Our top global photo stories from 2025: Fearless women, solo polar bear, healing soups

Polar bear, Dalian Forest Zoo, China. As this zoo, the polar bear is confined to space far smaller than its range in the wild, which can reach 31,000 square miles.

These stunning photos include a polar bear in a Chinese zoo, a teen in Zambia facing an uncertain future, Mongolian kids watching TV in a tent, a chef prepping a bowl of good-for-you soup.

(Image credit: Zed Nelson/Institute)