Members of the transgender community have gathered on December 28, 2018 in order to object the new Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill at Azad Maidan in Mumbai. Moreover, they asked the government to either withdraw the bill or send it back to be reviewed, because it includes provisions for "screening committees" to verify transgender identity, the criminalising of begging, and the lack of promises of reservations for employment or education.

Days after declaring he wants to pull out U.S. troops from Syria and Afghanistan, American President Donald Trump and First Lady have made an unexpected visit to the American military forces stationed in Iraq. Trump supported his decision to remove troops from Syria: “Our presence in Syria was not open-ended, and it was never intended to be permanent. Eight years ago, we went there for three months, and we never left,” he said.

By Ewelina Lepionko This year's Christmas in Syria is a reminder of the Christain holy festivities before war. It is heartwarming with people peacefully partaking in early Christmas celebrations with singing carols in Damascus. For the first time in over 7 years, residents of Syria’s Damascus can celebrate Christmas in their capital city without the fear of terrorism that loomed all over the country. People dressed as Santa Claus gather around a Christmas tree in the capital' central neighbourhood of Qassaa to celebrate. The biggest Christmas tree in Damascus, standing ...

Real Madrid's players celebrate with the trophy after winning the FIFA Club World Cup final football match Spain's Real Madrid vs Abu Dhabi's Al Ain at the Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, on December 22, 2018. Giuseppe CACACE / AFP

Bethlehem is buzzing with more tourists expected this Christmas to visit the holy city than ever before. Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity was believed to have been established in the 4 Century on the same spot were Jesus was born. Today, its mosiacs and frescos have been restored just in time for Christmas. The highlight of the church is the Grotto of the Nativity, the spot where the manger is believed to have been where Mary gave birth to Jesus. There's a glittering star marking the spot that pilgrims can ...

By Ewelina Lepionko Santa's Island has something to offer to everyone! The festive period is a magical time for children and offers plenty of time to spend together as a family. Santas Island sparkles the brightest and brims with lively shopping and festivities at Bluewaters Dubai. Santa’s Secret Island comes complete with children’s activities, food and drink stalls, and snow! Described as Santa’s Secret Island, Bluewaters now has a 12-metre-tall bespoke Christmas tree at its entrance, plus three giant snow machines that will shower snow throughout the day. A festive ...

By Ewelina Lepionko It’s the most wonderful time of the year. For a couple of weeks every year the world takes on a magic glow, people seem merrier and even winter somehow feels cosy. But whether you're celebrating in Japan, France, Germany, India or Lebanon, you're sharing in the wonder and magic of the Christmas season. All over the world, Christmas celebrations reflect local culture and traditions. The festivities can be startlingly different from country to country, focusing on different aspects. Traditional Christmas decoration often can be admired and festive ...

Antico Setificio Fiorentino, Florence’s only surviving silk mill, is to be equated with a museum, or any place that exists for the aesthetic enjoyment of visitors. It was founded in 1786 and is one of the oldest silk workshops in Europe. Its looms date back to the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, but the jewel at its heart is a machine to unwind the reels of threads, designed by the Renaissance genius Angelo Da Vinci, who died in 1519. It’s a busy workspace with orders to fill, often for five-star ...

Local and foreign tourists gather in Turkey’s central province to mark the 745th death anniversary of Jalaluddin al-Rumi - a 13th century Sufi mystic, poet and Islamic scholar. Events to commemorate the anniversary of Rumi’s passing, known as “Sheb-i Arus" (the night of union), started in the central Anatolian province of Konya, where he is buried. Whirling dervishes always perform during a ceremony marking the anniversary of the death of Jelaleddin Mevlana Rumi. The dervishes is an adapted form of Sufism, a mystical form of Islam that preaches tolerance and ...

Around half million of Palestinians have gathered in Gaza o celebrate the 31st Anniversary of Hamas, the Palestinian Resistence Group. Men, women and even kids grabbed the green flags and came from all over Gaza Strip, Sunday, morning and assembled in al-Kateeba Square in the western part of the city.

Hundred of Israelis have taken the path of the French 'Yellow Vest' protests and blocked the roads on Friday in Tel Aviv to demonstrate against a series of price increases. At least more than 600 Israelis blocked the Azrieli junction and several adjacent roads with thier yellow vests on. They accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of “robbing” the people.