Page 6 - 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

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

Covid eclipses Christmas celebrations in India for second year

The Christian community in the national capital celebrated with caution as fewer people reached churches

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

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

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

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. It's longstanding tradition for first ladies to visit Children's National Hospital at Christmas time, but Joe Biden's visit on Friday was a surprise. It marked the first time that a sitting president had joined the fun, the White House said. It wasn't the only tradition that the president joined in on Friday. Jill Biden answered calls to the the North American Aerospace Defense Command's Santa tracking service, another longstanding tradition for first ladies, and she was joined by Biden for the calls. At the hospital, the Bidens spoke with a group of children making lanterns as part of a winter craft project, asking each one what they drew on their lanterns. Some drew family, snowmen or other holiday-themed art. They both spoke to a child who said the hospital helped him when he was down. Well we hope we're bringing you some j

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

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

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. Other churches planned outdoor services or proposed a hybrid of online and in-person worship, often imposing tight restrictions for those in attendance. These included requirements to wear masks and show proof of COVID-19 vaccinations. Among the prominent churches cancelling some or all of their in-person Christmas services were Washington National Cathedral in the nation's capital; St. John the Divine, the cathedral of the Episcopal Diocese of New York; and the historic Old South Church in Boston. The Rev. Nancy Taylor, senior minister of Old South, said the church affiliated with the United Church of Christ still hoped to hold in-person Christmas Day services on Saturday, but was shifting its popular Christmas Eve service to online-only. The Christmas Eve congregation tends to be larger w

Omicron surge: United and Delta cancel hundreds of Christmas flights

Delta said its cancellations were due to a combination of reasons, including potential inclement weather in some places and the impact of omicron

Omicron effect: Lufthansa, Delta, United report cancellations over X-Mas

Germany-based Lufthansa said Friday that it was cancelling a dozen long-haul transatlantic flights over the Christmas holiday period because of a massive rise in sick leave among pilots

UK PM Johnson uses Christmas message to push Covid-19 boosters

In his video message, Johnson said a coronavirus booster jab would be a "wonderful" Christmas gift and also linked it to the teachings of Jesus Christ

Odisha govt imposes restrictions for Christmas, New Year celebrations

As per the order, Christmas celebrations will be limited to the churches with participation of a maximum of 50 persons

Yes, there is a Santa Claus. And no, Covid-19 won't stop him

That's the word from the joint U.S.-Canadian military operation that for 66 years has been tracking Jolly Old St. Nicholas on his global mission

Omicron variant dampens festive spirit, worries hospitality sector

A restaurant owner in Khan Market, the buzzing shopping and eating destination in the heart of the city, said this is their turnaround moment but it may not happen.

Mizoram prepares for 150th year of Christmas celebration

People in Christian-majority Mizoram are preparing for the 150th year of Christmas celebration in the tiny northeastern state.

Religious places in Delhi to remain open on Christmas, New Year's Eve: DDMA

The DDMA also directed the district magistrates (DMs) to identify potential Covid-19 superspreader areas ahead of Christmas and New Year

No new Covid restrictions before Christmas in UK: PM Boris Johnson

PM Johnson has confirmed that he will not introduce any further Covid restrictions in the UK before Christmas, but warned that the situation remains "finely balanced" ahead of the new year