EFX

Space Shuttle Lift offs

2008-06-02T13:10:00.000-07:00

The space shuttle Discovery blasts off from the Kennedy Space Center in 2006. NASA has given the green light to launch the space shuttle on May 31 for a mission to the International Space Station. (AFP/File/Bob Pearson)

Photographers atop the Vehicle Assembly Building record the launch of the space shuttle Discovery Saturday May 31, 2008 at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

The space shuttle Discovery lifts off from its launch pad at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida May 31, 2008. The U.S. space shuttle Discovery lifted off from its Florida launch pad on Saturday on a mission to deliver a bus-sized Japanese laboratory to the International Space Station. REUTERS/Scott Audette (UNITED STATES)

The space shuttle Discovery lifts off from launch pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida May 31, 2008. The crew is beginning Mission STS-124 to the International Space Station. REUTERS/Pierre Ducharme (UNITED STATES)

Beachgoers watch the launch of the Space Shuttle Discovery from Jetty Park in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Saturday, May 31, 2008. Discovery and a crew of seven astronauts lifted off on a 13-day mission to the International Space Station. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

The space shuttle Discovery lifts off from Pad 39-A at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Discovery carrying a Japanese research laboratory raced toward the International Space Station Sunday after a successful launch from Florida. (AFP/Stan Honda)

The space shuttle Discovery lifts off from launch pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida May 31, 2008. The U.S. space shuttle Discovery lifted off from its Florida launch pad on Saturday on a mission to deliver a bus-sized Japanese laboratory to the International Space Station. (Scott Audette/Reuters)

The space shuttle Discovery lifts off from the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida with the American flag at the press site in the foreground May 31, 2008. The launch begins Mission STS-124 to the International Space Station. (Joe Skipper/Reuters)

The space shuttle Discovery lifts off from the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The shuttle is preparing to dock with the International Space Station, bringing on board a bus-sized Japanese laboratory and spare parts for a troublesome toilet. (AFP/Getty Images/File/Eliot J. Schechter)

Space Shuttle Discovery lifts off the launch pad at Kennedy Space Center on May 31, in Florida. Discovery docked with the International Space Station on Monday, delivering a bus-sized Japanese laboratory to expand research and badly-needed parts for a troublesome toilet. (AFP/File/Don Emmert)

The space shuttle Discovery lifts off from launch pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida May 31, 2008. (Scott Audette/Reuters)

Keeping cool

2008-06-02T13:08:00.001-07:00

An Indian boy takes a splash at a road side water source in Kolkata. (AFP/Deshakalyan Chowdhury)

An Afghan boy dives at a swimming pool in Kabul to beat the heat. (AFP/Shah Marai)

Tomatina Colombiana

2008-06-02T13:04:00.000-07:00

Two youngsters enjoy diving in tomatoes during the "IV Tomatina Colombiana" festival in Sutamarchan, department of Boyaca, Colombia. According to the organizers 10 tons of tomatoes were thrown by the participants. (AFP/Mauricio Duenas)

Smoke it now

2008-06-02T13:03:00.001-07:00

A woman smokes waterpipe at a cafe in Dubai. (AFP/Marwan Naamani)

Massive Fire devours sets at Universal Studios

2008-06-02T12:16:00.000-07:00

The front entrance to the Universal Studios theme park is seen as smoke burns from a fire on a movie production backlot of Universal Studios in the Universal city section of Los Angeles on Sunday, June 1, 2008. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)

Smoke from a fire burning on a movie production backlot of Universal Studios is seen in Los Angeles on Sunday, June 1, 2008. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)

In this image from video, firefighters battle a blaze at Universal Studios Sunday morning, June 1, 2008 in Universal City, Calif. The fire broke out just before dawn on a sound stage, according to officials. (AP Photo/APTN)

Firefighters work to contain a three-alarm fire at Universal Studios in Los Angeles June 1, 2008. REUTERS/Phil McCarten (UNITED STATES)

A TV cameraman, a photographer and onlookers watch as a fire rages at a back lot filled with movie sets at Universal Studios in Universal City, California, 12 miles (20 km) from downtown Los Angeles, June 1, 2008. A portion of what is believed to be a prop warehouse is shown on the left. Hundreds of firefighters are battling a large blaze that broke out on Sunday on a back lot at Universal Studios, site of movie and television production, a spokesman for a neighboring fire department said. REUTERS/Fred Prouser (UNITED STATES)

Firefighters work to contain a three-alarm fire at Universal Studios in Los Angeles June 1, 2008. Hundreds of firefighters are battling a large blaze that broke out on Sunday on a back lot at Universal Studios, site of movie and television production, a spokesman for a neighboring fire department said. REUTERS/Phil McCarten (UNITED STATES)

The King Kong attraction on the Universal Studios Hollywood backlot tour is shown in this undated publicity photo. A fire rages out of control at the backlot filled with movie sets at Universal Studios in Universal City, California June 1, 2008, 12 miles from downtown Los Angeles. It is believed that the King Kong attraction was destroyed. REUTERS/Universal Studios Hollywood/Handout

Los Angeles County and Los Angeles City firefighters battle a fire at Universal City Studios in Universal City, Calif., north of Los Angeles Sunday, June 1, 2008. The fire at Universal Studios on destroyed a set from 'Back to the Future,' the King Kong exhibit and a video vault containing more than 40,000 videos and reels. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)

Smoke rises from a fire behind the main gate at Universal Studios in Los Angeles Sunday, June 1, 2008. Roughly 40,000 to 50,000 videos and reels were damaged in the video vault, but there are duplicates stored in a different location, said said NBC Universal President and Chief Operating Officer Ron Meyer. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel)

Smoke billows from Universal City Studios in Universal City, Calif., north of Los Angeles Sunday June 1, 2008. A large fire tore through a back lot at Universal Studios early Sunday, destroying a set from 'Back to the Future,' the King Kong exhibit and a video vault containing more than 40,000 videos and reels. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)

Smoke rises from a fire in the early hours at Universal Studios in Los Angeles, Sunday June 1, 2008. A large fire tore through a back lot at Universal Studios early Sunday, destroying a set from 'Back to the Future,' the King Kong exhibit and thousands of videos and reels in a vault. (AP Photo/Mike Meadows)

Smoke pours out of a sound stage as Los Angeles City firefighters attempt to save the historic studio set while a fire continues to burn at Universal City Studios in Universal City, Calif., north of Los Angeles Sunday, June 1, 2008. The fire at Universal Studios destroyed a set from 'Back to the Future,' the King Kong exhibit and a video vault containing more than 40,000 videos and reels. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)

A studio set is engulfed in fire as fire fighters work to extinguish the burning set in the early hours at Universal Studios in Los Angeles, Sunday June 1, 2008. A large fire tore through a back lot at Universal Studios early Sunday, destroying a set from 'Back to the Future,' the King Kong exhibit and thousands of videos and reels in a vault. (AP Photo/Mike Meadows)

Smoke rises from a fire at Universal Studios Sunday, June 1, 2008 in Los Angeles after a fire ripped through a lot, destroying a set from 'Back to the Future,' a King Kong exhibit and a streetscape seen frequently in movies and TV shows. (AP Photo/Nick Ut)

A studio set is engulfed in fire as a fire fighter works to extinguish the burning set in the early hours at Universal Studios in Los Angeles, Sunday June 1, 2008. A large fire tore through a back lot at Universal Studios early Sunday, destroying a set from 'Back to the Future,' the King Kong exhibit and thousands of videos and reels in a vault. (AP Photo/Mike Meadows)

Firefighters work to contain a three-alarm fire at Universal Studios in Los Angeles June 1, 2008. REUTERS/Phil McCarten (UNITED STATES)

A huge plume of smoke and flames rises up from the Universal Studios lot in Studio City, CA in the early morning hours of June 1. The fire destroyed several key sets. (Photo and caption submitted by Rick Mogil)

A raging fire blazes through the back lot of Universal Studios in Studio City, CA on June 1. The fire destroyed several key sets. (Photo and caption submitted by Patrick Gannon)

A huge plume of smoke rises from the Universal Studios lot as a fire raged through Studio City, CA on June 1. (Photo and caption submitted by Patrick Gannon)

Smoke rises over burning structures at Universal Studios, in Universal City, California. Firefighters on Sunday battled a blaze at Hollywood's famed Universal Studios that ravaged some of the legendary film studio's most iconic stage sets and tourist attractions. (AFP/Gabriel Bouys)

Firefighters battle a massive fire on the backlot of Universal Studios in Universal City, California. Firefighters on Sunday battled a blaze at Hollywood's famed Universal Studios that ravaged some of the legendary film studio's most iconic stage sets and tourist attractions. (AFP/Getty Images/David Mcnew)

Black smoke billows and flames lick skyward from a huge fire on the backlot of Universal Studios on June 1in Universal City, California. Firefighters on Sunday battled a gigantic blaze at Hollywood's famed Universal Studios 12 hours after it erupted, ravaging the legendary film studio's most famous stage sets and tourist attractions. (AFP/Getty Images/David Mcnew)

A fire rages out of control at the backlot filled with movie sets at Universal Studios in Universal City, California, June 1, 2008. A portion of the set used in Steven Spielberg's film 'War of the Worlds' including a a jet airplane is shown foreground. The blue screen (L) is used in filming in front of an artificial lake. (Fred Prouser/Reuters)

