25

Dec

Peaceful Christmas – Srinagar

A person dressed as Santa Claus offers sweets to female Indian paramilitary soldiers during Christmas celebrations at the Holy Family Catholic Church in Srinagar, Indian Kashmir, 25 December 2019. EPA-EFE/FAROOQ…

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25

Dec

Photo Story: Christmas market in Vienna

Photos from the Christmas market at Rathausplatz in central Vienna, Austria, on the evening of Sunday 15th December 2019, on the third Sunday of Advent. Photos: EPA-EFE/ZOLTAN BALOGH Click on…

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25

Dec

‘Damascus is the capital of Christmas’ event in the Syrian capital

A scene of the entry of Mary and Jesus to a cave in al-Abassyeen square in Damascus, Syria. This was part of an event held by the Syriac Church in…

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25

Dec

Irish Catholic priest makes memorable exit from Christmas Eve Mass on scooter

An Irish Catholic priest made a memorable exit from Christmas Eve Mass when he went rolling down the aisle on a scooter. Father Peter O'Connor told the children in attendance that…

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25

Dec

Top 20 Christmas movies

Whether it’s because you’ve eaten so much you’re temporarily unable to move from the sofa, or you just need a break from having the same awkward conversations with your relatives,…

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25

Dec

Photo Story: Christmas cribs exhibition in Rzeszow, Poland

A series of photos of the Christmas exhibits presented during the exhibition at the Ethnographic Museum in Rzeszow, Poland over the weekend. The exhibition presents items from the collections of…

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25

Dec

Christmas – The Other Side

Crowds of people congregate on Bondi Beach on Christmas Day in Sydney, Australia, 25 December 2019, while elsewhere a mural by artist Scott Marsh, depicting Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison…

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25

Dec

“Christmas reminds us that God continues to love us all, even the worst of us” – Pope Francis

Pope Francis led the world's 1.3 billion Roman Catholics into Christmas on Tuesday, urging them not to let the Church's failings lead them away from accepting God's love. Francis celebrated…

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25

Dec

An alternative Christmas in Vilnius, Lithuania

People attend a lighting ceremony for the Christmas tree at the Alternative Christmas Yard in the former Lukiskes prison yard in Vilnius, Lithuania, that was held a few days ago.…

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25

Dec

Santa Claus of Jerusalem

Issa Kassissieh, dressed as Santa Claus, welcomes people in his Santa's House at the Christian Quarter in Old City, Jerusalem. Kassissieh, a Christian Arab, has played Santa Claus in Jerusalem…

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25

Dec

Christmas Holiness – Vatican City

Pope Francis kisses Holy Jesus statue as he leads the Christmas Holy Mass in Saint Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, 24 December 2019. EPA-EFE/CLAUDIO PERI

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24

Dec

Christmas crib – Bangalore

Vendors offer decorative items on the eve of the Christmas holiday, in Bangalore, India, 24 December 2019. Christmas is celebrated in India and across the world on 25 December to…

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24

Dec

Christmas Mass – Betlehem

Clergymen arrive for a mass at the Church of the Nativity on Christmas eve in leading to the Church of the Nativity, the traditionally accepted birthplace of Jesus Christ, on…

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24

Dec

Christmas gifts – Hungary

Nuns of the Little Sisters of Saint Francis give Christmas presents to a needy family in the family's home in Arlo, Hungary, 24 December 2019. EPA-EFE/Peter Komka HUNGARY OUT

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24

Dec

Christmas Protest – Lebanon

A protester dressed in a Santa Claus costume takes part in protest against the nomination of Hassan Diab as Prime Minister, outside his house in Beirut, Lebanon, 24 December 2019.…

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24

Dec

Christmas prayer – China

People attend Christmas Eve Mass at the Xishiku Catholic Church in Beijing, China, 24 December 2019. Catholics in China attend church masses as they prepare to celebrate the religious holiday…

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24

Dec

The Culture of Indifference – A Christmas Lament

The nativity scenes across churches and homes this Christmas season inspires love and hope. But for those who follow the international news, it is hard not to think about the…

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24

Dec

Photo Story – Wet Christmas in Venice

A man disguised as Santa Claus poses in San Marco square flooded by high water, Venice, Italy, 23 December 2019. The high tide reached 144 cm. EPA-EFE/Andrea Merola

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24

Dec

Queen Elizabeth’s Christmas speech to focus on ‘bumpy’ 2019

The Queen will talk about 2019 being a "bumpy" year and the importance of reconciliation in her annual Christmas message, in what will be seen as a nod to political…

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23

Dec

Photo Story: Christmas decorations in Moscow

An actor during a performance near the Red Square in the Russian capital Moscow which is decorated for the New Year and Christmas holidays. Photo:  EPA-EFE/YURI KOCHETKOV

