La Silla, Chile — The Milky Way illuminates the sky above the dome of La Silla Observatory. The facility is operated by the European Southern Observatory.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: HO / AFP / Getty Images

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=50653

0

Tarrenz, Austria — The top of Zugspitze -- the tallest mountain in Germany (9,718 feet) -- is visible behind icicles hanging from a roof. Some roads in the area have been closed due to the danger of avalanches after heavy snowfall in the last few days.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Johannes Simon / Getty Images

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=50654

1

Singrauli, India — A volunteer prepares to launch a hot-air balloon in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. Two balloons were launched to spotlight the threat forests face in the area, which is known for coal mining.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: RONNY SEN / AFP / Getty Images

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=50655

2

Sounion, Greece — Tourists walk next to the ruins of the 5th century B.C. Temple of Poseidon with the Saronic Gulf in the background.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Petros Giannakouris / Associated Press

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=50656

3

Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan — Boys play soccer at sunset.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: QAIS USYAN / AFP / Getty Images

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=50657

4

London, England — Marlies Rijken of The Netherlands performs on the balance beam during the Artistic Gymnastics qualification for the London 2012 Olympic Games.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: OLAF KRAAK / EPA

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=50658

5

Cordova, Alaska — The Coast Guard cutter Healy, left, approaches the Russian-flagged tanker Renda while breaking ice around the vessel 97 miles south of Nome. The two vessels departed Dutch Harbor for Nome on Jan. 3 to deliver more than 1.3 million gallons of petroleum products.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: SARA FRANCIS / AFP / Getty Images

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=50659

6

Allahabad, India — A Hindu devotee walks at Sangam, the confluence of two actual rivers -- the Ganges and Yamuna -- and the mythical Saraswati river. During the month-long Hindu religious observance of Magh Mela, people bathe at the confluence to wash away sins.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Rajesh Kumar Singh / Associated Press

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=50660

7

Brussels, Belgium — Cardboard cutouts that represent prisoners are seen during a demonstration by Amnesty International against the U.S. prison camp at Guantanamo Bay.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: OLIVIER HOSLET / EPA

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=50661

8

Sanaa, Yemen — Yemeni protesters dance with traditional daggers during a protest against a proposed law that would grant outgoing President Ali Abdullah Saleh immunity from prosecution.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: YAHYA ARHAB / EPA

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=50662

9

Kano, Nigeria — A protester carries a dog adorned with a fedora and a kaftan in mockery of the fedora-wearing Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan. Hundreds of thousands of protesters poured into the streets for the second time in three days to protest the end of fuel subsidies in Africa's largest oil producer, where consumer prices have more than doubled.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: AMINU ABUBAKAR / AFP / Getty Images

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=50663

10

San Juan, Philippines — Residents burn tires and wave a flag as they await the demolition of their homes. Several people were injured -- including residents, police officers and members of the demolition crew -- as residents defied eviction. The land is proposed as the site of a new city hall, a shopping mall and condominiums.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Bullit Marquez / Associated Press

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=50664

11