Pictures of the Week: October 25 – November 1

1 minute read

From the demolition of Sandy Hook Elementary School and surfing a 100-foot wave in Portugal to a sun-starved Norwegian village lit up by giant mirrors and Michelle Obama’s new partnership with Elmo, TIME presents the best pictures of the week.

APTOPIX School Shooting Demolition
Oct. 28, 2013. Workers use backhoes to dig through the rubble as the demolition of Sandy Hook Elementary School continues in Newtown, Conn.Jessica Hill—AP
A woman looks out of an abandoned building near polling stations in the town of Abyei
Oct. 26, 2013. A woman looks out of an abandoned building near polling stations in the town of Abyei, ahead of the referendum on whether to join Sudan or South Sudan.Goran Tomasevic —Reuters
The Northeast Coast Marks One Year Anniversary Of Hurricane Sandy
Oct. 29, 2013. Residents plant beach grass on protective sand dunes in the Breezy Point neighborhood on the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Sandy in the Queens borough of New York City. Spencer Platt—Getty Images
Reflexology Spa Uses Pythons To Massage Clients
Oct. 27, 2013. A members of staff demonstrates a form of massage using pythons at Bali Heritage Reflexology and Spa, in Jakarta, Indonesia. Ulet Ifansasti—Getty Images
TOPSHOTS-SURF-POR-BRA--BIG WAVE
Oct. 28, 2013. Brazilian big wave surfer Carlos Burle rides a wave in Nazare, central Portugal.Francisco Leong—AFP/Getty Images
CORRECTION World Series Cardinals Red Sox Baseball
Oct. 30, 2013. St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina looks back as home plate umpire Jim Joyce calls Boston Red Sox's Jonny Gomes safe on a three-run double by Shane Victorino during the third inning of Game 6 of the World Series in Boston.Elise Amendola—AP
Annual Queen Charlotte's Debutante Ball
Oct. 26, 2013. Debutantes use their smart phones to photograph themselves as they await the arrival of guests during the Queen Charlotte's Ball at the Royal Courts of Justice in London, England. Christopher Furlong—Getty Images
BULGARIA-HEALTH-CANCER-FEATURE
Oct. 29, 2013. 1200 pink balloons flying in the sky of Sofia as part of a campaign to raise awareness and promote prevention and treatment of breast cancer. Dimitar Dilkoff—AFP/Getty Images
BESTPIX  Michelle Obama Joins Sesame St Characters At White House Garden Fall Harvest
Oct. 30, 2013. U.S. first lady Michelle Obama joins with Sesame Street's Elmo (L) and Rosalita (R) for an announcement on a new initiative aimed at promoting healthier nutrition for school children in Washington.Win McNamee—Getty Images
An electronic screen is seen on a building amid heavy smog in Shenyang
Oct. 28, 2013. An electronic screen is seen on a building amid heavy smog in Shenyang, Liaoning province, China.Sheng Li—Reuters
A woman holds part of cross in church damaged by Sudanese airforce airstrike few years ago in the town of Abyei
Oct. 25, 2013. A woman holds part of a cross in a church damaged by a Sudanese airforce airstrike a few years ago in the town of Abyei. Goran Tomasevic —Reuters
INDIA-SOCIETY
Oct. 25, 2013. An Indian street child plays in a dry river bed after flood waters receded in Allahabad.Sanjay Kanojia—AFP/Getty Images
Malagasy Presidential Elections
Oct. 25, 2013. A Malagasy homeless child watches the sunrise prior the Presidential Election in Antananarivo, Madagascar.Kabir Dhanji—EPA
Lady Gaga leaves the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Berlin
Oct. 25, 2013. Lady Gaga leaves the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Berlin.Splash News/Corbis
A Chihuahua dressed as a stuffed deer head costume is seen during the Scaredy Cats and Dogs Halloween costume competition at Eastwood mall in Quezon city, metro Manila
