World in pictures, June 4, 2026

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

Participants play rugby in a muddy rice field in Fujimi, Saitama Prefecture, Japan. Teams competed in the event, with the winner determined by the combined scores of all matches. Four-player rugby matches held in rice fields before the planting season have been gaining popularity in Japan as a form of community engagement and regional revitalisation.Credit:Tomohiro Ohsumi/Getty Images

An Arsenal fan waves a flag on top of a traffic light during the Arsenal Trophy Parade on May 31, 2026 in Islington, England. Arsenal clinched their first Premier League title in 22 years earlier this month.Credit:Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

King Frederik X of Denmark and Queen Mary of Denmark on the balcony at Odense City Hall during their Summer Tour on June 1, 2026 in Odense, Denmark.Credit:Martin Sylvest Andersen/Getty Images

A sign which reads 'Save our kids' is displayed on the ground in front of riot police as protesters gather near the location where Henry Nowak died during a demonstration over the Police's handling of the incident, on June 2, 2026 in Southampton, England. Far-right and nationalist groups have actively organised demonstrations and vigils following revelations from the ongoing murder trial of 18-year-old student Henry Nowak. The case involves the fatal stabbing of Nowak in Southampton in December 2025 by Vickrum Digwa. Court details revealed that Digwa falsely claimed to arriving officers that he was the victim of a racist attack, leading responding police to temporarily handcuff the fatally wounded teenager before discovering his injuries.Credit:Finnbarr Webster/Getty Images

Matteo Berrettini of Italy hits a forehand during his Men's Singles fourth round match against Juan Manuel Cerundolo of Argentina on Day Nine of the 2026 French Open at Roland Garros in Paris, France.Credit:Dan Istitene/Getty Images

Jake Mangum #28 of the Pittsburgh Pirates bunts for a single in the sixth inning against the Houston Astros at Daikin Park in Houston, Texas.Credit:Tim Warner/Getty Images

Smoke rises after an Israeli airstrike on June 2, 2026 in Nabatieh, Lebanon. Israeli forces have struck targets in Nabatieh, a major city beyond the Litani River, which is recognised as the northern boundary of a buffer zone that's been in place since the 2006 ceasefire between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah group. In recent days Israel has issued evacuation orders for residents across much of southern Lebanon, as it says it's expanding ground operations to strengthen its militar