Travel pictures

First held in 1891, Crufts is said to be the largest show of its kind in the world, with thousands of dogs taking part each year.

The evacuation order for several towns in the shadow of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant is set to be lifted on 31 March.

Event takes places a few days before the main Hindu festival of Holi; known as the festival of colour, it begins on 12 March this year and ends the following night.

Situated in the village of Fangane, Aajibaichi Shaala teaches elderly women – six days a week, for two hours in just one room – to read during afternoon classes.

Mardi Gras – or Fat Tuesday – sees devotion to frivolity and partying in the final hours before Ash Wednesday, marking the beginning of Lent.

'Ash Monday' or 'Clean Monday' celebrations are a way of using up leftover flour before the fasting period begins.

Here are some of the best pictures of political floats during carnival parades across Germany:

Paraiso de Tuiuti float crashed into a fence that separates the stands from the pavement, injuring spectators, revellers and journalists.

Venice's ancient carnival was revived in 1979 and it is now seen as a good excuse to don a mask and costume and parade around the city.

Jim Watson is travelling along the US side of the border, while his colleague Guillermo Arias is making the same journey on the Mexican side.

Each giant wig is made by wrapping wool, linen and the hair of the woman's ancestors around a pair of animal horns or a wooden clip.

A powerful storm is lashing the northeastern United States, with the potential for more than a foot of snow along the Philadelphia-to-Boston corridor.

Legend has it that he was a Mexican Robin Hood figure – a handsome moustachioed bandito who stole from the rich and gave to the poor.

The level of harmful breathable particles known as PM2.5 has hit 1,000 micrograms. The World Health Organisation acceptable standard is 20-25 micrograms.

Many travellers took advantage of a Seattle judge's ruling, effectively suspending the executive order – for now.

Often depicted as a mermaid, she is said to be able to cure infertility in women.

Shadows of a decadent and prosperous Europe still visible throughout continent.

Spain is home to more strange festivals than any other European country, but this one must surely be the weirdest.

Known as The Forbidden City, the base in Wünsdorf was home to tens of thousands of Red Army soldiers from 1945 until 1994 and the end of the Cold War.

The Surva International Festival of the Masquerade sees roughly 6,000 people from every folklore region of the country attend.

Often called Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, Chinese New Year 4715 will fall on 28 January.

The worst wildfires in Chile's modern history destroyed 1,500 homes in the town.

Every new year, China's massive army of migrant workers sets out for the often long and arduous journey back to their hometowns.

Festivities took place all over the country with particularly spectacular sights observed in Jammu, Srinagar and Kolkata

Towering flames rage through forested hills and towns, destroying homes and the region's world-renowned vineyards.

A Nazi-themed cafe in Indonesia has closed down – not because of any controversy, but due to a lack of interest.

Many believe Australia's national day celebrates the arrival of white settlement, marking the beginning of injustices suffered by the country's disadvantaged Aborigines.

Over 1,000 sled dogs and 250 mushers are expected to attend the 34th Aviemore Sled Dog Rally.

Almost three billion journeys are expected to be made during the Spring Festival period, or about two journeys for every single member of China's population.

One of London's most beautiful gardens is being illuminated with 60,000 light bulbs in 1,500 traditional Chinese lanterns to welcome the Lunar New Year.