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

'The National' picks the most striking images from around the world

North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un poses for a photo with Korean People's Army medics during a meeting to recognise their contributions in fighting the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic in Pyongyang, North Korea, August 18, 2022 in this photo released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). KCNA via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. REUTERS IS UNABLE TO INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THIS IMAGE. NO THIRD PARTY SALES. SOUTH KOREA OUT. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SALES IN SOUTH KOREA. TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

Thierno Diallo of Spain competes during a qualifying round in the men's gymnastics competition on day eight of the European Championships in Munich, Germany. Getty

A Sri Lankan university student clashes with police in Colombo on Thursday. Police used tear gas and water cannon to break up the first protest since the country lifted a state of emergency. AFP

Piles of grain aboard the 'Osprey S' vessel during an inspection by a team of officials from Turkey, Ukraine, Russia and the UN, in Istanbul. The ship left the Ukrainian port of Chornomorsk on Tuesday carrying 11,500 tonnes of grain. Getty

Firefighters work their way through the rubble of the Culture Palace, which was destroyed by a Russian missile strike, in Ukraine's second-largest city of Kharkiv. AFP

'Apis', an ox of about 2,000 kilograms that was born thanks to a YouTube tutorial in 2016, with its owners, couple Jaime Jorba and Cristina Perez, in Candeleda, Spain. EPA

A fairgoer looks over prize-winning produce on display at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines. AP

More from The National:

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 Hackney Marshes drought to Kenyans awaiting election outcome

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

Saturday's best photos: from sunsets in New York to fireworks in Malaga