Page 2 - Latest Updates on Christmas
Hotels, resorts sold out on high demand for Christmas-New Year celebrations
The domestic hospitality industry is gearing up to make the most of full-fledged Christmas and New Year celebrations this time around after two years of washout by the pandemic
 "Hotels, resorts sold out on high demand for Christmas-New Year celebrations")
No shine in Surat diamond industry this Christmas, thanks to bad US economy
Festive orders, sales in December down by 15-20% over last year
 "No shine in Surat diamond industry this Christmas, thanks to bad US economy")
Spain starts new code for manufacturers to avoid sexism in ads for toys
Spain said Wednesday it's enacting a new ethics code to discourage toy manufacturers from using sexist stereotypes such as dolls for girls and action figures for boys in advertisements
 "Spain starts new code for manufacturers to avoid sexism in ads for toys")
Year-end fares go through the roof as airlines fly on low capacity
More than 75 planes are grounded; Goa to see 11% fewer flights in December
 "Year-end fares go through the roof as airlines fly on low capacity")
Germany urges citizens to avoid Christmas lights in view of energy crisis
Germany should forgo its tradition of Christmas lighting in cities and private households this year due to the energy crisis, an environment advocacy group said
 "Germany urges citizens to avoid Christmas lights in view of energy crisis")
TikTok emerges as most downloaded app globally on Christmas 2021: Report
Popular short video-sharing platform Tiktok has topped the chart of downloads on Christmas Day this year.
 "TikTok emerges as most downloaded app globally on Christmas 2021: Report")
Spain records highest-ever 14-day incidence of Covid after Christmas break
Spain on Monday evening said that the 14-day incidence of the coronavirus rose by 294 points in the four days from December 23 to 1,206.21 cases per 100,000 people after the Christmas holiday weekend
 "Spain records highest-ever 14-day incidence of Covid after Christmas break")
Need to bring back Covid curbs in Kolkata in light of X-Mas crowds: Experts
Health experts and doctors cautioned the state government against allowing more such gatherings especially during the New Year festivities
 "Need to bring back Covid curbs in Kolkata in light of X-Mas crowds: Experts")
Bulgaria coronavirus update: 1,033 new cases reported on Christmas
733,139 are the total confirmed cases of coronavirus in Bulgaria. This is shown by data from the National Information System
 "Bulgaria coronavirus update: 1,033 new cases reported on Christmas")
US airlines scrap nearly 1,000 Christmas Day flights due to Omicron
At least one airline said that it expects hundreds more cancellations on Sunday
 "US airlines scrap nearly 1,000 Christmas Day flights due to Omicron")
Joe Bidens mark Christmas with holiday calls to service members
Biden marked his first Christmas in office by making calls to military service members stationed around the world, offering them holiday wishes and gratitude for their service and sacrifice
 "Joe Bidens mark Christmas with holiday calls to service members")
Covid eclipses Christmas celebrations in India for second year
The Christian community in the national capital celebrated with caution as fewer people reached churches
 "Covid eclipses Christmas celebrations in India for second year")
Surging Covid cases make for another subdued Christmas Day
While some countries in Asia imposed restrictions to try to contain the Omicron variant, governments in Europe and elsewhere preached common sense despite reporting record daily cases this week
 "Surging Covid cases make for another subdued Christmas Day")
On Christmas, pope prays for pandemic's end, peace dialogues
Amid a record-setting rise in COVID-19 cases in Italy this week, only a few thousand people flocked to a rain-soaked St Peter's Square for Francis' annual Urbi et Orbi Christmas address
 "On Christmas, pope prays for pandemic's end, peace dialogues")
Christmas celebrations muted in Delhi amid Omicron variant fears
On Wednesday, the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) had directed district magistrates to ensure that no Christmas and New Year gatherings take place in the national capital
Coronavirus puts a damper on Christmas Eve again around the world
From Bethlehem and Frankfurt to London and Boston, the surging coronavirus put a damper on Christmas Eve for a second year, forcing churches to cancel or scale back services
 "Coronavirus puts a damper on Christmas Eve again around the world")
Joe Biden, first lady Jill visit hospitalised kids on Christmas Eve
President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden brought some Christmas Eve cheer to hospitalised children who aren't well enough to go home for the holidays.
 "Joe Biden, first lady Jill visit hospitalised kids on Christmas Eve")
Biden's first Christmas in White House made sombre by Covid pandemic
Beyond the impact on Biden's first Christmas in office, the virus and its variants largely put the kibosh on the entire White House social scene for 2021
 "Biden's first Christmas in White House made sombre by Covid pandemic")
Recall noble teachings of Jesus Christ: PM Modi extends wishes on Christmas
Extending his greetings to the citizens on the occasion of Christmas, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday recalled the life and teachings of Jesus Christ
 "Recall noble teachings of Jesus Christ: PM Modi extends wishes on Christmas")
Many US churches cancel in-person Christmas services as Covid cases surge
Amid the surge of coronavirus cases across the U.S., numerous churches have cancelled in-person Christmas services, disappointing pastors and churchgoers who consider them an annual highlight.
 "Many US churches cancel in-person Christmas services as Covid cases surge")