Smoke climbs hundreds of feet into the air as a fire rages out of control at the backlot filled with movie sets at Universal Studios in Universal City, California, June 1, 2008. A portion of the set used in Steven Spielberg's film 'War of the Worlds' including a a jet airplane is shown foreground. The blue screen (L) is used in filming in front of an artificial lake. (Fred Prouser/Reuters)

A fire rages out of control at the backlot filled with movie sets at Universal Studios in Universal City, California, June 1, 2008. A portion of the set used in Steven Spielberg's film 'War of the Worlds' including a a jet airplane used in the film is shown foreground. The blue screen (L) is used in filming in front of an artificial lake. (Fred Prouser/Reuters)

Black smoke billows from a massive fire on the backlot of Universal Studios on June 1, 2008 in Universal City, California. Investigators Monday were combing through the ruins of famous sets at Hollywood's Universal Studios gutted by a huge blaze in a search for clues as to how the inferno started. (AFP/Getty Images/David Mcnew)

A helicopter flies over burning structures at Universal Studios, in Universal City, California, on June 01, 2008. Investigators Monday were combing through the ruins of famous sets at Hollywood's Universal Studios gutted by a huge blaze in a search for clues as to how the inferno started. (AFP/File/Gabriel Bouys)

A fire rages out of control at the backlot filled with movie sets at Universal Studios in Universal City, California, June 1, 2008. (Fred Prouser/Reuters)

A fire truck and firefighters are seen at Gate 2 of Universal Studios as smoke rises (background) from a fire that rages out of control at the backlot filled with movie sets in Universal City, California, June 1, 2008. (Fred Prouser/Reuters)

Smoke rises as a fire rages out of control at the backlot filled with movie sets at Universal Studios in Universal City, California, June 1, 2008. (Andrew Gombert/Pool/Reuters)

Powerful quake rocks central China

2008-05-19T09:38:00.000-07:00

Map of Sichuan province in China locating the epicentre of the May 12 earthquake. China has suspended its Olympic torch relay, curbed entertainment and lowered flags to half-mast as the nation began three days of mourning for the worst earthquake in a generation (AFP/Graphic)

A bridge that collapsed due to the earthquake in Beichuan, Sichuan province is pictured May 18, 2008. (China Daily/Reuters)

The Chinese national flag is flown at half-mast at the Badaling sector of the Great Wall on the outskirts of Beijing May 19, 2008. Sirens wailed as China paused in grief on Monday as the country began three days of mourning for more than 30,000 victims of an earthquake that struck a week ago. REUTERS/Paul Zhang (CHINA)

A man sits in front of a collapsed house in the earthquake-hit in town of Pingtong in Pingwu county, Sichuan province May 19, 2008. China began three days of national mourning on Monday for more than 30,000 victims of an earthquake that struck a week ago. The official death toll stands at nearly 32,500 from the original quake of 7.9 magnitude that rattled Sichuan province. REUTERS/Nicky Loh (CHINA)

A view of the destruction caused by southwest China's earthquake in a street in Chenjiaba in Sichuan province, May 18. The massive quake is expected to bring down the nation's soaring economic growth in 2008 by at least 0.2 percentage points, state media said. (AFP/File/Peter Parks)

A Chinese rescuer comes down to search for survivors at a collapsed building which was destroyed by Monday's earthquake, in Mianzhu, in China's southwest Sichuan province Monday May 19, 2008. China stood still and sirens wailed Monday to mourn the country's tens of thousands of earthquake victims, exactly one week after a powerful earthquake hit Sichuan province. (AP Photo/Kyodo News)

Rescue workers hold their helmets to observe a three minutes of silence near the destroyed town of BeiChuan, southwestern China's Sichuan province, Monday, May 19, 2008. China stood still Monday in mourning over tens of thousands of earthquake victims, and the government appealed for more international aid to cope with the country's deadliest disaster in a generation. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

Earthquake survivors walk among the rubble of a collapsed Houses following the powerful earthquake in Dujiangyan, southwest China's Sichuan Province Monday, May 19, 2008. China declared three days of national mourning for earthquake victims and ordered a suspension of the Olympic torch relay, as the search for survivors of the disaster grew bleak. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

A man walks along a street in the earthquake-hit in town of Pingtong in Pingwu county, Sichuan province May 19, 2008. (Nicky Loh/Reuters)

A woman washes dishes in the kitchen of her destroyed house May 18, 2008, following last week's earthquake in Longmanshan in Sichuan Province. (Nir Elias/Reuters)

Workers seen through a hall in wall as they collect the remains from collapsed buildings in Dujiangyan, southwest China's Sichuan Province Monday, May 19, 2008. China declared three days of national mourning for earthquake victims and ordered a suspension of the Olympic torch relay, as the search for survivors of the disaster grew bleak.

(AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

An earthquake survivor washes his clothes next to a collapsed buildings in Dujiangyan, southwest China's Sichuan Province Monday, May 19, 2008. China declared three days of national mourning for earthquake victims and ordered a suspension of the Olympic torch relay, as the search for survivors of the disaster grew bleak. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)

Chinese soldiers search for survivors at a collapsed chemical factory in Yinghua town near Shifang. From the heart of Beijing to the devastated southwest, China came to a standstill to mourn its earthquake victims as the number of dead, missing or buried soared past 71,000. (AFP/Liu Jin)

A resident searches for bodies in a house which was destroyed by last week's earthquake at the town of Yingxio, Sichuan province May 19, 2008. (Reinhard Krause/Reuters)

An aerial view shows the collapsed buildings at Yingxiu town of Wenchuan County, the epicenter of the earthquake, Sichuan province, May 18, 2008. (China Daily/Reuters)

A picture shows a dead student's hand holding a pen in the debris site of the Dongqi Middle School in Hanwang Town of the earthquake-hit Mianzhu, Sichuan Province, May 18, 2008 in this picture distributed by China's official Xinhua News Agency. (Xinhua/Liu Zhongjun/Reuters)

lightning storm over Chaiten volcano

2008-05-08T14:11:00.000-07:00

Winds carried the ash to other towns in the region and across the Andes to Argentina

The village of Chaiten, next to the volcano, was virtually emptied in a massive evacuation

The gigantic plume of smoke from the volcano dominates the skyline

The Chaiten volcano has triggered earth tremors and spewed ash two miles into the air

Photo by: Carlos Gutierrez

This astonishing picture shows the Chaiten volcano erupting during storms in the middle of the night - As clouds of toxic ash and dust tower into the sky, they ionise the air, generating an explosive electrical storm. Colossal forks of lightning spark around the noxious plume as it spews from the volcano's crater, creating an image of raw, terrifying energy - as if the air itself were ablaze.

Human Rights Abuse

2008-05-04T11:14:00.000-07:00

Wax - Southern California (A Film By Spike Jonze)

2008-03-10T13:46:00.000-07:00

This is the infamous music video by Spike Jonze

The Mummy 3 - Visual EFX

2008-02-19T14:44:00.000-08:00

Special Visual Effects BAFTA 2008

2008-02-11T16:17:00.000-08:00

BAFTA 2008, The British Academy Film Awards, February 10, 2008
Rhythm & Hues Bill Westenhofer receives the award for "The Golden Compass"

Silhouetted torches

2008-02-01T16:44:00.000-08:00

The Guizer Jarl is silhouetted as members of his Viking Squad walk around a long boat with burning torches during the annual Up Helly Aa Festival, Lerwick, Shetland Islands. One of Britain's most remote communities came together Tuesday to celebrate its Viking heritage with a spectacular festival of fire and fancy dress. (AFP/Carl de Souza)

Fiery performance

2008-02-01T16:43:00.001-08:00

Indian soldiers from the Light Maratha Infrantry perform a traditional sport called Malkhumb during Republic Day celebrations in Bangalore. ( AFP/Dibyangshu Sarkar )

Aerobatics Show Explosion

2008-02-01T16:42:00.001-08:00

TinStix of Dynamite : USA's TinStix of Dynamite team performs during the Al-Ain International Aerobatics Show at the Gulf emirate's airport. (AFP/Karim Sahib)

Standing guard

2008-02-01T16:41:00.001-08:00

Standing guard : Lebanese soldiers stand guard at the site of a demonstration over power cuts in the mainly-Shiite southern suburbs of Beirut. (AFP/Stringer )

Enjoying a swim

2008-02-01T16:40:00.001-08:00

A woman enjoys the world's largest swimming pool at a seaside resort in Algarrobo, 95 km west from Santiago. (AFP/Martin Bernetti)

Flaming car

2008-02-01T15:57:00.000-08:00

A man belonging to the Luo tribe, supporters of Kenya's opposition leader Raila Odinga, sits inside a destroyed vehicle with a burning tire on its roof, during ethnic clashes in the Western Kenyan town of Kisumu. (AFP/Yasuyoshi Chiba)

Plane Struck By Lightning

2008-02-01T15:50:00.000-08:00

Plane Struck By Lightning

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RSSHugger.com - keeping bloggers connected

2008-01-26T15:31:00.000-08:00

RssHugger is a promotional network for bloggers. RSS is a simple technology for sharing and distributing data and website content and is becoming the preferred method of distributing news and information on the internet. If your looking to add traffic to your blog check them out, to learn more about how rssHugger can help you promote your blog, visit http://www.rsshugger.com and register for Free.

