The Week in Pictures: Dec. 1 - 8
Heavy smoke covers the seaside enclave
of Mondos Beach beside the 101 highway
as flames reach the coast from the Thomas
wildfire near Ventura, California on Dec. 6.
of Mondos Beach beside the 101 highway
as flames reach the coast from the Thomas
wildfire near Ventura, California on Dec. 6.
Wind-whipped wildfires raged across the
Los Angeles region, with flames triggering
the closure of a major freeway and mandatory
evacuations in an area dotted with mansions.
Mark Ralston / AFP - Getty ImagesLos Angeles region, with flames triggering
the closure of a major freeway and mandatory
evacuations in an area dotted with mansions.
is decorated with some 67,000 bulbs in
Voelklingen, Germany, on Dec. 4.Thomas Wieck / EPA
3. Australia's Liberal MP Warren Entsch lifts
up Labor MP Linda Burney as they celebrate
the passage of a same-sex marriage bill in
the House of Representatives in Canberra
on Dec. 7.
the passage of a same-sex marriage bill in
the House of Representatives in Canberra
on Dec. 7.
The bill changes the definition of marriage
from solely between a man and a woman
to "a union of two people" excluding all
others. The legislation passed with a majority
that wasn't challenged, although five lawmakers
registered their opposition.
from solely between a man and a woman
to "a union of two people" excluding all
others. The legislation passed with a majority
that wasn't challenged, although five lawmakers
registered their opposition.
4. Paddle boarders race in the Nautic SUP Paris
Crossing competition along the Seine river near
the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris on Dec. 3.
Crossing competition along the Seine river near
the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris on Dec. 3.
Charles Platiau / Reuters
Israeli forces disperse Palestinian protesters
outside Damascus Gate in Jerusalem's Old
City on Dec. 7, 2017.
outside Damascus Gate in Jerusalem's Old
City on Dec. 7, 2017.
Thousands took part in angry anti-U.S.
demonstrations around the Muslim world over
the Trump administration's decision to recognize
Jerusalem as Israel's capital. Since the 1979
Camp David Accords, previous presidents have
refused to recognize Jerusalem as the capital
of Israel or move the U.S. Embassy.
Ahmad Gharabli / AFP - Getty Imagesdemonstrations around the Muslim world over
the Trump administration's decision to recognize
Jerusalem as Israel's capital. Since the 1979
Camp David Accords, previous presidents have
refused to recognize Jerusalem as the capital
of Israel or move the U.S. Embassy.
6. Trees burn in Ojai, California, on Dec. 5.
The so-called Thomas Fire has scorched about 132,000
acres since Monday in Ventura County.
acres since Monday in Ventura County.
7. John Bain and Brandon Baker take cover from the embers
as they try to help stop a fire from burning a stranger's
home on Dec. 5 in Ventura, California.
Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times via Getty Imagesas they try to help stop a fire from burning a stranger's
home on Dec. 5 in Ventura, California.
8. A firefighter checks the interior of a home
as they conduct structure protection on Dec.
5 in Oakview, California.
Marcus Yam / LA Times via Getty Imagesas they conduct structure protection on Dec.
5 in Oakview, California.
9. Visitors walk in the courtyard of the Sheikh
Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, the capital
of the United Arab Emirates, on Dec. 3.
Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, the capital
of the United Arab Emirates, on Dec. 3.
Houthi rebel fighters inspect the damage after
an air strike reportedly carried out by the Saudi-led
coalition targeted the presidential palace in the
Yemeni capital Sanaa on Dec. 5.
an air strike reportedly carried out by the Saudi-led
coalition targeted the presidential palace in the
Yemeni capital Sanaa on Dec. 5.
Saudi-led warplanes pounded the rebel-held
capital before dawn after the rebels killed former
president Ali Abdullah Saleh as he fled the city
following the collapse of their uneasy alliance,
residents said.
AFP - Getty Imagescapital before dawn after the rebels killed former
president Ali Abdullah Saleh as he fled the city
following the collapse of their uneasy alliance,
residents said.
Pedestrians cross the ancient Magdalena
bridge over the Arga River as the season's
first snow falls in Pamplona, northern Spain,
on Dec. 1.
Alvaro Barrientos / APbridge over the Arga River as the season's
first snow falls in Pamplona, northern Spain,
on Dec. 1.
12. Sen. Al Franken holds hands with his wife
Franni Bryson as he leaves the Capitol after
announcing his resignation on Dec. 7.
Franni Bryson as he leaves the Capitol after
announcing his resignation on Dec. 7.
Franken said he will resign from the Senate
in coming weeks following a wave of sexual
misconduct allegations and a collapse of
support from his Democratic colleagues, a
swift political fall for a once-rising Democratic star.
Jacquelyn Martin / APin coming weeks following a wave of sexual
misconduct allegations and a collapse of
support from his Democratic colleagues, a
swift political fall for a once-rising Democratic star.
A four-month-old panda cub plays during its
naming ceremony at the Beauval Zoo in
Saint-Aignan-sur-Cher, France, on Dec. 4.
naming ceremony at the Beauval Zoo in
Saint-Aignan-sur-Cher, France, on Dec. 4.
Chinese dignitaries and French first lady Brigitte
Macron chose the name Yuan Meng, which fittingly means "the realization of a wish" or "accomplishment of a dream."
Macron chose the name Yuan Meng, which fittingly means "the realization of a wish" or "accomplishment of a dream."
Joe and Emilie sold their home and quit their jobs to travel the world - joined by their pet dog Uschi.
The view's much better than the one we have in our kitchens...
Every day brings a new adventure.
The pair kicked off their travels earlier this year.
They converted a Mercedes Sprinter 144 Hi Roof to fit their needs.
They chose to do the work themselves - no doubt a handy way for saving their budget for travelling.
The couple are currently exploring the USA's national parks - and making the most of the incredible scenery.
A glimpse into the renovation.
The van has a fully-functioning kitchenette as well as a barbecue for making the most of the great outdoors.
The finished product looks pretty impressive!
There's plenty of space to store sports equipment too.
Uschi looks at home in the new surroundings.
Forget shelling out on a pricey restaurant for dinner with a view - now they can enjoy spectacular scenery without leaving their home!
Not that we're jealous or anything.
There's ample opportunity for a family photo in front of sweeping landscapes.
Travelling by campervan offers them a freedom to make their own itinerary, free of any obligations.
Their Instagram account 
They quip in the bio that they "went camping last year, and never went home".
It's the ultimate camping trip.
No need to leave your cosy bed if you want to take in the views - simply open the doors!
Plenty of space for all your essentials.
The family enjoying a rest after a busy day of exploring!
The couple gave up their jobs in marketing and finance - but the views are worth it.
Beach trip, anyone?
