Reuters reports from TBILISI — Georgian riot police broke up five days of demonstrations demanding the resignation of President Mikheil Saakashvili on Thursday and two people were killed by cars speeding from the clashes.

Thousands of riot police used teargas, water cannon and rubber bullets to disperse protesters outside parliament in torrential rain just after midnight on Thursday to clear the way for the former Soviet republic's independence celebrations.

Giorgi Kakulia / AFP - Getty Images

An injured man walks in front of the ranks of the Georgian riot police officers dispersing an opposition rally in front of the parliament in Tbilisi late on May 25. Authorities in Georgia sent in riot police as five days of opposition protests demanding the resignation of Western-backed President Mikheil Saakashvili ended violently.

Vano Shlamov / AFP - Getty Images

Georgian riot police officers attack protesters (not pictured) while dispersing an opposition rally in front of the parliament in Tbilisi late on May 25.

At least 37 people were wounded. Some opposition protesters were beaten by police with batons and Reuters photographers saw people smeared in blood lying restrained on the tarmac. Some protesters wielded metal poles and sticks.

Opponents accuse the pro-Western Saakashvili of monopolizing power since the 2003 Rose Revolution that ousted the post-Soviet old guard in the Caucasus state, where pipelines carry oil from the Caspian Sea to the West.

Reuters

Police detain protesters during clashes in Tbilisi on May 26.

Reuters

Detained protesters sit on the street as riot police leave after clashes in Tbilisi on May 26.

Interior Ministry spokesman Shota Utiashvili said one policeman and a protester were killed after being hit by vehicles in a convoy of cars driving away from the protest. He said one car was carrying opposition leader Nino Burjanadze, a charge she denied. Continue reading.

The AP reports from BAGHDAD — Militiamen and followers of anti-American cleric Muqtada al-Sadr led a massive rally on Thursday, marching in Baghdad in a show of force as Iraqi leaders weigh whether to keep U.S. troops in the country beyond the end of the year.

Ahmad al-Rubaye / AFP - Getty Images

Members of the Iraqi Sadr Movement's Mahdi Army march in Baghdad's predominantly Shiite suburb of Sadr City on May 26, during a parade demanding the withdrawal of US forces from Iraq.

At least tens of thousands waved Iraqi flags and shouted "No, no, America!" as the tight columns of the unarmed but ominous-looking members of the Mahdi Army, as al-Sadr's militia is known, marched through one of Baghdad's poorest neighborhoods. Continue reading.

Hadi Mizban / AP

Supporters of cleric Muqtada al-Sadr march while holding a sign that reads, "No, no to Israel," in Arabic, in the Sadr City district of Baghdad, Iraq on May 26. Tens of thousands of followers of the Shiite anti-American cleric are rallying in Baghdad, demanding the U.S. military leave Iraq at the end of the year.

The AP reports from NEW YORK — Former International Monetary Fund leader Dominique Strauss-Kahn moved Wednesday from a temporary space in a high-rise to a plush, four-bedroom brick town house in Manhattan where he will remain under house arrest as he awaits trial in his attempted rape case, officials said.

Stan Honda / AFP - Getty Images

The news media gathers across the street from the townhouse, center, in the Tribeca area of Manhattan where former IMF head Dominique Strauss-Khan is being held under house arrest in New York, May 25.

The one-time French presidential contender was seen smiling as he got into a gray sport utility vehicle under tight security. He was moved about a mile away to the stately red brick town home in Tribeca, according a person familiar with his housing arrangements. The person was not authorized to speak publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.

Craig Ruttle / AP

A woman walks her dog past a building in Tribeca, New York that is believed to be the new residence of Dominique Strauss-Kahn.

The building, which has five bathrooms, is located on a cobblestone street in one of Manhattan's most posh neighborhoods. It also is close to the courthouse where he will attend hearings. Continue reading.

It's difficult to avoid becoming hardened to scenes of tragedy. We see so much of it, because it’s relatively easy to transmit pictures around the world. I’ve experienced some of this today, as I’ve looked through all the tornado images and edited our slideshow.

The pictures that have affected me this afternoon are the ones of people returning to their shattered homes and picking through the debris. Some people are practical. They’re recovering clothing, food and even toilet paper. But others are searching for precious, familiar objects: a piece of jewelry, a valuable antique, a one-of-a-kind family photo. I hope the survivors find what they need to help them through the coming days.

Eric Thayer / Reuters

Residents recover possessions from a destroyed apartment building in Joplin, Mo. on May 25, 2011. The death toll from a monster tornado that ravaged Joplin rose to 125 on Wednesday after an overnight search turned up more bodies. The tornado that wrecked up to a third of the city of 50,000 on Sunday was upgraded to an EF-5, or the highest rating possible on the Enhanced Fujita scale of tornado power and intensity.

Mark Humphrey / AP

Sandra Pommert reacts to finding a photograph of her parents' farm among the rubble of her sister's tornado-demolished house on May 25, 2011, in Joplin, Mo. Her sister, Judy Flenner, is recovering after having a mild heart attack following Sunday's storm.

