World in focus – best photos for February 23, 2017

Saint-Etienne’s supporters hold black plastic bags during the UEFA Europa League football match between AS Saint-Etienne and Manchester United, at the Geoffroy Guichard stadium in Saint-Etienne, central France. Philippe Desmazes / AFP

Students stand among plum blossoms at a campus in Zhenjiang, Jiangsu province, China. China Daily via REUTERS

A Sri Lankan mahout rides an elephant along a street in Colombo. The Sri Lankan elephant is one of three recognised subspecies of the Asian elephant, native to Sri Lanka. Lakruwan Wanniarachchi / AFP

Masked Guggen music bands (brass and percussion carnival bands) parade through the streets at the beginning of the Lucerne Carnival in Lucerne, Switzerland. Urs Flueeler / EPA

Firefighters spray water to cool down burnt debris at the Eco Special Waste Management plant in the Tuas industrial area of Singapore. A fire broke out at the plant, which was housing chemical waste and hazardous materials over its 40,000-square meter facility. Wallace Woon / EPA

A visitor seats next to the artwork ‘Blu guy seating’ made from 21,682 bricks of LEGO by US artist Nathan Sawaya displayed at the exhibition ‘The Art Of LEGO’ in Moscow, Russia. Sergei Ilnitsky / EPA

An Indian Hindu man dressed as Lord Shiva holds a lit candle in his mouth as he takes part in a religious procession ahead of the Maha Shivratri Festival in Jalandhar. Hindus mark the Maha Shivratri festival by offering special prayers and fasting to worship Lord Shiva, the lord of destruction. Shammi Mehra / AFP

Nikao, top, midfielder of Brazil’s Atletico Paranaense fights for the ball with goalkeeper Bernardo Medina of Paraguay’s Deportivo Capiataduring a Copa Libertadores soccer match in Capiata, Paraguay. Jorge Saenz / AP

Police confront protesters refusing to evacuate the main opposition camp against the Dakota Access oil pipeline near Cannon Ball, North Dakota, US. Terray Sylvester / Reuters

Coldplay’s Chris Martin performs with The Chainsmokers during the BRIT Awards 2017 ceremony and live show in London. Justin Tallis / AFP

A look at the best photos from around the world today.