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2025 Year In Pictures, The New York Times

Today is the Winter Solstice in the Norhern Hemisphere, Summer in the Southern Hemisphere. Shortest day of light in the north, longest in the south. It’s such a simple but amazing experience. People throughout the world are experiencing the exact opposite from each other, depending on where they are, of the most balanced day of light and dark in the aggregate. It’s a kind a physical contradiction with metaphysical echoes of wholistic aspects of reality and humanity, of the universal nature of everything.

Year after year, we are drawn to the real and metaphorical meanings of this day.

Perhaps today is a reminder, that with all the chaos on earth, nature always rules.

The almost imponderable fact, however, is that we could end this rule on earth, by ending nature itself on earth through the destruction of all life and the planet itself. Never has it been more necessary, physically and metaphysically, for us to take action out of responsibility for this.

Not easy to see how to do when powers of greed, corruption and chaos are at their apex, and capacities to cause destruction at their height and increasing.

We keep swinging in the negative/positive pendulum it can seem, or in an upward or downward trajectory with an outcome yet to be determined. That’s on us, all of us, each of us.

In our annual tradition, we look at the state of all the above through the Year in Pictures in The New York Times.

A note first.

In the introduction, there is no mention of the most historically shocking shuttering of agency after agency and program after program in place as rockbed policy supported by Republicans and Democrats alike over the eighty years since the end of World War Two. Chief among them, the global structure that supported the hungry and impoverished, victims of wars and disease, which saved hundreds of millions of lives, coordinated by U.S.A.I.D. Generations of progress in ending hunger, disease and poverty were eliminated in a day, with the staggering loss of life of babies to vulnerable adult populations and the destruction of U.S. credibility in the world being measurable immediately. The above is, however, either specifically or indirectly shown in some photos.

Then, after mentioning some wars, there is the inexplicable absence of Ukraine, hanging in the balance after four years, with missiles and drones targeting civilians daily–the number one focus in the Times and elsewhere in reporting and commentary throughout 2025 as the the number one lever of a world hanging in the balance.

Yet in the photos themselves, the ongoing Russian aggression in Ukraine, the most consequential war since World War Two involving and impacting the major global powers and threatening larger global conflict itself, is well represented–with all its tragedy and meaning, and with many of the pictures reminding of our own photojournalism of the momentous experience there.

Sudan was, and should have been noted, as the war costing most in lives and least seen in the media; and Gaza too was mentioned, as it should have been.

But the other glaring ommission in the introduction was the stunning end of the conflict that before Ukraine cost the most in combining human misery, global chaos in immigration and political reaction and hesitation by nations that could have made a difference: Syria.

A decade ago the introduction to the year in pictures in the Times both chronicled the misery happening (and continued to in subsequent years) and had the impact of prophecy of what was to come.

The images, however, are there. Our opening image is the photo from the Times which begins the February section: Damascus in the aftermath. After a decade of horrors in Syria and atrocious errors in response (or lack of it) and policies by others, the image haunts as it should, having altered history in human cost and the political landscape of the world today.

The 2025 Year In Pictures is astounding as always. The photos defy description, and as always, can only describe themselves through imagery and impact.

They are accompanied by brief informative commentary and moving descriptions of the circumstances.

Here it is:

2025 THE YEAR IN PICTURES

Reflections of Turbulent Times

A president returned to power in America and rattled the global order. A wildfire, almost unfathomably, ravaged populated neighborhoods of Los Angeles. A fragile cease-fire took hold in the Gaza war, and a conflict in Sudan wore on.

Over the course of a turbulent year, photographers captured those and other events with intrepidness and determination — even as they so often put themselves at risk. Doggedly, they trailed a young mayoral candidate as he electrified his base in New York. In cities across the United States, they were on the front lines of an increasingly aggressive immigration crackdown.

In their bold photographs, they show their own neighbors eking out life amid the rubble of their destroyed homelands. Their diligence allows us to peek inside a quiet vigil for a coyote returning to its pups, and to observe a tender hug between a boy and a man with 100 years between them.

Looking back on the year ​through ​those fleeting moments gives us a chance to reflect on the world, ​and endeavor to understand it better.

— Dionne Searcey

JANUARYFEBRUARYMARCHAPRILMAYJUNE

JULYAUGUSTSEPTEMBEROCTOBERNOVEMBERDECEMBER

JANUARY

Jan. 8 Los Angeles

Nancy Chiamulon and Irma Alvarado embraced at Ms. Chiamulon’s property in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood. The Palisades fire and the Eaton fire to the east, which burned concurrently, were the most destructive wildfires in the history of Los Angeles. Mark Abramson for The New York Times

“I noticed this woman frantically trying to get into her property. No help was coming. She had folks who were working nearby who started helping her. In that moment, it felt like they were family, fighting this encroaching fire together with whatever resources they had. This was after they took a break, almost in an emotional collapse.” Mark Abramson

Jan. 11 Los Angeles

Burning hillsides lit up the night sky as the Palisades fire swept through the Mandeville Canyon neighborhood. The blaze spread rapidly, fueled by intense Santa Ana winds. Philip Cheung for The New York Times