Chris Landsberger / AP

Charles Sleeper stands in what was his bedroom on May 25, 2011 after it was destroyed by Tuesday's tornado west of El Reno, Okla.

Tannen Maury / EPA

Ryan Millikan, center lifts a container to Nick Wongratananajcha, left, as they help Lee Morris gather his possessions three days after a killer tornado ravaged neighborhoods in Joplin, Mo.

Charlie Riedel / AP

Ashley Hailey salvages items from her devastated home in Joplin, Mo. on Wednesday.

Eric Thayer / Reuters

Volunteers carry a crib from the wreckage of a church in Joplin, Mo. on Wednesday.

Joe Raedle / Getty Images

Theresa Mayfield ,right, helps her cousin Elizabeth Vandenberg salvage a couch from the living room of her home after it was destroyed when a tornado passed through the town on May 25, 2011 in Denning, Ark. The storm passed through the town damaging many of the homes as the region continues to deal with deadly tornados.

Tannen Maury / EPA

Tim Bartow looks in the window of his bathroom as he gathers possessions three days after a killer tornado ravaged neighborhoods in Joplin, Mo. Officials have begun restricting access to the areas affected and are enforcing a nighttime curfew.

Chris Landsberger / AP

Miranda Lewis smiles as she recovers the height growth marker for her six-year-old son Copper on Wednesday. It was among the rubble left behind after the home was destroyed by Tuesday's tornado west of El Reno, Okla.

Mark Humphrey / AP

Travis Blizzard, left, salvages items from his car with the help of friends Matt Jordan, center, and Dylan Shyler on May 25, 2011 in Joplin, Mo.

Eric Thayer / Reuters

Carrie Clark holds her cat in her destroyed apartment in Joplin, Mo on May 25, 2011. Clark said she last saw him moments before Sunday's deadly tornado and had found him only minutes before this picture was taken.

From Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem "The Two Rivers"
Wayward and wistful; with one hand we cling to the familiar things we call our own,
And with the other, resolute of will, grope in the dark for what the day will bring.

The giant headphones caught me by surprise. According to Reuters, Saca Hospital in Kosice uses music as therapy for newborn babies when they're separated from their mothers.

Petr Josek / Reuters

A newborn baby rests in a box, listening to music played through earphones in Saca Hospital in Kosice, east Slovakia, on Wednsday, May 25.

Petr Josek / Reuters

Newborn babies rest in cots, listening to music played through loudspeakers in Saca Hospital in Kosice, east Slovakia, on Wednesday.

Kevin Lamarque / Reuters

U.S. President Barack Obama is escorted to address both Houses of Parliament in London on Wednesday, May 25. Flanking Obama are Speaker of the House of Commons John Bercow, left, and Speaker of the House of Lords Baroness Helene Hayman. Obama is on a four-nation European visit to Ireland, England, France and Poland.

Jeff J. Mitchell / Pool via EPA

President Barack Obama addresses the members of Parliament in Westminster Hall in London on Wednesday, May 25.

Larry Downing / Reuters

President Barack Obama, right, and British Prime Minister David Cameron serve sausages and hamburgers to US and British military service members, veterans and family members in a courtyard at 10 Downing Street in London on Wednesday.

Lawrence Jackson / The White House via Getty Images

First Lady Michelle Obama and Samantha Cameron, wife of British Prime Minister David Cameron, talk before having tea in the private residence at Downing Street on Tuesday.

Matt Cardy / Getty Images

President Barack Obama and British Prime Minister David Cameron leave Downing Street on Wednesday in London.

 msnbc.com news services reports

In an address to British Parliament on Wednesday, President Barack Obama sought to counter critics who assert that U.S. and British influence in world affairs is waning as rising powers like China and India assert themselves.

To the lawmakers seated at majestic Westminster Hall, Obama declared: "The time for our leadership is now." Continue reading.

•  More photos from Obama's state visit in London here.

Narendra Shrestha of EPA reports from Nepal: Samita Bajracharya was 9 years old when she became a Kumari Devi - a 'living goddess'. The word Kumari literally means virgin in Nepali. The Living Goddesses are young pre-pubescent girls that are considered to be incarnations of the Hindu Goddess of Power, Kali. They are worshipped in Nepal by both Hindus and Buddhists. Samita was appointed the new Kumari of Patan City last year after her predecessor, Chanira Bajracharya, then aged 16, reached puberty, which means that she is considered ritually unclean.

Narendra Shrestha / EPA

Purna Shova Bajracharya, the mother of Kumari Samita Bajracharya, puts make-up on her daughter's face for a festival procession at Kumari Ghar in Patan City, Nepal on April 7.

Narendra Shrestha / EPA

The Kumari shares a light moment with her mother.

