United States President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden opened their last holiday season at the White House with the annual tradition of turkey pardons and accepting the Christmas tree. Biden also hosted “friendsgiving” in New York City.

“Based on their temperament and commitment to being productive members of society, I hereby pardon Peach and Blossom,” Biden said during the turkey pardoning ceremony on the White House South Lawn.

The two turkeys arrived in Washington from southern Minnesota over the weekend and were trained for the crowds, bright light, and loud sound for the ceremony.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/joe-biden-and-wife-to-attend-trump-inauguration-white-house-779243">US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill to attend Trump inauguration: White House</a>

Biden addressed the guests and joked about the birds as he is approaching the end of his term as the US president with&nbsp;power getting transferred to President-elect Donald Trump.

“It’s been the honour of my life. I’m forever grateful,” Biden said.

Biden then talked about the turkeys, Peach who “lives by the motto, ‘Keep calm and gobble on’” while Blossom has a different motto of “No fowl play. Just Minnesota nice.”

The first lady accepted the official Christmas tree that will be decorated and showcased in the Blue Room of the White House. The Fraser fir tree is 18.5 feet tall and arrived from western North Carolina, where the monster Hurricane Helene caused destruction. While thousands of trees were lost due to the storm, “but this one remained standing and they named it ‘Tremendous’ for the extraordinary hope that it represents,” Jill Biden said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-hosts-farewell-dinner-for-donors-at-white-house-779033">Biden hosts farewell dinner for donors at White House; people debate 'love fest' or 'losers party'</a>

The President and the first lady also hosted “friendsgiving” at the US Coast Guard Sector New York on Staten Island for the members of the US Coast Guard and their families.

“Simply put, we owe you. We owe your families,” Biden said, appreciating their service and sacrifice. “Thank you, thank you, thank you.”

“With all my heart, thank you for your service and your sacrifice,” Jill said at the event, addressing the military families.

The menu at the event was catered by celebrity chef Robert Irvine, where the guests were served turkey, ham, side dishes and desserts.

(With inputs from agencies)

United States President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden opened their last holiday season at the White House with the annual tradition of turkey pardons and accepting the Christmas tree.

United States President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden opened their last holiday season at the White House with the annual tradition of turkey pardons and accepting the Christmas tree. Biden also hosted “friendsgiving” in New York City. “Based on their temperament and commitment to being productive members of society, I hereby pardon Peach and Blossom,” Biden said during the turkey pardoning ceremony on the White House South Lawn. The two turkeys arrived in Washington from southern Minnesota over the weekend and were trained for the crowds, bright light, and loud sound for the ceremony. Also read | US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill to attend Trump inauguration: White House Biden addressed the guests and joked about the birds as he is approaching the end of his term as the US president with power getting transferred to President-elect Donald Trump. “It’s been the honour of my life. I’m forever grateful,” Biden said. Biden then talked about the turkeys, Peach who “lives by the motto, ‘Keep calm and gobble on’” while Blossom has a different motto of “No fowl play. Just Minnesota nice.” The first lady accepted the official Christmas tree that will be decorated and showcased in the Blue Room of the White House. The Fraser fir tree is 18.5 feet tall and arrived from western North Carolina, where the monster Hurricane Helene caused destruction. While thousands of trees were lost due to the storm, “but this one remained standing and they named it ‘Tremendous’ for the extraordinary hope that it represents,” Jill Biden said. Also read | Biden hosts farewell dinner for donors at White House; people debate 'love fest' or 'losers party' The President and the first lady also hosted “friendsgiving” at the US Coast Guard Sector New York on Staten Island for the members of the US Coast Guard and their families. “Simply put, we owe you. We owe your families,” Biden said, appreciating their service and sacrifice. “Thank you, thank you, thank you.” “With all my heart, thank you for your service and your sacrifice,” Jill said at the event, addressing the military families. The menu at the event was catered by celebrity chef Robert Irvine, where the guests were served turkey, ham, side dishes and desserts. (With inputs from agencies)

Biden opens last holiday season at the White House with turkey pardons, Christmas tree

The festive season is here and it has set the ball rolling for a buzzing holiday season as the days of celebrations begin. The holiday travel rush is hitting its peak in the US with mild weather and lower flight cancellations.

US looks forward to a packed holiday season

United States ahead of a long holiday and festive season, a historic and brutal storm is raging in the country, leaving about 240 million Americans under severe weather warnings. Thousands of flights have been cancelled and major highways have been closed. US is also experiencing power outages.

Bomb Cyclone pummels US, 200 million people under weather alerts

More than one million people faced power outages in the United States on Friday as the cyclonic winter storm battered the country, cancelling flights, blocking highways and making travel misery for home goers ahead of the holiday season.

Howling winds, heavy snow and frigid air which can turn boiling water into ice instantly have hit most of the nation, including southern states, which are normally temperate.

Weather warnings were issued to around 200 million Americans, as -55 Fahrenheit (-48 Celsius) was recorded as the lowest temperature amid chilly wind, the National Weather Service (NWS) stated.&nbsp;

39-year-old Jennifer Orlando, who lives in Hamburg, New York, faced a power outage of four hours after a vehicle accidentally slid into a power line. For thousands of electricity consumers, who are facing power outages, the winter storm has become an issue of immediate concern.

