World News in Pictures

[Mr Lick]

International Monetary Fund Managing Director Christine Lagarde goes head to head with French economics journalist Francois Lenglet during the conference with top financial officials at the Economy ministry in Paris



Looks like their chat didn't go that well.

[Mr Lick]

Women attend a weekly rally for pro-democracy protesters in Sanaa, Yemen



Hardcore Rugby fans shelter from the heavy rain in the desert during the Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens



Protesters used tractors as barricades to protect themselves from being evicted by the police on the site of a proposed new airport near Nantes, France. The airport is scheduled to open in 2017 and to replace the city's current one



Jolly hockey sticks: Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge plays hockey on the new Astroturf playing field during a visit to her old preparatory school, St Andrew's School in Pangbourne, Berkshire. And she did it in heels



Youths hold red ribbons as others light candles symbolizing awareness on the eve of World Aids Day in Agartala, India



Musallam al-Barrak, former lawmaker and a prominent figure in the nationalist Popular Action Bloc, waves a Kuwaiti national flag during a protest calling for a voter boycott, a day before a parliamentary election in Kuwait City

[Mr Lick]

A woman waves a poster at a protest in Siliana, Tunisia. Yesterday the army had to intervene as striking residents demanded jobs, government investment and the resignation of the local governor



Christof Innerhofer of Italy celebrates winning the FIS Alpine World Cup Men's Downhill in Beaver Creek, Colorado



Riot police detain a protester outside the parliament building in Ljubljana, Slovenia. Thousands have joined anti-government protests ahead of this weekend's presidential run-off



This aerial view shows derailed cars sitting semi-submerged in the waters of Mantua Creek after a train crashed in Paulsboro, New Jersey, causing a spill of hazardous chemicals into the air and water



Five year-old Da'Kya Hall participates in a peace vigil in the Washington Park neighbourhood of Chicago, Illinois. About 75 children, teachers, and parents were joined by local residents and religious leaders as they marched to draw attention to the violence that plagues their Southside neighbourhood

[Mr Lick]

Former England cricketer turned professional boxer Andrew Flintoff (right) fights Richard Dawson of the US in their heavyweight boxing bout at the Manchester Arena. Flintoff won his debut on points 39-38



Flintoff celebrates his victory with some theatrical posing

[Mr Lick]

Former News International chief executive Rebekah Brooks leaves Westminster Magistrates Court after appearing to face charges linked to alleged corrupt payments to public officials in London November 29, 2012.



A Free Syrian Army fighter with an amputated hand, takes cover from a sniper loyal to Syria's President Bashar al -Assad, near Aleppo's historical citadel, November 28, 2012



Palestinians take part in a rally as another climbs on Israel's controversial barrier in the West Bank city of Bethlehem November 29, 2012. The 193-nation U.N. General Assembly overwhelmingly approved a resolution on Thursday to upgrade the Palestinian Authority's observer status at the United Nations from "entity" to "non-member state," implicitly recognizing a Palestinian state



An Israeli ultranationalist right-wing protester (C) is detained during a demonstration against the Palestinian Authority's efforts to secure a diplomatic upgrade at the United Nations, outside the U.N. offices in the West Bank village of Jabel Mukaber, near Jerusalem November 29, 2012. The U.N. General Assembly is set to implicitly recognize a sovereign state of Palestine on Thursday despite threats by the United States and Israel to punish the Palestinian Authority by withholding much-needed funds for the West Bank government.

[Mr Lick]

Dock workers protest with smoke flares in front of the Portuguese parliament in Lisbon November 29, 2012. Hundreds of dockworkers from several European countries joined in a protest in Lisbon on Thursday against plans by the Portuguese government to change labor rules in the sector. Dockworkers from Spain, France, Denmark, Sweden and Belgium were among those from Portugal who marched from a town hall square to the parliament building, where lawmakers were expected to vote in favor of the bill.



A masked demonstrator takes part in a protest outside Madrid's Barajas airport November 29, 2012. Spanish airline Iberia's ground and cabin crews will stage a series of strikes in December, disrupting the holiday travel season to protest against massive job cuts. The around-the-clock strikes will be held on December 14 and the five days from December 17 to December 21, union leaders said on Thursday



Buddhist monks, injured in a protest, rest in a hospital near the Monywa mine in the Sagaing region in Myanmar's northwest November 29, 2012. Riot police fired water cannon and tear gas on Thursday to break up a three-month protest against a vast copper mining project run by the powerful Myanmar military and its partner, a subsidiary of a Chinese arms manufacturer. Activists said at least 50 people had been injured and 23 were in hospital, some suffering burns after incendiary devices were hurled into their camps by police. Media described the devices as "phosphorous bombs".

