Wednesday, November 30, 2011

This Week In CoolPix

Green Santa, Michael Pritchard, wearing a crown of mistletoe and holly, walks among this year's crop of mistletoe at the annual Tenbury Wells Mistletoe Auction, on November 29, 2011, in Tenbury Wells, England. Ancient druids believed mistletoe had magical properties because of the way it grows, never touching the ground and without taking nourishment from the earth. Tenbury Wells has been the traditional mistletoe capital for over 150 years. Druids blessed this year's crop before buyers put their bids in for the festive plant. The tradition of kissing under the mistletoe at Christmas comes from the belief that mistletoe aids fertility.
A man shouts slogan as he holds candle with placard reading "Invalidity, FTA between South Korea and the U.S." during a candle rally denouncing the passing of a bill on ratification of a South Korea-U.S. free trade agreement in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2011. South Korea's president on Tuesday signed a slew of laws needed to implement the country's free trade deal with the United States amid growing protests denouncing the accord at home.
Iranian police officers prevent further protesters from entering the British Embassy, as others stand on the gates holding a satirized British flag and Islamic flags, in Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2011. Dozens of hard-line Iranian students stormed the British Embassy in Tehran on Tuesday, bringing down the Union Jack flag and throwing documents from windows in scenes reminiscent of the anger against Western powers after the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The mob moved into the diplomatic compound two days after Iran's parliament approved a bill that reduces diplomatic relations with Britain following London's support of recently upgraded Western sanctions on Tehran over its disputed nuclear program.
A participant drinks water as she attends a rally near the Indian parliament to urge Indian lawmakers to ensure basic right to food for the country's poor in New Delhi, India, Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2011. The International Food Policy Research Institute ranks India 67 out of 84 countries in its 2010 global hunger index, a survey of the prevalence of child malnutrition, child mortality and the proportion of people who are calorie deficient.
Romanian volunteers hold hands to form a red ribbon during a flash-mob downtown Bucharest on November 29, 2011, to mark the upcoming World AIDS Day on December 1. In Romania there are over 10000 people living with HIV.
Ukrainian veterans of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster cleanup, also known as liquidators, carry a mock coffin on November 29, 2011, during the symbolic burial of their peer Gennady Konoplyov during a protest in the eastern Ukrainian industrial city of Donetsk. Konoplyov died on November 27, 2011, shortly after police officers forcibly removed a tent camp set up by liquidators in Donetsk to protest cuts in their benefits. During the operation Konoplyov was shoved by police and died in an ambulance during his transfer to hospital.
A Pakistani child carried by her mother looks back as they make their way home through an alley in a slum on the outskirts of Islamabad, Pakistan, Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2011.
A sunflower is covered in hoar frost on early morning near Metzingen, northern Germany, on November 29, 2011. Meteorologists forecast temperatures ranging from around the freezing point up to 8 degrees Celsius (to 46 degrees Fahrenheit) for the following days in the region.
A voter press his thumb on a piece of paper after dipping it in ink at a parliamentary polling station in the Cairo neighborhood of Shubra on November 29, 2011. Egyptians in Cairo and the port city Alexandria waited in long queues to cast ballots for a new parliament -- the start of multi-stage elections that are the first since the fall of Hosni Mubarak in February.
Pakistani human rights activists hold national flags and lit lanterns in Islamabad on November 29, 2011, during a protest to pay tribute to Pakistani soldiers killed in a NATO strike. Pakistan decided to boycott a key international conference on Afghanistan next month, widening its protest over lethal cross-border NATO strikes and exacerbating a deep crisis in US ties.
In this combination image made from six photos, Egyptian women pose with their inked fingers after voting at a polling station in Cairo, Egypt, Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2011. Long lines formed at polling stations for a second day of voting Tuesday and the head of the election commission, Abdel-Mooaez Ibrahim, proclaimed turnout so far had been "massive and unexpected." But he did not give figures.
Druid Garth Reynolds blesses this year's crop of mistletoe and holly at the annual Tenbury Wells Mistletoe Auction on November 29, 2011, Tenbury Wells, England. Ancient druids believed mistletoe had magical properties because of the way it grows, never touching the ground and without taking nourishment from the earth. Tenbury Wells has been the traditional mistletoe capital for over 150 years. Druids blessed this year's crop before buyers put their bids in for the festive plant. The tradition of kissing under the mistletoe at Christmas comes from the belief that mistletoe aids fertility.
A village woman arranges cow dung deposits to be sun dried in Allahabad, India, Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2011. Cow dung cakes are a major source of domestic fuel for rural households and an environment friendly alternative to firewood.
France's opposition Socialist Party (PS) candidate for the 2012 French presidential election Francois Hollande speaks to the journalists as he visits the Pollutec Fair on November 29, 2011, in Villepinte, a Paris northeastern suburb. This fair is dedicated to equipment, technology and environment activities.

