Coronation Street's Gail bids farewell after 50 years

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cg52gz82ydqo

The bald eagle is now officially the national bird of the US, after President Joe Biden signed a law on Christmas Eve bestowing the honour upon the white-headed and yellow-beaked bird of prey.

The bird has been a national emblem in the US for years, appearing on the Great Seal of the US - used on US documents - since 1782.

But it had not been officially designated to be the national bird until Congress passed the bill last week, sending it to Biden's desk to be signed.

"For nearly 250 years, we called the bald eagle the national bird when it wasn't," said Jack Davis, co-chair of the National Bird Initiative for the National Eagle Center, in a statement. "But now the title is official, and no bird is more deserving."

Penguins and iceberg-watching: Marking Christmas in Antarctica

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5yd32zng7wo

Kim discovers she slept through Christmas

My bad it was this one:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01pmf32/eastenders-2008-2012-2012-26122012?seriesId=p0f60zfj&page=5

12 years ago now, thought it was 2013.

Kim finding out better than - I’m not your mother, Tiffs death, dirty den

Tiffs death was actually NYE sorry

And I did actually watch the Kim finds out episode I’m sure

Will rewatch

You’re not my mother*

More than 1,500 prisoners have escaped from a prison in Mozambique

When Rangers, in a head‑to‑head title race with Celtic in Arteta’s first season, won a late penalty on the final day against Dunfermline with the championship on the line, it was the Spaniard who stepped up to score, even though the club captain, Barry Ferguson, and Ronald de Boer were penalty takers.

Former Premier League official David Coote will not appeal against his dismissal from referees' body the PGMOL.

Goodbye from Helen Worth | Coronation Street

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHlbPJ9py9c

Comment deleted by Article Creator

Christmas is an annual Christian festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, observed primarily on 25 December as a religious and cultural celebration among billions of people around the world. A liturgical feast central to Christianity, preparation for Christmas begins on the First Sunday of Advent and it is followed by Christmastide, which historically in the West lasts twelve days and culminates on Twelfth Night. Christmas Day is a public holiday in many countries, is observed religiously by a majority of Christians, as well as celebrated culturally by many non-Christians, and forms an integral part of the annual holiday season.

The traditional Christmas narrative recounted in the New Testament, known as the Nativity of Jesus, says that Jesus was born in Bethlehem, Palestine, in accordance with messianic prophecies. When Joseph and Mary arrived in the city, the inn had no room, and so they were offered a stable where the Christ Child was soon born, with angels proclaiming this news to shepherds, who then spread the word.

Comment deleted by Article Creator

In the early fourth century, the church fixed the date as 25 December, the date of the winter solstice in the Roman Empire. It is nine months after Annunciation on 25 March, also the Roman date of the spring equinox. Most Christians celebrate on 25 December in the Gregorian calendar, which has been adopted almost universally in the civil calendars used in countries throughout the world.

The customs associated with Christmas in various countries have a mix of pre-Christian, Christian, and secular themes and origins. Popular holiday traditions include gift giving; completing an Advent calendar or Advent wreath; Christmas music and caroling; watching Christmas movies; viewing a Nativity play; an exchange of Christmas cards; attending church services; a special meal; and displaying various Christmas decorations, including Christmas trees, Christmas lights, nativity scenes, poinsettias, garlands, wreaths, mistletoe, and holly. Additionally, several related and often interchangeable figures, known as Santa Claus, Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas, and Christkind, are associated with bringing gifts to children during the Christmas season and have their own body of traditions and lore.

Silent Night | Christmas Carol

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEH7_2c644Q

Christmas 2024

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2004 – A major earthquake and tsunami devastated communities around the Indian Ocean, killing an estimated 227,898 people in 14 countries.