Best photos of December 23: Simbang Gabi Mass in Dubai to US military buildup in Puerto Rico

  • Filipinos attend Simbang Gabi masses, a series of Christmas celebrations, at St Mary's Catholic Church in Dubai. Antonie Robertson/The National
    Filipinos attend Simbang Gabi masses, a series of Christmas celebrations, at St Mary's Catholic Church in Dubai. Antonie Robertson/The National
  • Spectators watch a match at the Buzkashi league in Kabul, Afghanistan. Buzkashi is a traditional sport in which horse-mounted players attempt to place a goat or calf carcass in a goal. EPA
    Spectators watch a match at the Buzkashi league in Kabul, Afghanistan. Buzkashi is a traditional sport in which horse-mounted players attempt to place a goat or calf carcass in a goal. EPA
  • A petrol bomb explodes behind Albanian Police as they face demonstrators in front of the Prime Minister Edi Rama's office during an anti-government protest in Tirana. AFP
    A petrol bomb explodes behind Albanian Police as they face demonstrators in front of the Prime Minister Edi Rama's office during an anti-government protest in Tirana. AFP
  • Passengers enter a railway station in dense smog on a winter morning in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh state. AFP
    Passengers enter a railway station in dense smog on a winter morning in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh state. AFP
  • Guests at an annual Christmas dinner party for needy and homeless organised by German singer and actor Frank Zander at the Hotel Estrel in Berlin, Germany. EPA
    Guests at an annual Christmas dinner party for needy and homeless organised by German singer and actor Frank Zander at the Hotel Estrel in Berlin, Germany. EPA
  • A child carries a block to help municipal workers repair a damaged road at Nuseirat camp for displaced Palestinians in the central Gaza Strip. AFP
    A child carries a block to help municipal workers repair a damaged road at Nuseirat camp for displaced Palestinians in the central Gaza Strip. AFP
  • A revellers dressed in a Labubu costume under Christmas lights in Zocalo Square as part of seasonal celebrations in Mexico City. Reuters
    A revellers dressed in a Labubu costume under Christmas lights in Zocalo Square as part of seasonal celebrations in Mexico City. Reuters
  • Two US Navy EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft prepare for take-off at Roosevelt Roads naval base in Ceiba, Puerto Rico. The station was recently reactivated for duty as Washington puts pressure on the government of oil producer Venezuela. Reuters
    Two US Navy EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft prepare for take-off at Roosevelt Roads naval base in Ceiba, Puerto Rico. The station was recently reactivated for duty as Washington puts pressure on the government of oil producer Venezuela. Reuters