January's Best Pictures From Around the World
The new year brought big celebrations across the globe, and the rest of the month followed with major moments in politics, sports, and culture — not to mention the weather. People along the East Coast encountered their fare share of wintry temperatures, while Aussies were busy trying to keep cool in crazy heat waves. In the world of politics, President Obama enjoyed a sunny Hawaiian vacation before addressing NSA spying and giving back on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Meanwhile, the British royal family made a series of appearances, and Prince William stepped out for his first day at the University of Cambridge. Relive some of January's special moments with a look at the month's best pictures from around the world!
Up in the Air
A stunt expert was held by a giant King Kong hand over the city of Melbourne, Australia, during a photocall at Eureka Skydeck.
Front Row
Former president Bill Clinton watched the ceremonies for new NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio alongside his wife, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
Royal Wave
People waved flags in Tokyo, Japan, as the country's royal family delivered a new year greeting.
Ice-Cold
The Toronto Maple Leafs played the Detroit Red Wings during the 2014 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic in Ann Arbor, MI.
Stair Master
A man shoveled snow on the steps near the Bethesda Fountain in NYC's Central Park following the first night of Winter storm Hercules.
Holiday Sweets
President Barack Obama kept cool with some shaved ice during the first family's trip to Kailua, HI.
Pretty in Pink
In Shanghai, China, people celebrated the New Year with a colorful light show.
Taking a Dip
People enjoyed the hot tub at the Igloo Hotel in Oberstdorf, Germany.
Furry Friend
Switzerland's Roger Federer cuddled up to a koala during the 2014 Brisbane International at Queensland Tennis Center in Australia.
Fire in the Sky
Fireworks lit up Big Ben on New Year's Eve in London, England.
Card Customs
Women in Kyoto, Japan, dressed in traditional costumes for the year's first Karuta card game, which is played to honor the god of the sea and storms.
Shore Thing
Wild waves hit the seafront in Blackpool, England.
Smoky Skies
People watched as smoke billowed from Mount Sinaburg in North Sumatra, Indonesia.
Snowy Sleds
A little boy hopped on his sled, playing in the snow outside the US Capitol in Washington DC after snow hit the area.
Big Kiss
Couples kissed at midnight in Times Square during the New Year's Eve celebration in NYC.
Big Win
Serena Williams celebrated after winning her finals match during the 2014 Brisbane International in Australia.
Kissy Face
Personal trainers kissed white whales during a show at the Harbin Pole Aquarium in China.
Toss It
The Christmas-tree-throwing world championships took place in Weidenthal, Germany.
Too Cute
Bao Bao, an adorable panda cub, made her debut at Washington DC's National Zoo.
Back to School
Prince William suited up for his first day of studies at Cambridge University.
Racing Rowers
Costumed rowers made their way along the Grand Canal in Venice, Italy.
Cloud Cover
Washington DC saw a gorgeous sunset following the chilly polar vortex weather.
All Smiles
The HMS Illustrious and its 650-person crew arrived back on Portsmouth Harbour in England after a five-month trip to the Philippines, where they helped victims with typhoon relief. Petty Officer Andrew Boote was all smiles after returning and reuniting with his son Max.
Rosy Remembrance
In Tel Aviv, Israel, a man set flowers on a memorial left for LGBT Holocaust victims.
Royal Splash
Crown-clad swimmers braved chilly waters in Prague for the traditional Three Kings Swim in the Moldau River.
All Ears
A model hit the runway for the MAN show in London sporting a pink ensemble.
Row, Row Your Boat
A woman paddled her way through the flooded streets of Chertsey in Surrey, England, following heavy rainfall.
Piled Up
Catholics in Manila, Philippines, marched as part of an annual feast and celebration, rushing toward the Black Nazarene statue that's believed to have miraculous powers.
Talking It Out
Gov. Chris Christie spoke during a lengthy press conference in Trenton, NJ, to address the traffic-jam scandal.
Winter Surprise
Prague saw extrawarm weather, with cherry trees blossoming during an unseasonably warm day.
