Christmas – Page 4 – THE OVAL CIRCLE

EU

Germany’s Chancellor warns Covid restrictions may continue until January

Posted on November 27, 2020December 1, 2020By Editor

Chancellor Angela Merkel has told Germany’s parliament that restrictive measures to slow the spread of coronavirus could remain in place through Christmas and into early January. … Read More >Germany’s Chancellor warns Covid restrictions may continue until January

EU

Austrian government steps up protection of churches after Vienna attack in run-up to Christmas

Posted on November 26, 2020November 26, 2020By Editor

Austria has begun tightening security at its churches and other sites of religious worship, fearing copycat attacks after an Islamist gunman killed four people in a rampage earlier this month in the capital Vienna. … Read More >Austrian government steps up protection of churches after Vienna attack in run-up to Christmas

UK

No ‘normal’ Christmas will be possible this year, UK finance minister warns, though families may be able to get together

Posted on November 23, 2020By Editor

Christmas celebrations will not be “normal” this year due to the coronavirus situation, British Finance Minister Rishi Sunak has warned, as England prepares to switch from a blanket lockdown to region-based restrictions. … Read More >No ‘normal’ Christmas will be possible this year, UK finance minister warns, though families may be able to get together

EU

Poland to reopen shopping malls next week despite surge in Covid-19 cases

Posted on November 22, 2020November 22, 2020By Editor

Shopping centers across Poland will be allowed to reopen next week despite a recent surge in coronavirus cases, PM Mateusz Morawiecki has said, insisting the move would save “hundreds of thousands” of jobs. … Read More >Poland to reopen shopping malls next week despite surge in Covid-19 cases

EU

European leaders issue bleak reminder that Christmas 2020 won’t be a normal one, despite Covid-19 vaccine euphoria

Posted on November 12, 2020November 12, 2020By Editor

Ireland’s PM has told people to hold off booking their flights home for Christmas, while Germany’s health minister warned that Covid-19 restrictions will likely continue throughout the festive period. … Read More >European leaders issue bleak reminder that Christmas 2020 won’t be a normal one, despite Covid-19 vaccine euphoria

EU

‘Christmas in shifts’ German nursing care commissioner calls on people to take turns at celebrating

Posted on October 28, 2020October 28, 2020By Editor

Germans should limit their contacts to a point when they need to even “take turns” at celebrating Christmas with various relatives to avoid large gatherings, the nation’s nursing care commissioner believes. … Read More >‘Christmas in shifts’ German nursing care commissioner calls on people to take turns at celebrating

UK

A Sky News poll suggests Christmas gatherings ‘not a priority’ for UK public during Covid. Oh yes they are, Twitter cries

Posted on October 12, 2020October 12, 2020By Editor

More than half of Britons think fighting Covid-19 is more important than having a normal Christmas, Sky News has reported, citing a new poll. The news was met with mistrust and anger by the outlet’s Twitter audience. … Read More >A Sky News poll suggests Christmas gatherings ‘not a priority’ for UK public during Covid. Oh yes they are, Twitter cries

Russia

Balloon with Austrian girl’s Christmas wishes miraculously lands in Russian villager’s yard & he proves Santa is real

Posted on January 2, 2020January 2, 2020By Editor

A helium balloon traveled more than 2,500km by air from a tiny Austrian town to a mountainous village in Russia’s North Caucasus, prompting one of this year’s most amazing Christmas stories. … Read More >Balloon with Austrian girl’s Christmas wishes miraculously lands in Russian villager’s yard & he proves Santa is real

Fireworks instead of mortar shells: Syrian Christians flood the streets in spiritual unity of Christmas celebrations (PHOTOS)

Posted on December 25, 2019December 25, 2019By Editor

Flashy firework displays and bright lit Christmas trees popped up all across Syria to celebrate Christmas, a joyous day not only for the Christian minority, but to people of other faiths living in the country. … Read More >Fireworks instead of mortar shells: Syrian Christians flood the streets in spiritual unity of Christmas celebrations (PHOTOS)

Op-ed

Heavily-armed soldiers, violence, sky-high prices, a Santa Claus gender war & no mention of the Nativity… Merry Christmas, Europe!

Posted on December 17, 2019December 17, 2019By Editor

As the UK warns of a “very likely” terrorist attack at German markets, seasonal celebrations across Europe face further threat from bland identikit stalls, rip-off prices & a struggle to address the Christian roots of Christmas. … Read More >Heavily-armed soldiers, violence, sky-high prices, a Santa Claus gender war & no mention of the Nativity… Merry Christmas, Europe!