Today's best photos: from penguins on the beach to a Debutante Ball

The National picks the most striking images from around the world

Thousands of penguin (Manchots Royaux) are pictured on December 20, 2022 on the Possession Island, part of the Crozet Islands which are a sub-Antarctic archipelago of small islands in the southern Indian Ocean. - The Crozet Islands form one of the five administrative districts of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands. They are home to four species of penguins. Most abundant are the macaroni penguin, of which some 2 million pairs breed on the islands, and the king penguin, home to 700,000 breeding pairs; half the world's population. Mammals living on the Crozet Islands include fur seals and southern elephant seals. Killer whales have been observed preying upon the seals. (Photo by PATRICK HERTZOG / AFP)

Rio de Janeiro's Christ the Redeemer statue is illuminated in the colours of the Brazilian flag to honour football great Pele, who died at the age of 82. AP

A bird trader sells a vulture at a bird market during snowfall in Kabul, Afghanistan. AP

People visit Sensoji temple before the start of the New Year holiday in Tokyo. AFP

An aerial view of the Red Sea coast of Yanbu, in Saudi Arabia. AFP

A weather scientist releases a balloon on the Desolation Islands, north of the Antarctic region. AFP

The Dalai Lama, Tibet's spiritual leader, waves after delivering a sermon in Bodh Gaya, in the Indian state of Bihar. AFP

The London skyline, as seen from Hampstead Heath, early in the morning. AFP

Rohingya refugees wait to receive aid at a temporary shelter in Pidie, Aceh province, Indonesia. Reuters

Liao Xiaofeng sits besides her mother Chen Lifen, 86, who has Covid-19 symptoms, in China's Sichuan province. Beijing has removed its strict measures to curb the spread of the pandemic. Reuters

Divisive social media influencer Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan are escorted by police officers in Bucharest, Romania, after their arrest. Reuters

A statue of Catherine the Great is demolished in Odesa after a Ukrainian council ruled that it symbolised Moscow's imperial past. Reuters

A man passes pelicans as he paddles through the waters of Dana Point Harbour in California. AP

An elderly man holds a snowball on the outskirts of Kabul, Afghanistan. AP

Young men and women take part in the 68th International Debutante Ball at the Plaza Hotel in New York. EPA

More from The National:

Thursday's best photos: from Spanish food battle to Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding

Wednesday's best photos: from a multi-vehicle crash in China to ice-covered houses in Canada

Tuesday's best photos: From Grey Glacier's record high temperature to New Year timekeeping

Monday's best photos: from Boxing Day shoppers to a turban-tying competition

Sunday's best photos: Icicles in US storm, dressed-up dogs and plenty of festive spirit

Saturday's best photos: from St Paul's choir to Arabian horse racing in Liwa