USA Debate over brisk Christmas gun sales in US amid recent tragedies Recent gun tragedies in the US raise the whole question of firearms ownership this Christmas. 25/12/2014
no comment Elephants give Christmas joy to Thai children Elephants dressed as Santa Clauses arrive to distribute presents and joy to children in Thailand’s central Ayutthaya province. 25/12/2014
Mexico Christmas protests for 43 missing students in Mexico Families of 43 missing students joined protesters outside the presidential palace in Mexico for a Christmas eve prayer. Holding posters of their 25/12/2014
Egypt Coptic Christians in Egypt on alert for attacks Catholic Copts in Egypt are marking Christmas amid tight security after threats from Islamic extremist groups. The Christmas Eve Mass at the Coptic Catholic Church in Cairo was packed despite the aler 25/12/2014
Iraq Some displaced Iraqi Christians are not in the Christmas spirit Internally displaced Iraqi Christians who fled violence in Mosul celebrated Christmas in Baghdad on Wednesday. About 80 families gathered at a 24/12/2014
France France tells people to enjoy Christmas, but stay vigilant Have a relaxing Christmas, but keep personal safety in mind when out in public, say French authorities. 24/12/2014
Russia Father Christmases meet at Russia-Finland border Russia’s Father Frost and Finland’s Father Christmas have had a festive meet-up on the border of the two countries. The pair exchanged festive 24/12/2014
no comment Ho-ho-ho! Santa is leaving Once again, good old Santa Claus is on the go in his reindeer-powered streamlined sleigh, literally flying through the snowy winter wonderland 24/12/2014
Vatican Pope hits out at Cardinals' 'lust for power' In his Christmas greeting to those who run the Holy See, Pope Francis said they were "hypocritical" and had "forgotten the Lord". 24/12/2014
France Santa Claus goes underwater Santa Claus took a break from wrapping presents today to drop by the Paris city aquarium and feed the fishes. Swimming underwater in a full Santa 23/12/2014
Finland Santa sets off for work Santa took the opportunity today to send his Christmas greetings to everyone. He then set off from home in his sled, pulled by a single white 23/12/2014
West Bank Palestinians clash with Israeli forces in Bethlehem Just two days before Christmas, dozens of Palestinians, some dressed as Santa Claus, clashed with Israeli forces at a checkpoint in Bethlehem 23/12/2014
Denmark Oh cloned Christmas tree, your leaves are so duplicated Finding the perfect Christmas tree can be a chore. Tall, short, full or sparse there are trees to suit all tastes in Denmark which is the world’s 22/12/2014
Vatican Vatican Christmas tree lights switched on in St Peter's Square There is less than a week until Christmas and the Vatican has switched on the lights on its tree in St. Peter’s Square. The governor of Vatican City 19/12/2014
Netherlands Black Pete "a symptom of Europe's Afrophobia", warn campaigners The row over Black Pete is a part of wider ‘Afrophobia’ across Europe, it’s been claimed. The European Network Against Racism (ENAR) says the 16/12/2014
Finland Focus on children's education, says Santa Claus Hundreds of thousands of letters addressed to Santa Claus have been arriving in his village in the Arctic Circle. While they were being opened and 16/12/2014
Ukraine Children's tribute to Ukraine's 'cyborg' soldiers Ukrainian soldiers receive thanks and gifts from staff and children at a Kindergarten in Kiev. Their bravery defending Donetsk airport from Russian separatists has led some to refer to them as 'cyborg 16/12/2014
no comment Santa takes Hawaii beach break ahead of his big day In less than two weeks Santa Claus will be busy as ever, but on Saturday (December 13) he took it easy – Hawaiian style! Far from his cold and snowy 15/12/2014
no comment Berlin: Santa abseils down building to children's delight Father Christmas spread festive joy in Berlin as he dropped into a viewing station cafe unannounced to give children presents after fortuitously 15/12/2014
no comment Prayers with Pope Francis on second Sunday of Advent Pope Francis marked the second Sunday of Advent with the congregation by holding up a candle to mark a Polish tradition and blessing baby Jesus 15/12/2014
Culture news Christmas at Nagytétény Castle It’s Christmas at the Castle Museum of Nagytétény, one of the finest monuments of Baroque architecture in Hungary. Every year the castle opens its 10/12/2014
Italy Great Prison Bake-off in Italy aims to change lives From inmate to pastry chef, a cooperative in Padua has opened Italy’s only bakery behind bars. Those serving time are serving up 70,000 Pannetonni 09/12/2014
no comment Christmas swimmers take a chilly dip in the Mediterranean One of the year’s first Christmas swims took place in Cagnes-sur-Mer in the south of France on December 7. About 360 people took out their swimming 09/12/2014
no comment Great Christmas Pudding Race raises money for Cancer Research The Great Christmas Pudding Race is a unique charity event held annually each December in the heart of London. Teams of six friends or colleagues 08/12/2014
no comment Dresden: Giant Christmas cake Giant Christmas cake is unveiled in Dresden’s historic city centre as part of annual Christmas tradition. 07/12/2014
Hungary Hungary's Santa Factory to bring gifts to 300,000 children in need The Budapest Santa Factory opened for donations on December 5. The charity has been collecting toys and clothes every Christmas for the last ten 05/12/2014