“It was a surreal experience. These ordinary neighborhoods and landmarks I knew turned into cinematic scenes of orange balls and people carrying their lives in bags. There’s a mental calculation between the picture you want to take and the risk you want to take. That’s what was going through my head. I was watching the land and the escape routes.” Philip Cheung

Jan. 10 Washington

President Joseph R. Biden Jr., in his final month in office, attended a briefing in the White House. Mr. Biden ended his term with a list of accomplishments, but he struggled with inflation, illegal immigration and his own advancing age. Eric Lee/The New York Times

“Usually when we enter, we come in through the colonnade in the Rose Garden, but for this one we came in from inside. We were at the side of the resolute desk and he was pensive, just listening a lot on a video call. I really hadn’t seen him in that position before.” Eric Lee

Jan. 20 Washington

Donald J. Trump gave his inaugural address after being sworn in as the 47th president of the United States inside the Capitol Rotunda. At 78, he became the oldest president to take the oath of office. Kenny Holston/The New York Times

Jan. 19 Ilulissat, Greenland

Seagulls swarmed a fishing boat in the Ilulissat Icefjord. Greenland was thrust into a geopolitical maelstrom when President Trump, covetous of the island’s untapped mineral resources, announced that the United States would take it over. Ivor Prickett for The New York Times

“Fishing was such a big part of the community, so I was trying to get a sense of what life was like for fishermen. It was so cold I could barely use my hands. It was a nice moment where I saw them gutting their catch, and every single seagull in the fjord arrived. A beautiful place.” Ivor Prickett

Jan. 30 San Antonio, Texas

Dr. Jacqueline Vidosh and her 5-year-old son, Noah, who has Trisomy 18, a syndrome that is normally fatal within weeks of birth. Some parents are getting more time, though, with surgeries, luck and incredible effort. Stephanie Sinclair for The New York Times

Jan. 9 Los Angeles

A house destroyed by the Palisades fire, which killed 12 people and engulfed thousands of homes. Once known for its stunning views, the Pacific Palisades area was left unrecognizable by the blaze. Kyle Grillot for The New York Times

“I was struggling to find something that wasn’t just completely destroyed, something that showed human life and habitation. Besides maybe one house that didn’t burn, it was kind of hard to tell what you even were looking at. I thought the pool was something you could relate to. Times were had there.” Kyle Grillot

Jan. 26 Altadena, Calif.

Homes lay in ruins after the Eaton fire. The firestorms that ravaged the area exposed multiple weaknesses in the region’s ability to respond to an extreme weather event, prompting state and local leaders to call for a full review. Erin Schaff/The New York Times

Jan 20 Washington

President Trump got straight to work in the first moments of his second term. Within hours, he had signed dozens of executive orders and issued nearly 1,600 pardons as he quickly sought to remake the federal government. Doug Mills/The New York Times

Jan. 31 Washington

Fire and rescue teams saluted while transferring the remains of a soldier who died when an Army helicopter and a passenger jet collided near Reagan National Airport, plunging both aircraft into the Potomac River and killing 67 people. Kenny Holston/The New York Times

FEBRUARY

Feb. 20 Damascus, Syria

A toppled mosque minaret leaning against destroyed buildings in the Jobar suburb. After the fall of President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024 ended the 13-year civil war, Syrians faced the arduous process of rebuilding their country. David Guttenfelder/The New York Times

Feb. 15 Panama City, Panama

Artemis Ghasemzadeh, an Iranian migrant, wrote “Help us” in lipstick on a hotel window. The Trump administration began flying migrants to Panama after it agreed to take those who could not easily be sent back to their home countries. Federico Rios for The New York Times

“Communication was a big problem. We wrote our WhatsApp numbers on big sheets of paper and left them on the sidewalk, but nobody was able to enter or leave the hotel. We managed to get some numbers and started chatting with people detained inside the building. After chatting with Artemis, we found that her room was facing my hotel. We found a way to be right in front of the room, and she came to the window.” Federico Rios

Feb. 28 Washington

A meeting between President Trump and President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine in the Oval Office turned into an angry showdown, with Mr. Trump telling Mr. Zelensky that he was “gambling with World War III.” Doug Mills/The New York Times

“It was a much-anticipated meeting. It was not expected to be contentious at all. Then it turned into a full-on yelling match. It became so bad. It was incredible to be in the room, to witness it all and to photograph it, and to see firsthand how foreign diplomacy is worked out.” Doug Mills

Feb. 9 Dovhenke, Ukraine

A volunteer with the Platsdarm group collecting the remains of soldiers and civilians killed in the Ukraine war. The recovery of the dead was not always possible as fighting raged along the front, sometimes for weeks or months. Tyler Hicks/The New York Times

Feb. 4 Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo

Volunteers burying some of the nearly 3,000 people who were killed in a week of clashes between the M23 rebel group and Congolese armed forces, one of the deadliest battles in the Central African country in decades. Guerchom Ndebo for The New York Times

“When the city fell, we were stuck at home for two or three days. Then the Red Cross started going out and collecting bodies. They put them in the general hospital, but there were too many. They didn’t have any more space. Identification was complicated. Some had been dead for five or six days.” Guerchom Ndebo

