Notre-Dame Cathedral is unable to host Christmas services for the first time since the French Revolution because the Paris landmark was too deeply damaged by this year's fire.
India's federal cabinet approved funds on Tuesday for a census and population survey to be conducted next year, amid fears the database could be used to build a controversial citizens register, against which there have been widespread protests.
A Moscow court on Tuesday extended the detention of former U.S. marine Paul Whelan, a Canadian-American citizen, until March 29 on espionage charges, Interfax news agency reported.
Britain's Prince Philip, the 98-year-old husband of Queen Elizabeth, has left a London hospital where he had been receiving treatment since Friday and was expected to join other members of the Royal Family for their Christmas celebrations.
Syrian government forces pressed ahead Monday with a new military assault on the country's last rebel stronghold that began last week, an offensive that has set off a mass exodus of civilians fleeing to safer areas near the Turkish border.
