Week one of the brand New Year is nearly over; a busy few days for the start of 2012, all captured by intrepid photographers around the world.
Scenes of traditional ritual and jubilant celebration were seen in Bulgaria as young men stood in icy water to wave the Bulgarian national flag and perform the 'Horo' dance as part of the Epiphany Day celebrations. North Korea continued their large scale ceremonies in support of new leader Kim Jong Un and Grand Champion of Sumo wrestling, Yokozuna, performed the ceremonial entrance into the ring, surrounded by sword-bearers.
Britain grappled with weather and rail disruption as commuters headed back to work after Christmas - the TSSA union showed their outrage at increased rail fares with a demonstration outside St Pancras Railway Station, London, promoting the Twitter hashtag #farefail to get their point across.
Hollywood collided with Buddhism as Tibetan Spiritual Leader The Dalai Lama shook hands with Pretty Woman star Richard Gere on the fourth day of the Kalachakra Festival and unusual scenes of winter were found in Florida as icicles clung to oranges and flowers - all in the pictures of the week below: