Christmas is celebrated in the West Bank town of Bethlehem, Pope Francis to deliver Christmas message and President Trump celebrates Christmas in Florida but Washington politics are on his mind.
Father Frost and his female companion the Snow Maiden, are Russia's answer to Santa Claus. In the gray days of the Soviet Union they bought some color and fun to families during the harsh Russian winter, and the pair are still popular today.
Warsaw-based columnist Anne Applebaum tells NPR's Lauren Frayer about the nativist parties that have made political inroads in Europe this year, with echoes of Donald Trump's "America First" mantra.
In Spain, El Gordo — the fat one — doesn't refer to Santa Claus during the holiday season. Instead it's the Christmas lottery, and three-quarters of Spaniards buy tickets each year.
Food and beverage companies are trying to boost their holiday sales by tempting adults to buy versions of the Advent calendar that carry boozy, meaty and salty Christmastime treats.
One aardvark died and several meerkats were missing after the blaze broke out Saturday. Several members of the zoo staff were treated for smoke inhalation after coming to the rescue of the animals.
As Robert Mueller's Russia investigation proceeds, NPR's Scott Simon asks veteran Moscow correspondent Luke Harding how Vladimir Putin manages his relationship with President Trump.
Denmark's seeing a controversy over how to handle Christmas in public schools. The country is largely secular but takes children on church field trips for the holiday.