Police clear Occupy camps in LA and Philadelphia

Los Angeles Police officers remove an Occupy Los Angeles supporter from their camp at Los Angeles City Hall, Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2011, in Los Angeles. Officers began a raid on the camp early Wednesday, two days after a deadline passed for protesters to clear out.
Los Angeles Police inspect a tent with guns drawn at the Occupy Los Angeles encampment at Los Angeles city hall on Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2011. Police in Los Angeles and Philadelphia stormed Occupy Wall Street encampments in both cities Wednesday, demanding protestors leave demonstration sites, The green gun fires rubber bullets.
Los Angeles police officers Face protesters from the Occupy LA encampment outside City Hall in Los Angeles Wednesday Nov. 30, 2011. Police have moved in on the Occupy Los Angeles encampment and began arresting protesters who defied an eviction notice.
Los Angeles Police officers arrest an Occupy Los Angeles supporter from the camp at the Los Angeles City Hall, Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2011, in Los Angeles. Officers began a raid on the camp early Wednesday, two days after a deadline passed for protesters to clear out.
Los Angeles Police officers remove a masked Occupy Los Angeles supporter from the camp at Los Angeles City Hall, Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2011, in Los Angeles. Officers began a raid on the camp early Wednesday, two days after a deadline passed for protesters to clear out.
Los Angeles Police officers remove an Occupy Los Angeles supporter from the camp at Los Angeles City Hall, Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2011, in Los Angeles. Officers began a raid on the camp early Wednesday, two days after a deadline passed for protesters to clear out.
Police stand before the Los Angeles City Hall Wednesday Nov. 30, 2011. Police moved in on the Occupy Los Angeles encampment and arrested protesters who defied an eviction notice.
Los Angeles Police officers surround Occupy Los Angeles supporters during a raid at their camp at the Los Angeles City Hall, Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2011, in Los Angeles. Officers began a raid on the camp early Wednesday, two days after a deadline passed for protesters to clear out.
Protesters wait to be arrested as Los Angeles police officers evict protesters from the Occupy LA encampment outside City Hall in Los Angeles Wednesday Nov. 30, 2011. Officers began a raid on the camp early Wednesday, two days after a deadline passed for protesters to clear out.
A protester stands on top of a structure at the Occupy LA encampment as police dismantle the camp outside City Hall in Los Angeles November 30, 2011. Police in Los Angeles and Philadelphia stormed Occupy Wall Street encampments in both cities Wednesday, demanding protestors leave demonstration sites.
Los Angeles Police officers remove an Occupy Los Angeles supporter from a tree at their camp at the Los Angeles City Hall, Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2011, in Los Angeles. Officers began a raid on the camp early Wednesday, two days after a deadline passed for protesters to clear out.
A Los Angeles police officer points his weapon at demonstrators in a tree as officers dismantle the Occupy LA encampment outside City Hall in Los Angeles Wednesday Nov. 30, 2011. Police in Los Angeles and Philadelphia stormed Occupy Wall Street encampments in both cities Wednesday, demanding protestors leave demonstration sites. The Green weapon fires rubber bullets. (AP Photo/Lucy Nicholson/Pool)
A protester is arrested as Los Angeles police officers evict protesters from the Occupy LA encampment outside City Hall in Los Angeles Wednesday Nov. 30, 2011. Officers began a raid on the camp early Wednesday, two days after a deadline passed for protesters to clear out. (AP Photo/Lucy Nicholson/Pool)
A protester is arrested as Los Angeles police officers evict protesters from the Occupy Los Angeles encampment outside City Hall in Los Angeles Nov. 30, 2011. Officers began a raid on the camp early Wednesday, two days after a deadline passed for protesters to clear out.
Los Angeles Police officers arrest an Occupy Los Angeles supporter after removing him from a tree at the Los Angeles City Hall, Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2011, in Los Angeles. Officers began a raid on the camp early Wednesday, two days after a deadline passed for protesters to clear out.
Los Angeles Police officers arrest an Occupy Los Angeles supporter at the camp at the Los Angeles City Hall, Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2011, in Los Angeles. Officers began a raid on the camp early Wednesday, two days after a deadline passed for protesters to clear out.
Occupy Los Angeles supporters lock arms around a tent as the Los Angeles Police raid their camp at the Los Angeles City Hall, Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2011, in Los Angeles. Officers began a raid on the camp early Wednesday, two days after a deadline passed for protesters to clear out. (AP Photo/Bret Hartman)
Protesters sit on a curb after being arrested at the Occupy LA protest in Los Angeles on Wednesday Nov. 30, 2011. Officers began a raid on the camp early Wednesday, two days after a deadline passed for protesters to clear out.
Los Angeles Police officers surround Occupy Los Angeles supporters as they raid their camp at Los Angeles City Hall, Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2011, in Los Angeles. Officers began a raid on the camp early Wednesday, two days after a deadline passed for protesters to clear out.
Occupy Los Angeles supporters embrace each other as the Los Angeles Police raid their camp at Los Angeles City Hall, Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2011, in Los Angeles. Officers began a raid on the camp early Wednesday, two days after a deadline passed for protesters to clear out.
Los Angeles Police officers move in to raid the Occupy Los Angeles camp at Los Angeles City Hall, Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2011, in Los Angeles. Officers began a raid on the camp early Wednesday, two days after a deadline passed for protesters to clear out.
Jacob Warner, left, and Cara Lyon sit on the steps of City Hall during the Occupy LA protest in Los Angeles on Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2011. Officers began a raid on the camp early Wednesday, two days after a deadline passed for protesters to clear out.
Police officers from the mounted unit stand by as officers clear the Occupy Philly encampment inside Dilworth Plaza, Wednesday Nov. 30, 2011, in Philadelphia. Police in Los Angeles and Philadelphia stormed Occupy Wall Street encampments in both cities Wednesday, demanding protestors leave demonstration sites.
An Occupy Los Angeles supporter is arrested and carried out of the camp by Los Angeles Police officers at the Los Angeles City Hall, Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2011, in Los Angeles. Police in Los Angeles and Philadelphia stormed Occupy Wall Street encampments in both cities Wednesday, demanding protestors leave demonstration sites.

