Tornado Flattens Suburb Outside Oklahoma City, Kills Dozens

Violent winds destroyed homes, businesses and schools in Moore, Oklahoma, on Monday, leaving its residents reeling.

Pictures of the Week: May 10–May 17

TIME presents the best photography of the week

Past Pictures of the Week

David Beckham Announces Retirement

The former Manchester United and England soccer captain calls it a day at the age of 38. He's the only English player to have won championships in four countries, and helped raise the profile of the sport in America by playing for the LA Galaxy.

Syria's Slow-Motion Civil War

Nearly two years ago, Arab Spring-inspired protests kicked off in the Syrian town of Dara'a. The uprising met a brutal response, one that few observers could have anticipated would blow up into a far wider rebellion.

Angelina Jolie: Actress-turned-Activist

These images show just some of the globe-spanning good deeds done by the actress-turned-human rights activist

Barbara Walters: Career in Pictures

The groundbreaking television anchor announced Monday that she'd retire in 2014. After 52 years on the air, many of her fans can't remember the news without her.

Scenes from Pakistan's Historic Election

Despite violent attacks that left dozens dead, Pakistanis turned out in large numbers to vote in the country's first democratic transfer of power.

Bangladesh's Industrial Accident: Scenes from a Terrifying Tragedy

An eight-story block housing factories and a shopping center on the outskirts of the Dhaka collapsed on April 24, killing more than 1,100 people

Up in the Air: World Migratory Birds Day

May 11th and 12th mark the annual celebration of World Migratory Birds Day, a world wide event to increase awareness around protecting these species and the environments the inhabit.

The Illustrious Career of Alex Ferguson

From Scottish soccer pro to knighted manager of the world's most valuable sports team, Alex Ferguson, who announced his retirement on May 7, enjoyed astounding success.

Spreading Wildfire Threatens Homes on California Coast

Authorities this week battled fast-moving flames devouring thousands of acres of brush and threatening hundreds of homes along the Pacific Coast Highway in Ventura County.

The Empire State Building: An Icon in the City

How do you know that you're in New York City? Yellow cabs, pushcarts, the electric pulse in the air might all tip you off - but catch sight of the Empire State building and you have, unmistakably, stepped into The Big Apple.

Rare Photos for Willie Nelson's 80th

Willie Nelson, who turns 80 today (born April 30, 1933), is one of those musicians who manages to comfortably straddle very different worlds.

Never Mind Icarus: The Solar-Powered Plane is Here

At the Ames Research Center at Moffett Field in California, the Solar Impulse company has engineered the HB-S1A solar-powered airplane.

Dutch Abdication: Willem-Alexander Becomes Europe's Youngest Monarch

King Willem-Alexander is the first Dutch king for 123 years and, at 46, the youngest in Europe

Scenes From Syria's Battle-Scarred City of Aleppo

Italian photographer Alessio Romenzi has been chronicling the Syrian civil war for months. The following pictures of his are from a few days in mid-April spent in the battle-scarred city of Aleppo.

Manhattan Fantasy: The Woolworth Building at 100

Opened 100 years ago today (April 24, 1913) when President Woodrow Wilson pushed a button that lit up every floor at once, the steel-frame Woolworth Building in Lower Manhattan had a spectacular birth.

Flooding Swamps the Midwest

Torrential rains across the central United States forced the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to close about a dozen locks on the Illinois River and the Mississippi Rivers north of St. Louis late last week

Deadly Earthquake Strikes China's Sichuan Province

A strong quake rocked China's southwestern Sichuan province, killing more than 150 and injuring thousands.

Joy and Relief in Boston After Bombing Suspect's Arrest

Less than 24 hours after a police officer was shot dead at MIT and a massive manhunt that shut down a major American city, one Boston Marathon bombing suspect was captured and one killed.

Now Hear This: In Praise of Record Store Day

In celebration of Record Store Day on April 20, TIME presents vintage photos of the music meccas.

In Caracas, Tensions Simmer over Venezuelan Election

In the immediate aftermath of Venezuela's tightly contested presidential election on April 14, 2013, supporters of opposition leader Henrique Capriles demanded a recount after a slim electoral defeat to Nicolas Maduro.

Margaret Thatcher's Funeral

The Queen, British Prime Minister David Cameron and more than 2,000 dignitaries pay their last respects to Baroness Thatcher at St Paul's Cathedral on Wednesday

Aftermath of the Boston Marathon Explosions

With at least three killed and 140 injured, locals in Boston are struggling to come to terms with the devastation following Monday's explosions.

Marathon Carnage: Explosions in Boston

Two explosions shook the Boston Marathon, April 15, 2013, killing three and injuring more than 100.