The Pu‘u ‘O‘o-Kupaianaha Eruption of Kīlauea Volcano, Hawai‘i, 1983–1997

2008-01-26T14:52:00.001-08:00

Littoral explosion at Kamokuna hurls spatter approximately 50 m high during episode 53. Five new littoral cones formed in January. Bench collapses over a 6-hour period on January 30, 1996, resulted in explosions that threw blocks nearly 1 m in diameter up to 250 m inland (photo by C.R. Thornber, 1/28/96)

Littoral explosion at Kamoamoa produces black cloud of spatter at base of billowing white steam plume during episode 52 (photo by L.P. Keszthelyi, 2/5/93)

Bus imbedded in lava with remains of a roof in the background at Kalapana. By this time, an entire community lay buried beneath 15–25 m of lava (photo by J.D. Griggs, 12/4/90, JG19238)

Aerial view of lava lake in Pu‘u ‘O‘o crater. The crater is about 250 m in diameter (photo by J.D. Griggs, 8/30/90 JG18426)

A lei is offered to appease Pele, goddess of the volcano (photo by J.D. Griggs, 4/22/90, JG14805)

Lava pours from tube into sea at Poupou west of Kupapa‘u Point and east of the Waha‘ula heiau. The single tube feeding the entry was exposed when the sea cliff beneath the Poupou littoral cone calved off. The lava stream was referred to as a “fire hose” (photo by J.D. Griggs, 11/27/89, JG13424)

Billowing steam plume marks the spot where tube-fed lava from Kupaianaha enters the ocean east of Kupapa‘u Point. The plum contains a mixture of hydrochloric acid and concentrated saltwater that is created when lava reacts with seawater. Steam explosions (also called littoral explosions because they occur at the shoreline or littoral zone) spray fragments of lava into the air (photo by J.D. Griggs, 2/3/88, JG10760)

Aerial view of Pu‘u ‘O‘o fountain from the north during episode 23. Theodolite measurements of high fountains, which played throughout the day, ranged from 150 to 305 m (photo by J.D. Griggs, 7/28/84, JG4605)

Accretionary lava ball comes to rest on the grass after rolling off the top of an ‘a‘a flow in Royal Gardens subdivision. Accretionary lava balls form as viscous lava is molded around a core of already solidified lava (photo by J.D. Griggs, 7/2/83, JG2562)

View at dusk of the young Pu‘u ‘O‘o cinder-and-spatter cone, with fountain approximately 40 m high, during episode 5 (photo by G.E. Ulrich, 6/29/83, GU6830A)

Forest of lava trees resulting from eruption of a 1-km-line of vents east of Pu‘u Kahaualea. The bulbous top of each lava tree marks the high stand of the lava flow as it spread through the trees. As the fissure eruption waned, the flow continued to spread laterally; its surface subsided, leaving pillars of lava that had chilled against tree trunks. Spattering is from fissure out of view to the left. Note blob of spatter adhering to the top of the stripped ‘ohi‘a tree (photo by J.D. Griggs, 1/7/83, JG653

Aerial view of fountains from eruptive fissures south of Pu‘u Kahaualea, approximately 2,350 m northeast of what is now Pu‘u ‘O‘o. Note single ‘ohi‘a tree burning in front of the fissures (photo by J.D. Griggs, 1/5/83, JG349)

(photo by J.D. Griggs, 02/25/83, JG928) (picture #004)." This image by J.D. Griggs was taken for the United States Geological Survey's Hawaiian Volcano Observatory

Slow motion water balloon punch

2008-01-25T14:38:00.001-08:00

Strawberry splashing into Milk

2008-01-25T14:07:00.000-08:00

Orange slice squeezed

2008-01-25T14:05:00.000-08:00

Red Droplets

2008-01-25T14:02:00.000-08:00

Lighting Matches

2008-01-25T13:57:00.000-08:00

Cigarette Lighter Ignition

2008-01-25T10:20:00.000-08:00

Mavericks Surf Competition

2008-01-25T10:13:00.000-08:00

USA surfer Darryl Virostko wipes out while surfing a wave during the Mavericks surf competition in Half Moon Bay, California January 12, 2008. REUTERS/Robert Galbraith (UNITED STATES)

Greg Long, right, and Jamie Sterling share a wave as they compete in the finals of the Mavericks surf contest Saturday, Jan. 12, 2008, in Half Moon Bay, Calif. Long won the event, while Sterling finished in third place. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

Evan Slater goes over the falls while surfing a giant wave during the Mavericks surf contest Saturday, Jan. 12, 2008, in Half Moon Bay, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

Greg Long of the U.S. rides a wave during the finals of the Mavericks surf competition in Half Moon Bay, California January 12, 2008. REUTERS/Robert Galbraith (UNITED STATES)

Greg Long of the U.S. rides a wave during the finals of the Mavericks surf competition in Half Moon Bay, California January 12, 2008. REUTERS/Robert Galbraith (UNITED STATES)

Garrett McNamara, of Hawaii, drops in on a giant wave during the Mavericks Surf Contest, Saturday, Jan. 12, 2008 in Half Moon Bay, Calif. (AP Photo/George Nikitin)

Grant Washburn (L) of the U.S. and Danilo Couto of Brazil ride a wave during the Mavericks surf competition in Half Moon Bay, California January 12, 2008. REUTERS/Robert Galbraith (UNITED STATES)

Danilo Couto of Brazil rides a wave during the Mavericks surf competition in Half Moon Bay, California January 12, 2008. REUTERS/Robert Galbraith (UNITED STATES)

Kenny Collins of the U.S. rides a wave during the Mavericks surf competition in Half Moon Bay, California January 12, 2008. REUTERS/Robert Galbraith (UNITED STATES)

A surfer is upended by a wave in Half Moon Bay, Calif., Friday, Jan. 11, 2008. The Mavericks big wave surf contest, considered to be the 'Super Bowl' of surf contests, is taking place at Half Moon Bay on Saturday, Jan 12, 2008. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

2008 Fireworks

2008-01-25T10:10:00.000-08:00

Fireworks explode from the National Monument (Monas) during New Year celebrations in Jakarta January 1, 2008. REUTERS/Supri (INDONESIA)

A girl watches fireworks explode from the National Monument (Monas) during New Year celebrations in Jakarta January 1, 2008. REUTERS/Dadang Tri (INDONESIA)

Lighting the sky : Fireworks light up the sky during an early display at Kap Arkona, on Germany's northern coast to usher in the new year. (AFP/DDP/Jens Kohler)

Fireworks explode during New Year's celebrations over the bay of Funchal on Madeira island January 1, 2008. REUTERS/Duarte Sa (PORTUGAL)

Fireworks explode in front of National Congress during a pyrotechnic show to celebrate the new year in Brasilia January 1, 2008. REUTERS/Jamil Bittar (BRAZIL)

Fireworks explode in front of National Congress during a pyrotechnic show to celebrate the new year in Brasilia January 1, 2008. REUTERS/Jamil Bittar (BRAZIL)

Filipino merry makers scribble 2008 with lit fireworks as they welcome the New Year with noisy and colorful celebrations in Manila. New Year firecrackers and stray gunfire injured more than 220 people as the Philippines welcomed in 2008, a police chief said Tuesday (AFP/Romeo Gacad)

Frontier guards hold fireworks forming the number 2008 during a New Year's event in Taizhou, Zhejiang province, December 31, 2007. Picture taken December 31, 2007. REUTERS/China Daily (CHINA) CHINA OUT

A fireworks show in celebration of the 2008 New Year erupts from the Space Needle at midnight in Seattle, Washington, January 1, 2008. REUTERS/Anthony P. Bolante (UNITED STATES)

Australians line the shores to usher in the New Year with the spectacular 'The Time Of Your Life' fireworks display over Sydney Harbour, as the first round of fireworks for children lights up the harbour at 9pm local time (1000 GMT). Millions staged midnight parties at iconic landmarks around the world to see in 2008 but bomb attacks and security fears quickly darkened New Year festivities. (AFP/Torsten Blackwood)

A combination picture shows fireworks exploding during New Year celebrations around the world January 1, 2008. The photos were taken in (clockwise starting from top left) Sydney, Singapore, London, Hong Kong, Moscow and Athens. REUTERS/Staff

Brandenburg celebration : Fireworks explode behind the quadriga of Berlin's Brandenburg Gate to usher in the new year. (AFP/DDP/Axel Schmidt)

Fireworks New York harbor: Fireworks light up the sky over New York harbor as the Queen Mary 2, right, Queen Victoria, center, and Queen Elizabeth 2 rendezvous near the Statue of Liberty Sunday, Jan. 13, 2008 in New York. This is the only time the three Queen ships will ever meet. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)

Prepping the ice

2008-01-25T10:09:00.000-08:00

Two men prepare the ice on the bob run in Oberhof. The eastern German town will host the World Luge Championships from January 21 to 27. (AFP/DDP/Jens-Ulrich Koch)

Moment for reflection

2008-01-25T10:08:00.000-08:00

Priests are reflected in an ice-hole during an Epiphany holiday service in the eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk. (AFP/Alexander Khudoteply)

Spitting Fire

2008-01-25T10:07:00.001-08:00

An artist performs during a temple art festival at Sukuh temple in Karanganyar regency, Indonesia's Central Java province, January 13, 2008. Hundreds of Indonesian artists gathered at the temple festival held in commemoration with the Visit Indonesia Year 2008 campaign.
REUTERS/Beawiharta (INDONESIA)

Ren Xiaolei (R), who has won the 23rd China Drama Plum Blossom Award, spits fire during a performance in Changle, Fujian province, January 15, 2008. Picture taken January 15, 2008. REUTERS/China Daily (CHINA) CHINA OUT

Kicking up Snow

2008-01-25T10:06:00.001-08:00

Kicking up snow : Austria's Claudia Rieger competes during the women's parallel giant slalom during Snow Boarding FIS World cup in La Molina. (AFP/Javier Soriano)

Rainbow

2008-01-25T10:05:00.000-08:00

Munster rainbow : A rainbow is seen near Munster, eastern France.

