/South West News Service)
On January 4, 2025, Israeli mounted police moved to disperse demonstrators gathered outside the Defence Ministry headquarters in Tel Aviv. The protesters were demanding the release of hostages held in Gaza by Palestinian militants following the October 7 attacks, against the backdrop of the continuing Israel-Hamas war. (Photo by Jack Guez/AFP Photo)
In Belgrade, Serbia, students took to the streets on January 12, 2025, staging a protest in front of the constitutional court. They held the government responsible for the deaths caused by the November 2024 collapse of the Novi Sad railway station canopy, accusing officials of corruption and systemic negligence. (Photo by Djordje Kojadinovic/Reuters)
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his resignation at a press conference in Ottawa on January 6, 2025. After serving as Liberal Party leader for 11 years and as prime minister for nine, Trudeau stated he would remain in office until the party elected a new leader. His departure came amid mounting pressures, including Donald Trump’s tariff threats, the departure of key political allies, and deeply unfavourable polling numbers. (Photo by Cole Burston/The New York Times/Redux)
Faith, Tradition, and Cultural Celebration
On January 4, 2025, revellers drenched in soap foam filled the streets of Pasto, Colombia, as part of the renowned Blacks and Whites carnival. Rooted in a blend of Andean, Amazonian, and Pacific traditions, the festival honours the region’s ethnic diversity and has held UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage status since 2009. (Photo by Raul Arboleda/AFP Photo)
Cardinal James Michael Harvey ceremonially opened the Holy Door of the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls in Rome on January 5, 2025, as part of the Jubilee celebrations. The solemn moment was captured by Reuters photographer Remo Casilli. (Photo by Remo Casilli/Reuters)
In Santo Antonio de Goias, Brazil, a performer portraying Bastiao the clown paused for a rest while participating in a Folia de Reis procession on January 5, 2025. The Santo Antonio Folia de Reis group was marking Epiphany, also known as Three Kings Day, through this traditional folk performance. (Photo by Eraldo Peres/AP Photo)
Germany’s village of Weidenthal hosted the 17th World Christmas Tree Throwing Championships on January 5, 2025. Organised by FC Wacker Weidenthal, the quirky competition pits participants against each other in three categories — long throw, high throw, and sling throw — using trees approximately 1.50 metres in length. (Photo by Uwe Anspach/dpa/Alamy Live News)
In Ronda, Spain, three local residents — journalist Juan Miguel Aguilar, 49, real estate agent Diego Sanchez, 37, and tourism entrepreneur Angel Ballesteros, 39 — dressed as the Three Wise Men Melchior, Gaspar, and Balthazar on January 4, 2025. The trio visited churches in the city centre to venerate a statue of Christ, ahead of the town’s Epiphany parade. (Photo by Jon Nazca/Reuters)
An Orthodox Christian believer kissed a wooden crucifix during Epiphany observances in Piraeus, Greece, on January 6, 2025, in a deeply personal act of devotion amid broader communal celebrations. (Photo by Alkis Konstantinidis/Reuters)
Hundreds of thousands of Catholic pilgrims flooded the streets of Manila on January 9, 2025, for the annual Black Nazarene procession. Devotees pressed forward in vast crowds, straining to touch or kiss the carriage bearing the centuries-old statue of Jesus Christ — a demonstration of profound religious fervour that defines this annual event. (Photo by Jam Sta Rosa/AFP Photo)
On January 8, 2025, the remains of 19th-century Portuguese novelist Eça de Queirós — born in November 1845 and died in August 1900 — were transferred to the National Pantheon in Lisbon, with guards of honour flanking the coffin during the solemn ceremony. (Photo by Patricia de Melo Moreira/AFP Photo)
Natural Disaster: The Eaton Fire in California
The devastating Eaton Fire swept through Altadena, California, on January 8, 2025, leaving scorched buildings and ruins in its wake. A lone figure walking past a gutted commercial property became a stark symbol of the destruction wrought by the blaze. (Photo by Ethan Swope/AP Photo)
Earlier on the same day, desperate residents were photographed trying to prevent the fire from spreading to a neighbouring home in Altadena. Driven by fierce Santa Ana winds, the wildfire had already destroyed more than 1,000 structures across Los Angeles County and claimed at least two lives. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Technology, Sports, and Everyday Life
At CES 2025 in Las Vegas on January 5, 2025, the Metapet company showcased Noono — a line of AI-powered robotic pet mice designed to mimic the behaviour of real animals. The innovation was among dozens of futuristic consumer products unveiled at the world’s largest annual technology trade show. (Photo by Steve Marcus/Reuters)
NVIDIA founder and CEO Jensen Huang delivered a headline keynote on January 6, 2025, at the Mandalay Bay hotel in Las Vegas, focusing heavily on robotics. CES 2025, which ran from January 7 to 10, drew manufacturers, advertisers, and technology enthusiasts from across the globe. (Photo by Allison Dinner/EPA)
A Mexican vaquero leapt through a spinning lasso at the National Western Stock Show Kick-off Parade in Denver, Colorado, on January 9, 2025. The parade traditionally signals the start of the United States’ premier livestock, rodeo, and horse show, which this year celebrated its 119th edition. (Photo by Jason Connolly/AFP Photo)
A biting cold snap gripped Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, on January 8, 2025, leaving the Los Indomables monument encased in ice. One resident took the opportunity to snap a selfie beside the frozen landmark, turning a harsh weather event into an unexpectedly memorable moment. (Photo by Jose Luis Gonzalez/Reuters)
In Phnom Penh, Cambodia, vibrant dancers took centre stage on January 7, 2025, during the Victory Day parade commemorating the 46th anniversary of the country’s liberation from the Khmer Rouge regime in 1979. (Photo by Kith Serey/EPA)
Conclusion
From the smouldering aftermath of California’s wildfires to the jubilant chaos of Colombia’s carnival, these 19 images encapsulate the extraordinary range of human experience that defined early January 2025. Each frame is a testament to the power of documentary photography in preserving moments that shape our collective memory. For an extended look at standout imagery from this era, explore our Best Pictures of the Year 2025 – Part 22 collection.
