Thursday: The day in photos

Dirk, right, is a 70-year-old Galapagos tortoise in the new Giants of the Galapagos exhibit at the London Zoo. Dirk, who weights more than 400 pounds, has been put with two young female tortoises -- Dolly, 16, and Dolores (at left), 14 -- in the hope of initiating a breeding program.  (Oli Scarff / Getty Images)

Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor smiles at the start of the fourth day of confirmation hearings before the Senate Judiciary Committee in Washington. Sotomayor faces another day of questioning from senators.  (Mark Wilson / Getty Images)

Pakistani displaced people avoid dust kicked up by the landing helicopter of visiting U.S. Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, in Jalozai camp in Peshawar. More than 2 million residents of Swat and surrounding districts had fled their homes due to the current offensive, according to the U.N. A government repatriation program began Monday, and thousands of refugees have been heading back.  (Mohammad Sajjad / Associated Press)

Researchers wearing protective gear work in the European High Level Security Laboratory in Lyon, France. The lab, which usually handles only the most deadly viruses, is preparing to receive the new swine flu virus H1N1.  (Laurent Cipriani / Associated Press)

A kite-surfer in the Netherlands carries his board to the “surfers’ village” at Schevenigen beach. The village, created by the Hague, offers showers and sleeping facilities and has become a hotspot.  (Ed Oudenaarden / AFP / Getty Images)

A Filipino resident fetches water from a pump along a flooded street in Makati city, south of Manila. A tropical storm dumped heavy rains on Manila and outlying regions, causing school closures and huge traffic jams.  (Aaron Favila / Associated Press)

Seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong answers media questions as he leaves the signature ceremony in Tonnerre before the start of the 12th stage, between Tonnerre and Vittel.  (Lionel Bonaventure / AFP / Getty Images)

Students perform at the World Games opening ceremony in Zouying, Kaohsiung, in southern Taiwan. The World Games were to officially begin in Taiwan later, but China was expected to be absent from the opening ceremony for political reasons. More than 4,700 athletes from around the world will compete in 31 sports not included in the Olympics. The 11-day event is held every four years.  (Sam Yeh / AFP / Getty Images)