<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<feed xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom">
    <title>The Frame</title>
    <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/" />
    <link rel="self" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/atom.xml" />
    <id>tag:blogs.sacbee.com,2008-06-24:/photos//48</id>
    <updated>2012-02-08T23:43:44Z</updated>
    <subtitle>Photos selected by the Sacramento Bee multimedia staff</subtitle>
    <generator uri="http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/">Movable Type 4.34-en</generator>

<entry>
    <title>Tibet&apos;s government-in-exile, calls for worldwide vigils</title>
    <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/2012/02/tibets-government-in-exile-cal.html" />
    <id>tag:blogs.sacbee.com,2012:/photos//48.51236</id>

    <published>2012-02-08T23:42:06Z</published>
    <updated>2012-02-08T23:43:44Z</updated>

    <summary> DHARMSALA, India (AP) -- Chinese repression has lead to the self-immolations of nearly two dozen Tibetans and deadly clashes with Chinese authorities, the head of Tibet&apos;s government-in-exile said Wednesday. &quot;Tibetans inside Tibet are giving up their lives. They&apos;re saying,...</summary>
    <author>
        <name>Tim Reese, Assistant Director of Multimedia</name>
        
    </author>
    
    
    <content type="html" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/">
        <![CDATA[
<div style="width: 980px; padding: 5px; text-align: left;">
<font style="font-size: 1.5625em;">D</font>HARMSALA, India (AP) -- Chinese repression has lead to the self-immolations of nearly two dozen Tibetans and deadly clashes with Chinese authorities, the head of Tibet's government-in-exile said Wednesday.<br />
"Tibetans inside Tibet are giving up their lives. They're saying, 'I choose to die,'" Lobsang Sangay, the leader of the self-declared exile government, said after an afternoon prayer vigil at the main temple in this Indian hill town.<br />China on Tuesday vowed to crack down on unrest in Tibetan areas and accused overseas activist groups and the Dalai Lama of fomenting the recent violence.<br />More than a dozen monks and nuns have set themselves on fire in ethnic Tibetan areas of Sichuan over the last year. Most have chanted for Tibetan freedom and the return of the Dalai Lama, who fled to India amid an abortive uprising against Chinese rule in 1959.
<br />Early Wednesday, hundreds of Tibetan activists marched through the streets of New Delhi, calling for freedom for their homeland and decrying Chinese rule. The government-in-exile had called for vigils to be held Wednesday amid the immolations and clashes.<br />(<a href="http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/2012/02/tibets-government-in-exile-cal.html#more">33 images</a>)</div>
<br /> <a href="http://twitter.com/sacbee_theframe" class="twitter-follow-button">Follow @sacbee_theframe</a>
<script src="http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" type="text/javascript"></script><br /><br />
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<a href="http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/2012/02/tibets-government-in-exile-cal.html#more"><img height="652" alt="tibet_protest_0212_01.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/feb12/tibet_protest_0212_sm/tibet_protest_0212_01.jpg" width="982" /> </a>
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> 
Tibetan monks and supporters throw dust in the air in honor of the dead monks and protesters self-immolated or killed in clashes with Chinese security forces during a vigil in Taipei, Taiwan, Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012.  Lobsang Sangay, the head of Tibet's government-in-exile, called for worldwide vigils on Wednesday, following a series of self-immolations and bloody clashes between Tibetans and Chinese forces.   <b> AP / Wally Santana </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)"><a href="http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/2012/02/tibets-government-in-exile-cal.html#more"><strong><font style="FONT-SIZE: 1.25em">MORE IMAGES</font></strong></a> 
<br />
</div>
<br />
 ]]>
        <![CDATA[<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="tibet_protest_0212_02.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/feb12/tibet_protest_0212_sm/tibet_protest_0212_02.jpg" width="982" height="639" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Exiled Tibetans participate in a candlelight vigil to remember Tibetans who have died in Tibet, in Dharmsala, India, Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2011.  <b> AP / Ashwini Bhatia </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="tibet_protest_0212_03.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/feb12/tibet_protest_0212_sm/tibet_protest_0212_03.jpg" width="982" height="660" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> A prayer book covered with a portrait of the Dalai Lama rests on the lap of an exiled Tibetan participating in a prayer session to remember Tibetans who have died in Tibet, in Dharmsala, India, Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2011.  <b> AP / Ashwini Bhatia </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="tibet_protest_0212_04.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/feb12/tibet_protest_0212_sm/tibet_protest_0212_04.jpg" width="982" height="616" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Lobsang Sangay, second right, Prime Minister of the Tibetan government-in-exile, prays with his cabinet members and other Tibetans during a prayer session to remember Tibetans who have died in Tibet and to show solidarity to Tibetans inside Tibet, Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2011. <b> AP / Ashwini Bhatia </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="tibet_protest_0212_05.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/feb12/tibet_protest_0212_sm/tibet_protest_0212_05.jpg" width="982" height="755" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> An exiled Tibetan participates in a candle light vigil to remember Tibetans who have died in Tibet, in Bangalore, India, Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012. <b> AP / Aijaz Rahi </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="tibet_protest_0212_06.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/feb12/tibet_protest_0212_sm/tibet_protest_0212_06.jpg" width="982" height="609" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Exile Tibetans participate in a candlelight vigil to remember Tibetans who have died in Tibet and to show solidarity to Tibetans inside Tibet, in Dharmsala, India, Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2011. <b> AP / Ashwini Bhatia </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="tibet_protest_0212_07.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/feb12/tibet_protest_0212_sm/tibet_protest_0212_07.jpg" width="982" height="652" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> An exile Tibetan nun participates in a prayer session to remember Tibetans who have died in Tibet and to show solidarity to Tibetans inside Tibet, in Dharmsala, India, Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2011.  <b> AP / Ashwini Bhatia </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="tibet_protest_0212_08.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/feb12/tibet_protest_0212_sm/tibet_protest_0212_08.jpg" width="982" height="653" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Lobsang Sangay, right, Prime Minister of the Tibetan government-in-exile, stands next to a portrait of the Dalai Lama as he speaks after a prayer session to remember Tibetans who have died in Tibet and as a show of solidarity for those living in Tibet, in Dharmsala, India, Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2011.  <b> AP / Ashwini Bhatia </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="tibet_protest_0212_09.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/feb12/tibet_protest_0212_sm/tibet_protest_0212_09.jpg" width="982" height="638" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> An exiled Tibetan sits next to a banner showing Tibetans who purportedly immolated themselves in Tibet since March 2010, during a prayer session in Dharmsala, India, Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2011.  <b> AP / Ashwini Bhatia </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="tibet_protest_0212_10.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/feb12/tibet_protest_0212_sm/tibet_protest_0212_10.jpg" width="982" height="505" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> A Tibetan exile participates in a rally to show solidarity with Tibetans who have either set themselves on fire or were allegedly killed by Chinese police, during a protest march in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012.  <b> AP / Tsering Topgyal </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="tibet_protest_0212_11.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/feb12/tibet_protest_0212_sm/tibet_protest_0212_11.jpg" width="982" height="635" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Tibetan exiled monks participate in a rally to show solidarity with Tibetans who have either set themselves on fire or were allegedly killed by Chinese police, during a protest march in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012.  <b> AP / Saurabh Das </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="tibet_protest_0212_12.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/feb12/tibet_protest_0212_sm/tibet_protest_0212_12.jpg" width="982" height="652" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Tibetan exiles march at a protest in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012.  <b> AP / Mustafa Quraishi </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="tibet_protest_0212_13.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/feb12/tibet_protest_0212_sm/tibet_protest_0212_13.jpg" width="982" height="596" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Exiled Tibetans dressed as Chinese soldiers act as though they are abusing Tibetans during a rally to show solidarity to Tibetans who have either set themselves on fire or were allegedly killed by Chinese police, during a protest march in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012.  <b> AP / Saurabh Das </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="tibet_protest_0212_14.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/feb12/tibet_protest_0212_sm/tibet_protest_0212_14.jpg" width="982" height="652" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Exiled Tibetan monks participate in a candle light vigil to show solidarity with Tibetans who have either set themselves on fire or were allegedly killed by Chinese forces, during a protest march in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012.  <b> AP / Tsering Topgyal </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="tibet_protest_0212_15.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/feb12/tibet_protest_0212_sm/tibet_protest_0212_15.jpg" width="982" height="681" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Tibetan exiles shout slogans as they attempt to break a police barricade near the Chinese Embassy at a protest against the Chinese government, in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012.  <b> AP / Mustafa Quraishi </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="tibet_protest_0212_16.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/feb12/tibet_protest_0212_sm/tibet_protest_0212_16.jpg" width="982" height="657" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Exiled Tibetan monks wear black masks at a rally to show solidarity with Tibetans who have either set themselves on fire or were allegedly killed by Chinese police, during a protest march in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012.  <b> AP / Saurabh Das </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="tibet_protest_0212_17.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/feb12/tibet_protest_0212_sm/tibet_protest_0212_17.jpg" width="982" height="658" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Exiled Tibetan monks participate in a candle light vigil to show solidarity with Tibetans who have either set themselves on fire or were allegedly killed by Chinese forces, during a protest march in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012.   <b> AP / Tsering Topgyal </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="tibet_protest_0212_18.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/feb12/tibet_protest_0212_sm/tibet_protest_0212_18.jpg" width="982" height="660" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Tibetan exiles participate in a protest march, as a policeman keeps vigil in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012.  <b> AP / Gurinder Osan </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="tibet_protest_0212_19.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/feb12/tibet_protest_0212_sm/tibet_protest_0212_19.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Tibetan exiles participate in a rally to show solidarity with Tibetans who have either set themselves on fire or were allegedly killed by Chinese police, during a protest march in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012.  <b> AP / Saurabh Das </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="tibet_protest_0212_20.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/feb12/tibet_protest_0212_sm/tibet_protest_0212_20.jpg" width="982" height="627" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Tibetan exiles chant slogans during a protest march in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012.  <b> AP / Gurinder Osan </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="tibet_protest_0212_21.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/feb12/tibet_protest_0212_sm/tibet_protest_0212_21.jpg" width="982" height="657" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Tibetan monks and supporters pray in honor of the dead monks and protesters self-immolated or killed in clashes with Chinese security forces during a vigil in Taipei, Taiwan, Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012.   <b> AP / Wally Santana </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="tibet_protest_0212_22.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/feb12/tibet_protest_0212_sm/tibet_protest_0212_22.jpg" width="982" height="658" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Tibetan monks and supporters gather in honor of the dead monks and protesters self-immolated or killed in clashes with Chinese security forces during a vigil in Taipei, Taiwan, Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012.  <b> AP / Wally Santana </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="tibet_protest_0212_23.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/feb12/tibet_protest_0212_sm/tibet_protest_0212_23.jpg" width="982" height="651" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Portraits of dead Tibetan monks who died from self-immolation are held up during a candle light vigil in Taipei, Taiwan, Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012.   <b> AP / Wally Santana </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="tibet_protest_0212_24.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/feb12/tibet_protest_0212_sm/tibet_protest_0212_24.jpg" width="982" height="665" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> A Tibetan supporter chants "Free Tibet!" during a vigil in Taipei, Taiwan, Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012.  <b> AP / Wally Santana </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="tibet_protest_0212_25.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/feb12/tibet_protest_0212_sm/tibet_protest_0212_25.jpg" width="982" height="652" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> A Tibetan woman prostates at a monastery in Katmandu, Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012. Tibetans in Katmandu organized a candlelight vigil for the victims of violence in Tibet that had to be cancelled due to security reasons.  <b> AP / Niranjan Shrestha </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="tibet_protest_0212_26.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/feb12/tibet_protest_0212_sm/tibet_protest_0212_26.jpg" width="982" height="659" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> A Tibetan monk is seen inside a Tibetan Monastery as Nepalese police stand guard outside the gate in Katmandu, Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012.  <b> AP / Niranjan Shrestha </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="tibet_protest_0212_27.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/feb12/tibet_protest_0212_sm/tibet_protest_0212_27.jpg" width="982" height="687" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Tibetans offer prayers at a monastery in Katmandu, Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012.  <b> AP / Niranjan Shrestha </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="tibet_protest_0212_28.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/feb12/tibet_protest_0212_sm/tibet_protest_0212_28.jpg" width="982" height="621" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Supporters of Tibet pray during a candlelight vigil in Tokyo Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012.  <b> AP / Shizuo Kambayashi </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="tibet_protest_0212_29.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/feb12/tibet_protest_0212_sm/tibet_protest_0212_29.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Supporters of Tibet pray during a candlelight vigil in Tokyo Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012.  <b> AP / Shizuo Kambayashi </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="tibet_protest_0212_30.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/feb12/tibet_protest_0212_sm/tibet_protest_0212_30.jpg" width="982" height="704" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Tibetans sit on a motor cart waiting for a lift outside a monastery after attending a religious ceremony at a monastery in Jiuzhaigou, in northwestern China's Sichuan province, Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2012.  <b> AP / Andy Wong </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="tibet_protest_0212_31.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/feb12/tibet_protest_0212_sm/tibet_protest_0212_31.jpg" width="982" height="768" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> A Tibetan child holds a bottle of yogurt by a motor cart outside a monastery after attending a religious ceremony at a monastery in Jiuzhaigou, in northwestern China's Sichuan province, Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2012.  <b> AP / Andy Wong </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="tibet_protest_0212_32.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/feb12/tibet_protest_0212_sm/tibet_protest_0212_32.jpg" width="982" height="729" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Tibetans watch a monk perform a mask dance during a religious ceremony at a monastery in Jiuzhaigou, in northwestern China's Sichuan province, Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2012.  <b> AP / Andy Wong </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="tibet_protest_0212_33.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/feb12/tibet_protest_0212_sm/tibet_protest_0212_33.jpg" width="982" height="732" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Tibetan monks walk back into a monastery after performing a religious ceremony at a monastery in Jiuzhaigou, in northwestern China's Sichuan province, Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2012.  <b> AP / Andy Wong </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
]]>
    </content>
</entry>

<entry>
    <title>Lantern festival 2012</title>
    <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/2012/02/lantern-festival-2012.html" />
    <id>tag:blogs.sacbee.com,2012:/photos//48.51149</id>

    <published>2012-02-06T20:29:59Z</published>
    <updated>2012-02-06T20:31:08Z</updated>

    <summary> The traditional Lantern Festival was celebrated Monday, Feb. 6. It marks the 15th and final day of the Spring Festival celebrations, the annual celebration of the beginning of Chinese Lunar New Year. (28 images) Follow @sacbee_theframe Under a shower...</summary>
    <author>
        <name>Tim Reese, Assistant Director of Multimedia</name>
        
    </author>
    
    
    <content type="html" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/">
        <![CDATA[ <div style="width: 980px; padding: 5px; text-align: left;">
<font style="font-size: 1.5625em;">T</font>he traditional Lantern Festival was celebrated Monday, Feb. 6. It marks the 15th and final day of the Spring Festival celebrations, the annual celebration of the beginning of Chinese Lunar New Year. <br />(<a href="http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/2012/02/lantern-festival-2012.html#more">28 images</a>)</div>
<br /> <a href="http://twitter.com/sacbee_theframe" class="twitter-follow-button">Follow @sacbee_theframe</a>
<script src="http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" type="text/javascript"></script><br /><br />
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<a href="http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/2012/02/lantern-festival-2012.html#more"><img height="654" alt="lantern_festival_2012_01.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/feb12/lantern_festival_2012_sm/lantern_festival_2012_01.jpg" width="982" /> </a>
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> 
Under a shower of sparks from fireworks, people perform the dragon dance during a celebration of the Lantern Festival at a park in Chongqing, China in southwest China, Monday, Feb. 6, 2012.  <b> <a href="ZUMA24.com">ZUMA24.com</a> Chen Cheng </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)"><a href="http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/2012/02/lantern-festival-2012.html#more"><strong><font style="FONT-SIZE: 1.25em">MORE IMAGES</font></strong></a> 
<br />
</div>
<br />
]]>
        <![CDATA[<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="lantern_festival_2012_02.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/feb12/lantern_festival_2012_sm/lantern_festival_2012_02.jpg" width="982" height="657" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Wearing protective helmets and hoping to be hit, thousands of devotees stand in the Yanshui Beehive Fireworks Festival in Yanshui, southern Taiwan, Monday, Feb. 6, 2012. Marking the end of the Chinese Lantern Festival, the Yenshui Beehive Fireworks Festival originates from the late 19th century when villagers suffering from serious cholera epidemics used fireworks to ward off evil spirits they believed brought on the sickness. (AP Photo / Wally Santana) <b> AP / Wally Santana </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="lantern_festival_2012_03.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/feb12/lantern_festival_2012_sm/lantern_festival_2012_03.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> People gather at Yuyuan Garden to celebrate the Lantern Festival at the end of the Chinese New Year celebrations Monday Feb. 6, 2012. Traditional lanterns are displayed on the 15th day of the new year, which is called the Lantern Festival.  <b> AP / Eugene Hoshiko </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="lantern_festival_2012_04.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/feb12/lantern_festival_2012_sm/lantern_festival_2012_04.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Dragon shape lantern is displayed at Yuyuan Garden to celebrate the Lantern Festival at the end of the Chinese New Year celebrations Monday Feb. 6, 2012. Traditional lanterns are displayed on the 15th day of the new year, which is called the Lantern Festival. <b> AP / Eugene Hoshiko </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="lantern_festival_2012_05.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/feb12/lantern_festival_2012_sm/lantern_festival_2012_05.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> People gather at Yuyuan Garden to celebrate the Lantern Festival as the end of the Chinese New Year celebrations Monday Feb. 6, 2012. Traditional lanterns are displayed on the 15th day of the new year, which is called the Lantern Festival. <b> AP / Eugene Hoshiko </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="lantern_festival_2012_06.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/feb12/lantern_festival_2012_sm/lantern_festival_2012_06.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> People gather at Yuyuan Garden to celebrate the Lantern Festival as the end of the Chinese New Year celebrations Monday Feb. 6, 2012. Traditional lanterns are displayed on the 15th day of the new year, which is called the Lantern Festival. <b> AP / Eugene Hoshiko </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="lantern_festival_2012_07.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/feb12/lantern_festival_2012_sm/lantern_festival_2012_07.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> A masked woman walks past lanterns in the shape of terracota warriors set up for Lantern Festival in Beijing, China, Monday, Feb. 6, 2012. The Lantern Festival marks the final day of the Spring Festival celebrations, the annual celebration of the beginning of Chinese Lunar New Year.  <b> AP / Alexander F. Yuan </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="lantern_festival_2012_08.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/feb12/lantern_festival_2012_sm/lantern_festival_2012_08.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> A couple look at the lanterns at Yuyuan Garden to celebrate the Lantern Festival as the end of the Chinese New Year celebrations Monday Feb. 6, 2012. Traditional lanterns are displayed on the 15th day of the new year, which is called the Lantern Festival.  <b> AP / Eugene Hoshiko </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="lantern_festival_2012_09.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/feb12/lantern_festival_2012_sm/lantern_festival_2012_09.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Performers dance in celebration of the upcoming Lantern Festival outside a shopping mall in Beijing, China, Friday, Feb. 3, 2012. The Lantern Festival, which falls on Feb. 6, 2012, marks the 15th and final day of the Spring Festival, the annual celebration of the beginning of the Lunar New Year. (AP Photo/Alexander F. Yuan) <b> AP / Alexander F. Yuan </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="lantern_festival_2012_10.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/feb12/lantern_festival_2012_sm/lantern_festival_2012_10.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> A worker dressed as a fortune god strolls as the visitors touch the ancient money like fortune ornament at Yuyuan Garden to celebrate the Lantern Festival as the end of the Chinese New Year celebrations Monday Feb. 6, 2012. Traditional lanterns are displayed on the 15th day of the new year, which is called the Lantern Festival.  <b> AP / Eugene Hoshiko </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="lantern_festival_2012_11.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/feb12/lantern_festival_2012_sm/lantern_festival_2012_11.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Workers carry lanterns, blown away and partially broken by strong winds on a shopping street decorated with the lanterns for Lantern Festival in Beijing Monday, Feb. 6, 2012. The festival marks the final day of the Spring Festival, the annual celebration of Chinese Lunar New Year.  <b> AP / Alexander F. Yuan </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="lantern_festival_2012_12.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/feb12/lantern_festival_2012_sm/lantern_festival_2012_12.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> A man walks across an empty square decorated with red lanterns for the Lantern Festival in Beijing Monday, Feb. 6, 2012. The festival marks the final day of the Spring Festival, the annual celebration of Chinese Lunar New Year.  <b> AP / Alexander F. Yuan </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="lantern_festival_2012_13.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/feb12/lantern_festival_2012_sm/lantern_festival_2012_13.jpg" width="982" height="613" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> People play waist drums in Yanan in northwest China's Shaanxi Province to celebrate the Lantern Festival on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012. <b> <a href="ZUMA24.com">ZUMA24.com</a> Qi Xiaojun </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="lantern_festival_2012_14.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/feb12/lantern_festival_2012_sm/lantern_festival_2012_14.jpg" width="982" height="681" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Visitors look at red lanterns in Jinan, China on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012, ahead of the upcoming Lantern Festival which falls on Feb. 6. <b> <a href="ZUMA24.com">ZUMA24.com</a> Zhu Zheng </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="lantern_festival_2012_15.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/feb12/lantern_festival_2012_sm/lantern_festival_2012_15.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Boys and girls set off the Kong Ming lantern, a kind of handmade paper hot-air balloon, on the eve of the Lantern Festival in Wenzhou, China on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012. People believe that setting off the Kong Ming lanterns may help their dreams come true.  <b> <a href="ZUMA24.com">ZUMA24.com</a> Chen Xiang </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="lantern_festival_2012_16.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/feb12/lantern_festival_2012_sm/lantern_festival_2012_16.jpg" width="982" height="646" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> People visit Lantern Festival to mark the end of Chinese Lunar New Year in Taipei, Taiwan, Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012.  <b> AP / Chiang Ying-ying </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="lantern_festival_2012_17.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/feb12/lantern_festival_2012_sm/lantern_festival_2012_17.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> People watch Lanterns during Lantern Festival to mark the end of Chinese Lunar New Year in Taipei, Taiwan, Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012.  <b> AP / Chiang Ying-ying </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="lantern_festival_2012_18.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/feb12/lantern_festival_2012_sm/lantern_festival_2012_18.jpg" width="982" height="660" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> A dragon-shaped lantern is seen at a park in Baise, China on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012. A lantern carnival started here on Thursday to greet the upcoming Lantern Festival which falls on Feb. 6. <b> <a href="ZUMA24.com">ZUMA24.com</a> Luo Zhiken </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="lantern_festival_2012_19.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/feb12/lantern_festival_2012_sm/lantern_festival_2012_19.jpg" width="982" height="652" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> In this Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012 photo, people watch dragon dance in celebration of the upcoming Lantern Festival in Zhaiying town of Songtao county, in southwestern China's Guizhou province. The Lantern Festival, which falls on Feb. 6, 2012, marks the 15th and final day of the Spring Festival celebrations, the annual celebration of the beginning of Chinese Lunar New Year.  <b> AP /  </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="lantern_festival_2012_20.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/feb12/lantern_festival_2012_sm/lantern_festival_2012_20.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> People take photos of two entertainers during their performance for the upcoming Lantern Festival inside a shopping mall in Beijing, China, Friday, Feb. 3, 2012.  <b> AP / Alexander F. Yuan </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="lantern_festival_2012_21.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/feb12/lantern_festival_2012_sm/lantern_festival_2012_21.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Drum dancers pose for photos under lanterns after performing in celebration of the Lantern Festival inside a shopping mall in Beijing, China, Friday, Feb. 3, 2012. <b> AP / Alexander F. Yuan </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="lantern_festival_2012_22.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/feb12/lantern_festival_2012_sm/lantern_festival_2012_22.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Women dressed in Qing Dynasty royal costumes perform in celebration of the upcoming Lantern Festival inside a shopping mall in Beijing, China, Friday, Feb. 3, 2012.  <b> AP / Alexander F. Yuan </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="lantern_festival_2012_23.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/feb12/lantern_festival_2012_sm/lantern_festival_2012_23.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> People watch a donkey dance inside a shopping mall during a performance in celebration of the upcoming Lantern Festival in Beijing, China, Friday, Feb. 3, 2012.  <b> AP / Alexander F. Yuan </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="lantern_festival_2012_24.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/feb12/lantern_festival_2012_sm/lantern_festival_2012_24.jpg" width="982" height="731" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> A Chinese girl wearing a mask holds a lotus lantern as she stands near a store selling lanterns, ahead of the Lantern Festival in Nanjing in east China's Jiangsu province Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012. <b> AP /  </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="lantern_festival_2012_25.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/feb12/lantern_festival_2012_sm/lantern_festival_2012_25.jpg" width="982" height="677" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> People look at lanterns created by middle school students during 2012 Taipei Lantern Festival Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012, in Taipei, China. The festival will last for 11 days.  <b> <a href="ZUMA24.com">ZUMA24.com</a> Jin Liangkuai </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="lantern_festival_2012_26.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/feb12/lantern_festival_2012_sm/lantern_festival_2012_26.jpg" width="982" height="653" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> People participate in a dragon dance as part of a tradition in Xianju county that sees people make giant dragons of bamboo for Spring Festival and Lantern Festival festivities in Xiage, China on Wednesday, Feb. 1. The dragon is made from bamboo and is decorated with colorful paper and lit by candle. Locals believe that the dragon dance can bring them good fortune and peace. <b> <a href="ZUMA24.com">ZUMA24.com</a> Xu Yu </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="lantern_festival_2012_27.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/feb12/lantern_festival_2012_sm/lantern_festival_2012_27.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Hundreds of Taiwanese release "sky lanterns" in hopes of good fortune and prosperity in the new year and to celebrate the upcoming traditional Chinese Lantern Festival on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012, in the Pingxi district of New Taipei City, Taiwan.  <b> AP / Wally Santana </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="lantern_festival_2012_28.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/feb12/lantern_festival_2012_sm/lantern_festival_2012_28.jpg" width="982" height="643" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Hundreds of Taiwanese prepare to release "sky lanterns" in hopes of good fortune and prosperity in the new year and to celebrate the upcoming traditional Chinese Lantern Festival on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012, in the Pingxi district of New Taipei City, Taiwan. <b> AP / Wally Santana </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
]]>
    </content>
</entry>

