Today's best photos: From Popocatepetl volcano celebrations to Lowry's Sunday Afternoon

The National picks the most striking images from around the world

TOPSHOT - Smoke billows from the Popocatepetl volcano during a celebration day in its honour in Santiago Xalitzintla, Mexico on March 12, 2024. A ceremony in Santiago Xalitzintla was led by Don Antonio Analco Sevilla, 69, who is believed by worshippers to have the ability to talk with the volcano in his dreams. Worshippers annually bring fruits and food as an offering to the volcano for this ceremony. (Photo by José Castañares / AFP)

A new recruit of the 'Da Vinci Wolves' 1st Mechanised Battalion takes part in a military exercise at an undisclosed location in central Ukraine. The battalion is named after the call sign of commander Dmytro Kotsiubailo who was killed in the ongoing war with Russia. Reuters

Compania Romana del Santisimo Cristo del Sepulcro de Bolanos from Ciudad Real in central Spain attend the Pope's general audience in St Peter's Square at the Vatican. Reuters

A protester burns tyres during a demonstration following the resignation of Haiti's Prime Minister Ariel Henry in the capital, Port-au-Prince. AFP

People carry water collected in containers in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, where gang violence has cut off food and fuel supplies. Reuters

Mahouts ride elephants during Thailand's National Elephant Day celebration in the ancient city of Ayutthaya. Reuters

A graveyard built from insulation boards by Greenpeace activists outside the Houses of Parliament in London warns the UK government that the failure to insulate homes is costing lives. Reuters

Workers clean up debris after a restaurant explosion in Sanhe, Hebei province, China. Reuters

Pupils recite from the Quran at the Madrasatur-Rashaad religious school in Hyderabad, India. AFP

A Palestinian child sits next to a plate of food before an iftar meal at a shelter for displaced people in Rafah, southern Gaza. AFP

LS Lowry's Sunday Afternoon has gone on show at Christie's in London, ahead of an auction on 20 March where it is expected to fetch between £4 million and £6 million. AP

More from The National:

Tuesday's best photos: From a marine iguana in Ecuador to tourists outside Kensington Palace

Monday's best photos: From Ryan Gosling's Oscars performance to Viking, winner of Crufts

Sunday's best photos: From the Saudi Grand Prix to Oscars preparations

Saturday's best photos: From hot air balloons in Canberra to Kuwait sports day marathon

Friday's best photos: From Port-au-Prince gang violence to a State of the Union protest

Thursday's best photos: From a hammam in Rabat to bread delivery in Cairo