Best photos of July 21: LA fires to Dog Day celebrations

The National picks the most striking images from around the world

A palm tree catches fire as Los Angeles firefighters battle a building fire on Saturday, July 20, 2024, in the Panorama City section of Los Angeles. (AP Photo / Richard Vogel)

Indonesian volcano Mount Merapi spews lava on to its slopes as seen from Wonokerto, Yogyakarta. AFP

Slovenia's Tadej Pogacar, wearing the overall leader's yellow jersey, flashes five fingers to mark his fifth stage victory as he crosses the line to win the 20th stage of the Tour de France, finishing in La Couillole pass. AP

Firefighters work to extinguish a blaze that engulfed a market selling spare car parts in Kandahar, Afghanistan. EPA

The eye of the volcanic Mount Nyiragongo stands out in a national park near Goma, the Democratic Republic of Congo. Reuters

Soldiers stand guard on a street during a curfew in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Police have been authorised to enforce 'shoot on sight' orders amid student-led protests demanding reforms to the government's job quota system. EPA

Protesters brandish red cards during a pro-Palestinian rally in Jakarta, Indonesia, symbolising the concept of banning Israel from participating in the Olympics, which start next week in Paris. EPA

Female soldiers take part in a military parade to commemorate Colombia's Independence Day in Bogota. AFP

Mourners recite a prayer over the bodies of members of the Qadih family before their burial in Khuzaa, the southern Gaza Strip, after an overnight Israeli strike hit their house in Bani Suheila. AFP

People try to catch about two tonnes of fish released by the city during an annual event to thank locals for the fishing harvest at Gemblegan Reservoir in Klaten, central Java. AFP

A dog rides a skateboard during 'Dog Day' celebrations in Santiago, Chile. AP