Lava cascades down the slopes of Mayon volcano in a continuing mild eruption as viewed from Legazpi, Philippines, Wednesday Dec. 23, 2009. Tens of thousands of evacuees are expected to spend Christmas in different evacuation centers after the country's most active volcano began spewing ash last week coupled with continuing lava flow.
Plane Accident
Workers and police investigators sift through debris surrounding the cracked fuselage of American Airlines Flight AA331 in Kingston, Jamaica, Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2009. More than 40 people were injured, at least 4 seriously, and there were no fatalities, according to officials, after the plane overshot the runway in Jamaica when it landed in heavy rain.
Call to Prayer
A Christian pilgrim prays at the Church of Nativity, traditionally believed to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ, in the West Bank town of Bethlehem, Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2009. In 2009, some 2 million tourists visited the Palestinian territories, or four times the 2007 figure, and 80 percent came to Bethlehem, said the Palestinian tourism minister, Khuloud Deibes.
On Guard
A United States Marine from the 2nd Battalion 2nd Marines "Warlords" patrols during an operation in the Garmsir district of the volatile Helmand province, southern Afghanistan, Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2009.
Mayon volcano evacuees are entertained by soldiers wearing Santa hats at an evacuation center in Legazpi, Philippines, Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2009. Tens of thousands of evacuees are expected to spend Christmas in different evacuation centers after the country's most active volcano began spewing ash last week coupled with continuing lava flow.
Venice Under Water
Gondolas are seen moored by a flooded St. Mark's Square after the high water reached a peak of 144 cm (4.70 feet), the highest level of 2009, in Venice, Italy, early Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2009.
Think Pink
A flamingo is seen in the snow-covered outdoor enclosure of the Hagenbeck Zoo in Hamburg, northern Germany, Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2009.
Pup Food
"Cocolo," a female Toy Poodle, eats a special Christmas cake made from rice powder, yogurt and natural honey with strawberries atop it, in Tokyo on Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2009. The Christmas cake for dogs is sold for 2,500 yen ($27) at the Prince Park Tower Tokyo until Dec. 25.