Ball dropping into Sand

2008-01-25T10:03:00.001-08:00

Slow Motion Bullet

2008-01-25T10:00:00.000-08:00

Blowing Up an Ammo Bunker

2008-01-25T09:59:00.001-08:00

Lightning Strikes CN Tower Multiple Times

2008-01-23T09:56:00.001-08:00

Dolphin creating bubble rings

2008-01-23T09:50:00.000-08:00

Southern California Wildfires - Day 4

2007-10-24T08:05:00.000-07:00

A Glimmer of Hope

The devastating wildfires in Southern California have caused at least $1 billion in damage in San Diego County alone, officials said Wednesday, while firefighters hoped easing wind would give them an advantage in stopping the flames. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

Firefighters gather in Running Springs in the San Bernardino Mountains early in the morning.(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

A television news crew lights up the rubble of a Running Springs home as smoky haze covers the area.(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

A Huntington Beach firefighting strike team is set up in front of a home in the Santiago Estates community as the Santiago fire burns in the hills beyond.

(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Newport Beach Battalion Chief Chip Duncan keeps an eye on the Santiago fire in Orange County early this morning.(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

A charred car is surrounded by smoldering homes along Elm Lane in Del Dios early this morning.(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Smoke from the Witch fire in northern San Diego County shrouds Lake Hodges in Del Dios early this morning.(Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

A sky crane helicopter being used for the fire fighting dumps its load of water to slow the wind whipped Stevenson Ranch fire as it rages out of control in Valencia, Calif. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and other officials stand next to a burned home at Lake Arrowhead, Calif. as they toured the area. (AP Photo/Pool, Jim Wilson)

A home in the path of a fast moving wildfire burns in the northern part of Poway, California. (Fred Greaves/Reuters)

A wildfire burns out of control as it moves towards Lake Arrowhead in Running Springs, California. (AFP/Getty Images/Justin Sullivan)

A home and motor home, at left, burn in Running Springs, Calif. (AP Photo/Mike Meadows)

Plumes of smoke from wildfires are seen above the Lake Arrowhead, Calif. (AP Photo/Pool, Jim Wilson)

A line of houses burn out of control at the Witch Creek Fire in Ramona, California.

(Fred Greaves/Reuters)

A tractor burns next to a house that caught fire in the patch of the Harris Ranch Fire in the far eastern part of San Diego County in the town of Jamul, California.
( REUTERS/Fred Greaves )

A firefighter knocks down flames on a house in the path of the Harris Ranch Fire in the far eastern part of San Diego County in the town of Jamul, California. REUTERS/Fred Greaves

A wildfire burns in the San Bernardino mountains near Running Springs, Calif.
(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

A house goes up in flames during a wildfire in the Fredalba community near Running Springs, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

Malibu Wildfire Videos

2007-10-23T19:12:00.000-07:00

Southern California Wildfires - Day 3

2007-10-23T14:23:00.000-07:00

Raging Southern California wildfires force 1 million to flee

Faced with unrelenting winds whipping wildfires into a frenzy across Southern California, firefighters all but conceded defeat Tuesday to an unstoppable force that has already chased nearly a million people away. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

Firefighters battle a wildfire in the Del Dios area of Escondido, California. More than half a million people were ordered to evacuate across California on Tuesday as wildfires raged for a third day, razing over 1,000 homes and threatening to overwhelm weary firefighters.(AFP/Getty Images/Sandy Huffaker)

High winds drive hot embers smoldering in the Malibu Hills, in Malibu, Calif.
(AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

A Los Angeles County firefighting helicopter passes through the smoke of Stevenson Ranch wildfire after making a water drop in Valencia, Calif., north of Los Angeles. Hundreds of homes were reduced to ashes Monday as wildfires blown by fierce desert winds raced across a huge swath of Southern California extending from Malibu to the Mexican border, forcing a quarter of a million people to flee. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)

A swimming pool coated with ash sits next to the ruins of a luxury home after a wildfire in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., Tuesday, October 23, 2007. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)

A firefighter watches a wind-driven wildfire on actor Sean Penn's property in Malibu, California, October 21, 2007. (Lucy Nicholson/Reuters)

Gusting Santa Ana winds whip the embers of a fire in Fallbrook, one of dozens burning throughout Southern California on October 23. (Photo and caption submitted by Bryxton G)

Homes burn up in flames at the Valley Oaks mobile home park along Reche Road, west of Interstate 15. Half a million Californians have been ordered to evacuate their homes and flee the spreading wildfires blazing across southern California Tuesday.(AFP/Getty Images/David McNew)

A firefighter works on the patio of a luxury beach-front home to fight a wind-driven wildfire in Malibu, California. (Lucy Nicholson/Reuters)

Interstate 15 near Reche Road is shut down as the Rice Fire jumps the freeway and destroys at least 100 homes. (AFP/Getty Images/File/David McNew)

A helicopter makes a water drop on a wind-driven wildfire on actor Sean Penn's property in Malibu, California. (Lucy Nicholson/Reuters)

An air tanker drops fire retardant on homes near near Fallbrook, California.
(AFP/Getty Images/David McNew)

Smoke billows to the sky above where fires are spreading near houses in Stevenson Ranch, California. (AFP/Getty Images)

A home goes up in flames at the Valley Oaks mobile home park 22 October 2007 near Fallbrook, California. (AFP/Getty Images/David McNew)

Horses stand in a pen as fire threatens the Bonita neighborhood in San Diego, California. (AFP/Getty Images/Eric Thayer)

The southern California wildfires are shown in this satellite image provided by NASA on October 23, 2007. REUTERS/NASA/Handout

A helicopter drops water 22 October 2007 in Stevenson Ranch, California. Half a million Californians have been ordered to evacuate their homes and flee the spreading wildfires blazing across southern California Tuesday.(AFP/Getty Images/J. Emilio Flores)

The Witch wildfire burned this home in San Diego County near the city of Poway, Calif.,Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2007. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

The Harris wildfire burns over Mt.San Miguel in San Diego County , Calif., Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2007. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Firefighters work to put out a fire in the vineyard of the garden of a luxury home in Lake Hodges, near San Diego, California October 23, 2007. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson

A wildfire burns around a home in San Diego County near Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2007. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Two people watch as fire threatens the Bonita neighborhood in San Diego, California. (AFP/Getty Images/Eric Thayer)

A firefighter walks past backfires lit to protect the neighborhood of Bonita in San Diego, California. (AFP/Getty Images/Eric Thayer)

An aircraft makes a water drop as firefighters work to contain a wildfire in the Saugus area of Los Angeles County, October 22, 2007. (Phil McCarten/Reuters)

Handcrews work on hot spots as firefighters work to contain a wildfire in Saugus area of Los Angeles County. (Phil McCarten/Reuters)

Firefighters work to contain a wildfire in Malibu, California.
(Phil McCarten/Reuters)

Handcrews work on hot spots as firefighters work to contain a wildfire in Saugus, California, October 23, 2007. (Phil McCarten/Reuters)

A fire burns behind the fence of an unattended property near Del Dios Highway in the Rancho Santa Fe area of San Diego, California October 23, 2007. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

A fire burns on an unattended property near Del Dios Highway in the Rancho Santa Fe area of San Diego, California October 23, 2007. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni (UNITED STATES)

The wildfire burns in San Diego County near Rancho Bernado, Calif.
(AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

The beach in Mission Bay in San Diego is a temporary home for livestock that were evacuated due to wildfires from numerous communities in San Diego County, Calif. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

A firefighter stands by backfires lit to protect the neighborhood of Bonita in San Diego, California. (AFP/Getty Images/Eric Thayer)

Smoke billows to the sky above where fires are spreading near houses in Stevenson Ranch, California. More than half a million people were ordered to evacuate across California on Tuesday as ferocious wildfires raged unchecked for a third day, destroying more than 1,000 homes.(AFP/Getty Images/J. Emilio Flores)

Smoke darkens the sky over Tijuana, near the U.S.-Mexico border October 23, 2007, as wildfires spread through California. Southern California's raging wildfires threatened to spread across the frontier with Mexico on Tuesday and small blazes broke out on parched Mexican ranches and along the border.REUTERS/Jorge Duenes

Firefighters watch a home burn out of control in Lake Hodges, near San Diego, California October 23, 2007. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson

Smoke is seen around a "No Littering" sign near a burning structure near Del Dios Highway in the Rancho Santa Fe area of San Diego, California October 23, 2007.
REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