ALSO READ| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-canada-experience-freezing-temperatures-forecast-service-warns-itll-cause-frostbite-in-five-mins-545166">US, Canada experience freezing temperatures, forecast service warns it'll cause frostbite in five mins</a>

Migrants and homeless seek warm shelters&nbsp;

Migrants coming from Mexico sought shelter in schools, churches and a civic centre of El Paso, Texas for warmth, said school teacher and volunteer Rosa Falcon.

However, some migrants still stay outside battling -15 Fahrenheit temperatures fearing that they may come in the eyes of immigration authorities, she said.

Non-profit organisation Burke Patten of Night Ministry, established in Chicago to help the homeless, stated, "We've been handing out cold weather gear, including coats, hats, gloves, thermal underwear, blankets and sleeping bags, along with hand and foot warmers."

Chicago area commander for the Salvation Army Major Caleb Senn said that centres have been opened by the organisation for sheltering people from the fierce winter.

"Some of the people we're seeing right now, they've just become homeless this year. Some of these people are actually frightened. This is the first time they've been in the elements without someplace to go,” he stated.

WATCH| Gravitas: U.S. faces winter storm on Christmas weekend

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Flights cancelled, accident reported as visibility drops to zero

Near-zero visibility, stormy weather and ice-covered roads were reported in Oklahoma, Iowa, North and South Dakota and elsewhere and people were appealed to stay home.

Reports of two traffic fatalities came from Oklahoma on Thursday. Kentucky's governor Andy Beshear confirmed three fatalities in his state.

In Ohio, one person was killed in a 50-vehicle pile-up, while traffic was snarled in Michigan after the accident of nine tractor-trailers.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul said, "This is an epic, statewide hazard. The roads are going to be like an ice skating rink and your tires cannot handle this."

On Friday, almost 5,000 flights were cancelled and 7,600 were delayed. The balmy Los Angeles also felt the misery of flight cancellation.

While speaking to ABC 7, Christine Lerosen said she failed to find a flight out of Vancouver.&nbsp;

"I had to get my brother to drive me down to Seattle - had to book a flight out of Seattle to go to Denver, to fly here. My Seattle flight was delayed, my Denver flight was delayed and now they lost my luggage," she added.

By the afternoon of Friday, the storm took the shape of a "bomb cyclone" after there was a precipitous drop in air pressure in 24 hours.

ALSO READ| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-weather-what-is-bomb-cyclone-does-it-explode-545587">US Weather: What is Bomb cyclone? Does it explode?</a>

Wind chills, rapid frostbite

NWS' lead forecaster Rich Maliawco, while speaking in Glasgow, Montana where overnight wind chill dropped to -60 Fahrenheit, called the weather 'extremely dangerous'.

"With these kinds of wind chills, if you're not wearing those warm layers... unprotected skin can get frostbite in less than five minutes," he stated.

He said that people have been posting videos of the "boiling water challenge," where they throw boiling water into the air as it freezes instantly.

"We created our own cloud @ -17° F (-27° C) at the #Missoula International Airport," he added.

(With inputs from agencies)

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

More than one million people faced power outages in the United States on Friday as the cyclonic winter storm battered the country, cancelling flights, blocking highways and making travel misery for home goers ahead of the holiday season.

More than one million people faced power outages in the United States on Friday as the cyclonic winter storm battered the country, cancelling flights, blocking highways and making travel misery for home goers ahead of the holiday season. Howling winds, heavy snow and frigid air which can turn boiling water into ice instantly have hit most of the nation, including southern states, which are normally temperate. Weather warnings were issued to around 200 million Americans, as -55 Fahrenheit (-48 Celsius) was recorded as the lowest temperature amid chilly wind, the National Weather Service (NWS) stated. 39-year-old Jennifer Orlando, who lives in Hamburg, New York, faced a power outage of four hours after a vehicle accidentally slid into a power line. For thousands of electricity consumers, who are facing power outages, the winter storm has become an issue of immediate concern. ALSO READ| US, Canada experience freezing temperatures, forecast service warns it'll cause frostbite in five mins Migrants and homeless seek warm shelters Migrants coming from Mexico sought shelter in schools, churches and a civic centre of El Paso, Texas for warmth, said school teacher and volunteer Rosa Falcon. However, some migrants still stay outside battling -15 Fahrenheit temperatures fearing that they may come in the eyes of immigration authorities, she said. Non-profit organisation Burke Patten of Night Ministry, established in Chicago to help the homeless, stated, "We've been handing out cold weather gear, including coats, hats, gloves, thermal underwear, blankets and sleeping bags, along with hand and foot warmers." Chicago area commander for the Salvation Army Major Caleb Senn said that centres have been opened by the organisation for sheltering people from the fierce winter. "Some of the people we're seeing right now, they've just become homeless this year. Some of these people are actually frightened. This is the first time they've been in the elements without someplace to go,” he stated. WATCH| Gravitas: U.S. faces winter storm on Christmas weekend Flights cancelled, accident reported as visibility drops to zero Near-zero visibility, stormy weather and ice-covered roads were reported in Oklahoma, Iowa, North and South Dakota and elsewhere and people were appealed to stay home. Reports of two traffic fatalities came from Oklahoma on Thursday. Kentucky's governor Andy Beshear confirmed three fatalities in his state. In Ohio, one person was killed in a 50-vehicle pile-up, while traffic was snarled in Michigan after the accident of nine tractor-trailers. New York Governor Kathy Hochul said, "This is an epic, statewide hazard. The roads are going to be like an ice skating rink and your tires cannot handle this." On Friday, almost 5,000 flights were cancelled and 7,600 were delayed. The balmy Los Angeles also felt the misery of flight cancellation. While speaking to ABC 7, Christine Lerosen said she failed to find a flight out of Vancouver. "I had to get my brother to drive me down to Seattle - had to book a flight out of Seattle to go to Denver, to fly here. My Seattle flight was delayed, my Denver flight was delayed and now they lost my luggage," she added. By the afternoon of Friday, the storm took the shape of a "bomb cyclone" after there was a precipitous drop in air pressure in 24 hours. ALSO READ| US Weather: What is Bomb cyclone? Does it explode? Wind chills, rapid frostbite NWS' lead forecaster Rich Maliawco, while speaking in Glasgow, Montana where overnight wind chill dropped to -60 Fahrenheit, called the weather 'extremely dangerous'. "With these kinds of wind chills, if you're not wearing those warm layers... unprotected skin can get frostbite in less than five minutes," he stated. He said that people have been posting videos of the "boiling water challenge," where they throw boiling water into the air as it freezes instantly. "We created our own cloud @ -17° F (-27° C) at the #Missoula International Airport," he added. (With inputs from agencies)

