Revelers throw beads in the rain to crowds below from the balcony of the Royal Sonesta Hotel during Mardi Gras festivities in the French Quarter in New Orleans. Rain and unusually cold temperatures kept much of the normally massive and festive crowds away. Photo: AP
A Chinese military band conductor rehearses before the opening session of the annual National People's Congress in Beijing's Great Hall of the People, China. Photo: AP
Boeuf Gras, foreground, and the Butterfly King, make their way toward the turn onto Canal Street during the Rex parade at Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Photo: AP
Fans watch as Rafael Nadal, of Spain, warms up on a practice court at the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament in Indian Wells, California. Photo: AP
Baltimore Orioles players stretch before an exhibition baseball game against the New York Yankees in Tampa, Florida. Photo: AP
Children stand on a subway air vent during Carnival celebrations in Caracas, Venezuela. Some Venezuelans are taking time off for carnival despite two weeks of nation-wide opposition protests. Photo: AP
A Chinese police officer prepares to a security check point near Mao Zedong's portrait on the Tiananmen Gate near the Great Hall of the People before the opening session of the annual National People's Congress in Beijing, China. Photo: AP
Aaron Burmeister comes into the Nikolai checkpoint during the 2014 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Nikolai, Alaska. Photo: AP
First lady Michelle Obama asks a 6th grade class a question about the class trip they took to China at Washington Yu Ying Public Charter School in Washington. In March the first lady is expected to take a trip to China along with her daughters and mother. Photo: AP