Christmas

Pope's wish in annual Christmas address: Peace on Earth

The major wars on earth were given space in Pope Francis' annual Christmas address "Urbi et Orbi".

In the speech, he called for the weapons to be laid down in Ukraine. It takes courage to sit down and negotiate, but it is needed to achieve "a just and lasting peace", the Pope said, according to AFP.

He also mentioned the war in the Middle East and more specifically the "extremely serious" situation in the Gaza Strip.

- May a ceasefire come into effect, may the hostages be released, and may help reach the people who are exhausted by hunger and war.

The King: "Our thoughts also go to Ukraine this Christmas"

In his annual Christmas address, King Carl XVI Gustaf summarizes the past year and emphasizes the troubled world situation.

– Our thoughts also go this Christmas to Ukraine and its quest for a free country, he says in the speech published on SVT play.

The King also highlighted that the Middle East has suffered enormous human suffering and sincerely hopes “that we will soon see an end to the horrors of war.”

The climate threat Christmas
British climate emissions soar during Christmas

British residents cause 23 times as much climate emissions on Christmas Day compared to a normal day, reports The Guardian.

Climate emissions from travel make up an extremely small part. Instead, it is Christmas gifts that account for almost the entire increase. Electronic gadgets are the biggest culprit.

Richard Hill at ClimatePartner, which helps companies measure their climate footprint, says that it is possible to make a difference, for example by giving away used Christmas gifts.

– We can be generous to both the planet and our loved ones during this period.

The allegations against Borg Høiby
Mette-Marit speaks out: “It’s been a really, really tough year”

Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit is now speaking out about a “demanding” year that has been marked by the criminal allegations against her son Marius Borg Høiby.

– It has been incredibly tough. There is nothing else to say. It was really, really tough for us, she says in the NRK program “The Year with the Royal Family”.

She also says that the family has been receiving professional help for a long time, long before the first indictment in August. She does not want to go into any details, but says that the help has been “incredibly important”.

In the same program, the King and Queen also comment on the criminal allegations.

– Of course, it is difficult that someone we love has come across this. But now we must let the legal system function as it should, says King Harald.

The program will be broadcast on NRK on Christmas Day.