Shadows of Syrians are reflected on a giant poster showing President Bashar Assad, during a supporting rally in Damascus. Syrian security forces opened fire on anti-government protesters after Friday prayers at several locations around the country, while the army sent reinforcements into a southern area where military defectors recently launched deadly attacks on regime troops. (AP)
In this image made available by France's Marine Nationale, the cargo ship TK Bremen is seen stranded on a beach near Erdeven, France. High winds beached the ship on France's jagged Atlantic coast and some of the 220 tons of fuel on board are leaking and threatening a local beach. (AP/Mael Prigent, Marine Nationale)
Participants of a flash mob burn fake foreign bank notes during a protest against plans to join the European Union in Kiev, Ukraine. Kiev will host a EU-Ukraine summit next week. (Reuters)
India Gate is reflected as a soldier plays music during a ceremony to pay respect to those who died during the 1971 India-Pakistan war for the liberation of East Pakistan, now called Bangladesh, during Victory Day celebrations in New Delhi. (AP)
Workers spray water and clean sand sculptures featuring famous figures and landmarks during the Sand Sculptures Festival at a cultural park in Sentul, outside of Jakarta, Indonesia. International artists from 11 countries created 40 large sculptures for the festival. (AFP)
A boy in a school uniform waits for a rickshaw driver to make an adjustment on a cool morning in New Delhi, India. The rickshaw is a common mode of transport in many Indian cities. (AP)
Competitors approach a mark during racing in the Women's 470 two-person dinghy at the ISAF World Sailing Championships on Fremantle Harbour near Perth, Australia. (AFP)
Lights decorate a church as thousands of people attend an early morning mass which signals the beginning of the celebrations for Christmas in suburban Las Pinas, south of Manila, Philippines. As part of a religious tradition Filipinos attend mass for nine consecutive days until Christmas. (AP)
