Friday: The day in photos

Competitors start a Men’s 50m Freestyle heat, at the FINA Swimming World Championships in Rome.  (Alessandra Tarantino / Associated Press)

Germany’s Nina Schumacher falls during a jump in the freestyle event at the Palmolive for Men Kitesurf Worldcup 2009 on the beach of St. Peter Ording, Germany. Ninety kite surfers from 19 nations will compete in three events in St. Peter Ording until Sunday.  (Malte Christians / EPA)

The world’s largest Swiss flag hangs at the rugged rock face of the mount Saentis in Schwaegalp, Switzerland. The flag measures 120 meters by 120 meters (almost 400 feet square) and is the world second-largest flag. Switzerland celebrates its national holiday Saturday.  (Ennio Leanza / EPA)

“Red shirt” supporters of fugitive former Premier Thaksin Shinawatra rally at Sanam Luang in Bangkok. Organizers said that 1 million Thais had signed a petition asking for a royal pardon for the former premier.  (Nicolas Asfouri / AFP / Getty Images)

Civil Guard officers weep after a state funeral service for their two fellow officers in Palma de Mallorca, Spain. The two Civil Guards were killed Thursday in a car bomb blast. Spain’s security forces are on maximum alert for fear of terrorist attacks on the 50th anniversary of the armed Basque group ETA blamed for two bombs that killed two police officers and injured scores of people.  (Manu Mielniezuk / Associated Press)

A priest gives a blessing at the graves where the remains of 49 unidentified soldiers who were killed in World War II are buried in the eastern German town of Halbe. The remains were found during building work at various sites in the region.  (Michael Urban / AFP / Getty Images)

Two girls with stickers on their face saying “Razem” (“Together”) attend the annual Woodstock Festival in Kostrzyn nad Odra, Poland. The free open-air rock music festival runs under the motto “Love, Friendship, and Peace.” It is organized by the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity foundation as a way of thanking its volunteers. The festival runs until Sunday.  (Lech Muszynski / EPA)

A Palestinian demonstrator waves a Palestinian flag during a protest against the controversial Israeli separation barrier in the West Bank village of Bilin near Ramallah. Israeli troops sprayed the protesters with contaminated water, which induced vomiting; others had to be treated for the effects of tear gas inhalation. The nonviolent Bilin demonstration occurs weekly, as villagers march to the separation wall after midday Friday prayers. Israel claims the barrier is needed for security.  (Uriel Sinai / Getty Images)

Space shuttle Endeavour touches down at Kennedy Space Center in Florida at the end of a 16-day mission to the International Space Station that featured five spacewalks and completed construction of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s Kibo laboratory.  (Terry Renna / AFP / Getty Images)