<entry>
    <title>Magh Mela festival 2012</title>
    <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/2012/02/magh-mela-festival-2012.html" />
    <id>tag:blogs.sacbee.com,2012:/photos//48.50997</id>

    <published>2012-02-01T23:15:51Z</published>
    <updated>2012-02-01T23:16:48Z</updated>

    <summary> Hundreds of thousands of devout Hindus bathe at the confluence of the Ganges River in India during the astronomically auspicious period of over 45 days celebrated as &apos;Magh Mela.&apos; The pilgrims take dips in the river, some hoping to...</summary>
    <author>
        <name>Tim Reese, Assistant Director of Multimedia</name>
        
    </author>
    
    
    <content type="html" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/">
        <![CDATA[ 
<div style="width: 980px; padding: 5px; text-align: left;">
<font style="font-size: 1.5625em;">H</font>undreds of thousands of devout Hindus bathe at the confluence of the Ganges River in India during the astronomically auspicious period of over 45 days celebrated as 'Magh Mela.' The pilgrims take dips in the river, some hoping to wash away sins and others to secure a fine spouse, during the festival.<br />(<a href="http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/2012/02/magh-mela-festival-2012.html#more">34 images</a>)</div>
<br /> <a href="http://twitter.com/sacbee_theframe" class="twitter-follow-button">Follow @sacbee_theframe</a>
<script src="http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" type="text/javascript"></script><br /><br />
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<a href="http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/2012/02/magh-mela-festival-2012.html#more"><img height="655" alt="magh_mela_01.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/feb12/magh_mela_2012_sm/magh_mela_01.jpg" width="982" /> </a>
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> 
Indian Hindu holy men perform a ritual by burning dried cow dung cakes in earthen pots overhead in their quest for salvation at Sangam, the confluence of the Rivers Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati, during the Basant Panchmi festival that falls during the annual traditional fair of Magh Mela in Allahabad, India, Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.  <b> AP / Rajesh Kumar Singh </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)"><a href="http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/2012/02/magh-mela-festival-2012.html#more"><strong><font style="FONT-SIZE: 1.25em">MORE IMAGES</font></strong></a> 
<br />
</div>
<br />
]]>
        <![CDATA[<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="magh_mela_02.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/feb12/magh_mela_2012_sm/magh_mela_02.jpg" width="982" height="581" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Hindu pilrims arrive at the Sangam, the confluence of the rivers Ganges, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati during the annual month long Hindu religious fair of Magh Mela in Allahabad, India, Monday, Jan. 23, 2012.  <b> AP /  </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="magh_mela_03.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/feb12/magh_mela_2012_sm/magh_mela_03.jpg" width="982" height="660" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Indian Hindu holy men perform rituals inside a circle made of dried cow dung cakes at Sangam, confluence of the Rivers Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati, during the annual month long Hindu religious fair of Magh Mela in Allahabad, India, Monday, Jan. 30, 2012.  <b> AP / Rajesh Kumar Singh </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="magh_mela_04.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/feb12/magh_mela_2012_sm/magh_mela_04.jpg" width="982" height="608" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> A Sadhu, or a Hindu holy man, takes a dip at Sangam, confluence of the Rivers Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati, during the annual traditional fair of Magh Mela in Allahabad, India, Monday, Jan. 30, 2012.  <b> AP / Rajesh Kumar Singh </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="magh_mela_05.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/feb12/magh_mela_2012_sm/magh_mela_05.jpg" width="982" height="665" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Indian women offer prayers at the 'Sangam', the confluence of the Ganges Yamuna and mythical Saraswati, during the Basant Panchami festival that falls during the annual traditional fair of Magh Mela in Allahabad, India, Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.  <b> AP / Rajesh Kumar Singh </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="magh_mela_06.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/feb12/magh_mela_2012_sm/magh_mela_06.jpg" width="982" height="668" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Indian Hindu holy men perform rituals inside a circle made of dried cow dung cakes at Sangam, confluence of the Rivers Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati, during the annual month long Hindu religious fair of Magh Mela in Allahabad, India, Monday, Jan. 30, 2012.  <b> AP / Rajesh Kumar Singh </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="magh_mela_07.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/feb12/magh_mela_2012_sm/magh_mela_07.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> A Sadhu, or Hindu holy man, smokes marijuana at Sangam, the confluence of the Rivers Ganges,Yamuna and mythical Saraswati, during the annual month long Hindu religious fair of Magh Mela in Allahabad, India, Sunday, Jan. 29, 2012. <b> AP / Rajesh Kumar Singh </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="magh_mela_08.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/feb12/magh_mela_2012_sm/magh_mela_08.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> A Hindu holy man drinks tea at Sangam, the confluence of the Rivers Ganges,Yamuna and mythical Saraswati, during the annual month long Hindu religious fair of Magh Mela in Allahabad, India, Sunday, Jan. 29, 2012.  <b> AP / Rajesh Kumar Singh </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="magh_mela_09.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/feb12/magh_mela_2012_sm/magh_mela_09.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> A Hindu couple  offers prayers at the 'Sangam', the confluence of the Ganges Yamuna and mythical Saraswati, during the Basant Panchami festival that falls during the annual traditional fair of Magh Mela in Allahabad, India, Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012. <b> AP / Rajesh Kumar Singh </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="magh_mela_10.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/feb12/magh_mela_2012_sm/magh_mela_10.jpg" width="982" height="665" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Indian women offers prayers at the 'Sangam', the confluence of the Ganges Yamuna and mythical Saraswati, during the Basant Panchami festival that falls during the annual traditional fair of Magh Mela in Allahabad, India, Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.  <b> AP / Rajesh Kumar Singh </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="magh_mela_11.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/feb12/magh_mela_2012_sm/magh_mela_11.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Hindu devotees arrive at Sangam amidst morning fog  to offer prayers on the banks of the Rivers Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati, during the Basant Panchami festival that falls during the annual traditional fair of Magh Mela in Allahabad, India, Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012. Basant Panchami, the fifth day of spring is celebrated by worshipping Hindu Goddess of knowledge and wisdom, Saraswati .  <b> AP / Rajesh Kumar Singh </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="magh_mela_12.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/feb12/magh_mela_2012_sm/magh_mela_12.jpg" width="982" height="645" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Hindu devotees offer prayers after a holy dip at the 'Sangam', the confluence of the Ganges Yamuna and mythical Saraswati, during the Basant Panchami festival that falls during the annual traditional fair of Magh Mela in Allahabad, India, Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.  <b> AP / Rajesh Kumar Singh </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="magh_mela_13.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/feb12/magh_mela_2012_sm/magh_mela_13.jpg" width="982" height="691" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> A shopkeeper waits in his shop as Hindu devotees arrive at the 'Sangam', the confluence of the Ganges Yamuna and mythical Saraswati, during the Basant Panchami festival that falls during the annual traditional fair of Magh Mela in Allahabad, India, Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012.  <b> AP / Rajesh Kumar Singh </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="magh_mela_14.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/feb12/magh_mela_2012_sm/magh_mela_14.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Hindu devotees gather to offer prayers and a holy dip at the 'Sangam', the confluence of the Ganges Yamuna and mythical Saraswati, during the Basant Panchami festival that falls during the annual traditional fair of Magh Mela in Allahabad, India, Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012. <b> AP / Rajesh Kumar Singh </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="magh_mela_15.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/feb12/magh_mela_2012_sm/magh_mela_15.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Makeshift tents of Hindu devotees are seen at the confluence of the rivers Ganges and Yamuna, during the annual Hindu religious fair of Magh Mela in Allahabad, India, Friday, Jan. 27, 2012.  <b> AP / Rajesh Kumar Singh </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="magh_mela_16.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/feb12/magh_mela_2012_sm/magh_mela_16.jpg" width="982" height="662" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> A Hindu holy man waits for alms while lying down on the banks the confluence of rivers Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati, during the annual traditional fair of Magh Mela in Allahabad, India, Friday, Jan. 27, 2012.  <b> AP / Rajesh Kumar Singh </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="magh_mela_17.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/feb12/magh_mela_2012_sm/magh_mela_17.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Hindu devotees pray and take bath at Sangam, the confluence of rivers Ganges, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati during the annual month long Hindu religious fair of Magh Mela in Allahabad, India,   Friday, Jan.27, 2012.  <b> AP / Rajesh Kumar Singh </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="magh_mela_18.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/feb12/magh_mela_2012_sm/magh_mela_18.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Hindu devotees take bath at Sangam, the confluence of rivers Ganges, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati during the annual month long Hindu religious fair of Magh Mela in Allahabad, India,  Friday, Jan. 27, 2012.  <b> AP / Rajesh Kumar Singh </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="magh_mela_19.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/feb12/magh_mela_2012_sm/magh_mela_19.jpg" width="982" height="667" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> A boy sells flowers at Sangam, the confluence of rivers Ganges, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati during the annual month long Hindu religious fair of Magh Mela in Allahabad, India,   Friday, Jan. 27, 2012.  <b> AP / Rajesh Kumar Singh </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="magh_mela_20.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/feb12/magh_mela_2012_sm/magh_mela_20.jpg" width="982" height="623" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Indian Hindu women prostrate themselves as others offer prayers before taking a holy dip at Sangam, the confluence of rivers Ganges, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati during the annual month long Hindu religious fair of Magh Mela in Allahabad, India, Friday, Jan. 27, 2012.  <b> AP / Rajesh Kumar Singh </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="magh_mela_21.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/feb12/magh_mela_2012_sm/magh_mela_21.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Hindu pilgrims arrive on tractors for a holy dip at Sangam, the confluence of the rivers Ganges, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati during the annual month long Hindu religious fair of Magh Mela in Allahabad, India, Friday, Jan. 27, 2012.  <b> AP / Rajesh Kumar Singh </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="magh_mela_22.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/feb12/magh_mela_2012_sm/magh_mela_22.jpg" width="982" height="597" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Indian holy men queue for food after completing their morning prayer at Sangam, the confluence of rivers Ganges, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati during the annual month long Hindu religious fair of Magh Mela in Allahabad, India,   Friday, Jan. 27, 2012.  <b> AP / Rajesh Kumar Singh </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="magh_mela_23.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/feb12/magh_mela_2012_sm/magh_mela_23.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Hindu devotees pray at Sangam, the confluence of rivers Ganges, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati during the annual month long Hindu religious fair of Magh Mela in Allahabad, India, Friday, Jan.27, 2012.  <b> AP / Rajesh Kumar Singh </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="magh_mela_24.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/feb12/magh_mela_2012_sm/magh_mela_24.jpg" width="982" height="613" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;">  Hindu devotees cross a newly constructed temporary bridge on the Sangam, the confluence of rivers Ganges, Yamuna, and mythical Saraswati during the annual month-long Hindu religious fair of Magh  Mela in Allahabad, India , Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012. <b> AP / Rajesh Kumar Singh </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="magh_mela_25.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/feb12/magh_mela_2012_sm/magh_mela_25.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Married Hindu women perform rituals near a Banyan tree during the Magh Mela festival in Allahabad, India, Monday, Jan. 23, 2012.  <b> AP / Rajesh Kumar Singh </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="magh_mela_26.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/feb12/magh_mela_2012_sm/magh_mela_26.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> A child looks on after taking a dip in the Sangam, the confluence of the rivers Ganges, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati during the annual month long Hindu religious fair of Magh Mela in Allahabad, India, Monday, Jan. 23, 2012.  <b> AP / Rajesh Kumar Singh </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="magh_mela_27.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/feb12/magh_mela_2012_sm/magh_mela_27.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> A Hindu holy man applies vermilion on a Hindu devotee at the Sangam, the confluence of the rivers Ganges, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati during the annual month long Hindu religious fair of Magh Mela in Allahabad, India, Monday, Jan. 23, 2012.  <b> AP / Rajesh Kumar Singh </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="magh_mela_28.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/feb12/magh_mela_2012_sm/magh_mela_28.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> A woman weeps as she searches for her son in the massive crowd gathering at Sangam, the confluence of the rivers Ganges, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati during the annual month long Hindu religious fair of Magh Mela in Allahabad, India, Monday, Jan. 23, 2012.  <b> AP / Rajesh Kumar Singh </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="magh_mela_29.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/feb12/magh_mela_2012_sm/magh_mela_29.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Hindu devotees congregate to take ritualistic dips in  Sangam, the confluence of the rivers Ganges, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati during the annual month long Hindu religious fair of Magh Mela in Allahabad, India, Monday, Jan. 23, 2012.  <b> AP / Rajesh Kumar Singh </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="magh_mela_30.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/feb12/magh_mela_2012_sm/magh_mela_30.jpg" width="982" height="623" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> A Hindu devotee offers prayers to the Sun god on Mauni Amavasya, or new moon day, third and the most auspicious date of bathing during the annual month long Hindu religious fair of Magh Mela in Allahabad, India, Monday, Jan. 23, 2012.  <b> AP / Rajesh Kumar Singh </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="magh_mela_31.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/feb12/magh_mela_2012_sm/magh_mela_31.jpg" width="982" height="676" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Hindu devotees offer prayers to the Sun god on Mauni Amavasya, or new moon day, third and the most auspicious date of bathing during the annual month long Hindu religious fair of Magh Mela in Allahabad, India, Monday, Jan. 23, 2012.  <b> AP / Rajesh Kumar Singh </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="magh_mela_32.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/feb12/magh_mela_2012_sm/magh_mela_32.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Pilgrims wait to make their offerings at the Sangam, the confluence of the rivers Ganges, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati during the annual month long Hindu religious fair of Magh Mela in Allahabad, India, Monday, Jan. 23, 2012.  <b> AP / Rajesh Kumar Singh </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="magh_mela_33.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/feb12/magh_mela_2012_sm/magh_mela_33.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> An Indian woman tries to make her way through the massive crowd making offerings at Sangam, the confluence of the rivers Ganges, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati during the annual month long Hindu religious fair of Magh Mela in Allahabad, India, Monday, Jan. 23, 2012. <b> AP / Rajesh Kumar Singh </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="magh_mela_34.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/feb12/magh_mela_2012_sm/magh_mela_34.jpg" width="982" height="647" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Hundreds of tents of Hindu devotees, participating in the annual Magh Mela festival are erected at Sangam, the confluence of rivers Ganges and Yamuna, in Allahabad, India, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2012. <b> AP / Rajesh Kumar Singh </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
]]>
    </content>
</entry>

<entry>
    <title>Britain&apos;s annual Tough Guy race</title>
    <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/2012/01/britains-annual-tough-guy-race.html" />
    <id>tag:blogs.sacbee.com,2012:/photos//48.50884</id>

    <published>2012-01-30T18:49:57Z</published>
    <updated>2012-01-30T18:50:46Z</updated>

    <summary> BBritain&apos;s annual Tough Guy event took place on Sunday in Perton, England. Tough Guy claims to be the world&apos;s most demanding one-day survival ordeal. First staged in 1986, it has been widely described as &quot;the toughest race in the...</summary>
    <author>
        <name>Tim Reese, Assistant Director of Multimedia</name>
        
