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Christmas celebrations kick off in Frankfurt and Stockholm

The Xmas season is underway at the Frankfurt Christmas market with treats like glühwein, gingerbread treats and sausages for sale. Sweden is also hosting Christmas spirit for its yearly gingerbread house competition

Germany

Berlin switches on Christmas lights amid energy crisis

The German capital's most famous boulevard switched on its holiday lights, but energy-saving measures were put into place to offset rising power costs.

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Christmas lights in Paris kick off holiday season

Christmas lights shine on the streets of Paris, kicking off the holiday season. But this year, the festivities will be cut short to save energy.

Netherlands

Watch: Dutch volunteers portray 'Black Pete' character using blackface

A Dutch Christmas float arrives in the city of The Hague, as part of pre-Christmas festivities. Sinterklaas, based on saint Nicholas, is controversially accompanied by the character Black Pete, who is played by volunteers in blackface.

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Isabelle Huppert and Naomi Campbell open Paris festive display

Famous actor Isabelle Huppert and model Naomi Campbell visit the windows of a Parisian department store as they are lit up for holiday season.

Tech News

Apple warns of iPhone 14 shipment delays after China COVID lockdown

Hoping to get an iPhone 14 for Christmas? Uh-oh: Apple is warning there's strong demand but little supply right now.

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.

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.