The best photos of the week: from drought along the Rhine to rainstorms in London

Striking pictures from around the world

A weed-covered, rusted shopping trolley sits on a sandbank in the Rhine, exposed as drought causes the river level to fall. Reuters

Soldiers from Belarus on a T-72 B3 battle tank compete in an individual race during the Tank Biathlon 2022 near Moscow. The event runs until 27 August. EPA

Malaysia's former prime minister Najib Razak clasps his hands at the Federal Court in Putrajaya. The court dismissed his application to introduce new evidence in his final appeal against a conviction for criminal breach of trust, abuse of power and money laundering. EPA

Resham Sunar, 11, stands in a queue with his friends for lunch, at Jeevan Jyoti secondary school in Punarbas, Kanchanpur district, south-west Nepal. "I feel good to go to school with mum," said Resham, who is a grade behind his mother. Reuters

Devotees pray before forming a human pyramid to break a clay pot containing curd, during the Hindu festival of Janmashtami, marking the birth anniversary of Hindu Lord Krishna, in Mumbai, western India. Reuters

A farmer drying marigold flowers in Bijie, in China's south-western province of Guizhou. AFP

Supporters listen as Liz Cheney, US representative for Wyoming's at-large congressional district, speaks at a primary election day gathering in Jackson, Wyoming. Ms Cheney lost to Republican challenger Harriet Hageman. AP

Gurnam Singh, founder of Singh's Motorcycle Club UAE and Mirza Khud, founder of Pakistan Riders Group UAE, in Dubai before the start of a rally to mark 75th Independence Day celebrations for India and Pakistan. Pawan Singh / The National

The dolmen of Guadalperal, also known as the Spanish Stonehenge, has emerged from Valdecanas reservoir in the outskirts of El Gordo, central Spain, as drought causes the water level to fall. Reuters

North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un poses for a photo with Korean People's Army medics during a meeting to recognise their contribution in fighting Covid-19, in the capital Pyongyang. Reuters

Visitors admire the 'Tell Me Your Story' installation by Japanese artist Chiharu Shiota, at the 14th European Nomadic Biennale art event, in Pristina, Kosovo. AFP

Visitors inside 'Fields of EveryWhen', a 25-metre high hot air balloon artwork created by artists musson+retallick celebrating Thamesmead, in south-east London. Getty

A dog receives acupuncture and physiotherapy at a clinic in Beijing. A growing number of animals are being signed up for traditional medicine in China. AFP

A 'bathtub ring' of mineral deposits left by higher water levels at the drought-stricken Elephant Butte Reservoir, near Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, US. Getty

Fishing boats head out to sea on the first day of the season in Yangjiang, in China's southern Guangdong province. AFP

Emirati Abdulla Al Eisaei, pictured at the Meydan Hotel in Dubai, lost his leg in a car accident but is now a professional body builder. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Residents watch television at a shop as they wait for the results of Kenya's presidential election, in the port city of Kisumu. William Ruto was declared the winner, sparking anger from followers of rival Raila Odinga, over claims of irregularities. AFP

An array of lights at the Torchlight Marian procession in Lourdes, southern France. AFP

Lightning over Blackrock diving tower at Salthill beach in Galway, western Ireland, as a storm ends a heatwave. Reuters

Colored powder is poured on participants during the Colour Run event in Jurmala, Latvia. Reuters

Ancient statues on Mount Nemrut in south-eastern Turkey, where stargazers gathered to watch the Perseid meteor shower at the Unesco World Heritage Site. AP

A child on the way to a Sunday service at the St Michael Legion Maria of African Church Mission within Highrise, in the Kibera district of Kenya's capital Nairobi. Reuters

Birds fly above Lake Tuzkol in the Almaty region, Kazakhstan. Reuters

A bird's-eye-view of Sunday league amateur footballers on a parched pitch during the heatwave, at Hackney Marshes, east London. Reuters

A FlySafAir airline aircraft flies over Emirates Airline Park in Johannesburg, before the Rugby Championship international rugby match between South Africa and New Zealand. AFP

Staff introduce three newborn lion cubs at Nama Zoo in Gaza City. AFP

A spectacular sunset after heavy rain at the bay of Villefranche-sur-Mer, in southern France. AFP

Pedestrians cross London Bridge during heavy rain in the British capital that brought a heatwave to a sudden end. EPA

More from The National:

Friday's best photos: from Kim Jong-Un to Iowa State Fair

Thursday's best photos: Kuala Lumpur Fashion Week to marigold farmers

Wednesday's best photos: from greased pole climbing to a rogue wild boar in Barcelona

Tuesday's best photos: from fishing season in Yangjiang to an arty hot-air balloon

Monday's best photos: from London's Hackney Marshes drought to Kenyans awaiting election outcome

Sunday's best photos: from the World Pipe Band Championship to a triathlon