Tens of thousands of protesters encircled the presidential palace in Cairo in a massive demonstration against Egyptian President Mohamed Morsy's decision to assume extrajudicial powers, leading some to accuse the new leader of trying to return to Mubarak-era policies. Above, Egyptian protesters shout slogans as they march to the presidential palace on Dec. 4.
Fighting erupted in the Aleppo district of Bustan al-Basha in Syria as rebel fighters reportedly made significant advances against regime forces. As the civil war continues to grind on, fears are escalating over Bashar al-Assad's chemical weapons supply. Above, rebel soldiers walk through the rubble of buildings in Aleppo on Dec. 6.
The Palestinian Hamas government confirmed that its politburo chief Khaled Meshaal was due in the Gaza Strip to celebrate the movement's 25th anniversary. The visit, which follows after a ceasefire that ended days of attacks between Hamas and Israel, was the leader's first visit to a Palestinian territory in decades. In this photo, Meshaal and Hamas leader in the Gaza Strip Ismail Haniya, on the right, wave from the rooftop of a vehicle during a parade following Meshaal's arrival in Rafah, southern Gaza, on Dec. 7.
Bahrain's Court of Cassation set a Jan. 7 date to announce its verdict in the trial of 13 Shiite opposition leaders jailed for their role in last year's unrest. Above, a Bahraini Shiite Muslim boy takes part in a demonstration to show solidarity with the political prisoners in the village of Malikiya, south of the capital, Manama, on Dec. 4.
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The United States House of Representatives' Republican leadership held a news conference on Dec. 5 to discuss its negotiations with the White House on the fiscal cliff. Above, U.S. Speaker of the House Rep. John Boehner (R-OH) speaks as House Majority Leader Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA) listens during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC.
Gunmen in Pakistan shot Swedish Christian charity worker Bargetta Almby, 72, on Dec. 3, causing her to be hospitalized. In this photo, Pakistani Christians carry photographs of Almby as they offer prayers for her recovery at a church in Lahore on Dec. 5.
Three people were injured in a major fire that erupted along a crude oil pipeline running from Salaya to Mathura in India. In this photo, rescue workers attempt to control the fire in a village near Ahmedabad late on Dec. 4.
Boys play in the northern town of Mazar-i-Sharif in Afghanistan on Dec. 6. The United States is continuing efforts to negotiate the release of an American prisoner with the Taliban.
Pope Benedict XVI on Wednesday called for warring sides in the Democratic Republic of Congo to reconcile ahead of upcoming peace talks between the government and rebels. Above, the Pope blesses the faithful during his weekly general audience on Dec. 5 at the Vatican.The Pope also made waves this week when it was announced he had joined Twitter.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission in Kenya took biometric computer equipment to populations in remote tribal areas in order to combat voting fraud for the country's upcoming elections in March 2013. Above, a Maasai woman sits in front of a laptop as she registers to vote in the village of Ewuaso Kedong on Dec. 6.
Farmers from the Brazilian northeast demanded help from the government to alleviate the effects of the drought that has struck the region this year. Above, farmers hold cattle skulls during a protest in front of the Planalto Palace in Brasilia on Dec. 4.
People hold up candles while singing a song honoring King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand during a ceremony celebrating his 85th birthday in Bangkok on Dec. 5.
On Dec. 6, a couple admires the Kobe Luminarie illuminations commemorating the victims of the 1995 Hanshin Awaji Great Earthquake, which killed nearly 6,500 people, in Kobe, Japan.
A woman walks during a blizzard in Stockholm, Sweden on Dec. 5.
