Best photos of July 18: Solar powered aircraft to protests in Dhaka

The National picks the most striking images from around the world

'SolarStratos', a solar powered aircraft prototype, flown by Swiss adventurer Raphael Domjan prepares to land in Sion, Switzerland, where the team of the aircraft will establish their new base, in Sion, Switzerland, 18 July 2024. Over the summer the team will try to reach an altitude of 10,000 meters (33,000 feet), a world premiere, before reaching for their ultimate goal: the stratosphere, which in mid-latitude regions begins at a height of around 10 km (33,000 ft, or 6. 2 miles). EPA / VALENTIN FLAURAUD

Albania's Prime Minister Edi Rama is received by his British counterpart Keir Starmer on arrival to attend the European Political Community meeting at Blenheim Palace in Woodstock, southern England. AFP

Sixty rare Siamese crocodiles have hatched at Cardamom National Park, Cambodia, boosting hopes for one of the world's most endangered reptiles. AFP

A catamaran prepares for the start of the 56th Blue Ribbon sailing race round Lake Balaton, Hungary. EPA

A firefighting helicopter drops water on a wildfire near Corinth, Greece. EPA

Thousands of dead fish lie on the banks of the Piracicaba river in Sao Paulo state, Brazil. The environmental agency says the deaths were due to illegal dumping of industrial waste into the water. AP

Hundreds of motorbikes are ridden across a bridge in Seattle, Washington state, in a show of solidarity with Boeing staff gathering to vote on strike action. AP

A temple is illuminated near Shougang park in Beijing. AFP

A Shiite girl lights candles during a ceremony marking Ashura, in Hilla, in the central Iraqi province of Babylon. AFP

Praying for rain at a mosque in Lhoknga, Aceh province, Indonesia. AFP

Protesters clash with police in Dhaka, where Bangladeshi students have vowed to continue demonstrations against civil service hiring laws. AFP