On the eve of Christmas, we bring you some pictures from around the world about how different people are preparing for Christmas in different ways.

Watch: How different people are preparing for Christmas in different ways

Many countries in Europe are reintroducing mask mandates to curb the spread of the virus. The Spanish government announced that face masks will once again become obligatory in outdoor public spaces.

Europe reintroduces outdoor mask mandate amid Omicron surge

At least 39 people have died after a packed ferry caught fire near the rural town of Jhalokati some 250 kilometres south of the capital city of Dakar. While most of the people died from the deadly fire a few died by drowning, the blaze on the three-decked vessel started in mid-river near the town of Jhalokati.

39 dead, 72 injured In Bangladesh as packed Ferry catches fire

The US says it is ready for talks with Russia amid growing tensions over Ukraine invasion fears. However, it makes it clear that any dialogue must be based on reciprocity.

The US says it is ready to engage in diplomacy as tensions fume with Russia over Ukraine

London's Imperial College has published research on the need for hospitalization for omicron cases. The study says the risk of hospitalization for omicron patients is 40 to 45 per cent lower than for patients with a delta variant.

Some Christmas cheer: Hospitalization risk for Omicron patients 40-45% lower than Delta variant

In the aftermath of the devastating typhoon Rai, three million people are in need of dire assistance in the Philippines. At least, 177 people have lost their lives, more than 275 are injured.

Devastating impact of Typhoon Rai, three million people in need of assistance

After 86 days of red hot lava spilling out of the volcano in La Palma authorities are soon going to declare it extinguished. Yes, you heard that right now this if the volcano remains silent till Christmas and the next report tells you what unfolded in the last three months, have a look.

La Palma | Spain's Cumbre Vieja volcano has gone silent

The world is paying for China's food stockpile. Beijing is said to be hoarding more than 50% of the world's grain. This has led to a steep rise in global food prices. Millions more are suffering from famine. Palki Sharma tells you more.

Gravitas: How China could be driving up global inflation

President Vladimir Putin is seeking security guarantees from the West in exchange for pulling back from Ukraine. Will Joe Biden agree to halt NATO's eastward expansion? Or will he push ahead with sanctions? Palki Shama tells you.

Gravitas: Putin's ultimatum for Joe Biden

India has been ranked as the top 3rd country hosting unicorns. It has displaced the UK from the spot by adding 33 unicorns in 2021. What's driving India's Unicorn boom during the pandemic? Palki Sharma gets you a detailed report.

Gravitas: India becomes 3rd top country hosting unicorns

Omicron has exposed the weaknesses of Western healthcare systems. In the United States, there is now a shortage of testing kits. While in France and Germany - patients are at risk in understaffed hospitals. Palki Sharma tells you more.

Gravitas: Omicron exposes the healthcare systems of the west

Chants for a 'Muslim genocide' were raised at a religious gathering in Haridwar. Indian political parties have distanced themselves from this bigotry. Are politicians encouraging such fringe elements with their silence? Palki Sharma tells you.

Gravitas: Monks in India call for 'Muslim genocide'

Cats, dogs & rabbits could soon be banned for pet-keeping in Iran. 75 Iranian lawmakers have proposed a law to ban all pets. Why? Because they consider animals a 'destructive social problem'. Palki Sharma gets you a report.

Gravitas: Cats, Rabbits & Dogs: Iran mulls law to ban 'destructive' pets

Does 5G delay flights? The CEOs of Boeing & Airbus have warned that 350,000 flights might get delayed due to a planned 5G rollout. They claim that 5G frequencies can disrupt a flight's radio altimeters & make landings risky. Palki Sharma has a report.

Gravitas: '350,000 flights to get delayed', Boeing and Airbus CEOs oppose 5G rollout

A Japanese professor has come up with a prototype device 'Taste the TV'. The device allows the viewers to taste what appears on screen by licking.

Japanese professor introduce 'Taste the TV'

A number of ancient sites have turned into temporary shelters for the displaced. The fifth-century ruined and ancient monuments have become a convenient place for the people seeking a home in Syria, take a look.

Syria: Displaced citizens take shelter in ancient monuments

Different strains of Covid continue to hit different parts of the world, debates are being held on whether vaccines are effective against the omicron variant let us take a quick look at what's happening in the fight against covid-19 worldwide.

Oxford Study: AstraZeneca booster shots are effective agianst Omicron

Where at least 40 people have died after a packed ferry caught fire near the rural town of Jhalokati some 250 kilometres south of the capital city of Dakar. While most of the people died from the deadly fire a few died by drowning, the blaze on the three-decked vessel started in mid-river near the town of Jhalokati.

Bangladesh: At least 37 died in ferry fire near Jhalokati, over 100 hospitalised

Afghans who have managed to escape the Taliban regime are settling into a new life. Now the challenge is to accept a foreign land as their new home. Several Afghan refugees arrived in Kentucky, a small US city known to welcome refugees for over four decades.

After escaping the Taliban in Afghanistan, the refugees are now settling into a new life in Kentucky

Virus concerns have gripped china as it is said to host the 2022 winter Olympics, and now dozens of officials have been punished in the lockdown city of Xi'an in China.

A day after locking down 13 million people of Xi'an city, China punishes dozens of officials

The Omicron variant of COVID-19 has taken the world by storm, with new restrictions dealing a deathly blow to the aviation sector.

Omicron restrictions hit aviation sector as demand wanes

Covid-19 cases in the UK and France are rising at an unprecedented pace, the surge is being triggered by the highly infectious Omicron variant. UK PM Boris Johnson has given a Christmas eve message and strongly urged people to get vaccinated.

UK PM Boris Johnson urges people to get vaccinated as a Christmas gift

US chipmaker Intel has apologized in china after its letter telling suppliers, not to source products or labour from the Xinjiang region triggered a backlash.

Intel apologises in China after telling suppliers not to source products from the Xinjiang region

After being hit by a probe, electric car maker Tesla will now stop allowing playing video games inside its moving vehicles.

Probe-hit Tesla disallows video games inside its moving vehicles

Probe-hit Tesla disallows video games inside moving vehicles

Amid the ongoing diplomatic bandwagon, Japan says it won't send a government delegation to China for Beijing Winter Olympics

Japan snubs Beijing Winter Olympic as it won't send a government delegation to China

As concerns over the Omicron variant has gripped the world, the UK has recorded over 1 lakh cases in a single day, the highest recorded number of the cases since the pandemic began.

Omicron cases continues to rise but hospitalization rate remains low

Japan says it won't send a government delegation to China for Beijing Winter Olympics

In a joint statement, 15 Western nations have condemned the deployment of Russian Wagner Mercenaries in Mali. West expressed concerns about the Human Rights situation in the Malian territory.

15 Western nations condemn the deployment of Russian Wagner Mercenaries in Mali

The Omicron surge has triggered a debate on boosters. Should governments donate jabs instead of rolling out a third shot? How has the WHO's confused messaging muddled the booster debate? Palki Sharma tells you.

Gravitas: The Wests's boosters are extending the pandemic

With Christmas around the corner, Santa has already arrived with a gift for the Christian community living in Srinagar. After 30 years of being shut, Srinagar's Saint Luke's church will once again reverberate with Christmas carols and prayers, have a look.

Srinagar's Saint Luke's church reopens after 30 years

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