Old St. Nick took his annual holiday plunge in the crystal-clear waters of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary over the weekend, where 76-degree weather and streams of sunshine made for ideal ...

Meteorological winter began on Dec. 1 while astronomical winter began on Dec. 21. Astronomical seasons are based on the Earth's position in connection with the sun.

Cartagena, Colombia, is set to ban its iconic horse-drawn carriages, replacing them with electric buggies — a move dividing the historic city over tradition, tourism, and animal welfare.

In Kashmir, December 21 is said to mark the start of the 40 harshest days of winter. A woolen robe called a pheran is key to keeping warm — and a reminder of how to face and overcome hardships.

Authorities report that nine people have died and at least 10 others are injured after a shooting at a South African pub. The incident occurred early Sunday in Bekkersdal, west of Johannesburg.

A Kremlin envoy says peace talks in Florida on a U.S.-proposed plan to end the war in Ukraine are proceeding constructively, after U.S. meetings with Ukrainian and European officials in Berlin.