Elections in Egypt


Hours after violent clashes between masses of protesters and police, Egyptians swarmed the polls early this week for the beginning rounds of parliamentary elections. They are the first elections since a prodemocracy uprising ousted longtime president Hosni Mubarak from office earlier this year. The poll stations have been remarkably peaceful, despite the simmering anger over the military’s extended role in running the government. In contrast, the Democratic Republic of Congo's presidential and legislative elections this week were beset by fraud, some observers say. In one town, rebel fighters attacked a polling place, killing at least five people and burning ballots. The voting was Congo's second since the end of the country's last war and the first organized by the government rather than the international community. --

A man waits outside a polling station to cast his vote during parliamentary elections in Cairo Nov. 28.


An old man casts his vote at a polling station during parliamentary elections in Cairo Nov. 28. Egyptians lined up to vote in the first big test of a transition born in popular revolutionary euphoria that soured into distrust of the generals who replaced their leader, Hosni Mubarak.

An Egyptian voter passes between the hands of soldiers guarding at a polling center Nov. 28 in Cairo, Egypt. Voting began on Monday in Egypt's first parliamentary elections since longtime authoritarian leader Hosni Mubarak was ousted in a popular uprising nine months ago. The vote is a milestone many Egyptians hope will usher in a democratic age after decades of dictatorship.

In a combination image made from six photos, Egyptian women pose with their inked fingers after voting at a polling station in Cairo Nov. 29. Long lines formed at polling stations for a second day of voting and the head of the election commission, Abdel-Mooaez Ibrahim, proclaimed turnout so far had been "massive and unexpected." But he did not give figures.

An old man is carried by a volunteer after casting his vote at a polling station during parliamentary elections in Cairo Nov. 28.

A woman reads a ballot paper before casting her vote at a polling station during the parliamentary election in Alexandria Nov. 29.

An Egyptian woman looks at voters as they line up outside a polling station in the Shubra district of Cairo on Nov. 28. Post-revolution Egypt headed to the polls for a chaotic election clouded by violence and a political crisis, the start of a long process to bring democracy to the Arab world's most populous nation.

Egyptian soldiers stand guard at the entrance of a school turned polling station as voters gather in the Ain Shams district of Cairo on Nov. 28.

Egyptian voters waited at a school turned polling station in old Cairo on Nov. 28.

A woman carrying her child reads a ballot paper before casting her vote at a polling station during parliamentary elections in Cairo Nov. 29.

A man stood in front of banners supporting candidates for the parliamentary elections in Cairo Nov. 28.

Egyptian women vote at a polling station in the town of Ibshawai, near Fayoum, 100 km (62 miles) southwest of Cairo Nov. 29. Polls opened Tuesday for a second day of voting in Egypt's landmark parliamentary elections, the first since Hosni Mubarak's ouster in a popular uprising earlier this year. (Tara Todras-Whitehill/Associated Press) #

A Egyptian woman casts her ballot in Maadi, a suburb of Cairo Nov. 28. Voting began on Monday in Egypt's first parliamentary elections since longtime authoritarian leader Hosni Mubarak was ousted in a popular uprising nine months ago. The vote is a milestone many Egyptians hope will usher in a democratic age after decades of dictatorship.

