Ward: Good News

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Concerns about ageing society ignore huge opportunities, says population expert

Sarah Harper says society must create new ways of living and working amid potential ‘silver economy’ Concerns over an ageing population are overblown and society should learn to celebrate and capitalise on its “massive cohort of healthy, active, older, creative adults”, a leading population expert h…

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Christmas Day sermons urge unity in ‘common humanity’ to combat divisions in society

Incoming archbishop of Canterbury calls for people to ‘make room’ as Pope Leo decries conditions for Palestinians in Gaza The incoming archbishop of Canterbury has warned in her Christmas Day sermon that “our national conversations about immigration continue to divide us, when our common humanity sh…

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Pope Leo Surprises St. Peter’s Crowd Before Christmas Eve Mass

Pope Leo XIV greeted the soggy faithful in St. Peter’s Square in both English and Italian and apologized that there wasn’t enough room in the basilica for them all.

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North American air defense tracks Santa's sleigh around the world for a 70th year

The joint US-Canadian North American Aerospace Defense Command headquartered in Colorado is tracking Santa's Yuletide sleigh ride for the 70th year.

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Conflict with Thailand brings surge of unity amongst Cambodians

Cambodian children write letters to soldiers, while donation sites fill for those displaced by fighting near the border.

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Powerball's Christmas Eve drawing dangles a $1.82 billion Christmas miracle

Powerball's Christmas Eve drawing carries an estimated $1.817 billion Christmas miracle — the second-largest U.S. lottery jackpot ever after growing from $1.7 billion.Why it matters: The Christmas Eve drawing turns a $2 lottery ticket into a national "what if" moment as players rush to buy before st…

323

Phyllis Lee Levin, Times Fashion Reporter and Biographer, Dies at 104

Her 1960 essay about the frustrations of educated women prefigured Betty Friedan’s “The Feminine Mystique.” She later wrote books on John Quincy Adams and others.

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A budget is a roof over your financial house. Here’s how to build one like a pro.

These budgeting tips can ease your money worries.

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Being Santa Claus is a year-round calling

"You're Santa Claus 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 52 weeks a year." Acting out may shatter "the magic."

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I finally found a compact smart heater that warms up any room it's in (and it's priced well)

The Dreo Smart Wall Heater did a great job keeping my family warm all last winter, and it remains a staple in my household this year.

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Why it is important to make space for solitude over the festive season

The festive season is a period of social connection for many of us, but alone time can be equally enriching, says Thuy-vy Nguyen, principal investigator of the Solitude Lab

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Coquito Was Once a Puerto Rican Secret. Now Everybody Knows.

The Puerto Rican rum and coconut drink used to be passed down within families, but now it has become a holiday party staple beyond the community.

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Is anything open on Christmas Day 2025? See which businesses are operating.

Most major retail stores and grocery chains are closed on Christmas Day, with some exceptions.

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Free Software Foundation receives historic private donations

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Tears of joy as Nigerian families reunite with kidnapped schoolchildren

Families in north-central Nigeria have joyfully reunited with schoolchildren held for a month after a mass abduction

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A Powerball player in Arkansas has won a $1.817 billion lottery jackpot

Wednesday's Christmas Eve drawing ended the lottery game's three-month stretch without a top-prize winner. Final ticket sales pushed the jackpot higher, making it the second-largest in U.S. history.

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Albanese announces bravery award for heroes of Bondi antisemitic attack

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced a national bravery award to honor those who confronted an antisemitic terror attack

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Christmas Dinner Can Feel Endless. Embrace It.

A long-neglected one-act from a theatrical master offers the key to enjoying your family gatherings.

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We invited a man into our home at Christmas and he stayed with us for 45 years

An arrangement Rob and Dianne Parsons thought would last a few days ended up changing their lives.

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These are the winning numbers for Powerball's $1.8 billion Christmas Eve jackpot

A winning ticket in Wednesday night's Powerball drawing would have the option of accepting an estimated lump sum cash payment of $781.3 million, or one immediate payment followed by 29 annual payments.