Spare a thought for this man from Rovaniemi in Finland.
While many are on their Christmas holidays, Santa Claus and his team will be working overtime.
In the main post office, the year's most hectic period is underway. They receive around half a million letters from children all over the world.
They have to be answered and the team wants to avoid a backlog.
And if you've been good this year, he might just be heading your way.
spare a thought
remember someone sympathetically
overtime
longer than an ordinary shift
hectic
busy, chaotic
backlog
work accumulated
heading your way
going where you are
A slice of life in Dresden.
For 20 years, the German city has been holding a festival dedicated to its traditional Christmas fruit cake, the 'stollen'.
Cutting it was no piece of cake. Several bakers needed sharp knives and determination to make sure everybody got their share of the 4,246kg treat.
In the end, only crumbs were left. But people with a sweet tooth need not worry. There's always next year.
slice
a flat, thin piece
dedicated
intended for a particular purpose
piece of cake
easy
determination
resolve
sweet tooth
a liking for sweet food
Fans of all things soft and cuddly queue up to hear the name of the latest addition to this US zoo's giant panda family.
In keeping with Chinese tradition, the naming ceremony happened as Bao Bao, which means 'precious baby', turned 100 days old.
Bao Bao herself was too busy snuggling up to mum in their den to see this special message from a famous panda-lover.
cuddly
something you want to hug
in keeping with
following the usual way of doing things
naming ceremony
event at which a person, animal or thing is given a name
snuggling up to
moving itself close to another thing for comfort
den
home for (some) animals
Meet David Richards - the leading light when it comes to Christmas decorations.
The Australian has set a new world record for the most Christmas lights attached to a family home.
Friends and neighbours in suburban Canberra have been coming to see the half million bulbs which light up the property.
His electricity bill will be higher than usual, but a local power company is playing Father Christmas and supporting his project.
leading light
an important and respected person or group in a particular field
world record
the best achievement in the world in a particular field
bulbs
sealed glass devices which produce light
light up
illuminate
electricity bill
payment made to a power company for the energy used
Where do you park your bicycle in a crowded, thronging city like Tokyo?
The answer - in a subterranean cycle park.
A robot gracefully whisks your bike 11 metres underground.
It stores hundreds of them and returns each one to its rightful owner in seconds.
Just don't forget your ID card.
thronging
crowded, full of people
subterranean
under the ground
whisks
takes something somewhere else suddenly and quickly
rightful owner
person who owns something legally
ID card
identity card
A gruelling journey of 1,500 km.
After 135 days, Sean Conway has become the first person to swim the length of Britain.
Jellyfish stings, dangerous tides and autumn storms meant the adventure was full of peril.
And his face was so cold he couldn't chew, and had to have his meals pureed.
Back on land, he had to wait just a little longer to dry out.
gruelling
extremely tiring and difficult, needing great effort and determination
jellyfish
sea creatures with soft, round bodies that you can see through
tides
rising and falling in the sea that happens twice a day
peril
danger
pureed
mashed into a smooth sauce by crushing
Dragons, wolves, princesses...
All these intricate designs are in fact carved from pumpkins.
Making creepy lanterns is a favourite Halloween pastime for many families.
But for Noel Dickover in Virginia in the US, it's more than that.
It's a chance to create beautiful, ephemeral art.
And share his fondness for Star Wars characters.
intricate
very detailed in design
creepy
strange and unpleasant in a way that makes you feel frightened
pastime
something you do regularly for enjoyment in your free time
ephemeral
lasting only for a short time
fondness
liking, preference
The site of Britain's first new nuclear power plant in a generation.
Hinkley Point C will be developed by the French firm EDF and backed by Chinese investors.
Ministers say the deal will help Britain produce cheaper energy and become less reliant on fossil fuels.
But critics say it will be more expensive for consumers, while others worry about safety and the environment.
plant
a factory that produces power or chemicals
backed
supported
deal
business agreement
fossil fuels
energy sources like coal, gas and oil made from plant and animal remains from millions of years ago
consumers
people who buy and use goods and services
Think of Venice and water probably springs to mind.
The problem is that unusually high tides often cause serious harm to its centuries-old architecture, which draws millions of visitors each year.
