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Travel News

Heathrow airport lifts its outgoing passenger cap - for now

Heathrow has lifted its 100,000 per-day passenger cap, imposed to deal with logistical chaos over the summer. But, there’s a catch.

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Santa Claus students graduate in Brazil

Students graduate from Brazil’s School of Santa Claus ahead of the Christmas season

Destinations

Christmas: Stay at an ancient nature retreat for the ultimate recharge

With rich traditions, beautiful nature and stunning snowy scenery, this region of Romania offers an alternative winter break destination.

Travel News

German Christmas markets are being asked to dim the lights this year

Switching off Christmas lights could help save energy as well as protect the environment, nonprofit Deutsche Umwelthilfe says.

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Culture news

Beloved author and illustrator Raymond Briggs dies aged 88

Author and illustrator Raymond Briggs, best known for the beloved 1978 children’s picture book 'The Snowman', has died at the age of 88.

USA

Thieves in Los Angeles looted trains stuffed with Christmas packages

Freight cars are broken into every day on Los Angeles's railways by thieves that target packages bought online.

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Ethiopians celebrate Christmas in religious town of Lalibela

Ethiopians celebrate Christmas in religious town of Lalibela

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Nativity ice sculpture festival held in Russia

Nativity ice sculpture festival held in Russia

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Russian Orthodox Church hold main midnight Christmas service

The majority of Orthodox believers celebrate Christmas on January 7, with midnight services especially popular.

Culture news

Serbia's Orthodox Christians gather for January's Christmas traditions

Though Serbia's COVID-19 figures are at new highs, hundreds attended the traditional Christmas Eve Divine Liturgy in the St. Sava temple in Belgrade, Serbia.

World News

Orthodox Christians observe Christmas amid virus concerns

The Serbian Patriarch prayed for medical workers fighting the virus and for those sick to recover quickly.

My Europe Series

In Mostar, reconstruction of an Orthodox church is a sign of unity

The Orthodox cathedral of the Holy Trinity is still not ready for Christmas mass. But its story and the quest to bring it back is one of resilience.

Food and Drink

Animals at Berlin zoo feast on Christmas tree leftovers

It's the traditional Christmas meal for the animals at Berlin Zoo: unwanted fir Christmas trees served up as treats for elephants, reindeer and creatures to enjoy.

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Animals at Berlin zoo snack on Christmas trees

Animals living at Zoo Tiergarten in Berlin enjoyed a belated Christmas dinner on Wednesday when they were treated to unsold Christmas trees.

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Brazil's Santa Claus school ends another Christmas season

The Santa Claus School of Brazil closes another Christmas season with a traditional lunch.

Nature

Animal shelter receives more than 800 parakeets at Christmas

The move left the staff of the Detroit Animal Welfare Group quite shocked.

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Santa Race in North Macedonia and in Russia

Hundreds dress up as Santa for annual race in Skopje and in St Petersburg

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Moving nativity scene draws visitors to Polish monastery

One of the larger moving nativity scenes in Poland was created at famous Jasna Gora Sancturay, south Poland.

United Kingdom

Queen Elizabeth II remembers husband in Christmas speech

The monarch said she understood the pain of missing loved ones for the holidays, but also said that Christmas can still be the time for joy, especially for children.

West Bank

Bethlehem Christians celebrate Christmas at Church of the Nativity

Hundreds attended the service led by Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the top Catholic clergyman in the Holy Land.