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European Book Prize winner Javier Cercas on faith, facts and lies

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Japan: 100 worshippers endure icy waters for Shinto ritual in Tokyo

The annual Kanchu Misogi ritual saw around 100 worshippers plunge into icy water at a Tokyo shrine on Sunday.

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Ethiopians gather for Orthodox Christmas Eve candlelight ceremony

Thousands gathered for Ethiopia's Orthodox Christmas Eve in Addis Ababa, marking the end of a 43-day fast with prayers, hymns, and midnight Mass.

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Young men in Greece dive for wooden cross in Epiphany celebration

Greeks celebrate Epiphany with the traditional blessing of the waters. In Piraeus, men dove into the cold sea to retrieve a wooden cross for good fortune.

Vatican

Pope Leo XIV asks that Rome welcome foreigners as 2025 draws to an end

The Vatican this week released statistics showing 3.2 million people had participated in Vatican liturgies, audiences, Angelus prayers and Jubilee audiences this year.

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The Islamic Civilization Centre in Uzbekistan: a modern masterpiece of Central Asia

In partnership with Islamic Civilization Center in Uzbekistan

Islamic Civilization Centre in Uzbekistan stands as a modern architectural masterpiece rooted in centuries-old traditions.

Spain

Police dismantle Spanish cult that used illicit drugs in its rituals

Spanish police arrested five people running a group that charged hefty sums for rituals involving animal sacrifice and illicit drugs. The cult leader was jailed after followers required psychiatric treatment.

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Uzbekistan’s Islamic Civilization Center: Reframing Central Asia’s place in global history

Partner content presented by the Tourism Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan’s new Islamic Civilization Center aims to reshape how Central Asia is seen globally, highlighting its role in science, culture and cross-civilizational exchange.

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Uzbekistan revives the legacy of islam’s greatest hadith scholar

In partnership with Islamic Civilization Center in Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan has completed a major restoration of the Imam al-Bukhari Memorial Complex near Samarkand, one of the Muslim world's most revered pilgrimage sites.

Culture news

Rare Roman-style 'Good Shepherd' fresco discovered in Turkey

The 3rd-century fresco uncovered by Turkish archaeologists is the best-preserved of its kind to date.

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Turkey find reveals rare Roman-style Jesus fresco

A rare 3rd-century fresco of Jesus as the Good Shepherd was discovered near Iznik, Turkey.

Cinema

Film of the Week: 'Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery'

It's three for three in Rian Johnson's whodunit series, with Daniel Craig returning as gentleman sleuth Benoit Blanc for a gothic mystery full of dark humour, topical jabs, and a commanding performance from Josh O’Connor.

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Central Asia and Azerbaijan: a shared cultural legacy for a shared future

Partner content presented by the Tourism Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan

Culture is the memory of civilisation — a legacy that crosses borders, survives political change, and unites generations and nations.

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Inside Uzbekistan’s drive to reclaim its heritage

Partner content presented by the Tourism Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan

In central Tashkent, a bold new landmark symbolises Uzbekistan’s spiritual revival.

World News

Pope Leo XIV heads to Lebanon to try bring message of hope

The Pope held prayers at the Armenian Apostolic Cathedral in Istanbul on Sunday as he aims to gather support within Christian communities around the globe.

Turkey

Pope Leo XIV calls for unity of Christian world in Nicaea ceremony

The ceremony, in which Catholic and Orthodox hymns were sung alternately, was held in the area where the remains of the Basilica of St Neophytos were recently exposed by falling water levels.

Culture news

The Vatican praises Rosalía for her spiritual new album ‘LUX’

The global Spanish pop star has blown fans and critics away with her radical shift in sound on 'LUX', released earlier this month. Now, the clergy are sharing how ecstatic they are about Rosalía's new album.