Pathum Thani, Thailand — In a timed exposure, Buddhists carrying candles are seen in ghostly silhouette as they encircle Wat Dharmmakaya on the outskirts of Bangkok during Vesak Day, an annual celebration of Buddha's birth, enlightenment and death.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Damir Sagolj / Reuters

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=31352

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Yangon, Myanmar — Buddhists pour water on a Bodhi tree in a watering ritual during Vesak Day observances at the Shwedagon Pagoda.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Soe Zeya Tun / Reuters

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=31357

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Cape Town, South Africa — A haze of blue tear gas engulfs South Africans who clashed with police during protests over land use the day before local elections. Authorities also used water cannons to disperse the crowd. Poor and inadequate housing is one of the major issues in the election.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Nic Bothma / European Pressphoto Agency

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=31353

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Istanbul, Turkey — French climber Alain Robert, nicknamed "Spiderman," makes his way up the outside of the 261-meter Istanbul Sapphire Tower as part of a trade show. Robert climbed Europe's tallest building in 1 hour 50 minutes.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Tolga Bozoglu / European Pressphoto Agency

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=31354

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Cape Canaveral, Fla. — Atlantis crew members Rex Walheim, left, Chris Ferguson, Doug Hurley and Sandy Magnus joke around during a photo shoot using the shuttle as a backdrop as it is moved to Kennedy Space Center's Vehicle Assembly Building. Atlantis is scheduled to lift off in July on NASA's last shuttle mission.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Joe Raedle / Getty Images

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=31355

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Kabul, Afghanistan — A display of mirrors in a street market takes on the look of a carnival fun house.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Hossein Fatemi / Associated Press

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=31356

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Dublin, Ireland — Security officers form a protective line during a protest in Dublin against the visit of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, who was beginning a four-day tour. At least 100 protesters chanted slogans and torched the British flag in as Elizabeth began the first visit by a British monarch to the Irish Republic in 100 years.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Carl de Souza / AFP

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=31358

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Rio de Janeiro — U.S. surfer Kelly Slater concentrates before competing in the opening round of the Billabong Rio Pro surfing competition at Arpoador Beach.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Felipe Dana / Associated Press

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=31359

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Islamabad, Pakistan — A girl carries her younger sister as children play in a field while the sun sets on their slum.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Muhammed Muheisen / Associated Press

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=31360

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Islamabad, Pakistan — A child, his face covered with flies, sits inside a wooden cart in an alley of a poor neighborhood.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Muhammed Muheisen / Associated Press

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=31361

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