    </author>
    
    
    <content type="html" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/">
        <![CDATA[ 
<div style="width: 980px; padding: 5px; text-align: left;">
<font style="font-size: 1.5625em;">B</font>Britain's annual <a href="http://www.toughguy.co.uk/">Tough Guy event</a> took place on Sunday in Perton, England. Tough Guy claims to be the world's most demanding one-day survival ordeal. First staged in 1986,  it has been widely described as "the toughest race in the world," with up to one-third of the starters failing to finish in a typical year.<br />(<a href="http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/2012/01/britains-annual-tough-guy-race.html#more">17 images</a>)</div>
<br /> <a href="http://twitter.com/sacbee_theframe" class="twitter-follow-button">Follow @sacbee_theframe</a>
<script src="http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" type="text/javascript"></script><br /><br />
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<a href="http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/2012/01/britains-annual-tough-guy-race.html#more"><img height="675" alt="britain_tough_guy_01.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/britain_tough_guy_sm/britain_tough_guy_01.jpg" width="982" /> </a>
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> 
A competitor crosses an obstacle at the annual Tough Guy event, Perton, England, Sunday, Jan. 29, 2012. <b> AP / Jon Super </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)"><a href="http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/2012/01/britains-annual-tough-guy-race.html#more"><strong><font style="FONT-SIZE: 1.25em">MORE IMAGES</font></strong></a> 
<br />
</div>
<br />]]>
        <![CDATA[<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="britain_tough_guy_02.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/britain_tough_guy_sm/britain_tough_guy_02.jpg" width="982" height="661" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Competitors carry crosses at the start of the annual Tough Guy event, Perton, England, Sunday, Jan. 29, 2012.  <b> AP / Jon Super </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="britain_tough_guy_03.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/britain_tough_guy_sm/britain_tough_guy_03.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Competitors cross an obstacle at the annual Tough Guy event in Perton, England, Sunday, Jan. 29, 2012. <b> AP / Jon Super </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="britain_tough_guy_04.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/britain_tough_guy_sm/britain_tough_guy_04.jpg" width="982" height="614" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> A competitor emerges from a water obstacle at the annual Tough Guy event, Perton, England, Sunday, Jan. 29, 2012.  <b> AP / Jon Super </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="britain_tough_guy_05.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/britain_tough_guy_sm/britain_tough_guy_05.jpg" width="982" height="650" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Competitors cross an obstacle at the annual Tough Guy event, in Perton, England, Sunday, Jan. 29, 2012. <b> AP / Jon Super </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="britain_tough_guy_06.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/britain_tough_guy_sm/britain_tough_guy_06.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Competitors jump from an obstacle at the annual Tough Guy event, in Perton, England, Sunday, Jan. 29, 2012.   <b> AP / Jon Super </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="britain_tough_guy_07.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/britain_tough_guy_sm/britain_tough_guy_07.jpg" width="982" height="631" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Competitors at the annual Tough Guy event, Perton, England, Sunday, Jan. 29, 2012.  <b> AP / Jon Super </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="britain_tough_guy_08.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/britain_tough_guy_sm/britain_tough_guy_08.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> A competitor crosses an obstacle at the annual Tough Guy event, Perton, England, Sunday, Jan. 29, 2012.  <b> AP / Jon Super </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="britain_tough_guy_09.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/britain_tough_guy_sm/britain_tough_guy_09.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Competitors compete at the annual Tough Guy event, Perton, England, Sunday, Jan. 29, 2012. <b> AP / Jon Super </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="britain_tough_guy_10.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/britain_tough_guy_sm/britain_tough_guy_10.jpg" width="982" height="649" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> A competitor pushes a rugby ball as he crawls under barbed wire at the annual Tough Guy event, Perton, England, Sunday, Jan. 29, 2012.  <b> AP / Jon Super </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="britain_tough_guy_11.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/britain_tough_guy_sm/britain_tough_guy_11.jpg" width="982" height="785" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Competitors compete at the annual Tough Guy event, Perton, England, Sunday, Jan. 29, 2012.  <b> AP / Jon Super </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="britain_tough_guy_12.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/britain_tough_guy_sm/britain_tough_guy_12.jpg" width="982" height="665" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Competitors cross an obstacle at the annual Tough Guy event, Perton, England, Sunday, Jan. 29, 2012. <b> AP / Jon Super </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="britain_tough_guy_13.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/britain_tough_guy_sm/britain_tough_guy_13.jpg" width="982" height="762" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Competitor cross an obstacle at the annual Tough Guy event, Perton, England, Sunday, Jan. 29, 2012.  <b> AP / Jon Super </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="britain_tough_guy_14.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/britain_tough_guy_sm/britain_tough_guy_14.jpg" width="982" height="645" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> A competitors crosses a water obstacle at the annual Tough Guy event, Perton, England, Sunday, Jan. 29, 2012.  <b> AP / Jon Super </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="britain_tough_guy_15.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/britain_tough_guy_sm/britain_tough_guy_15.jpg" width="982" height="624" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> A competitor crawls under barbed wire at the annual Tough Guy event, Perton, England, Sunday, Jan. 29, 2012. <b> AP / Jon Super </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="britain_tough_guy_16.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/britain_tough_guy_sm/britain_tough_guy_16.jpg" width="982" height="640" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> A competitors swims across an water obstacle at the annual Tough Guy event, Perton, England, Sunday, Jan. 29, 2012.  <b> AP / Jon Super </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="britain_tough_guy_17.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/britain_tough_guy_sm/britain_tough_guy_17.jpg" width="982" height="634" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> A participant jumps through the fire obstacle during the Tough Man event. <b> <a href="ZUMA24.com">ZUMA24.com</a> / Alex Morton </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
]]>
    </content>
</entry>

<entry>
    <title>India&apos;s Republic Day 2012</title>
    <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/2012/01/indias-republic-day-2012.html" />
    <id>tag:blogs.sacbee.com,2012:/photos//48.50812</id>

    <published>2012-01-27T01:22:23Z</published>
    <updated>2012-01-27T01:23:31Z</updated>

    <summary> India celebrated Republic Day on Thursday, January 26. Republic Day commemorates the date on which the Constitution of India came into force replacing the Government of India Act 1935 as the governing document of India on 26 January 1950....</summary>
    <author>
        <name>Tim Reese, Assistant Director of Multimedia</name>
        
    </author>
    
    
    <content type="html" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/">
        <![CDATA[ 
<div style="width: 980px; padding: 5px; text-align: left;">
<font style="font-size: 1.5625em;">I</font>ndia celebrated Republic Day on Thursday, January 26. Republic Day commemorates the date on which the Constitution of India came into force replacing the Government of India Act 1935 as the governing document of India on 26 January 1950. <em>- Wikipedia</em> <br />(<a href="http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/2012/01/indias-republic-day-2012.html#more">30 images</a>)</div>
<br /> <a href="http://twitter.com/sacbee_theframe" class="twitter-follow-button">Follow @sacbee_theframe</a>
<script src="http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" type="text/javascript"></script><br /><br />
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<a href="http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/2012/01/indias-republic-day-2012.html#more"><img height="428" alt="republic_day_2012_01.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/republic_day_2012_sm/republic_day_2012_01.jpg" width="982" /> </a>
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> 
Indian paratroopers march down Rajpath during the main Republic Day parade in New Delhi, India, Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012. India is marking its 62nd Republic Day with military parades across the country. <b> AP / Saurabh Das </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)"><a href="http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/2012/01/indias-republic-day-2012.html#more"><strong><font style="FONT-SIZE: 1.25em">MORE IMAGES</font></strong></a> 
<br />
</div>
<br />
]]>
        <![CDATA[<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="republic_day_2012_02.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/republic_day_2012_sm/republic_day_2012_02.jpg" width="982" height="547" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Indian paramilitary soldiers march down Rajpath during the main Republic Day parade in New Delhi, India, Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012.  <b> AP / Saurabh Das </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="republic_day_2012_03.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/republic_day_2012_sm/republic_day_2012_03.jpg" width="982" height="664" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Indian police and army soldiers march towards India Gate on Rajpath during the main Republic Day parade on Rajpath, in New Delhi, Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012. <b> AP / Kevin Frayer </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="republic_day_2012_04.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/republic_day_2012_sm/republic_day_2012_04.jpg" width="982" height="695" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Women from India's National Cadet Corps march during Republic Day parade in Srinagar, India, Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012. Shops and business establishment remained closed on India's Republic Day as separatists called for general strike to observe the day as black day.  <b> AP / Mukhtar Khan </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="republic_day_2012_05.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/republic_day_2012_sm/republic_day_2012_05.jpg" width="982" height="611" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Students hold Indian national flags as they perform during the Republic Day celebrations in Bangalore, India, Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012. <b> AP / Aijaz Rahi </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="republic_day_2012_06.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/republic_day_2012_sm/republic_day_2012_06.jpg" width="982" height="619" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Foreign Sikhs dressed as a nihangs, or a Sikh warriors, perform traditional Sikh martial art called Gatka during Republic Day celebrations in Amritsar, India, Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012. <b> AP / Altaf Qadri </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="republic_day_2012_07.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/republic_day_2012_sm/republic_day_2012_07.jpg" width="982" height="672" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> A float from the north eastern state of Assam displaying aspects of its culture makes its way down Rajpath during the main Republic Day parade in New Delhi, India, Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012. <b> AP / Saurabh Das </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="republic_day_2012_08.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/republic_day_2012_sm/republic_day_2012_08.jpg" width="982" height="663" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Indian army soldiers ride on T-72 tanks on Rajpath during the main Republic Day parade in New Delhi, Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012.  <b> AP / Kevin Frayer </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="republic_day_2012_09.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/republic_day_2012_sm/republic_day_2012_09.jpg" width="982" height="675" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Performers wave to the crowd from the float of the Indian state of Goa on Rajpath during the main Republic Day parade in New Delhi, Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012. <b> AP / Kevin Frayer </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="republic_day_2012_10.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/republic_day_2012_sm/republic_day_2012_10.jpg" width="982" height="644" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Indian Border Security Force soldiers ride camels on Rajpath during the main Republic Day parade on Rajpath, in New Delhi, Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012. <b> AP / Kevin Frayer </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="republic_day_2012_11.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/republic_day_2012_sm/republic_day_2012_11.jpg" width="982" height="593" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Indian Army soldiers arrive to perform Malkhumb, a traditional Indian sport, during the Republic Day celebrations in Bangalore, India, Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012. <b> AP / Aijaz Rahi </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="republic_day_2012_12.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/republic_day_2012_sm/republic_day_2012_12.jpg" width="982" height="694" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> An Indian girl wears a fancy dress as she stands near the India Gate monument following the Republic Day parade in New Delhi, India, Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012.  <b> AP / Kevin Frayer </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="republic_day_2012_13.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/republic_day_2012_sm/republic_day_2012_13.jpg" width="982" height="633" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Indian college girls help each other as they get ready to take part in Republic Day celebrations in Amritsar, India, Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012.  <b> AP / Altaf Qadri </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="republic_day_2012_14.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/republic_day_2012_sm/republic_day_2012_14.jpg" width="982" height="631" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Children dressed in regional dance costumes perform on Rajpath during the main Republic Day parade in New Delhi, India, Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012.  <b> AP / Saurabh Das </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="republic_day_2012_15.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/republic_day_2012_sm/republic_day_2012_15.jpg" width="982" height="665" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Indian policemen stand in a line to participate in a parade during the Republic Day celebrations in Amritsar, India, Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012.  <b> AP / Altaf Qadri </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="republic_day_2012_16.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/republic_day_2012_sm/republic_day_2012_16.jpg" width="982" height="643" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Birds fly as Indian Navy sailors march past Red Fort during the main Republic Day parade in New Delhi, India, Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012.  <b> AP / Manish Swarup </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="republic_day_2012_17.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/republic_day_2012_sm/republic_day_2012_17.jpg" width="982" height="637" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Children dressed in regional costumes perform a dance routine on Rajpath during the main Republic Day parade in New Delhi, India, Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012.  <b> AP / Saurabh Das </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="republic_day_2012_18.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/republic_day_2012_sm/republic_day_2012_18.jpg" width="982" height="633" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> A number of Indian National Cadet Corps (NCC) contingent during a Republic Day parade at the Bakshi stadium in Srinagar. Republic Day marks the proclamation of India as a republic in 1950, three years after it won independence from British rule.  <b> <a href="ZUMA24.com">ZUMA24.com</a> / Altaf Zargar </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="republic_day_2012_19.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/republic_day_2012_sm/republic_day_2012_19.jpg" width="982" height="686" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> An Indian army soldier salutes dignitaries as he rides in a truck carrying SMERCH rockets on Rajpath during the main Republic Day parade in New Delhi, Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012.  <b> AP / Kevin Frayer </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="republic_day_2012_20.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/republic_day_2012_sm/republic_day_2012_20.jpg" width="982" height="662" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Indian army helicopters fly in formation over the main Republic Day parade on Rajpath, in New Delhi, Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012.  <b> AP / Kevin Frayer </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="republic_day_2012_21.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/republic_day_2012_sm/republic_day_2012_21.jpg" width="982" height="457" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> In this hand out picture released by Defense Public Relations office, Indian soldiers march in formation on Rajpath as India Air force helicopters fly by during the main Republic Day parade, in New Delhi, Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012. <b> AP / Pradip Dasgupta </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="republic_day_2012_22.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/republic_day_2012_sm/republic_day_2012_22.jpg" width="982" height="634" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Indian paramilitary soldiers march down Rajpath during the main Republic Day parade in New Delhi, India, Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012.  <b> AP / Saurabh Das </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="republic_day_2012_23.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/republic_day_2012_sm/republic_day_2012_23.jpg" width="982" height="650" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Indian girls wear traditional clothing as they dance for dignitaries during the main Republic Day parade in New Delhi, Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012. <b> AP / Kevin Frayer </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="republic_day_2012_24.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/republic_day_2012_sm/republic_day_2012_24.jpg" width="982" height="600" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Indian soldiers march down Rajpath on tanks and horses during the main Republic Day parade in New Delhi, India, Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012. <b> AP / Saurabh Das </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="republic_day_2012_25.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/republic_day_2012_sm/republic_day_2012_25.jpg" width="982" height="650" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Indian Border Security Force "Daredevils" perform a stunt on motorcycles in formation on Rajpath during the main Republic Day parade in New Delhi, Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012.  <b> AP / Kevin Frayer </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="republic_day_2012_26.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/republic_day_2012_sm/republic_day_2012_26.jpg" width="982" height="641" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Indian paramilitary soldiers march during the main Republic Day parade in New Delhi, Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012.  <b> AP / Kevin Frayer </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="republic_day_2012_27.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/republic_day_2012_sm/republic_day_2012_27.jpg" width="982" height="622" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> People watch as the float of the Indian state of Goa passes by during the main Republic Day parade in New Delhi, India, Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012.  <b> AP / Manish Swarup </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="republic_day_2012_28.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/republic_day_2012_sm/republic_day_2012_28.jpg" width="982" height="592" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> A water fountain reflects an illuminated Presidential Palace Complex, coinciding with Republic Day ceremonies in New Delhi, India, Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012. <b> AP / Gurinder Osan </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="republic_day_2012_29.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/republic_day_2012_sm/republic_day_2012_29.jpg" width="982" height="633" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> An Indian military band performs in front of the Presidential Palace complex during rehearsals for the Beating the Retreat ceremony, part of the Republic Day celebrations, in New Delhi, India, Jan. 24, 2012.  <b> AP / Mustafa Quraishi </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="republic_day_2012_30.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/republic_day_2012_sm/republic_day_2012_30.jpg" width="982" height="641" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> An Indian soldier sits atop a camel next to a parked Ambassador car during a rehearsal for the Beating Retreat Ceremony in front of the Presidential Palace in preparation for Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi, India, Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2012.  <b> AP / Kevin Frayer </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
]]>
    </content>
</entry>

<entry>
    <title>Strongest solar storm since 2005 hitting Earth</title>
    <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/2012/01/strongest-solar-storm-since-20.html" />
    <id>tag:blogs.sacbee.com,2012:/photos//48.50757</id>

    <published>2012-01-25T20:14:01Z</published>
    <updated>2012-01-25T20:42:02Z</updated>

    <summary> STOCKHOLM (AP) -- A storm from the broiling sun turned the chilly northernmost skies of Earth into an ever-changing and awe-provoking art show of northern lights on Tuesday. Even experienced stargazers were stunned by the intensity of the aurora...</summary>
    <author>
        <name>Tim Reese, Assistant Director of Multimedia</name>
        
    </author>
    
    
    <content type="html" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/">
        <![CDATA[
<div style="width: 980px; padding: 5px; text-align: left;">
<font style="font-size: 1.5625em;">S</font>TOCKHOLM (AP) -- A storm from the broiling sun turned the chilly northernmost skies of Earth into an ever-changing and awe-provoking art show of northern lights on Tuesday.<br />
Even experienced stargazers were stunned by the intensity of the aurora borealis that swept across the night sky in northern Scandinavia after the biggest solar flare in six years.<br />
U.S. space weather experts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said Tuesday evening that so far they had heard of no problems from the storm that triggered the auroras, which made it as far south as Wales, where the weather often doesn't cooperate with good viewing.<br />
It was part of the strongest solar storm in years, but the sun is likely to get even more active in the next few months and years, said physicist Doug Biesecker at the U.S. Space Weather Prediction Center in Boulder, Colorado.<br />
"To me this was a wake up call. The sun is reminding us that solar max is approaching," Biesecker said. "A lot worse is in store for us. We hope that you guys are paying attention. I would say we passed with flying colors."  (<a href="http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/2012/01/strongest-solar-storm-since-20.html#more">8 images</a>)</div><div>
You can view a <a href="http://www.nasa.gov/">NASA</a> video of the storm at the Bee's photo blog, <a href="http://blogs.sacbee.com/exposures">Exposures</a>.</div>
<br /> <a href="http://twitter.com/sacbee_theframe" class="twitter-follow-button">Follow @sacbee_theframe</a>
<script src="http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" type="text/javascript"></script><br /><br />
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<a href="http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/2012/01/strongest-solar-storm-since-20.html#more"><img height="796" alt="solar_flare_0125_01.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/solar_flare_0125_sm/solar_flare_0125_01.jpg" width="982" /> </a>
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> 
This image taken by NASA on Sunday night, Jan. 22, 2012, shows a  solar flare erupting on the Sun's northeastern hemisphere. Space weather officials say the strongest solar storm in more than six years is already bombarding Earth with radiation with more to come. The Space Weather Prediction Center in Colorado observed a flare Sunday night at 11 p.m. EST. Physicist Doug Biesecker said the biggest concern from the speedy eruption is the radiation, which arrived on Earth an hour later. It will likely continue through Wednesday. It's mostly an issue for astronauts' health and satellite disruptions. It can cause communication problems for airplanes that go over the poles.  <b> AP / NASA  </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)"><a href="http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/2012/01/strongest-solar-storm-since-20.html#more"><strong><font style="FONT-SIZE: 1.25em">MORE IMAGES</font></strong></a> 
<br />
</div>
<br />

 ]]>
        <![CDATA[<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="solar_flare_0125_02.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/solar_flare_0125_sm/solar_flare_0125_02.jpg" width="982" height="982" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> The first of three images that shows a solar flare as observed by the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) on NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) at 03:27 Universal Time (Greenwich Time) on January 23. Note the brightening of the solar surface as gas was superheated and magnetically supercharged. By the third (right) image, a stream of solar material is seen flowing off into space above the hot spot, likely solar protons and a coronal mass ejection.  <b> NASA   </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="solar_flare_0125_03.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/solar_flare_0125_sm/solar_flare_0125_03.jpg" width="982" height="982" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> The second of three images that shows a solar flare as observed by the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) on NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) at 03:42 Universal Time (Greenwich Time) on January 23.  <b> NASA   </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="solar_flare_0125_04.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/solar_flare_0125_sm/solar_flare_0125_04.jpg" width="982" height="982" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> The third of three images that shows a solar flare as observed by the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) on NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) at 04:12 Universal Time (Greenwich Time) on January 23.  <b> NASA   </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="solar_flare_0125_05.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/solar_flare_0125_sm/solar_flare_0125_05.jpg" width="982" height="977" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> This colorized NASA image, taken Monday, Jan. 23, 2012, from the Solar Dynamics Observatory, shows a flare shooting out of the top of the sun. It was taken in a special teal wavelength to best see the flare.   <b> AP / NASA handout </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="solar_flare_0125_06.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/solar_flare_0125_sm/solar_flare_0125_06.jpg" width="982" height="653" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> The aurora borealis, or Northern Lights, are seen near the city of Tromsoe, northern Norway, late Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2012. Stargazers were out in force in northern Europe on Tuesday, hoping to be awed by a spectacular showing of northern lights after the most powerful solar storm in six years.  <b> AP / Rune Stoltz Bertinussen </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="solar_flare_0125_07.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/solar_flare_0125_sm/solar_flare_0125_07.jpg" width="982" height="552" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> The aurora borealis, or Northern Lights, are seen near the city of Trondheim, Norway Tuesday Jan. 23, 2012. Stargazers were out in force in northern Europe on Tuesday, hoping to be awed by a spectacular showing of northern lights after the most powerful solar storm in six years. <b> AP / Emil B. Borsting </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="solar_flare_0125_08.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/solar_flare_0125_sm/solar_flare_0125_08.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> The aurora borealis, or Northern Lights, are seen near the city of Trondheim, Norway Tuesday Jan. 23, 2012. Stargazers were out in force in northern Europe on Tuesday, hoping to be awed by a spectacular showing of northern lights after the most powerful solar storm in six years.   <b> AP / Emil B. Borsting </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
]]>
    </content>
</entry>

<entry>
    <title>Celebrating the Year of the Dragon</title>
    <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/2012/01/celebrating-the-year-of-the-dr.html" />
    <id>tag:blogs.sacbee.com,2012:/photos//48.50709</id>

    <published>2012-01-24T16:53:36Z</published>
    <updated>2012-01-24T16:54:55Z</updated>

    <summary> BEIJING (AP) -- Millions of ethnic Chinese, Koreans and Vietnamese across Asia are ringing in the new Year of the Dragon with fireworks, feasting and family reunions. From Beijing to Bangkok and Seoul to Singapore, people hoping for good...</summary>
    <author>
        <name>Tim Reese, Assistant Director of Multimedia</name>
        
