A Taiwanese policeman was injured and six protesters detained in a scuffle on Wednesday night outside the hotel of a top envoy visiting from China, an official said.

Thousands of Eurostar passengers anxious to get away for Christmas battled for train places out of London Wednesday as heavy rains and freezing conditions sparked yet more travel chaos across Europe.

The airport handled 3.36 million passengers last month, a 9.2 per cent increase year-on-year.

Touchscreens are so yesterday. Remote controls? So last century. The future is controlling your devices with a simple wave of the hand.

Dirk Nowitzki's return to the Dallas line-up after missing a game and a half with a deep right elbow gash was spoiled by the Portland Trail Blazers, who rallied to beat the Mavericks 85-81 on Tuesday.

US consumer spending rose as Americans enjoyed their biggest income gain in six months in November, government data showed on Wednesday in a sign the economy is gaining steam following recession.

It's the best-selling Christmas tune of all time and for more than six decades has evoked images of Santa Claus, roasting chestnuts, and, of course, Jack Frost nipping at your nose.

Authorities have deemed many of the long, narrow homes known as "tube houses" unsuitable and are seeking approval to move about one-third of Old Quarter residents to high-rise buildings to improve their living conditions.

From fairy lights and tinsel on military bases in Afghanistan to a Green Santa in Japan, a Secret Santa in South Korea and a Boozy Santa in Vietnam, Christmas has come to Asia -- home, of course, to the World Champion Santa from Hong Kong.