TOPSHOT - Muslim worshippers watch as others circumambulate around the Kaaba, Islam's holiest shrine, at the Grand Mosque in Saudi Arabia's holy city of Mecca on August 17, 2018 prior to the start of the annual Hajj pilgrimage in the holy city. - Muslims from across the world are gathering in Mecca in Saudi Arabia for the annual hajj pilgrimage, one of the five pillars of Islam. (Photo by AHMAD AL-RUBAYE / AFP)
TOPSHOT - Muslim worshippers watch as others circumambulate around the Kaaba, Islam's holiest shrine, at the Grand Mosque in Saudi Arabia's holy city of Mecca on August 17, 2018 prior to the start of the annual Hajj pilgrimage in the holy city. - Muslims from across the world are gathering in Mecca in Saudi Arabia for the annual hajj pilgrimage, one of the five pillars of Islam. (Photo by AHMAD AL-RUBAYE / AFP)
Austria's Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl dances with Russia's President Vladimir Putin at her wedding in Gamlitz, Austria, August 18, 2018. Roland Schlager/Pool via Reuters TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
Austria's Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl dances with Russia's President Vladimir Putin at her wedding in Gamlitz, Austria, August 18, 2018. Roland Schlager/Pool via Reuters TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
A Chinese opera actor makes up in the backstage of a temporary bamboo theater in celebrations of the Hungry Ghost Festival in Hong Kong. EPA
A Chinese opera actor makes up in the backstage of a temporary bamboo theater in celebrations of the Hungry Ghost Festival in Hong Kong. EPA
Incense is spread during a funeral service for some of the victims of a collapsed highway bridge, in Genoa's exhibition center Fiera di Genova, Italy. AP
Incense is spread during a funeral service for some of the victims of a collapsed highway bridge, in Genoa's exhibition center Fiera di Genova, Italy. AP
Cattle run on a ranch as the Shovel Lake wildfire burns in the distance sending a massive cloud of smoke into the air near Fort St. James, British Columbia. AP
Cattle run on a ranch as the Shovel Lake wildfire burns in the distance sending a massive cloud of smoke into the air near Fort St. James, British Columbia. AP
Photographs and a dress worn by the iconic actress Marilyn Monroe are shown on display during the press preview of 'Costumes and Artifacts from the Extraordinary Life of Marilyn Monroe' exhibition in Beverly Hills. EPA
Photographs and a dress worn by the iconic actress Marilyn Monroe are shown on display during the press preview of 'Costumes and Artifacts from the Extraordinary Life of Marilyn Monroe' exhibition in Beverly Hills. EPA
Venezuelan migrants stand in line to register their entry into Ecuador at the Rumichaca International Bridge in Ecuador. Reuters
Venezuelan migrants stand in line to register their entry into Ecuador at the Rumichaca International Bridge in Ecuador. Reuters
This picture taken on August 17, 2018 shows a traditional makeshift are set up at a playground in the Tsuen Wan district for residents to mark the Hungry Ghost Festival in Hong Kong. - It is believed that the "Gates of Hell" are opened during the seventh month in the lunar calendar to let out the hungry ghosts who then wander in the land of the living while foraging for food. Food offerings are made while paper money and incense sticks are burnt outside homes to keep the spirits of dead ancestors happy and to bring good luck, while Chinese opera performances are given to praise the charitable and pious deeds of deities. (Photo by Philip FONG / AFP)
This picture taken on August 17, 2018 shows a traditional makeshift are set up at a playground in the Tsuen Wan district for residents to mark the Hungry Ghost Festival in Hong Kong. - It is believed that the "Gates of Hell" are opened during the seventh month in the lunar calendar to let out the hungry ghosts who then wander in the land of the living while foraging for food. Food offerings are made while paper money and incense sticks are burnt outside homes to keep the spirits of dead ancestors happy and to bring good luck, while Chinese opera performances are given to praise the charitable and pious deeds of deities. (Photo by Philip FONG / AFP)
A 2.4 kg chicken is pictured next to 14,600,000 bolivars, its price and the equivalent of 2.22 USD, at a mini-market in Caracas, Venezuela. Reuters
A 2.4 kg chicken is pictured next to 14,600,000 bolivars, its price and the equivalent of 2.22 USD, at a mini-market in Caracas, Venezuela. Reuters
Forensic technicians of the Mexican Navy are seen at a clandestine drug processing laboratory where they seized 50 tons of methamphetamine discovered during an operation in the town of Alcoyonqui. Reuters
Forensic technicians of the Mexican Navy are seen at a clandestine drug processing laboratory where they seized 50 tons of methamphetamine discovered during an operation in the town of Alcoyonqui. Reuters
A runner (R) takes a picture of the 2018 Asian Games flame during the final day of the torch relay in Jakarta ahead of the opening ceremony for the 2018 Asian Games. AFP
A runner (R) takes a picture of the 2018 Asian Games flame during the final day of the torch relay in Jakarta ahead of the opening ceremony for the 2018 Asian Games. AFP
A general view ahead of the round one Mitre 10 Cup match between Bay of Plenty and Taranaki at Rotorua International Stadium, New Zealand. Getty
A general view ahead of the round one Mitre 10 Cup match between Bay of Plenty and Taranaki at Rotorua International Stadium, New Zealand. Getty
Dancers of the Caracalla Dance Theatre perform on-stage at the "Finqia: The Legend Lives On" show during the Byblos International Festival, in the Lebanese coastal city north of Beirut. AFP
Dancers of the Caracalla Dance Theatre perform on-stage at the "Finqia: The Legend Lives On" show during the Byblos International Festival, in the Lebanese coastal city north of Beirut. AFP
Brown pelicans fly in front of the San Francisco skyline in San Francisco, California. Francisco. AFP
Brown pelicans fly in front of the San Francisco skyline in San Francisco, California. Francisco. AFP

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World in focus - best photos for August 18, 2018

Take a look at some of the best images from around the world in the past 24 hours

The National

August 18, 2018

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