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Powerful covers, unforgettable duets and a few scandals sprinkled here and there -- George Michael's life was anything but boring.

Christmas carols aren't supposed to have lyrics like "revenge is like the sweetest joy, next to getting p***y."

The American death penalty is falling out of favor, with sentences and executions hitting record lows, as the public expresses more opposition to it than at any point since the Civil Rights movement.

A fake news story led to threats of nuclear war between Pakistan and Israel on Christmas Eve.

Super typhoon Nock-ten made landfall in the Philippines on Christmas Day after authorities worked to evacuate thousands of residents from low-lying areas of the Southeast Asian country's eastern provinces.

More than 50,000 people had to be evacuated from a city in south Germany on Christmas Day after a 1.8-ton World War II bomb was found there.

British pop star George Michael has died, according to Britain's Press Association (PA) news agency. The musician, who shot to fame with the 1980s duo Wham!, was 53 years old. He went on to have a successful career. A statement from his publicist said: "It is with great sadness that we can confirm our beloved son, brother and friend George passed away peacefully at home over the Christmas period."

It's a safe bet that 2017 will be a year for the history books.

A magnitude 7.7 earthquake occurred off the coast of southern Chile Sunday, 40 km (about 25 miles) southwest of Puerto Quellon, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued a tsunami threat message for parts of the Pacific Ocean close to the earthquake.

Entertainment journalist Holland Reid says that George Michael evolved from pop stardom with Wham!, club music and into a Blue-eyed Soul singer.

Italian journalist Pino Maniaci has dedicated his career to uncovering corruption. But now, he's being charged with extortion -- allegations he denies.

It was a crazy year outside the political arena. From nuclear tests in North Korea to a bloodbath in Aleppo, these were some of the most shocking moments from 2016.

David Keyes, a spokesman for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, says Israel has "iron-clad information" that the US worked with the Palestinians on the UN resolution that was critical of Israeli settlements.

President-elect Donald Trump wished the world a Merry Christmas on Sunday -- on Twitter, of course.

A Russian military plane carrying members of the country's official choir traveling to perform in Syria has crashed in the Black Sea near Sochi.

Christmas celebrations around the world.

Carrie Fisher is in stable condition after suffering a cardiac event aboard a weekend flight from London to Los Angeles, her mother Debbie Reynolds said Sunday.

President-elect Donald Trump will dissolve the Trump Foundation, the charitable foundation in his name, as part of efforts to untangle himself of conflicts of interest in the weeks before he is sworn into office, he announced Saturday.

The Republican National Committee is dismissing suggestions Sunday that its Christmas message heralded President-elect Donald Trump as a "new King."

Josh Katrick had just walked out of his eighth round of chemotherapy, when good fortune struck.