Now, four new mobile barriers designed to protect the city have been successfully tested.
Eventually, 78 floodgates will shut off the Venice lagoon when water levels get too high.
springs to mind
arrives as a sudden thought
high tides
when the sea or a river is at its highest level
draws
attracts
designed
created for a specific purpose
floodgates
gates that can be opened or closed to control the flow of water
The lush surroundings of Yosemite National Park.
Joy and Adam saved for a year to hold their wedding here.
But the US government shutdown forced national parks to close, leaving their dream in tatters.
Thankfully, their story inspired strangers to step in and donate not only a new venue, but also catering, flowers and the cake.
So, the happy couple tied the knot after all.
lush
having a lot of green plants and trees
shutdown
an occasion when a machine or organisation stops working
in tatters
badly damaged or completely spoiled
donate
give money or goods to help an organisation or person
tied the knot
got married
You might think standing out in the wild would work against you.
But for flamingos, it's the pinker and older birds who seem to be the key individuals in the flock.
That's the conclusion reached by researchers in Britain. They are trying to understand the animals in order to help them thrive in captivity.
Four of the six remaining species of flamingo are threatened with extinction. Many of their wetland habitats are being affected by mining.
standing out
being obvious and noticeable
flock
group of birds, sheep or goats
thrive
be successful, healthy or happy
extinction
complete disappearance of a particular species of animal or plant
wetland
area of land which is often covered with water
The historic Walled City in Lahore, Pakistan, is a maze of narrow streets, busy bazaars and unplanned tenements.
But now the area is receiving a makeover.
Underground, sewage pipes and electricity cables are being laid; while at street level, wooden doors and terracotta tiles are making a comeback.
The authorities hope all this will make the area more attractive to tourists.
maze
an place in which you can easily get lost because there are many similar streets or paths
tenements
large buildings divided into apartments, usually in a poor area of the city
a makeover
a set of changes intended to make a person or place more attractive
sewage pipes
tubes through which waste water and human waste are carried away from houses and buildings
terracotta
hard, baked clay; often red/brown in colour
Clinging on for dear life.
Ninety-two-year-old Colombian Roberto Blanco was taking a nap by a flooded river when he was washed into the torrent.
He grabbed a cable hanging under a bridge and held tight as passers by and police carried out a precarious rescue operation.
Back on dry land, Roberto took time to speak to reporters, looking none the worse for his ordeal.
for dear life
using all your strength or effort to avoid danger or serious trouble
taking a nap
having a short sleep
passers by
people going by a particular place
precarious
dangerous - because not firmly fixed or likely to fall
none the worse
not damaged or harmed (by something)
In the streets of Paris, you come face-to-face with art.
Hundreds of masks were created by Gregos, a truck driver turned self-taught street artist.
And he's just installed his 500th sculpture. The masks replicate the artist's features.
Most are spread all over the French capital, but with his masks also adorning the streets of Japan, Brazil and the US, Gregos is one artist who is rarely out of sight.
face-to-face
meeting someone in the same place
self-taught
someone who learnt something by themselves, without a teacher
replicate
reproduce
features
the different parts of a person's face
adorning
decorating, making a place or thing look beautiful
One day, this could be the world's fastest train.
Using magnets to float above the track, the maglev can reach speeds of over 500 kilometres per hour (500km/h).
Ministers in Japan have called it "world-class" technology.
The venture cost billions of US dollars, though some hope the technology could be sold to overseas markets.
But don't turn up at the station any time soon. The train isn't expected to open its doors to passengers until 2027.
magnets
objects which can attract iron or steel objects and also push them away
world-class
of international quality; one of the best in the world
venture
a business activity which involves risk
overseas
relating to other countries
turn up
arrive
It's not food she wants to chop - it's you.
This is a massage parlour in Taiwan. Trained specialists use blunt knives as well as meditation to help their customers relax.
Knife massages date back more than 2,000 years to China, where they were given by monks or nuns.
Now Taiwan is one of the few places where this type of therapy is still practised.
to chop
to cut into pieces
massage parlour
a place where professional massages are given
blunt
with a dull edge; not sharp
meditation
concentrating on a single thing in order to become calm
therapy
treatment
When there's no space for a garden, the only way is up.
