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Britain's Mars lander, the Beagle 2, separated from Europe's Mars Express, which was orbiting the red planet, but the craft was lost.
• Five years ago: Pope Benedict XVI urged a world confronting a financial crisis, conflict, and increasing poverty not to lose hope at Christmas, but to join in "authentic solidarity" to prevent global ruin. President-elect Barack Obama spent a private Christmas with family and close friends in Hawaii. Singer, dancer and actress Eartha Kitt died in Weston, Conn. at age 81. Actress Ann Savage died in Los Angeles at age 87.
• One year ago: In his Christmas message to the world, Pope Benedict XVI called for an end to the slaughter in Syria and for more meaningful negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians, while encouraging more religious freedom under China's new leaders. Chicago mobster Frank Calabrese Sr., 75, died at a federal prison in North Carolina.
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• Today's Birthdays: Actor Dick Miller is 85. Author Anne Roiphe is 78. Actress Hanna Schygulla (SHEE'-goo-lah) is 70. Rhythm-and-blues singer John Edwards (The Spinners) is 69. Actor Gary Sandy is 68. Singer Jimmy Buffett is 67. Pro and College Football Hall-of-Famer Larry Csonka is 67. Country singer Barbara Mandrell is 65. Actress Sissy Spacek is 64. Former White House adviser Karl Rove is 63. Actress CCH Pounder is 61. Singer Annie Lennox is 59. Reggae singer-musician Robin Campbell (UB40) is 59. Country singer Steve Wariner is 59. Singer Shane MacGowan (The Pogues, The Popes) is 56. Baseball Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson is 55. The former Chair of the Council of Economic Advisers, Christina Romer, is 55. Actress Klea Scott is 45. Rock musician Noel Hogan (The Cranberries) is 42. Singer Dido is 42. Rock singer Mac Powell (Third Day) is 41. Rhythm-and-blues singer Ryan Shaw is 33. Country singer Alecia Elliott is 31. Pop singers Lisa and Jess Origliasso (The Veronicas) are 29.
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• Thought for Today: "It is Christmas every time you let God love others through you... yes, it is Christmas every time you smile at your brother and offer him your hand." - Mother Teresa of Calcutta (1910-1997).
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