    </author>
    
    
    <content type="html" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/">
        <![CDATA[ 
<div style="width: 980px; padding: 5px; text-align: left;">
<font style="font-size: 1.5625em;">B</font>EIJING (AP) -- Millions of ethnic Chinese, Koreans and Vietnamese across Asia are ringing in the new Year of the Dragon with fireworks, feasting and family reunions.<br />
From Beijing to Bangkok and Seoul to Singapore, people hoping for good luck in the new year that began Monday are visiting temples and lighting incense, setting off firecrackers and watching street performances of lion and dragon dances.<br />
For many, the Lunar New Year is the biggest family reunion of the year for which people endured hours of cramped travel on trains and buses to get home.<br />
In ancient times the dragon was a symbol reserved for the Chinese emperor, and it is considered to be an extremely auspicious sign.<br />  (<a href="http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/2012/01/celebrating-the-year-of-the-dr.html#more">50 images</a>)</div>
<br /> <a href="http://twitter.com/sacbee_theframe" class="twitter-follow-button">Follow @sacbee_theframe</a>
<script src="http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" type="text/javascript"></script><br /><br />
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<a href="http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/2012/01/celebrating-the-year-of-the-dr.html#more"><img height="634" alt="chinese_new_year_01.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/chinese_new_year_sm/chinese_new_year_01.jpg" width="982" /> </a>
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> 
Performers take part in a dragon dance during a night parade in Hong Kong Monday, Jan. 23, 2012, celebrating the start of the Chinese Lunar New Year. According to the Chinese zodiac, the year 2012 is called the Year of the Dragon.  <b> AP / Vincent Yu </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)"><a href="http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/2012/01/celebrating-the-year-of-the-dr.html#more"><strong><font style="FONT-SIZE: 1.25em">MORE IMAGES</font></strong></a> 
<br />
</div>
<br />
]]>
        <![CDATA[
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="chinese_new_year_02.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/chinese_new_year_sm/chinese_new_year_02.jpg" width="982" height="623" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Fireworks explode over the Victoria Harbor to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year in Hong Kong Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2012. <b> AP / Vincent Yu </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="chinese_new_year_03.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/chinese_new_year_sm/chinese_new_year_03.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> People watch fireworks on the Chinese Lunar New Year's Eve in Beijing, China, Monday, Jan. 23, 2012.  <b> AP / Alexander F. Yuan </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="chinese_new_year_04.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/chinese_new_year_sm/chinese_new_year_04.jpg" width="982" height="330" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Fireworks explode near the Yongdingmen Gate Tower on Lunar New Year's Eve in Beijing, China, Monday, Jan. 23, 2012.  <b> AP / Alexander F. Yuan </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="chinese_new_year_05.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/chinese_new_year_sm/chinese_new_year_05.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> People watch fireworks on the Chinese Lunar New Year's Eve in Beijing, China, Monday, Jan. 23, 2012.  <b> AP / Alexander F. Yuan </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="chinese_new_year_06.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/chinese_new_year_sm/chinese_new_year_06.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> A security guard stands by as firework explode in the background on the Chinese Lunar New Year's Eve in Beijing, China, Monday, Jan. 23, 2012. Chinese celebrate the Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival in China, on Jan. 23, 2012.  <b> AP / Alexander F. Yuan </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="chinese_new_year_07.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/chinese_new_year_sm/chinese_new_year_07.jpg" width="982" height="709" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Chinese female drummers participate in a drum dance at the Dongyue Temple during the Chinese New Year in Beijing, China, Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2012.  <b> AP / Andy Wong </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="chinese_new_year_08.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/chinese_new_year_sm/chinese_new_year_08.jpg" width="982" height="691" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> A Chinese actor dressed as a Qing Dynasty emperor prepares for a prayer during an ancient Qing Dynasty ceremony in which emperors prayed for good harvest and fortune at a temple fair in Ditan Park during the first day of the Chinese Lunar New Year in Beijing, China, Monday, Jan. 23, 2012.  <b> AP / Andy Wong </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="chinese_new_year_09.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/chinese_new_year_sm/chinese_new_year_09.jpg" width="982" height="688" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Chinese performers dressed in Qing Dynasty costumes participate in an ancient Qing Dynasty ceremony in which emperors prayed for a good harvest and fortune at a temple fair in Ditan Park during Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations, in Beijing, China, Monday, Jan. 23, 2012.  <b> AP / Andy Wong </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="chinese_new_year_10.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/chinese_new_year_sm/chinese_new_year_10.jpg" width="982" height="725" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Chinese performers dressed in Qing Dynasty costumes participate in an ancient Qing Dynasty ceremony in which emperors prayed for a good harvest and fortune at a temple fair in Ditan Park during Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations, in Beijing, China, Monday, Jan. 23, 2012. <b> AP / Andy Wong </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="chinese_new_year_11.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/chinese_new_year_sm/chinese_new_year_11.jpg" width="982" height="693" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Chinese security guards yawn before proceeding to their duties at a temple fair in Ditan Park during the first day of the Chinese Lunar New Year in Beijing, China, Monday, Jan. 23, 2012.  <b> AP / Andy Wong </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="chinese_new_year_12.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/chinese_new_year_sm/chinese_new_year_12.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Temple fair performers with cartoon-dragon-shaped balloon costumes rehearse for upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year, the year of the dragon, near a roadside decoration showing Chinese character "spring" in Beijing, China, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2012.   <b> AP / Alexander F. Yuan </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="chinese_new_year_13.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/chinese_new_year_sm/chinese_new_year_13.jpg" width="982" height="707" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Worshippers burn joss sticks to pay thier first visit of the "Year of the Dragon" at Longhua Temple in Shanghai, China on early Monday Jan. 23, 2012. <b> AP / Eugene Hoshiko </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="chinese_new_year_14.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/chinese_new_year_sm/chinese_new_year_14.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Worshippers burn joss sticks to pay thier first visit of the "Year of the Dragon" at Longhua Temple in Shanghai, China on early Monday Jan. 23, 2012. <b> AP / Eugene Hoshiko </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="chinese_new_year_15.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/chinese_new_year_sm/chinese_new_year_15.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Worshippers burn joss sticks to pay their first visit of the "Year of the Dragon" at Longhua Temple in Shanghai, China on early Monday Jan. 23, 2012.  <b> AP / Eugene Hoshiko </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="chinese_new_year_16.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/chinese_new_year_sm/chinese_new_year_16.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> A worshipper burns joss sticks to pay her first visit of the "Year of the Dragon" at Longhua Temple in Shanghai, China on early Monday Jan. 23, 2012.  <b> AP / Eugene Hoshiko </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="chinese_new_year_17.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/chinese_new_year_sm/chinese_new_year_17.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> A worshipper burns a bundle of joss sticks at a temple on the second day of the Chinese Lunar New Year Tuesday Jan. 24, 2012 in Shanghai, China.  <b> AP / Eugene Hoshiko </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="chinese_new_year_18.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/chinese_new_year_sm/chinese_new_year_18.jpg" width="982" height="660" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Performers take part in a dragon dance in a night parade in Hong Kong Monday, Jan. 23, 2012, celebrating the start of the Chinese Lunar New Year. According to the Chinese zodiac, the year 2012 is called the Year of the Dragon.  <b> AP / Vincent Yu </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="chinese_new_year_19.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/chinese_new_year_sm/chinese_new_year_19.jpg" width="982" height="666" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Dancers performer near a float  decorated  with dragons in a night parade in Hong Kong Monday, Jan. 23, 2012, celebrating the start of the Chinese Lunar New Year. <b> AP / Vincent Yu </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="chinese_new_year_20.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/chinese_new_year_sm/chinese_new_year_20.jpg" width="982" height="646" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Shaolin monks take part in a night parade in Hong Kong Monday, Jan. 23, 2012, celebrating the start of the Chinese Lunar New Year.  <b> AP / Vincent Yu </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="chinese_new_year_21.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/chinese_new_year_sm/chinese_new_year_21.jpg" width="982" height="653" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Performers take part in a dragon dance in a night parade in Hong Kong Monday, Jan. 23, 2012, celebrating the start of the Chinese Lunar New Year.  <b> AP / Vincent Yu </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="chinese_new_year_22.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/chinese_new_year_sm/chinese_new_year_22.jpg" width="982" height="651" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> A performer takes part in a night parade in Hong Kong Monday, Jan. 23, 2012, celebrating the start of the Chinese Lunar New Year.  <b> AP / Vincent Yu </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="chinese_new_year_23.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/chinese_new_year_sm/chinese_new_year_23.jpg" width="982" height="663" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Performers take part in a dragon dance during a night parade in Hong Kong Monday, Jan. 23, 2012, to celebrate the start of the Chinese Lunar New Year.  <b> AP / Vincent Yu </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="chinese_new_year_24.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/chinese_new_year_sm/chinese_new_year_24.jpg" width="982" height="633" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Performers dance in front of a float  decorated  with dragons in a night parade in Hong Kong Monday, Jan. 23, 2012, celebrating the start of the Chinese Lunar New Year.  <b> AP / Vincent Yu </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="chinese_new_year_25.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/chinese_new_year_sm/chinese_new_year_25.jpg" width="982" height="666" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Performers take part in a dragon dance during a night parade in Hong Kong Monday, Jan. 23, 2012, to celebrate the start of the Chinese Lunar New Year.  <b> AP / Vincent Yu </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="chinese_new_year_26.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/chinese_new_year_sm/chinese_new_year_26.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> A North Korean guard walks up a platform towards a large portrait of the late Kim Jong Il and bouquets of flowers placed in front of it as people pay their respects on the first day of the Lunar New Year holiday at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang Monday, Jan. 23, 2012. Pyongyang residents said they were encouraged to celebrate the traditional holiday as they usually do, despite the death of Kim Jong Il, only the second leader North Koreans have known since the nation was founded in 1948.  <b> AP / David Guttenfelder </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="chinese_new_year_27.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/chinese_new_year_sm/chinese_new_year_27.jpg" width="982" height="660" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> North Koreans gather to lay flowers on a stage in front of a large portrait of the late Kim Jong Il as they pay their respects on the first day of the Lunar New Year holiday at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang Monday, Jan. 23, 2012.  <b> AP / David Guttenfelder </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="chinese_new_year_28.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/chinese_new_year_sm/chinese_new_year_28.jpg" width="982" height="446" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> In this photo released by the Korean Central News Agency and distributed in Tokyo by the Korea News Service North Korean students perform to celebrate the Lunar New Year, at Mangyondae Schoolchildren's Palace in Pyongyang, North Korea Monday, Jan. 23, 2012.  <b> AP /  </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="chinese_new_year_29.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/chinese_new_year_sm/chinese_new_year_29.jpg" width="982" height="660" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> A North Korean man photographs a child in front of a New Year decoration as they celebrate the first day of the Lunar New Year in Pyongyang, North Korea, on Monday, Jan. 23, 2012.  <b> AP / Kim Kwang Hyon </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="chinese_new_year_30.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/chinese_new_year_sm/chinese_new_year_30.jpg" width="982" height="659" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> A devotee lights a candle at the Lungshan temple on the eve of the Chinese Lunar New Year of the Dragon in Taipei, Taiwan, late Sunday, Jan. 22, 2012.  <b> AP / Wally Santana </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="chinese_new_year_31.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/chinese_new_year_sm/chinese_new_year_31.jpg" width="982" height="658" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> A devotee lights a candle at the Lungshan temple on the eve of the Chinese Lunar New Year of the Dragon in Taipei, Taiwan, late Sunday, Jan. 22, 2012.  <b> AP / Wally Santana </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="chinese_new_year_32.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/chinese_new_year_sm/chinese_new_year_32.jpg" width="982" height="653" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> A devotee prays for good luck under a large lantern on the eve of the Chinese Lunar New Year of the Dragon in Taipei, Taiwan, late Sunday, Jan. 22, 2012.  <b> AP / Wally Santana </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="chinese_new_year_33.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/chinese_new_year_sm/chinese_new_year_33.jpg" width="982" height="669" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> A devotee burns joss sticks at the Lungshan temple on the eve of the Chinese Lunar New Year of the Dragon in Taipei, Taiwan, late Sunday, Jan. 22, 2012.  <b> AP / Wally Santana </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="chinese_new_year_34.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/chinese_new_year_sm/chinese_new_year_34.jpg" width="982" height="687" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> A group of Cambodian ethnic Chinese performs dragon dance in front of the Royal Palace, ahead of Lunar New Year in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2012. <b> AP / Heng Sinith </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="chinese_new_year_35.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/chinese_new_year_sm/chinese_new_year_35.jpg" width="982" height="657" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> A group of Cambodian ethnic Chinese performs dragon dance in front of the Royal Palace, ahead of Lunar New Year in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2012.  <b> AP / Heng Sinith </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="chinese_new_year_36.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/chinese_new_year_sm/chinese_new_year_36.jpg" width="982" height="710" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> A performer reaches out for the gift being dangled from a supermarket  during dragon and lion dance performance in celebration of the Chinese New Year at Manila's Chinatown district Monday Jan. 23, 2012 in the Philippines.  <b> AP / Bullit Marquez </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="chinese_new_year_37.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/chinese_new_year_sm/chinese_new_year_37.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Firecrackers explode as Filipino-Chinese perform a dragon dance in celebration of the Chinese New Year at Manila's Chinatown district Monday Jan. 23, 2012 in the Philippines.  <b> AP / Bullit Marquez </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="chinese_new_year_38.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/chinese_new_year_sm/chinese_new_year_38.jpg" width="982" height="766" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> A performer breaths fire during a dragon dance performance in celebration of the Chinese New Year at Manila's Chinatown district Monday Jan. 23, 2012 in the Philippines.  <b> AP / Bullit Marquez </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="chinese_new_year_39.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/chinese_new_year_sm/chinese_new_year_39.jpg" width="982" height="719" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> A crowd scrambles for free items being thrown at them by staff of a supermarket after a dragon dance performance in celebration of the Chinese New Year at Manila's Chinatown district Monday Jan. 23, 2012 in the Philippines.  <b> AP / Bullit Marquez </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="chinese_new_year_40.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/chinese_new_year_sm/chinese_new_year_40.jpg" width="982" height="739" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> A Filipino-Chinese lights candles while praying inside a Chinese temple in celebration of the Chinese New Year at Manila's Chinatown district Monday Jan. 23, 2012 in the Philippines.  <b> AP / Bullit Marquez </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="chinese_new_year_41.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/chinese_new_year_sm/chinese_new_year_41.jpg" width="982" height="681" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Filipino-Chinese wait for their turn to perform a dragon dance on the eve of the celebration of the Chinese New Year at Manila's Chinatown district Sunday, Jan. 22, 2012 in the Philippines.  <b> AP / Bullit Marquez </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="chinese_new_year_42.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/chinese_new_year_sm/chinese_new_year_42.jpg" width="982" height="776" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> A crowd gather at Manila's Chinatown district as Filipino-Chinese perform a dragon dance on the eve of the celebration of the Chinese New Year Sunday, Jan. 22, 2012 in Manila, Philippines.  <b> AP / Bullit Marquez </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="chinese_new_year_43.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/chinese_new_year_sm/chinese_new_year_43.jpg" width="982" height="717" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Filipino-Chinese perform a dragon dance on the eve of the celebration of the Chinese New Year at Manila's Chinatown district Sunday, Jan. 22, 2012 in the Philippines.   <b> AP / Bullit Marquez </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="chinese_new_year_44.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/chinese_new_year_sm/chinese_new_year_44.jpg" width="982" height="620" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> An Indonesian ethnic Chinese man carries his boy to help to light a candle during Lunar New Year celebrations at a temple in Chinatown in Tangerang, Banten province, Indonesia, Monday, Jan. 23, 2012.   <b> AP / Achmad Ibrahim </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="chinese_new_year_45.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/chinese_new_year_sm/chinese_new_year_45.jpg" width="982" height="649" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Indonesian ethnic Chinese pray during Lunar New year celebration at Dharma Bakti temple in Chinatown in Jakarta, Indonesia, Monday, Jan. 23, 2012.  <b> AP / Dita Alangkara </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="chinese_new_year_46.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/chinese_new_year_sm/chinese_new_year_46.jpg" width="982" height="694" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Ethnic Chinese artists perform a dragon dance in front of visitors at beachside Ancol Dream Land, during the Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations in Jakarta, Indonesia, Monday, Jan. 23, 2012.  <b> AP / Tatan Syuflana </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="chinese_new_year_47.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/chinese_new_year_sm/chinese_new_year_47.jpg" width="982" height="656" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Indonesia's ethnic Chinese women light incense sticks in preparation for a prayer as part of celebrations of Lunar New Year at a temple in Tangerang, Banten province, Indonesia, Monday, Jan. 23, 2012.  <b> AP / Achmad Ibrahim </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="chinese_new_year_48.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/chinese_new_year_sm/chinese_new_year_48.jpg" width="982" height="680" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> In this late Sunday, Jan. 22, 2012 photo, Indonesian ethnic Chinese hold a lantern together before releasing it to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year in Medan, North Sumatra, Indonesia. <b> AP / Binsar Bakkara </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="chinese_new_year_49.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/chinese_new_year_sm/chinese_new_year_49.jpg" width="982" height="683" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Dragon dance performers participate in Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations in Bangkok Monday, Jan. 23, 2012.   <b> AP / Sakchai Lalit </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="chinese_new_year_50.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/chinese_new_year_sm/chinese_new_year_50.jpg" width="982" height="522" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> A performer prepares before the start of a dragon dance during Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations, in Bangkok, Monday, Jan. 23, 2012 . <b> AP / Sakchai Lalit </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
]]>
    </content>
</entry>

<entry>
    <title>Orthodox Christians celebrate Epiphany</title>
    <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/2012/01/orthodox-christians-celebrate.html" />
    <id>tag:blogs.sacbee.com,2012:/photos//48.50620</id>

    <published>2012-01-20T18:22:34Z</published>
    <updated>2012-01-20T18:24:36Z</updated>

    <summary> Thousands of Orthodox Christians plunged into icy rivers and ponds on Thursday in Russia, Belarus and elsewhere to celebrate Epiphany, cleansing themselves with water deemed holy for the day. Christians worldwide celebrate the feast of Epiphany as Jesus&apos; revelation...</summary>
    <author>
        <name>Tim Reese, Assistant Director of Multimedia</name>
        