Feb. 7 Guantánamo Bay, Cuba

Deportees from El Paso, Texas, arrived on a military cargo plane, part of a Trump administration operation to relocate potentially thousands of undocumented migrants to a tent city at the U.S. naval base at Guantánamo. Doug Mills/The New York Times

“These were the first pictures of deportees being brought to Guantánamo Bay, where they were going to be housed. It was very rewarding that I was there to capture it, because people need to see what’s going on and to understand where they are going. Immigration is one of the No. 1 issues in the country.” Doug Mills

Feb. 5 Idlib Province, Syria

A Syrian mother tending to her 15-year-old son, who had stepped on a landmine when he was herding sheep. Hundreds of people have been killed by lingering explosive devices since the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad’s regime. Lynsey Addario for The New York Times

“A lot of people were going back to their homes for the first time. This little boy had come back and stepped on a mine. Many people think of war as the dangers during active combat, but there are so many casualties after a war finishes. These are the quiet stories that speak volumes about how war has tentacles everywhere.” Lynsey Addario

Feb. 22 Nuseirat, Gaza

Eliya Cohen, an Israeli hostage, was escorted onto a stage by Hamas militants in an orchestrated ceremony before his release. He was one of six hostages freed in an exchange deal with Israel for more than 600 Palestinian prisoners. Saher Alghorra for The New York Times

MARCH

March 4 Beit Lahia, Gaza

The Shafei family gathered to break their fast in the ruins of their home during Ramadan. The Islamic holy month fell during a tenuous cease-fire in the war between Israel and Hamas. Saher Alghorra for The New York Times

“I took their pictures because I felt they were clinging to life, tending to their wounds and trying to rebuild their lives with the simplest of means. This was a year full of challenges, with none of the essential resources we need for our journalistic work. I worked under immense pressure, but I was committed to conveying images from Gaza.” Saher Alghorra

March 21 Washington

Elon Musk, right, became one of President Trump’s closest and most influential advisers as his so-called Department of Government Efficiency gutted agencies and purged staff. But their relationship melted down in spectacular fashion in June. Haiyun Jiang for The New York Times

“We were gathering on the South Lawn for the president’s departure to Mar-a-Lago and, out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Elon Musk. He had stopped short of the driveway, so he was out of the presence of the cameras. I felt like that lurking feeling was a summary of his role in the administration.” Haiyun Jiang

March 4 Washington

House Democrats held up signs in protest while listening to President Trump’s address to a joint session of Congress, in which he promoted his administration’s rapid early moves and reprised the themes of his campaign. Kenny Holston/The New York Times

“This was President Trump’s first opportunity to address Congress, and the Democrats were clearly against everything he was saying. As the president was speaking, he had made a statement that the Democrats felt was very false, and so they all simultaneously held up these signs. It was a really intriguing and unusual scene.” Kenny Holston

March 12 Khartoum, Sudan

The commander of a sniper unit in the Sudanese Army observing Rapid Support Forces positions from the bedroom of a deserted apartment. Two years into a civil war, Sudan’s military recaptured the presidential palace in the devastated capital. Ivor Prickett for The New York Times

“Just days later, those same troops we were with took over the river and presidential palace, and within two weeks it was all under the control of the Sudanese military. Declan Walsh [chief Africa correspondent] and I were some of the first journalists to set foot inside Khartoum proper. That was a huge moment and a privileged position.” Ivor Prickett

March 28 Gaza City

The aftermath of an Israeli airstrike that killed two people and wounded over 30 others. Deadly bombings were again a part of daily life for Palestinians after the cease-fire between Israel and Hamas collapsed. Saher Alghorra for The New York Times

APRIL

April 30 Eastern Ukraine

Lieutenant Kateryna, the only female combat pilot in the Ukrainian military. Ukraine is stepping up efforts to get more women to serve in its war with Russia, but deeply rooted stereotypes remain difficult to overcome. Oksana Parafeniuk for The New York Times

April 19 Washington

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan shielded herself from cameras after being unexpectedly ushered into the Oval Office for a politically loaded public appearance with President Trump. She was at the White House for a one-on-one meeting with him. Eric Lee/The New York Times

April 23 Vatican City

The body of Pope Francis, who died at 88 after a 12-year papacy, was carried through St. Peter’s Square in a solemn procession. Thousands of mourners lined up for hours to say goodbye to the pontiff. Tomas Munita for The New York Times

“I was not supposed to be there. They took the press to this building on the left of that picture. I sneaked into the crowd and hid my camera and waited. I took some photos in a discreet way. Some people had been there for several hours waiting for this moment. It was beautiful and very emotional.” Tomas Munita

April 23 Lagos, Nigeria

Workers loading dead car batteries onto a truck destined for lead smelting plants. These factories, which recycle lead for American companies, are the source of a toxic soot that drifts across nearby communities, poisoning residents. Finbarr O’Reilly for The New York Times

April 7 Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine

The funeral of Herman Tripolets, 9, one of nine children who died when a Russian missile struck near a playground. The assault sent shock waves across Ukraine, which declared a day of national mourning. Finbarr O’Reilly for The New York Times

April 1 Mandalay, Myanmar

Buddhist monks cleaned up debris at the Thahtay Kyaung Monastery after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake, which caused widespread damage and killed more than 3,700 people in a country already in chaos because of civil war. Sai Aung Main/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

