The day in pictures

1 of 12 Security is stepped up at Heathrow airport after the US warned of possible terrorist attacks during the Christmas holidays.

2 of 12 In the Gaza Strip, a Palestinian militant is buried within hours of being shot dead by Israeli forces.

3 of 12 Israeli soldiers grieved for two colleagues killed in an ambush by Palestinian gunmen in Gaza.

4 of 12 A bouquet of 60 roses for the 60th birthday of Sweden's Queen Silvia.

5 of 12 The Philippines is still reeling from the effects of the weekend's mudslides.

6 of 12 Despite the continuing violence, Christians in the Holy Land prepare to celebrate Christmas.

7 of 12 As the year draws to an end, Iraq still dominates the agenda in many countries - as here in Indonesia, where protesters call for the release of Saddam Hussein.

8 of 12 South Korean protesters opposed to sending troops to Iraq clash with riot police.

9 of 12 On the Thai-Burma border, the Karen people - fighting for independence from Burma - are not dropping their defences.

10 of 12 Canada's Supreme Court rejects a request by David Malmo-Levine and others to legalise marijuana.

11 of 12 French Muslim students protest against "secular terrorism," referring to the government's ban on head scarves in schools.

12 of 12 Winter for some, but today officially marks the start of summer in the southern hemisphere.