The day in photos: Wednesday

Flowers are burned to mark the National Day of Dignity for Victims of the Armed Conflict in Guatemala City, Guatemala.  (Ulises Rodriguez / EPA)

A Turkish Airlines plane with 135 people aboard slammed into a muddy field while attempting to land at Amsterdam’s main airport. Nine people were killed and more than 50 were injured, many seriously, officials said. The plane, which was approaching Schiphol Airport, broke into three pieces.  (Frank Augstein / Associated Press)

Pope Benedict XVI, second from right, arrives in a procession with other prelates at Santa Sabina Basilica for the Ash Wednesday prayer service in Rome. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a solemn period of 40 days of prayer and self-denial leading up to Easter.  (Pier Paolo Cito / Associated Press)

President Obama introduces his nominee for Commerce secretary, former Washington Gov. Gary Locke, in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington. Locke is Obama’s third nominee for the post, after New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson dropped out, citing an investigation of state contracting, and Gov. Judd Gregg of New Hampshire withdrew, citing political differences with the president.  (Charles Dharapak / Associated Press)

How do you say “Day after Fat Tuesday” in French? Jeremy Licciardi collects trash left in the streets from Mardi Gras along Bourbon Street in New Orleans.  (Brian Lawdermilk / Associated Press)

A Beluga Airbus leaves its factory in Broughton, Wales, bearing oversize wings for a new tanker aircraft that is part of a fleet of Airbus A330-200s. The new fleet will provide air-to-air refueling and transport for troops.  (Christopher Furlong / Getty Images)

Supporters of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif denounce the Pakistani Supreme Court’s decision to ban the opposition leader from elected office. The ruling raises the prospect of bitter political conflict in Pakistan.  (B.K.Bangash / Associated Press)

Three horses get some exercise in a snow-covered meadow near Wangen im Allgaeu in southern Germany.  (Felix Kaestle / Associated Press)