Santa cleared for entry to US: officialSanta Claus was officially cleared for entry into the United States on Monday as federal agriculture officials waived stringent livestock checks on his nine reindeer.
24 December 2013
Astronauts poised for second spacewalk to repair stationTwo American astronauts prepared to step out Tuesday on a rare Christmas Eve spacewalk to wrap up repairs to the cooling system at the International Space Station, NASA said.
24 December 2013
Battle of the Christmas decorations for Hong Kong mallsIn the race to extract cash from Christmas shoppers, Hong Kong's myriad shopping malls have taken to heart the maxim that you must spend money to make money when it comes to decorations this festive season.
Spaniards bet on slimmed-down 'Fat One' Christmas jackpotSpaniards are digging into their pockets to gamble on their beloved "Fat One" Christmas lottery with the world's richest total payout, but winners will get slimmed-down prizes this year as a new austerity tax takes a bite.
20 December 2013
Santa takes gourmet dinner to Japan nuclear evacueesWhen Santa arrived at a school hosting children who fled Japan's nuclear disaster, he brought the usual presents, but he also bore something a little less ordinary -- a gourmet Christmas dinner.
18 December 2013
'Gay' Christmas lights spark Rome rowThe gay rainbow-flag theme for the Christmas lights on Rome's main shopping street that were switched on Friday have sparked an unholy row in the Eternal City.
07 December 2013
$1mn Picasso yours for just $135Still stumped for a Christmas present? Then what about an exquisite $1 million Picasso for the living room, yours for just $135 at an online charity raffle.
04 December 2013
'Nairobbery' grapples with pre-Christmas crime waveSydney advertising executive Patrick Richer led the typical Nairobi expatriate lifestyle, living in a home in a leafy part of the city, protected by high walls and round-the-clock security.
29 November 2013
Tamagotchi virtual pets to return to Europe, N. AmericaTamagotchi, the egg-shaped virtual pet beloved of schoolchildren in the 1990s, is making a comeback and is set to hit the shelves of European shops in time for Christmas.
Honduras leader regrets embassy orgy Honduran President Porfirio Lobo said Monday that a pre-Christmas party at the country's embassy in Colombia that included prostitutes was a "sad incident."
Seven dead as US storm snarls post-Christmas travel A massive Christmas storm that whipped up tornadoes, ice and snow from the Gulf of Mexico to the Great Lakes has killed at least seven people and grounded more than 2,000 flights.
28 December 2012
In Xmas mass, Holy Land patriarch urges peace efforts Addressing the faithful in his Christmas Eve midnight mass in Bethlehem on Tuesday, Latin Patriarch Fuad Twal urged "men of good will" to seek peace amid "the sufferings in the Middle East."
25 December 2012
US stocks lower on 'fiscal cliff' pessimism US stocks slid during a shortened Christmas Eve session Monday amid pessimism about prospects for a "fiscal cliff" deal by the end of the year.
25 December 2012
Thousands flock to Bethlehem for Christmas Thousands of Palestinians and tourists were flocking to the West Bank city of Bethlehem on Monday to mark Christmas at the site where many believe Jesus Christ was born.
25 December 2012
2012 an 'extraordinary year' for Britain: PM Prime Minister David Cameron said 2012 has been an "extraordinary year" for Britain in which the country "showed the world what we're made of" with the London Games and Queen Elizabeth II's diamond jubilee.
24 December 2012
Christmas misery in Haiti camp, three years after quake While people around the world celebrate the arrival of Christmas, residents of a refugee camp in Haiti say hunger and want will mark the holiday, like every other day of the year.
24 December 2012
Santa receives unwanted sack after outburst A British Father Christmas has been suspended after allegedly telling children that Santa was not real and mentioning the recent US school massacre.