Reuters: Bolivia's salty desert 02 January

Around the world, Sudan is mostly known as a place of conflict. But Africa's largest country also boasts unique attractions, from the confluence of the Blue and White Nile rivers, to ancient temples and pyramids... a vast tourism potential that the country now wants to exploit. Human rights organisations are doubtful.

Up to now, archaeologists had found evidence of human activity in Spain, France and Italy dated at around 1 million years ago but no human remains, only animal bones and stone tools.

Bethlehem, cradle of Christianity, is a magnet at this time of year for the faithful from all over the world. And after a period when tourist numbers fell, pilgrims are returning.

Tourists are flooding back into Nepal this year despite the continuing political uncertainty and a decade-long Maoist insurgency. Arrivals are up by 32 percent in the Himalayan nation which is heavily dependent on the industry, but locals fear the postponed elections and further outbreak of protests could once again scare away visitors, and rob them of their livelihoods. Voiced report.

Livio works for the National Parks Administration. Born in the Sierra de la Neiba overlooking the lake, this former coffee planter has been combing this dry, isolated region for ten years. His mission is to protect Acutus crocodiles, also known as American crocodiles. They are threatened by several dangers: the high salt content of Lake Enriquillo, twice that of the sea, and also the presence of poachers from Haiti. Livio and his colleague Hermogénes know that protecting the crocodiles is the only way to open up their region and attract tourists. Thanks to their efforts, the reserve now contains 400 Acutus, but their mission is far from being over...

Adventure traveler, Ellis Emmett, takes a deadly mountain bike down the world's most dangerous highway in Bolivia, South America. The New Zealander then navigates a catamaran across Lake Titikaka to explore Sun Island, where Inca Gods once ruled supreme. After touring the lively street markets in Le Paz, Ellis boards a military plane for a flight to the remote jungle village of Rurrenabaque. With the help of a beat-up motorcycle, Ellis tours some of the remote rainforest villages and meets some of the rural folk. He ends his journey with a six hour long-tail boat ride to Madidi National Park, in the heart of the Amazon River basin.

The last two years have seen the value of the US dollar fall by more than 10 percent against the euro. American tourists are still drawn to the charms of the French capital, but a visit to Paris dents wallets -- and raises hackles -- much more than it used to. Voiced report.

The west African state of Burkina Faso is a long way down the league of the world’s favourite tourism destinations: only 300,000 visitors a year and most of them businessmen. But there are plans to change that. In the capital Ougadougou an international exhibition devoted to tourism and the hotel industry opens on Thursday and the hosts hope its will draw attention to the country's attractions. But its tourist infrastructure suffers from severe underdevelopment. A voiced report.

Long Beach California - Marjoe Gortner, four-year-old ordained minister, known as the miracle child evangelist, performs a wedding ceremony for a sailor and bride. The youngster has caused a furor in religious circles.