The best photos of the week: From a fire festival to a spiral galaxy

Striking pictures from around the world

Members of the Up Helly Aa 'Jarl Squad' parade through the streets of in Lerwick, Shetland Islands on January 30, 2024 during the Up Helly Aa festival later in the day. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and culminates with up to 1,000 'guizers' (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat and setting it alight later in the evening. (Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP)

Ukrainian former prisoners of war react following a prisoner exchange with Russia at an undisclosed location in Ukraine. AFP

A bull is dragged into the Papaloapan River to be returned to a ranch, after a bull running event at a festival for the Virgin of the Candelaria in Tlacotalpan, Veracruz state, Mexico. AP

French high wire artist Philippe Petit performs above an audience at the Cathedral of St John the Divine in New York. AFP

Exploring the ice walls, trails and caverns at Ice Castles in North Woodstock, New Hampshire. AFP

People run from explosions in the Embakasi area of Nairobi. At least two people were reported dead and 222 injured when a lorry carrying gas exploded. AFP

An almost empty street during a 'silent strike' to mark the third anniversary of the military coup in Yangon, Myanmar. AFP

Workers transport sacks of vegetables on their bicycles at a wholesale market in Mumbai. AFP

Demonstrators clash with police outside the Argentinian National Congress during a debate on President Javier Milei’s 'omnibus' reform bill, in Buenos Aires. AFP

Filmmaker and producer, Mohanad Yaqubi during his Masterclass, R21 aka Restoring Solidarity held at Cinema Akil, Al Serkal Avenue, Dubai. Victor Besa / The National

Inside view of the BAPS Hindu Temple in Abu Dhabi. Pawan Singh / The National

Youths perform stunts on roller-skates, during a car racing competition in Kabul. AFP

Women of the paramilitary forces parade during India's 75th Republic Day celebrations, in New Delhi. EPA

People cross a street at night, in front of Manhattan's Grand Central terminal, in New York. AFP

Palestinians look in their neighbour's damaged house after an Israeli strike in Rafah, in the south of Gaza. AP

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Thai Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara walk together after signing a mutual visa exemption agreement in Bangkok. Reuters

Protesters throw soup at the Mona Lisa at the Louvre art gallery in Paris, France. AFP

Snow-covered trees and houses in Faraya as seen from Kfardebian, Lebanon. Reuters

Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas, billed as the world’s largest cruise ship, sails from the Port of Miami in Florida, US, on its maiden cruise. AFP

Football fans in Newport, Wales, stand on scaffolding to watch Monday's FA Cup match between Newport County and Manchester United. Reuters

An environmental agent from the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation holds five species of turtle hatchling to be released into the wild near Manaus, Brazil. EPA

An audience watches a bullfight at the Monumental Plaza de Toros Mexico in Mexico City, after the Supreme Court revoked a ban on bullfighting on Sunday. AFP

A worker arranges red lanterns for the Lunar New Year celebrations in Huaian, in China’s eastern Jiangsu province. AFP

A farmer harvests cloves in Lhoknga, Indonesia's Aceh province. AFP

Sheep cross an old bridge that has emerged from the dwindling waters of the Guadalteba reservoir, during a severe drought near Malaga, southern Spain. Reuters

Tyler, the Creator, left, and Kanye West attend the Hollywood Walk of Fame star ceremony for US singer/songwriter Charlie Wilson in Los Angeles. AFP

A drone shot shows ice floes drifting on the Wieprz river in Jeziorzany village, eastern Poland. EPA

Firefighters battle a major blaze in the Makadara area of Kenya's capital Nairobi. AFP

Guests attend a state dinner for French President Emmanuel Macron at the Royal Palace in Stockholm, Sweden. AFP

The James Webb Space Telescope captured this image of spiral galaxy NGC 1512, which is 30 million light years from Earth. Reuters

More from The National:

Friday's best photos: From an ice cave in New Hampshire to a bull in Mexico

Thursday's best photos: From Zuckerberg in US Senate to snow in Kashmir

Wednesday's best photos: From Up Helly Aa fire festival to the 17th King of Malaysia

Tuesday's best photos: From anniversary of Gandhi's death to French farmers' protest

Monday's best photos: From Lunar New Year preparations to turtle hatchings

Sunday's best photos: From world's largest cruise ship to Venice's Carnival