A Viking festival and a wall of death: photos of the day – Wednesday

The Guardian’s picture editors select photographs from around the world

Selected by

Main image: Members of the Up Helly Aa Jarl Squad set fire to a replica Viking ship in Shetland.

  • Hai’an, China

    A teacher puts makeup on a child during a Peking Opera performance
    Hai’an, China. A teacher puts makeup on a child

  • Khulna, Bangladesh

    Daring motorcyclists entertain spectators by driving around a vertical wall of death
    Khulna, Bangladesh. Motorcyclists entertain spectators by driving around a vertical wall of death

  • Sharaan, Saudi Arabia

    The peloton passing through a rocky landscape during the 4th Alula Tour 2024, from Alula winter park to Sharaan nature reserve
    Sharaan, Saudi Arabia. A cysling peloton passing through a rocky landscape

  • Strasbourg, France

    Farmers’ children join a rally as part of national demonstrations organised by unions in a dispute over wages, taxes and regulations
    Strasbourg, France. Farmers’ children on mini tractors during a march

  • The Channel

    The P&O Pioneer ferry crosses the Channel towards France at sunrise
    The Channel. The P&O Pioneer ferry crosses the Channel towards France at sunrise

  • London, UK

    Visitors at the opening night of LIFE, an immersive light and sound experience created by the British installation artist Peter Walker, at St Martin-in-the-Fields church
    London, UK. A person silhouetted against a lit-up church interior

  • Gangwon, South Korea

    Sweden players celebrate in front of goal after winning an ice hockey tournament gold medal game against Japan during the Winter Youth Olympic Games
    Gangwon, South Korea. Sweden players hugging each other on the ice in front of goal

  • Washington DC, US

    President Joe Biden speaks to members of the media from the White House’s south lawn, before boarding Marine One, for a short trip to Andrews airforce base, and then on to Florida for campaign receptions
    Washington DC, US. President Joe Biden speaks to members of the media from the White House’s south lawn

  • Chongqing, China

    Spring festival lighting decorations illuminate the city’s main road
    Chongqing, China: A multi-lane road at night flanked by lit-up trees and verges

  • Taitung, Taiwan

    Members of Taiwan’s armed forces participate in a drill as part of a demonstration for the media at a military base
    Taitung, Taiwan. A person in a helmet and goggles looks out from a tank

  • Vilanova de Sau, Spain

    An abandoned canoe lies on the cracked ground at the Sau reservoir, which is at only 5% of its capacity amid a historic drought
    Vilanova de Sau, Spain: An abandoned canoe lies on the cracked ground at the Sau reservoir

  • Nairobi, Kenya

    Firefighters extinguish flames after a huge fire broke out in the Makadara neighbourhood
    Nairobi, Kenya. Fire fighters extinguish flames after a huge fire broke out in the Makadara neighbourhood

  • Khan Younis, Gaza Strip

    Displaced Palestinians flee during the ongoing fighting between Israel and Hamas
    Khan Yunis, Gaza Strip. Dozens of Palestinians travelling with bags on foot or in small vehicles along a dirt road

  • Shetland, Scotland

    Members of the Up Helly Aa Jarl Squad set fire to a ship during a parade through the streets in Lerwick. The festival celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings
    Shetland, Scotland: Dozens of people with torches silhouetted against a huge fire lit in a wooden boat
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