Israel Unlikely to Carry Out Retaliatory Strike on Iran Until After Passover - Reports

Israel is unlikely to launch a retaliatory strike on Iran until after the end of the Jewish holiday of Passover, also known as Pesach, which is celebrated from April 22 - 30, a senior US official has told the ABC News broadcaster.

German Foreign Office Warns Against Visits To Russia

The German Foreign Office warned its citizens against traveling to Russia and urged them to be cautious in the coming days.

Kiev Regions Authorities Ban Use Of Holiday Illumination - Governor

Kiev Region Governor Oleksiy Kuleba said on Thursday that the use of garlands and other holiday illumination was prohibited in the region.

China Locks Down 65 Million As Holiday Travel Peak Looms - Tasnim News Agency

 China has locked down 65 million of its citizens under tough COVID-19 restrictions and is discouraging domestic travel during upcoming national holidays.

Germany's Angela Merkel: 'Refugees Must Be Distributed Fairly'

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has called in an interview for EU countries to show solidarity in taking in refugees. But she said her decision to open Germany's borders in 2015 was one she would take again in the same circumstances.

About 30 pct of Portuguese miss out on holidays abroad due to financial reasons

About 5.9 million Portuguese, or more than half of the country's total population, did not go abroad for holidays in 2015, data released by the National Institute of Statistics show.

Portugal's parliament approves restoration of 4 public holidays

The Portuguese parliament approved Friday the restoration of four public holidays which were suspended by previous central-right coalition government in 2012.

Christmas lights in US use more energy than entire countries use in a year

American household Christmas lights, a favorite holiday tradition, use up more electricity than some poorer countries -- such as El Salvador or Ethiopia -- do in a year.

No specific, credible terror threats against US (Obama)

US President Barack Obama on Thursday reassured Americans that there are no specific and credible terror threats against the United States during holidays.

Syrian opposition urges ceasefire during Eid al-Adha feast

Some Syrian opposition parties have called for a ceasefire in Syria during the coming feast of Muslim Eid al-Adha to alleviate some of the suffering of the Syrian people, the pro-government al-Watan daily reported Thursday.

In a statement, the domestically-based National Coordination Body (NCB) called for a "humanitarian" ceasefire during the week- long holiday of Eid al-Adha, or the feast of sacrifice.

Angela Merkel injured in skiing accident (video BBC)

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BERLIN — German Chancellor Angela Merkel has suffered a pelvis injury during a skiing holiday in Switzerland, putting her on the sidelines for the next three weeks.

Ms Merkel’s spokesman Steffen Seibert said today (Jan 6) that the chancellor suffered what she first thought was just a bruise to her left rear pelvic area while cross-country skiing.

Bulgarian Winter Resorts (Bansko, Borovets and Pamporovo) Expect Greek Visitors Boom

Nikos k. Bansko

Bulgarian winter resorts of Bansko, Borovets and Pamporovo expect to be the hit for Greek visitors for Christmas and New Year's Eve.

The Bulgarian National Radio, BNR, reported Sunday that Greek tour operators have registered interest only for short travels to relatively cheap destinations due to the debt crisis and all packages in Bulgarian resorts have been sold out.