California Department of Forestry firefighters hose down a burning structure near Del Dios Highway in the Rancho Santa Fe area of San Diego, California October 23, 2007. Wildfires stoked by fierce winds burned unchecked across Southern California for a third day on Tuesday with 400,000 people in San Diego alone evacuated as flames destroyed or threatened homes from humble forest cabins to luxury villas. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

A local resident drives a truck and a carrier to evacuate her horses past a wildfire driven by powerful winds in Silverado Canyon, Calif. on Santiago Road Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2007. Wind-whipped flames consumed hundreds of homes across tinder-dry Southern California on Tuesday, and authorities ordered people in more than 350,000 homes to flee the fires. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

A California Department of Forestry firefighter uses an axe on the fire on a property near Del Dios Highway in the Rancho Santa Fe area of San Diego, California October 23, 2007. Wildfires stoked by fierce winds burned unchecked across Southern California for a third day on Tuesday with 300,000 people in San Diego alone evacuated as flames destroyed or threatened homes from humble forest cabins to luxury villas. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

A bicycle burns on an unattended property near Del Dios Highway in the Rancho Santa Fe area of San Diego, California October 23, 2007. Wildfires stoked by fierce winds burned unchecked across Southern California for a third day on Tuesday with 300,000 people in San Diego alone evacuated as flames destroyed or threatened homes from humble forest cabins to luxury villas. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

Firefighters sleep on the doorstep of one of the homes they were protecting from the Harris Ranch Fire in Spring Valley, California October 23, 2007. Wildfires stoked by fierce winds burned unchecked across Southern California for a third day on Tuesday with 300,000 people in San Diego alone evacuated as flames destroyed or threatened homes from humble forest cabins to luxury villas. (Fred Greaves/Reuters)

A home destroyed the previous day is seen as firefighters work to contain a wildfire in the Canyon Country area of Los Angeles County, October 22, 2007. (Phil McCarten/Reuters)

The Witch wildfire left this burned home in its wake in San Diego County near Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2007. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Smoke from several large wildfires which flared across Southern California on October 21, 2007 is shown in this image taken at 14.50 PDT (21.50 GMT) taken by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA's Aqua satellite, and released by NASA October 22, show several active fires (outlined in red) northwest of Los Angeles. (NASA/Handout/Reuters)

Two firefighters lend support to firefighters lighting backfires to protect the neighborhood of Bonita in San Diego, California. US President George W. Bush will travel to California on Thursday to get a firsthand glimpse of areas ravaged by devastating wildfires, White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said Tuesday.(AFP/Eric Thayer)

Homes burn up in flames at the Valley Oaks mobile home park along Reche Road, west of Interstate 15, near Fallbrook, California. US President George W. Bush will travel to California on Thursday to get a firsthand glimpse of areas ravaged by devastating wildfires, White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said Tuesday.(AFP/Getty Images/David McNew)

Firefighters pull in to fight the Stevenson Ranch Magic Mountain Fire. (Submitted to By bsetter)

The scene from Highway 126 on Monday evening.(Submitted By KatRose)

Fire fills the sky above Magic Mountain on Monday evening.(Submitted By KatRose)

A super tanker drops water on the Magic fire just after 2:30pm Monday southwest of the Magic Mountain entrance. (Submitted to YourScene By bsetter)

A fire plane drops water on Stevenson Ranch on Monday (Submitted By bsetter)

The smoke from a Fontana fire forced people from their homes on Sunday.

(Submitted By DetHkyTwn)

Ventura Cross in the smoke from the fire.

(Submitted By jcavola)

A view of the North Lake Arrowhead fire from Lake Arrowhead Village.

(Submitted By Jesse)

Portola Springs at SR-133 and SR-241 interchange on Sunday evening.(Submitted By Gary)

A view of the Santiago Fire from Alton and Portola. (Submitted By Cathy M)

The Agua Dulce Fire on Sunday afternoon.(Submitted By Sara)

A view of the Wirch Fire from the corner of Nordahl and Mission in Escondido.

(Submitted By Michelle)

A resident of Irvine looking at the Santiago Canyon fire from atop the Quail Hill community.

(Submitted By Irvine Resident)

The twin fires in Castaic and Agua Dulce combine to blot out the blue sky in Santa Clarita on Sunday evening. (Submitted By Jeff_SCVTalk)

Sunset in Simi Valley on Sunday evening. (Submitted By Connie)

The Santiago Canyon fires as viewed from Irvine Blvd. and Sand Canyon.

(Submitted to YourScene By TarynC)

The Buckweed Fire as seen from fire Valley View School in Newhall. (Submitted By Mary)

A view of the Sanitago Canyon fire from The Village at the Irvine Spectrum on Sunday evening. (Submitted By JasonPyrz)

Firefighters battle the blaze in the Canyon Breeze Village Mobile Home Park in Santa Clarita.

(Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

A home on Circle View Drive in Running Springs burns early today.

(Richard Hartog / Los Angeles Times)

A firefighter early today works to keep flames away from homes along Circle View Drive in Running Springs. (Richard Hartog / Los Angeles Times)

Juan Mota, a U.S. Forest Service firefighter, tries to put out a blaze that destroyed a Running Springs home. (Robert Durell / Los Angeles Times)

U.S. Forest Service firefighters Eric Soloman, left, and Juan Mota douse a burning house in Running Springs near Lake Arrowhead. (Robert Durell / Los Angeles Times)

Ariel Yue peeks out of a tent in the parking lot at Qualcomm Stadium on Monday night.

(Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

San Bernardino firefighters battle flames on Easy Street in Running Springs. Several homes were lost in the San Bernardino Mountains community. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Tim Olson sprays a spot fire with a garden hose in an attempt to protect his Running Springs home. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

The scorched remains of a home in the Grass Valley Lake area near Lake Arrowhead.

(Robert Durell / Los Angeles Time)

The charred remains of a vehicle in the Grass Valley Lake area of the San Bernardino Mountains. (Robert Durell / Los Angeles Times)

San Diego Police Sgt. David Dolan blocks Pomerado Road in Rancho Bernardo early today.

(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

San Diego Police Officer Susan de la Pena monitors a fire from Pomerado Road in Rancho Bernardo early today. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Chula Vista resident John Mercado watches the sunrise today as flames from the Harris fire line a hillside above Salt Creek Golf Club. (Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Randy Wormdahl, a San Bernardino County firefighter, douses a hot spot early today on Black Oak Drive in Grass Valley, near Lake Arrowhead. (Robert Durell / Los Angeles Times)

San Bernardino Fire Capt. Grant Hubbell tackles a burning house in Running Springs near Lake Arrowhead. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Southern California Wildfires - Day 2

2007-10-23T13:43:00.000-07:00

So-Cal Fires rage on

A Chula Vista city firefighter works the head of the Harris Fire as it rages in the hills above Eastlake. (Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Chula Vista city fire captain Jim Miller watches the head of the Harris Fire as it rages in the hills above San Diego's Eastlake district Monday night.

(Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Firefighters take a stand as a wind-driven brush fire comes to the edge of a backyard in Poway Monday, Oct. 22, 2007. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

A Lake Arrowhead neighborhood, reduced to ash Monday afternoon, glows in the evening darkness. (Don Kelsen / Los Angeles Times)

Twelve firefighters are trapped atop a ridge off Santiago Canyon Road in Orange County after flames jumped the road. The blaze roared up the hillside and prompted the crew members to deploy their fire shelters. They were surrounded by burning brush, but they made it out alive. "We just remained calm, everyone did," one firefighter said after he was checked out by paramedics. All of the firefighters were treated at the scene and did not want to go to the hospital. (Karen Tapia-Anderson / Los Angeles Times)October 22, 2007

A San Diego firefighter tackles a house blaze in Rancho Bernardo.

(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

A plume of smoke from the Malibu fire drifts out over the Pacific Ocean.

(Don Kelsen / Los Angeles Times)

A water dropping helicopter is dwarfed against a large plume of smoke advancing up the hillside in Malibu. (Don Kelsen / Los Angeles Times)

Corrections officer Chuck Toland removes an American flag from the entrance the Valley Oaks Mobile home park in Fallbrook. (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)

The Witch Creek fire in San Diego County had grown to 10,000 acres.

(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

A San Diego Fire Department firefighter gasps for breath in the 3000 block of Lomas Serenas in Escondido, where homes were burning on both sides of the street.

(Don Bartletti / Los Angeles TImes)

Volunteer firefighters from Running Springs try to halt the spead of flames in Green Valley Lake, a community about 12 miles east of Lake Arrowhead. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Flames expose the framing of this house in Green Valley Lake.(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times

Three structures were destroyed in the 33300 block of Holcomb Creek Drive in Green Valley Lake, a mountain community about 12 miles east of Lake Arrowhead.

(Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

Los Angeles County firefighters climb a hill to head off spot fires behind homes on San Francisquito Canyon Road near Saugus. (Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times)

A man with a garden hose tries to wet down his yard before fleeing the Foothill Ranch area.

(Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Fire retardant is dropped onto the hills above Malibu as seen from Cold Canyon Road.

