Chicago’s holiday weekend of violence

Wildlife trafficking is the third most profitable illegal activity in the world, after arms trafficking and drug trafficking. In Brazil, where traffickers can earn nearly $2 billion a year, some 80 percent of trafficked animals are birds – often endangered species.

The town of Lielvārde in Latvia has attracted attention from social media users after images and video of its Christmas tree – decorated with swastikas – were posted online. Internet users were quick to condemn the move as "fascist" and "pro-Nazi" - but is all as it seems? We take a closer look in this edition of Truth or Fake with Vedika Bahl.

Over the past few years, tens of thousands of migrants from sub-Saharan Africa have been expelled from Algeria into Niger. They are taken to the border between the two countries, an open desert, and must then cross 15km on foot to reach the village of Assamaka.

A Hong Kong judge has criticized police for banning a vigil to mourn the victims of the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre. The court overturned the conviction of an activist who had urged people to attend.

The self-declared "Islamic State" said it was responsible for the blast that killed at least nine police officers near Kirkuk. The militia is still active in parts of Iraq, despite Baghdad declaring victory over it.

A shootout left three officers dead as police were trying to arrest a suspect in the killing of a commander in the southern city of Maan. Unrest ripped through the region last week after a strike over fuel prices.

The festive season is a time of goodwill, food, gifts — and a lot of waste. So, here's a short guide to having yourself a sustainable little Christmas.

Missiles can't stop what Ukrainian people call Magic Night, or St. Nicholas Day. This year, St. Nicholas also headed to Kyiv's train station and took a train to eastern Ukraine. Supported by UNICEF, he aims to bring joy to thousands of children in the war-torn region.

A Christmas carol by a Nazi poet loyal to the regime is still in the Protestant hymnal. Now, there is a discussion about removing the song by Hermann Claudius in the next edition.

Germany's Constitutional Court is weighing up whether CIA-funded Palantir surveillance software can be used by the country's police. Experts are divided over whether "Hessendata" constitutes "predictive policing."

After a pause in festivities during the coronavirus pandemic, Bethlehem — revered as the birthplace of Jesus — is ready again for its long Christmas season.

DW reporter Sarah Hucal finds out how one of the most authentic Christmas markets in the US, the Chicago Christkindlmarket, compares to its German counterparts.