The day in pictures

1 of 12 American troops take no chances with detainees rounded up in the Iraqi city of Tikrit on suspicion of involvement in attacks on US forces.

2 of 12 In Adelaide, Australia, the Dutch Nuon Solar team celebrates after their solar-powered car travelled 3,010 kilometres in 30 hours and 54 minutes, slashing one hour and 45 minutes from the previous record set in 2001.

3 of 12 In India, it is lack of sun causing problems as workers mop the pitch at the Lal Bahadur Stadium in Hyderabad. Heavy rains threatened to wash out the first day of action at the Afro-Asian Games.

4 of 12 An honour guard of soldiers greets Chinese President Hu Jintao as he arrives in Canberra - Australia has performed a political coup with the US and Chinese presidents both visiting this week.

5 of 12 Across Afghanistan, former militia soldiers are also lining up - this time to hand in their weapons as an arms amnesty comes into force.

6 of 12 Thousands brave the wet weather in Sarajevo to pay tribute to former Bosnian President Alija Izetbegovic.

7 of 12 In London, ring roads around Heathrow grind to a standstill as hundreds line up to get a glimpse of Concorde - the plane is due to retire this weekend.

8 of 12 A huge photograph draping the front of the Hungarian Parliament is given its final touches - the picture shows key moments from the 1956 anti-Communist uprising to mark its 47th anniversary on Thursday.

9 of 12 The University of Illinois has been granted a $1.7m research grant to develop its beta-carotene enriched corn, which grew out of a failed experiment to grow a cob in the college's colours, blue and orange.

10 of 12 All eyes are on the catwalk in Dusseldorf, Germany, as C&A unveils its first big fashion collection since the company's relaunch six years ago.

11 of 12 Hollywood legend Peter Fonda proudly displays the replica of his newly acquired star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles

12 of 12 Pomp and ceremony during a Mass inside St Peter's Basilica at the Vatican attended by John Paul II and 30 newly elevated Cardinals, capping the pope's week-long anniversary celebrations.