Icy Waters
Ice covered the Hudson River thanks to frigid Winter temperatures.
Upside Down
Switzerland's Christopher Lambert competed during the FIS Freestyle Ski World Cup Aerial Competition in Park City, Utah.
Keeping Cool
Kids beat the heat by running through a water fountain during the Australian Open in Melbourne, Australia.
Hazy Day
Fog blanketed the water beneath NYC's Manhattan Bridge.
Gorgeous Gown
Michelle Obama's second inaugural gown was placed on display at the Smithsonian museum in Washington DC.
Street Festival
Stilt walkers made their way through the streets of Singapore during the Chinese New Year celebrations.
Sun Spot
Skiers hit the slopes in Oberstdorf, Germany, on a gorgeous, sunny day.
Golden Hour
The sunrise left a golden glow over Glastonbury, England.
Big Crowds
Muslim women in Kashmir, India, honored the anniversary of the prophet Muhammad's birth at a shrine in Srinagar.
Blue Skies
Australians made their way to the beach in Adelaide, Australia, to keep cool during an extreme heat wave.
Close Community
People gathered in Edinburgh, Scotland, to search for a missing 3-year-old boy.
Finding Fish
Fisherman gathered on the banks of the River Tay in Kenmore, Scotland, for the official start of salmon season.
Sunny Slopes
People gathered in Bansko, Bulgaria, for a sunny day of skiing.
Pink Protests
In Washington DC, activists rallied against NSA surveillance while President Obama delivered a speech.
Holy Moment
People held up different representations of baby Jesus for the Santo Niño Festival in the Philippines.
Icebreaker
A tugboat broke up the ice near Chicago following a snowstorm and frigid temperatures.
Hang Loose
President Barack Obama gave the Hawaiian "hang loose" greeting while speaking at the White House in Washington DC.
Chill Out
A little girl visited Fantasy Ice World in Taipei, Taiwan.
Welcome Home
Soldiers marked their return from Afghanistan with a march through the streets of Doncaster, England.
Snow Bowl
Crews removed snow from New Jersey's MetLife Stadium, where the Super Bowl is set to take place in early February.
Big Grin
Prince Harry was all smiles at a London press conference for his Walking With the Wounded South Pole Challenge team.
Seeing Color
A woman checked out Dan Rees's work at the Saatchi Gallery in London.
Snow Day
Snow-covered cars filled the streets of Brooklyn.
Flash Flood
A man waded his way through the street while carrying his groceries home in Somerset, England.
Giving Back
The Obamas headed to a local soup kitchen for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
On the Water
A lone boat floated in the middle of a lake in Kashmir, India, after a heavy snowfall.
Selfie Star
Pope Francis posed for a selfie during his weekly audience in Vatican City.
Game Time
The Olympic Cauldron was tested at the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic Park in Russia.
Sandy Snow
Following a rare ice storm in Charleston, SC, kids played on a sand dune covered with snow.
Special Seats
First Lady Michelle Obama waved from her box seat alongside US Army Ranger Cory Remsburg during the State of the Union address in Washington DC.
Flag Waving
People in Melbourne gathered for the Australia Day parade.
On Tap
Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Charles enjoyed some beer while visiting The Bell Pub in Purleigh.
Protest Performance
In London, people performed parts of Swan Lake outside the Russian Embassy and submitted a petition asking Putin to "end his assault on freedom of expression and gay rights" in his country.
In Shape
Shelley Rudman, a skeleton skiing athlete from Team Great Britain, trained for the Sochi Games in Sheffield, England.
In the Spotlight
Hillary Clinton spoke at the 10th National Automobile Dealers Association Convention in New Orleans.
On Fire
People in Lerwick, Scotland, participated in a traditional festival of fire.
Holy Kisses
Pope Francis gave a little girl a kiss during his weekly audience in Vatican City.
Speaking Out
People on both sides of the same-sex marriage debate filled the Utah State Capitol in Salt Lake City, holding up signs to voice their pro- and anti-gay-marriage opinions.
Icy Shores
In Chicago, a person braved -10°F temperatures to snap pictures of the steam over Lake Michigan.