British forces have taken part in a Nato-led mission - Operation Achilles - to clear Taleban insurgents from the town of Sangin in Helmand province, southern Afghanistan.
Pope Benedict XVI celebrated a mass on Easter Sunday as thousands gathered in Saint Peter's square at the Vatican.
The UK's Easter weekend was blessed with good weather with forecasters predicting still better weather to come.
The Dragon Dance was performed during a parade marking the opening ceremony of the 25th Luoyang Peony Festival in Henan Province, China.
At least 17 people were killed in Algiers after two blasts rocked the Algerian capital.
Cracked earth was visible as a result of declining water levels at Wivenhoe Dam in Australia, which supplies Brisbane - the first Australian state capital to be subjected to tighter restrictions.
The Sarafiya Bridge over the Tigris River in Baghdad was badly damaged when a truck filled with explosives blew up as morning rush hour was getting under way.
Indonesia's capital, Jakarta, was fumigated to kill mosquitoes that carry dengue fever. An outbreak of the disease has killed 41 people this year.