Best pictures from January 1
Participants in the Vancouver polar bear swim run into the ocean January 1, 2012.
Buddhist monks listen to the teachings of Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama on the first day of Buddhist festival Kalachakra, in the town of Bodh Gaya, believed to be the place where Buddha attained enlightenment, in the state of Bihar, India, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012.
A soldier stands guard near seized ammunition, showcased to the media at a military compound in Bara, a town located in Pakistan's Khyber Agency January 1, 2012. Pakistan's military on Sunday said in a statement the weapons -- including mortars, rockets, granades and anti-aircraft guns -- were seized from militants during a recent search operation.
Ultra-Orthodox Jewish demonstrators look at a boy (low L) wearing a cloth cap and a yellow Star of David inscribed with "Jude", Jew, in German, sewn on his jacket as he raises his hands during a protest in Jerusalem's Mea Shearim neighbourhood December 31, 2011. The demonstrators caused outrage on Sunday by dressing children as Holocaust victims to protest against what they see as persecution of devout Jews seeking gender separation in Israel. Picture taken December 31, 2011.
Fireworks explode during the year end celebrations over the Funchal city bay in Madeira island January 1, 2012.
Devotees gather around a Living Goddess Kumari (C) as she observes the bathing rituals of Lord Seto Machindranath in Kathmandu January 1, 2012. The Kumari, a young pre-pubescent girl who is a manifestation of a Goddess, is worshipped by both Hindus and Buddhists in Nepal. The Kumari emerges from her temple about 12 times a year for religious occasions. Nepalese people pray to Seto Machindranath for rainfall and good harvest.
A firefighter extinguishes a burning car early this morning during the New Year's eve celebration in Lille January 1, 2012.
Marco Fois of Italy dives into the Tiber River from the Cavour bridge, as part of traditional New Year celebrations in Rome January 1, 2012. Five men jumped into the muddy waters of the Tiber, continuing an annual tradition which dates back to 1946.
A member of the Berliner Seehunde (Berlin Seals) ice swimmers club takes a dip in the Oranke Lake during their traditional New Years swimming event in Berlin January 1, 2012.
An Iranian Christian kisses the Cross held by archbishop Babken Charian, during New Year Mass at the Vank church in the central city of Isfahan, 390 km south of the capital Tehran, Iran, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012.
A worshipper burns joss sticks from the burning lotus flower-shape candles to pay his first visit of the year at Jade Temple on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012 in Shanghai, China.
Birds take off from a lake at sunset in Bucharest, Romania, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012.