[lopezsokero]

The remains of Portugese Fernando Martins de Bulhoes, venerated as Anthony of Padua, are exhibited to faithfuls in San Antonio's Basilica in Padua. San Antonio, the patron saint of the northern Italian city of Padua and of many other cities in Portugal and in countries of the former Portuguese Empire, was last exposed to pilgrims in 1981 as faithfuls from all over the world came to pray with his remains. -- PHOTO: AFP



An Afghan girl looks on as US Marines with 1/3 Marines Weapons company patrol over farmland in the northeast of Marjah. Some 15,000 soldiers, including 4,400 Afghans, are taking part in Operation Moshtarak, which aims to clear militants from the Marjah and Nad Ali districts of the poppy-growing central Helmand River valley. -- PHOTO: AFP



Japanese buddhist monks splash cold water over themselves while chanting a sutra during an annual cold water ablution at Tokyo's Nose Myokenzan Betsuin Temple. The participants were celebrating the anniversary of Buddha's death. -- PHOTO: AFP