Santa Clause is hours from making his yearly trek to North America to convey toys to great young ladies and young men — and, fortunately, it's less demanding than at any other time to watch Saint Nick.

The timber diamondback, one of around two dozen types of snakes that are defenseless to contamination with a lethal parasite. The organism may demolish wind populaces, researchers say. Credit Arterra/UIG, by means of Getty Images

In the city of Mytilene on the Greek island of Lesbos, Christmas is drawing closer. A tree on the fundamental square is land in blue; a Nativity scene has Mary and Joseph standing vigil close to the infant Jesus. Local people are hectically looking for endowments and tasting espresso at bistros.

Sterling developments keep on driving returns for UK financial specialists. Since our last posting towards the finish of September, the FTSE 100 has moved consistently upward, staying over 7500 since 10 October and shutting at another record high of 7556 on 12 October – supported by falls in the pound against the dollar, as Brexit talks stay stuck in halt.