'Epic' winter storm hits Americans, as millions face power outage ahead of holiday season

Christmas Cake Recipes:&nbsp;Christmas is all about decorated homes, nice gifts, good food and delicious desserts. Talking of desserts, cake is the best option to go for on any given day. If you are meaning to bake a cake of one with a lot of flavours, then you must try these 10 mouth-watering cake recipes which have a range from butter cake to chocolate cakes.&nbsp;

<h2>1. Ooey Gooey Butter cake&nbsp;</h2>

<img alt="Butter " data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="6f3c8696-243c-412f-8b90-01a2d6c331d9" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Butter%20cake.jpg" />

Although not exactly a cake, a bar, or a cheesecake, this ooey gooey cake bakes a little bit flatter than regular slices and is covered with a buttery cream cheese layer. A package of yellow cake mix is a common starting point for recipes like this one. In this case, a dash of pumpkin pie spice gives the cake a festive, warm-spiced flavour that makes it a deserving addition to your array of Thanksgiving desserts.

<h2>2. Christmas Cranberry Cake</h2>

<img alt="Cranberry " data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8a735df6-e481-483f-aff8-dcbbb0fb13ce" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Cranberry.jpg" />

Every slice of this vanilla cake has tart-sweet cranberries. It is made even more festive for the holidays by the sweetened cranberries and tangy cream cheese icing. The rich vanilla cake and acidic cream cheese frosting are balanced by the tart snap of fresh cranberries that are scattered throughout like decorations. For added shine, cranberries are also sugar dusted and sprinkled on top.

<h2>3. Delicious Pecan cake&nbsp;</h2>

<img alt="Pecan cake " data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ed711ce9-4a99-46c9-ab0c-5bd1b1d45fc6" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/pecan-ga8197a5d0_1920.jpg" />

Toasted pecans should be placed in a baking pan. Butter and sugar should be creamed until light and fluffy. Eggs can also be knocked over. Add vanilla and stir. When adding the flour, milk, and baking powder alternately to the creamed mixture, be sure to whisk well after each addition. Butter and confectioners' sugar should be combined in a big basin to make the frosting. Blend in the milk and vanilla after adding them. Add the rest of the toasted pecans. Frost the cake from top to bottom and between layers.

<h2>4. Chocolate Ganache Cake</h2>

<img alt="Ganache " data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5ecfc502-841e-4dce-9000-92df2d74b310" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Choclate%20Ganache%20Cake.jpg" />

If you love chocolate, this cake is the perfect fit for you. What is Ganache? A chocolate and cream-based filling, glaze, sauce, or topping for pastries make ganache. Bringing the cream to a boil in a saucepan and then pouring it over the chocolate is the most reliable method for melting chocolate for ganache. It's crucial to wait until the cake has cooled fully before drizzling the ganache on top.

<h2>5. Pumpkin roll cakes&nbsp;</h2>

<img alt="Pumpkin" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="006ae255-b409-4952-87aa-630d23094fce" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Pumpkin.jpg" />

For ease of holiday gathering, this warm spiced pumpkin cake may be put together and refrigerated up to a day in advance. Sugar, pumpkin puree, eggs, and vanilla are well combined in the pumpkin cake. Whisk the dry ingredients together before adding the flour mixture and pumpkin mixture. For this cake, you can use cream cheese and butter icing. Add cinnamon and vanilla after that. Just before serving, gently dust the cake with powdered sugar.

Christmas Cake Recipes: Christmas is all about decorated homes, nice gifts, good food and delicious desserts. Talking of desserts, cake is the best option to go for on any given day.