MAY

May 15 Kupiansk, Ukraine

A soldier from Ukraine’s 14th Mechanized Brigade during a firing mission in the country’s east. Fighting in the region intensified as cease-fire talks to end the war with Russia repeatedly flared and faltered. Tyler Hicks/The New York Times

“Artillery positions are now completely underground and concealed, because they were being targeted by Russian drones. The entire landscape of war photography in Ukraine has changed in less than a year. It’s very difficult to see much anymore, because to try to fight out in the open, like in this photograph, would expose you to being targeted immediately.” Tyler Hicks

May 8 Vatican City

Robert Francis Prevost was elected the 267th pope, becoming the first leader of the Roman Catholic Church from the United States. Taking the name Pope Leo XIV, he greeted his followers by saying, “Peace be with you.” Gianni Cipriano for The New York Times

May 10 Arcadia, Calif.

After the Eaton Fire destroyed their campus, 40 students at Aveson School of Leaders came together to stage their spring musical, “Alice in Wonderland.” For children and their families grappling with loss and devastation, rehearsals provided much-needed normalcy. Isadora Kosofsky for The New York Times

“The play was really an escape for some of these kids. Losing a school is traumatic, but some of these kids lost their homes as well. Their school had been an oasis in the hills. It had a yurt and an orchard, and the kids used to garden and take care of chickens. It was their own wonderland.” Isadora Kosofsky

May 11 Johannesburg

Dozens of Afrikaners who claimed discrimination in their home country flew out of South Africa to be admitted as refugees in the United States. President Trump created an expedited path for them even as he halted most other refugee admissions. Ilan Godfrey for The New York Times

May 25 Pearland, Texas

From left, Bianca Williams, George Floyd’s niece; Zsa Zsa Floyd, his oldest sister; and Arianna Delane, his great-niece, attended a memorial service five years after Mr. Floyd’s murder by a police officer set off global protests. Meridith Kohut for The New York Times

“It was a small, intimate and tearful service. There are murals of Mr. Floyd around Houston’s Third Ward, where he grew up, and his old friends were out by them on the anniversary. They felt like progress had been made in how Black men were treated by the police, but that there was still a lot of work to do.” Meridith Kohut

May 30 Guatemala City, Guatemala

Paulina Ixpatá Alvarado, a plaintiff in a case centering on 36 Mayan women subjected to sexual violence by members of local government-backed forces during Guatemala’s civil war. Three men were handed down sentences of 40 years in the case. Victor J. Blue for The New York Times

“They were standing on the steps of the courthouse in protest before they went up to hear the verdict in the case. She was the face of quiet determination and fortitude. I’ve never met a group of people who were so unbelievably brave, focused and determined. I was proud to tell their story.” Victor Blue

May 7 Gaza City

The aftermath of an airstrike near a restaurant that the local authorities said killed 33 people and wounded 155. As cease-fire negotiations stalled, Israel intensified its attacks against Hamas, reaffirming plans to capture more land in Gaza. Saher Alghorra for The New York Times

May 21 Manhattan

Jesse Pearce, a Columbia University alumna, was arrested during pro-Palestinian demonstrations outside the campus as graduates gathered inside for their commencement ceremony. The class of 2025 lived through a turbulent time of lockdowns, protests and multiple university presidents. Alex Kent for The New York Times

May 12 San Francisco

Coyotes vanished from San Francisco decades ago, after a campaign that encouraged people to poison or shoot them. Now, the animals have become ubiquitous in the city once again. Some residents find them delightful; others view them with disdain. Loren Elliott for The New York Times

“I was working with a wildlife ecologist. We set up a camera and immediately retreated. I stood in the forest hiding behind a tree on top of a stepladder. I waited for four or five hours until one of the coyote parents came back. I just started furiously clicking the remote trigger in my hand, hoping I had something good.” Loren Elliott

JUNE

June 14 Washington

Tanks rolled down Constitution Avenue during a parade for the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary and President Trump’s birthday. Mr. Trump, who often melds his politics with his role as head of the armed forces, had pressed for such a display since his first term in office. Haiyun Jiang for The New York Times

June 21 Manhattan

Mahmoud Khalil, a pro-Palestinian activist detained for his role in protests at Columbia University, with his wife, Dr. Noor Abdalla, and their son the day he returned home after being held for 104 days. Todd Heisler/The New York Times

“Mahmoud Khalil had missed the birth of his son. So much rhetoric swirls around stories such as this that it tends to distract us from the real lives at the center of it. I always strive to find intimacy in my work. It’s especially meaningful when someone welcomes you to their home after such an ordeal.” Todd Heisler

June 14 Los Angeles

Police officers dispersed protesters at a No Kings rally. The daylong mass demonstration against the Trump administration, which drew thousands of people to events across the country, condemned a president that many viewed as acting like a monarch. Philip Cheung for The New York Times

“There was a little scuffle, and I saw the mounted police. They moved in really quickly and started pushing all the protesters out. It was this perfectly timed moment: The horse with his tongue out looking visibly stressed, and the intense focus of the police officer looking down the sight of his weapon. This image for me told the story.” Philip Cheung