One Chinese doctor has built a rocky retreat on top of this Beijing block of flats.
But his villa is now being dismantled after neighbours complained it was noisy and dangerous.
Authorities say it was built illegally and have ordered its demolition.
retreat
a private, safe place to get away from everyday life
block of flats
tall building divided into separate homes
villa
large house with a garden in the countryside or by the sea
dismantled
taken apart piece by piece
demolition
destruction (of a building)
Behind the sunglasses and uniform is no ordinary cabbie...
It's actually Norway's Prime Minster Jens Stoltenberg, working incognito in Oslo.
He said taxis were the best place to hear the views of ordinary Norwegians.
Passengers were astonished when they discovered who was driving.
But, he is unlikely to moonlight again; Stoltenberg hasn't driven for eight years, so his skills are a little rusty.
cabbie
informal word for 'taxi driver'
incognito
avoiding being recognised by changing appearance; in disguise
astonished
shocked and surprised
to moonlight
to work at an extra job, without telling your main employer
rusty
(of a skill) needing practice; not as good as it was in the past
Kirobo the robot was exposed to zero gravity before being blasted into space. Its destination: the International Space Station.
The tiny android has been sent into orbit as a companion for Japan's human space traveller.
Its creator says Kirobo's most important skill is that it can mimic human emotions. He wants its sense of compassion to help lonely astronauts during their stay in space.
blasted
movement which started with an explosion
android
robot that looks like a human
orbit
route of an object around a planet or star
mimic
imitate
compassion
awareness of the suffering of others
It might not be what you imagine when you book a facial.
But in this salon in Tokyo, snail slime is the latest trend.
It's claimed the treatment makes skin supple, and can help repair sunburn damage, though it has not yet been clinically tested.
Beauticians here think the treatment will eventually catch on, though at $100 a session, this might happen at a snail's pace.
facial
a beauty treatment to keep the skin on the face healthy
slime
sticky liquid substance, often produced by fish and snails
supple
easy to bend, not stiff
beauticians
people trained to improve the appearance of their customers
at a snail's pace
very slowly
Few would want to end up in the jaws of a hungry shark.
So, how to avoid becoming fish food?
Two Australian businessmen have designed wetsuits which they say are shark-repellent.
This blue and white model might help divers to blend in; the black and white version may make the creature think they are unsafe to eat.
The research follows a spate of attacks.
to end up
to finally be in a particular situation
wetsuits
clothing made of rubber used by divers to keep warm in the sea
repellent
designed to keep something away from it
to blend in
to look or seem like people or things around you
a spate of
a number of similar bad events happening in a short space of time
This contraption may not look very impressive...
But when the bicycle-powered helicopter defied gravity, it caused great excitement.
Its flight only lasted 64 seconds and reached an altitude of 3.3 metres. Though it was a great achievement for the Canadian team, which spent 18 months designing the chopper.
They won a prize worth $250,000 from the American Helicopter Society.
The team hope to inspire the next generation of aviation pioneers.
contraption
machine that looks strange or old-fashioned
defied gravity
flew
altitude
height above sea level
chopper
informal word for helicopter
pioneers
people who are the first ones to do something
Thailand's police force is in a battle to beat the bulge.
It might not be the most rigorous training but these officers are trying their hardest.
The fitness programme in Bangkok includes a daily workout and healthy eating.
They have an extra incentive: a prize worth $160 is up for grabs for the officer who loses the most weight.
to beat the bulge
to lose weight (especially around the stomach area)
rigorous
thorough and strict
workout
a session of physical exercise
incentive
something to encourage someone to do something
up for grabs
available for anyone to win
Fire eats up the forest in Arizona.
This is the deadliest wildfire involving firefighters in the US for 30 years.
The blaze spread rapidly amid high heat, low humidity and windy conditions.
Helicopters and planes tried to douse flames from above. Thousands of people have been evacuated.
As some American states experience extreme temperatures and drought, meteorologists have warned that more forest fires may hit California and New Mexico.
wildfire
fire that spreads rapidly and uncontrollably
amid
surrounded by
douse
extinguish (a fire)
evacuated
taken away (from a difficult or dangerous situation or place)
meteorologists
professionals who analyse weather conditions
While many are on their Christmas holidays, Santa Claus and his team will be working overtime.
