Homeless people attended a Christmas dinner at the Hofbraeuhaus in the southern German city of Munich on Christmas Eve. Over 1,000 people attended the annual event taking place for the 60th time. (AFP)
Rocket explodes after lift-off
A rocket carrying a communication satellite exploded just after lift-off yesterday in the second launch failure for India’s space agency this year.
The rocket exploded in the first stage after it launched from the Sriharikota space centre. It was carrying a GSAT-5P satellite into orbit.
In April, a rocket on a developmental flight plunged into the Bay of Bengal.
Yashpal, a retired Indian scientist and independent commentator, said other countries have experienced such failures.
“I hope it’s just one of those things,” Yashpal, who uses just one name, told reporters.
India is planning its first manned space flight in 2016.
An Indian satellite launched in 2008 to orbit the moon was abandoned last year after communication links were cut off and scientists lost control of the satellite. (AP)
Spider-Man stunt actor walks again after surgery
The stunt actor who fell 30ft (9m) while playing Spider-Man on Broadway is walking again, and his father says he cannot wait to return to the role.
Christopher Tierney’s father said the actor walked today for the first time since his fall during Monday’s performance of Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark.
Tim Tierney said his son was spending the Christmas holiday with his mother and brother in the hospital while recovering from back surgery.
Director Julie Taymor visited his son in the hospital on Christmas Eve, he said.
Spider-Man, the most expensive Broadway show yet, had to cancel two preview performances after the fall.
It had a scheduled night off on Friday, but the production is returning to the stage tonight. (AP)
Bethlehem attracts growing number of worshippers
The largest number of pilgrims in a decade have gathered in Bethlehem to celebrate Christmas.
Tens of thousands flocked to the Church of the Nativity, built on the site where tradition holds that Jesus was born, for Saturday morning prayers.
Israeli military officials, who coordinate movement in and out of the West Bank, said more than 100,000 pilgrims have come to the town since Christmas Eve, compared to about 50,000 last year.
They said this is the merriest Christmas in Bethlehem in years. (AP)
First lady joins top secret Santa squad
US first lady Michelle Obama fielded calls from awed children when she joined a Santa-tracking switchboard on Christmas Eve.
A telephone link from Hawaii, where the Obamas are spending Christmas, allowed her to pitch in with volunteers at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado, who were answering phone calls and emails for the North American Aerospace Defence Command’s Santa-tracking programme.
“I was ecstatic because I was talking to the president’s wife,” said Evan Race, 10.
“I was really surprised,” said his eight-year-old sister Anna. Seven-year-old Colin Race also got to talk with Mrs Obama.
The White House said Mrs Obama took calls for 40 minutes and spoke with children from at least a dozen families. (AP)