PICTURES

Explosion takes place in Alwaite-majority Damascus neighbourhood.

Tighter security measures greet pupils returning to school where gunman Adam Lanza killed 26.

Playboy founder Hugh Hefner married 26 year old model Crystal Harris, on New Year's Eve at the Playboy Mansion

President Ouattara visits injured victims of New Year's stampede which left 61 dead.

Spectacular fireworks watched by millions mark new year celebrations.

First fireworks explode in skies of Australia, New Zealand and East Asia to celebrate New Year.

Grief and shock pour on to the streets of Delhi after rape victim dies.

Nicaragua government warns volcano unstable but 1,500 villagers defy evacuation order.

Trains run the 1,425 miles between Beijing and Guangzhou at average speed of up 186mph.

Pope Benedict XVI calls for ending bloodshed in Syria.

M6 motorway closed from both directions as accident takes place between junction 14 and 15.

Top Roman Catholic cleric in Palestine, Latin Patriarch Fouad Twal, says occasion marks both birth of Jesus and Palestinian State.

As condition of victim worsens, authorities ban protests in New Delhi.

Outcome considered a big victory for Islamists and a setback to liberal groups advocating a secular society.

Anger on streets of India's capital boils over as protesters clash with police.

Intimate images by White House photographer Pete Souza shows down-to-earth side of US president.

Miss USA Olivia Culpo was all smiles as she was crowned the 2012 Miss Universe at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Facebook and Twitter capture heartrending moments of president comforting relatives of 26 victims of Adam Lanza in Newtown, Connecticut.

Kate Middleton made a first public appearance since her pregnancy was confirmed, at the 2012 BBC Sports Personality of the Year (SPOTY) awards

Shockwave from incident spreads across the United States and the world.

Skywatchers around the world witnessed the annual Geminid meteor shower which was at peak with a bounty of brilliant shooting stars.

The 70th annual Golden Globe Awards nominees were announced with Lincoln in lead with seven nominations.

Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, was at the London premiere of Sir Peter Jackson's The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

Dominica too has undergone surgeries for Barbie look.

Hanukkah - the Jewish festival of lights - started, all across the world, with the lighting of the first menorah on 8 December

Prince William makes first solo public appearance since the pregnancy of Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, was made public.

Massive Gaza rally vows to free Palestine 'inch by inch'.

Meshaal will attend massive rally called by Hamas to celebrate 'victory' against Israel.

William and Kate, snapped together for the first time since Kate's pregnancy was announced, could not resist smiling as they left hospital.