Raw Video: Troops in Iraq celebrate Christmas

Raw Video: Troops in Iraq celebrate Christmas

British soldiers in Iraq prepared for Christmas on Monday by decorating their base in the southern city of Basra.

Britain has around 4,500 troops in Iraq, most of them based at an airport camp on the outskirts of Basra.

Raw Video: Zoo animals open gifts in Australia

Raw Video: Zoo animals open gifts in Australia

Christmas came early to some of the animals at the animal kingdom at Taronga Park zoo in Sydney, Australia.

Some of the zoo residents woke up to some merry treats.

Tourists flock to Bethlehem

Tourists flock to Bethlehem

Pilgrims flock to West Bank birthplace of Jesus in the most peaceful scenes in Bethlehem in years.

"Jingle Bells" rang out over Manger Square as Bethlehem opened its Christmas season that the Palestinian town hopes will help cap a boom year for tourism with a profitable festive season.

Gold coins unearthed in Jerusalem

Gold coins unearthed in Jerusalem

Excavations uncover one of the largest hoard of gold coins ever found in Jerusalem.

A total of 264 gold coins were discovered during archaeological excavations in a car park on the edge of Jerusalem's walled Old City.

The coins were among the ruins of a building dating back to about the 7th century, or the end of the Byzantine period.

Straw work of art

Straw work of art

An Indian artist creates fascinating art work from straw, a waste product used as fodder for animals.

Tying the knot en mass

Tying the knot en mass

A government-sponsored mass marriage in India helps poor families who struggle to raise dowry payments for their children.

Goa defies security clamp down

Goa defies security clamp down

Despite security bans on parties Goa's tourists are still dancing the night away as festive fever grips the hotels in India's popular beach destination.

Hotels and clubs get ready to host Christmas and New Year bashes for holiday makers thronging the state famous for its nightlong parties.

Tourist arrivals in Goa have resumed after about three weeks when tourists preferred to stay away following the Mumbai terror attacks.