June 24 The Hague, The Netherlands

Honor guards rolled up the red carpet after President Trump’s arrival at Huis ten Bosch, a royal palace, during a NATO summit. Ukraine had dominated previous meetings of the alliance, but keeping Mr. Trump happy was the focus this time. Haiyun Jiang/The New York Times

“I kept my eye on what they would do after all the principals had gone into the palace. What were they going to do with this whole show? Sure enough, some of the palace guards started rolling up the red carpet that leads all the way to ‘the Beast.’ It was interesting to see them doing that in those outfits.” Haiyun Jiang

June 6 The Bronx

Wearing a teal kurta, Zohran Mamdani, a Democratic candidate for mayor, greeted residents before an Eid service at the Parkchester Islamic Center. Mr. Mamdani leaned into his faith in his quest to become New York City’s first Muslim mayor. Shuran Huang for The New York Times

“He was greeting the residents there, and I could tell they already knew who he was. They looked at him with pride. I think this moment really shows who he is. When he greets people, he always greets with both hands. He smiles and is genuine and sincere. He makes sure he spends time with every person he speaks with.” Shuran Huang

June 9 Oita, Japan

Masafumi Matsuo, a 101-year-old farmer, with his year-old great-grandson, Toki. Many centenarians in Japan credit their remarkable longevity to their work. “Farming is what has kept me alive,” Mr. Matsuo said. Chang W. Lee/The New York Times

June 24 Bat Yam, Israel

Soldiers surveyed the rubble of buildings hit by missiles from Iran. As a fragile cease-fire took hold between Israel and Iran, people in both countries were still haunted by the terrifying moments of a brief but intense war. Avishag Shaar-Yashuv for The New York Times

June 30 Gaza City

Cries of grief pierced the scene at Al-Shifa Hospital after more than 30 people were killed and dozens wounded when an Israeli airstrike leveled the Baqaa Cafe and Restaurant, a popular beachfront spot for Palestinians seeking respite. Saher Alghorra for The New York Times

“The hospital courtyard was filled with the dead, and the screams still echo in my mind. One woman’s screams caught my attention in this photo, but as soon as I looked through my camera, I found that in every corner there was a scene— a farewell, a story, a moment of grief.” Saher Alghorra

JULY

July 24 Kharkiv, Ukraine

A woman fled her apartment with her pet dogs after Russian bombs exploded nearby. Russia showed no signs of pulling back in its war, instead intensifying its long-range strikes on cities and attacks across the front line. David Guttenfelder/The New York Times

July 31 The Bronx

Police officers and neighbors filled the streets to pay their respects to Didarul Islam, 36, a New York Police Department officer who was gunned down in a mass shooting at a Manhattan office tower that left three others dead. Todd Heisler/The New York Times

July 7-13 Kerr County, Texas

Damaged belongings that were salvaged after catastrophic floods killed at least 135 people, including 37 children, many of whom were at a summer camp. Thousands of volunteers worked to reunite the items with their owners, or replace them altogether. Callaghan O’Hare for The New York Times

“There were belongings everywhere, even in the trees. If you went to camp as a child, you can remember this stuff your parents packed for you. In Texas, everybody buys a trunk, and my mom and I would decorate it and fill it with all of the things I needed. Seeing these trunks scattered around, broken — it was so moving.” Callaghan O’Hare

July 22 Brooklyn

The Timeless Torches, the dance team of the New York Liberty, makes space for dancers who are 40 and over. Their message? Dance! Live a full life. From left, David Gray Jr., Mark Wilson, Joy Grad and Criscia Long. Dina Litovsky for The New York Times

July 23 Al Mughayir, West Bank

A family gathered their belongings after the Israeli military bulldozed their dwelling. Israel accelerated its seizure of Palestinian land in the West Bank, squeezing villagers into increasingly smaller areas, cut off from their land and their livelihoods. Daniel Berehulak/The New York Times

“Members of the community, who contacted us knowing we had been documenting recent Israeli expansion across the West Bank, stood together as the homes were razed. When we reached the site, families were gathered in solidarity, drinking tea and picking through the debris for whatever could still be saved.” Daniel Berehulak

July 16 Manhattan

Federal officers detaining Carlos Javier Lopez Benitez, a 27-year-old from Paraguay, after he attended an asylum hearing at the Federal Plaza courthouse. Migrants showing up for mandatory court dates and check-ins increasingly ended up in ICE custody. Todd Heisler/The New York Times

“Many of the detentions I photographed were so abrupt that we were unable to glean any information about the person. Often nearby family members were left reeling, sobbing, unable or unwilling to speak. Sometimes we could barely get a person’s country of origin as they were whisked off. Throughout the day, this tableau plays out over and over.” Todd Heisler

July 19 Gaza City

Naeema Abu al-Foul with her 2-year-old son Yazan. Amid restrictions on aid to the enclave imposed by Israel, medical institutions and their staffs, already struggling to treat war wounds and illness, grappled with rising cases of malnourishment. Saher Alghorra for The New York Times

“What shocked me while taking this photo was that, before capturing it, I had tried to play with him to make him feel at ease. But I found the child like something without a soul — extremely frail, unresponsive to any of my attempts. His eyes stared, barely able to open. Taking this photo tore me apart.” Saher Alghorra

