THOUSANDS OF FAITHFUL CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS IN BETHLEHEM

BETHLEHEM, West Bank (AP) -- Thousands of pilgrims and tourists from around the world together with local Christians gathered in the biblical town of Bethlehem to celebrate Christmas Eve in the traditional birthplace of Jesus, with spirits lifted by a slowdown in recent violence and cool, clear weather. Security was tight in Bethlehem after recent deadly attacks on Christian targets in neighboring Egypt and Jordan by Islamic extremists.