World Lens: Week of Dec. 8

London Party - Samuel Jackson arrives at the London launch party for “The Spirit”, Frank Miller’s film adaptation of his famed comic series.

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London Party - Samuel Jackson arrives at the London launch party for “The Spirit”, Frank Miller’s film adaptation of his famed comic series.

Miss France - Chloe Mortaud, 19, was recently crowned Miss France 2009. Mortaud, who is biracial, was born to a French father and an African- American mother.

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Miss France - Chloe Mortaud, 19, was recently crowned Miss France 2009. Mortaud, who is biracial, was born to a French father and an African- American mother.

A-Rod Lights Up - Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez smokes a cigar between tees at the David Ortiz Celebrity Golf Classic in the Dominican Republic. The tournament raised money for Heart Care Dominicana, a charity that helps indigenous children who have heart disease.

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A-Rod Lights Up - Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez smokes a cigar between tees at the David Ortiz Celebrity Golf Classic in the Dominican Republic. The tournament raised money for Heart Care Dominicana, a charity that helps indigenous children who have heart disease.

Big Rally - Ghanaian presidential candidate John Atta Mills (center) rides through a crowded street full of supporters on his way to a pre-election rally. Mills, of the opposition, is up against Nana Akufo-Addo of the ruling New Patriotic party. According to officials, Ghana’s polling was completely peaceful and had a high turnout. Though a winner has yet to be announced, many believe the final tally will be close, which would make a runoff necessary.

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Big Rally - Ghanaian presidential candidate John Atta Mills (center) rides through a crowded street full of supporters on his way to a pre-election rally. Mills, of the opposition, is up against Nana Akufo-Addo of the ruling New Patriotic party. According to officials, Ghana’s polling was completely peaceful and had a high turnout. Though a winner has yet to be announced, many believe the final tally will be close, which would make a runoff necessary.

Long Line - Voters in Ghana wait in line to cast their ballots in the nation’s presidential elections. Lines across the country were very long, as some officials predicted turnout would be higher than the 2004 elections, where there was an 85 percent voter turnout.

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Long Line - Voters in Ghana wait in line to cast their ballots in the nation’s presidential elections. Lines across the country were very long, as some officials predicted turnout would be higher than the 2004 elections, where there was an 85 percent voter turnout.

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In Prayer - Muslim boys in Kenya pray on the first day of the Eid al-Adha religious festival. All over the world, Muslims slaughter sheep, goats, cows and camels to commemorate the Prophet Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail on God’s command.

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In Prayer - Muslim boys in Kenya pray on the first day of the Eid al-Adha religious festival. All over the world, Muslims slaughter sheep, goats, cows and camels to commemorate the Prophet Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail on God’s command.

Wow - An African contortionist performs during the show ‘Afrika-Afrika” in Germany.

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Wow - An African contortionist performs during the show ‘Afrika-Afrika” in Germany.

Getting Ready - U.S. boxer Hasim Rahman spars with a trainer during a public session in Mannheim, Germany. The heavyweight will take on Ukrainian World Champion Vladimir Klitschko on December 13th.

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Getting Ready - U.S. boxer Hasim Rahman spars with a trainer during a public session in Mannheim, Germany. The heavyweight will take on Ukrainian World Champion Vladimir Klitschko on December 13th.

African-Iraqis? - African-Iraqi men dance in celebration after getting word that their political party, the “Free Iraqi Movement,” will be able to run in the upcoming local elections in Basra. Motivated by President-elect Barack Obama’s historic victory, Black Iraqis plan to take part in the elections in order to end hundreds of years of discrimination because of their slave ancestry.

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African-Iraqis? - African-Iraqi men dance in celebration after getting word that their political party, the “Free Iraqi Movement,” will be able to run in the upcoming local elections in Basra. Motivated by President-elect Barack Obama’s historic victory, Black Iraqis plan to take part in the elections in order to end hundreds of years of discrimination because of their slave ancestry.

Fiery Protest - In South Africa, angry minibus taxi drivers set fire to trash bins during a protest. The group was demonstrating against the government’s planned Bus Rapid Transit system, which is designed to upgrade the city’s current system in preparation for the 2010 World Cup tournament. Drivers argue the changes will cost them money.

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Fiery Protest - In South Africa, angry minibus taxi drivers set fire to trash bins during a protest. The group was demonstrating against the government’s planned Bus Rapid Transit system, which is designed to upgrade the city’s current system in preparation for the 2010 World Cup tournament. Drivers argue the changes will cost them money.