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23

Dec

Israel reverses ban, Gaza Christians can visit Christmas sites

Christians in the Gaza Strip will be allowed to visit holy cities such as Bethlehem and Jerusalem at Christmas, Israel authorities said on Sunday, reversing a decision not to issue…

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23

Dec

Photo Story: Christmas lights in Cartagena, Colombia

Dozens of people gather to watch Christmas lights in the old town of Cartagena, Colombia.   Photo: EPA-EFE/RICARDO MALDONADO ROZO

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22

Dec

EPA’s Eye in the Sky: Nemespatro, Hungary

A photo taken with a drone shows workers wrapping pine trees into nets before transporting them to a Christmas tree market near a local fir nursery in Nemespatro, Hungary. Decorating…

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22

Dec

Diplomatique.Expert – Views of Christmas from around the world

  From India to Australia, from Brazil to Syria, from Germany to Italy, this week's edition of the Diplomatique.Expert Week journal provides you with views and photos captured by our…

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22

Dec

Photo Story – Santa Paws

A dog dressed in Christmas costume is seen at the Tokyo Great Santa Run 2019 in Tokyo, Japan, 22 December 2019. Some 3,500 people participated in the event to raise…

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22

Dec

Bansky’s “The Scar of Christmas”

A manger scene juxtaposed against concrete blocks seemingly pierced by a mortar shell: with Christmas looming, the latest Bethlehem offering by secretive artist Banksy appeared Saturday in the Israeli-occupied West…

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21

Dec

Photo Story: Royal family time – Queen Elizabeth and her three direct heirs prepare the Christmas pudding

Candid photographs of the Queen and her three direct heirs making Christmas puddings have been released ahead of 25 December. Sky News reports how in one, Prince Charles appears to be…

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21

Dec

Let Mommy Rest – Nativity Scene goes viral and inspires Pope

Pope Francis referred to a photograph of a small Nativity Scene entitled “Let Mommy Rest,” which shows “the tenderness of a family, of a marriage,” he said. During Wednesday’s General…

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21

Dec

Shortage of Christmas trees in the U.S.

According to the National Christmas Tree Association there is a shortage of trees that has caused prices to rise in 2019. The root of the problem go back about 10…

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21

Dec

Photo Story: Christmas atmosphere in full swing in Moscow

Scenes from around the Red Square in the Russian capital as people enjoy the Christmas atmosphere. Photos: EPA-EFE/YURI KOCHETKOV Click on photos to enlarge

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21

Dec

Almost 1 in 3 in the UK are considering donating to a charity for Christmas instead of giving a gift

Findings from research, carried out by YouGov, found that 28% of those surveyed are considering donating to charity for Christmas this year instead of giving presents and that: over half…

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21

Dec

Photo Story: A Hungarian Gingerbread Village

Photos of a gingerbread village made by residents preparing for Christmas and that is being displayed in the house of culture in Somoskoujfalu, Hungary. Photos: EPA-EFE/Peter Komka Click on photos…

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21

Dec

RAF crews to remain on standby for ‘quick alert’ incidents over Christmas holidays

After RAF jets were scrambled against Russian military aircraft detected approaching the UK on eight days so far this year, crews at Lossiemouth, the UK's most northerly RAF station, will…

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21

Dec

Photo Story: A Christmas tree made of protest banners in Beirut

A giant Christmas tree set up by Lebanese anti-government protesters in Martyrs Square in Beirut, Lebanon. The tree is made from protest banners currently being used in the streets of…

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20

Dec

Jasna Gora Monastery in Poland displays it’s Christmas Crib

A Christmas Crib displayed at the Jasna Gora Monastery in Czestochowa, southern Poland, 20 December 2019. In the Christian tradition, a nativity scene also known as a Christmas Crib is…

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20

Dec

Photo Story: Berlin remembers the third anniversary of the terror attack on Breitscheidplatz Christmas market

Moments from the commemoration of the Christmas market attack on the Breitscheidplatz square in Berlin, Germany, on Thursday evening. Breitscheidplatz square was the target of a terror attack on 19…

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19

Dec

Photo Story: Christmas preparations in Jerusalem

Issa Kassissieh dressed as Santa Claus, waves as he walks on a wall near the Jaffa Gate in Old City, Jerusalem, 19 December 2019. Issa Kassissieh, a Christian Arab, has…

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18

Dec

Finland offers Artificial Intelligence course as ‘Christmas gift’ to all EU citizens

Finland is offering a hi-tech Christmas gift to all European Union citizens - a free-of-charge online course in artificial intelligence, in their own language, officials said on Tuesday. The tech-savvy…

