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Bittersweet Christmas for Iraq's Christians after Islamic State defeat
Bittersweet Christmas for Iraq's Christians after Islamic State defeat

Inside the newly renovated Church of Saint George in the Northern Iraqi town of Teleskof, Hayat Chamoun Daoud led children dressed as Santa Claus singing Jingle Bells in Aramaic.

Traffickers are 'Herods of today' says Pope Francis in passionate defence of refugees
Traffickers are 'Herods of today' says Pope Francis in passionate defence of refugees

Pope Francis strongly defended immigrants at his Christmas Eve Mass on Sunday, comparing them to Mary and Joseph finding no place to stay in Bethlehem

A merry (Calvinist) Christmas to one and all
A merry (Calvinist) Christmas to one and all

If you are reading this on Christmas Day, Happy Christmas. Now get off your computer or phone and go and do something less boring instead.

North Korea: UN sanctions 'an act of war'

The latest UN sanctions against North Korea are an act of war and tantamount to a complete economic blockade against it, North Korea's foreign ministry said on Sunday, threatening to punish those who supported the measure.

Christmas tension? How families can survive Christmas and still be friends
Christmas tension? How families can survive Christmas and still be friends

One of the most difficult things about Christmas for many people – couples in particular – is the need to balance the expectations of different parts of the family.

Theresa May: UK should be proud of Christian heritage and religious freedom

The UK should be proud of its Christian heritage, Theresa May has said in her Christmas message, calling for increased religious freedom around the world.

The fascinating stories behind these 3 famous carols
The fascinating stories behind these 3 famous carols

Carols, many of them familiar from childhood days, are a huge part of Christmas.

UN hits North Korea with petroleum sanctions

The UN resolution seeks to ban nearly 90 per cent of refined petroleum exports to North Korea.

The country where 'Merry Christmas' means you're betraying your religion
The country where 'Merry Christmas' means you're betraying your religion

Malaysia's growing ties to Saudi Arabia – and its puritan Salafi-Wahhabi Islamic doctrines – are coming under new scrutiny as concerns grow over an erosion of traditional religious practices and culture in the multi-ethnic nation.

Storm leaves 90 dead in Philippines mudslides
Storm leaves 90 dead in Philippines mudslides

The casualties, most of them inflicted late on Friday, were all on the main southern island of Mindanao, they said.

Modern magus: The Israeli entrepreneur who's growing myrrh, frankincense and – gold?
Modern magus: The Israeli entrepreneur who's growing myrrh, frankincense and – gold?

The aromatic plants bestowed on the infant Jesus are being cultivated by an Israeli entrepreneur who aims to transform the gifts of the Christmas story into therapeutic balms and incense.

Tight security for Christians facing worldwide Christmas terror threat
Tight security for Christians facing worldwide Christmas terror threat

Majority-Muslim countries in Asia and the Middle East were particularly nervous after US President Donald Trump's recent announcement he intends to relocate the US embassy in Israel to Jerusalem

Rebuilding Iraq, one house at a time
Rebuilding Iraq, one house at a time

A Christian charity working in Iraq is helping refugees returning to their ruined homes begin a new life there.

India's Christians under pressure at Christmas as tensions rise
India's Christians under pressure at Christmas as tensions rise

India's Christians are losing confidence in the government following an increase in tensions leading up to Christmas, according to the President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference there.

Protests as Pakistan clamps down on charities: World Vision given 90 days to leave
Protests as Pakistan clamps down on charities: World Vision given 90 days to leave

Pakistan has ordered 27 charities, including Christian groups, to shut down its operations unauthorised areas, according to Reuters.

Christmas in England: You're just a mile from an Anglican service, Church says
Christmas in England: You're just a mile from an Anglican service, Church says

The average person in England is less than a mile away from a service at their local Anglican church this Christmas, according to the Church of England.