    </author>
    
    
    <content type="html" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/">
        <![CDATA[ <div style="width: 980px; padding: 5px; text-align: left;">
<font style="font-size: 1.5625em;">T</font>housands of Orthodox Christians plunged into icy rivers and ponds on Thursday in Russia, Belarus and elsewhere to celebrate Epiphany, cleansing themselves with water deemed holy for the day. <br />
Christians worldwide celebrate the feast of Epiphany as Jesus' revelation to the world as the son of God. While Western Christians mark it as the day the biblical Magi are said to have arrived to view the baby Jesus, Orthodox Christians commemorate Jesus' baptism in the Jordan River.<br /> (<a href="http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/2012/01/orthodox-christians-celebrate.html#more">25 images</a>)</div>
<br /> <a href="http://twitter.com/sacbee_theframe" class="twitter-follow-button">Follow @sacbee_theframe</a>
<script src="http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" type="text/javascript"></script><br /><br />
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<a href="http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/2012/01/orthodox-christians-celebrate.html#more"><img height="644" alt="epiphany_2012_01.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/epiphany_2012_sm/epiphany_2012_01.jpg" width="982" /> </a>
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> 
Orthodox priest conducts a service at the ice hole of a lake on the eve of Russian Orthodox Epiphany in Minsk, Belarus, late Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012. Orthodox Church believers celebrate Epiphany on Jan. 19.  <b> AP / Sergei Grits </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)"><a href="http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/2012/01/orthodox-christians-celebrate.html#more"><strong><font style="FONT-SIZE: 1.25em">MORE IMAGES</font></strong></a> 
<br />
</div>
<br />
]]>
        <![CDATA[<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="epiphany_2012_02.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/epiphany_2012_sm/epiphany_2012_02.jpg" width="982" height="637" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> A man swims in the ice cold water of a lake on the eve of Russian Orthodox Epiphany in Minsk, Belarus, late Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012. Orthodox Church believers celebrate Epiphany on Jan. 19. <b> AP / Sergei Grits </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="epiphany_2012_03.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/epiphany_2012_sm/epiphany_2012_03.jpg" width="982" height="660" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> A Belarusian emerges from an ice hole in a traditional Epiphany celebration in Minsk, Belarus, late Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012. Orthodox Church believers celebrate Epiphany on Jan. 19.  <b> AP / Sergei Grits </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="epiphany_2012_04.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/epiphany_2012_sm/epiphany_2012_04.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> A man takes a dip in the icy water of a pond on the eve of the Russian Orthodox Epiphany near the village of Pilnitsa on the outskirts of Minsk, Belarus, Thursday, Jan. 19, 2012. Thousands of Russian Orthodox Church followers plunged into icy rivers and ponds across the country to mark Epiphany, during which they cleanse themselves with water deemed holy for the day. Water that is blessed by a cleric on Epiphany is considered holy and pure until next year's celebration, and is believed to have special powers of protection and healing.  (AP Photo/Sergei Grits) <b> AP / Sergei Grits </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="epiphany_2012_05.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/epiphany_2012_sm/epiphany_2012_05.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> A man crossing himself as he gets out of the ice cold water after plunging into it to mark Epiphany near the village of Pilnitsa in outskirts of Minsk, Belarus, Thursday, Jan. 19, 2012.  <b> AP / Sergei Grits </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="epiphany_2012_06.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/epiphany_2012_sm/epiphany_2012_06.jpg" width="982" height="654" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> A woman takes a dip in a pond during celebrations to mark the Orthodox Epiphany near the village of Pilnitsa, on the outskirts of Minsk, Belarus, Thursday, Jan. 19, 2012. <b> AP / Sergei Grits </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="epiphany_2012_07.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/epiphany_2012_sm/epiphany_2012_07.jpg" width="982" height="622" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> A man takes a dip in icy water of an ice hole in the pond in Kolomenskoe park on the outskirts of Moscow, Russia, Thursday, Jan. 19, 2012. <b> AP / Mikhail Metzel </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="epiphany_2012_08.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/epiphany_2012_sm/epiphany_2012_08.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> People gather around a bath of ice cold water as they prepare to plunge into it at the Kolomenskoe park on the outskirts of Moscow, Russia, Thursday, Jan. 19, 2012.  <b> AP / Mikhail Metzel </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="epiphany_2012_09.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/epiphany_2012_sm/epiphany_2012_09.jpg" width="982" height="653" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Russians stand in a line to enter the icy water on Epiphany at a pond in Moscow, Russia, early Thursday, Jan. 19, 2012. <b> AP / Alexander Zemlianichenko Jr </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="epiphany_2012_10.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/epiphany_2012_sm/epiphany_2012_10.jpg" width="982" height="678" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> A Russian man emerges from the icy water on Epiphany at a pond in Moscow, Russia, early Thursday, Jan. 19, 2012.  <b> AP / Alexander Zemlianichenko Jr </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="epiphany_2012_11.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/epiphany_2012_sm/epiphany_2012_11.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> A man crosses himself before taking a dip in the ice hole of the pond in Kolomenskoe park on the outskirts of Moscow, Russia, Thursday, Jan. 19, 2012.  <b> AP / Mikhail Metzel </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="epiphany_2012_12.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/epiphany_2012_sm/epiphany_2012_12.jpg" width="982" height="652" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Russian Orthodox priests conduct a service on Epiphany at a pond in Tyarlevo village outside St. Petersburg, Russia, early Thursday, Jan. 19, 2012.  <b> AP / Dmitry Lovetsky </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="epiphany_2012_13.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/epiphany_2012_sm/epiphany_2012_13.jpg" width="982" height="698" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> A Russian man emerges from the icy water on Epiphany at a pond in Tyarlevo village outside St. Petersburg, Russia, early Thursday, Jan. 19, 2012.  <b> AP / Dmitry Lovetsky </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="epiphany_2012_14.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/epiphany_2012_sm/epiphany_2012_14.jpg" width="982" height="621" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> A Russian woman emerges from the icy water on Epiphany in Pushkin, outside St. Petersburg, Russia, late Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012.  <b> AP / Dmitry Lovetsky </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="epiphany_2012_15.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/epiphany_2012_sm/epiphany_2012_15.jpg" width="982" height="650" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> A Russian man swims in the icy water of the Neva River to mark the Epiphany in St. Petersburg, Russia, Thursday, Jan. 19, 2012.  <b> AP / Dmitry Lovetsky </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="epiphany_2012_16.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/epiphany_2012_sm/epiphany_2012_16.jpg" width="982" height="681" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> A Russian man swims in the icy water of the Neva River to mark the Epiphany in St. Petersburg, Russia, Thursday, Jan. 19, 2012.  <b> AP / Dmitry Lovetsky </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="epiphany_2012_17.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/epiphany_2012_sm/epiphany_2012_17.jpg" width="982" height="653" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> A woman pours water on herself to celebrate Epiphany at the outskirts of Rostov-on-Don, southern Russia, early Thursday, Jan. 19, 2012.  <b> AP / Sergei Venyavsky </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="epiphany_2012_18.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/epiphany_2012_sm/epiphany_2012_18.jpg" width="982" height="649" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Romanian, right, and Serbian Orthodox Church priests perform, marking the Orthodox Epiphany on the river Nera, between the two countries of Serbia, left bank, and Romania, near the village of Vracev Gaj,  some 50 kilometers (30 miles) northeast of Belgrade, Serbia, Thursday, Jan. 19, 2012. <b> AP / Darko Vojinovic </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="epiphany_2012_19.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/epiphany_2012_sm/epiphany_2012_19.jpg" width="982" height="617" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Christian Orthodox believers jump for a wooden cross into the cold water of the river Nera, between the two countries of Serbia and Romania marking Orthodox Epiphany, Thursday, Jan. 19, 2012. <b> AP / Darko Vojinovic </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="epiphany_2012_20.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/epiphany_2012_sm/epiphany_2012_20.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Marko Tomasevic, 31, center, lifts up a wooden cross, after being the first to reach it in a traditional cross retrieval race on the Danube river in Belgrade, Serbia, Thursday, Jan. 19, 2012.  <b> AP / Marko Drobnjakovic </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="epiphany_2012_21.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/epiphany_2012_sm/epiphany_2012_21.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Marko Tomasevic, 31, center, lifts up a wooden cross, after being the first to reach it in a traditional cross retrieval race on the Danube river in Belgrade, Serbia, Thursday, Jan. 19, 2012. The retrieval of a cross is a traditional event that marks the Orthodox Epiphany, which according to the Julian calendar, falls on Jan. 19.  <b> AP / Marko Drobnjakovic </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="epiphany_2012_22.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/epiphany_2012_sm/epiphany_2012_22.jpg" width="982" height="627" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Ukrainians dance during celebration to mark the Epiphany in Kiev, Ukraine,Thursday, Jan. 19, 2012. Orthodox believers celebrate the holiday of the Epiphany on Jan. 19, and traditionally bathe in holes cut through thick ice on rivers and ponds to cleanse themselves with water deemed holy for the day.  <b> AP / Sergei Chuzavkov </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="epiphany_2012_23.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/epiphany_2012_sm/epiphany_2012_23.jpg" width="982" height="710" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Georgian Orthodox believers crowd to get holy water on Epiphany at a cathedral in Tbilisi, Georgia, Thursday, Jan. 19, 2012. Orthodox Georgians celebrate Epiphany on Jan. 19, following the old Julian calendar. Water blessed by a cleric on Epiphany is considered holy and pure until next year's celebration, and is believed to have special powers of protection and healing.  <b> AP / Shakh Aivazov </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="epiphany_2012_24.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/epiphany_2012_sm/epiphany_2012_24.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Christian Orthodox worshippers from Ethiopia and Eritrea, bathe in the Jordan River during Epiphany celebrations at Qasr-el Yahud near Jericho, in the West Bank, Thursday, Jan. 19, 2012. <b> AP / Bernat Armangue </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="epiphany_2012_25.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/epiphany_2012_sm/epiphany_2012_25.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Christian Orthodox worshippers from Ethiopia and Eritrea, are baptized in the Jordan River during Epiphany celebrations at Qasr-el Yahud near Jericho, in the West Bank, Thursday, Jan. 19, 2012.  <b> AP / Bernat Armangue </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
]]>
    </content>
</entry>

<entry>
    <title>Ice storm follows heavy snow in northwest </title>
    <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/2012/01/ice-storm-follows-heavy-snow-i.html" />
    <id>tag:blogs.sacbee.com,2012:/photos//48.50585</id>

    <published>2012-01-19T20:12:03Z</published>
    <updated>2012-01-19T20:13:00Z</updated>

    <summary> SEATTLE (AP) -- An ice storm followed heavy snow in western Washington, bringing down trees that killed one person and knocked out power for about 100,000 homes, and sending cars and trucks spinning out of control.The tree fell on...</summary>
    <author>
        <name>Tim Reese, Assistant Director of Multimedia</name>
        
    </author>
    
    
    <content type="html" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/">
        <![CDATA[
<div style="width: 980px; padding: 5px; text-align: left;">
<font style="font-size: 1.5625em;">S</font>EATTLE (AP) -- An ice storm followed heavy snow in western Washington, bringing down trees that killed one person and knocked out power for about 100,000 homes, and sending cars and trucks spinning out of control.<br />The tree fell on a person backing an all-terrain vehicle out of a shed Thursday morning near Issaquah, said King County sheriff's Sgt. Cindi West. The ATV rider died at the scene in the first fatality of the storm.<br />
"Tree branches have been falling all over the place because of the weight of the ice," West said.<br />
Gov. Chris Gregoire declared a state of emergency because of the freezing rain.<br />
"This is purely a precautionary move," said spokeswoman Karina Shagren. "At this point, we have not received any requests from cities or counties for state help, but we know weather conditions are changing rapidly so we want to be prepared."<br />(<a href="http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/2012/01/ice-storm-follows-heavy-snow-i.html#more">31 images</a>)</div>
<br /> <a href="http://twitter.com/sacbee_theframe" class="twitter-follow-button">Follow @sacbee_theframe</a>
<script src="http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" type="text/javascript"></script><br /><br />
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<a href="http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/2012/01/ice-storm-follows-heavy-snow-i.html#more"><img height="655" alt="northwest_storm_2012_01.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/northwest_storm_2012_sm/northwest_storm_2012_01.jpg" width="982" /> </a>
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> 
 A winter snow inspires Lincoln neighborhood residents to take an early morning walk Wednesday Jan. 18, 2012 in Vancouver, Wash.  <b> The Columbian / Troy Wayrynen </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)"><a href="http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/2012/01/ice-storm-follows-heavy-snow-i.html#more"><strong><font style="FONT-SIZE: 1.25em">MORE IMAGES</font></strong></a> 
<br />
</div>
<br />
 ]]>
        <![CDATA[<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="northwest_storm_2012_02.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/northwest_storm_2012_sm/northwest_storm_2012_02.jpg" width="982" height="574" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Snow flies off the wheels of a Jeep, as traffic moves along I-405 near Renton, Washington, on Wednesday, Jan. 18, where compact snow covered the highway.  <b> Seattle Times / Steve Ringman </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="northwest_storm_2012_03.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/northwest_storm_2012_sm/northwest_storm_2012_03.jpg" width="982" height="596" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> A Metro bus drives under a canopy of snow-covered trees in Pioneer Square Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012, in Seattle.  <b> AP / Elaine Thompson </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="northwest_storm_2012_04.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/northwest_storm_2012_sm/northwest_storm_2012_04.jpg" width="982" height="623" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Sledders, skiers, snowboarders and pedestrians take over a snow-covered street in the Queen Anne neighborhood of Seattle Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012. <b> AP / Elaine Thompson </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="northwest_storm_2012_05.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/northwest_storm_2012_sm/northwest_storm_2012_05.jpg" width="982" height="501" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Sledders, skiers, snowboarders and pedestrians take over a snow-covered street in the Queen Anne neighborhood of Seattle Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012.  <b> AP / Elaine Thompson </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="northwest_storm_2012_06.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/northwest_storm_2012_sm/northwest_storm_2012_06.jpg" width="982" height="678" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Daniel Phillips walks to work along 228th Street Southeast in Bothell, Washington, on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2012, during light morning snowfall.  <b> Seattle Times / Mike Siegel </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="northwest_storm_2012_07.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/northwest_storm_2012_sm/northwest_storm_2012_07.jpg" width="982" height="489" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Lucas Fletcher glides down Kite Hill in Seattle, Washington, Wednesday, January 18, 2012. <b> Seattle Times / Alan Berner </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="northwest_storm_2012_08.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/northwest_storm_2012_sm/northwest_storm_2012_08.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Donna Rice skis down Columbia Street SW, Wednesday, January 18, 2012 in Olympia, Washington. "I have 16 inches in my backyard," said Rice.  <b> Seattle Times / Steve Ringman </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="northwest_storm_2012_09.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/northwest_storm_2012_sm/northwest_storm_2012_09.jpg" width="982" height="623" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Heather Wilson ran into a rough spot in Tukwila, Washington on Wednesday, January 18, 2012. Wilson, a poker dealer in a casino, was on her way to work before running into the guardrail.  <b> Seattle Times / John Lok </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="northwest_storm_2012_10.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/northwest_storm_2012_sm/northwest_storm_2012_10.jpg" width="982" height="641" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Kevin Mahurin searches for a place to attach his tow strap to a car driven by Augistine Torres Wednesday morning, Jan. 18, 2012  in Kennewick, Wash.. The front-wheel drive sedan, outfitted with summer tread tires, became stuck on the icy inclined roadway on West First Avenue at South Fruitland Street. Mahurin then used his four-wheel pickup to move the car from blocking the intersection. <b> The Tri-City Herald / Tri-City Herald/Bob Brawdy </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="northwest_storm_2012_11.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/northwest_storm_2012_sm/northwest_storm_2012_11.jpg" width="982" height="534" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> A jogger runs through Wright Park in the snow, Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012, in Tacoma, Wash.   <b> AP / Ted S. Warren </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="northwest_storm_2012_12.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/northwest_storm_2012_sm/northwest_storm_2012_12.jpg" width="982" height="649" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> The Big Lake community, east of Mount Vernon, Wash., is covered in snow, Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2012.  <b> Skagit Valley Herald / Scott Terrell </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="northwest_storm_2012_13.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/northwest_storm_2012_sm/northwest_storm_2012_13.jpg" width="982" height="631" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> A large snowman looks over his wintry domain below the berm in Pioneer Park in Walla Walla, Wash. Wednesday morning, January 18, 2012 after the first significant snowfall of the season blanketed Walla Walla over night.  <b> Walla Walla Union-Bulletin / Matthew Zimmerman Banderas </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="northwest_storm_2012_14.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/northwest_storm_2012_sm/northwest_storm_2012_14.jpg" width="982" height="650" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Joe Jackson clears the road near his hay farm in Finley, Wash. on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2012.  <b> Tri-City Herald / Kai-Huei Yau </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="northwest_storm_2012_15.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/northwest_storm_2012_sm/northwest_storm_2012_15.jpg" width="982" height="463" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> A pedestrian walks on a snow-covered street, Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012, in Seattle.  <b> AP / Elaine Thompson </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="northwest_storm_2012_16.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/northwest_storm_2012_sm/northwest_storm_2012_16.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Carter Morse, 11, a student at Franklin Elementary School, enjoys the winter snow sledding at Franklin Park Wednesday Jan. 18, 2012 in Vancouver, Wash. The Vancouver School District closed schools because of snow.   <b> The Columbian / Troy Wayrynen </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="northwest_storm_2012_17.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/northwest_storm_2012_sm/northwest_storm_2012_17.jpg" width="982" height="602" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Amelia McHugh, 9, right, and her father, Noel McHugh, left, cross-country ski, Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012, at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash.  <b> AP / Ted S. Warren </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="northwest_storm_2012_18.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/northwest_storm_2012_sm/northwest_storm_2012_18.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Jorge Mendoza, 13, left, adds snow to a snow hut he and his brother Luis, 11, are building in front of their Kennewick, Wash. home Wednesday Jan. 18, 2012.  <b> Tri-City Herald / Paul T. Erickson </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="northwest_storm_2012_19.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/northwest_storm_2012_sm/northwest_storm_2012_19.jpg" width="982" height="597" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> A man walks past a truck stuck in the snow on 22 Avenue S. at S. Hill Street in Seattle, Wednesday. Jan. 18, 2012, <b> The Seattle Times / Ken Lambert </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="northwest_storm_2012_20.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/northwest_storm_2012_sm/northwest_storm_2012_20.jpg" width="982" height="486" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> A semi-truck is shown after it left an off-ramp of Interstate-5 near Nisqually, Wash., during a snowstorm, Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012.  <b> AP / Ted S. Warren </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="northwest_storm_2012_21.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/northwest_storm_2012_sm/northwest_storm_2012_21.jpg" width="982" height="646" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> A van rests part way up the bank near the ice covered lanes of west bound Highway 182, Wednesday morning, Jan. 18, 2012 near Pasco, Wash.  <b> The Tri-City Herald / Richard Dickin </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="northwest_storm_2012_22.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/northwest_storm_2012_sm/northwest_storm_2012_22.jpg" width="982" height="621" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Shawn Hobbs blows a little snow on his daughter Sarah, 5, after she refused to move completely out of the way Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012, in Spokane Valley, Wash.   <b> The Spokesman-Review / Jesse Tinsley </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="northwest_storm_2012_23.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/northwest_storm_2012_sm/northwest_storm_2012_23.jpg" width="982" height="600" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> A pair of bicyclists head across an intersection in a snowstorm Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012, in Seattle.  <b> AP / Elaine Thompson </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="northwest_storm_2012_24.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/northwest_storm_2012_sm/northwest_storm_2012_24.jpg" width="982" height="475" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Heights Elementary students take advantage of their lunch break to enjoy the new blanket of snow Wednesday, January 18, 2012 in Clarkston, Wash.  <b> Lewiston Tribune / Kyle Mills </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="northwest_storm_2012_25.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/northwest_storm_2012_sm/northwest_storm_2012_25.jpg" width="982" height="669" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Sydney Hogan, 4, tries to catch snowflakes on her tongue while she and her mother Bridget Mertens sled in front of their Richland, Wash. home Wednesday Jan. 18, 2012.  <b> Tri-City Herald / Paul T. Erickson </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="northwest_storm_2012_26.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/northwest_storm_2012_sm/northwest_storm_2012_26.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Surrounded by mounds of new snow on the deck tables at Mount Bachelor, Ore., snowboarder Lori LaBissoniere, 31, of Bend, looks out towards the Pine Marten Lift, which was among several lifts that were closed due to storm conditions on Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012.  <b> The Bulletin / Andy Tullis </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="northwest_storm_2012_27.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/northwest_storm_2012_sm/northwest_storm_2012_27.jpg" width="982" height="701" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Victims of a snowy crash stand at right as an Oregon Department of Transportation employee, in vest, checks with another driver after winter weather hit the area in Beaverton, Ore., Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2012.   <b> AP / Don Ryan </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="northwest_storm_2012_28.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/northwest_storm_2012_sm/northwest_storm_2012_28.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> High winds blast the Yaquina Bay Bridge on Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012 in Newport, Ore.  High winds have begun hammering parts of the Oregon coast and causing power outages.   The high winds are part of a winter storm that moved into Western Oregon overnight. The storm brought a couple inches of snow to parts of the Willamette Valley before turning to rain.  <b> The Oregonian / Thomas Boyd </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="northwest_storm_2012_29.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/northwest_storm_2012_sm/northwest_storm_2012_29.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Zach Schoenfelder and his dog Sophie take a tumble while sledding Wednesday Jan. 18, 2012 in Boise, Idaho. <b> The Idaho Statesman / Chris Butler </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="northwest_storm_2012_30.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/northwest_storm_2012_sm/northwest_storm_2012_30.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Residents in Boise, Idaho try and to protect themselves from the snow and wind during a snow storm Wednesday Jan. 18, 2012. The Boise Airport  received five inches of snow Wednesday.  <b> The Idaho Statesman / Chris Butler </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="northwest_storm_2012_31.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/northwest_storm_2012_sm/northwest_storm_2012_31.jpg" width="982" height="694" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> With snow piling up too deep to ride, James Frazier walks his bike Wednesday afternoon, Jan. 18, 2012 on a Missoula, Mont., street just before the snowplow arrives to clear the path. The National Weather Service is predicting "this storm will likely be one of historic magnitude." <b> Missoula Missoulian / Kurt Wilson </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
]]>
    </content>
</entry>

<entry>
    <title>Costa Concordia cruise ship disaster</title>
    <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/2012/01/costa-concordia-cruise-ship-di.html" />
    <id>tag:blogs.sacbee.com,2012:/photos//48.50533</id>

    <published>2012-01-18T19:47:21Z</published>
    <updated>2012-01-18T19:48:26Z</updated>

    <summary> ROME (AP) -- The first victim from the Costa Concordia diaster was identified Wednesday -- a 38-year-old violinist from Hungary who had been working as an entertainer on the stricken cruise ship.Sandor Feher&apos;s body was found inside the wreck,...</summary>
    <author>
        <name>Tim Reese, Assistant Director of Multimedia</name>
        