(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

A Halloween decoration is blown by the strong winds in the yard of a burned house in Rancho Bernardo. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Joyce Gossman of San Bernardino animal control leads a large dog to safety in Green Valley Lake.(Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

A home crumbles in Green Valley Lake. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

Despite their efforts, firefighters couldn't save this house in the 33300 block of Holcomb Creek Drive in Green Valley Lake. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

Redlands Fire Capt. Rob Sandberg fastens a hose clamp as crews try to save burning homes on Juniper Lane in Green Valley Lake.(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Flames outline the roof of a house at the end of Juniper Lane in Green Valley Lake.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

A fire that started Monday afternoon in Stevenson Ranch threatened homes and sent smoke billowing around the Magic Mountain amusement park

(Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

Crews forge their way through thick smoke in Las Flores Canyon in the Malibu area.

(Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times)

A deck, with a telescope on it, goes up in flames near Grass Valley Lake, which is just west of Lake Arrowhead.(Robert Durell / Los Angeles Times)

A helicopter drops water on a blaze in the north end of Saugus in the Santa Clarita Valley.

(Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Shervi Balhin stands outside the tent she set up with her family inside Qualcomm Stadium Monday evening. She was evacuated from Rancho Bernardo Monday morning.

(Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

Fire races through Grass Valley Lake near Lake Arrowhead. (Carlos Chavez / Los Angeles Times)

Chris Branam, of San Dimas, views the giant plume of smoke from the fire in Stevenson Ranch. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

The seventy horses at the Rocky Road Ranch in Hasley Canyon had nowhere to go as the Castaic Fire swept through. Although scared the horses were unharmed.

(Stephen Osman / Los Angeles Times)

Orange County Fire Authority personnel keep watch on the Santiago Canyon fire before dawn.

(Don Kelsen / Los Angeles Times)

Southern California Wildfires - Day 1

2007-10-23T12:34:00.000-07:00

Fires erupt in Southern California

Flames light up the early morning darkness on Las Virgenes Canyon Road.

(Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Firefighters on Las Virgenes Canyon Road this morning. (Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times)

High winds sent palm trees leaning into the smoky sky on Las Virgenes Canyon Road.

(Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Firefighters use water-dropping helicopters to battle the Canyon Fire near Pepperdine University in Malibu. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Flames tear through a structure. (Genaro Molina/ Los Angeles Times)

A burning deck and structure on the beach in Malibu. (Stephen Osman / Los Angeles Times)

Beachfront homes and decks burn at houses on Malibu Road. ( Stephen Osman / Los Angeles Times)

An aerial view of Malibu from the northeast as brushfires rage. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)Malibu resident Jim Palmer covers his face from the wind-driven smoke from the Canyon Fire in Malibu Canyon this morning.(Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Just above the sand on the 25000 block of Malibu Road, an L.A . County firefighter battles to save two homes.(Al Seib/ Los Angeles Times)

Malibu Colony resident Takuji Masuda yells to a friend to come help water down a neighbor's beachfront deck.(Brian Vander Brug/ Los Angeles Times)

Firefighters spray the Malibu Grooming Company to save it from approaching flames Sunday afternoon. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

A Jaguar burns on Pacific Coast Highway near Malibu Canyon Road.

(Stephen Osman / Los Angeles Times)

Luke Schroder, 14, turns back to look at the smoke-filled sky in Malibu.

(Richard Hartog/Los Angeles Times)

A chandelier sways in the wind at Castle Kashan in the hills of Malibu. The castle was destroyed by the blaze. (Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times)

Numerous works of art were lost in the fire at Castle Kashan, which was listed at $17 million earlier this year. (Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times)

Malibu landmark Castle Kashan is fully engulfed in flames.(Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times)

Malibu resident April Arrandt races away from a vehicle fire on Pacific Coast Highway. It was not her car.(Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times)

The dining room of a beachfront home on Malibu Road burns. (Stephen Osman / Los Angeles Times)

A structure burns on Malibu Canyon Road.(Stephen Osman / Los Angeles Times)

Firefighters tackle spot fires on the hillsides adjacent to Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu.

(Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

The towering cross at the entrance of Pepperdine University is surrounded by smoke and fire.

(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

A sign at the Malibu Presbyterian Church still stands as firefighters try to save structures.

(Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Firefighters look for places to attack the blaze as structures burn on Las Virgenes Canyon Road.(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Flames engulf Malibu Presbyterian Church. Important items were safely removed from the hilltop structure, including boxes of documents and computers.

(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

A firefighter climbs onto a structure as Malibu Presbyterian Church burns.

(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

An Airstream camper is dwarfed by approaching flames on Carbon Canyon property in Malibu.

(Stephen Osman / Los Angeles Times)

Danica Perez stands in the smoke and wind as firefighters try to keep the blaze from crossing PCH. Perez's home is on the ocean side of the highway. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Geronimo Ruiz sprays fire retardant on the house of Jeffrey Katzenberg, chief executive of movie company DreamWorks SKG. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times) October 21, 2007

As the fire makes its way down a hillside toward a structure on PCH, firefighters scramble to reposition themselves. Their efforts paid off: They were able to knock down the flames and save the structure. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times) October 21, 2007

A flurry of fire retardant sprayed from a helicopter heads toward a structure on Pacific Coast Highway. Firefighters were able to save the building.(Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times) October 21, 2007

Residents of Camp Plenty Road in Canyon Country water down a home as flames sweep through the area. The blaze also gutted cars.(Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)October 21, 2007

Spectators watch from Irvine Center Drive and Sand Canyon Avenue as the fire, driven by high winds, sweeps through the hills above Irvine. The fire had burned 3,800 acres in the Limestone Canyon Regional Park area.(Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)October 21, 2007

Orange County Fire Authority firefighter Bernie Brawner walks the fire line near Portola Parkway and Sand Canyon Avenue in Irvine, where a fast-moving blaze swept out of the hills and moved along the 241 toll road near the 133 Freeway.

(Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

October 21, 2007

Redlands Fire Capt. Rob Sandberg fastens a hose clamp as crews try to save burning homes on Juniper Lane in Green Valley Lake. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Crossing Shibboleth

2007-10-16T09:10:00.002-07:00

Crossing Shibboleth : (AFP/Shaun Curry)

Through the gate

2007-10-16T09:10:00.001-07:00

Through the gate : (AFP/Khaled Desouki)

Tufted Puffin

2007-10-16T09:09:00.001-07:00

Tufted Puffin : (AFP/Gabriel Bouys)

Temple fireworks

2007-10-16T09:08:00.000-07:00

Temple fireworks : (AFP/Narinder Nanu)

Offering prayers

2007-10-16T09:07:00.000-07:00

Offering prayers : (AFP/Indranil Mukherjee)

Last days of Ramadan

2007-10-16T09:06:00.000-07:00

Last days of Ramadan : (AFP/Massoud Hossaini)

Lift Off

2007-10-16T09:05:00.000-07:00

Lift off! : (AFP/Natalia Kolesnikova)

Broken glass

2007-10-16T09:03:00.000-07:00

Homeward bound : (AFP/Ahmad Zamroni)

Through the glass : (AFP/Ahmad Zamroni)

Graffiti

2007-10-16T09:02:00.000-07:00

Graffiti show : (AFP/Dimitar Dilkoff)

Cirque du Soleil's "Delirium"

2007-10-16T09:01:00.001-07:00

Artists perform during Cirque du Soleil's "Delirium" show in Hamburg September 18, 2007. The show of music, multimedia, dance, theater and acrobatics by 36 performers from 13 countries will be played in 25 different cities all over Europe. Picture was taken with long exposure. REUTERS/Christian Charisius (GERMANY).

Oktoberfest

2007-10-16T09:00:00.001-07:00

Oktoberfest opens : (AFP/DDP/Oliver Lang)

Dry fruits

2007-10-16T08:56:00.001-07:00

A Kashmiri Muslim vendor adjusts dry fruits for sale on the sixth day of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan in Srinagar September 19, 2007. Muslims around the world abstain from eating, drinking and conducting sexual relations from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan, the holiest month in the Islamic calendar. REUTERS/Danish Ismail (INDIAN-ADMINISTERED KASHMIR)

Weightlifting Parrot

2007-10-16T08:55:00.001-07:00

A parrot lifts weights at a zoo in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu province, September 27, 2007. REUTERS/Jeff Xu (CHINA)

Tour Of Spain Bicycle Blur

2007-10-16T08:53:00.000-07:00

Final stage: The pack rides during the final stage of the Tour of Spain, between Rivas Vaciamadrid and Madrid, September 23, 2007. Russia's Denis Menchov, of the Rabobank team, won the Tour of Spain 2007. (AFP/Jose Luis Roca)

North Korean Performers

2007-10-16T08:52:00.000-07:00

North Korean workers and students perform the North's biggest propaganda spectacle called the Arirang, at the May Day stadium in Pyongyang, North Korea, Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2007. North Korea pledged Wednesday to disable its main nuclear weapons facilities by the end of the year, while its leader Kim Jong Il huddled with his South Korean counterpart at the two Koreas' first summit in seven years to talk about a greater peace on the peninsula. (AP Photo/Korea Pool via Yonhap)

Surfer walking on waves

2007-10-16T08:51:00.001-07:00

A surfer walks toward the waves under a demin blue sky spattered with clouds in Daytona Beach, Fla., Thursday, Oct. 4, 2007. (AP Photo/Daytona Beach News-Journal, Jim Tiller)