Christmas Cake Recipes: Christmas is all about decorated homes, nice gifts, good food and delicious desserts. Talking of desserts, cake is the best option to go for on any given day. If you are meaning to bake a cake of one with a lot of flavours, then you must try these 10 mouth-watering cake recipes which have a range from butter cake to chocolate cakes. 1. Ooey Gooey Butter cake Although not exactly a cake, a bar, or a cheesecake, this ooey gooey cake bakes a little bit flatter than regular slices and is covered with a buttery cream cheese layer. A package of yellow cake mix is a common starting point for recipes like this one. In this case, a dash of pumpkin pie spice gives the cake a festive, warm-spiced flavour that makes it a deserving addition to your array of Thanksgiving desserts. 2. Christmas Cranberry Cake Every slice of this vanilla cake has tart-sweet cranberries. It is made even more festive for the holidays by the sweetened cranberries and tangy cream cheese icing. The rich vanilla cake and acidic cream cheese frosting are balanced by the tart snap of fresh cranberries that are scattered throughout like decorations. For added shine, cranberries are also sugar dusted and sprinkled on top. 3. Delicious Pecan cake Toasted pecans should be placed in a baking pan. Butter and sugar should be creamed until light and fluffy. Eggs can also be knocked over. Add vanilla and stir. When adding the flour, milk, and baking powder alternately to the creamed mixture, be sure to whisk well after each addition. Butter and confectioners' sugar should be combined in a big basin to make the frosting. Blend in the milk and vanilla after adding them. Add the rest of the toasted pecans. Frost the cake from top to bottom and between layers. 4. Chocolate Ganache Cake If you love chocolate, this cake is the perfect fit for you. What is Ganache? A chocolate and cream-based filling, glaze, sauce, or topping for pastries make ganache. Bringing the cream to a boil in a saucepan and then pouring it over the chocolate is the most reliable method for melting chocolate for ganache. It's crucial to wait until the cake has cooled fully before drizzling the ganache on top. 5. Pumpkin roll cakes For ease of holiday gathering, this warm spiced pumpkin cake may be put together and refrigerated up to a day in advance. Sugar, pumpkin puree, eggs, and vanilla are well combined in the pumpkin cake. Whisk the dry ingredients together before adding the flour mixture and pumpkin mixture. For this cake, you can use cream cheese and butter icing. Add cinnamon and vanilla after that. Just before serving, gently dust the cake with powdered sugar.

Craving for desserts? Five delicious cake recipe ideas for Christmas 2022 holiday season

A massive winter storm is expected to bring icy temperatures howling winds and blizzard conditions to parts of US and Canada. In time for the holiday season, the storm has the potential to become a 'Bomb Cyclone' over the lakes.

WION Climate Tracker: 'Bomb Cyclone' to hit North America; travel to be disrupted in US, Canada

As the world prepares to celebrate Christmas, some countries are already celebrating a different kind of 'white Christmas'. From South America to Europe, police officials are busting drug cartels.

Christmas themed police seize record amounts of cocaine ahead of the holiday season

The newest information from the University of Michigan’s client sentiment index exhibits American customers are still not feeling very confident in regards to the state of the US economic system this holiday season.

US President Joe Biden faces a broad set of challenges at home this holiday season

This holiday season came as a boost for artisans in Kashmir after two years of pandemics and lockdowns. Will 2022 improve the fortunes of these expert craftsmen? Mariam Wardak tells you.

South Asia Diary | Holiday season revives Kashmir's craft industry

US retail sales rose 8.5% during this year's holiday shopping season from November 1 to December 24, powered by soaring e-commerce sales.

US retail sales rise 8.5% in holiday season as online shopping booms

There is hope for holiday-loving cord-cutters who don’t have access to the Hallmark Channel and Lifetime’s bulging libraries and have already binged the new Netflix offerings: Other streaming services have stepped up their game when it comes to tinselly and cheery originals.

Here are five new movies that run the gamut from violent to heartwarming. Just try to guess where the new “Home Alone” installment falls in this range.

‘The Advent Calendar’

As much as many people like to complain about the holidays, their actual experience remains fairly mild and any mention of nightmares is largely metaphorical. Not so in this new French-Belgian movie, which is streaming on the horror platform Shudder, and where the gore and violence are very real.

Eva (Eugénie Derouand) is a former dancer who began using a wheelchair after a car accident. Her best and apparently only friend, Sophie (Honorine Magnier), gives her a beautifully designed German advent calendar for Christmas. It’s a gift that keeps on giving — and not in a good way, because a malevolent force becomes unleashed.

The most interesting aspect of writer-director Patrick Ridremont’s shockfest is that Eva is a complicated, flawed protagonist. Because she is in a wheelchair, she is constantly mistreated and bullied by callous colleagues and friends. But the advent calendar also exploits her bitter regrets and frustrations — it is those colleagues, not her disability, that have made her vulnerable to the temptations and delusions that her new possession feeds on.

Stream it on Shudder.

‘8-Bit Christmas’

The elevator pitch for this HBO Max film is simple: imagine “A Christmas Story” but in the 1980s, and with a Nintendo Entertainment System instead of the Red Ryder BB gun.

To stop her incessant requests for a cellphone, Jake (Neil Patrick Harris) tells his daughter, Annie (Sophia Reid-Gantzert), a long, convoluted story — which he clearly hopes is a teachable moment — about the winter when he was 11 and desperately trying to get his hands on the console every kid coveted.

