Christmas Links #19

Scientists looking for aliens investigate radio beam 'from nearby star':
"Tantalising ‘signal’ appears to have come from Proxima Centauri, the closest star to the sun."

Holiday Rom-Coms Go Beyond Diversity To Center New Christmas Stars:
"Christmas romantic comedies are known for cozy sweaters, roaring fireplaces, meaningful glances over cups of hot chocolate and stars who, until recently, looked like a bunch of models from a Land's End catalog circa 1985."

‘I Don’t Like It’: Rome Reacts to Nativity Scene:
"The Vatican’s new Christmas Nativity scene in St. Peter’s Square has prompted much criticism — and some head-scratching, with some trying to understand exactly what they were looking at."

13 cities across Europe will be linked with new night train routes:
"Sleeper trains in Europe are poised to make a huge comeback after four national railway companies announced new routes that will link up 13 cities across the continent."

I'm going to tell you my Concorde story:
"Many years ago the UK radio presenter Chris Evans was supposed to go on a private plane to Minneapolis to meet Prince. They had a spare seat and asked me if I wanted it. I said, "YES I DO."

GOP lawmakers' second Christmas tree vanishes from Wisconsin Capitol:
"The earlier attempt had been thwarted by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, who said no permit had been provided for the display and that the coronavirus pandemic had closed the building to the public."

Christmas TV 2020:
"The home of Christmas across BBC television."

National Theatre dashes to save Christmas spirit with Dick Whittington film:
"As theatres are forced to close for the third time this year, the panto was recorded at its final preview as a gift for families."

UK spy agency challenges 'wise men and women' to solve Christmas card puzzle:
"The UK's largest spy agency GCHQ has sent out its annual Christmas card complete with a brainteaser."

Economists want you to have the most boring Christmas possible:
"According to the economic theory of deadweight loss, cash is by far the best Christmas present for people who want to make gift-giving as efficient as possible."