After becoming Kumari in October 2010, Samita could no longer go to school, play outside, or touch her friends - all these things are considered to make her ritually impure. St. Xavier's School has given her a computer on which she can play games and draw with the Paint application. Along with the computer, the management committee of St. Xavier's school has offered the young Kumari a free education. Teachers come to Kumari Ghar, the private residence of the living goddess, and give lessons to the young girl for three hours a day. On the weekend, Samita is able to invite friends to play at her house.

Narendra Shrestha / EPA

The Kumari wears make-up before attending a festival at Kumari Ghar in Patan City.

Narendra Shrestha / EPA

The Kumari is worshipped by devotees during a festival in Patan City on April 19.

The Kumari is often confined to her home, but there are some days when she is allowed to appear in front of the public. Yet she has to be carried from her from home to the events, never allowing her feet to touch the ground as this is considered unlucky. Devotees take her blessing by offering flowers, money and touching her feet. Everyone from businessmen starting new ventures, students preparing for a big exam, to people just hoping to find strength and improve ailing health visit the Kumari at Kumari Ghar for blessings.

Narendra Shrestha / EPA

Offerings placed by devotees at the feet of the Kumari.

Narendra Shrestha / EPA

The Kumari plays with a Mickey Mouse stuffed toy. On the weekend, she is able to invite friends to play at her house.

Samita Bajracharya will remain a Kumari until she menstruates, after which it is believed that the goddess vacates her body and the Guthi must begin the search for the next young girl to become the Kumari.

Dmitry Kostyukov / AFP - Getty Images

In this photograph taken on April 15 and made available today, a Muslim prays during Friday noon prayers in the central Qol Sharif mosque in Kazan the capital of Russia's Tatarstan region.

According to AFP, authorities in the Russian Republic of Tatarstan are concerned about the rise of radical Islam and the appearance of militant Islamic groups in this mainly Muslim region known as a model of religious tolerance.

Related news articles:

Walking a tightrope: faith and identity in Tatarstan - The St. Petersburg Times, Russia, July 2010.
Catholics, Orthodox and Muslims live peacefully together in Tatarstan - The New York Times, November 2008.
Tatarstan is the Muslim girlfriend Putin locks up, The Spectator, April 2008.

Bill DeBord / Hesperia Code Enforcement via AP

A mountain lion peering from his hiding place inside a Hesperia, Calif., family's garage on May 24. The mountain lion was eventually sedated by California State Fish and Game Biologists and released back into the wild.

The Victorville Daily Press has a report on the family's surprise discovery: 

Michelle Taylor called 911 at about 8 a.m. after her husband, Jesse Taylor, rooted around the garage in search of what he thought was a raccoon or other small critter. Instead, less than 3 feet from him, he spotted a large paw and the face of the mountain lion.

Samrang Pring / Reuters

People with painted faces attend a protest at the Freedom Park in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on May 25.

According to Reuters, about 100 Cambodian activists attended a demonstration in Phnom Penh today appealing to the government to save the Prey Lang forest. They demanded the government stop granting economic land concessions and suspend all those already granted. The protesters, who call themselves Cambodia's "Avatars", had their bodies painted in green and blue and wore traditional ethnic Kuy clothes, including hats made from tree materials.

Watch a short film about the Prey Lang forest below. According to the filmmakers, up to 700,000 people rely on the forest for survival, as well as a number of endangered animals.

Jon Gustafsson

The Grimsvotn volcano erupting on Saturday, May 21.

Photographer Jon Gustafsson captured these powerful images of the Grimsvotn volcano erupting on Saturday.

Gustafsson writes:  "It took us 90 minutes to fly to Grimsvotn with a strong wind against us. The eruption looked magnificent in the sunset. We got there at 11 pm. Once we landed 5 miles away from the crater the cold air hit us like a truck. We tried to work outside but I only lasted for a couple of minutes. Pilot Reynir Petursson also didn't want to stay on the ground for too long since it was very windy and the ash fall was unpredictable. The light was also disappearing and he needs visual reference which is difficult on a white glacier. Once we got off the ground again we had to stay low because there were so many lightnings all around the eruption. Getting hit by a lightning in that strong wind, extreme frost and next to a live volcano was not desirable."

Jon Gustafsson/AP

Smoke plumes from the Grimsvotn volcano on Saturday, May 21. Grimsvotn volcano lies under the Vatnajokull glacier, about 120 miles east of the capital, Rejkjavik, which began erupting Saturday for the first time since 2004.

Jon Gustafsson / AP

In this photo taken on Saturday, May 21, 2011, smoke plumes from the Grimsvotn volcano, which lies under the Vatnajokull glacier, about 120 miles, (200 kilometers) east of the capital, Rejkjavik, which began erupting Saturday for the first time since 2004. Iceland closed its main international airport and canceled domestic flights Sunday as a powerful volcanic eruption sent a plume of ash, smoke and steam 12 miles (20 kilometers) into the air.

Jon Gustafsson

Gustafsson talks with TODAY.com's Dara Brown about the stunning images he took within two hours and two miles of the eruption, in the video below.