Our world in photos: May 1 (2025)

• May 1, 2025
• Brooklyn Eagle Staff

CAPITOL HILL — Representing the Black servicewomen of WWII: Retired Army Master Sgt. Elizabeth Anne Helm-Frazier wears pins of some of the women from the U.S. Army’s 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion in her cap during a Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony honoring the U.S. Army’s 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, in Washington, April 29, 2025.

The U.S. Army’s 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, also known as the “Six Triple Eight,” was a group of Black servicewomen serving overseas to sort millions of pieces of mail and deliver them to the troops in the field of battle during World War II.

The battalion women earned their reputation when they cleared a backlog of about 17 million pieces of mail in three months, twice as quickly as projected.

ISLAMABAD — The ancient, timeless solution — no one has found a better way to get produce to market: A laborer carries a sack of potatoes to load it into a mini truck at a wholesale vegetable market during May Day in Pakistan, May 1, 2025.

While May Day is celebrated internationally on May 1 to honor the contributions of the working class, Pakistan’s own observance dates back to 1972, when the nation’s first labor policy was enacted. That policy set the foundation for Pakistan’s Social Security Network, Old Age Benefit Schemes and Workers Welfare Fund.

HYDERABAD — May Day, also known as International Workers’ Day or Labor Day: A woman works at a brick kiln during May Day in Pakistan, May 1, 2025.

The South Asian nation observes May Day, which reaffirms “the commitment to safeguarding workers’ rights and dignity,” according to Online INDUS News, with seminars and workshops, marches and other events that honor the workers.

BUENOS AIRES — With or without Vatican approval, one of the messages of the late Pope Francis makes a political point: Demonstrators march with cardboard cutouts of the late Pope Francis a day before International Workers’ Day in Argentina, April 30, 2025.

Protests against Argentina’s president Milei’s austerity policies were held in the birthplace city of the late Pope Francis, to whom participants also paid tribute.

During the event, Priest Father Lorenzo ‘Toto’ de Vedia took a moment to remember some “endearing words of dear Pope Francis, of whom we are still in the ninth day of his parting. ‘Work is sacred, work gives dignity.‘ Today, we pray for these words so that no one is left without a job and that everyone is well compensated.”

LONDON — Rain isn’t pouring from the sky, so Londoners have taken to swimming in it: A man swims in the Sky Pool on a sunny day, May 1, 2025. However, one must be a resident or guest of the luxury apartment complex Embassy Gardens in order to enjoy the world’s first fully transparent pool, which bridges two buildings in the Embassy Gardens complex. Embassy Gardens is part of a district on the south bank of the Thames River that has been master-planned.

However, some residents are vexed about the £450 daily cost of heating the Sky Pool.

FRANKFURT — This is an aerial view of the origin of canola oil — rows and rows of rape seed: Two men walk between rape fields in Germany, April 30, 2025. Rapeseed is actually a herbaceous plant whose closest vegetable relative is the cultivated green cabbage. Rapeseed plants, which can grow from 3-5 feet high, are related to mustard, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower and turnip.

Rapeseed, as used in cooking oils such as canola, is high in unsaturated fat, low in saturated fat and a good source of Vitamin E.

MADRID — A strenuous return: Russia’s Daniil Medvedev returns the ball against Casper Ruud of Norway during the Madrid Open tennis tournament in Spain on May 1, 2025. Ruud eliminated Medvedev during the quarterfinals. He now enters the semifinals in the tournament that runs through Sunday, May 4.

The 22-year-old Ruud is the highest-ranked Norwegian men’s singles player in history, at Number 2.

JAKARTA — Thanks to movies and cell phones, modern symbols of rebellion are easily brought into traditional May Day statements: A laborer with their face painted as the Joker chants slogans during a May Day rally in Indonesia, May 1, 2025.

Although the United States does not officially mark May Day, many people working to strengthen the labor movement do.

Los Angeles, for example, held one of the largest events, focusing on targeting “billionaires and politicians who are trying to divide us with fear and lies,” said April Verett, president of the two-million-member Service Employees International Union.

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