Blue Angels jets

2007-10-16T08:50:00.000-07:00

Blue Angels jets fly in front of the Golden Gate Bridge during practice in San Francisco, Thursday, Oct. 4, 2007. The Navy's precision flying team will perform aerial maneuvers Saturday and Sunday as part of San Francisco Fleet Week 2007. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

flooded street Manila

2007-10-16T08:48:00.000-07:00

Children play in a flooded street after a heavy downpour in Manila October 2, 2007. REUTERS/John Javellana (PHILIPPINES)

Underwater Escape Artist

2007-10-16T08:45:00.000-07:00

Underwater record: Hungarian escape artist David Merlini breaks the World Record for the longest time under water without air, in Hollywood, California, October 10, 2007. Chained and handcuffed under water in a glass tank, Merlini broke the record with a time of 10 minutes and 17 seconds. (AFP/Gabriel Bouys)

Bubbles at teh Park

2007-10-16T08:44:00.000-07:00

A girl blows bubbles beside the park where thousands of Muslims marked the end of Ramadan with a mass prayer in Manila, October 12, 2007. REUTERS/John Javellana (PHILIPPINES)

Hog Fire At the Zoo

2007-10-16T08:41:00.000-07:00

A pig runs through a burning hoop at Sriracha Tiger Zoo in Chon Buri province, southeast of Bangkok, October 16,2007. The zoo has recently started training pigs to supplement its performing crocodiles and tiger breeding. REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom (THAILAND)

Fire Tornado

2007-10-15T12:38:00.000-07:00

Griffith Park, Los Angeles - Fire Tornado

NAVY detonation - USS Schenectady

2007-09-11T13:40:00.000-07:00

United States sank its own ship as part of a military exercise, one of the ships destroyed for weapons testing purposes was a decommissioned 522-foot tank landing ship, the U.S.S. Schenectady, which was one of the targets used in the exercise off of the Hawaiian Islands.

BurningMan 2007

2007-09-11T13:35:00.000-07:00

Lightning Strike - Up Close

2007-08-19T21:24:00.000-07:00

Giraffe-Saliva

2007-08-04T17:08:00.000-07:00

Giraffe-Saliva by Beth Slevin

Magician David Blaine

2006-05-12T13:35:00.000-07:00

American stuntman David Blaine holds his breath on live television during his unsuccessful attempt at a record for holding his breath underwater at Lincoln Center in New York May 8, 2006. (Brendan McDermid/Reuters)

American magician David Blaine floats in his water-filled glass sphere where he is spending seven days and nights underwater at Lincoln Center in New York May 6, 2006. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid

An oxygen mask is placed on David Blaine after he was brought to the surface when his body showed signs of danger during Blaine's attempt to break the world record for being submerged in water for nine minutes, New York, Monday, May 8, 2006. Blaine was pulled out of the sphere at the seven minute, eight second mark. (AP Photo/Stuart Ramson)

American magician David Blaine holds his wrinkled and cracked hands out the water-filled glass sphere for treatment from his medical team at the Josie Robertson Plaza at Lincoln Center, in New York, May 5, 2006. Blaine, who is now on his fifth day of his seven day underwater stunt, receives regular treatment for his skin from his medical team. At the end of the stunt titled 'Drowned Alive,' Blaine will attempt to hold his breath under water longer than any other human has ever accomplished. REUTERS/Mike Segar

Stunt artist David Blaine, immersed in an 8-foot sphere filled with water, writes 'Hi' on a slate to visitors observing his latest stunt, in the plaza of New York's Lincoln Center, Monday May 1, 2006. The shirtless, 33-year-old magician, an oxygen tube in his mouth, will spend a week living in the sphere and as a finale will try to hold his breath underwater to surpass a record of 8 minutes, 58 seconds. In an added display of extreme multitasking, Blaine will try to escape from 150 pounds of chains and handcuffs during the breath-holding finale on live television. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

International performance artist and magician David Blaine floats inside a glass sphere filled with water at Lincoln Center in New York where he will spend seven days and nights underwater, 01-08 May 2006, living in an eight-foot acrylic sphere with life support system in full public view.(AFP/Timothy A. Clary)

Magician David Blaine looks out from an eight foot sphere of water, after submerging himself into it, at Lincoln Center in New York, May 1, 2006. Blaine began a seven day endurance challenge ending with an attempt to set a world record for holding his breath. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid

South Korea, Japan Island Dispute

2006-05-12T13:18:00.000-07:00

South Korean protesters shout slogans as they burn anti-Japanese banners at a rally against Japan's plan to send survey ships near the islands called Tokto in Korean and Takeshima in Japanese, in front of the Japanese embassy in Seoul April 20, 2006. South Korea called in Japan's envoy on Thursday to try to avert a high-seas showdown over a set of desolate islands claimed by both countries. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon

Former South Korean spy soldiers, who were trained to infiltrate North Korea, burn a picture symbolising the Japanese flag at a rally against Japan's plan to send survey ships near the islands called Tokto in Korean and Takeshima in Japanese, in front of the Japanese embassy in Seoul April 21, 2006. Japan is sending a senior envoy to Seoul on Friday to try to find a middle ground in a standoff over a group of desolate islands claimed by both countries that has jarred an already strained relationship between the two. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon

South Korean protesters burn a Japanese military flag at a rally against Japan's plan to send survey ships near disputed islands, called Tokto in Korean and Takeshima in Japanese, in front of the head office of the foreign ministry in Seoul, April 21, 2006. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon

An anti-Japan rally in front of the Japanese embassy in Seoul. South Korea has established a presidential taskforce to tackle a territorial row with Japan over islets in the sea between the two countries(AFP/File/Kim Jae-Hwan)

South Korean bee farmer Ahn Sang-kyu, swarmed with bees, jumps into Japanese flag and Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's picture in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, May 2, 2006. Ahn, a local bee farmer, released over 200,000 bees and attracted them to his body to highlight his protest against Japan's sovereignty claims over South Korea's Dokdo islets. The words written in Japanese read ' Dokdo is South Korea's land.' (AP Photo/ Lee Jin-man)

South Korean bee farmer Ahn Sang-kyu is swarmed with 180,000 bees, which he released, during his protest in Seoul against Japan's sovereignty claims over the desolate islands called Tokto in South Korea and Takeshima in Japan May 2, 2006. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon

South Korean bee farmer Ahn Sang-kyu, who is swarmed with 180,000 bees which he released, writes calligraphy during his protest in Seoul against Japan's sovereignty claims over the desolate islands called Tokto in South Korea and Takeshima in Japan May 2, 2006. The calligraphy reads, 'Tokto is South Korea's land'. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon

South Korean police patrol on a group of desolate volcanic islets Seoul and Pyongyang call Tokto and Tokyo calls Takeshima, which lie almost midway between the mainlands of Korean peninsula and Japan, May 10, 2006. REUTERS/Lee Jae-Won

Belgrade Stunt Festival

2006-05-12T13:10:00.000-07:00

Stuntman Zeljko Bozic drives his car, which is in flames, off a bridge during the International Stunt Festival in Belgrade April 27, 2006. Bozic was severely injured and brought to an emergency hospital were doctors are still struggling for his life. REUTERS/Marko Djurica

REUTERS/Marko Djurica

REUTERS/Stringer

Stuntman Zeljko Bozic drives his car, which is in flames, off a bridge during the International Stunt Festival in Belgrade April 27, 2006. Bozic was severely injured and brought to an emergency hospital where doctors are still struggling for his life. REUTERS/Stringer

Medical Students Protest in India

2006-05-12T13:06:00.000-07:00

Candle wax is seen melted on a medical students hand whilst participating in a candlelight vigil at the India Gate war memorial in New Delhi, India, Sunday, April 30, 2006. The students held the vigil in protest against the federal government's move to reserve seats for lower castes in professional colleges. (AP Photo/Mustafa Quraishi)

Medical students participate in a candlelight vigil at the India Gate war memorial in New Delhi, India, Sunday, April 30, 2006. The students held the vigil in protest against the federal government's move to reserve seats for lower castes in professional colleges. (AP Photo/Mustafa Quraishi)

Indian police use water cannons to disperse medical students during a protest in New Delhi May 12, 2006. Thousands of students protested against the federal government's proposal of increasing to nearly 50 percent the quota for members of so-called backward castes wanting to attend universities and other leading academic institutions. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi

Indian police use water cannon to disperse medical students during a protest in New Delhi May 12, 2006. Thousands of students protested against the federal government's proposal of increasing to nearly 50 percent the quota for members of so-called backward castes wanting to attend universities and other leading academic institutions. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi

Indian police use water cannon to disperse medical students during a protest in New Delhi May 12, 2006. Thousands of students protested against the federal government's proposal of increasing to nearly 50 percent the quota for members of so-called backward castes wanting to attend universities and other leading academic institutions. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi

Police use water canon to disperse protesting medical students in New Delhi, India, Friday, May 12, 2006. Police on Friday used water cannons and tear gas to disperse hundreds of medical students who tried to march to the prime minister's office, protesting a government proposal to reserve seats for lower castes in professional colleges. (AP Photo/Mustafa Quraishi)

Armenian Jet Crash Kills 113

2006-05-12T12:58:00.000-07:00

Carnations float in the Black Sea to commemorate the victims of an Armenian Airlines plane that crashed into the Black Sea. Anguished relatives faced the grim ordeal of identifying their loved ones as rescue workers stepped up the search for bodies, debris and the data recorders of the plane.(AFP/Danis Sinyakov)

