Today's best photos: from wildfires in California to a tribute to Shireen Abu Akleh

'The National' picks the most striking images from around the world

A firefighter works at putting down a house set on fire by the Coastal Fire in Laguna Niguel, California, USA, 11 May 2022. At least 20 homes have been destroyed in the 200 acres fire, said Orange County Fire Authority Chief Brian Fennessy at a night news conference. EPA / ETIENNE LAURENT

Elephants star in the film 'Il Sol dell'avvenire' by Italian director Nanni Moretti in Rome, Italy. EPA

A military plane is cleaned aboard the US aircraft carrier 'Harry S. Truman' in the Gulf of Naples, Italy. EPA

Sword maker Motaz Al Mazari in his workshop in Irbid, Jordan. Reuters

A model walks the runway during the Afterpay Australian Fashion Week 2022 Resort '23 Collections show at Carriageworks in Sydney, Australia. Getty Images

Coca growers block soldiers from destroying plantations in Caño Indio, Catatumbo, Colombia. AFP

Pedestrians walk past a display of lotus lanterns outside the Beomnyeonsa Temple in Seoul. AFP

The Human Rights and Alliance of Civilisations Room in Geneva hosts a special session of the UN Human Rights Council on Ukraine. AFP

The name of slain Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Akleh is carved in the sand on a beach in Gaza city. AFP

May 12, 2022

More from The National:

Wednesday's best photos: from audiovisual experiments at ISE to Eurovision ballads

Tuesday's best photos: from Marilyn to Lake Mead

Monday's best photos: from Nato helicopter exercises to motorcycling at sunrise

Sunday's best photos: from Ronaldo in action to UFC's Chandler celebrating

Saturday's best photos: from Macron's swearing-in ceremony to a drone strike on Snake Island

Friday's best photos: from skateboarding in a war zone to floodlights and flares

Updated: May 12, 2022, 1:10 PM