Santa cleared for entry to US: official
Santa Claus was officially cleared for entry into the United States on Monday as federal agriculture officials waived stringent livestock checks on his nine reindeer.
Astronauts poised for second spacewalk to repair station
Two 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.
Battle of the Christmas decorations for Hong Kong malls
In 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.
Devastating church bombing haunts Christmas in Pakistan
For Christians in Pakistan's troubled, violent northwestern city Peshawar, Christmas this year will be dominated by absent faces.
Spaniards bet on slimmed-down 'Fat One' Christmas jackpot
Spaniards 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.
Santa takes gourmet dinner to Japan nuclear evacuees
When 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.
'Gay' Christmas lights spark Rome row
The 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.
$1mn Picasso yours for just $135
Still 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.
'Nairobbery' grapples with pre-Christmas crime wave
Sydney 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.
Tamagotchi virtual pets to return to Europe, N. America
Tamagotchi, 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.
German union plans Christmas strike at Amazon: report
Germany's service-sector union Verdi is planning strike action at the online retail giant Amazon over the busy Christmas holiday period.
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."
Kazakhstan to have 3 days off for Orthodox Christmas
Religious holidays Kurban-ait and Orthodox Christmas are not considered official holidays, but are days off in Kazakhstan.
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.
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."
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.