In the main post office, the year's most hectic period is underway. They receive around half a million letters from children all over the world.
They have to be answered and the team wants to avoid a backlog.
And if you've been good this year, he might just be heading your way.
spare a thought
remember someone sympathetically
overtime
longer than an ordinary shift
hectic
busy, chaotic
backlog
work accumulated
heading your way
going where you are
A slice of life in Dresden.
For 20 years, the German city has been holding a festival dedicated to its traditional Christmas fruit cake, the 'stollen'.
Cutting it was no piece of cake. Several bakers needed sharp knives and determination to make sure everybody got their share of the 4,246kg treat.
In the end, only crumbs were left. But people with a sweet tooth need not worry. There's always next year.
slice
a flat, thin piece
dedicated
intended for a particular purpose
piece of cake
easy
determination
resolve
sweet tooth
a liking for sweet food
Fans of all things soft and cuddly queue up to hear the name of the latest addition to this US zoo's giant panda family.
In keeping with Chinese tradition, the naming ceremony happened as Bao Bao, which means 'precious baby', turned 100 days old.
Bao Bao herself was too busy snuggling up to mum in their den to see this special message from a famous panda-lover.
cuddly
something you want to hug
in keeping with
following the usual way of doing things
naming ceremony
event at which a person, animal or thing is given a name
snuggling up to
moving itself close to another thing for comfort
den
home for (some) animals
Meet David Richards - the leading light when it comes to Christmas decorations.
The Australian has set a new world record for the most Christmas lights attached to a family home.
Friends and neighbours in suburban Canberra have been coming to see the half million bulbs which light up the property.
His electricity bill will be higher than usual, but a local power company is playing Father Christmas and supporting his project.
leading light
an important and respected person or group in a particular field
world record
the best achievement in the world in a particular field
bulbs
sealed glass devices which produce light
light up
illuminate
electricity bill
payment made to a power company for the energy used
Where do you park your bicycle in a crowded, thronging city like Tokyo?
The answer - in a subterranean cycle park.
A robot gracefully whisks your bike 11 metres underground.
It stores hundreds of them and returns each one to its rightful owner in seconds.
Just don't forget your ID card.
thronging
crowded, full of people
subterranean
under the ground
whisks
takes something somewhere else suddenly and quickly
rightful owner
person who owns something legally
ID card
identity card
A gruelling journey of 1,500 km.
After 135 days, Sean Conway has become the first person to swim the length of Britain.
Jellyfish stings, dangerous tides and autumn storms meant the adventure was full of peril.
And his face was so cold he couldn't chew, and had to have his meals pureed.
Back on land, he had to wait just a little longer to dry out.
gruelling
extremely tiring and difficult, needing great effort and determination
jellyfish
sea creatures with soft, round bodies that you can see through
tides
rising and falling in the sea that happens twice a day
peril
danger
pureed
mashed into a smooth sauce by crushing
Dragons, wolves, princesses...
All these intricate designs are in fact carved from pumpkins.
Making creepy lanterns is a favourite Halloween pastime for many families.
But for Noel Dickover in Virginia in the US, it's more than that.
It's a chance to create beautiful, ephemeral art.
And share his fondness for Star Wars characters.
intricate
very detailed in design
creepy
strange and unpleasant in a way that makes you feel frightened
pastime
something you do regularly for enjoyment in your free time
ephemeral
lasting only for a short time
fondness
liking, preference
The site of Britain's first new nuclear power plant in a generation.
Hinkley Point C will be developed by the French firm EDF and backed by Chinese investors.
Ministers say the deal will help Britain produce cheaper energy and become less reliant on fossil fuels.
But critics say it will be more expensive for consumers, while others worry about safety and the environment.
plant
a factory that produces power or chemicals
backed
supported
deal
business agreement
fossil fuels
energy sources like coal, gas and oil made from plant and animal remains from millions of years ago
consumers
people who buy and use goods and services
Think of Venice and water probably springs to mind.
The problem is that unusually high tides often cause serious harm to its centuries-old architecture, which draws millions of visitors each year.
