Snapshots: The world in 24 hours, June 18

A swan family is pictured in front of the nuclear power plant Brokdorf during a blockade by anti-nuclear protestors in Brokdorf, Germany, June 18, 2011. Friday marked the point of no return for the permanent shutdown of a major slice of Germany's nuclear energy, leaving a range of unresolved problems caused by the politically-driven reaction to the Fukushima crisis. Berlin is preparing a law change, aiming for July 8, to back the immediate closure of 8,800 MW, or 41 percent of Germany's total nuclear capacity, as of June 17/18, and to shut the remainder by 2022. [Photo/Agencies]

Michael Phelps swims to victory in the men's 200m finals backstroke race at the Santa Clara International Grand Prix swim competition in Santa Clara, California, June 18, 2011. [Photo/Agencies]