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18

Dec

Photo Story: Moscow lights up for the holidays

People walk along a seasonally decorated street with huge light sculptures of polar bears installed at the Gorky Park in Moscow, Russia. Russians are preparing to celebrate New Year's Eve…

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16

Dec

Photo Story: Madrid prepares for New Year’s Eve

Master Clockmaker of the Puerta del Sol, Jesus Lopez checks out a clock's operating machinery in Madrid, Spain, on Monday 16 December 2019. The exercise was made to ensure the…

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15

Dec

Wham’s Last Christmas turns 35

George Michael fans are in for a treat this Christmas season as Wham's iconic song 'Last Christmas' is being re-released on vinyl to commemorate its 35th anniversary, reported Smooth radio.…

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15

Dec

Photo Story: Christmas celebrations in Damascus

  Scenes of a Christmas carnival in the mostly Christian-populated Bab Touma neighborhood in the old city of Damascus, Syria, on the evening of Saturday14 December 2019, as part of…

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15

Dec

Photo Story: A Pope’s blessing

Children with statues of  Jesus for the Crib lift them up for Pope Francis’ blessing as he leads Sunday Angelus prayer from the window of his office overlooking Saint Peter's…

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15

Dec

A Christmas theme park revives the tradition of the ‘Posada’ in Mexico

Scenes from the Navidalia theme park, in the city of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. With piñatas, Christmas carols, food and traditional songs, a theme park in western Mexico seeks to recover…

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15

Dec

Photo Story: Inauguration of the Lagoa Christmas tree in southern Rio de Janeiro

A view of the inauguration of the Lagoa Christmas tree in southern Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 14 December 2019. Photo: EPA-EFE/FABIO MOTTA

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15

Dec

An unusual Christmas Tree at Vilnius Airport in Lithuania

Photos of a  Christmas tree decorated by using items confiscated from passengers at Vilnius Airport, in Vilnius, Lithuania. Vilnius Airport staff decided to make a special Christmas tree decorated with…

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13

Dec

Israel bars Gaza’s Christians from visiting Bethlehem and Jerusalem at Christmas

Christians in the Gaza Strip will not be allowed to visit holy cities such as Bethlehem and Jerusalem to celebrate Christmas this year, Israeli authorities said. Gaza has only around…

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13

Dec

Photo Story: Christmas decorations in Seoul

People look at Christmas decorations in the Cheonggyecheon stream in Seoul, South Korea, on Thursday 12 December 2019.   Photos:EPA-EFE/JEON HEON-KYUN Click on photos to enlarge

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12

Dec

Photo Story: Santa Claus walking and running 2019 in Portugal

The Evora Night Runners group, once again, promotes the 5th edition of the Father Christmas Run and Walk.   The runs starts at Giraldo Square in Evora, Portugal, 11 December…

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12

Dec

Commemoration of the Strasbourg terrorist Christmas market attack

Scenes from the commemorate of the dead of the 2018 terrorist attack at the Christmas market, in Strasbourg, France, 11 December 2019. A year ago, in Strasbourg's city centre, five…

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11

Dec

No Christmas decorations in Iraq in solidarity with protesters

Leaders of Iraq’s Christians unanimously cancelled Christmas-related celebrations in solidarity with the protest movement — but the aims of their stance go deeper than tinsel and fairy lights. Cardinal Louis…

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11

Dec

Photo story: Christmas gingerbread railway model in Gliwice, Poland

A Christmas gingerbread railway model drives on its track through a gingerbread village and seasonal gingerbread decoration at a shopping centre in Gliwice, Poland. The sweet set up was built…

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10

Dec

Photo Story: Lights of Christmas in Sydney

St Mary's Cathedral is illuminated with projections as part of Lights of Christmas in Sydney, Australia on Monday 09 December 2019.   Photos: EPA-EFE/STEVEN SAPHORE   Click on photos to…

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10

Dec

24 days of Christmas giveaways at McDonald’s

McDonald’s is counting down to Christmas with daily offers on customer favourites, exclusively available to subscribers to the McDonald’s app. The 24 Days of Christmas Giveaways campaign offers will carry…

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09

Dec

Swiss school drops Christmas carols to respect other religions

A primary school in northeastern Switzerland has dropped three carols from its Christmas singing event out of respect to other cultures. The decision has been greeted with widespread surprise. “Go…

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09

Dec

Photo Story: Rome lights up for Christmas

People attend the official lighting of the Christmas tree 'Spelacchio' in front of Rome's Monument to the Unknown Soldier, Rome, Italy, on the evening of Sunday 8th December 2019. Photos:EPA-EFE/FABIO…

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07

Dec

Lightening of Christmas tree at Bellevue Palace in Berlin

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (2-R) and his wife Elke Buedenbender (R) approach to students while the children raise their hands in order to show their willingness to participate in pushing…

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