July 11 Washington

A State Department worker was supported by colleagues as more than 1,300 agency employees were fired. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the layoffs were needed to streamline a bloated bureaucracy and root out liberal ideologues. Tierney L. Cross/The New York Times

AUGUST

Aug. 9 Adré, Chad

Sudanese refugees on a truck en route to refugee camps after spending days at a transit site in Chad. Since April 2023, a vicious civil war in Sudan has torn the country apart and killed hundreds of thousands of people. Arlette Bashizi for The New York Times

“I saw all those people trying to get in those trucks, full of hope. But we later went to that camp where Sudanese refugees were being relocated, and many of them didn’t find good living conditions. Instead, they were just surviving. Whenever we went to this transit center, there was always something new and sad we found.” Arlette Bashizi

Aug. 8 Maracay, Venezuela

José Carmona days after returning home from a monthslong imprisonment in a maximum security prison in El Salvador. He was one of hundreds of Venezuelan men who were sent there as part of the Trump administration’s wider anti-immigration strategy. Adriana Loureiro Fernandez for The New York Times

“Everyone told us he had one of the worst times there. He didn’t want to talk about his experience. He was traumatized by it. They put him in an isolation cell with another guy who had a horrible time there, and they both thought they were dying. The bond they made in isolation was pretty strong.” Adriana Loureiro Fernandez

Aug. 15 Gaza City

Since the Gaza war started, tens of thousands of children in the territory have been killed, wounded or orphaned. “Normal markers of childhood are gone, replaced by hunger, fear and all-consuming trauma,” a spokesman for UNICEF said. Saher Alghorra for The New York Times

Aug. 27 Minneapolis

A vigil at Lynnhurst Park after an assailant fired through the windows of Annunciation Catholic Church during a back-to-school Mass, killing two children and injuring 19 other people. The attacker died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Liam James Doyle for The New York Times

Aug. 29 Kyiv, Ukraine

A makeshift memorial for victims of a Russian strike. The assault, less than two weeks after President Trump met with President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia in Alaska, showed the limits of American diplomacy in containing Russian aggression in Ukraine. Finbarr O’Reilly for The New York Times

“This was a day or so after the strike. A few people were looking into the pit of the basement. As so often happens in these locations, life goes on around it. These girls were playing and circling the building, running up and down exposed stairwells. It was a combination of destruction and reflection.” Finbarr O’Reilly

Aug. 14 Gaza City

A woman with her son, who was shot while trying to get aid at the Zikim crossing between Gaza and Israel. As Israel imposed restrictions that exacerbated hunger, hundreds of Palestinians were killed seeking food, according to the Gaza health ministry. Saher Alghorra for The New York Times

Aug. 17 Washington

A traffic stop in the Shaw neighborhood. President Trump made a show of force when he commandeered Washington’s police, deployed the National Guard and sent federal agents into the city in what he said was an effort to combat crime. Eric Lee for The New York Times

“I rolled up and saw a bunch of different agencies searching a car. I noticed a bus coming by. There were these kids on board filming the scene. Their faces were so shocked seeing that level of law enforcement. We’re used to seeing Secret Service and the police, but these were federal agencies we’d never seen before.” Eric Lee

Aug. 14 Los Angeles

In the film “The Smashing Machine,” Dwayne Johnson portrayed the mixed martial artist Mark Kerr. Confronted with the task of dramatizing pain, he drew on lessons from his pro-wrestling past — and his experiences with loss and fear. Jack Davison for The New York Times

Aug. 4 Manhattan

Sophie Becker, 31, came to New York with dreams of becoming an actress. Years later, she’s putting on her ventriloquist act at downtown establishments like Jean’s and Roxy Cinema with her dummies Ronnie, pictured, and Jerry. Dina Litovsky for The New York Times

“I followed the ventriloquist from her house to her performance. The whole train was looking at her. She was doing a little performing, doing her voices and things. People were coming back from work, everybody was tired, and you could see how delighted everybody was. They probably came home and told everybody about it. It was a fun train ride.” Dina Litovsky

SEPTEMBER

Sept. 30 Quantico, Va.

Top U.S. military commanders were summoned for campaign-style speeches from President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Mr. Trump leveraged the meeting to trumpet his policy moves, and suggested troops should use cities as “training grounds.” Doug Mills/The New York Times

“This was almost like a Rembrandt when you looked out and saw all of this high-brass military sitting as stiff and straight and proper as you can. Never had that many generals been assembled in one location to hear the president speak. It was so striking to see them sitting in chairs like they were at the movie theater.” Doug Mills

Sept. 16 Baidoa, Somalia

Malyun Ali Ibrahim and her daughter at an emergency feeding center. Hunger and disease surged and the health care system was in disarray in Somalia after the Trump administration dismantled the Agency for International Development and ended much foreign assistance. Brian Otieno for The New York Times

Sept. 11 Manhattan

Firefighters at the World Trade Center memorial site for the 24th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Mourners in the crowd held up photos of loved ones as family members read the victims’ names. Other remembrances were more private. Vincent Alban/The New York Times

