Around the globe

Published December 8, 2011
People walk along the "Avenue of the Baobabs", a famous natural reserve in western Madagascar, near Morondava. The "Avenue of the Baobabs" was designated as a protected zone in 2007 after a sugar factory flooded the area with water for several years and farmers started cultivating rice on the lands, causing ancestral baobab trees to rot and fall. The site was restored through conservation efforts and the active participation of the local "Fanamby" organization which worked on teaching dry-land farming practices to
People walk along the "Avenue of the Baobabs", a famous natural reserve in western Madagascar, near Morondava. The "Avenue of the Baobabs" was designated as a protected zone in 2007 after a sugar factory flooded the area with water for several years and farmers started cultivating rice on the lands, causing ancestral baobab trees to rot and fall. The site was restored through conservation efforts and the active participation of the local "Fanamby" organization which worked on teaching dry-land farming practices to
Security personnel are reflected in a glass wall as they prepare for Italian fashion designer Valentino's virtual museum opening party in New York, December , 2011. ? Reuters
Security personnel are reflected in a glass wall as they prepare for Italian fashion designer Valentino's virtual museum opening party in New York, December , 2011. ? Reuters
A five-metre (16 feet) replica of a devil burns during a "Quema del Diablo" (burning of the devil) ceremony in Antigua, 217 km (135 miles) off Guatemala City, December 7, 2011. Locals believe that the devil symbolizes evil and negativity, and burning its replica would alleviate them of these problems. However, environmental groups have condemned the ceremony, saying it is a source of air pollution, while religious groups have considered this a form of devil worship. ? Reuters Photo
A five-metre (16 feet) replica of a devil burns during a "Quema del Diablo" (burning of the devil) ceremony in Antigua, 217 km (135 miles) off Guatemala City, December 7, 2011. Locals believe that the devil symbolizes evil and negativity, and burning its replica would alleviate them of these problems. However, environmental groups have condemned the ceremony, saying it is a source of air pollution, while religious groups have considered this a form of devil worship. ? Reuters Photo
A Cirque Du Soleil artist performs a rehearsal of "Varekai" in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2011. ? AP Photo
A Cirque Du Soleil artist performs a rehearsal of "Varekai" in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2011. ? AP Photo
Cody Wright of Milford, Utah leans back during the saddle bronc riding event in the seventh go-round of the National Finals Rodeo, Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2011, in Las Vegas. ? AP Photo
Cody Wright of Milford, Utah leans back during the saddle bronc riding event in the seventh go-round of the National Finals Rodeo, Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2011, in Las Vegas. ? AP Photo
Tourists visit a memorial stupa containing the remains of more than 8,000 victims of the Khmer Rouge regime at Choeung Ek, a "Killing Fields" site located on the outskirts of Phnom Penh December 8, 2011. The U.N. backed tribunal in Cambodia has resumed its second trial of former Khmer Rouge leaders against former President Khieu Samphan, former Foreign Minister Ieng Sary and "Brother Number Two" Nuon Chea, who are charged with war crimes and genocide. The trial is expected to last till December 16 before resuming a
Tourists visit a memorial stupa containing the remains of more than 8,000 victims of the Khmer Rouge regime at Choeung Ek, a "Killing Fields" site located on the outskirts of Phnom Penh December 8, 2011. The U.N. backed tribunal in Cambodia has resumed its second trial of former Khmer Rouge leaders against former President Khieu Samphan, former Foreign Minister Ieng Sary and "Brother Number Two" Nuon Chea, who are charged with war crimes and genocide. The trial is expected to last till December 16 before resuming a
An Indian commuter crosses railway tracks amid dense fog in Allahabad, India, Thursday, Dec. 8, 2011. Several trains are reportedly running behind schedule due to poor visibility in north India. ? AP Photo
An Indian commuter crosses railway tracks amid dense fog in Allahabad, India, Thursday, Dec. 8, 2011. Several trains are reportedly running behind schedule due to poor visibility in north India. ? AP Photo
Occupy protesters block the intersection at 15th and K Streets  in Washington, DC December 7, 2011 during a "Take Back The Capitol" rally and march. More than a thousand demonstrators converged on K Street effectively shutting the street down to local traffic across three city blocks.  ? AFP Photo
Occupy protesters block the intersection at 15th and K Streets in Washington, DC December 7, 2011 during a "Take Back The Capitol" rally and march. More than a thousand demonstrators converged on K Street effectively shutting the street down to local traffic across three city blocks. ? AFP Photo
The U.S. Navy Region Hawaii Ceremonial Guard prepares the flag for Joann Olsen during the internment ceremony of her husband, USS Arizona survivor Vernon J. Olsen, aboard the USS Arizona Memorial during the 70th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor at the World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument in Honolulu, Hawaii December 7, 2011. ? Reuters Photo
The U.S. Navy Region Hawaii Ceremonial Guard prepares the flag for Joann Olsen during the internment ceremony of her husband, USS Arizona survivor Vernon J. Olsen, aboard the USS Arizona Memorial during the 70th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor at the World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument in Honolulu, Hawaii December 7, 2011. ? Reuters Photo
The a gun turret base from the USS Arizona  is seen Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2011, in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Today marks the 70th anniversary of the Japanese attack that brought the U.S. into World War II. ? AP Photo
The a gun turret base from the USS Arizona is seen Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2011, in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Today marks the 70th anniversary of the Japanese attack that brought the U.S. into World War II. ? AP Photo

This gallery comprises events that took place in different parts of the world this week.

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