World Lens: Week of August 18, 2008

CNN Ranks the World’s Coolest - Cable news network CNN recently came out with a list of the “World’s Coolest Nationalities.” Making up the top 10 were the Nepalese at No. 10, the Chinese at No. 9, the Batswana at No. 8, Japanese at No. 7, Spaniards at No. 6, Americans at No. 5, Mongolians at No. 4, Jamaicans at No. 3, Singaporeans at No. 2, and, coming out on top at No. 1, Brazilians.

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Lightning Bolt - Jamaica’s lightning-fast sprinter, Usain Bolt, celebrates after winning the men’s 200-meter final in world record time at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. REUTERS/Dylan Martinez (CHINA)

Castro's B-day - Afro-Cuban dancers, of the Santeria religion, perform in honor of former leader Fidel Castro near Havana. Castro recently celebrated his 82nd birthday. REUTERS/Claudia Daut (CUBA)

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Castro's B-day - Afro-Cuban dancers, of the Santeria religion, perform in honor of former leader Fidel Castro near Havana. Castro recently celebrated his 82nd birthday. REUTERS/Claudia Daut (CUBA)

Watching - Controversial Zimbabwe leader Robert Mugabe sits and watches a video presentation at last weekend’s Southern African Development summit in Johannesburg. After a violent election season, followed by June’s runoff election, which is widely regarded as a sham, Mugabe and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangarai are in talks to form a power-sharing government. REUTERS/Mike Hutchings (SOUTH AFRICA)

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Watching - Controversial Zimbabwe leader Robert Mugabe sits and watches a video presentation at last weekend’s Southern African Development summit in Johannesburg. After a violent election season, followed by June’s runoff election, which is widely regarded as a sham, Mugabe and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangarai are in talks to form a power-sharing government. REUTERS/Mike Hutchings (SOUTH AFRICA)

Throwing Money Away - In Zimbabwe, a man displays $1,000 notes he found at a dump in the country’s capital city, Harare. This week, the Central Statistical Office announced that the nation’s inflation rate had soared to a staggering $11.27 million percent in the month of June. REUTERS/Philimon Bulawayo (ZIMBABWE)

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Throwing Money Away - In Zimbabwe, a man displays $1,000 notes he found at a dump in the country’s capital city, Harare. This week, the Central Statistical Office announced that the nation’s inflation rate had soared to a staggering $11.27 million percent in the month of June. REUTERS/Philimon Bulawayo (ZIMBABWE)

A President Dies - Zambians watch as Vice-President Rupiah Banda announces the death of President Levy Mwanawasa. Mwanawasa, who was 59, died this week in a French hospital. He had suffered a stroke in June. REUTERS/Mackson Wasamunu (ZAMBIA)

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A President Dies - Zambians watch as Vice-President Rupiah Banda announces the death of President Levy Mwanawasa. Mwanawasa, who was 59, died this week in a French hospital. He had suffered a stroke in June. REUTERS/Mackson Wasamunu (ZAMBIA)

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Horrific Accident - In the Dominican Republic, spectators look at the aftermath of a horrific collision between a bus and a truck on a highway. At least 18 people died in the accident. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz (DOMINICAN REPUBLIC)

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Horrific Accident - In the Dominican Republic, spectators look at the aftermath of a horrific collision between a bus and a truck on a highway. At least 18 people died in the accident. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz (DOMINICAN REPUBLIC)

The Aftermath - Somalis look at the aftermath of a cargo aircraft crash near the K50 airport outside of Mogadishu. REUTERS/Feisal Omar (SOMALIA)

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The Aftermath - Somalis look at the aftermath of a cargo aircraft crash near the K50 airport outside of Mogadishu. REUTERS/Feisal Omar (SOMALIA)

Resignation Celebration - In Pakistan, people who support the Pakistani Islamist party cheer and celebrate after getting word that President Pervez Musharraf is resigning. REUTERS/Asim Tanveer (PAKISTAN)

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Resignation Celebration - In Pakistan, people who support the Pakistani Islamist party cheer and celebrate after getting word that President Pervez Musharraf is resigning. REUTERS/Asim Tanveer (PAKISTAN)

Sacred Ceremony - In the Ivory Coast, a participant listens to a mask during a purification ceremony. Every year, the Guere people come together and ask for forgiveness and blessings from their ancestors by praying and performing sacred dances during the ceremony, which is meant to purify their land. REUTERS/Luc Gnago (IVORY COAST)

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Sacred Ceremony - In the Ivory Coast, a participant listens to a mask during a purification ceremony. Every year, the Guere people come together and ask for forgiveness and blessings from their ancestors by praying and performing sacred dances during the ceremony, which is meant to purify their land. REUTERS/Luc Gnago (IVORY COAST)

Tropical Storm - After a tropical storm in the Dominican Republic, a man runs toward his car, which was stopped by a fallen tree. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz (DOMINICAN REPUBLIC)

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Tropical Storm - After a tropical storm in the Dominican Republic, a man runs toward his car, which was stopped by a fallen tree. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz (DOMINICAN REPUBLIC)