Week in pictures : 4-12 december 2014

[R. M. Dixit]

12th December 2014 Last Update 16.05

Week in pictures: 6-12 December 2014

Our selection of some of the best news photographs taken around the world this week.




An undercover police officer, who had been marching with anti-police demonstrators, aims his gun at protesters after some in the crowd attacked him and his partner in Oakland, California. Protests have followed the deaths of Eric Garner, killed in a chokehold in New York, and Michael Brown, who was shot dead by a police officer in Missouri. In both cases grand juries decided not to press criminal charges against the police officers responsible.


Ami Denborg wept as she spoke to the press following the decision to throw out the case against British businessman Shrien Dewani, who had been charged with the murder of his wife, Ami's sister, Anni. The 34-year-old had always denied plotting to arrange the shooting of his bride in the back of their taxi while on honeymoon in November 2010.


The last French hostage to be held by Islamist militants has been freed after three years. Serge Lazarevic was snatched in Mali in November 2011 along with fellow Frenchman Philippe Verdon who was killed by militants from al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) last year. Mr Lazarevic is seen here being greeted by relatives at his arrival at the Villacoublay military airport, near Paris.


Children sift through the debris left by an overnight fire at an informal settlers' community in Malabon city, north of Manila in the Philippines. The fire destroyed more than 200 houses and affected nearly 1,000 people. Fire officials said five people were injured.

Click here to view the original image of 873x581px.
A memorial to the World War One Christmas Truce, when some British and German soldiers stopped fighting and played football, has been dedicated by the Duke of Cambridge. The Football Remembers memorial was designed by 10-year-old Spencer Turner from Farne Primary in Newcastle after a UK-wide competition.

Click here to view the original image of 873x1073px.
US President Barack Obama delivered gifts to the Marine Corps Toys for Tots campaign at Bolling Air Force Base in Washington DC. The gifts were donated by staff of the presidential office.

Click here to view the original image of 873x581px.
More than 200 activists were arrested in Hong Kong after police cleared the main pro-democracy protest camp at Admiralty. Activists want Beijing to allow free elections for the territory's next leader in 2017. China says everyone can vote but a pro-Beijing committee will screen candidates. Here a message proclaims "We will be back" on a road in the financial centre.

Click here to view the original image of 873x581px.
Barbara Schoeneberger and TV host Guenther Jauch took part in the Ice Bucket Challenge during RTL's year in review programme.

Click here to view the original image of 873x581px.
Former SNP leader and First Minister Alex Salmond announced he is to stand for a seat at Westminster at next May's general election. He unveiled his candidacy for his party's nomination in the Gordon constituency at a meeting in Ellon.

Click here to view the original image of 873x546px.
A surfer drops in on a large wave at Praia do Norte, in Nazare, Portugal.

Click here to view the original image of 873x581px.
The Duchess of Cornwall attended the Jubilee Centre's Meals on Wheels luncheon club in St Albans, England.

More videos from the BBC

[aries star]

so nice

[Chandbhai]

Nice