Israel Bethlehem's Christmas celebrations well underway Later he will lead Midnight Mass in the famous Church of the Nativity. But the Vatican’s most senior representative in the Holy Land has already got 24/12/2008
world news Belgian King wants a new government for Christmas The man trying to break the political gridlock in Belgium is continuing his talks with party leaders, and is even hopeful of success before the end 24/12/2008
Israel Tourism boom offers glimmer of hope The joy of celebrating Christmas in the Holy Land is back. 2008 has already been bumper year with figures predicting 2009 will be even better after 24/12/2008
world news Russia expected war with Georgia Russia was already preparing for a war with Georgia before it broke out in August, President Dmitry Medvedev said in a televised interview, being 24/12/2008
Guinea Junta in Guinea names its leader The coup leaders who say they are now in power in Guinea have named Captain Moussa Dadis Camara as head of the junta, and plan to install him as 24/12/2008
Russia Russia and Serbia sign energy deals Russia and Serbia have signed a series of energy agreements that are being hailed as historic. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev put pen to paper 24/12/2008
world news Countdown to Christmas Christmas is coming, and what’s that noise? No, it is not Santa’s sleigh, it is the pounding of feet as shoppers across Europe dash for last-minute 24/12/2008
Russia Russia and Serbia sign energy deals Russia and Serbia have signed a series of energy agreements that are being hailed as historic. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev put pen to paper 24/12/2008
Guinea Coup leaders denounce presence of mercenaries The military junta that says it now holds power in Guinea has accused a rival faction of bringing in foreign mercenaries. The coup leaders said 24/12/2008
Israel Israel bombarded by fresh rocket barrage from Gaza Southern Israel has been hit by a fresh round of rocket and mortar fire from the Gaza Strip. Despite the damage, there were no immediate reports 24/12/2008
world news Security tight in Bethlehem Security was extremely heavy across the West Bank town of Bethlehem as Christmas celebrations got underway in Jesus’ birthplace. Palestianians are 24/12/2008
Japan Record budget unveiled to revive Japan's economy Battling the global downturn, Japan’s government has approved the country’s biggest ever annual budget. Prime Minister Taro Aso presented the 24/12/2008
world news Baby sold on internet returned to home country A six-month-old baby boy, sold on the internet at birth by his Belgian parents to a Dutch couple, has been returned to Belgian foster care. The 24/12/2008
world news Police probe violent attacks on violinists in Moscow Police in Russia are investigating possible links between violent attacks on two of the city’s most accomplished musicians. Gregory Tsai, an ethnic 24/12/2008
world news 'Difficult but not hopeless':Martens' verdict on Belgian politics Facing a chronic political and economic crisis, King Albert II of Belgium has urged his country’s warring politicians to begin talks on forming a new 24/12/2008
world news Madoff victim thought to have killed himself A French finance chief who stood to lose more than one billion euros of clients’ money as a result of the Madoff fraud has apparently killed himself 24/12/2008
world news Guinea government denies power grab A power vacuum in Guinea has apparently sparked an attempted coup, but the prime minister insists he is still in office. The government has not 24/12/2008