Most of the film stays in the ’80s with young Jake (the very good Winslow Fegley), as he and his friends cook up incredibly elaborate schemes to procure that Nintendo. One of them even includes actually working hard selling wreaths to win a contest with a Nintendo as the grand prize.

The best part of the movie, at least for adult viewers, is a wonderful performance by Steve Zahn as the young Jake’s father, simultaneously cranky and warm, and with a welcome soupçon of almost unsettling unpredictability. But while there are plenty of references to the 1980s, including a subplot about the scarcity of a certain Cabbage Patch Kid, the decade’s main influence is in the storytelling, which often recalls the “National Lampoon” movies at their most politically incorrect — think projectile vomiting, something happening to a family dog, a slightly gonzo vibe.

Stream it on HBO Max.

‘Home Sweet Home Alone’

Unless you are a dedicated fan, you may not have realized that the 1990 hit “Home Alone” had turned into a franchise. All the films involve a boy who somehow ends up on his own during the holidays and must fend off intruders. In the latest and sixth installment, available on Disney+, it’s the turn of Max (Archie Yates, from “Jojo Rabbit”) to be mistakenly left behind by his family — this time as they leave for vacation in Japan.

A key narrative switch is that this film is mostly told from the perspective of the home invaders, the cash-strapped Jeff and Pam McKenzie (Rob Delaney and Ellie Kemper), who try to retrieve a precious possession they think was stolen by Max. As funny as Delaney and Kemper are — which is very, and they should get a franchise of their own — watching a couple afraid to lose their house suffer through a booby-trapped gauntlet devised by a rich brat does not exactly feel hilarious right now.

As for the original forgotten kid, Kevin McCallister, we learn from his slovenly older brother Buzz (still played by Devin Ratray three decades later) that he now runs a home-security company and still likes pranks. Sounds like an open invitation for Kevin’s eventual return to the franchise’s fold, were Macaulay Culkin ever to decide that he’s game.

Stream it on Disney+

‘The Housewives of the North Pole’

North Pole, Vermont, is the kind of only-in-movies small New England town whose folksy Main Street has all the ritzy bearings of Rodeo Drive. Which sort of makes sense since its self-proclaimed queen, Trish, is played by Kyle Richards of “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.”

Trish always wins the annual Christmas home-decorating contest, thanks to the help of her best friend, the sweet-tempered artist Diana (Betsy Brandt, of “Breaking Bad”). But when the women’s friendship abruptly flames out, Trish’s streak is compromised while Diana is left feeling betrayed and lonely. Don’t worry, lessons will be learned and bridges will be mended.

Accepting a parallel universe where a Vermont burg hosts insane displays of ostentatious wealth and folks brave December in shorts and a T-shirt without freezing to death will greatly improve your chances of enjoying this Peacock original. Indeed, the movie is so nuttily untethered to any semblance of reality that it’s almost enjoyable. How far can it go? After a while, you even start thinking that everybody is in on the joke.

But what is that joke, exactly? A satire of a status-obsessed, by-any-means-necessary woman with a lot of time on her hands? “The Housewives of the North Pole” never quite goes there.

Stream it on Peacock.

‘Zoey’s Extraordinary Christmas’

In yet another example of a canceled show finding a new life on a different platform and, in this case, a different format, the Roku Channel’s first original feature picks up where Season 2 of the NBC series “Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist” left off.

The overall premise is that the title character (Jane Levy) hears people’s emotions as songs. And now so does her boyfriend, Max (Skylar Astin). Zoey provides a very brief explanation/recap at the start for newcomers, but they are largely on their own — “Zoey’s Extraordinary Christmas” is a gift to fans of the show, now watching the heroine try to get through her first holiday season without her late father.

Those with a low tolerance for Christmas tunes will be glad to hear that while the movie has its fair share of them, it also incorporates regular songs — Mary Steenburgen’s version of “Call Me Maybe” is a sweet highlight. Other pluses include terrific performances by Alex Newell, back as the gender-nonconforming Mo, and Bernadette Peters as Steenburgen’s friend. Overall, though, the film may feel too insular to those who have not already embraced its whimsical world.

Stream it on the Roku Channel.

There is hope for holiday-loving cord-cutters who don’t have access to the Hallmark Channel and Lifetime’s bulging libraries and have already binged the new Netflix offerings: Other streaming services have stepped up their game when it comes to tinselly and cheery originals.

