Through the lens: The Citizen's Picture Editors select the best news photographs from South Africa and around the world.
epaselect epa12074195 People participate in the “Balloon Parade” in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, 04 May 2025. The event, considered the largest balloon parade in the world, featured a marine world theme. Floats decorated with balloons were created by 13 international artists from Brazil, Italy, Mexico, Russia, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. Picture: EPA-EFE/FRANCISCO GUASCO
Demonstrators protest against offshore oil and gas drilling in Cape Town, South Africa, on May 05, 2025. Demonstrators in Cape Town gathered outside the Western Cape High Court to protest offshore oil and gas drilling along South Africa’s coastline, coinciding with a court case challenging the government’s approval of exploration in blocks between Cape Town and Cape Agulhas. Organized by environmental groups The Green Connection and Natural Justice as part of the “Who Stole Our Oceans” campaign, the protest raised concerns over threats to marine biodiversity, small-scale fishers’ livelihoods, and the climate, calling instead for a shift to renewable energy. The demonstration highlights the ongoing clash between environmental advocates and government officials, such as Minister Gwede Mantashe, who promote oil and gas projects for economic growth. Picture: Matrix ImagesActivists protest outside Cape Town High Court on May 05, 2025 in Cape Town, South Africa. Civil organisations are questioning the environmental authorisation process and challenging the government’s alleged failure to properly assess the significant risks posed by oil and gas exploration, including oil spills, climate change impacts and threats to small-scale fishers’ livelihoods. (Photo by Gallo Images/Brenton Geach)A picture taken with a drone shows rapeseed fields in full bloom in Rokietnica village, southeastern Poland, 05 May 2025. Picture: EPA-EFE/Darek DelmanowiczParticipants run during the Wings for Life World Run App Run in Pretoria, on May 4, 2025. The Wings for Life World Run is a running competition held on the first weekend of May since 2014 to collect funds for the not-for-profit foundation Wings for Life. The entry fee goes completely to Spinal Cord Research. Picture: Tyrone BradleyA mitre of a cardinal as he attends the Ninth Novendiale Mass in memory of Pope Francis at Saint Peter’s Basilica, in the Vatican in Rome, Italy on May 04, 2025. The Vatican announced on the 21 of April the death of Pope Francis at the age of 88 at his residence in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta. The conclave with gathers a College of Cardinals is due to start meeting on the 07 of May to elect the new Pope. Picture: Matrix Images / Andre PainDeputy President Paul Mashatile and Gwede Mantashe at the business breakfast engagement session on the Transformation Fund at Freedom Park Heritage Site and Museum on May 05, 2025 in Pretoria, South Africa. The Transformation Fund is a key initiative aimed at accelerating transformation and supporting black-owned and black-managed businesses across various sectors in South Africa. (Photo by Gallo Images/Frennie Shivambu)Tourists take selfies as they visit a section of the Great Wall of China near Beijing, China, 05 May 2025. During the May Day national holiday, observed in China over a period of five days from 01 until 05 May, popular tourist spots become very crowded. Picture: EPA-EFE/JESSICA LEEEnvironmental protesters gather outside the head offices of TotalEnergies in Johannesburg, South Africa, 05 May 2025. The protesters gathered to hand a memorandum to the company as they stand in solidarity with coastal communities in the Western Cape of South Africa and give their full support to The Green Connection and Natural Justice, who have brought a judicial review against the environmental authorization granted to TotalEnergies to conduct offshore oil and gas drilling along the coastline from Cape Town to Cape Agulhas. Picture: EPA-EFE/KIM LUDBROOKParticipants disguised as Christian and Moor soldiers take part in a re-enactment of Moors and Christians battles during the last day of ‘Moors and Christians’ festival in the town of Alcoy, Spain, 05 May 2025. The festival marks the battles between Muslim Moors and Christians to take control of the city of Alcoy in 1276. Picture: EPA-EFE/PABLO MIRANZOGayton McKenzie (Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture of South Africa) at the 2nd G20 Culture Working Group Session on Day 1 at the Sandton Convention Centre on May 05, 2025 in Sandton, South Africa. This significant gathering forms part of South Africa’s G20 Presidency, the first to be hosted on African soil, and serves as a platform for in-depth discussions on four key priorities. (Photo by Gallo Images/OJ Koloti)A window cleaner works on a high-rise building in Bangkok, Thailand, 05 May 2025. The World Bank downgraded Thailand’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth forecast for 2025 to 1.6 percent from 2.9 percent, marking the lowest growth prediction among ASEAN economies due to the impact of US reciprocal tariff measures, lower than expected tourist arrival number, high public debt as well as the global economic slowdown. Picture: EPA-EFE/RUNGROJ YONGRIT