Thursday of identifying bodies of some of the 113 passengers and crew killed when their Armenian airliner crashed into the Black Sea off Russia's coast. REUTERS/Sergei Karpukhin

People light candles during a special ceremony to mourn victims of the Armenian airliner crash at the southern Russian resort of Sochi, Friday, May 5, 2006. The Airbus A-320, which belonged to the Armenian airline Armavia, carrying 113 people crashed in stormy weather early Wednesday off Russia's Black Sea coast as it was headed in for landing, killing everyone on board. (AP Photo/Karen Minasian)

The tail section of a crashed Tupolev sits on a street in Ueberlingen, southern Germany, in this July 2, 2002 file picture. A German court on Thursday May 11, 2006 began hearing a Russian airline's civil case against Germany over an in-flight collision in 2002 that killed 71 people, including 45 Russian children on their way to a summer vacation in Spain. The Bashkirian Airlines' suit seeks euro 3.3 million (US$4.2 million) in damages from Germany for the collision of one of its passenger jetliners with a DHL cargo aircraft in German airspace. (AP Photo/Christof Stache)

Flooded streets & debris

2006-05-12T12:53:00.000-07:00

Cargo containers tossed by Hurricane Katrina lie in the water in New Orleans August 31, 2005. (Richard Carson/Reuters)

Houses lay wrecked by Hurricane Katrina on the eastern outskirts of New Orleans in this September 20, 2005 file photo. The Times-Picayune of New Orleans and The Sun Herald of Biloxi, Mississippi, shared the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service for excellent coverage of Hurricane Katrina even as their staff and offices were hard-hit by the devastating storm, it was announced on Monday. (Jason Reed/Reuters)

Debris lies on Canal Street in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in August 2005 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Two newspapers from areas devastated by Hurricane Katrina were honoured with Pulitzer Prizes for their "heroic" coverage of the storm and its grisly aftermath.(AFP/Getty Images/File/Mario Tama)

Residents wade through a flooded street in New Orleans after hurricane Katrina made landfall, August 2005. Two newspapers from areas devastated by Hurricane Katrina were honoured with Pulitzer Prizes for their "heroic" coverage of the storm and its grisly aftermath.(AFP/File/James Nielsen)

Tropical storm umbrella

2006-05-12T12:52:00.000-07:00

A man tries to hold on to his umbrella while being buffeted by strong winds and rain brought on by a tropical storm in 2003. Tropical storm Chanchu roared toward the Philippines' Pacific coast, leaving thousands stranded at key ferry crossings and triggering official warnings of landslides and flash floods.(AFP/File/Joel Nito)

Marbles 'cheecoting' competition

2006-05-12T12:48:00.000-07:00

A competitor takes part in the annual 'cheecoting' championships, where marbles are rolled around a sand course, on the beach in the Italian seaside city of Rimini April 23, 2006. REUTERS/Francesco Campani

Baloon vendor

2006-05-12T12:47:00.000-07:00

A Chinese vendor sells balloons in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu province, May 1, 2006. China is celebrating a week-long Labor Day holiday, which starts Monday, a time when millions of Chinese travel to major cities to enjoy cultural attractions or return home to visit relatives and friends. REUTERS/Sean Yong

A bird drinks from a tap

2006-05-12T12:46:00.000-07:00

A bird drinks from a tap in the north Indian city of Chandigarh May 5, 2006. REUTERS/Ajay Verma

Fire ritual - Bun Festival

2006-05-12T12:45:00.000-07:00

A Taoist priest performs with fire during a ritual for the Bun Festival at the tiny island of Cheung Chau in Hong Kong May 4, 2006. As one of East Asia's religious spectaculars, the traditional event celebrates the islanders' deliverance from famine centuries ago and is meant to placate ghosts and restless spirits. REUTERS/Bobby Yip

Bowling Tie-dye

2006-05-12T12:35:00.000-07:00

A young bowler in tie-dye shirt with a phosphorescent glow demonstrates a new look for bowling created by the Hinsdale (Ill.)-based Brunswick Corp. It's called cosmic bowling - also known as glow bowl. (AP Photo/Brunswick Corp., HO)

Starry night

2006-05-12T12:34:00.000-07:00

An iron star of a monument of unknown Soviet soldiers, installed by Russian pathfinders, is seen at the place of the 1941 World War II battle outside the village of Rylyaki, some 260 kms south of Moscow. (AFP/Denis Sinyakov)

The Eiffel Tower shows blue lighting

2006-05-12T12:33:00.001-07:00

The Eiffel Tower shows blue lighting to mark Europe's Day early Tuesday, May 9, 2006, in Paris. May 9 marks the anniversary of the speech made by French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman in 1950 which led to post World War II Europe creating a pan-european organisation which has grown into the present day E.U. (AP Photo/Jacques Brinon)

Cool treat

2006-05-12T12:33:00.000-07:00

A monkey cools off by eating a popsicle during a heatwave in Lahore. (AFP/Arif Ali)

Moscow Fireworks

2006-05-12T12:32:00.000-07:00

Moscow commemorates the 61st anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany with fireworks, Tuesday, May 9, 2006, in front of St. Basil's Cathedral in Red Square. For many in the former Soviet Union, the victory over Nazi Germany stands out as the proudest moment in a troubled past. It was achieved at a tremendous cost, with an estimated 27 million dead and much of the western part of the country devastated. (AP Photo/Sergey Ponomarev)

Odobenus rosmarus!

2006-05-12T12:31:00.000-07:00

Odobenus rosmarus! : A male odobenus rosmarus welcomes a boy visiting the aquarium of the Kinosaki Marine World in Toyooka, 180km north of Osaka. (AFP/Kazuhiro Nogi)

Broken window

2006-05-12T12:30:00.000-07:00

Thai forensic policemen inspect a damaged window cause from a gunfire at Democrat party in Bangkok. (AFP/Pornchai Kittiwongsakul)

Manaudou competes

2006-05-12T12:27:00.000-07:00

Laure Manaudou competes in the four swims 400 meters events of the french swimming championship. (AFP/Alain Jocard)

Vigil for the dead

2006-05-04T16:16:00.000-07:00

Nepalese children light candles as pro-democracy activists observed a candle light vigil in memorial of those killed during the recent unrest in Kathmandu. (AFP/Deshakalyan Chowdhury)

Fiery display

2006-05-04T16:15:00.000-07:00

Artists of the Cirque du Soleil perform during the new show "Alegria" in Rome. (AFP/Tiziana Fabi)

Earthen lamps

2006-05-04T16:14:00.000-07:00

Indian school girls dressed in traditional Punjabi outfits hold earthen lamps during an annual prize distribution fuction in Amritsar, in India's northwestern state of Punjab. (AFP/Narinder Nanu)

Iron sparks

2006-05-04T16:12:00.000-07:00

Hard at work : Pakistani labourers work at an iron factory in Lahore, ahead of May Day. (AFP/Arif Ali)
Pakistani labourers work at an iron factory in Lahore, ahead of May Day. (AFP/Arif Ali)

Beekeeper protesting

2006-05-04T16:11:00.000-07:00

A South Korean beekeeper is covered by honey bees as he stages a protest denouncing Japan's claim to disputed islets, known as Dokdo in Korea and Takeshima in Japan. (AFP/Jung Yeon-Je)

Burning barricade

2006-05-04T16:10:00.000-07:00

A demonstrator stands near of a burning barricade during a non- authorized May Day demonstration in Berlin's Kreuzberg district. (AFP/DDP/Johannes Eisele)

Fuming...

2006-05-04T15:55:00.000-07:00

A low-intensity fume emanates from the Popocatepetl volcano in Puebla State, Mexico. (AFP/Ronaldo Schemidt)

Refreshing splash

2006-05-04T15:54:00.000-07:00

A young Filipino boy enjoys a bath on a Manila street. (AFP/Jay Directo)

Romanian Village cart

2006-05-04T15:52:00.000-07:00

Two men ride a horse-and-cart through a flooded road in the Romanian village of Rast. A man suspected of committing a serious assault in the northern English city of Leeds managed to escape from a motorised police pursuit using a horse-and-cart.(AFP/File/Dimitar Dilkoff)

Clouds over NASA

2006-05-04T15:51:00.000-07:00

A bank of clouds moves over the NASA vehicle assembly building at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, July 12, 2005. NASA is trying to rid the Kennedy Space Center of vultures after the shuttle struck one of the large birds during lift-off last year on the first flight after the Columbia disaster. (Carlos Barria/Reuters)

roadside bomb

2006-05-04T15:46:00.000-07:00

A U.S. armoured vehicle burns after a roadside bomb exploded targeting a U.S. patrol west of Baghdad May 4, 2006. Four Iraqi civilians were wounded in the attack, witnesses said. REUTERS/Ali Jasim

Car crosses river on tightrope

2006-05-04T15:45:00.000-07:00

A Guinness World Records holder Yang Xiangdong drives a car through 60-meter steel tightrope at the Yanxi Lake in Beijing May 1, 2006. China is celebrating a week-long Labour Day holiday, which starts yesterday, a time when millions of Chinese people travel to major cities to enjoy cultural attractions or return home to visit relatives and friends, China Daily reported. Photo taken May 1, 2006. CHINA OUT REUTERS/China Daily