There is hope for holiday-loving cord-cutters who don’t have access to the Hallmark Channel and Lifetime’s bulging libraries and have already binged the new Netflix offerings: Other streaming services have stepped up their game when it comes to tinselly and cheery originals. Here are five new movies that run the gamut from violent to heartwarming. Just try to guess where the new “Home Alone” installment falls in this range. ‘The Advent Calendar’ As much as many people like to complain about the holidays, their actual experience remains fairly mild and any mention of nightmares is largely metaphorical. Not so in this new French-Belgian movie, which is streaming on the horror platform Shudder, and where the gore and violence are very real. Eva (Eugénie Derouand) is a former dancer who began using a wheelchair after a car accident. Her best and apparently only friend, Sophie (Honorine Magnier), gives her a beautifully designed German advent calendar for Christmas. It’s a gift that keeps on giving — and not in a good way, because a malevolent force becomes unleashed. The most interesting aspect of writer-director Patrick Ridremont’s shockfest is that Eva is a complicated, flawed protagonist. Because she is in a wheelchair, she is constantly mistreated and bullied by callous colleagues and friends. But the advent calendar also exploits her bitter regrets and frustrations — it is those colleagues, not her disability, that have made her vulnerable to the temptations and delusions that her new possession feeds on. Stream it on Shudder. ‘8-Bit Christmas’ The elevator pitch for this HBO Max film is simple: imagine “A Christmas Story” but in the 1980s, and with a Nintendo Entertainment System instead of the Red Ryder BB gun. To stop her incessant requests for a cellphone, Jake (Neil Patrick Harris) tells his daughter, Annie (Sophia Reid-Gantzert), a long, convoluted story — which he clearly hopes is a teachable moment — about the winter when he was 11 and desperately trying to get his hands on the console every kid coveted. Most of the film stays in the ’80s with young Jake (the very good Winslow Fegley), as he and his friends cook up incredibly elaborate schemes to procure that Nintendo. One of them even includes actually working hard selling wreaths to win a contest with a Nintendo as the grand prize. The best part of the movie, at least for adult viewers, is a wonderful performance by Steve Zahn as the young Jake’s father, simultaneously cranky and warm, and with a welcome soupçon of almost unsettling unpredictability. But while there are plenty of references to the 1980s, including a subplot about the scarcity of a certain Cabbage Patch Kid, the decade’s main influence is in the storytelling, which often recalls the “National Lampoon” movies at their most politically incorrect — think projectile vomiting, something happening to a family dog, a slightly gonzo vibe. Stream it on HBO Max. ‘Home Sweet Home Alone’ Unless you are a dedicated fan, you may not have realized that the 1990 hit “Home Alone” had turned into a franchise. All the films involve a boy who somehow ends up on his own during the holidays and must fend off intruders. In the latest and sixth installment, available on Disney+, it’s the turn of Max (Archie Yates, from “Jojo Rabbit”) to be mistakenly left behind by his family — this time as they leave for vacation in Japan. A key narrative switch is that this film is mostly told from the perspective of the home invaders, the cash-strapped Jeff and Pam McKenzie (Rob Delaney and Ellie Kemper), who try to retrieve a precious possession they think was stolen by Max. As funny as Delaney and Kemper are — which is very, and they should get a franchise of their own — watching a couple afraid to lose their house suffer through a booby-trapped gauntlet devised by a rich brat does not exactly feel hilarious right now. As for the original forgotten kid, Kevin McCallister, we learn from his slovenly older brother Buzz (still played by Devin Ratray three decades later) that he now runs a home-security company and still likes pranks. Sounds like an open invitation for Kevin’s eventual return to the franchise’s fold, were Macaulay Culkin ever to decide that he’s game. Stream it on Disney+ ‘The Housewives of the North Pole’ North Pole, Vermont, is the kind of only-in-movies small New England town whose folksy Main Street has all the ritzy bearings of Rodeo Drive. Which sort of makes sense since its self-proclaimed queen, Trish, is played by Kyle Richards of “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.” Trish always wins the annual Christmas home-decorating contest, thanks to the help of her best friend, the sweet-tempered artist Diana (Betsy Brandt, of “Breaking Bad”). But when the women’s friendship abruptly flames out, Trish’s streak is compromised while Diana is left feeling betrayed and lonely. Don’t worry, lessons will be learned and bridges will be mended. Accepting a parallel universe where a Vermont burg hosts insane displays of ostentatious wealth and folks brave December in shorts and a T-shirt without freezing to death will greatly improve your chances of enjoying this Peacock original. Indeed, the movie is so nuttily untethered to any semblance of reality that it’s almost enjoyable. How far can it go? After a while, you even start thinking that everybody is in on the joke. But what is that joke, exactly? A satire of a status-obsessed, by-any-means-necessary woman with a lot of time on her hands? “The Housewives of the North Pole” never quite goes there. Stream it on Peacock. ‘Zoey’s Extraordinary Christmas’ In yet another example of a canceled show finding a new life on a different platform and, in this case, a different format, the Roku Channel’s first original feature picks up where Season 2 of the NBC series “Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist” left off. The overall premise is that the title character (Jane Levy) hears people’s emotions as songs. And now so does her boyfriend, Max (Skylar Astin). Zoey provides a very brief explanation/recap at the start for newcomers, but they are largely on their own — “Zoey’s Extraordinary Christmas” is a gift to fans of the show, now watching the heroine try to get through her first holiday season without her late father. Those with a low tolerance for Christmas tunes will be glad to hear that while the movie has its fair share of them, it also incorporates regular songs — Mary Steenburgen’s version of “Call Me Maybe” is a sweet highlight. Other pluses include terrific performances by Alex Newell, back as the gender-nonconforming Mo, and Bernadette Peters as Steenburgen’s friend. Overall, though, the film may feel too insular to those who have not already embraced its whimsical world. Stream it on the Roku Channel.

5 holiday movies to stream this Christmas

'Home Alone' to 'Elf': 10 Christmas classics to watch this holiday season

A fan of the fictional comic book superhero says the year 2020 needs Batman, not Santa Claus to save it from the coronavirus pandemic and spread cheer this holiday season.

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Authorities in Colombia are urging citizens to make Christmas a low-key affair as coronavirus cases surge. Government officials in the Andean country, which surpassed 1.5 million confirmed cases on Sunday (December 20), have repeatedly warned against large Christmas gatherings and crowds as cases have ticked up following the start of the holiday season.

