Through the lens: The Citizen's Picture Editors select the best news photographs from South Africa and around the world.
People prepare to fly a kite during a traditional kite contest in Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia, 25 May 2025. Balinese kites come in various shapes, sizes, and designs; however, the most common traditional designs are the fish-like ‘Bebean,’ the bird-shaped ‘Janggan,’ and the leaf-shaped ‘Pecukan.’ Kite flying in Bali is often a team effort, with groups working together to fly and control the kites. Picture: EPA-EFE/MADE NAGI
People perform Pilates exercise next to an inflatable work of art entitled ‘Companion’ created by US artist KAWS, during a Pilates session hosted by YPS Pilates Club at Sanam Luang, outside the Grand Palace in Bangkok, Thailand, 25 May 2025. The free energetic Pilates session is held in conjunction with the KAWS: Holiday Thailand exhibition to promote the giant art sculpture exhibition and Pilates wellness workout. Pilates is a form of mind and body exercise created by German physical trainer Joseph Pilates, designed to strengthen a practitioner’s entire body and emphasizing the core muscles, mobility, balance as well as improving posture to promote overall well-being. Picture: EPA-EFE/RUNGROJ YONGRITA man rides a motorcycle in Dalla Costa in the Sifontes municipality of Bolivar state, Venezuela, 24 May 2025, near the Essequibo, the territory of almost 160,000 square kilometers that Venezuela disputes with Guyana. Venezuela’s upcoming 25 May elections are marked by a broad opposition rejection and by the controversial election of posts for territory in dispute with Guyana amid a political crisis accentuated after dozens of arrests, among them that of former anti-Chavez deputy Juan Pablo Guanipa and the authorities’ denunciation of an alleged ‘terrorist’ plan against these elections. Picture: EPA-EFE/RAYNER PENA RServicemen of the 13th ‘Khartiia’ Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine attend training at a shooting range in the Kharkiv region, eastern Ukraine, 24 May 2025, amid the Russian invasion. The servicemen practiced assaulting and clearing enemy trenches using modern Ukrainian-made UAR-15 assault rifles. Picture: EPA-EFE/SERGEY KOZLOVMakonazwothe Tshivenda cultural group, wearing their traditional attire which is minwenda, rehearsing tshigombela dance before their perfomance at Freedom Park in Pretoria, 25 May 2025, at the National Department of Sport, Arts and Culture’s Africa Day celebrations. Picture: Nigel Sibanda/ The CitizenSacrificial camels are put on sale at a local cattle market ahead of the Muslim festival of Eid al-Adha in Karachi, Pakistan, 24 May 2025. Eid al-Adha is one of the holiest Muslim holidays, marking the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca. Picture: EPA-EFE/REHAN KHANThe US Army special forces participate in a landing demo during Memorial Day weekend celebrations in Miami Beach, Florida, USA, 24 May 2025. The two-day Hyundai Air & Sea Show event showcases the men, women, technology and equipment from all five branches of the United States Military as well as police, firefighters and first responder agencies. According to organizers, the mission of the National Salute to American Heroes is to bring back the true meaning and spirit of Memorial Day weekend and pay tribute to all those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of freedom. Picture: EPA-EFE/CRISTOBAL HERRERA-ULASHKEVICHImmigration activists places flowers and candles in the front gate of Krome Service Processing Center during the ‘Vigil for the Voiceless’ in Miami, Florida, USA, 24 May 2025. ‘Vigil for the Voiceless’ is, according to the organizers, held to honor the victims of the deportation system. The Krome Service Processing Center, under the authority of ICE, is a facility that yearly processes over 10,000 detainees and almost 5,000 are deported. It is the US’s oldest immigration detention facility. Picture: EPA-EFE/CRISTOBAL HERRERA-ULASHKEVICHMembers of the City of Pantsula group getting ready at the Windybrow Arts Centre before the Hillbrow Street Parade on May 24, 2025 in Johannesburg, South Africa. Dancers, musicians, and community members come together to celebrate creativity, resilience, and local organisations. (Photo by Gallo Images/Alet Pretorius)Dr Alastair Meredith, head of department and Senior Specialist of paintings, drawings, prints and sculpture at Strauss&Co, looks at Russian painter Vladimir Tretchikoff’s “Lady from the Orient” painting in Johannesburg on May 23, 2025 ahead of an auction scheduled for May 27, 2025. (Photo by Wikus de Wet / AFP)Families of Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza and their supporters take part in a protest calling for the completion of a hostage deal between Israel and Hamas, outside the Kirya military headquarters in Tel Aviv, Israel, 24 May 2025. According to Israel’s military, around 58 Israeli hostages remain in captivity in the Gaza Strip, including the bodies of at least 35 confirmed dead. Picture: EPA-EFE/ABIR SULTAN EPAA humanitarian aid truck drives along Al Rashid road into Gaza City, 25 May 2025. The Government Media Office in Gaza reported on 24 May that at least 58 people died due to malnutrition, and 242 others due to a lack of food and medicine since 02 March 2025, when Israel closed border crossings, preventing the entry of essential supplies. Picture: EPA-EFE/MOHAMMED SABERMembers of an Isicathamiya group take part in a traditional song and dance performance on stage during the 2025 edition of the Isicathamiya Concert at The Company Playhouse Theatre in Durban on May 24, 2025. The concert includes several groups showcasing the Isicathamiya style, an a capella choral singing style developed in South Africa by migrant Zulu communities. (Photo by RAJESH JANTILAL / AFP)People take part in a water-based tug-of-war during the Dragon Boat Festival in Cape Town, South Africa, May 24, 2025. (Photo by WANG LEI / XINHUA / Xinhua via AFP)
