This Week In Pictures *Oct 24th edition*

[taku]

Working our way from today, back toward the beginning of this week:

Friday Oct 24th


One of twin Giant Panda cubs - the first to be delivered this year at a panda protection centre in China - is placed in an incubator.



A labourer in eastern India manoeuvres a pontoon of bamboo poles across a river towards market.



An Iraqi army Humvee on patrol as Shia Muslims conduct Friday prayers in Baghdad's Sadr City.



Scottish IndyCar driver Dario Franchitti prepares for a practice run before the Nikon Indy 300 race on the Gold Coast in Australia.



UN soldiers stand to attention during a celebration to mark United Nations day in Goma, eastern Congo. The anniversary marks the entry into force of the UN Charter on 24 October 1945.



In New Zealand's Auckland harbour, a flotilla of yachts sets sail for the start of the two-day Coastal Classic Yacht Race.



Trees and shrubs turn shades of red and gold as autumn lights up the English county of Gloucestershire.



Londoner Jenny Richards raises her "hands" in support of World Vision School Aid - a campaign to raise awareness of global poverty among school children - in front of St Paul's Cathedral.



At a zoo in the German city of Duisburg, meanwhile, this Orpington hen looks mildly alarmed at the prospect of sharing her dinner with an African elephant.


Thursday Oct 23rd



An Indian Christian villager at a relief camp in the eastern state of Orissa after her house was torched and her son burned alive by Hindu hardliners.




In the Iraqi Shia holy city of Karbala, funerals are held for 34 men whose skeletal remains were found at a factory near the Syrian border three years after they vanished.





Meanwhile, US Army soldiers hold a memorial service at an outpost in Kunar province, eastern Afghanistan, for a comrade killed by a mortar round.




Philippine troops continue an offensive against Muslim separatists in Maguindanao province, amid official warnings that the operation, which began in August, is straining army finances.




People’s Liberation Army soldiers in Beijing, China, perform during a welcome ceremony for Singapore’s prime minister.




An 11-week-old Siberian Tiger cub seems to have the publicity lark licked during a photocall at an animal park in Kent, England.




Japan’s royal family prepare to meet guests at their autumn garden party in Tokyo.



Wednesday Oct 22nd




Colombians from the ethnic Guambianos group rest in Santander de Quilichao on their march to Cali to demand restitution of their land.




Horses on a morning workout at Santa Anita racetrack in California ahead of the Breeders' Cup meeting.




Indonesians compete in the mens' final of the beach pencak silat at the Asian Games in Bali, Indonesia.




A welcome ceremony in Beijing for the Prime Minister of Vietnam, Nguyen Tan Dung.




Chinese dancers perform a rehearsal of the Poem of Kung Fu Nine Scrolls at the Star Theatre in Sydney.




Britain's Queen Elizabeth is presented with the gift of a horse during a visit to Lipica in Slovenia.



Poppies at the Royal British Legion poppy factory in Richmond ahead of Remembrance Day on 11 November in the UK.




A gorilla enjoys a pumpkin before Halloween at London Zoo.



Tuesday Oct 21st




Sunni Muslim women in Beirut take part in a protest demanding the release of prisoners accused of involvement in militant attacks.




Beauty pageant contestants from the US, Argentina, El Salvador and Bolivia pose in a garden at Kyoto in Japan.




Maori in traditional dress and New Zealand soldiers perform the Haka, as nearly 100 gallantry medals are returned to the country's army museum, nearly a year after they were stolen.




A Sepak takraw (kick volleyball) match is played out between Burma and Thailand at the Asian Beach Games in Bali, Indonesia.




Amish children head to school in Middlefield in Ohio, US




A supporter of Bolivian President Evo Morales celebrates in La Paz after a referendum on a new constitution was announced.




Two four-week-old Persian leopard cubs make their first public appearance since their birth in Budapest Zoo.




A lake reflects the autumnal leaves of trees near Warminster in Wiltshire, England.



Monday Oct 20th



Supporters of Bolivia's President Evo Morales march on La Paz to demand a referendum on his proposed constitution.




An auctioneer appears to get applause from painted figures in a work by Chinese artist Zeng Fanzhi ahead of a sale in Hong Kong.




A statue of a hammering man stands near bank towers in Frankfurt, Germany, as banks hear details about a government bail-out.




Indian farmers disrupt train services at Amritsar, in the Punjab, to protest at government failures to meet their demands on farm prices.




A Malaysian and a Vietnamese competitor get sandy at the Asian Beach Games in Bali, Indonesia.




Anti-government protesters in Bangkok make clear their opinions about their prime minister, Somchai Wongsawat.




Christmas came early - and a bit broken - at a display at Selfridge's department store in London.


Fin

[Lollar]

Dope

[jonnyUTAH]

excellent

[t-rex]

well done

[GOLD!en]

Amazing photos. Thanks for making my night.