Oct. 26, 2013. A Chihuahua dressed as a stuffed deer head costume is seen during the Scaredy Cats and Dogs Halloween costume competition at Eastwood mall in Quezon city, metro Manila.Romeo Ranoco—Reuters
Italy Etna Eruption
Oct. 26, 2013. Lava flows during an eruption of Mount Etna volcano as seen from the village of Viagrande, near the Sicilian town of Catania, Italy.Carmelo Imbesi—AP
An Egret sits in a canal as morning sun reflects off the mist, on Assateague Island off the Virginia Coast
Oct. 26, 2013. An Egret sits in a canal as morning sun reflects off the mist, on Assateague Island off the Virginia Coast. Kevin Lamarque—Reuters
A man runs with a dog at a mass grave in Kuropaty on the outskirts of Minsk
Oct. 26, 2013. A man runs with a dog at a mass grave in Kuropaty on the outskirts of Minsk, Belarus.Vasily Fedosenko—Reuters
Annual Queen Charlotte's Debutante Ball
Oct. 26, 2013. Guests take to the dance floor during the Queen Charlotte's Ball at the Royal Courts of Justice on in London, England. Christopher Furlong—Getty Images
A photographer takes pictures of Fang in a wedding gown next to her husband as they hang from a cliff during a rock climbing exercise in Liuzhou
Oct. 26, 2013. A photographer takes pictures of Fang Jing (R) in a wedding gown next to her husband, surnamed Zhao, as they hang from a cliff during a rock climbing exercise in Liuzhou, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China. Reuters
Goergl of Austria clears a gate during the first run of the World Cup Soelden Women's Giant Slalom race on the Rettenbach glacier in Soelden
Oct. 26, 2013. Elisabeth Goergl of Austria clears a gate during the first run of the World Cup Soelden Women's Giant Slalom race on the Rettenbach glacier in the Tyrolean ski resort of Soelden, Austria.Dominic Ebenbichler—Reuters
APTOPIX World Series Red Sox Cardinals Baseball
Oct. 27, 2013. Baseball fans are silhouetted outside of Busch Stadium before Stadium Game 4 of baseball's World Series between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Boston Red Sox.Charlie Neibergall—AP
APTOPIX Spain Lord of Miracles
Oct. 27, 2013. Women participate in a procession honoring The Lord of Miracles, "Senor de los Milagros," in Madrid.Andres Kudacki—AP
APTOPIX Afghanistan Daily Life
Oct. 27, 2013. Samiullah, 23, works at a brick factory on the outskirts of Kabul, Afghanistan.Rahmat Gul—AP
Reflexology Spa Uses Pythons To Massage Clients
Oct. 27, 2013. A member of staff demonstrates a massage using pythons at Bali Heritage Reflexology and Spa in Jakarta, Indonesia. Ulet Ifansasti—Getty Images
Mercedes-Benz China Fashion Week S/S 2014 - Day 3
Oct. 27, 2013. A model showcases designs by Taiwanese designer Tsai Meiyue on the runway at Tsai Meiyue Wedding Dress Collection show during Mercedes-Benz China Fashion Week.Feng Li—Getty Images
PREGNANT LADIES GET BABY BUMP PAINTED IN CHINA
Oct. 27, 2013. A pregnant woman paints her belly during a contest organized by a maternity hospital in Chongqing, China. Barcroft Media/Landov
Two men row a boat past a partially dried-up riverbed on a section of the Yangtze River in Jiujiang
Oct. 27, 2013. Two men row a boat past a partially dried-up riverbed on a section of the Yangtze River in Jiujiang, Jiangxi province, China.Reuters
Turkey: Serena Williams wins WTA Championships title in Istanbul
Oct. 27, 2013. Serena Williams of US walks out to play against Li Na of China during the final of the TEB BNP Paribas WTA Championships match at Sinan Erdem Dome in Istanbul, Turkey.Scanpix Sweden/TT/Sipa USA
Rubber Duck To Leave Beijing
Oct. 27, 2013. A giant, inflatable "Rubber Duck" designed by Dutch conceptual artist Florentijn Hofman is uninstalled at the Summer Palace in Beijing, China. ChinaFotoPress/Getty Images
Participants descend a hill on a homemade roller cart during the 25th Roller Cart Festival in Medellin
