US

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  Thomas Fire news: Largest wildfire in California history forces firefighters to spend Christmas time away from loved ones

  Firefighters continues to struggle with California's largest wildfire in state history. Several firefighters had to spend Christmas away from their family due to Thomas fire.

• Queen praises husband's humour in Christmas message

  Queen Elizabeth will pay tribute to her husband Prince Philip in her Christmas message, and praise his support and unique sense of humour'.

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  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.

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  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

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  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.

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  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.

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  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.

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  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.

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  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.

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  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.

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  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

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  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.