[Mr Lick]

Police officers arrive in Goma after the Congolese rebels captured the city



Bangladeshi workers protest lost wages after 112 of their colleagues died in a factory fire.

[Mr Lick]

Philippine President Aquino's effigy is burnt in protest of his labour policies which include foreign investment at the expense of local workers rights

[Mr Lick]

Thai prison inmates dance Gangnam style during a competition

[Mr Lick]

A boat sits in marshland near Sea Bright, New Jersey, almost a month after the area was hit by Hurricane Sandy



Palestinian boys play in the rubble of a house in Gaza City



Pakistanis work at a brick factory on the outskirts of Islamabad, Pakistan. According to workers at the factory, adults earn 300 rupees (£1.97), while children earn 250 rupees per day



A boy watches horse riders on a flooded road near Moorland, Somerset. Britain's beleaguered towns and villages were dealt a further blow this week as rain battered the country and 200,000 householders were warned they could lose their home insurance policies

[Mr Lick]

A Turkish soldier takes up position near the border to Syria in the Turkish border town of Ceylanpinar, Sanliurfa province, November 30, 2012



A protester burns tyres during clashes with police in Siliana November 30, 2012. More than 220 people are believed to have been injured when the demonstrators demanding jobs clashed with police on Tuesday and Wednesday in Siliana, a city on the edge of the Sahara whose inhabitants have long complained of neglect.



A protester waves the Kuwaiti national flag and chants slogans during a protest calling for a voter boycott, in Kuwait City November 30, 2012. Tens of thousands of people marched on Friday calling for the boycott, a day before a parliamentary election that looks unlikely to defuse tensions in the U.S.-allied, oil-producing Gulf country. Organisers said the march was the largest ever in Kuwaiti history and a message to the authorities of deep discontent with changes to the voting system ordered by the ruling emir, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah, six weeks before the election.



An anti-Mursi protester chains his hands, to symbolize the rule of the Muslim Brotherhood, as fellow protesters gather in Tahrir Square in Cairo November 30, 2012. Tens of thousands of Egyptians protested against President Mohamed Mursi on Friday after an Islamist-led assembly raced through approval of a new constitution in a bid to end a crisis over the Islamist leader's newly expanded powers.



Policemen drag away a protester who blocked the entrance to a makeshift camp for asylum seekers in Amsterdam November 30, 2012. A court has ordered a group of asylum seekers, whose applications for political asylum have been rejected by Dutch authorities, to leave the site. The group, who had exhausted their final options against deportation and had rejected other offers for temporary accommodation, set up this camp at the end of September 2012, local media reported.

[Mr Lick]

Civil servants sing "Christmas carols against cuts" during a protest against government austerity measures, in front of the headquarters of Spain's centre-right People's Party (Partido Popular) in Madrid November 30, 2012. The banners read, "Hands up, this is a robbery" (C) and "Between roses and seagulls (referring to the symbols of Spanish PSOE and PP parties), they leave us in the nude" (L).



A masked Palestinian stone-throwing protester holds a bunch of flowers as he kicks a rock after clashes with Israeli security officers (unseen) at a protest against Jewish settlements, in the West Bank village of Nabi Saleh, near Ramallah November 30, 2012.



Riot police detain a protester, during riots against budget cuts and alleged corruption in Ljubljana November 30, 2012. The demonstrations are the largest so far in a string of protests organised over Facebook which started earlier in November in Slovenia's second largest city of Maribor, where people demonstrated against the mayor, and have since spread to most other cities.

[Mr Lick]

Congo plane crash kills at least three in Brazzaville

The Russian-made Ilyushin 76 plane, coming from Pointe-Noire, was trying to land

A cargo plane has crashed in the Republic of Congo's capital, Brazzaville, killing at least three.

However, there are some unconfirmed reports more than 30 may have died.

The Russian-made Ilyushin 76 plane, coming from Pointe-Noire, was trying to land.

The crew are all thought to have died, but the plane may have hit houses, killing more on the ground.

Like many African countries, the Republic of Congo has a poor aviation safety record.



The crash is reported to have happened during bad weather, hampering rescue efforts.

The plane was carrying cargo, but may also have been carrying people other than the crew.

One Red Cross official told Reuters that more than 30 people had died and that there could be more victims.

In March 2011, a cargo plane crashed in the economic capital, Pointe-Noire, killing at least 16 people.