    </author>
    
    
    <content type="html" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/">
        <![CDATA[ 
<div style="width: 980px; padding: 5px; text-align: left;">
<font style="font-size: 1.5625em;">R</font>OME (AP) -- The first victim from the Costa Concordia diaster was identified Wednesday -- a 38-year-old violinist from Hungary who had been working as an entertainer on the stricken cruise ship.<br />Sandor Feher's body was found inside the wreck, and identified by his mother who traveled to the Italian city of Grosetto, according to Hungary's foreign ministry.<br />The $450 million Costa Concordia cruise ship was carrying more than 4,200 passengers and crew when it slammed into a reef Friday off the tiny Italian island of Giglio after the captain made an unauthorized maneuver. The death toll stands at 11, with 22 people still missing.<br />Italian rescue workers suspended operations Wednesday after the cruise ship shifted slightly on the rocks near the Tuscan coast, creating deep concerns about the safety of divers and firefighters searching for the missing.<br />(<a href="http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/2012/01/costa-concordia-cruise-ship-di.html#more">33 images</a>)</div>
<br /> <a href="http://twitter.com/sacbee_theframe" class="twitter-follow-button">Follow @sacbee_theframe</a>
<script src="http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" type="text/javascript"></script><br /><br />
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<a href="http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/2012/01/costa-concordia-cruise-ship-di.html#more"><img height="680" alt="cruise_ship_aground_01.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/cruise_ship_aground_sm/cruise_ship_aground_01.jpg" width="982" /> </a>
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> 
This satellite image made Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2012, provided by DigitalGlobe on Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012,  shows the hulk of the luxury cruise ship  Costa Concordia, which ran aground the Tuscan tiny island of Isola del Giglio, Italy, on Friday, leaning on its starboard side. As the Costa Concordia keeps shifting on its rocky ledge, many have raised the prospect of a possible environmental disaster if the 2,300 tons of fuel on the half-submerged cruise ship leaks.  <b> AP / DigitalGlobe </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)"><a href="http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/2012/01/costa-concordia-cruise-ship-di.html#more"><strong><font style="FONT-SIZE: 1.25em">MORE IMAGES</font></strong></a> 
<br />
</div>
<br />
]]>
        <![CDATA[<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="cruise_ship_aground_02.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/cruise_ship_aground_sm/cruise_ship_aground_02.jpg" width="982" height="701" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> This picture released on Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012 by the Italian Space Agency (A.S..I.) and taken on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2012, about nine hours after the luxury cruise ship Costa Concordia ran aground the Tuscan tiny island of Isola del Giglio, Italy, shows the hulk of the ship surrounded by rescuers and investigators boats.  <b> AP / Italian Space Agency </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="cruise_ship_aground_03.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/cruise_ship_aground_sm/cruise_ship_aground_03.jpg" width="982" height="496" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> This aerial black-and-white video image shot with an infrared camera and made available by the Italian Coastguard Tuesday Jan. 17, 2012 appears to show passengers of shipwrecked cruise liner Costa Concordia slipping down the belly of the luxury liner one-by-one using a rope to reach a lifeboat, bottom left, late Friday Jan. 13, 2012 off Giglio Island, Italy.  <b> AP /  Italian Coastguard </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="cruise_ship_aground_04.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/cruise_ship_aground_sm/cruise_ship_aground_04.jpg" width="982" height="639" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> The cruise ship Costa Concordia lays on its side off the tiny Tuscan island of Giglio, Italy, Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012. Search teams have suspended operations after an enormous cruise ship grounded and partially submerged off the coast of Tuscany shifted under turbulent seas. <b> AP / Gregorio Borgia </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="cruise_ship_aground_05.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/cruise_ship_aground_sm/cruise_ship_aground_05.jpg" width="982" height="668" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> A floating barrier is used to prevent any eventual oil spill from cruise ship Costa Concordia leaning on its side after running aground the tiny Tuscan island of Giglio, Italy, Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012.  <b> AP / Gregorio Borgia </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="cruise_ship_aground_06.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/cruise_ship_aground_sm/cruise_ship_aground_06.jpg" width="982" height="589" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> The cruise ship Costa Concordia lays on its side off the tiny Tuscan island of Giglio, Italy, Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012.  <b> AP / Gregorio Borgia </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="cruise_ship_aground_07.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/cruise_ship_aground_sm/cruise_ship_aground_07.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> The cruise ship Costa Concordia lays on its side off the tiny Tuscan island of Giglio, Italy, Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012.  <b> AP / Andrea Sinibaldi </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="cruise_ship_aground_08.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/cruise_ship_aground_sm/cruise_ship_aground_08.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> The cruise ship Costa Concordia lays on its side off the tiny Tuscan island of Giglio, Italy, Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012.  <b> AP / Andrea Sinibaldi </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="cruise_ship_aground_09.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/cruise_ship_aground_sm/cruise_ship_aground_09.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> The cruise ship Costa Concordia lays on its side off the tiny Tuscan island of Giglio, Italy, Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012. <b> AP / Gregorio Borgia </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="cruise_ship_aground_10.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/cruise_ship_aground_sm/cruise_ship_aground_10.jpg" width="982" height="747" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> The cruise ship Costa Concordia lays on its side off the tiny Tuscan island of Giglio, Italy, Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012. <b> AP / Gregorio Borgia </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="cruise_ship_aground_11.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/cruise_ship_aground_sm/cruise_ship_aground_11.jpg" width="982" height="583" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> The cruise ship Costa Concordia lays on its side off the tiny Tuscan island of Giglio, Italy, Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012.  <b> AP / Gregorio Borgia </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="cruise_ship_aground_12.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/cruise_ship_aground_sm/cruise_ship_aground_12.jpg" width="982" height="670" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Italian naval divers recover a body from the cruise ship Costa Concordia, Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2012. Italian media say five bodies have been found aboard a cruise ship capsized off the coast of Tuscany, raising the official death toll to 11. Teams have been searching the ship for passengers and crew missing since the Costa Concordia struck rocks Friday evening and capsized. <b> AP / Gregorio Borgia </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="cruise_ship_aground_13.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/cruise_ship_aground_sm/cruise_ship_aground_13.jpg" width="982" height="694" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Italian navy divers approach the cruise ship Costa Concordia Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2012, after it ran aground on the tiny Tuscan island of Giglio, Italy, on Friday evening. Italian naval divers on Tuesday exploded holes in the hull of a cruise ship that grounded near a Tuscan island to speed the search for 29 missing passengers and crew while the seas remain relatively calm. <b> AP / Gregorio Borgia </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="cruise_ship_aground_14.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/cruise_ship_aground_sm/cruise_ship_aground_14.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> The cruise ship Costa Concordia leans on its side Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2012, after running aground on the tiny Tuscan island of Giglio, Italy, on Friday evening. <b> AP / Gregorio Borgia </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="cruise_ship_aground_15.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/cruise_ship_aground_sm/cruise_ship_aground_15.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Italian naval divers recover a body from the cruise ship Costa Concordia, Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2012. Italian media say five bodies have been found aboard a cruise ship capsized off the coast of Tuscany, raising the official death toll to 11. <b> AP / Gregorio Borgia </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="cruise_ship_aground_16.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/cruise_ship_aground_sm/cruise_ship_aground_16.jpg" width="982" height="595" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> A scuba diver recovers a body from the cruise ship Costa Concordia, Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2012.  <b> AP / Gregorio Borgia </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="cruise_ship_aground_17.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/cruise_ship_aground_sm/cruise_ship_aground_17.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Italian naval divers work on the cruise ship Costa Concordia Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2012, after running aground on the tiny Tuscan island of Giglio, Italy, on Friday evening. <b> AP / Andrea Sinibaldi </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="cruise_ship_aground_18.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/cruise_ship_aground_sm/cruise_ship_aground_18.jpg" width="982" height="649" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Italian naval divers approach the cruise ship Costa Concordia Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2012, after it ran aground on the tiny Tuscan island of Giglio, Italy, on Friday evening.  <b> AP / Gregorio Borgia </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="cruise_ship_aground_19.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/cruise_ship_aground_sm/cruise_ship_aground_19.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> The cruise ship Costa Concordia lays on its side after running aground off the tiny Tuscan island of Giglio, Italy, Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2012.  <b> AP / Gregorio Borgia </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="cruise_ship_aground_20.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/cruise_ship_aground_sm/cruise_ship_aground_20.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> The cruise ship Costa Concordia lays on its side after running aground Friday evening on the Tuscan island of Giglio, Italy, Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2012.  <b> AP / Gregorio Borgia </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="cruise_ship_aground_21.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/cruise_ship_aground_sm/cruise_ship_aground_21.jpg" width="982" height="737" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Underwater photo taken on Jan. 13 and released by the Italian Coast Guard Jan. 16, shows a view of the cruise ship Costa Concordia, after it ran aground in front of the Isola del Giglio harbor.  <b><a href="ZUMA24.com">ZUMA24.com</a> / Kika Press </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="cruise_ship_aground_22.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/cruise_ship_aground_sm/cruise_ship_aground_22.jpg" width="982" height="676" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> In this underwater photo released by the Italian Coast Guard Monday, Jan. 16, 2012 the cruise ship Costa Concordia leans on its side, after it ran aground off the tiny Tuscan island of Isola del Giglio, Italy.  <b> AP /  Italian Coast Guard</b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="cruise_ship_aground_23.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/cruise_ship_aground_sm/cruise_ship_aground_23.jpg" width="982" height="737" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> In this underwater photo taken on Jan. 13 and released by the Italian Coast Guard Monday, Jan. 16, 2012 a view of the  cruise ship Costa Concordia, after it ran aground  near the tiny Tuscan island of Giglio, Italy.  <b> AP /  Italian Coast Guard</b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="cruise_ship_aground_24.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/cruise_ship_aground_sm/cruise_ship_aground_24.jpg" width="982" height="580" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Italian firefighters walk Monday, Jan. 16, 2012, on the cruise ship Costa Concordia leaning on its side after running aground the tiny Tuscan island of Giglio, Italy, last Friday night.  <b> AP / Gregorio Borgia </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="cruise_ship_aground_25.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/cruise_ship_aground_sm/cruise_ship_aground_25.jpg" width="982" height="617" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> The capsized Costa Concordia cruise ship is lit up at night as it lies just off the rocky shore of the Tuscan island of Giglio after it ran aground.  <b> <a href="ZUMA24.com">ZUMA24.com</a> / Federico Scoppa </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="cruise_ship_aground_26.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/cruise_ship_aground_sm/cruise_ship_aground_26.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Italian firefighters scuba divers approach the cruise ship Costa Concordia leaning on its side, the day after it ran aground off the tiny Tuscan island of Giglio, Italy, Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012.  <b> AP / Gregorio Borgia </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="cruise_ship_aground_27.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/cruise_ship_aground_sm/cruise_ship_aground_27.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Italian Navy scuba divers approach the cruise ship Costa Concordia leaning on its side, the day after running aground the tiny Tuscan island of Giglio, Italy, Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012. <b> AP / Gregorio Borgia </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="cruise_ship_aground_28.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/cruise_ship_aground_sm/cruise_ship_aground_28.jpg" width="982" height="765" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Survivors of the luxury cruise ship Costa Concordia, which ran aground near the tiny Tuscan island of Giglio, Italy, arrive at the harbor, in Marseille, southern France, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2012.  <b> AP / Claude Paris </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="cruise_ship_aground_29.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/cruise_ship_aground_sm/cruise_ship_aground_29.jpg" width="982" height="688" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> A police officer holds a baby wrapped in a blanket as passengers of the luxury ship Costa Concordia that ran aground off the coast of Tuscany arrive on a ferry in Porto Santo Stefano, Italy, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2012.  <b> AP / Gregorio Borgia </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="cruise_ship_aground_30.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/cruise_ship_aground_sm/cruise_ship_aground_30.jpg" width="982" height="780" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Passengers of the luxury ship that ran aground off the coast of Tuscany disembark a ferry in Porto Santo Stefano, Italy, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2012.  <b> AP / Gregorio Borgia </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="cruise_ship_aground_31.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/cruise_ship_aground_sm/cruise_ship_aground_31.jpg" width="982" height="670" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> In this photo taken on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2012, Francesco Schettino  the captain of the luxury cruiser Costa Concordia, which ran aground off Italy's Tuscan coast, enters a Carabinieri car in Porto Santo Stefano, Italy.  <b> AP / Enzo Russo </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="cruise_ship_aground_32.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/cruise_ship_aground_sm/cruise_ship_aground_32.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> The luxury cruise ship Costa Concordia leans on its side after running aground the tiny Tuscan island of Giglio, Italy, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2012.  <b> AP / Gregorio Borgia </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="cruise_ship_aground_33.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/cruise_ship_aground_sm/cruise_ship_aground_33.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> The luxury cruise ship Costa Concordia leans on its side after running aground the tiny Tuscan island of Giglio, Italy, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2012.    <b> AP / Gregorio Borgia </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
]]>
    </content>
</entry>

<entry>
    <title>Birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. celebrated across the country</title>
    <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/2012/01/birthday-of-martin-luther-king.html" />
    <id>tag:blogs.sacbee.com,2012:/photos//48.50472</id>

    <published>2012-01-17T16:38:00Z</published>
    <updated>2012-01-17T16:41:08Z</updated>

    <summary> WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama evoked Martin Luther King Jr.&apos;s own words about public service Monday as Obama and his family celebrated the life of the late civil rights leader with a volunteer project.The president, along with wife...</summary>
    <author>
        <name>Tim Reese, Assistant Director of Multimedia</name>
        
    </author>
    
    
    <content type="html" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/">
        <![CDATA[ 
<div style="width: 980px; padding: 5px; text-align: left;">
<font style="font-size: 1.5625em;">W</font>ASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama evoked Martin Luther King Jr.'s own words about public service Monday as Obama and his family celebrated the life of the late civil rights leader with a volunteer project.<br />The president, along with wife Michelle Obama and daughter Malia, joined other volunteers at Browne Education Center in Washington.<br />During brief remarks, the president said there was no better way to honor King than to do something on behalf of others. He also acknowledged the controversy surrounding a quote on the new MLK memorial in Washington, which is being changed amid criticism that it did not accurately reflect King's words.<br />"What he really said was all of us can be a drum major for service, all of us can be a drum major for justice," Obama said. "There is nobody who can't serve, nobody who can't help somebody else."  <br />(<a href="http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/2012/01/birthday-of-martin-luther-king.html#more">27 images</a>)</div>
<br /> <a href="http://twitter.com/sacbee_theframe" class="twitter-follow-button">Follow @sacbee_theframe</a>
<script src="http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" type="text/javascript"></script><br /><br />
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<a href="http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/2012/01/birthday-of-martin-luther-king.html#more"><img height="653" alt="mlk_day_2012_01.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/mlk_day_2012_sm/mlk_day_2012_01.jpg" width="982" /> </a>
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> 
Belle Chel, 5, left, and Vickey Zhu watch the 27th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Parade on Monday, Jan. 16, 2012 in Denver.  <b> AP / Manuel Martinez </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)"><a href="http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/2012/01/birthday-of-martin-luther-king.html#more"><strong><font style="FONT-SIZE: 1.25em">MORE IMAGES</font></strong></a> 
<br />
</div>
<br />
]]>
        <![CDATA[<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="mlk_day_2012_02.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/mlk_day_2012_sm/mlk_day_2012_02.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Quotes by Martin Luther King, Jr., are inscribed in the wall at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial as it is seen at dusk ahead of its dedication this weekend in Washington.  A quote carved in stone on the new Martin Luther King memorial in Washington will be changed after the inscription was criticized for not accurately reflecting the civil rights leader's words.  <b> AP / Charles Dharapak </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="mlk_day_2012_03.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/mlk_day_2012_sm/mlk_day_2012_03.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Angelique Marcus of Baltimore, Md. touches a quote on the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in Washington, Monday, Jan. 16, 2012, before a ceremony to honor his legacy.  <b> AP / Evan Vucci </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="mlk_day_2012_04.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/mlk_day_2012_sm/mlk_day_2012_04.jpg" width="982" height="712" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> From left, Liza Joy Marcato of Hillsdale, N.Y., Beverly Steed of Washington, and Marcus Knausenberger of Devin, Pa., sing after a ceremony at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in Washington, Monday, Jan. 16, 2012.  <b> AP / Evan Vucci </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="mlk_day_2012_05.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/mlk_day_2012_sm/mlk_day_2012_05.jpg" width="982" height="635" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama greet people as they arrive at the Let Freedom Ring Celebration in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King at the Kennedy Center in Washington, Monday, Jan. 16, 2012.  <b> AP / Susan Walsh </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="mlk_day_2012_06.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/mlk_day_2012_sm/mlk_day_2012_06.jpg" width="982" height="801" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Ja' Quavia Steward, 13, left, and Jasper Thomas, 15, hold a Martin Luther King Jr. banner as they get ready to walk in the 34th Annual "Original" Dr. Martin Luther King Birthday Parade and Celebration Monday, Jan. 16, 2012, in Houston.  <b> AP / Nick de la Torre </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="mlk_day_2012_07.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/mlk_day_2012_sm/mlk_day_2012_07.jpg" width="982" height="631" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Candi Flora, a historian wearing actual irons from the days of slavery, raises her arms as she rides on a pick up sponsored by the Greater Houston Fair Housing Center during the 34th Annual "Original" Dr. Martin Luther King Birthday Parade and Celebration Monday, Jan. 16, 2012, in Houston.  <b> AP / Nick de la Torre </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="mlk_day_2012_08.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/mlk_day_2012_sm/mlk_day_2012_08.jpg" width="982" height="659" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Candy Thompson yells "We love you and welcome home!" to a group of soldiers participating in the Martin Luther King banner for the 34th Annual "Original" Dr. Martin Luther King Birthday Parade and Celebration Monday, Jan. 16, 2012, in Houston.  <b> AP / Nick de la Torre </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="mlk_day_2012_09.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/mlk_day_2012_sm/mlk_day_2012_09.jpg" width="982" height="653" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Lisa Ward holds up a sign as she participates in the 27th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Parade on Monday, Jan. 16, 2012 in Denver.  <b> AP / Manuel Martinez </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="mlk_day_2012_10.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/mlk_day_2012_sm/mlk_day_2012_10.jpg" width="982" height="653" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Alex Chapman, 15, waits on the steps of the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, for the 27th Martin Luther King Jr. Parade, on Monday, Jan. 16, 2012, in Denver, Colo. <b> AP / Manuel Martinez </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="mlk_day_2012_11.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/mlk_day_2012_sm/mlk_day_2012_11.jpg" width="982" height="630" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Ian Stevenson, 9, of Sacramento, Calif. waits at the Oak Park Community Center to participate in the March for the Dream to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day. This was his third year marching in the parade.   <b> rbyer@sacbee.com / Renee C. Byer </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="mlk_day_2012_12.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/mlk_day_2012_sm/mlk_day_2012_12.jpg" width="982" height="653" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Kaiser Permanente employees, physicians, nurses, staff members and their families honored the memory of Martin Luther King Jr. in Sacramento, Calif. by volunteering their time and service to beautify the Firehouse Community Center in Del Paso Heights. The center's outdoor  "playcare" gets new mulch spread by, from left,  Scott Fishman with his children Lucas, 9 and Elsa, 7 and Grant Dizon age 11. Fishman's wife is a physician at Kaiser.
 <b> mcrisostomo@sacbee.com / Manny Crisostomo </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="mlk_day_2012_13.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/mlk_day_2012_sm/mlk_day_2012_13.jpg" width="982" height="682" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Jasmin Ventura, of Santa Ana, pauses before painting her next stroke as she joins about 200 volunteers who painted a mural on a Santa Ana, Calif. wall in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, Monday, Jan. 16, 2012. Community volunteers joined together creating an artpiece entitled, "I Have A Dream." The 45-foot long wall is located near Raitt St. at Richland Avenue in Santa Ana. <b> AP / H. Lorren Au Jr. </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="mlk_day_2012_14.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/mlk_day_2012_sm/mlk_day_2012_14.jpg" width="982" height="668" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Politicians, family members of Martin Luther King Jr., and others sing "We Shall Overcome" during a service commemorating the late civil rights leader,  held at Ebenezer Baptist Church, Mon., Jan. 16,  2012, in Atlanta. <b> AP / John Amis </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="mlk_day_2012_15.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/mlk_day_2012_sm/mlk_day_2012_15.jpg" width="982" height="704" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Ellen Ochoa Middle School students Corey Brown, right, and his brother Marcel place roses Monday, Jan. 16, 2012, at a statue of Martin Luther King Jr. at Columbia Basin College in Pasco, Wash., during the 21st annual bell-ringing ceremony. <b> AP / Richard Dickin </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="mlk_day_2012_16.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/mlk_day_2012_sm/mlk_day_2012_16.jpg" width="982" height="693" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Leon Smith holds a framed picture of Martin Luther King, Jr. as he blocks traffic while the annual MLK Day parade makes its way down Second Street in Memphis, Tenn. Monday, Jan. 16, 2012. Hundreds gathered at Auction and Main street to start the parade that got larger as bystanders joined in while the crowd made their way to the National Civil Rights Museum. <b> AP / Mike Brown </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="mlk_day_2012_17.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/mlk_day_2012_sm/mlk_day_2012_17.jpg" width="982" height="747" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Marchers parade down Second Street during the annual Martin Luther King Day parade through downtown Memphis, Tenn. Monday, Jan. 16, 2012.  <b> AP / Mike Brown </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="mlk_day_2012_18.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/mlk_day_2012_sm/mlk_day_2012_18.jpg" width="982" height="646" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Aujahnae Theus, 9, left, and Akiya Pollard, 9, watch the Martin Luther King Jr. parade in Las Vegas on Monday, Jan. 16, 2012.  Thousands of people line the parade route to watch the 30th annual parade in honor of the slain civil rights leader.  <b> AP / Jeff Scheid </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="mlk_day_2012_19.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/mlk_day_2012_sm/mlk_day_2012_19.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> A group tries to stay warm prior to the start of the annual King Day at the Dome rally at the State House in Columbia, S.C., Monday, January 16, 2012. The event featured a service at Zion Baptist Church and a march down Main Street towards the capitol.  <b> MCT / Gerry Melendez </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="mlk_day_2012_20.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/mlk_day_2012_sm/mlk_day_2012_20.jpg" width="982" height="724" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Jalia Dozier, left, and Jordan Williams, dances to music prior to the start of the annual King Day at the Dome rally at the State House, Monday, January 16, 2012 in Columbia, S.C.  <b> MCT / Gerry Melendez </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="mlk_day_2012_21.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/mlk_day_2012_sm/mlk_day_2012_21.jpg" width="982" height="563" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Andrew Boudreaux, 10, leads the procession of the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial March in Raleigh, N.C., Monday, January 16, 2012. Thousands of area residents took part in celebrations, prayer breakfasts and service project to celebrate the birthday of the late civil rights leader.  <b> MCT / Takaaki Iwabu </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="mlk_day_2012_22.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/mlk_day_2012_sm/mlk_day_2012_22.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> The Rev. Doris Sanders, from left, Cherrod Kornegy, 9, Imani Manning, 17, and Kris Graham, 17, line up for the annual Martin Luther King Memorial March in Raleigh, N.C., Monday, January 16, 2012.  <b> MCT / Takaaki Iwabu </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="mlk_day_2012_23.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/mlk_day_2012_sm/mlk_day_2012_23.jpg" width="982" height="544" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Hundreds of people march down Fayetteville Street in Raliegh, N.C. during the annual Martin Luther King Memorial March on Monday.  <b> ZUMA24.com / Takaaki Iwabu </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="mlk_day_2012_24.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/mlk_day_2012_sm/mlk_day_2012_24.jpg" width="982" height="722" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Gwen Downie of First Zion Missionary Baptist Church and the Deerfield Beach High School marching band participate in the city's 36th annual Martin Luther King Freedom March and Parade in Deerfield Beach, Florida, Monday, January 16, 2012.  <b> MCT / Susan Stocker </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="mlk_day_2012_25.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/mlk_day_2012_sm/mlk_day_2012_25.jpg" width="982" height="672" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Zakyyah Engram, 11, carries a photo of Dr. King during the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade through downtown Jacksonville, Fla., Monday Jan. 16, 2012.  <b> AP / Kelly Jordan </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="mlk_day_2012_26.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/mlk_day_2012_sm/mlk_day_2012_26.jpg" width="982" height="520" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> A member of the Black Cowboys rides his horse carrying the American Flag during the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade through downtown Jacksonville, Fla., Monday Jan. 16, 2012.  <b> AP / Kelly Jordan </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="mlk_day_2012_27.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/mlk_day_2012_sm/mlk_day_2012_27.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> With an image of Martin Luther King, Jr. as a backdrop, performers join hands as they sing "We Shall Overcome" during the 26th Annual Brooklyn Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Monday Jan. 16, 2012 at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in the Brooklyn borough of New York.  <b> AP / Tina Fineberg </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
]]>
    </content>
</entry>

