Today in Pictures, Nov 2, 2026

Hindu devotees at the annual fire-walking festival, soccer action at the Singapore Premier League match, and other photos from around the world in Today in Pictures.

Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox

Hindu devotees taking part in the firewalking ritual during the annual Fire Walking Festival at Sri Mariamman Temple on Nov 1, 2026. Also known as Theemithi Thiruvizha, the festival is one of the most significant events in Singapore?s Hindu religious calendar. It sees devotees fulfil religious vows by walking barefoot across a bed of burning embers and hot coals as an act of faith, devotion and thanksgiving to the goddesses Sri Mariamman and Sri Draupathi Amman for wishes granted or blessings received. While some devotees undertake the ritual in fulfilment of vows made in the hope of receiving divine blessings, others participate to express gratitude for prayers answered. Theemithi marks the culmination of a series of religious ceremonies spanning about two-and-a-half months, during which episodes from the Hindu epic Mahabharata are re-enacted and several key rites are performed. The observances centre on the story of Draupadi, whose devotion and trials form an important part of the firewalking tradition. The festival draws large numbers of devotees and spectators to Sri Mariamman Temple each year to witness the culmination of these religious observances. Singapore?s oldest Hindu temple, Sri Mariamman Temple has been the focal point of Theemithi celebrations in Singapore since the mid-19th century. ST PHOTO: BRIAN TEO — Hindu devotees fulfilling their religious vows at the annual fire-walking festival at the Sri Mariamman Temple on Nov 1. Also known as Theemithi Thiruvizha, devotees go across a bed of burning embers and hot coals as an act of faith, devotion and thanksgiving to the goddesses Sri Mariamman and Sri Draupathi Amman. The Sri Mariamman Temple, Singapore’s oldest Hindu temple, has been the focal point of the fire-walking festival here since the mid-19th century.
ST PHOTO: BRIAN TEO

Geylang International goal keeper Milos Cupic (blue) saves a ball from BG Tampines Rovers forward Hide Higashikawa (yellow) during the Singapore Premier League match between BG Tampines Rovers and Geylang International on Nov 1, 2026. — Geylang International goalkeeper Milos Cupic (in blue) making a save from Tampines Rovers forward Hide Higashikawa's attack in their Singapore Premier League match on Nov 1.
ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI

Students from Singapore Polytechnic’s Malay Language Society CCA Group pose for a group photo during the Istana Open House for Deepavali celebrations on Nov 1, 2026. — Students from Singapore Polytechnic’s Malay Language Society Co-Curricular Activity Group posing for a group photo during the Istana Open House for Deepavali celebrations on Nov 1.
ST PHOTO: GIN TAY

Athletics - New York City Marathon - New York City, New York, U.S. - November 1, 2026 Runners on the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge during the New York City Marathon REUTERS/Brendan Mcdermid TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY — Runners on the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge during the New York City Marathon on Nov 1.
PHOTO: REUTERS

People visit their departed loved ones at a cemetery on All Saints' Day in Masantol, Pampanga, Philippines, November 1, 2026. REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY — People visiting their departed loved ones at a cemetery on All Saints' Day in Masantol, Pampanga, Philippines on Nov 1.
PHOTO: REUTERS

TOPSHOT - Classic vintage cars make their way across Westminster Bridge past the Houses of Parliament (behind) in Westminster shortly after beginning the annual "Veteran Car Run" from Hyde Park in London to Brighton in southern England on November 1, 2026. Around 400 classic cars took part in the annual 60-mile journey from London to the south coast resort. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP) — Classic vintage cars making their way across Westminster Bridge past the Houses of Parliament (behind) in Westminster shortly after beginning the annual "Veteran Car Run" to Brighton in southern England on Nov 1.
PHOTO: AFP

TOPSHOT - This aerial photograph taken from an helicopter shows Class 40 sailing boats taking the start of the 13th Route du Rhum - Destination Guadeloupe solo sailing race from Saint-Malo to Pointe-a-Pitre in the French overseas island of Guadeloupe, off the coast of Saint-Malo northwestern France, on November 1, 2026. (Photo by Loic VENANCE / AFP) — Sailing boats taking the start of the 13th Route du Rhum - Destination Guadeloupe solo sailing race, from Saint-Malo to Pointe-a-Pitre in the French island of Guadeloupe on Nov 1.
PHOTO: AFP

TOPSHOT - This aerial photograph shows demonstrators gathering at a makeshift memorial with 16 hearts for the 16 victims in front of the Novi Sad train station during a gathering marking two years since the railway station disaster and honouring its victims, in Novi Sad on November 1, 2026. Thousands of people are expected to gather in Novi Sad to honour the 16 victims of the concrete canopy collapse at railway station in Serbia's second city collapsed, a disaster that launched the anti-government movement which toppled the country's right-wing ruling party a week ago. (Photo by Nenad MIHAJLOVIC / AFP) — Demonstrators gathering at a makeshift memorial in front of the Novi Sad train station, marking two years since the railway station disaster in Novi Sad, Serbia on Nov 1. Thousands of people are expected to gather in Novi Sad to honour the 16 victims of the concrete canopy collapse at the railway station.
PHOTO: AFP

TOPSHOT - A woman reacts as people pay tribute at a makeshift memorial with 16 hearts for the 16 victims in front of the Novi Sad train station during a gathering marking two years since the railway station disaster and honouring its victims, in Novi Sad on November 1, 2026. Thousands of people are expected to gather in Novi Sad to honour the 16 victims of the concrete canopy collapse at railway station in Serbia's second city collapsed, a disaster that launched the anti-government movement which toppled the country's right-wing ruling party a week ago. (Photo by ANDREJ ISAKOVIC / AFP) — A woman reacting as people pay tribute at a makeshift memorial for the 16 victims, marking two years since the Novi Sad train station disaster, honouring its of the victims, in Novi Sad, Serbia on Nov 1.
PHOTO: AFP

As daylight savings time came to an end today, children play with their dog at sunrise on Higgins Beach, days before Election Day, in Scarborough, Maine, US, November 1, 2026. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY — Children playing with their dog at sunrise on Higgins Beach, days before Election Day, in Scarborough, Maine, US on Nov 1.
PHOTO: REUTERS

See more on

Today in Pictures