Jingle bells and Christmas trees. Houses and buildings covered with lights and ornaments. These are all part of the holiday season in the United States -- meant to boost people's spirits. This is especially true in one small neighborhood in the eastern U.S. state of Maryland -- where there is a unique tradition that the people there call "The Miracle of Lights". VOA's Melinda Smith narrates.

Pope Benedict XVI spoke out against the legal recognition of unmarried couples during his Christmas address to Rome clergy. He also spoke of Europe and of his visits to Turkey and the former Nazi death camp Auschwitz earlier this year. The pope this week has also been urging to defend the spirit of Christmas against secular trends. For VOA, Sabina Castelfranco reports from Rome.

Two years on from the Asian Tsunami that devastated many communities, Nokia has announced the launch of several new projects to help young people in India, Sri Lanka and Indonesia with training and new skills.

Indian weddings have always been special occasions, celebrated with zest, enthusiasm, and, in the case of the wealthy, elaborate settings and food. But as a growing economy pumps new wealth into the country, weddings have turned into veritable showpieces - and a $10 billion industry. Anjana Pasricha reports from New Delhi on how the fat Indian wedding has turned even fatter.

A severe drought has forced the Australian government to dramatically reduce its economic growth forecasts. As Phil Mercer reports from Sydney, the so-called "Big Dry" is causing problems in the cities, but chaos in the farming sector.

As the season of goodwill and big spending crests, a new study by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, and Cornell University indicates that people - when observed - are conspicuously generous in their giving and will even compete in the bigheartedness department to win favor and make friends.

Lecturers at Uganda's prestigious Makerere University have ended their weeks-long strike over demands for salaries increase. The strike, which began more than a month ago, led to the closure of the university because the Ugandan government said it feared that untaught students would become jittery and unruly. There are reports suggesting the government might have played a role in weakening the resolve of the lecturers.

A paralyzed man at the center of a right-to-die debate in this predominently Roman Catholic country has died after being taken off a respirator. For VOA, Sabina Castelfranco reports from Rome.

Ten Nokia 8800 Sirocco Brian Eno Signature Edition phones to be auctioned for charity

In interview granted to Denver Post online last week, American actor Sylvester Stallone, in admiration for Franz Werfel's book about the Armenian community "The Forty Days of Musa Dagh", leaves the door open to the possible arrangement of this project about which he has spoken for two years in back. "I would like to spend it in writing and directing, less in the public eye but providing something for the public" he said.

The University of Bath is asking its staff to help reduce energy costs and cut carbon emissions, as part of the city's Our Big Energy Challenge.

As the season of goodwill and big spending crests, a new study by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, and Cornell University indicates that people - when observed - are conspicuously generous in their giving and will even compete in the bigheartedness department to win favor and make friends.