[Mr Lick]

Benin: 'Voodoo link' as graves desecrated in Porto-Novo

Voodoo is recognised as an official religion in Benin, followed by some 40% of the population

More than 100 graves have been desecrated in a cemetery near Benin's capital, Porto-Novo, police say.

The grave robbers cut the heads off the bodies and also stole some internal organs.

The BBC's Vincent Nnanna in Benin says there is a suspicion the crime is linked to extreme Voodoo practices of using body parts in charms.

It is the first such incident in the West African nation, where Voodoo is an official religion, he says.
Voodoo gods

• Mahou is the supreme being
• There are about 100 divinities - or Voodoos - who represent different phenomena
• Gou - such as war and blacksmiths
• Sakpata - illness, healing and earth
• Heviosso - storms, lightning and justice )
• Mami Wata- water

Our reporter says the desecrated graves were discovered by a mason who had forgotten his tools at the 20-acre (eight-hectare) cemetery in Dangbo near Porto-Novo.

The mason alerted the police who found that up to 100 graves had been tampered with overnight.

Relatives have been traumatised by the mutilations as most people believe in reincarnation, our reporter says. They fear their loved ones will be reincarnated with body parts missing.

Crowds who gathered outside the cemetery believe the body parts were taken by people planning to sell them for use as lucky charms, our correspondent says.

A high priest told the BBC such practices were not recognised by the mainstream Voodoo religion - and condemned the grave desecrations.

Voodoo followers - who make up some 40% of Benin's population - believe that all life is driven by spiritual forces of natural phenomena such as water, fire, earth and air, and that these should be honoured through rituals like animal sacrifices.

[Mr Lick]

China home marooned in middle of road is bulldozed

The bulldozers finally moved in on Saturday

A five-storey home marooned in the middle of a new road in China for more than a year because its owner refused to leave has finally been demolished.

The road, in China's's eastern Zhejiang province, was built around the house because duck farmer Luo Baogen was holding out for more compensation.

Mr Luo, 67, said he had just finished the home at a cost of $95,000 and had been offered only $35,000 to move.

Officials say he finally accepted $41,000, and the bulldozers moved in.

[Mr Lick]

World Aids Day

People from all around the world came together to raise awareness about the continuing fight against HIV and Aids









Brussels, Belgium: the Belgian prime minister, Elio Di Rupo, attends an Aids awareness campaign event to promote the use of condoms at the central station



Jimbaran, Bali: a woman displays inflated condoms and pamphlets during a World Aids Day campaign. The World Health Organisation's theme for World Aids Day 2012 is Getting to Zero. Meaning zero new HIV infections; zero deaths from Aids-related illness; zero discrimination

[Mr Lick]

England 38-21 New Zealand

By Tom Fordyce Chief sports writer, BBC Sport at Twickenham
ENGLAND (12) 38

• Try: Barritt, Ashton, Tuilagi
• Cons: Farrell 4, Burns 2
• Pens: Farrell 3
• Drop-goal: Farrell

NEW ZEALAND (0) 21

• Tries: Savea 2, Read
• Cons: Carter 2, Cruden

England pulled off one of the great victories in their history as they destroyed world champions New Zealand at a rejoicing Twickenham.

The All Blacks had been unbeaten in 20 matches but were completely outplayed as second-half tries from Brad Barritt, Chris Ashton and Manu Tuilagi snuffed out a brief comeback.

Three penalties and drop-goal from Owen Farrell had given England a 15-0 lead after 42 minutes, only for tries from Julian Savea and Kieran Read to make it a one-point game.

[Mr Lick]

Islamist crowds demonstrated in Cairo on Saturday in support of President Mohammed Morsi, who is racing through a constitution to try to defuse opposition fury over his newly expanded powers.

Many thousands assembled outside Cairo University, waving Egyptian flags and green Islamist emblems to show their backing for the president and the constitution he is promoting

[Mr Lick]

NFL player Jovan Belcher kills girlfriend and self

Jovan Belcher played college football at Maine before joining the Chiefs

Kansas City Chiefs American football player Jovan Belcher has killed himself outside the team's main stadium.

Police said the 25-year-old first-team linebacker shot his girlfriend dead a few miles away, before driving to a training facility at Arrowhead Stadium.

He then shot himself in the car park in front of team officials.

The club confirmed the incident in a statement, adding: "We are co-operating with authorities in their investigation."

Kansas City police spokesman Darin Snapp told AP news agency that authorities were told early on Saturday that a woman had been shot five miles away from the Arrowhead complex.

The victim was later identified as Belcher's 22-year-old girlfriend, Kasandra Perkins.

