Today in photos (Feb. 27)

A man exercises moments before swimming in the Mediterranean sea in Tel Aviv, Israel, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2013. (Ariel Schalit / Associated Press)

Supporters of Yemen’s former President Ali Abdullah Saleh climb on flag poles during a rally marking the anniversary of his power handover in Sanaa, Yemen, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2013. (Hani Mohammed / Associated Press)

A sedated lion is carried on a stretcher, at the estate of Ion Balint, known to Romanians as Nutzu the Pawnbroker, a notorious gangster, in Bucharest, Romania, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2013. Authorities along with specialists of the animal welfare charity Vier Pfoten removed four lions and two bears that were illegally kept on the estate of one of Romania’s most notorious underworld figures who reportedly used them to threaten his victims. Balint was arrested on Feb. 22, with dozens of others on charges of attempted murder, depriving people of their freedom, blackmail and illegally holding arms. (Vadim Ghirda / Associated Press)

Workers scoop out rain water from pleasure boats in the Retiro park lake while waiting for tourists in Madrid, Spain Wednesday Feb. 27, 2013. Rain and cold weather kept the boats docked and unused Wednesday morning. (Paul White / Associated Press)

Shadow of people is cast on the street as a woman begs for coins, right, in Pamplona northern Spain on Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2013. Spain’s Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has conceded that the government just failed to reduce its budget deficit in 2012 to the level it promised European authorities. Rajoy said the deficit fell to 6.7 percent of the country’s annual gross domestic product from 9 percent in 2011. (Alvaro Barrientos / Associated Press)

Pope Benedict XVI greets pilgrims at the end of his general audience in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2013. Pope Benedict XVI basked in an emotional sendoff Wednesday at his final general audience in St. Peter’s Square, recalling moments of “joy and light” during his papacy but also times of great difficulty. He also thanked his flock for respecting his decision to retire. (Gregorio Borgia / Associated Press)