People line up at a polling station as they wait to cast their votes during parliamentary elections in Cairo Nov. 28.

People gathered outside a polling station to vote in the parliamentary election in Shubra neighborhood of Cairo Nov. 2.

Egyptian soldiers stand guard as voters leave a polling station in Cairo Nov. 29. Polls opened Tuesday for a second day of voting in Egypt's landmark parliamentary elections.

Egyptian women look at a ballot paper at a polling station in the Sahel district of Cairo Nov. 28. Post-revolution Egypt headed to the polls for a chaotic election clouded by violence and a political crisis, the start of a long process to bring democracy to the Arab world's most populous nation.

Egyptian elections officials burn wax to stamp a ballot box before sending it to a counting center in Cairo Nov. 29. Polls opened Tuesday for a second day of voting in Egypt's landmark parliamentary elections, the first since Hosni Mubarak's ouster in a popular uprising earlier this year. The Arabic on the box reads, "parliamentary elections.

A Congolese man walks through ballots Nov. 29 claimed to be fake by opposition supporters and then shredded and burned in a school used as a polling station in the Bandal commune in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, one day after the country went to the polls for presidential and parliamentary elections. The vote is only the second since the end of Congo's last war, and the first to be organized by the government instead of the international community. The election was supposed to mark another step toward peace, but if the results are not accepted by the population, especially the country's fractured opposition, analysts fear it could drag Congo back into conflict.

An election witness is refused access to a voting center at the Twalemishe school in Kamalondo district of Lubumbashi on Nov. 29. Monitors reported widespread fraud in Democratic Republic of Congo elections and presidential rivals demanded an annulment as votes were counted Tuesday in polling marred by deadly violence.

Congolese women, one using a light, go through the ballot for parliamentary elections at a polling station in the Masina district of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo Nov. 28.

Ballot papers burned in an attack on two pick-up trucks lie on the roadside in Lubumbashi on Nov. 28. A convoy of 8 vehicles were carrying papers at 3am this morning when they were attacked by a group of armed men in the capital of the mineral rich province of Katanga.

Members of Congo's presidential guard walk through heavy rain ahead of incumbent Joseph Kabila (not seen) as he leaves a polling station after voting in Democratic Republic of Congo's capital Kinshasa, Nov. 28. Voting began slowly on Monday in Congo's second-post war election, held despite fears logistical problems and irregularities would undermine the result.

Supporters of opposition candidate Etienne Tshisekedi parade what they claim are badly printed fraudulent photocopies of election ballots they say they found in the Bandal commune in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo Nov. 28. Polls opened in Congo's capital as the government of this nation pummeled by war vowed to go ahead with its much-anticipated presidential and parliamentary election despite massive logistical challenges. As day broke on Monday, a trickle gathered outside polling stations as residents waited to take part in a presidential and legislative election that could further consolidate the country's peace, or else drag it back into conflict.

Young Congolese men check their names against the list of registered voters at the Jean Calvin College voting centre in Lubumbashi Nov. 27, the eve of DR Congo's elections. The National Electoral Commission has registered over 32 million people to vote, choosing between over 18,000 parliamentary candidates nation-wide.

A voting official sits in the Njanja polling station in Lubumbashi Nov. 29. Monitors reported widespread fraud in Democratic Republic of Congo elections and presidential rivals demanded an annulment as votes were counted in polling marred by deadly violence.

Piles of ballot papers sit during vote counting at the Twalemishe school polling station in Kamalondo district of Lubumbashi on Nov. 29.

A man navigates a maze of tape as he checks his name against voter registration lists at the EP 1 Imara Voting Station in Lubumbashi Nov. 27. This is one of the largest voting centers in the Democratic Republic of Congo's second largest city, and officials here expect large queues tomorrow morning as voting opens on what will be the country's second democratic elections in four decades.

A voter shouts at an election official at the Njanja polling station in Lubumbashi Nov. 29. The polling station was attacked by seven armed gunmen yesterday, who burned all of the ballot papers, including those already cast. Monitors reported widespread fraud in Democratic Republic of Congo elections and presidential rivals demanded an annulment as votes were counted in polling marred by deadly violence.

A pile of presidential and legislative ballot papers sit unattended on the ground of a compound outside a polling station in Democratic Republic of Congo's capital Kinshasa Nov. 29. First results emerged from the Democratic Republic of Congo's chaotic elections on Tuesday but some voters were still casting their ballots in a vote tainted by confusion, violence and allegations of fraud.