The number of worshippers attending Sunday Mass in 2023 was lower than in 2022, while the number of people receiving Holy Communion was higher than the year before, according to data from the Institute of Catholic Church Statistics. The number of priests in Poland and the number of sacramental marriages also fell.more

The leader of a criminal group which, operating in Poland and Western Europe, defrauded more than 230 people using the accident method, has been arrested in the UK and handed over to Polish law enforcement authorities, the Gliwice prosecutor's office reported yesterday. The victims of the gang lost more than PLN 12.5 million.more

For the 92nd time, the coloured lights on the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center in New York's Manhattan were lit yesterday. This year, the festivities were accompanied by a massive police presence due to this morning's murder in close proximity to the head of a major insurance company.more

VfL Wolfsburg, with goalkeeper Kamil Grabara in the starting line-up and Jakub Kaminski playing from the 87th minute, advanced to the quarter-finals of the German Football Cup without any problems. Yesterday, the ‘Wolves’ defeated Hoffenheim 3:0 at home.more

Mobile network EE has topped the tables again as the UK’s best network in the umlaut connect 2025 Mobile Network Test, which marks the 10th year in a row that they have won the award. The test was carried out by independent network testing organisation umlaut, an industry-recognised evaluation study.more

A court decided yesterday that the perpetrator of Norway's biggest ever terrorist attack, Anders Breivik, will remain in prison, the NTB news agency reported.more

London residents working night shifts are 40 per cent more likely not to earn a 'real living wage' compared to those who work during the day, a report has found. The Living Wage Foundation (LWF) published research this week revealing that 17 per cent of the city's night workers earn less than £13.85 per hour, in contrast to 12 per cent of daytime workers.more

Real Madrid lost to Athletic Bilbao 1:2 in an away match of the 19th round of the Spanish Premier League football competition. Kylian Mbappe missed a penalty kick for the visitors.more

The French Parliament yesterday passed a motion of censure against Michel Barnier's government forcing him to step down. Prime Minister Barnier's government is the first cabinet to step down as a result of a vote of no confidence since 1962.more

British actor Benedict Cumberbatch, known for his role as Sherlock Holmes, among others, will read a memoir by Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny entitled ‘The Patriot’ on BBC Radio 4. ‘Patriot’.more

The final round of the 2024 Formula One World Championship - the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - will be contested at Yas Marina on Sunday. Dutchman Max Verstappen of Red Bull had already secured the title for the fourth time in a row.more

The percentage of people fearing a nuclear attack from Russia is increasing, at 64 per cent and back to the level recorded just after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, according to a CBOS survey. 47 per cent of respondents believe that participation in a nuclear sharing programme would translate into an increase in our security.more

It’s not the first time that The Grand Tour star’s prices have been questioned since opening the establishment in the summer.more

From 1 January, a tourist tax will come into force in the Portuguese-owned Azores. The fee will be levied on the archipelago's main island, Sao Miguel.more

Passengers will be allowed to use expired identity documents to travel to the UK because of flaws in the eVisa system, a minister has told the Guardian. Seema Malhotra, the migration and citizenship minister, said the government had postponed a planned full shift to the new digital immigration system amid “real fear” of another Windrush-style scandal among minority communities.more

Argentinian footballer Lionel Messi has launched a limited edition of wine in collaboration with wine producer MM Winemaker. The beverage has been available for a few days in the producer's online shop, the Swiss-based company, which collaborates with the footballer, announced.more

Yasmin - not her real name - came from Iran to study for a master’s degree at a new university in the UK, but she was "shocked" to find many of her fellow students had limited English, and only one or two were British. "How is it possible to continue this coursework without understanding a British accent or English properly?" she tells BBC File on 4.more

The Post Office has announced that it is expecting Monday, December 9, to be its busiest day across UK branches for sending Christmas parcels and post.more

“Italian” tomato purees sold by several UK supermarkets appear to contain tomatoes grown and picked in China using forced labour, the BBC has found.more

Trophy defending champions Bayer Leverkusen won against Bayern Munich 1:0 at the Allianz Arena in the 1/8 finals of the German Football Cup. The Bavarians played in a weakened position from the 17th minute after a red card for goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. In the second half, the winning goal was scored by Nathan Tella with his head.more

The average increase in butter prices in shops has been around 30 per cent year-on-year in recent months, and the number of promotions is falling, according to a report by UCE Research. Experts estimate that the average price of a cube of butter could reach £10 in the first half of next year, but predict significant promotions in December.more

Plans for a new Overground line linking Hounslow with Hendon have taken a step forwards, after Sadiq Khan confirmed this week that “feasible solutions” have been identified for “all elements” of the project. more

In Italy, a ban has been introduced on the online registration of tourists in rental flats and the placing of special lockers on the door with keys for them. Under an Interior Ministry decree, guests of rental flats must be received in person in order, as noted, to avoid risks to the local community.more

Barcelona won away against Mallorca 5:1 in an away match of the 19th round of the Spanish Premier League football competition. Robert Lewandowski was a substitute for the first time in the season for the entire encounter. Wojciech Szczęsny again did not get the chance to play.more

Journalists at the UK's Guardian and Observer newspapers, owned by the Scott Trust, began a 48-hour strike today in protest at the planned sale of the Observer to Tortoise Media, British media reported. This is the first strike at the Guardian in more than 50 years.more