Dec 25 Ukraine celebrates Christmas on Dec. 25 for first time, in effort to distance itself from Russia By Associated Press The change, enacted in legislation signed by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in July, reflects both Ukrainians' dismay with the 22-month-old Russian invasion and their assertion of a national identity. Continue reading
Dec 25 Death toll from Israeli airstrike in central Gaza rises to 106, Palestinian officials say By Najib Jobain, Samy Magdy, Melanie Lidman, Associated Press The announcement makes the Sunday night airstrike in the Maghazi refugee camp among the deadliest in Israel's air campaign in Gaza, launched on Oct. 7 in response to a deadly cross-border attack by Hamas militants. Continue reading
Dec 25 Serbian police detain at least 38 people amid opposition protests against election irregularities By Jovana Gec, Associated Press Hundreds of protesters tried to enter Belgrade's city council on Sunday evening before riot police pushed them back using tear gas, pepper spray and batons. Continue reading
Dec 25 Beijing sees most hours of sub-freezing temperatures in December in more than 70 years By Associated Press A weather observatory in the Chinese capital as of Sunday had recorded more than 300 hours of sub-freezing temperatures since Dec. 11 – the most since records began, in 1951, according to the official newspaper Beijing Daily. Continue reading
Dec 25 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny is in a penal colony near the Arctic Circle, associates say By Associated Press His spokesperson says Navalny is "doing well" and a lawyer has visited him. Continue reading
Dec 25 Ukraine says it shot down 2 Russian fighter jets, along with missiles and drones By Associated Press Ukraine also observed Christmas on Monday, the first time the country has officially marked the holiday on Dec. 25 rather than the Jan. 7 date followed by some Orthodox countries, including Russia. Continue reading
Dec 25 Charter plane with 276 Indians stuck at French airport for days in human trafficking probe have left for India By Christophe Ena, Associated Prerss, Angela Charlton, Associated Press Local authorities said 276 of the 303 original passengers were en route to Mumbai, and 25 others stayed in France and requested asylum. Two others were detained and released and appeared before a judge as part of an investigation into… Continue reading
Dec 25 Egypt’s proposal to end Israel-Hamas war: Hostage release, Palestinian oversight of Gaza By Samy Magdy, Najib Jobain, Melanie Lidman, Associated Press The Egyptian proposal, worked out with the Gulf nation of Qatar, has been presented to Israel, Hamas, the United States and European governments but still appeared preliminary. Continue reading
Dec 25 Amid Israel-Hamas war, Pope Francis calls for worldwide peace on Christmas By Nicole Winfield, Associated Press Speaking from the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica to the throngs of people below, Francis said he grieved the “abominable attack” of Hamas against southern Israel on Oct. 7 and called for the release of hostages. Continue reading
Dec 24 ‘Our hearts are in Bethlehem’: Pope calls attention to victims of war at Christmas Eve Mass By Associated Press Recalling Jesus’ birth in a stable in Bethlehem, Pope Francis in a Christmas Eve homily said that “the clash of arms even today" prevents Jesus “from finding room in the world.”… Continue reading