Oct. 27, 2013. Participants descend a hill on a homemade roller cart during the 25th Roller Cart Festival in Medellin, Columbia.Albeiro Lopera—Reuters
Street Monkey Performance in Solo
Oct. 28, 2013. A street monkey performs on a sidewalk in Solo, Central Java, Indonesia.Mohammad Ali—EPA
A man helps a woman to cross a square during strong winds in central Brussels
Oct. 28, 2013. A man helps a woman to cross a square during strong winds in central Brussels, Belguim.Francois Lenoir—Reuters
Strong Winds And Heavy Rain Hit  England and Wales
Oct. 28, 2013. Large waves, produced by storm force winds, break on the shore in Dover, England. Oli Scarff—Getty Images
Donkeys plough grain during the harvest season in a  farm on the outskirts of Sanaa
Oct. 28, 2013. Donkeys plough grain during the harvest season in a farm on the outskirts of Sanaa,Yemen.Mohamed al-Sayaghi—Reuters
CHINA-UNREST-ACCIDENT-TIANANMEN
Oct. 28, 2013. Police cars block off the roads leading into Tiananmen Square as smoke rises into the air after a vehicle crashed, killing three people, in front of Tiananmen Gate in Beijing, China.AFP/Getty Images
APTOPIX Breeders Cup Horse Racing
Oct. 28, 2013. A worker bathes a horse after a training session for Saturday's Breeders' Cup at Santa Anita Park, in Arcadia, Calif. Jae C. Hong—AP
U.S. President Obama speaks during the installation ceremony for new FBI Director Comey in Washington
Oct. 28, 2013. FBI employees listen as U.S. President Barack Obama speaks during the inauguration ceremony for new FBI Director James Comey (not pictured) at the FBI Headquarters in Washington.Kevin Lamarque—Reuters
APTOPIX Cuba 3D Theaters
Oct. 28, 2013. People watch a 3D movie at a private movie theater in Havana, Cuba.Franklin Reyes—AP
Mohammad, a 13 year-old fighter from the Free Syrian Army, aims his weapon as he takes cover inside a room in Aleppo
Oct. 28, 2013. Mohammad, a 13 year-old fighter from the Free Syrian Army, aims his weapon as he takes cover inside a room in Aleppo's Bustan al-Basha, Syria.Molhem Barakat—Reuters
Halloween in the animal garden
Oct. 28, 2013. Elephants eating a pumpkin ahead of Halloween at Schoenbrunn Zoo in Vienna, Austria. Daniel Zup—Schoenbrunn/EPA
Protesters help a handicapped protester, who fell from her wheelchair after tear gas was shot towards them, in Ankara
Oct. 28, 2013. Protesters help a handicapped protester, who fell from her wheelchair after tear gas was shot towards them, during a demonstration in front of a courthouse in Ankara, Turkey.Umit Bektas—Reuters
Portugal Big Wave
Oct. 28, 2013. Brazilian surfer Maya Gabeira floats apparently unconscious before being rescued by fellow surfers after falling trying to ride a big wave at the Praia do Norte, north beach, at the fishing village of Nazare in Portugal's Atlantic coast.Miguel Barreira—AP
TOPSHOTS-EGYPT-UNREST-POLITICS
Oct. 28, 2013. Student supporters of ousted president Mohamed Morsi and the Muslim brotherhood carry a comrade injured during clashes with Egyptian security forces outside al-Azhar university in Cairo, Egypt.Mohammed Abdel Moneim—AFP/Getty Images
Texas Slayings
Oct. 29, 2013. Law enforcement official search inside the home of Mary Brownlow, a victim of arson, in Terrell, Texas. Tony Gutierrez—AP
TOPSHOTS-PALESTINIAN-ISRAEL-PEACE-PRISONERS
Oct. 29, 2013. A Palestinian boy plays with a duck near the house of Palestinian prisoner Omar Massud's family, held by Israel since 1993, prior to his release in Gaza City.Mohammed Abed—AFP/Getty Images
Mercedes-Benz China Fashion Week S/S 2014 - Day 5
Oct. 29, 2013. A model prepares backstage ahead of Hu Sheguang Haute Couture Collection show during Mercedes-Benz China Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2014 at 751 D-PARK Workshop in Beijing, China. Feng Li—Getty Images
