TOPIC

Christmas

Chris Evans (left) and Dwayne Johnson in a still from Red One (category IIA), co-starring Lucy Liu and directed by Jake Kasdan. Photo: Prime

Review | Red One: Christmas with Dwayne Johnson, Chris Evans is no fun

The Rock gets knocked silly by monsters and murderous snowmen in his bid to save Santa Claus in a festive film devoid of Christmas cheer.

videocam

10 holiday classics about Santa Claus in peril to watch before Red One

videocam

Editorial | Challenges ahead for Hong Kong businesses after surge during golden week

Christmas comes 3 months early to crisis-hit Venezuela

‘It’s September, and it already smells like Christmas’, said President Nicolas Maduro, decreeing an October 1 celebration on his weekly television show.

videocam
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro speaks to supporters in Caracas in December last year. Photo: AP

Explainer | Wedding bells behind bars? The Post examines rights for Hongkongers in jail

Prisoners can get married behind bars, get out under supervision for funerals of loved ones and women inmates can keep young children with them.

Hong Kong Lunar New Year bounce boosts restaurants, but 1 owner to shut outlets

Restaurateurs say Lunar New Year business ‘exceptionally good’, especially for Chinese restaurants.

19
Advertisement
Advertisement

Editorial | Time has arrived for Cathay Pacific to get back on course for sake of Hong Kong

Cancelled flights have done nothing for the reputation of the city or its flagship carrier, and there needs to be answers as well as an end to chaos.

6
A passenger checks an information board at Hong Kong International Airport showing Cathay Pacific flight cancellations. Photo: Xiaomei Chen

Hong Kong restaurants dealt double blow on New Year’s Eve by tourist trends

Catering industry registered HK$380 million in revenue on New Year’s Eve, compared with HK$420 million in 2022.

28

Christmas box office takings slump as Hongkongers shun silver screen

Cinema industry chiefs say local box office takings reached HK$19.6 million from December 24 to 26, a drop of about 40 per cent from same period year before.

videocam
4

Japan store executive bows, ‘deeply’ sorry for delivering collapsed cakes

Takashimaya said more than 800 strawberry frill shortcakes were sent to customers with damage, and it would work with suppliers to prevent this from ever happening again.

Takashimaya said 807 of the around 2,900 strawberry frill shortcakes it sold online were delivered to customers with damage. Photo: X/bakusinnouuka

Hongkongers make 1.3 million outbound trips in 3 days, beating pre-pandemic era

Number of departures by Hongkongers in the past three days rose by 20.9 per cent compared with the same period in 2018 and by 15.6 per cent over 2019 figures.

13
Tourists take in the sights of Tsim Sha Tsui. The number of visitors arriving this Christmas was down 27 per cent on the 2018 figure. Photo: Edmond So

UK’s King Charles urges compassion, care for environment in Christmas message

In a first for the tradition of royal seasonal messages, the monarch spoke beside a living Christmas tree that Buckingham Palace said would be replanted.

6

Israel PM visits Gaza vows to ‘intensify’ fighting; heckled by hostage families

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Gaza on Monday and vowed to expand the military operation, and says the war “isn’t close to finished”.

videocam
6

In Christmas message, pope begs for end to Israel’s Gaza campaign

Francis devoted his Christmas Day blessing to a call for peace in the world, noting that the biblical story of the birth of Christ in Bethlehem sent a message of peace.

videocam
Pope Francis delivers his traditional Christmas Day message from the main balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican. Photo: Reuters

Israel-Gaza war, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine cast shadow over Christmas

Israel’s war with Hamas and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine cast a shadow over one of the world’s favourite holidays.

videocam
Ukrainian service members move toward Russian troops near the front line town of Kupiansk on December 24. Photo: Reuters

Chinese state media urge citizens to remember Christmas Eve Korean war victory

Broadcaster stirs patriotism with viral video about Battle of Lake Changjin, also known as Battle of Chosin Reservoir, which ended on December 24, 1950, and is considered a pivotal moment in China’s fight against US and its allies in Korean conflict.

videocam
157

Palestinians feel ‘no joy’ as Israel bombs Gaza on Christmas

Festivities were effectively scrapped in the occupied West Bank city of Bethlehem, revered as the birthplace of Jesus Christ. In the besieged Gaza Strip, Israeli strikes had killed at least 18 people.

5
Advertisement
Advertisement

Hong Kong countryside, festive activities draw crowds of Christmas Day revellers

People hit hiking trails of Tai Lam Country Park to celebrate holiday, while city leader urges people ‘to care for individuals from different backgrounds’.

Hikers at Tai Lam Country Park. Bus firm KMB has arranged a special service for Christmas Day and Boxing Day so hikers can travel to the area from Yoho Mall. Photo: Yik Yeung-man

Hong Kong catering industry ‘suffers 11% drop in business’ on Christmas Eve

Hong Kong catering chief says estimated turnover for industry on Christmas Eve was HK$380 million, lower than last year’s tally of HK$430 million.

17

Home From Home | Overcooked turkey, rock-hard sprouts – hopefully not my UK Christmas lunch

This is Cliff Buddle’s first English Christmas in his own home since leaving Hong Kong and the main event will be the much maligned traditional lunch – hopefully his family will create something edible.

‘Tonight our hearts are in Bethlehem,’ pope says in Christmas mass

Francis did not mention Israel or Gaza by name, but he made numerous references to violence and war during the mass at Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome and attended by some 6,500 people.

Pope Francis presides over the Christmas Eve mass at St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, Rome on Sunday. Photo: AFP

Ukraine’s Zelensky sends Christmas warning: ‘In the end, darkness will lose’

In a video message, Zelensky thanked Ukrainian soldiers who are spending Christmas in the trenches at the front line, telling them ‘evil will be defeated’.

17
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Photo: Dario Pignatelli / European Council / dpa -

US-Canada military ‘tracks’ Santa Claus for 68th year

North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD) created a 3D, interactive website at www.noradsanta.org showing Santa and his reindeer on their imagined worldwide delivery route.

videocam

Austria detains 3 suspected Islamists amid security fears in Vienna and Germany

German police are carrying out strict controls at the cathedral in Cologne following a ‘danger warning’ for New Year’s Eve.

How Ukraine independence song inspires Christmas tune in ‘Home Alone’ film

Mykola Leontovych, the composer of the song, was shot dead in 1921 by a Soviet agent, according to Ukraine’s culture ministry.

videocam
People gather around a giant Christmas tree in front of Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv on last Wednesday. Photo: Kyodo

‘We feel sad’: Sombre Bethlehem marks Christmas with vigil as Israel bombs Gaza

And in place of the usual nativity scene, representing the holy family, Bethlehem churches this year placed the models amid rubble and barbed wire in solidarity with the people of Gaza.

4
The figures of a Christmas installation amid rubble surrounded by razor wire are unveiled outside the Church of the Nativity, in support of Gaza, on Manger Square in Bethlehem, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Photo: Reuters

No Christmas cheer for Hong Kong restaurants as patrons head across the border

Restaurant operators say festive menus, offers and social media ads aren’t pulling in patrons this year.

videocam
20

Editorial | This Christmas can be just like the ones we used to know

After three years when traditional festivities were curtailed due to the pandemic, the Christmas spirit can once again be enjoyed to the full in Hong Kong.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.
SUPPORT NOW
Christmas
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Christmas. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
last updated:
9 September, 2024
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement