The Long Wave: Christmas celebrations across the diaspora

From Nigeria to Trinidad, ’tis the season when our writers share stories of their favourite festive traditions. Plus, how a diaspora influx has led to soaring prices in Ghana

Hello and welcome to The Long Wave. This week, we look forward to Christmas as experienced by our correspondents and colleagues from within the diaspora. I am a glutton for the season, even though I don’t celebrate it. And so I am happy to hand over to my colleagues whose reflections and memories are a big dose of poignant seasonal cheer. But first, the weekly roundup.

Topics

Amazon workers across US gear up to strike this week, days before Christmas

Move comes after company failed to meet deadline to begin contract negotiations with workers in Staten Island . Thousands of Amazon workers are gearing up to strike from Thursday, days before ...
The Guardian - 20h
Thousands join rallies across Syria to celebrate fall of Assad

Syrians heeded the rebels' call to celebrate victory over the Assad regime which collapsed on Sunday.
BBC News - 5d
WATCH: Long Island man's home is an homage to ‘Christmas Vacation’

Jason Orsini maintains he is the real-life Clark Griswold with his tribute to the holiday film, complete with 25,000 lights, 20 mannequins and even Uncle Eddie’s RV and the family station wagon.
ABC News - Dec. 11
Qantas is celebrating Christmas with these special touches

Yahoo News - Dec. 11
The Long Wave: The Lamar v Drake beef has gone legal – what does it say about today’s hip-hop industry?

In this week’s newsletter: Lawyers are now involved in the most explosive rap feud of the century. A look at the potential cultural and commercial impact, and how hip-hop became big business. Hello ...
The Guardian - Dec. 11
Celebrating the Christmas season on Arthur Avenue in the Bronx: ‘It’s amazing!’

Yahoo News - Dec. 8
In Mexico, Heat Waves Are Even Killing Younger Adults

It’s not just the elderly. More than three-quarters of heat-related deaths in Mexico occurred among people younger than 35, researchers reported.
The New York Times - Dec. 6
Rockefeller Center Christmas tree celebrates its 92nd lighting ceremony

The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree was lit for the 2024 holiday season with a star-studded celebration. For the second year in a row, Kelly Clarkson hosted the special event.
NBC News - Dec. 5
Rockefeller Christmas tree lighting: Photos, performances and celebrity appearances

Rockefeller Christmas tree lighting: Photos, performances and celebrity appearances
NBC News - Dec. 4