Now, four new mobile barriers designed to protect the city have been successfully tested.
Eventually, 78 floodgates will shut off the Venice lagoon when water levels get too high.
springs to mind
arrives as a sudden thought
high tides
when the sea or a river is at its highest level
draws
attracts
designed
created for a specific purpose
floodgates
gates that can be opened or closed to control the flow of water
The lush surroundings of Yosemite National Park.
Joy and Adam saved for a year to hold their wedding here.
But the US government shutdown forced national parks to close, leaving their dream in tatters.
Thankfully, their story inspired strangers to step in and donate not only a new venue, but also catering, flowers and the cake.
So, the happy couple tied the knot after all.
lush
having a lot of green plants and trees
shutdown
an occasion when a machine or organisation stops working
in tatters
badly damaged or completely spoiled
donate
give money or goods to help an organisation or person
tied the knot
got married
You might think standing out in the wild would work against you.
But for flamingos, it's the pinker and older birds who seem to be the key individuals in the flock.
That's the conclusion reached by researchers in Britain. They are trying to understand the animals in order to help them thrive in captivity.
Four of the six remaining species of flamingo are threatened with extinction. Many of their wetland habitats are being affected by mining.
standing out
being obvious and noticeable
flock
group of birds, sheep or goats
thrive
be successful, healthy or happy
extinction
complete disappearance of a particular species of animal or plant
wetland
area of land which is often covered with water
The historic Walled City in Lahore, Pakistan, is a maze of narrow streets, busy bazaars and unplanned tenements.
But now the area is receiving a makeover.
Underground, sewage pipes and electricity cables are being laid; while at street level, wooden doors and terracotta tiles are making a comeback.
The authorities hope all this will make the area more attractive to tourists.
maze
an place in which you can easily get lost because there are many similar streets or paths
tenements
large buildings divided into apartments, usually in a poor area of the city
a makeover
a set of changes intended to make a person or place more attractive
sewage pipes
tubes through which waste water and human waste are carried away from houses and buildings
terracotta
hard, baked clay; often red/brown in colour
Clinging on for dear life.
Ninety-two-year-old Colombian Roberto Blanco was taking a nap by a flooded river when he was washed into the torrent.
He grabbed a cable hanging under a bridge and held tight as passers by and police carried out a precarious rescue operation.
Back on dry land, Roberto took time to speak to reporters, looking none the worse for his ordeal.
for dear life
using all your strength or effort to avoid danger or serious trouble
taking a nap
having a short sleep
passers by
people going by a particular place
precarious
dangerous - because not firmly fixed or likely to fall
none the worse
not damaged or harmed (by something)
In the streets of Paris, you come face-to-face with art.
Hundreds of masks were created by Gregos, a truck driver turned self-taught street artist.
And he's just installed his 500th sculpture. The masks replicate the artist's features.
Most are spread all over the French capital, but with his masks also adorning the streets of Japan, Brazil and the US, Gregos is one artist who is rarely out of sight.
face-to-face
meeting someone in the same place
self-taught
someone who learnt something by themselves, without a teacher
replicate
reproduce
features
the different parts of a person's face
adorning
decorating, making a place or thing look beautiful
One day, this could be the world's fastest train.
Using magnets to float above the track, the maglev can reach speeds of over 500 kilometres per hour (500km/h).
Ministers in Japan have called it "world-class" technology.
The venture cost billions of US dollars, though some hope the technology could be sold to overseas markets.
But don't turn up at the station any time soon. The train isn't expected to open its doors to passengers until 2027.
magnets
objects which can attract iron or steel objects and also push them away
world-class
of international quality; one of the best in the world
venture
a business activity which involves risk
overseas
relating to other countries
turn up
arrive
It's not food she wants to chop - it's you.
This is a massage parlour in Taiwan. Trained specialists use blunt knives as well as meditation to help their customers relax.
Knife massages date back more than 2,000 years to China, where they were given by monks or nuns.
Now Taiwan is one of the few places where this type of therapy is still practised.
to chop
to cut into pieces
massage parlour
a place where professional massages are given
blunt
with a dull edge; not sharp
meditation
concentrating on a single thing in order to become calm
therapy
treatment
When there's no space for a garden, the only way is up.
