The lighter side of life: Offbeat photos from around the globe

A visual journey through some of the most unusual, amusing and awe-inspiring moments

Last updated: June 05, 2026 | 14:55

2 MIN READ

Escaping the heat in style — a young man cuts through the water after diving from a 10-metre platform in Essen during Germany's unseasonably warm weather.

AFP

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Love for tennis on full display — a creatively dressed fan poses at the French Open in Paris.

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First steps into the world — a Sumatran tiger cub and its mother Dini make their debut at Taman Safari Indonesia in East Java.

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Flipping perspective — a man passes the illusion-filled ‘Upside Down House’ attraction in Blackpool.

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Paw-lice patrol — two dogs in uniform cruise a toy police car along the beach in Fujisawa, Japan.

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Beating the heat in style — a woman shields herself from the sun while walking through Shanghai’s Lujiazui financial district.

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Champion’s moment — Jamaica’s Megan Simmonds celebrates a powerful win in the women’s 100m hurdles in Rome.

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A splash of tradition — participants slide into fun at the Saltibarsciai Slip and Slide during Vilnius Pink Soup Fest 2026 in Lithuania.

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Beating the heat together — a woman offers shade to a cow during intense temperatures in Ajmer.

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Decades of devotion — Alberto Obregon holds a family heirloom covered in signatures from Mexican football legends dating back to 1970.

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La Paz at dusk — a dramatic skyline view captured from the Killi Killi viewpoint.

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A moment of relief — a bird quenches its thirst at a tap during the scorching summer in Prayagraj.

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A ballot and a best friend — Carmen Sandoval casts her vote at San Francisco City Hall holding her dog Peluche.

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From bridge to artwork — JR’s monumental installation reshapes Pont Neuf into a temporary cultural landmark in Paris.

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