A look at the best news photos from around the world.
December 21, 2018
![Pro-independence demonstrators protest against Spain's cabinet holding a meeting in Barcelona, Spain.](https://gdb.voanews.com/06304548-0fdb-46b9-81f2-d98786a3a3b2_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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Pro-independence demonstrators protest against Spain's cabinet holding a meeting in Barcelona, Spain.
![A man lights candles at a temporary memorial at the coal mine at Stonava, near Karvina, Czech Republic, a day after 13 miners died in an accident.](https://gdb.voanews.com/8fa04746-2d2a-4d38-b07c-5c59d167fc5b_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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A man lights candles at a temporary memorial at the coal mine at Stonava, near Karvina, Czech Republic, a day after 13 miners died in an accident.
![A coal miner in a traditional dress hides tears during a closing ceremony of the last German coal mine Prosper-Haniel in Bottrop, Germany.](https://gdb.voanews.com/161241c2-ad7c-4046-a31b-a9f179b147b3_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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A coal miner in a traditional dress hides tears during a closing ceremony of the last German coal mine Prosper-Haniel in Bottrop, Germany.
![Vladimir Kozlov, 32, balances on a slackline on the beach in Santa Monica, California, USA. ](https://gdb.voanews.com/5d2f4971-e377-4238-bdee-08a59a5ed980_w1024_q10_s.jpg)
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Vladimir Kozlov, 32, balances on a slackline on the beach in Santa Monica, California, USA.