There are a lot of people hurting. There's a young baby right now without parents” - Sly James, Kansas City Mayor

The couple had a three-month-old daughter who was believed to have been in a nearby room at the time of the shooting. Belcher's mother had also been in the house and had called police.

According to local TV station KMBC 9, a friend of Kasandra Perkins said the couple had squabbled about an incident the previous night but there had been no evidence of any other problems between them.

Police were then called to the training facility, where they saw the player in a car holding a handgun to his head, talking to two Chiefs officials. They then heard a gunshot






Jovan Belcher lived in the house with his girlfriend and baby daughter

He had thanked the team's general manager and coach before shooting himself, police said.

[Mr Lick]

Japan Sasago tunnel collapse 'traps cars'




The BBC's Rupert Wingfield-Hayes says it is not known how many cars are trapped


A road tunnel has collapsed in Japan, trapping a number of vehicles, Japanese media reports say.

The incident happened at about 08:00 local time (23:00 GMT Saturday) in the Sasago tunnel, about 80km (50 miles) west of the capital Tokyo.

Public broadcaster NHK quoted its reporter as saying that black smoke was coming out of the tunnel and there appeared to be a fire inside.

Five people were feared trapped in the tunnel, later reports said.

A 100m (328ft) section of the tunnel caved in on the Tokyo-bound lanes on the Chuo Expressway, in Yamanashi prefecture, reports say.

"We don't know exactly how many vehicles are on fire," a traffic police official told the AFP news agency.

The official added that a woman was taken to hospital after she had made her way out of the tunnel.



The woman said she was with five other people in a van, but added: "I have no idea about what happened to the five others. I don't know how many vehicles were ahead and behind ours."

Another survivor told NHK that he saw "a concrete part of the ceiling fall off all of a sudden when I was driving inside. I saw a fire coming from a crushed car".

He added that he was "frightened" and walked for an hour to get out of the
tunnel.

[Mr Lick]

Welney Land Rover flood driver was 'irresponsible'






Norfolk Police said the driver had been "extremely irresponsible"


A man who drove through deep flood water and posted video footage on YouTube has been condemned by police.

The video, shot from a Land Rover being driven along a flooded stretch of road at Welney, Norfolk, shows water flowing over the vehicle's bonnet.

Norfolk Police said the driver's actions had been "extremely irresponsible and dangerous".

When contacted by the BBC, the driver declined to comment.

The five-minute video, entitled "Ross's Defender Wading Welney", was shot on Tuesday and shows the Land Rover negotiating the A1101 Wash Road, between Delph Bridge and Suspension Bridge.

The road was closed after the River Ouse flooded during recent heavy rains, with water in the area reaching a depth of 1.35m (4.5ft) in places.

[Mr Lick]

David Beckham wins MLS Cup in final LA Galaxy match


David Beckham crowned five and a half years at LA Galaxy by retaining the MLS Cup with a 3-1 win over Houston Dynamo in his final game.

Houston had led at half-time through Calen Carr's fierce strike, but an Omar Gonzalez header and Landon Donovan's cool penalty turned the match around.

A second spot-kick, dispatched by Robbie Keane in injury-time, completed the victory in Los Angeles.

Beckham, 37, was then substituted to cheers and a standing ovation

[Mr Lick]

Mexico's Pena Nieto sworn in amid protests









Protesters in Mexico City opposed to a return to power of his party display their displeasure



Joe Biden and Spain's Prince Felipe attended the ceremony






Accusations of vote buying were rife

[Mr Lick]

Japan tunnel collapse

[Mr Lick]

A Free Syrian Army fighter holds his rifle as he stands on a damaged street in Aleppo's Karm al-Jabal district November 29, 2012. Picture taken November 29, 2012



Palestinian Osama Hejazi, 12, stands in front of the rubble of a destroyed house in Gaza City December 1, 2012. Hejazi survived an Israeli air strike on his family's house in which his father and two younger brothers were killed during an eight-day conflict last month, Palestinian witnesses said.



Palestinian relatives of Mahmoud Gargoon mourn during his funeral in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip December 1, 2012. Gargoon, one of six Palestinians shot and wounded by Israeli troops on Friday while protesting at the Gaza Strip boundary fence, died on Saturday, hospital officials said



A view of the wreckage of the cargo plane that crashed in Brazzaville November 30, 2012. A cargo plane crashed into houses near Brazzaville Maya-Maya airport while attempting to land in a thunderstorm on Friday, killing at least 32 people, a Congolese Red Cross official said on Saturday