In post-Assad Syria, wary Christians celebrate Christmas under tight security

25/12/2025 10:36 France 24

One year after the fall of the Assad regime in Syria, Christmas festivities are taking place under a cloud of pain and worry. In the capital Damascus and the nearby town of Maaloula, Christian communities are determined to celebrate, despite the wounds of recent violence and widespread concern about insecurity in the country scarred by more than a decade of war. FRANCE 24's Syria correspondent Dana Alboz has this report.

Continua a leggere su "France 24"

Altre notizie da "France 24"

In pictures: Christmas festivities from across the world

Many people celebrated Christmas Day with a traditional mass on Thursday, while others enjoyed the holiday with tiramisu at Sydney's Bondi Beach or watching a parade of Ukrainian soldiers in Lviv. In Bethlehem, Christians celebrated their first festive Christmas in over two years as the occupied We...

25/12/2025 12:25 France 24

Russia made a 'proposal' regarding jailed French researcher Laurent Vinatier

Moscow has made a "proposal" to France concerning the case of researcher Laurent Vinatier, who has been imprisoned in Russia since June 2024, the Kremlin said Thursday. Vinatier was sentenced by a Russian court to three years in prison for allegedly failing to register as a "foreign agent" but fac...

25/12/2025 11:41 France 24

'A huge relief': Joy returns to Jerusalem amid Christmas festivities

Joy is returning to Jerusalem as Christians mark Christmas in one of the world’s oldest cities. FRANCE 24’s Noga Tarnopolsky reports a festive atmosphere in the air, describing it as "a huge relief” after more than two years of war in Gaza....

25/12/2025 11:34 France 24

Bethlehem celebrates first festive Christmas since Gaza war

Hundreds of worshippers gathered for mass at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem Wednesday night as the Palestinian city ushered in its first festive Christmas in more than two years, emerging from the shadow of the war in Gaza. Throughout the conflict that began with Hamas's attack on Israel i...

25/12/2025 09:58 France 24

Pope speaks of Gaza's suffering, urges direct talks on Ukraine war in first Christmas blessing

Pope Leo XIV delivered his first Christmas “Urbi et Orbi” blessing from Vatican City on Thursday, at the end of a year overshadowed by conflict around the world, urging Ukraine and Russia to find the 'courage' to hold direct peace talks and speaking of the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza....

25/12/2025 06:56 France 24

Live: Ukraine fires Storm Shadows, drones at Russia’s energy facilities

Ukraine launched British-made Storm Shadow missiles and domestically produced drones to strike Russian energy facilities, hitting the Novoshakhtinsk oil refinery and setting ablaze two oil storage tanks at the southern port of Temryuk, where flames spread over about 2,000 square metres, officials s...

25/12/2025 06:51 France 24

Ukraine's Zelensky awaits Russian answer to revised US-peace plan

Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelensky said he was hoping for Moscow's answer on Wednesday to the latest version of a draft proposal to end the war agreed between Washington and Kyiv. Ukraine won some concessions in the latest version of the US-led plan, but key questions remain over territory and wh...

24/12/2025 15:27 France 24

Zelensky reveals US-Ukraine plan to end Russian invasion

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has revealed details of the latest US-led plan to end the war in Ukraine, saying it had been agreed between negotiators from Kyiv and Washington and sent to Moscow for feedback. Zelensky said he was hoping for Moscow's answer on Wednesday. Story by Bryan Quinn...

24/12/2025 14:14 France 24

EU warns of possible action after the US bars five Europeans combating online hate

The European Union, France and Germany have slammed US visa bans on European citizens combating online hate and disinformation, with Brussels saying it could "respond swiftly and decisively" against the "unjustified measures". The highest profile person targeted by the visa restrictions is former E...

24/12/2025 14:13 France 24

Christmas festivities slowly return to West Bank holy city of Bethlehem

The city of Bethlehem prepares to hold Christmas as celebrations are slowly returning to the holy land after celebrations were called off in the past two years due to the Israel-Hamas war. Details by FRANCE 24 correspondent in Jerusalem, Noga Tarnopolsky....

