Christmas

Christmas celebrations return to Bethlehem after 2 years of war in Gaza

For the past two Christmases, John Juka's family restaurant looked about the same as any business in Bethlehem: shuttered and eerily empty. But on Saturday evening, it bustled with families and was lit by strings of red lights, a hopeful change in the Palestinian city that's been reeling since war broke out in Gaza. Christmas celebrations are slowly returning to the traditional birthplace of Jesus in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. While a shaky ceasefire holds in Gaza, Palestinians hope the festivities are a step toward a more peaceful future in a region shaken by tragedy. "It's not like it was before the war," 30-year-old Juka said. "But it's like life is coming back again." Muslim-majority city thrives on Christmas Tourism and religious pilgrims have long been a prime economic engine for Bethlehem. Around 80 per cent of the Muslim-majority city's residents live off it, according to the local government. Those earnings ripple out to communities across the West Bank, a territor

RBI brings early Christmas: Room left for another 25-bps rate cut

If inflation undershoots RBI projections and growth faces roadblocks from trade barriers and geopolitics, another 25-bps rate cut will not be a surprise

Cakes 'n' bakes: India goes the whole hog on new Christmas indulgences

India's festive baking is evolving from being a nice community ritual to premium indulgence; Craft, nostalgia and personalisation now define the country's Christmas cake culture

Trump tariff impact: US kids to see higher price tag on Christmas toys

Majority of US retail firms put their orders on hold due to uncertainty in tariff situation

News updates: All govt programs on Fri cancelled, 7-day mourning in honour of Dr Manmohan Singh

Latest news updates: Catch all the latest news developments from across the world here

Trump's Christmas sarcasm: Vows to buy Greenland, and control Panama Canal

Trump shared an unconventional Christmas message with sarcastic remarks targeting political issues such as Panama Canal, Canada's tax policies, Greenland, drawing sharp contrasts with Biden's approach

Mega Millions Jackpot past $1 bn as no numbers match on X'mas eve drawing

The odds of winning the Mega Millions jackpot are 1 in 302,575,350, while the odds of winning any Mega Millions prize are 1 in 24, according to lottery officials

May we become pilgrims of hope, peace, and unity: Pope on Christmas

Pope Francis in his traditional Christmas message Wednesday urged all people of all nations to find courage during this Holy Year to silence the sounds of arms and overcome divisions plaguing the world, from the Middle East to Ukraine, Africa to Asia. The pontiff's Urbi et Orbi To the City and the World address serves as a summary of the woes facing the world this year. As Christmas coincided with the start of the 2025 Holy Year celebration that he dedicated to hope, Francis called for broad reconciliation, even (with) our enemies. "I invite every individual, and all people of all nations ... to become pilgrims of hope, to silence the sounds of arms and overcome divisions,' the pope said from the loggia of St. Peter's Basilica to throngs of people below. The pope invoked the Holy Door of St. Peter's Basilica, which he opened on Christmas Eve to launch the 2025 Jubilee, as representing God's mercy, which unties every knot; it tears down every wall of division; it dispels hatred and

Watch: PM Modi greets people on Christmas

Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted people on Christmas on Wednesday. He said on X, "Wishing you all a Merry Christmas. May the teachings of Lord Jesus Christ show everyone the path of peace

Chag Sameach: EAM Jaishankar sends Hanukkah greetings to Israeli FM Sa'ar

The first day of Hanukkah and Christmas have only coincided a handful of times since 1900, according to the Jewish Federations of North America

Himachal celebrates 'White Christmas', but snowfall triggers road closures

The recent snowfall in Himachal Pradesh has led to the closure of more than 200 roads, including key national highways

Cities worldwide hold subdued Christmas Eve celebrations amid conflicts

Bethlehem marked another somber Christmas Eve on Tuesday in the traditional birthplace of Jesus under the shadow of war in Gaza. The cheer that typically descends on the West Bank during Christmas week were nowhere to be found. The festive lights and giant tree that normally decorate Manger Square were missing, as were the throngs of foreign tourists. Palestinian scouts marched silently through the streets, a departure from their usual raucous brass marching band. Security forces arranged barriers near the Church of the Nativity, built atop the spot where Jesus is believed to have been born. A young boy stood holding a pile of balloons for sale, but gave up because there were no customers to buy them. The cancellation of Christmas festivities is a severe blow to the town's economy. Tourism accounts for an estimated 70 per cent of Bethlehem's income almost all from the Christmas season. The number of visitors to Bethlehem plunged from a pre-COVID high of around 2 million per year in

Stock markets closed: BSE, NSE shut trading across segments for Christmas

The closure applies to equity, equity derivatives, SLB, and currency derivatives segments. Commodity markets will also remain shut during both morning and evening sessions

Merry Christmas 2024: Wishes, messages and greetings for your loved ones

Christmas is the most magical time of the year, a season of joy, love, and togetherness. So, here are the Christmas messages, wishes, and greetings to share with your loved ones

President Murmu extends Christmas greetings, calls for unity, peace

President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday greeted citizens on the eve of Christmas and hoped that the "forces of trust and forgiveness" will be strengthened around the world, bringing people closer to each other. "As we celebrate this sacred day, let us imbibe Jesus Christ's message of love and harmony in our lives. His teachings of brotherhood and welfare of all continue to light the path to a better world. This festival inspires us to foster unity and peace," she said. In this season of peace, "I hope the forces of trust and forgiveness will be strengthened around the world, bringing people closer to each other," Murmu said. The President extended her heartiest greetings and best wishes to all Indians, especially Christians, according to a statement issued by the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Merry Christmas 2024: Festival history, significance, tradition, and more

Christmas 2024 history and significance: Christmas is a vibrant festival blending religious devotion with cultural exuberance. The celebrations begin on Christmas Eve and continue till December 25th

Christmas 2024 speech ideas: Long, short speeches for students in English

It's Christmas and time for many students to participate in events in their schools and colleges to give speeches. Here are some short and long Christmas Day speech ideas in English

Banks to be closed for Christmas: Full list of states

Banks will be closed in Mizoram, Nagaland and Meghalaya for Christmas Eve on December 24

Starbucks strike to expand to 300 stores on Christmas Eve, says union

Starbucks Workers United, representing employees at 525 stores nationwide, said more than 60 US stores across 12 major cities, including New York, Los Angeles, Boston and Seattle, were shut on Monday

Christmas 2024: Discover unique ways of traditions, celebrations worldwide

Christmas is celebrated on Dec 25th every year and marks the birth of Jesus Christ. On the eve of the festival, let's explore some unique traditions and celebrations observed around the globe