<entry>
    <title>Dutch nursery cares for slew of orphaned seal pups</title>
    <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/2012/01/dutch-nursery-cares-for-slew-o.html" />
    <id>tag:blogs.sacbee.com,2012:/photos//48.50415</id>

    <published>2012-01-14T01:10:45Z</published>
    <updated>2012-01-14T01:12:02Z</updated>

    <summary> AMSTERDAM (AP) -- Storms that have lashed the Dutch coast this year have created a wave of orphaned baby seals -- some so young their umbilical cords are still attached -- wrenched from their mothers and washed up on...</summary>
    <author>
        <name>Tim Reese, Assistant Director of Multimedia</name>
        
    </author>
    
    
    <content type="html" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/">
        <![CDATA[ 
<div style="width: 980px; padding: 5px; text-align: left;">
<font style="font-size: 1.5625em;">A</font>MSTERDAM (AP) -- Storms that have lashed the Dutch coast this year have created a wave of orphaned baby seals -- some so young their umbilical cords are still attached -- wrenched from their mothers and washed up on beaches and dikes.<br />
An existing seal nursery near the northern city of Groningen has been so inundated with pups and older seals in recent weeks it has erected a temporary tent to house them in tanks and baths while they are nurtured back to health. They will eventually be returned to the wild.<br />
Storms and high tides create problems for seals because the sand banks where they bask remain underwater, said Lenie 't Hart, who founded the nursery formally known as the Seal Rehabilitation and Research Center.<br />
American volunteer Torrey Utne, of Boston, Massachusetts, said Thursday that in the last 10 days, more than 100 seals have been brought to the center for treatment and it now houses some 350 of the marine mammals.   (<a href="http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/2012/01/dutch-nursery-cares-for-slew-o.html#more">10 images</a>)</div>
<br /> <a href="http://twitter.com/sacbee_theframe" class="twitter-follow-button">Follow @sacbee_theframe</a>
<script src="http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" type="text/javascript"></script><br /><br />
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<a href="http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/2012/01/dutch-nursery-cares-for-slew-o.html#more"><img height="655" alt="orphaned_seals_01.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/orphaned_seals_sm/orphaned_seals_01.jpg" width="982" /> </a>
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> 
A volunteer feeds a seal a herring at the Pieterburen seal creche, north of the town of Groningen, northern Netherlands, Thursday Jan. 12, 2012.  <b> AP / Peter Dejong </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)"><a href="http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/2012/01/dutch-nursery-cares-for-slew-o.html#more"><strong><font style="FONT-SIZE: 1.25em">MORE IMAGES</font></strong></a> 
<br />
</div>
<br />
]]>
        <![CDATA[<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="orphaned_seals_02.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/orphaned_seals_sm/orphaned_seals_02.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Volunteers feed seals at the Pieterburen seal creche, north of the town of Groningen, northern Netherlands, Thursday Jan. 12, 2012. <b> AP / Peter Dejong </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="orphaned_seals_03.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/orphaned_seals_sm/orphaned_seals_03.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> A volunteer feeds a seal a paste of mashed herring and some medicaments at the Pieterburen seal creche, north of the town of Groningen, northern Netherlands, Thursday Jan. 12, 2012.  <b> AP / Peter Dejong </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="orphaned_seals_04.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/orphaned_seals_sm/orphaned_seals_04.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> A volunteer feeds a seal a herring at the Pieterburen seal creche, north of the town of Groningen, northern Netherlands, Thursday Jan. 12, 2012.  <b> AP / Peter Dejong </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="orphaned_seals_05.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/orphaned_seals_sm/orphaned_seals_05.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> A volunteer feeds a seal a herring at the Pieterburen seal creche, north of the town of Groningen, northern Netherlands, Thursday Jan. 12, 2012.  <b> AP / Peter Dejong </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="orphaned_seals_06.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/orphaned_seals_sm/orphaned_seals_06.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> A volunteer, right, puts medicaments inside herring to be fed to seals at the Pieterburen seal creche, north of the town of Groningen, northern Netherlands, Thursday Jan. 12, 2012.  <b> AP / Peter Dejong </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="orphaned_seals_07.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/orphaned_seals_sm/orphaned_seals_07.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Seals swim and rest in a tank at the Pieterburen seal creche, north of the town of Groningen, northern Netherlands, Thursday Jan. 12, 2012.  <b> AP / Peter Dejong </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="orphaned_seals_08.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/orphaned_seals_sm/orphaned_seals_08.jpg" width="982" height="633" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Three seals in a tank wait to be fed at the Pieterburen seal creche, north of the town of Groningen, northern Netherlands, Thursday Jan. 12, 2012.  <b> AP / Peter Dejong </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="orphaned_seals_09.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/orphaned_seals_sm/orphaned_seals_09.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Two seals swim in a tank at the Pieterburen seal creche, north of the town of Groningen, northern Netherlands, Thursday Jan. 12, 2012.  <b> AP / Peter Dejong </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="orphaned_seals_10.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/orphaned_seals_sm/orphaned_seals_10.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> A seal swims in a tank at the Pieterburen seal creche, north of the town of Groningen, northern Netherlands, Thursday Jan. 12, 2012. <b> AP / Peter Dejong </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
]]>
    </content>
</entry>

<entry>
    <title>Rains kill at least 28 in southeastern Brazil</title>
    <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/2012/01/rains-kill-at-least-28-in-sout.html" />
    <id>tag:blogs.sacbee.com,2012:/photos//48.50324</id>

    <published>2012-01-11T22:52:20Z</published>
    <updated>2012-01-11T22:53:32Z</updated>

    <summary> JAMAPARA, Brazil (AP) -- A mudslide caused by two days of downpours has killed at least 13 people in a small town in southeastern Brazil, and another 11 are listed as missing, the head of the Rio de Janeiro...</summary>
    <author>
        <name>Tim Reese, Assistant Director of Multimedia</name>
        
    </author>
    
    
    <content type="html" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/">
        <![CDATA[ 
<div style="width: 980px; padding: 5px; text-align: left;">
<font style="font-size: 1.5625em;">J</font>AMAPARA, Brazil (AP) -- A mudslide caused by two days of downpours has killed at least 13 people in a small town in southeastern Brazil, and another 11 are listed as missing, the head of the Rio de Janeiro state civil defense department said Tuesday.<br />Among the missing are five members of a family whose car was caught in the mudslide as they were trying to get away from the area.
Floods elsewhere in the state have forced more than 30,000 people to flee their homes.<br />In neighboring Minas Gerais state, officials say more than 14,000 people have left their homes, and 15 have died in floodwaters or mudslides.
<br />The southern hemisphere summer, which starts in late December, is Brazil's rainy season. It frequently brings devastation to communities perched on hillsides or near riverbanks. Nearly 1,000 people died last year around this time when torrential rain unleashed avalanches of mud in Rio's mountains.  (<a href="http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/2012/01/rains-kill-at-least-28-in-sout.html#more">27 images</a>)</div>
<br /> <a href="http://twitter.com/sacbee_theframe" class="twitter-follow-button">Follow @sacbee_theframe</a>
<script src="http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" type="text/javascript"></script><br /><br />
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<a href="http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/2012/01/rains-kill-at-least-28-in-sout.html#more"><img height="675" alt="brazil_floods_01.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/brazil_floods_2012_sm/brazil_floods_01.jpg" width="982" /> </a>
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> 
Relatives of a family killed by a mudslide hug outside a church during a wake for victims in Jamapara, Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil, Tuesday Jan. 10, 2012. Sergio Carvalho, his wife Solange and their son Tiago were buried by a mudslide that killed at least 13 people.  <b> AP / Victor R. Caivano </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)"><a href="http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/2012/01/rains-kill-at-least-28-in-sout.html#more"><strong><font style="FONT-SIZE: 1.25em">MORE IMAGES</font></strong></a> 
<br />
</div>
<br />
]]>
        <![CDATA[<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="brazil_floods_02.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/brazil_floods_2012_sm/brazil_floods_02.jpg" width="982" height="674" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Firefighters wait as they watch a bulldozer dig in search of several missing people after a mudslide in Jamapara, Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil, Wednesday Jan. 11, 2012.  <b> AP / Victor R. Caivano </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="brazil_floods_03.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/brazil_floods_2012_sm/brazil_floods_03.jpg" width="982" height="660" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Rescue workers use an excavator to dig for people who went missing after a mudslide in Jamapara, Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil, Wednesday Jan. 11, 2012.   <b> AP / Victor R. Caivano </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="brazil_floods_04.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/brazil_floods_2012_sm/brazil_floods_04.jpg" width="982" height="639" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Machinery digs at the site of a mudslide in search of missing people in Jamapara, Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil, Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2012. <b> AP / Victor R. Caivano </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="brazil_floods_05.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/brazil_floods_2012_sm/brazil_floods_05.jpg" width="982" height="650" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Firefighters look at a destroyed car recovered after a mudslide in Jamapara, Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil, Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2012. <b> AP / Victor R. Caivano </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="brazil_floods_06.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/brazil_floods_2012_sm/brazil_floods_06.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> A firefighter looks out over the site of a mudslide during search efforts for missing people in Jamapara, Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil, Wednesday Jan. 11, 2012.   <b> AP / Victor R. Caivano </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="brazil_floods_07.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/brazil_floods_2012_sm/brazil_floods_07.jpg" width="982" height="669" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Photographs lay scattered in the rubble of a home destroyed by a mudslide in Jamapara, Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil, Wednesday Jan. 11, 2012.   <b> AP / Victor R. Caivano </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="brazil_floods_08.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/brazil_floods_2012_sm/brazil_floods_08.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> A man salvages a queen-size mattress from his home after a mudslide in Jamapara, Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil, Wednesday Jan. 11, 2012.   <b> AP / Victor R. Caivano </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="brazil_floods_09.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/brazil_floods_2012_sm/brazil_floods_09.jpg" width="982" height="659" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Firefighters help mudslide victims recover some of their personal belongings from their homes in Jamapara, Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil, Wednesday Jan. 11, 2012. <b> AP / Victor R. Caivano </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="brazil_floods_10.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/brazil_floods_2012_sm/brazil_floods_10.jpg" width="982" height="682" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Rosilene de Almeida walks over a destroyed motorcycle as she retrieves personal belongings from her house after a mudslide in Jamapara, Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil, Wednesday Jan. 11, 2012.  <b> AP / Victor R. Caivano </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="brazil_floods_11.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/brazil_floods_2012_sm/brazil_floods_11.jpg" width="982" height="662" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> A man salvages an oven from his home after a mudslide in Jamapara, Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil, Wednesday Jan. 11, 2012. <b> AP / Victor R. Caivano </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="brazil_floods_12.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/brazil_floods_2012_sm/brazil_floods_12.jpg" width="982" height="666" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Dirleni Lopes, left, and a friend salvage belongings from their homes after a mudslide in Jamapara, Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil, Wednesday Jan. 11, 2012.  <b> AP / Victor R. Caivano </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="brazil_floods_13.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/brazil_floods_2012_sm/brazil_floods_13.jpg" width="982" height="677" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Mudslide survivors salvage personal belongings in Jamapara, Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil, Wednesday Jan. 11, 2012.  <b> AP / Victor R. Caivano </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="brazil_floods_14.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/brazil_floods_2012_sm/brazil_floods_14.jpg" width="982" height="663" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Relatives carry the coffins of a family killed by a mudslide to the cemetery in Jamapara, Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil, Tuesday Jan. 10, 2012.  <b> AP / Victor R. Caivano </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="brazil_floods_15.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/brazil_floods_2012_sm/brazil_floods_15.jpg" width="982" height="647" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Relatives mourn during the funeral procession of a family killed by a mudslide in Jamapara, Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil, Tuesday Jan. 10, 2012. Sergio Carvalho, his wife Solange and their son Tiago were buried by the mudslide.  <b> AP / Victor R. Caivano </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="brazil_floods_16.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/brazil_floods_2012_sm/brazil_floods_16.jpg" width="982" height="679" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Relatives mourn as people carry the coffins of their family members out of a church after a deadly mudslide in Jamapara, Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil, Tuesday Jan. 10, 2012.  <b> AP / Victor R. Caivano </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="brazil_floods_17.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/brazil_floods_2012_sm/brazil_floods_17.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Relatives of a family killed by a mudslide hug outside the church during the wake of the victims in Jamapara, Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil, Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2012.   <b> AP / Victor R. Caivano </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="brazil_floods_18.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/brazil_floods_2012_sm/brazil_floods_18.jpg" width="982" height="636" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> People watch rescue efforts from a home after a mudslide in Jamapara, Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil, Tuesday Jan. 10, 2012.   <b> AP / Victor R. Caivano </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="brazil_floods_19.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/brazil_floods_2012_sm/brazil_floods_19.jpg" width="982" height="632" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Fatima Regina, right, looks at the site where her home was swept away by a mudslide that was triggered by heavy rains in Jamapara, Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil, Tuesday Jan. 10, 2012.  <b> AP / Victor R. Caivano </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="brazil_floods_20.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/brazil_floods_2012_sm/brazil_floods_20.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Rescue workers recover the body of a mudslide victim in Jamapara, Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil, Tuesday Jan. 10, 2012.  <b> AP / Victor R. Caivano </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="brazil_floods_21.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/brazil_floods_2012_sm/brazil_floods_21.jpg" width="982" height="654" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Rescue personnel recover the body of a mudslide victim in Jamapara, Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil, Tuesday Jan. 10, 2012.   <b> AP / Victor R. Caivano </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="brazil_floods_22.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/brazil_floods_2012_sm/brazil_floods_22.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Rescue personnel carry away the body of a mudslide victim in Jamapara, Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil, Tuesday Jan. 10, 2012.   <b> AP / Victor R. Caivano </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="brazil_floods_23.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/brazil_floods_2012_sm/brazil_floods_23.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Rescue personnel carry the body of a mudslide victim in Jamapara, Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil, Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2012.  <b> AP / Victor R. Caivano </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="brazil_floods_24.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/brazil_floods_2012_sm/brazil_floods_24.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Rescue personnel work at the site of a mudslide that killed at least eight people in Jamapara, Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil, Monday, Jan. 9, 2012. <b> AP / Victor R. Caivano </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="brazil_floods_25.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/brazil_floods_2012_sm/brazil_floods_25.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Rescue personnel work at the site of a mudslide that killed at least eight people in Jamapara, Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil, Monday, Jan. 9, 2012. <b> AP / Victor R. Caivano </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="brazil_floods_26.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/brazil_floods_2012_sm/brazil_floods_26.jpg" width="982" height="666" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Rescue personnel work at the site of a mudslide that killed at least eight people in Jamapara, Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil, Monday, Jan. 9, 2012.  <b> AP / Victor R. Caivano </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="brazil_floods_27.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/brazil_floods_2012_sm/brazil_floods_27.jpg" width="982" height="632" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Survivors of a mudslide that killed at least eight people look at rescue efforts in Jamapara, Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil, Monday, Jan. 9, 2012.  <b> AP / Victor R. Caivano </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
]]>
    </content>
</entry>

<entry>
    <title>Dakar Rally 2012</title>
    <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/2012/01/dakar-rally-2012.html" />
    <id>tag:blogs.sacbee.com,2012:/photos//48.50247</id>

    <published>2012-01-10T00:32:50Z</published>
    <updated>2012-01-10T00:34:35Z</updated>

    <summary> ANTOFAGASTA, Chile (AP) -- Joan Roma of Spain has won Monday&apos;s eighth stage of the Dakar Rally in the car category, while Stephane Peterhansel finished fourth, to keep the overall lead, two days after a stage was canceled because...</summary>
    <author>
        <name>Tim Reese, Assistant Director of Multimedia</name>
        
