MONDAY, BRITAIN: A penguin swims close to its tank wall during the annual stocktake of animals at ZSL London Zoo, which requires keepers to count each one of the attraction's 800 different species - every invertebrate, bird, fish, mammal, reptile and amphibian.
MONDAY, CHINA: A huge statue of Chairman Mao Zedong goes on display in Tongxu county in central China's Henan province. On Friday, however, the effigy was allegedly dismantled as it lacked the required building authorisations. The gold-painted figure reportedly measured 120ft in height and is said to have cost close to £313,000.
TUESDAY, UNITED STATES: Tears run down the cheeks of US President Barack Obama as he talks about the victims of the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting and his efforts to increase federal gun control.
WEDNESDAY, BULGARIA: A boy holds a wooden cross in the icy winter waters of the Tundzha river in the town of Kalofer, Bulgaria, as part of the Epiphany Day celebrations. As a tradition, an Eastern Orthodox priest throws a cross in the river and whoever retrieves is blessed with good health throughout the year - together with those who dance in the icy waters alongside him.
WEDNESDAY, UNITED STATES: A member of an anti-government militia stands his ground as the group continues to occupy the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters near Burns, Oregon. The group is protesting the jailing of two ranchers for arson, part of a decades-old conflict with the United States government over federal control of land and resources.
THURSDAY, JAPAN: Maikos and geikos - traditional Japanese dancers and performers - gather for a New Year's ceremony at the Gion Kobu Kaburenjo Theater in Kyoto, Japan, where they meet their old masters and celebrate the first day of work.
THURSDAY, YEMEN: Supporters of Iran-backed Shia Houthi rebels hold banners bearing portraits of prominent cleric Nimr al-Nimr during a demonstration outside the Saudi embassy in the Yemeni capital Sanaa. Nimr was executed by Saudi authorities last week, sparking protests in Shia communities across Iran, Bahrain and Yemen.
FRIDAY, GERMANY: A new edition of Adolf Hitler's Mein Kampf is displayed in Munich. The book, which augments Hitler's original text with critical analysis, is the first publication of the text in Germany since the Second World War. Previous publications had been prohibited by the state of Bavaria, which owned the copyright until its expiry on 1 January.
FRIDAY, SOUTH KOREA:
FRIDAY, GERMANY: Performance artist Milo Moire holds up a poster reading "Respect us! We are not fair game, even when we are naked!!!" as she stands near Cologne's landmark cathedral to protest against the New Year's Eve attacks in the city. Police have identified 31 people, including 18 asylum-seekers, as possible suspects for the offences, which include sexual assault and theft.
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Why are white South Africans emigrating?The Explainer As the US welcomes Afrikaner refugees, the general exodus of South Africa's white population continues to grow
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Why the weather keeps getting 'stuck'In the Spotlight Record hot and dry spring caused by 'blocked' area of high pressure above the UK
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Can Starmer sell himself as the 'tough on immigration' PM?Today's Big Question Former human rights lawyer 'now needs to own the change – not just mouth the slogans' to win over a sceptical public