One Chinese doctor has built a rocky retreat on top of this Beijing block of flats.
But his villa is now being dismantled after neighbours complained it was noisy and dangerous.
Authorities say it was built illegally and have ordered its demolition.
retreat
a private, safe place to get away from everyday life
block of flats
tall building divided into separate homes
villa
large house with a garden in the countryside or by the sea
dismantled
taken apart piece by piece
demolition
destruction (of a building)
Behind the sunglasses and uniform is no ordinary cabbie...
It's actually Norway's Prime Minster Jens Stoltenberg, working incognito in Oslo.
He said taxis were the best place to hear the views of ordinary Norwegians.
Passengers were astonished when they discovered who was driving.
But, he is unlikely to moonlight again; Stoltenberg hasn't driven for eight years, so his skills are a little rusty.
cabbie
informal word for 'taxi driver'
incognito
avoiding being recognised by changing appearance; in disguise
astonished
shocked and surprised
to moonlight
to work at an extra job, without telling your main employer
rusty
(of a skill) needing practice; not as good as it was in the past
Kirobo the robot was exposed to zero gravity before being blasted into space. Its destination: the International Space Station.
The tiny android has been sent into orbit as a companion for Japan's human space traveller.
Its creator says Kirobo's most important skill is that it can mimic human emotions. He wants its sense of compassion to help lonely astronauts during their stay in space.
blasted
movement which started with an explosion
android
robot that looks like a human
orbit
route of an object around a planet or star
mimic
imitate
compassion
awareness of the suffering of others
It might not be what you imagine when you book a facial.
But in this salon in Tokyo, snail slime is the latest trend.
It's claimed the treatment makes skin supple, and can help repair sunburn damage, though it has not yet been clinically tested.
Beauticians here think the treatment will eventually catch on, though at $100 a session, this might happen at a snail's pace.
facial
a beauty treatment to keep the skin on the face healthy
slime
sticky liquid substance, often produced by fish and snails
supple
easy to bend, not stiff
beauticians
people trained to improve the appearance of their customers
at a snail's pace
very slowly
Few would want to end up in the jaws of a hungry shark.
So, how to avoid becoming fish food?
Two Australian businessmen have designed wetsuits which they say are shark-repellent.
This blue and white model might help divers to blend in; the black and white version may make the creature think they are unsafe to eat.
The research follows a spate of attacks.
to end up
to finally be in a particular situation
wetsuits
clothing made of rubber used by divers to keep warm in the sea
repellent
designed to keep something away from it
to blend in
to look or seem like people or things around you
a spate of
a number of similar bad events happening in a short space of time
This contraption may not look very impressive...
But when the bicycle-powered helicopter defied gravity, it caused great excitement.
Its flight only lasted 64 seconds and reached an altitude of 3.3 metres. Though it was a great achievement for the Canadian team, which spent 18 months designing the chopper.
They won a prize worth $250,000 from the American Helicopter Society.
The team hope to inspire the next generation of aviation pioneers.
contraption
machine that looks strange or old-fashioned
defied gravity
flew
altitude
height above sea level
chopper
informal word for helicopter
pioneers
people who are the first ones to do something
Thailand's police force is in a battle to beat the bulge.
It might not be the most rigorous training but these officers are trying their hardest.
The fitness programme in Bangkok includes a daily workout and healthy eating.
They have an extra incentive: a prize worth $160 is up for grabs for the officer who loses the most weight.
to beat the bulge
to lose weight (especially around the stomach area)
rigorous
thorough and strict
workout
a session of physical exercise
incentive
something to encourage someone to do something
up for grabs
available for anyone to win
Fire eats up the forest in Arizona.
This is the deadliest wildfire involving firefighters in the US for 30 years.
The blaze spread rapidly amid high heat, low humidity and windy conditions.
Helicopters and planes tried to douse flames from above. Thousands of people have been evacuated.
As some American states experience extreme temperatures and drought, meteorologists have warned that more forest fires may hit California and New Mexico.
wildfire
fire that spreads rapidly and uncontrollably
amid
surrounded by
douse
extinguish (a fire)
evacuated
taken away (from a difficult or dangerous situation or place)
meteorologists
professionals who analyse weather conditions