Ukraines Lviv Sets Up Public Nativity Scene With Figures Of Biden, Nationalist Bandera

Authorities of Ukraine's Lviv region have installed a Christmas nativity scene featuring miniature figures of US President Joe Biden and controversial Ukrainian nationalist Stepan Bandera in the Nahuyevychi State Historical and Cultural Preserve.

Bethlehem celebrates Orthodox Christmas

 

--

Pope: Christmas a sign of hope amid difficulties of pandemic | THE DAILY STAR

Pope Francis says the Christmas season provides reason for hope amid the difficulties of the coronavirus pandemic.

Christian denominations in Syria celebrate Christmas

Christian denominations in Syria celebrated Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ, the messenger of love and peace, on Monday by holding masses and prayers in churches.

Spanish king urges Catalan lawmakers to avoid confrontation in Christmas speech

King Felipe VI used his traditional Christmas Eve address Sunday night to call on Catalonia’s newly elected parliament to renounce further moves toward secession from Spain.

France Mobilizes 100,000 Security Personnel for the Holidays

France's government is deploying nearly 100,000 police and soldiers for the holiday season as fears of extremist attacks remain high.

German Police Step Up Presence at Christmas Markets After Potsdam Bomb Alarm

 The incident triggered a mass evacuation and raised concerns over possible terror attacks in the country.
German police are increasing their presence at Christmas markets following a bomb alarm on Friday when a suspicious package was found in Potsdam's downtown neighborhood, Deutsche Welle reported.

Christmas Services Held in Churches across Syria

Christian denominations in Syria celebrated on Sunday Christmas and held masses and prayers in churches.

US administration warns of ISIS backers' possible targeting of American churches during holidays

US federal anti-terrorism agencies on Friday warned that followers of the Islamic State (IS) may target churches during the holiday season after pro-IS websites had published a publicly-available list of churches in the country.

Berlin's Christmas market reopens amid manhunt

The Berlin Christmas market where a suspected Islamist extremist killed at least 12 people reopened Thursday with the addition of concrete barriers to prevent a repeat attack.

Outrage in Berlin as German-funded school in Turkey ‘bans mention of Christmas’

Berlin says it'd raise a “completely unacceptable” issue with Ankara after reports emerged that teachers at elite gymnasium in Istanbul, co-funded by the German government, were ordered to stop telling students anything about Christmas rites. The school denies the accusation.

Most French people fear terror acts in Christmas holidays

More than two thirds of French citizens believe terrorist attacks will hit their country during Christmas celebration, according to a survey released on Friday.

Anti-Christian graffiti sprayed on Jerusalem church

Anti-Christian graffiti has been sprayed on a wall of a Jerusalem abbey built where tradition says the mother of Jesus died, police said Sunday, in an incident similar to previous acts blamed on Jewish extremists.

Anti-Muslim protests continue in Corsica despite ban on gatherings

 Hundreds of people took to the streets on the French island of Corsica on Sunday, in violation of the ban on demonstrations imposed in the regional capital of Ajaccio after two days of anti-Muslim protests.

Obama Visits Service Members in Hawaii on Christmas Day

President Barack Obama celebrated Christmas in Hawaii with a visit to a Marine Corps base and leisure time with his family.

US Holidays Lights Use More Electricity Than Some Countries

To mark the holidays, many American households decorate with brightly colored lights, but a recent report says the energy used to power them is more than several countries use in an entire year.

Somalia and Brunei ban Christmas celebrations

Somalia has issued a ban on Christmas celebrations in the Muslim-majority country after the Southeast Asian sultanate of Brunei announced a similar prohibition earlier this month with the threat of five years in jail.

Israel to issue travel permits for Palestinian Christians during Christmas

Israel said Monday it will briefly ease travel restrictions for a few Christian Palestinians in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip during the Christmas season.

Hungary urged to halt campaign portraying refugees and migrants as ‘invaders’ – UN agency and partners

 UN, 21 December 2015 – The United Nations refugee agency, together with two European partners, urged Hungary today to refrain from policies and practices that promote intolerance, fear and fuel xenophobia against refugees and migrants, including a campaign running through Christmas and into the New Year.