Venice carnival: Masked revellers take part in the Carnevale di Venezia in Italy's floating city
The carnival madness first began in the 11th century as a period of excess before the rigours of Lent, the 40 days of fasting that traditionally precede Easter.
Photo highlights of the 59th Grammy Music Awards
The event was hosted by James Corden and saw performances from Adele, Beyonce, Lady Gaga and Metallica.
Hindu devotees across Nepal celebrate Swasthani Bratakatha festival
Festival begins on first full moon day in the Nepali Poush month and ends on the next full moon day a month later.
New Zealand: 400 whales wash up dead in 3rd largest mass beaching in country's history
Volunteers worked to try to rescue the pilot whales but most died quickly after being beached.
Dadaab refugee camp remains open after Kenya appeals ruling
Its closure would have resulted in over 200,000 people having to return to war-torn Somalia.
Hindu devotees pierce their bodies with metal rods for Thaipusam Festival
Thaipsuam is a celebration dedicated to the HIndu god of war, Lord Murugan, and is held over a two-day period.
Operation Atlantic Resolve: Nato strengthens eastern Europe's defence over 'Russian aggression'
US soldiers have begun relocating throughout the region to train with European allies in Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Romania.
Wild bison roam in Banff, Canada's oldest national park for the first time in 130 years
Conservation team moved 16 bison from a protected herd in Alberta to Panther Valley, where they remain under observation until summer 2018.
Robots exhibition at Science Museum shows off 500 years of humanoid history
Highlights include an articulated iron manikin from the 1500s, an animatronic baby from Japan and one of the first walking bipedal robots.
Preview of new David Hockney exhibition at Tate Britain: An overview of artist's work to date
Presented as a chronological overview, this traces Hockney's development from his time as a student up to his recent success at the Royal Academy and beyond.
Ukraine: Humanitarian crisis looming in war-torn Avdiyivka
The fighting between Ukraine and Russian-backed separatists has damaged vital infrastructure, leading to power outages with temperatures as low as minus 18 Celsius.
Severe weather conditions hit Afghanistan as heavy snow blankets parts of the country
At least 50 people die in eastern Afghanistan, with dozens more missing after an avalanche buried a village in Nuristan.
Photo preview of Indian-inspired Orchid Festival at Kew Gardens
The Orchid Festival runs from the 4 February-5 March 2017 at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Violent protests at UC Berkeley over speech by controversial Breitbart editor Milo Yiannopoulos
Corporate buildings, including banks and ATMs were vandalised, and a Starbucks coffee shop was looted.
Romanians protest against decree that could set dozens of jailed corrupt politicians free
Demonstrators held placards reading '89' referring the 1989 Romanian Revolution that toppled late dictator Nicolae Ceausescu.
Notable deaths of 2017 in pictures: From Chuck Berry to Jonathan Demme
From Tara Palmer-Tomkinson and Hans Rosling to John Hurt and Joost van der Westhuizen, here are some of the famous faces who have died in 2017.
'Overwhelmed' Chile calls for international aid as wildfires rage on
These are the worst forest fires the nation has seen in modern history.
No you 'May' not: Best signs from anti-Trump marches across the UK
Almost 1.5 million people have signed a petition calling for Trump's planned UK visit – which will involve lavish displays of royal pageantry – to be cancelled.
Pagan mummers dance through Bulgaria's streets during traditional folklore festival
The Surva International Festival of the Masquerade sees roughly 6,000 people from every folklore region of the country attend.
Tens of thousands rally in US cities and airports in protest against Trump's Muslim travel ban
President Donald Trump's Executive Order bars admission of Syrian refugees and restricts people from seven Muslim-majority nations from entering US.
Holocaust Memorial Day: Survivors visit Auschwitz-Birkenau 72 years after its liberation
Survivors gathered at the former Nazi death camp to commemorate its liberation by Soviet troops in 1945.
Chinese New Year: People across the globe prepare for the Year of the Rooster
Often called Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, Chinese New Year 4715 will fall on 28 January.
Auschwitz concentration camp barracks are being restored brick by brick
Conservation works are planned to be carried out on a total of 45 brick prisoner barracks of the former Auschwitz II-Birkenau death camp.
Colourful photos of military parades celebrating India's 68th Republic Day
Festivities took place all over the country with particularly spectacular sights observed in Jammu, Srinagar and Kolkata
Australia Day: Protests break out amid celebrations as thousands demand change of date
Many believe Australia's national day celebrates the arrival of white settlement, marking the beginning of injustices suffered by the country's disadvantaged Aborigines.
Photos show devastation caused by al-Shabaab attack on Somalia hotel
A car bomb was rammed into the gate of the Dayah hotel in Mogadishu, leaving 28 dead and scores injured.
Huskies and mushers prepare for Scotland's big sledding race
Over 1,000 sled dogs and 250 mushers are expected to attend the 34th Aviemore Sled Dog Rally.
The warmest place on Earth? Photos of colourful sulphur lakes where miners search for 'white gold'
For centuries, merchants have travelled across the vast, cracked desert basin with caravans of camels to collect blocks of salt.
Trump supporters gather in Washington and across the globe to welcome the new US President
Here are some of the best photos of Trump supporters across the globe in the days leading up to the inauguration ceremony.
Photos of global reactions to Donald Trump's upcoming inauguration
In the past week, various cities have been preparing for Trump's inauguration, with many taking advantage of the political uncertainty it has caused