60 hours strike turns violent in Bangladesh
Oct. 29, 2013. Rahima, 9, lies on a bed at the Dhaka Medical College Hospital from splinter injuries and the loss of an eye following a handmade bomb blast by the strike activists in Dhaka.Mehedi Hasan—Demotix/Corbis
BESTPIX  Senate Judiciary Committee Holds Hearing On Stand Your Ground Laws
Oct. 29, 2013. Sybrina Fulton of Miami, Fla., mother of Trayvon Martin, wipes her eyes during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on "Stand Your Ground" laws in Washington.Win McNamee—Getty Images
Barack Obama, John Boehner
Oct. 29, 2013. President Barack Obama sits with House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio during memorial service for former House Speaker Tom S. Foley in Statuary Hall on Capitol Hill in Washington.Pablo Martinez Monsivais—AP
Visitor looks at the Mitre of San Gennaro during an exhibition in Rome
Oct. 29, 2013. A visitor looks at the Mitre of San Gennaro during an exhibition in Rome.Tony Gentile—Reuters
Russian President Vladimir Putin arrives for a meeting with Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa in Moscow
Oct. 29, 2013. Russian President Vladimir Putin (C) arrives for a meeting with Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa (not pictured) in Moscow. Yuri Kochetov—Reuters
Mercedes-Benz China Fashion Week S/S 2014 - Day 5
Oct. 29, 2013. An overexposed image shows a model showcasing designs on the runway at Hu Sheguang Haute Couture Collection show during Mercedes-Benz China Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2014 at 751 D-PARK Workshop in Beijing, China.Feng Li—Getty Images
Eye attendant examines the eye of a patient at a temporary clinic by International Centre for Eye Health at Olenguruone in the Mau Summit
Oct. 29, 2013. An eye attendant examines the eye of a patient at a temporary clinic by International Center for Eye Health at Olenguruone, Nairobi.Noor Khamis—Reuters
A paramilitary policeman detains a woman who threw papers believed to be her petition papers near the main entrance of the Forbidden City in Beijing
Oct. 29, 2013. A paramilitary policeman detains a woman who threw papers, believed to be her petition papers, near the main entrance of the Forbidden City in Beijing.Kim Kyung-Hoon—Reuters
A color guard and bagpipe player during commemoration event of Hurricane Sandy, in Staten Island, New York
Oct. 29, 2013. A guard and bagpipe player stand on the boardwalk on the south shore of Staten Island in New York City during an event to commemorate the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Sandy.Mike Segar—Reuters
TOPSHOTS-PALESTINIAN-ISRAEL-PEACE-PRISONERS
Oct. 29, 2013. Palestinian prisoners' relatives wait behind a fence for their release at Erez point in the northern Gaza Strip.Mahmud Hams—AFP/Getty Images
APTOPIX China Fashion Week
Oct. 30, 2013. A model wearing a creation by Chinese designer Liu Wei is sprayed with artificial snowflakes backstage as she prepares for a show during China Fashion Week in Beijing.Andy Wong—AP
TOPSHOTS-NORWAY-GEOGRAPHY-LIFESTYLE- OFFBEAT
Oct. 30, 2013. The huge sun mirrors that are set up on the hillside above Rjukan, Norway to reflect sunlight down on the town square, are seen during the official opening.Krister Soerboe—AFP/Getty Images
APTOPIX Breeders Cup Horse Racing
Oct. 30, 2013. A horse runs through a shadow on the track at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif, as horses workout in preparation for this weekend's Breeders' Cup horse races.Jae C. Hong—AP
APTOPIX Germany New Government
Oct. 30, 2013. The chairwoman of the Christian Democratic Union Party, CDU, German Chancellor Angela Merkel arrives at the Social Democratic Party's, SPD, headquarters for coalition talks in Berlin.Markus Schreiber—AP