New coronavirus restrictions put Colombia's Christmas on ice

Hundreds of millions in China hustled to enjoy their first major national holiday since the country beat its coronavirus outbreak, filling airports and train stations on Thursday.

The Golden Week holiday marks the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949 and sees an astonishing annual movement of people trying to get home or take holidays.

But this year has added significance, with the crowds filling the concourses pointing to a country rebounding from the outbreak and parading the freedom to travel as a contrast to the rolling lockdowns hitting much of the world.

"Normally, we would take a family holiday abroad... but this year we opted for a staycation instead," said Niu Honglin from Shanghai.

Niu booked rooms in a boutique hotel near Shanghai Disneyland but quickly encountered the problem of millions of extra tourists hunting fun at home.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/how-chinas-unapproved-covid-19-vaccine-drive-is-putting-citizens-at-risk-331253">Also read:&nbsp;How China's unapproved COVID-19 vaccine drive is putting citizens at risk</a>

"My daughter had to wait in line for nearly three hours to get on a ride," she said.

Domestic travel has sprung back to life and given the economy a boost after the virus shuttered businesses and scared away tourists following its emergence in Wuhan late last year.

"People are travelling with a vengeance!" said Huo Binxing, a banker from Beijing who is heading to Lhasa in Tibet.&nbsp;

"It's our first chance to unwind after such a stressful period."&nbsp;

Wuhan in central China is back in business too, with visitors thronging to the Yellow Crane Tower -- a Taoist shrine -- according to the country's biggest travel agency Ctrip.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/china-celebrates-national-day-in-hong-kong-amid-protests-331644">Have a look: China celebrates National Day in Hong Kong amid protests</a>

But some have scrapped plans as the virus continues to seed anxiety.

Ming Rui, a fashion designer in Beijing, said she cancelled a visit to the coastal city Qingdao after two coronavirus cases were reported there last week.

"It was our first family trip this year, but we cancelled because I got very nervous," Ming said, adding her parents are in their seventies.&nbsp;

Much-needed spending

More than 600 million trips will be taken during the holiday, down 20 percent from a year ago, Ctrip estimated, but they will still force the state railway to lay on 1,000 extra trains a day.

Around 108 million passengers will take trains during the eight-day holidays -- around 13.5 million a day.

They are likely to bring much-needed spending to far-flung parts of China -- last year, travellers spent $9.5 billion during the Golden Week.

Many will take luxury holidays at home, travel operator Quanar said, amid global travel restrictions.

But the absence of their tourist dollars this year will leave regional nations — from Thailand to Cambodia — wincing from the economic pain caused by the prolonged closure of borders.&nbsp;

At Beijing's Capital Airport — whose check-in rows and aisles were empty in February — thousands of passengers queued up with their luggage and children in tow.

Life in the Chinese capital has gradually returned to normal after ghostly scenes of empty roads in January and February, and a second virus outbreak in June.

The once eerily empty streets in the city's financial district are packed, previously deserted malls are full of shoppers and ice rinks have filled with children learning to skate again.

Chinese retail sales edged back to growth in August for the first time since the pandemic struck, signalling a rebound for the world's second-largest economy.

Hundreds of millions in China hustled to enjoy their first major national holiday since the country beat its coronavirus outbreak, filling airports and train stations on Thursday.

Hundreds of millions in China hustled to enjoy their first major national holiday since the country beat its coronavirus outbreak, filling airports and train stations on Thursday. The Golden Week holiday marks the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949 and sees an astonishing annual movement of people trying to get home or take holidays. But this year has added significance, with the crowds filling the concourses pointing to a country rebounding from the outbreak and parading the freedom to travel as a contrast to the rolling lockdowns hitting much of the world. "Normally, we would take a family holiday abroad... but this year we opted for a staycation instead," said Niu Honglin from Shanghai. Niu booked rooms in a boutique hotel near Shanghai Disneyland but quickly encountered the problem of millions of extra tourists hunting fun at home. Also read: How China's unapproved COVID-19 vaccine drive is putting citizens at risk "My daughter had to wait in line for nearly three hours to get on a ride," she said. Domestic travel has sprung back to life and given the economy a boost after the virus shuttered businesses and scared away tourists following its emergence in Wuhan late last year. "People are travelling with a vengeance!" said Huo Binxing, a banker from Beijing who is heading to Lhasa in Tibet. "It's our first chance to unwind after such a stressful period." Wuhan in central China is back in business too, with visitors thronging to the Yellow Crane Tower -- a Taoist shrine -- according to the country's biggest travel agency Ctrip. Have a look: China celebrates National Day in Hong Kong amid protests But some have scrapped plans as the virus continues to seed anxiety. Ming Rui, a fashion designer in Beijing, said she cancelled a visit to the coastal city Qingdao after two coronavirus cases were reported there last week. "It was our first family trip this year, but we cancelled because I got very nervous," Ming said, adding her parents are in their seventies. Much-needed spending More than 600 million trips will be taken during the holiday, down 20 percent from a year ago, Ctrip estimated, but they will still force the state railway to lay on 1,000 extra trains a day. Around 108 million passengers will take trains during the eight-day holidays -- around 13.5 million a day. They are likely to bring much-needed spending to far-flung parts of China -- last year, travellers spent $9.5 billion during the Golden Week. Many will take luxury holidays at home, travel operator Quanar said, amid global travel restrictions. But the absence of their tourist dollars this year will leave regional nations — from Thailand to Cambodia — wincing from the economic pain caused by the prolonged closure of borders. At Beijing's Capital Airport — whose check-in rows and aisles were empty in February — thousands of passengers queued up with their luggage and children in tow. Life in the Chinese capital has gradually returned to normal after ghostly scenes of empty roads in January and February, and a second virus outbreak in June. The once eerily empty streets in the city's financial district are packed, previously deserted malls are full of shoppers and ice rinks have filled with children learning to skate again. Chinese retail sales edged back to growth in August for the first time since the pandemic struck, signalling a rebound for the world's second-largest economy.

