Today's best photos: from sedated cats to The Rolling Stones

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

Stray cats are sedated in preparation for sterilisation at a temple in Samut Prakan on the outskirts of Bangkok, Thailand. Reuters

Highland dancers compete at the Highland Games in Inveraray, Scotland. Held in the grounds of Inveraray Castle, the event celebrates Scottish culture and heritage and features the world championships for tossing the caber. Getty Images

A police officer helps an elderly woman leave her flat in a residential building damaged by a Russian military strike in Kramatorsk, Donetsk region, Ukraine. Reuters

A firefighting helicopter dumps water on Panorama Palinis, in eastern Athens. Nearly 500 firefighters struggled to contain the large wildfire that was edging towards hillside suburbs on Wednesday, after hundreds of residents were evacuated overnight. AP

Riders cycle past sunflower fields during the 17th stage of the Tour de France, between Saint-Gaudens and Peyragudes in the south-west. AFP

Residents are distraught after being evacuated from their homes in Penteli, Greece, as wildfire rages. EPA

Hikers walk across the dried bed of the Gabiet artificial lake in Aosta Valley, Italy. Severe drought is persisting in the north of the country. AP

Abdul-Latif Zakaria, 16, a student and volunteer, poses for a photograph as he spends his day at the studio of artist Ibrahim Mahama, in Tamale, Ghana. Reuters

Ukrainian soldiers shoot an SPG-9 recoilless gun during training in the Kharkiv region of Ukraine. AP

Ashalim solar power station in the Negev desert, southern Israel. The plant has a capacity of 121 megawatts and a solar tower strong enough to power 120,000 homes. EPA

British rock band The Rolling Stones' singer Mick Jagger (R), guitarists Keith Richards (C) and Ronnie Wood (L) perform during a concert part of their European Tour on July 19, 2022 in Decines-Charpieu's Stadium, near Lyon. (Photo by JEFF PACHOUD / AFP)

More from The National:

Tuesday's best photos: from the annual swan census to Farnborough Airshow

Monday's best photos: from an overheating Queen's Guard to a bull jumping into the sea

Sunday's best photos: from an Aquabatix performance to stranded lorries in Argentina

Saturday's best photos: from Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi to a heatwave in the UK

Friday's best photos: from a red moon to Swiss gold

Thursday's best photos: from Bastille Day to a supermoon