    </author>
    
    
    <content type="html" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/">
        <![CDATA[ 
<div style="width: 980px; padding: 5px; text-align: left;">
<font style="font-size: 1.5625em;">A</font>NTOFAGASTA, Chile (AP) -- Joan Roma of Spain has won Monday's eighth stage of the Dakar Rally in the car category, while Stephane Peterhansel finished fourth,  to keep the overall lead, two days after a stage was canceled because of a snowed-in Andes pass.<br />
This is the fourth consecutive year the race is being held in South America. It had been run in Europe and Africa until the 2008 race was canceled because of fears of terrorism. The rally moved to South America the next year.<br />
The past three years the race consisted of loop courses from Buenos Aires to Chile and back to Buenos Aires. This year the race began in Argentina, passes through Chile and finishes in Lima, Peru, on Jan. 15.<br />
The rally ends on Jan. 15 in Lima, Peru.<br /> (<a href="http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/2012/01/dakar-rally-2012.html#more">31 images</a>)</div>
<br /> <a href="http://twitter.com/sacbee_theframe" class="twitter-follow-button">Follow @sacbee_theframe</a>
<script src="http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" type="text/javascript"></script><br /><br />
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<a href="http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/2012/01/dakar-rally-2012.html#more"><img height="655" alt="2012_dakar_rally_01.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/2012_dakar_rally_sm/2012_dakar_rally_01.jpg" width="982" /> </a>
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> 
A man takes pictures as Toyota driver Abdulla Alheraiz and co-driver Khalid Ahmad, both of the United Arab Emirates, compete in the third stage of the 2012 Argentina-Chile-Peru Dakar Rally between San Rafael and San Juan, Argentina, Tuesday Jan. 3, 2012.  <b> AP / Frederic Le Floch </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)"><a href="http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/2012/01/dakar-rally-2012.html#more"><strong><font style="FONT-SIZE: 1.25em">MORE IMAGES</font></strong></a> 
<br />
</div>
<br />
]]>
        <![CDATA[<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="2012_dakar_rally_02.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/2012_dakar_rally_sm/2012_dakar_rally_02.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> People shave and brush their teeth at the rally camp during the eighth stage of the 2012 Argentina-Chile-Peru Dakar Rally between Copiapo and Antofagasta in Chile, Monday, Jan. 9, 2012.  <b> AP / Martin Mejia </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="2012_dakar_rally_03.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/2012_dakar_rally_sm/2012_dakar_rally_03.jpg" width="982" height="709" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Spain's biker Marc Coma checks his KTM during the eighth stage of the 2012 Argentina-Chile-Peru Dakar Rally at the Atacama desert between Copiapo and Antofagasta in Chile, Monday, Jan. 9, 2012.  <b> AP / Martin Mejia </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="2012_dakar_rally_04.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/2012_dakar_rally_sm/2012_dakar_rally_04.jpg" width="982" height="458" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Spain's biker Marc Coma races his KTM as he competes in the eighth stage of the 2012 Argentina-Chile-Peru Dakar Rally at the Atacama desert, between Copiapo and Antofagasta in Chile, Monday, Jan. 9, 2012.  <b> AP / Martin Mejia </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="2012_dakar_rally_05.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/2012_dakar_rally_sm/2012_dakar_rally_05.jpg" width="982" height="662" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Argentina's Marcos Patronelli races his Yamaha quad as a helicopter flies over during the seventh stage of the 2012 Argentina-Chile-Peru Dakar Rally through Copiapo, Chile, Saturday Jan. 7, 2012.  <b> AP / Martin Mejia </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="2012_dakar_rally_06.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/2012_dakar_rally_sm/2012_dakar_rally_06.jpg" width="982" height="596" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Spain's biker Marc Coma races his KTM during the seventh stage of the 2012 Argentina-Chile-Peru Dakar Rally through Copiapo, Chile, Saturday Jan. 7, 2012.  <b> AP / Martin Mejia </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="2012_dakar_rally_07.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/2012_dakar_rally_sm/2012_dakar_rally_07.jpg" width="982" height="657" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> France's biker Cyril Despres races his KTM during the seventh stage of the 2012 Argentina-Chile-Peru Dakar Rally through Copiapo, Chile, Saturday Jan. 7, 2012. <b> AP / Martin Mejia </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="2012_dakar_rally_08.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/2012_dakar_rally_sm/2012_dakar_rally_08.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Portugal's biker Helder Rodrigues races his Yamaha during the seventh stage of the 2012 Argentina-Chile-Peru Dakar Rally through Copiapo, Chile, Saturday Jan. 7, 2012.  <b> AP / Martin Mejia </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="2012_dakar_rally_09.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/2012_dakar_rally_sm/2012_dakar_rally_09.jpg" width="982" height="638" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Spain's biker Marc Coma, right, and France's biker Cyril Despres race their KTM bikes during the seventh stage of the 2012 Argentina-Chile-Peru Dakar Rally through Copiapo, Chile, Saturday Jan. 7, 2012. <b> AP / Martin Mejia </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="2012_dakar_rally_10.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/2012_dakar_rally_sm/2012_dakar_rally_10.jpg" width="982" height="605" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Senkalayci Sakir, races his Honda, right, Great Britain's biker Stanley Watt races his KTM, center, and France's biker Vincent Guindani rides his Yamaha during the seventh stage of the 2012 Argentina-Chile-Peru Dakar Rally through Copiapo, Chile, Saturday Jan. 7, 2012.  <b> AP / Martin Mejia </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="2012_dakar_rally_11.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/2012_dakar_rally_sm/2012_dakar_rally_11.jpg" width="982" height="670" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Portugal's biker Helder Rodrigues races his Yamaha as he competes in the fifth stage of the 2012 Argentina-Chile-Peru Dakar Rally between Chilecito and Fiambala in Argentina, Thursday, Jan. 5, 2012.  <b> AP / Jacky Naegelen </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="2012_dakar_rally_12.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/2012_dakar_rally_sm/2012_dakar_rally_12.jpg" width="982" height="653" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Spain's biker Marc Coma races his KTM as he competes in the fifth stage of the 2012 Argentina-Chile-Peru Dakar Rally between Chilecito and Fiambala in Argentina, Thursday, Jan. 5, 2012.  <b> AP / Jerome Prevost </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="2012_dakar_rally_13.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/2012_dakar_rally_sm/2012_dakar_rally_13.jpg" width="982" height="654" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Mini'S driver Joan "Nani" Roma, from Spain, and co-driver Michel Perin, from France, compete in the fifth stage of the 2012 Argentina-Chile-Peru Dakar Rally between Chilecito and Fiambala in Argentina, Thursday, Jan. 5, 2012. <b> AP / Jerome Prevost </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="2012_dakar_rally_14.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/2012_dakar_rally_sm/2012_dakar_rally_14.jpg" width="982" height="653" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Mini's driver Stephane Peterhansel and co-driver Jean Paul Cottret both from France, compete in the  fifth stage of the 2012 Argentina-Chile-Peru Dakar Rally between Chilecito and Fiambala, Argentina, Thursday Jan. 5, 2012. <b> AP / Jerome Prevost </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="2012_dakar_rally_15.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/2012_dakar_rally_sm/2012_dakar_rally_15.jpg" width="982" height="653" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Toyota's co-driver Dirk Von Zitzewitz, from Germany, pushes his car as driver Giniel De Villiers, from South Africa, drives it after they went off the road when competing during the fifth stage of the 2012 Argentina-Chile-Peru Dakar Rally between Chilecito and Fiambala in Argentina, Thursday, Jan. 5, 2012. <b> AP / Jerome Prevost </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="2012_dakar_rally_16.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/2012_dakar_rally_sm/2012_dakar_rally_16.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> France's biker Stephane Hamard picks up his KTM during the fourth stage of the 2012 Argentina-Chile-Peru Dakar Rally between San Juan and Chilecito, Argentina, Wednesday Jan. 4, 2012. <b> AP / Martin Mejia </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="2012_dakar_rally_17.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/2012_dakar_rally_sm/2012_dakar_rally_17.jpg" width="982" height="660" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Spain's biker Marc Coma races his KTM during the fourth stage of the 2012 Argentina-Chile-Peru Dakar Rally between San Juan-Chilecito, Argentina, Wednesday Jan. 4, 2012.  <b> AP / Martin Mejia </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="2012_dakar_rally_18.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/2012_dakar_rally_sm/2012_dakar_rally_18.jpg" width="982" height="613" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> France's biker Hugo Payen wears a camera on his helmet as he rides his Yamaha during the fourth stage of the 2012 Argentina-Chile-Peru Dakar Rally between San Juan and Chilecito, Argentina, Wednesday Jan. 4, 2012. <b> AP / Martin Mejia </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="2012_dakar_rally_19.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/2012_dakar_rally_sm/2012_dakar_rally_19.jpg" width="982" height="639" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Great Wall's driver Yong Zhou from China and co-driver Pascal Maimon from France, top, compete while SMG's driver Ronan Chabot and co-driver Gilles Pillot both from France stand next their car after they went off the road in the fourth stage of the 2012 Argentina-Chile-Peru Dakar Rally between San Juan and Chilecito, Argentina, Wednesday Jan. 4, 2012. <b> AP / Martin Mejia </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="2012_dakar_rally_20.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/2012_dakar_rally_sm/2012_dakar_rally_20.jpg" width="982" height="682" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> France's biker Christophe Meillat rides his Kawasaki, left, and Argentina's Lucas Bonetto rides behind in his Yamaha quad in the fourth stage of the 2012 Argentina-Chile-Peru Dakar Rally between San Juan and Chilecito, Argentina, Wednesday Jan. 4, 2012.  <b> AP / Martin Mejia </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="2012_dakar_rally_21.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/2012_dakar_rally_sm/2012_dakar_rally_21.jpg" width="982" height="684" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Portugal's biker Paulo Goncalves races his Husqvarna in the fourth stage of the 2012 Argentina-Chile-Peru Dakar Rally between San Juan and Chilecito, Argentina, Wednesday Jan. 4, 2012.  <b> AP / Martin Mejia </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="2012_dakar_rally_22.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/2012_dakar_rally_sm/2012_dakar_rally_22.jpg" width="982" height="655" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Poland's Rafal Sonik races his Yamaha quad in the fourth stage of the 2012 Argentina-Chile-Peru Dakar Rally between San Juan and Chilecito, Argentina, Wednesday Jan. 4, 2012. <b> AP / Martin Mejia </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="2012_dakar_rally_23.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/2012_dakar_rally_sm/2012_dakar_rally_23.jpg" width="982" height="382" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Hummer driver Nasser Al-Attiyah, from Qatar, and co-driver Cruz Luca, from Spain, compete in the third stage of the 2012 Argentina-Chile-Peru Dakar Rally between San Rafael and San Juan, Argentina, Tuesday Jan. 3, 2012.  <b> AP / Philippe Desmazes </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="2012_dakar_rally_24.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/2012_dakar_rally_sm/2012_dakar_rally_24.jpg" width="982" height="639" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Hummer driver Robby Gordon and co-driver Johnny Campbell, both of the U.S., compete in the third stage of the 2012 Argentina-Chile-Peru Dakar Rally between San Rafael and San Juan, Argentina, Tuesday Jan. 3, 2012.  <b> AP / Jacky Naegelen </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="2012_dakar_rally_25.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/2012_dakar_rally_sm/2012_dakar_rally_25.jpg" width="982" height="793" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> France's biker David Casteu, right, pushes his Yamaha, as he is helped by Olivier Pain, left, and Alain Duclos, both of France, during the third stage of the 2012 Argentina-Chile-Peru Dakar Rally between San Rafael and San Juan, Argentina, Tuesday Jan. 3, 2012.  <b> AP / Frederic Le Floch </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="2012_dakar_rally_27.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/2012_dakar_rally_sm/2012_dakar_rally_27.jpg" width="982" height="663" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> France's biker Serge Gounon races his KTM as he competes in the second stage of the 2012 Argentina-Chile-Peru Dakar Rally between Santa Rosa de la Pampa and San Rafael in Argentina, Monday, Jan. 2, 2012.  <b> AP / Martin Mejia </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="2012_dakar_rally_28.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/2012_dakar_rally_sm/2012_dakar_rally_28.jpg" width="982" height="642" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Mini driver Krzysztof Holowczyc, from Poland, and co-driver Jean-Marc Fortin, from Belgium, compete in the second stage of the 2012 Argentina-Chile-Peru Dakar Rally between Santa Rosa de la Pampa and San Rafael, Argentina, Monday Jan. 2, 2012. <b> AP / Martin Mejia </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="2012_dakar_rally_29.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/2012_dakar_rally_sm/2012_dakar_rally_29.jpg" width="982" height="656" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Norway's biker Anders Ullevalseter rests during a stop in the second stage of the 2012 Argentina-Chile-Peru Dakar Rally between Santa Rosa de la Pampa and San Rafael in Argentina, Monday, Jan. 2, 2012.  <b> AP / Martin Mejia </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="2012_dakar_rally_30.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/2012_dakar_rally_sm/2012_dakar_rally_30.jpg" width="982" height="675" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> People run to help France's biker Jean-Claude Mazet after he fell while Romania's biker Marcel Butuza, right, and France's biker Herve Theuriot, left, pass by during the second stage of the 2012 Argentina-Chile-Peru Dakar Rally between Santa Rosa de la Pampa and San Rafael in Argentina, Monday, Jan. 2, 2012.  <b> AP / Martin Mejia </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="2012_dakar_rally_31.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/2012_dakar_rally_sm/2012_dakar_rally_31.jpg" width="982" height="378" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Opel's driver Balazs Szalay and co-driver Laszlo Bunkoczi, both from Hungary, compete in the second stage of the 2012 Argentina-Chile-Peru Dakar Rally between Santa Rosa de la Pampa and San Rafael in Argentina, Monday, Jan. 2, 2012.  <b> AP / Martin Mejia </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="2012_dakar_rally_32.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/2012_dakar_rally_sm/2012_dakar_rally_32.jpg" width="982" height="697" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;">  View of the burnt car of South African driver Alfie Coz during the first stage of the Dakar 2012 Race held between Mar del Plata and Santa Rosa in Argentina.  <b> ZUMA24.com / Cezaro De Luca </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
]]>
    </content>
</entry>

<entry>
    <title>Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival 2011</title>
    <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/2012/01/harbin-international-ice-and-s-1.html" />
    <id>tag:blogs.sacbee.com,2012:/photos//48.50115</id>

    <published>2012-01-06T00:18:43Z</published>
    <updated>2012-01-06T00:27:36Z</updated>

    <summary> The annual Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival officially opened today. It lasts for one month and has been held since 1963. Harbin, the capital of Heilongjiang province of People&apos;s Republic of China, is one of the sources of...</summary>
    <author>
        <name>Tim Reese, Assistant Director of Multimedia</name>
        
    </author>
    
    
    <content type="html" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/">
        <![CDATA[
<div style="width: 980px; padding: 5px; text-align: left;">
<font style="font-size: 1.5625em;">T</font>he annual Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival officially opened today. It lasts for one month and has been held since 1963. <br />
Harbin, the capital of Heilongjiang province of People's Republic of China, is one of the sources of ice and snow culture in the world. Geographically, it is located in Northeast China under the direct influence of the cold winter wind from Siberia. The average temperature in summer is 21.2 degrees Celsius, -16.8 degrees Celsius in winter. It can be as cold as -38.1 degrees Celsius in winter.
 <i>-- Wikipedia</i> <br />(<a href="http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/2012/01/harbin-international-ice-and-s-1.html#more">24 images</a>)</div>
<br /> <a href="http://twitter.com/sacbee_theframe" class="twitter-follow-button">Follow @sacbee_theframe</a>
<script src="http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" type="text/javascript"></script><br /><br />
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<a href="http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/2012/01/harbin-international-ice-and-s-1.html#more"><img height="687" alt="harbin_festival_2012_01.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/harbin_festival_2011_sm/harbin_festival_2012_01.jpg" width="982" /> </a>
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> 
A woman takes picture of the colorful buildings made from blocks of ice during the opening ceremony of the Harbin International Ice and Snow festival in Harbin in northeastern's China's Heilongjiang province, Thursday, Jan. 5, 2012. <b> AP / Andy Wong </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)"><a href="http://blogs.sacbee.com/photos/2012/01/harbin-international-ice-and-s-1.html#more"><strong><font style="FONT-SIZE: 1.25em">MORE IMAGES</font></strong></a> 
<br />
</div>
<br />
 ]]>
        <![CDATA[<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="harbin_festival_2012_02.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/harbin_festival_2011_sm/harbin_festival_2012_02.jpg" width="982" height="680" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Visitors take pictures of buildings made from blocks of ice for the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival in Harbin in northeastern China's Heilongjiang province, on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2012.  <b> AP / Andy Wong </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="harbin_festival_2012_03.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/harbin_festival_2011_sm/harbin_festival_2012_03.jpg" width="982" height="714" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Two woman walk up the stair case made from blocks of ice at the Harbin International Ice and Snow festival held in Harbin in northeastern's China's Heilongjiang province, Thursday, Jan. 5, 2012.  <b> AP / Andy Wong </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="harbin_festival_2012_04.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/harbin_festival_2011_sm/harbin_festival_2012_04.jpg" width="982" height="668" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Sunset is seen near a castle made from blocks of ice before the opening ceremony of the Harbin International Ice and Snow festival held in Harbin in northeastern's China's Heilongjiang province, Thursday, Jan. 5, 2012.  <b> AP / Andy Wong </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="harbin_festival_2012_05.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/harbin_festival_2011_sm/harbin_festival_2012_05.jpg" width="982" height="673" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Visitors tours a building structure made from blocks of ice at the Harbin International Ice and Snow festival held in Harbin in northeastern's China's Heilongjiang province, Thursday, Jan. 5, 2012.  <b> AP / Andy Wong </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="harbin_festival_2012_06.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/harbin_festival_2011_sm/harbin_festival_2012_06.jpg" width="982" height="683" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Visitors enjoy the sights at the Harbin International Ice and Snow festival in Harbin in northeastern's China's Heilongjiang province, Thursday, Jan. 5, 2012.  <b> AP / Andy Wong </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="harbin_festival_2012_07.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/harbin_festival_2011_sm/harbin_festival_2012_07.jpg" width="982" height="680" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> A climber performs his skill on a building made of blocks of ice displaying with a Chinese national flag during the opening ceremony of the Harbin International Ice and Snow festival in Harbin in northeastern's China's Heilongjiang province, Thursday, Jan. 5, 2012.  <b> AP / Andy Wong </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="harbin_festival_2012_08.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/harbin_festival_2011_sm/harbin_festival_2012_08.jpg" width="982" height="665" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> A photographer carries his equipment and walks past the colorful ice structures during the opening ceremony of the Harbin International Ice and Snow festival in Harbin in northeastern's China's Heilongjiang province, Thursday, Jan. 5, 2012.  <b> AP / Andy Wong </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="harbin_festival_2012_09.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/harbin_festival_2011_sm/harbin_festival_2012_09.jpg" width="982" height="706" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Visitors view buildings made from blocks of ice for the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival in Harbin in northeastern China's Heilongjiang province, on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2012. The festival is scheduled to officially open on Thursday night, Jan. 5. <b> AP / Andy Wong </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="harbin_festival_2012_10.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/harbin_festival_2011_sm/harbin_festival_2012_10.jpg" width="982" height="688" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Visitors tour a castle made from blocks of ice during the opening ceremony of the Harbin International Ice and Snow festival in Harbin in northeastern's China's Heilongjiang province, Thursday, Jan. 5, 2012.  <b> AP / Andy Wong </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="harbin_festival_2012_11.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/harbin_festival_2011_sm/harbin_festival_2012_11.jpg" width="982" height="682" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Silhouetted visitors walk up an ice castle made for the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival in Harbin in northeastern China's Heilongjiang province, on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2012.  <b> AP / Andy Wong </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="harbin_festival_2012_12.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/harbin_festival_2011_sm/harbin_festival_2012_12.jpg" width="982" height="673" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Workers prepare to install a tree with lights near buildings made from blocks of ice for the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival in Harbin in northeastern China's Heilongjiang province, on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2012.  <b> AP / Andy Wong </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="harbin_festival_2012_13.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/harbin_festival_2011_sm/harbin_festival_2012_13.jpg" width="982" height="676" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Visitors walk up stairs made from blocks of ice for the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival in Harbin in northeastern China's Heilongjiang province, on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2012.  <b> AP / Andy Wong </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="harbin_festival_2012_14.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/harbin_festival_2011_sm/harbin_festival_2012_14.jpg" width="982" height="702" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Visitors view buildings made from blocks of ice for the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival in Harbin in northeastern China's Heilongjiang province, on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2012.    <b> AP / Andy Wong </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="harbin_festival_2012_15.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/harbin_festival_2011_sm/harbin_festival_2012_15.jpg" width="982" height="605" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Tourists visit the Ice and Snow World in Harbin, on the first trial opening day of Dec. 24, 2011.  <b> ZUMA24.com / Wang Jianwei </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="harbin_festival_2012_16.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/harbin_festival_2011_sm/harbin_festival_2012_16.jpg" width="982" height="653" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Visitors tour ice structures during the Ice and Snow World in Harbin.  <b> ZUMA24.com / Wang Jianwei </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="harbin_festival_2012_17.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/harbin_festival_2011_sm/harbin_festival_2012_17.jpg" width="982" height="653" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Visitors tour the Ice and Snow World in Harbin, during The 28th China Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2012. <b> ZUMA24.com / Wang Jianwei </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="harbin_festival_2012_18.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/harbin_festival_2011_sm/harbin_festival_2012_18.jpg" width="982" height="622" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Visitors enjoy ice lanterns during Harbin Ice Lantern Show in Zhaolin Park of Harbin, capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. The event opened here on Friday with more than 2000 pieces of ice and snow work on display.  <b> ZUMA24.com / Wang Song </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="harbin_festival_2012_19.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/harbin_festival_2011_sm/harbin_festival_2012_19.jpg" width="982" height="720" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> The scene of contestants' making snow sculptures is reflected in mirrored goggles during the 28th National Snow Sculpture Contest in Harbin. A total of 60 snow sculptors of 20 teams took part in the contest starting on Jan. 3. <b> ZUMA24.com / Wang Kai </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="harbin_festival_2012_20.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/harbin_festival_2011_sm/harbin_festival_2012_20.jpg" width="982" height="671" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> A group of girls pose in front of a castle made from blocks of ice before the opening ceremony of the Harbin International Ice and Snow festival held in Harbin in northeastern's China's Heilongjiang province, Thursday, Jan. 5, 2012.  <b> AP / Andy Wong </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="harbin_festival_2012_21.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/harbin_festival_2011_sm/harbin_festival_2012_21.jpg" width="982" height="702" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Chinese dancers perform during the opening ceremony of the Harbin International Ice and Snow festival held in Harbin in northeastern's China's Heilongjiang province, Thursday, Jan. 5, 2012.  <b> AP / Andy Wong </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="harbin_festival_2012_22.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/harbin_festival_2011_sm/harbin_festival_2012_22.jpg" width="982" height="705" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Fireworks explore while Chinese dancers performing on a snow hill during the opening ceremony of the Harbin International Ice and Snow festival held in Harbin in northeastern's China's Heilongjiang province, Thursday, Jan. 5, 2012.  <b> AP / Andy Wong </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="harbin_festival_2012_23.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/harbin_festival_2011_sm/harbin_festival_2012_23.jpg" width="982" height="628" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Visitors watch fireworks above the buildings made from blocks of ice during the opening ceremony of the Harbin International Ice and Snow festival in Harbin in northeastern's China's Heilongjiang province, Thursday, Jan. 5, 2012. <b> AP / Andy Wong </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 982px; padding: 4px;">
<img alt="harbin_festival_2012_24.jpg" src="http://media.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/images/2012/jan12/harbin_festival_2011_sm/harbin_festival_2012_24.jpg" width="982" height="630" /> 
</div>
<div style="background: rgb(224, 224, 224); width: 970px; padding: 10px;"> Visitors watch fireworks during the opening ceremony of the Harbin International Ice and Snow festival in Harbin in northeastern's China's Heilongjiang province, Thursday, Jan. 5, 2012.  <b> AP / Andy Wong </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255)">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<!-- BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK  BREAK -->
]]>
    </content>
</entry>

</feed>

