Pictures of the week: From pilgrims marching in Iraq to the Perseid meteor shower

Striking pictures from around the world

TOPSHOT - Shiite Muslim pilgrims march with banners towards the shrine city of Karbala ahead of the Arbaeen commemorations that mark the end of the 40-day mourning period for the seventh century killing of the Prophet Mohamed's grandson Imam Hussein ibn Ali, in the city of Nasiriyah in Iraq's southern Dhi Qar province on August 14, 2024. (Photo by Asaad NIAZI / AFP)

Students take part in a quilt-folding competition during a military-style training on the sports field of a senior high school in Dongyang, in China's eastern Zhejiang province. AFP

A military band member looks on as he welcomes guests attending the annual State of the Nation Address at the parliament building, ahead of the country's Independence Day, in Jakarta, Indonesia. Reuters

Taylor Swift performs at Wembley Stadium in London on her The Eras Tour. Getty Images

Fans of Nacional before the Copa Libertadores round of 16 first leg football match between Uruguay's Nacional and Brazil's Sao Paulo at the Gran Parque Central stadium in Montevideo. AFP

White doves are released at the Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo as Japan marks its surrender in the Second World War. Getty Images

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets students after addressing the nation during Independence Day celebrations in the Red Fort in New Delhi. EPA

Pupils receive their A-level results at the Gems Wellington Academy Dubai Silicon Oasis, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A shooting party on a moor on the Lammermuir Hills on the opening day of the grouse season, near Gifford, eastern Scotland. Getty Images

A 1,680 square metre Art Nouveau themed flower carpet, made using dahlias and begonias at the Grand Place in Brussels. Reuters

A green algae tide blooms in the Yeongsan River in Naju, 281km south of Seoul, South Korea, amid scorching heat. EPA

Perito Moreno Glacier at Los Glaciares National Park, near El Calafate, Santa Cruz province, Argentina. AFP

Lava rises from Mount Etna, on Sicily, southern Italy. Reuters

Palestinians in northern Gaza wait to receive food from a charity kitchen, amid a growing hunger crisis as the Israel-Gaza war continues. Reuters

A worshipper touches the rock of the Grotte de Massabielle during the Assumption pilgrimage in Lourdes, southern France. AFP

Soldiers take part in India's Independence Day celebrations at the historic Red Fort in Delhi. Reuters

The wreckage of an plane that crashed with 61 people on board in Vinhedo, Sao Paulo state, Brazil. AFP

Japan's Ami Yuasa competing in the Olympic breaking competition at La Concorde in Paris. AFP

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un greets people during a visit to flood-affected Uiju County in North Pyongan Province. Reuters

Kenny Organ competes in the steer wrestling event at the Mount Isa Mines Rodeo in Mount Isa City, Queensland, Australia. Getty Images

A wildfire burns in north-east Attica, Greece. Thousands of people have fled their homes as fires spread. EPA

Mannequins with their faces covered are used to display dresses at a shop in Kabul. The Taliban have controlled Afghanistan since 2021. AFP

A man surfs on a canal in the Dutch city of Rotterdam. AFP

Hollywood star Tom Cruise abseils into the Stade de France during the closing ceremony of the Paris Olympics. The next Games will be hosted in Los Angeles. AP

Iraqi Muslim women honour Ruqayyah, the daughter of the Prophet Mohammed's grandson Imam Hussein, as they march from Nasiriyah in Iraq's southern Dhi Qar province towards the holy city of Karbala. AFP

Inside the remains of a house destroyed by Israeli forces in Ramallah, in the occupied West Bank. AFP

Taliban security personnel during a parade to celebrate the third anniversary of the regime's takeover of Afghanistan AFP

Pupils carry a large Indian flag on the eve of the country's Independence Day celebrations in Vijayawada. AFP

Election posters of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna party presidential candidate Namal Rajapaksa in Colombo. AFP

The Perseid meteor shower illuminates ancient statues on Mount Nemrut in south-eastern Turkey. AP