The week in photos

It was all fiscal fisticuffs and feck-onomics on the home front this week – but there was beauty in unexpected places….

AND THEY’RE OFF! It was a week of dissolving Dails, election soundbites, political art – and an early spring, according to a furry critter in Punxsutawney…

This is the week that was, in pictures:

The week in photos

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Totally tropical taste
Anne Rostek adds the finishing touches to the Tropical Extravaganza display at Kew Gardens in London.Source: PA Images
One door closes....
Brian Cowen follows President Mary McAleese to sign off on the dissolution of the 30th Dail on Tuesday.Source: PA Images
Japan Sumo Scandal
A journalist calls in his story on Japan's latest sumo scandal which saw wrestlers and a coach admit to fixing bouts.Source: PA Images
True colours
An anti-government protester paints his face in the colors of the Egyptian flag during a demonstration in Tahrir Square, CairoSource: PA Images
Happy new year!
Fireworks in Hong Kong Friday celebrate the Chinese New Year this week - it is the Year of the Rabbit.Source: PA Images/AP photos
Tug of the TV wars
Enda Kenny dug his heels in over appearing on any show that had Vincent Browne on it - the final line-up for leaders' debates is still up in the air. (Note: This picture probably does not depict Enda Kenny's legs).Source: Toffehoff via Flickr
Groundhog Day
Good news: Punxsutawney Phil, the weather-predicting groundhog in Pennsylvania, didn't see his shadow on Wednesday - the US town's tradition has it that it means we'll have an early spring.Source: PA Images
What's Going On?
Artist Sean Hillen launched a controversial exhibition depicting sexy starlets with Irish literary figures and atrocities in political photomontages. The exhibition is in a gallery just down from Leinster House.Source: copyright, Sean Hillen
Stormy weather
Waves crash over the promenade in Blackpool - Ireland has similarly been pounded by gale force winds this week and one woman died in Dublin when she was hit by a falling tree.Source: PA Images
Yes, we can
Independent for Dublin South East Dylan Haskins is one of the youngest candidates contesting General Election 2011 - all parties hit the streets this week as the campaign began in earnest.Source: PA Images
The giant awakes
Mount Shinmoedake is still erupting in the Kirishima mountain range in Japan - it had not erupted for over 300 years.Source: PA Images
No money, no job
Going by the main political parties' campaign launches, General Election 2011 will be fought on two main platforms: Ireland's economic crisis and the creation of jobs.Source: Hactr via Flickr
The bright spot
Pakistani children gather by a vendor on a bicycle selling balloons on the outskirts of Islamabad, Pakistan on Thursday.Source: PA Images