Sept. 21 Khan Younis, Gaza Strip

Palestinians at the Al-Mawasi displacement camp waiting to receive a free meal. Leaders of 20 aid organizations issued a statement in September accusing Israel of obstructing aid delivery efforts in Gaza “every step of the way.” Saher Alghorra for The New York Times

Sept. 18 Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Joy, center, and her mother lived for months at a gas station that became a harbor for migrant Kenyan women who found themselves trapped in a legal limbo in the conservative kingdom, where unwed pregnancy remains a taboo. Iman Al-Dabbagh for The New York Times

“Being in Saudi Arabia and photographing something like this is difficult to begin with. I was worried for myself and wasn’t so sure how this would be received. The stories themselves were sensitive. The kids made things a bit easier; they were cute and innocent and playful.” Iman al-Dabbagh

Sept. 10 Orem, Utah

Fear and confusion rippled through the crowd at Utah Valley University after Charlie Kirk, the divisive right-wing political activist, was fatally shot on stage during a speaking event. Mr. Kirk, 31, was a leading figure among young conservatives. Tess Crowley/The Deseret News, via Associated Press

“I had just taken the name of a person and was standing there looking down. Kirk was shot, and I heard the sound. I was right up next to the barricade, and I was swept down with everyone. I was on the ground, and I was next to people screaming, ‘Stay down.’ Some people started running away. It was chaotic.” Tess Crowley

Sept. 14 Gaza

Fleeing Palestinians began the arduous journey along the coastal road south from Gaza City after Israel issued an evacuation order, warning that it was preparing to launch a ground offensive to take over the city. Saher Alghorra for The New York Times

Sept. 21 Chicago

Hundreds of swimmers took part in the first sanctioned swim in the Chicago River in nearly a century. It took cooperation between environmental groups and elected officials to clean up the waterway, which was long considered a toxic dump. Erin Schaff/The New York Times

“It was an early morning and the mood was joyful. The swimmer in this photo, Heather Hempel, saw it after it was published and emailed me to say, ‘That photo captures one of the most magical moments of my life. I had just swum the race of a lifetime.’ I loved getting to hear her perspective on the moment.” Erin Schaff

OCTOBER

Oct. 8 Sloviansk, Ukraine

A Russian drone attack left an administrative building in flames. Russia’s long-range drone program overwhelmed Ukraine’s air defenses and made bedtime for many residents a time of dread. Tyler Hicks/The New York Times

“This building had been hit multiple times. But really, very little is done at these places. It’s unfortunately a common occurrence. If a building is hit now, with no reports of possible injuries, they often won’t respond because the fire department gets attacked when they go. If people are involved, then they’ll go out and do what they can.” Tyler Hicks

Oct. 24 Washington

After standing for 123 years, the East Wing of the White House disappeared into a pile of rubble to make room for a $300 million ballroom under orders from President Trump. The demolition prompted outrage from preservationists and Democrats. Doug Mills/The New York Times

Oct. 11 Broadview, Ill.

Law enforcement officers clashed with protesters outside an immigrant processing and detention center. Tensions were high as federal agents flooded the Chicago area in a immigration crackdown, arresting thousands and using tear gas and physical force against protesters. Todd Heisler/The New York Times

Oct. 13 Ramat Gan, Israel

Ziv Berman, 28, one of the last surviving hostages to be released from Hamas captivity. Mr. Berman and his twin brother, Gali, who was also released, had been kidnapped on Oct. 7, 2023, and kept separated by their captors. Avishag Shaar-Yashuv for The New York Times

“I had spent time with another hostage who had been released, and Ziv Berman was her friend. I had heard all about him, so it was a meaningful moment for me to photograph him. To see him standing in a strong and powerful way after two years in captivity, taking his body almost outside the airplane, was really special.” Avishag Shaar-Yashuv

Oct. 13 Khan Younis, Gaza Strip

Palestinian prisoners arrived at Nasser Hospital after being freed as part of a deal with Israel. The agreement was met with relief by many in Gaza but did not resolve some of the toughest sticking points in the war. Saher Alghorra for The New York Times

Oct. 31 St. Elizabeth Parish, Jamaica

Three days after Hurricane Melissa roared across Jamaica, many people in communities stricken by the storm found themselves trapped by floodwaters. The powerful hurricane ripped through several island nations, leaving behind death and widespread destruction. Erin Schaff/The New York Times

“I took this photo three days after Hurricane Melissa hit Jamaica, and floodwaters were continuing to rise in New River. It can be difficult to communicate the scale of a disaster from ground level, which is why I flew a drone to get an aerial perspective. It was shocking to see how much of the area was underwater.” Erin Schaff

Oct. 20 San Diego

An emotional moment at the Edward J. Schwartz federal courthouse. Many migrants showing up to meetings with immigration officials have found themselves detained by masked agents, alarming lawyers and sending shockwaves through families. Mark Abramson for The New York Times

Oct. 26 Queens

Zohran Mamdani, right, was joined by Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for a rally that cast Mr. Mamdani’s possible election as mayor of New York City as a powerful rebuke to the Trump agenda. Vincent Alban/The New York Times

“At that specific rally, the vibe was super energized but also had a feeling in the air of, we can’t let up and have to keep pushing until the very last minute. It was pretty electric. The crowd was very in tune with him. I wanted to try to show the vastness of his base, and the strength of it.” Vincent Alban