Millions on the move as China eyes holiday bounce amid pandemic

With an increase in holiday season travel and online shopping, Indians are increasingly falling prey to cybercriminals, with 53.6 per cent Indians admitting that they fell victim to deceitful apps, according to a new report released by McAfee.&nbsp;

McAfee’s recent survey, ‘A Christmas Carol: Scam Edition’, highlights how the year-end festivities present a variety of threats to Indian internet users with 28.6% of Indians having lost between INR 15,000 to 20,000 to fake online retail sites.&nbsp;

The survey also revealed that 78.6 per cent of Indians have been conned by seasonal travel scams through unsolicited and malicious links considering that family vacations and travel are high on the agenda for many Indians.&nbsp;

To avoid the holiday rush, consumers tend to get careless while purchasing and booking online, falling victim to surging cyber attacks, said Venkat Krishnapur, Vice-President of Engineering and Managing Director, McAfee India.&nbsp;

“Consumers choose to beat the holiday rush by purchasing and booking online, but, as transactions surge, so do the cyber-attacks. With the sheer volume of people shopping online, they tend to get careless, carried away with discounts, and open themselves to phishing attacks, frauds, malicious websites, and viruses that aim to steal money and personal information,” said Krishnapur.&nbsp;

With a consistent increase in online shopping 56.1 per cent Indians have fallen victim to discount scams, by clicking on links that took them to a sketchy website with 35.4 per cent of Indians confessed to having been impacted by discount scams, where a malicious file was downloaded onto their device.

With scammers impersonating genuine charities, 60.7 per cent were victims of fake trusts seeking donations, while 43 per cent of Indians expressed their concerns about being scammed by these fake trusts.&nbsp;

The survey also revealed that a staggering 52.6 per cent of millennials between the age of 18 to 24 years faced the brunt of romance scams, while 60 per cent of the same age group were scammed by e-greetings.&nbsp;

Krishnapur warned Indians against the enhancing techniques of threats actors while urging users to be more mindful of potential risks.&nbsp;

“As threat actors continue to enhance their techniques and explore new creative means of theft, it is crucial that users are mindful of potential risks and undertake necessary measures to protect themselves this holiday season,” Krishnapur added.

With an increase in holiday season travel and online shopping, Indians are increasingly falling prey to cybercriminals, with 53.6 per cent Indians admitting that they fell victim to deceitful apps, according to a new report released by McAfee.

With an increase in holiday season travel and online shopping, Indians are increasingly falling prey to cybercriminals, with 53.6 per cent Indians admitting that they fell victim to deceitful apps, according to a new report released by McAfee. McAfee’s recent survey, ‘A Christmas Carol: Scam Edition’, highlights how the year-end festivities present a variety of threats to Indian internet users with 28.6% of Indians having lost between INR 15,000 to 20,000 to fake online retail sites. The survey also revealed that 78.6 per cent of Indians have been conned by seasonal travel scams through unsolicited and malicious links considering that family vacations and travel are high on the agenda for many Indians. To avoid the holiday rush, consumers tend to get careless while purchasing and booking online, falling victim to surging cyber attacks, said Venkat Krishnapur, Vice-President of Engineering and Managing Director, McAfee India. “Consumers choose to beat the holiday rush by purchasing and booking online, but, as transactions surge, so do the cyber-attacks. With the sheer volume of people shopping online, they tend to get careless, carried away with discounts, and open themselves to phishing attacks, frauds, malicious websites, and viruses that aim to steal money and personal information,” said Krishnapur. With a consistent increase in online shopping 56.1 per cent Indians have fallen victim to discount scams, by clicking on links that took them to a sketchy website with 35.4 per cent of Indians confessed to having been impacted by discount scams, where a malicious file was downloaded onto their device. With scammers impersonating genuine charities, 60.7 per cent were victims of fake trusts seeking donations, while 43 per cent of Indians expressed their concerns about being scammed by these fake trusts. The survey also revealed that a staggering 52.6 per cent of millennials between the age of 18 to 24 years faced the brunt of romance scams, while 60 per cent of the same age group were scammed by e-greetings. Krishnapur warned Indians against the enhancing techniques of threats actors while urging users to be more mindful of potential risks. “As threat actors continue to enhance their techniques and explore new creative means of theft, it is crucial that users are mindful of potential risks and undertake necessary measures to protect themselves this holiday season,” Krishnapur added.

78% of Indians fell victim to online scams this holiday season: Report

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