Pope kicks off Christmas celebrations in shadow of war

14 Sept 02:59 Key points summarised by AI

Pope Francis initiated global Christmas celebrations with a solemn plea for peace, acknowledging the ongoing conflicts in Israel-Hamas and Ukraine that cast a shadow over the holiday.
Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus, effectively cancelled its usual festive events, opting for minimal decorations and displaying a large Palestinian flag calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, reflecting the local sentiment amidst the conflict.
Ukraine marked Christmas on December 25th for the first time, a deliberate move away from the traditional Orthodox date of January 7th, symbolizing a break from Russian influence.
Despite global conflicts and hardships like the earthquake in Turkey, communities worldwide found diverse ways to observe the holiday, from prayers amidst ruins to festive gatherings and unique traditions like surfing Santas, while many followed Santa's journey online.

Macron condemns those who 'sought to bring down the Republic' after rioting mars nationwide protests

Today 12:56 Key points summarised by AI

President Macron condemned widespread rioting and looting during nationwide protests, blaming far-left activists and criminals for the "unrestrained violence" and vowing accountability for those who "sought to bring down the Republic."
Over 2,400 arrests were made as protests against rising living costs and poor school conditions escalated, causing extensive damage to public buildings and businesses in cities like Paris, Limoges (where City Hall burned), Marseille, and Lyon.
The unrest, which organizers hoped would revive the "yellow vest" movement, saw political leaders trade blame, with Macron instructing prefects to protect public buildings and potentially ban future protests to prevent further disorder.