Palestinians wait for the release of prisoners from Israeli jails, near Erez crossing between Israel and northern Gaza Strip
Oct. 30, 2013. Palestinians wait for the release of prisoners from Israeli jails, near Erez crossing between Israel and northern Gaza Strip.Mohammed Salem—Reuters
APTOPIX Afghanistan Eid Gah Mosque
Oct. 30, 2013. Afghan men gather for prayers inside the Eid Gah mosque, one of Afghanistan's largest mosques in Kandahar, southern Afghanistan.Anja Niedringhaus—AP
PHILIPPINES-RELIGION-ALL SOULS DAY
Oct. 30, 2013. Students dressed as zombies participate in an annual Halloween Costume Parade in Manila, Philippines.Noel Celis—AFP/Getty Images
Diwali festival in Calcutta
Oct. 30, 2013. Members of the global youth organization AIESEC celebrate the Diwali festival with glowing sky lanterns to promote eco friendly Diwali in Calcutta, eastern India.Piyal Adhikary—EPA
TOPSHOTS-KENYA-ACCIDENT-BUS
Oct. 30, 2013. Mourners gather after a train rammed into a public service bus in Nairobi, Kenya.John Machuacha—AFP/Getty Images
APTOPIX Brazil Protest
Oct. 31, 2013. Protesters wearing Batman costumes stand over the Carioca Aqueduct, also known as Arcos da Lapa, during a demonstration in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.Felipe Dana—AP
APTOPIX Pakistan Daily Life
Oct. 31, 2013. Afghan refugees, and Pakistani school children, who were displaced with their families from Pakistan's tribal areas due to fighting between the Taliban and the army, sing with their teacher during the morning assembly, before starting their classes, at their makeshift school on the outskirts of Islamabad, Pakistan.Muhammed Muheisen—AP
Millions of Filipinos will soon flock to cemeteries around the country to visit departed relatives and loved ones to mark All Saints Day
Oct. 31, 2013. A Filipino boy jumps between apartment type tombs at a public cemetery in Paranaque city, south of Manila, Philippines.Francis R. Malasig—EPA
Wrestlers fight during an amateur wrestling match inside a makeshift ring built on a road junction in Kolkata
Oct. 31, 2013. Wrestlers fight during an amateur wrestling match inside a makeshift ring built on a road junction in Kolkata, India.Reuters
A woman holds South Sudan's national flag during referendum results celebrations in Abyei
Oct. 31, 2013. A woman holds South Sudan's national flag during referendum result celebrations in Abyei.Goran Tomasevic—Reutes
TOPSHOTS-DRCONGO-UNREST-UGANDA
Oct. 31, 2013. Children play on a burned tank which formerly belonged to M23 rebel soldiers, in Kimbumba, Democratic Republic of Congo.Junior D. Kannah—AFP/Getty Images
Relatives of Ahmed Imad Yusef mourn during his funeral near Jenin
Oct. 31, 2013. Relatives of Ahmed Imad Yusef mourn during his funeral in the West Bank village of Qabatiya.Mohamad Torokman—Reuters
Autumnal vineyards
Oct. 30, 2013. Fall-colored vineyards near Marktbreit, Germany.Karl-Josef Hildenbrand—DPA/Corbis
Infrared handout photo of the Witch Head nebula
Oct. 31, 2013. The Witch Head nebula, named after its resemblance to the profile of a witch, is seen in an undated infrared handout photo from NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE).NASA—Reuters
Halloween in Avondale Estates, Georgia, USA
Oct. 31, 2013. A ghoulishly-attired homeowner waits for trick-or-treaters to arrive at the 'Boneyard' on Halloween in Avondale Estates, Georgia.Erik S. Lesser—EPA
Pakistan Daily Life
Nov. 1, 2013. Afghan refugee girls play hopscotch in a poor neighborhood on the outskirts of Islamabad, Pakistan.Muhammed Muheisen—AP
WGC - HSBC Champions: Day One
Oct. 31, 2013. A rabbit burrows into the side of during the practice bunker during the first round of the WGC - HSBC Champions at the Sheshan International Golf Club in Shanghai, China.Ross Kinnaird—Getty Images

More Must-Reads from TIME

Contact us at letters@time.com