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NationalVictoriaWorld in pictures

World in pictures, May 20, 2026

Gallery icon8 Images

The best photos from the international wire agencies as chosen by The Age picture editors

Buddhists gather under colorful lanterns at Jogyesa Temple in Seoul, South Korea. Buddha was born approximately 2,570 years ago, and although the exact date is unknown, Buddha’s official birthday is celebrated on the full moon in May in South Korea, which is on May 24 this year.

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Buddhists gather under colorful lanterns at Jogyesa Temple in Seoul, South Korea. Buddha was born approximately 2,570 years ago, and although the exact date is unknown, Buddha’s official birthday is celebrated on the full moon in May in South Korea, which is on May 24 this year. Credit:Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images

Yok Jittraphan attends the “El Ser Querido (The Beloved)” screening during the 79th annual Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France.

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Yok Jittraphan attends the “El Ser Querido (The Beloved)” screening during the 79th annual Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France. Credit:Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images

Napoleon Solo #10 ridden by jockey Paco Lopez crosses the finish line to win the 151st Preakness Stakes at Laurel Park in Laurel, Maryland.

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Napoleon Solo #10 ridden by jockey Paco Lopez crosses the finish line to win the 151st Preakness Stakes at Laurel Park in Laurel, Maryland. Credit:Patrick Smith/Getty Images

A man walks through a recreation of the site, built with actual tents and belongings found at the scene of the attack, at the Nova Exhibition, “06:29AM - The Moment Music Stood Still” in London, England. The exhibition opens in London on May 20 for six weeks, inviting visitors to reflect as they step into a recreation of the Nova Music Festival site, where 413 people were killed during the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel. The installation provides a timeline of the horrific events that unfolded that day, amid actual staging, vehicles, and discarded personal items from the festival site.

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A man walks through a recreation of the site, built with actual tents and belongings found at the scene of the attack, at the Nova Exhibition, “06:29AM - The Moment Music Stood Still” in London, England. The exhibition opens in London on May 20 for six weeks, inviting visitors to reflect as they step into a recreation of the Nova Music Festival site, where 413 people were killed during the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel. The installation provides a timeline of the horrific events that unfolded that day, amid actual staging, vehicles, and discarded personal items from the festival site. Credit:Leon Neal/Getty Images

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Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, and Chinese President Xi Jinping attend a welcoming ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing Wednesday, May 20, 2026

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Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, and Chinese President Xi Jinping attend a welcoming ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing Wednesday, May 20, 2026Credit:Maxim Shemetov/Pool Reuters via AP

Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots the ball against Tobias Harris #12 of the Detroit Pistons during the first half in Game Seven of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan.

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Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots the ball against Tobias Harris #12 of the Detroit Pistons during the first half in Game Seven of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. Credit:Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

Attendees embrace during a vigil, the day after a shooting, outside the Islamic Center in San Diego.

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Attendees embrace during a vigil, the day after a shooting, outside the Islamic Center in San Diego. Credit:Jae C. Hong/AP Photo

Firefighters are silhouetted walking amid the firing operation to control the Sandy Fire, Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Simi Valley, California.

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Firefighters are silhouetted walking amid the firing operation to control the Sandy Fire, Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Simi Valley, California.Credit:Caroline Brehman/AP Photo