An Indian paramilitary soldier guards a hilltop as he waves towards pilgrims arriving at the base camp in Baltal, some 73 miles southeast of Srinagar, India, Tuesday, June 17, 2008. Hundreds of pilgrims annually go to the remote Himalayan shrine of Amarnath at 14,500 feet to worship an icy stalagmite representing Shiva, the Hindu god of destruction.
Taking Refuge
Afghan children in a refugee camp on the outskirts of Islamabad, Pakistan, Wednesday, June 18, 2008. Ahead of World Refugee Day on June 20, the UNHCR said 11.4 million people were forced to leave their countries in 2007, compared to 9.9 million in 2006. Another 26 million were displaced within their countries by conflict or persecution, up from 24.2 million. Nearly half the world's refugees are from Afghanistan and Iraq.
Singed Cyprus
A firefighter sprays water on a fire near Akapnou in the central Troodos region, about 25 miles southwest of Nicosia, Cyprus, Wednesday, June 18, 2008. A large forest fire raging out of control has forced the evacuation of the people in six villages. About 320 firefighters, 95 vehicles and seven water-dropping aircraft are trying to extinguish the blaze, which has so far destroyed an estimated 3.5 square miles of forest.
Collected Cache
Weapons seized by Iraqi security forces during recent operations in the Shiite enclave of Sadr City are on display at the 9th Iraqi Army Division headquarters in southeastern Baghdad, Iraq on Wednesday, June 18, 2008.
Price Protest
The tractors of Belgian farmers are parked in the Cinquantenaire Park in the center of Brussels on Wednesday, June 18, 2008. Hundreds of farmers, truckers and taxi drivers blocked roads into the center of Brussels on the eve of an EU summit to push leaders for help coping with skyrocketing fuel prices.
Levee Break
The Mississippi River rushes through a break in Indian Grave Drainage District levee north of Quincy, Ill., and south of the town of Meyer, Ill., causing major flooding Wednesday, June 18, 2008.
Eyes Front?
A member of the honor guard looks back before a welcoming ceremony for Uruguay's President Tabare Vazquez, unseen, at the Revolution palace in Havana, Wednesday, June 18, 2008. Vazquez is on a four-day official visit to Cuba.
Hooping It Up
Wham-O intern Li-Hsuan Lu hula hoops in Emeryville, Calif., on Wednesday, June 18, 2008. The hula hoop marks its 50th anniversary this week.