Oct. 4 Paris

The Comme des Garçons show at Paris Fashion Week. With their spring 2026 collections, several designers took familiar clothing and concepts a step beyond the ordinary and, occasionally, out of this world. Simbarashe Cha/The New York Times

Oct. 19 Paris

Investigators examined a balcony after a heist at the Louvre that stunned the country in its brazenness. Exploiting security lapses at the museum, the thieves made off with more than $100 million worth of jewels in broad daylight. Kiran Ridley/Getty Images

Oct. 14 Chicago

Smoke filled the air after federal agents used tear gas during a confrontation with residents on the far South Side. The agents had been conducting an immigration enforcement operation; locals reacted by throwing objects and shouting, “ICE go home!” Jamie Kelter Davis for The New York Times

“Most of the people there were families, and people out watching. I saw the tear gas, and I ducked and put on my gas mask. They were throwing canisters. That was right at the end, when the agents were trying to leave. It was like the grand finale at the fireworks show, like, ‘We’ll just throw it all out there.’” Jamie Kelter Davis

Oct. 12 Khan Younis, Gaza Strip

Two days after a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas took effect, Palestinians convened around a 10-truck aid convoy at the Kerem Shalom crossing from Israel. It took only about 20 minutes for each truck to be stripped bare. Saher Alghorra for The New York Times

NOVEMBER

Nov. 27 Hong Kong

A blaze that spread between several high-rise apartment buildings killed more than 150 people and left thousands without a home. Investigators said that netting that did not meet safety standards was the first thing to catch fire. Lam Yik Fei for The New York Times

“I was on the 17th floor of a building opposite the scene. Smoke was still rising, and some units were still burning. I used a telephoto lens to check every window for survivors or victims. Only when firefighters’ lights cut through the smoke could I see anything. I switched to a wide-angle lens to capture the scale of the disaster.” Lam Yik Fei

Nov. 11 Charallave, Venezuela

Deisy Carolina Venecia Farías and her son Emmanuel, 11. They were apart for nearly seven months after she was detained by U.S. immigration officials and deported; for three of those months, the boy lived alone in their Texas home. Adriana Loureiro Fernandez for The New York Times

“He’s her youngest son and they have this really beautiful relationship. They seemed like best friends. He was alone without his mom and dad for so long, he made himself go to school unsupervised. His mom told me he was intent on presenting himself as clean and organized so his teachers would not suspect that she wasn’t around.” Adriana Loureiro Fernandez

Nov. 18 Washington

President Trump greeted Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia at the White House. In a visit that was heavy on flattery, Mr. Trump brushed aside questions about the role his guest played in the 2018 killing of a journalist. Kenny Holston/The New York Times

Nov. 27 Manhattan

Performers with the Spirit of America Dance Stars marched along with bands, floats and giant balloon characters old and new in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, a tradition that has run for nearly a century. Vincent Alban/The New York Times

Nov. 24 Newport, Ore.

Sea lions lounging at the port. Designated as one of the nation’s 37 “Coast Guard cities,” Newport lost its rescue helicopter amid rumors that the federal government was looking to use Coast Guard facilities for immigration enforcement. Ruth Fremson/The New York Times

Nov. 28 Gaza City

A makeshift movie theater showing the film “Up,” captivated children in a displacement camp in the Al Rimal neighborhood. After more than two years of war, many in Gaza were forced to live in improvised tent camps without access to running water or electricity. Saher Alghorra for The New York Times

DECEMBER

Dec. 8 Damascus, Syria

Fireworks lit the sky over Syria’s capital as tens of thousands of people celebrated the first anniversary of the fall of the dictator Bashar al-Assad and the end of his family’s decades-long tyrannical rule. David Guttenfelder/The New York Times

Dec. 13 Providence, R.I.

Hundreds of police officers swarmed the streets near Brown University after a gunman burst into a classroom in an engineering building, killing two students and wounding nine others before fleeing the campus. Christopher Capozziello for The New York Times

Dec. 16 Sydney, Australia

A makeshift memorial at Bondi Beach a day after two gunmen killed 15 people and injured several others gathered there to celebrate Hanukkah. Australian officials said the attack had been motivated by Islamic State ideology. Matthew Abbott for The New York Times

Dec. 5 Spin Boldak, Afghanistan

A boy at a border crossing with Pakistan. He is one of the thousands of Afghans living in Pakistan who were deported or forced to return to Afghanistan this year as tensions with the Taliban escalated. Tomas Munita for The New York Times

Dec. 16 Winthrop, Mass.

A lobster trap Christmas tree, one of at least 20 festive structures erected along the New England coastline for the holidays. A nod to the region’s seafaring heritage, they have become a popular backdrop for photo shoots and marriage proposals. Sophia Li for The New York Times

Curation

Tanner Curtis, Jeffrey Henson Scales

Interviews

Dionne Searcey

Editing

Natasha King

Digital Design

Matt Ruby, Tina Zhou

Print Design

Mary Jane Callister, Felicia Vasquez

Production

Sarah Bahr, Peter Blair, Eric Dyer, Ilaria Parogni

Additional Production

Justin Baek

New York Times Director of Photography

Meaghan Looram