24/12/2025 13:30 France 24

Bethlehem celebrates first festive Christmas in over two years as Gaza truce holds

Scouts marched and crowds gathered under clear skies in Bethlehem on Wednesday as the Palestinian city celebrated its first festive Christmas in more than two years. The return of public celebrations followed a fragile truce in Gaza, after previous Christmases were subdued by the war that started i...

24/12/2025 12:37 France 24

Ukraine: Zelensky reveals revised 20-point US plan to end Russian war

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has revealed details of the latest US-led plan to end the war in Ukraine, saying it had been agreed between negotiators from Kyiv and Washington and sent to Moscow for feedback. Analysis by Stefan Wolff, professor of international security at the University of...

24/12/2025 12:29 France 24

France slams US visa ban as row over European 'censorship' deepens

France condemned on Wednesday a US visa ban on Thierry Breton, a former European Union commissioner who helped drive landmark online regulation that Washington believes censors free speech and unfairly targets US tech giants. The Trump administration imposed visa bans on Tuesday on Breton, one of t...

24/12/2025 11:37 France 24

Zelensky unveils new US-backed, 20-point plan to end the war in Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday revealed details of the latest US-backed 20-point plan to end the war in Ukraine, saying it has been sent to Moscow for feedback. Zelensky gave a point-by-point briefing to journalists in Kyiv, including details on the creation of demilitarised z...

24/12/2025 11:20 France 24

Christmas in Ukraine: 'Despite the war, our children want to feel happy'

Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky says he's hoping for an answer from Moscow on Wednesday to the draft peace plan hashed out between Washington and Kyiv. Meanwhile, the president's compatriots are preparing to celebrate yet another Christmas under Russian invasion. After nearly four years of war, the...

24/12/2025 11:00 France 24

Christmas celebrations slowly return to Bethlehem, Jesus' birthplace

Christmas celebrations in Bethlehem, Jesus’ traditional birthplace, are slowly returning, as the city in the Israeli-occupied West Bank emerges from the shadow of war to celebrate its first festive Christmas in more than two years. Story by Bryan Quinn....

24/12/2025 10:13 France 24

Live: Two police officers killed by blast in Moscow

In southern Moscow three people, including two police officers, were killed by an overnight explosion, Russian authorities said on Wednesday. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky said a new 20-point plan, agreed on by US and Ukrainian negotiators, was being reviewed by Moscow. Follow our liveblo...

24/12/2025 06:40 France 24

Venezuela accuses US of 'greatest extortion in history' at UN over naval blockade

Venezuela accused Washington of “the greatest extortion" known in the country's history at the UN Security Council on Tuesday, during a meeting in which Russia and China sharply criticized the US for putting military and economic pressure on Venezuela as tensions over sanctions and a naval blocka...

24/12/2025 04:06 France 24

Ukraine withdraws troops from eastern town of Siversk amid deadly Russian strikes

Ukraine said on Tuesday it had pulled its forces out of the hard-fought eastern town of Siversk as Russia stepped up air strikes that killed civilians, knocked out power supplies and underlined the lack of progress in diplomatic efforts to end the war ahead of Christmas....

23/12/2025 22:57 France 24

Pope calls for worldwide Christmas Day truce as fighting rages in Ukraine

Pope Leo XIV on Tuesday renewed his call for a worldwide truce on Christmas Day, expressing sadness that Russia had apparently rejected the appeal as fighting in Ukraine raged, civilians were killed in Russian air strikes, and diplomatic efforts involving the United States and Europe showed little...

23/12/2025 22:35 France 24

France probes cyberattack on postal service claimed by pro-Russian hackers

France's internal intelligence services are investigating a cyberattack on the country's national postal service that has disrupted deliveries during the busy Christmas season. The attack was claimed by Noname057(16), a pro-Russian group of hackers that has previously targeted Ukrainian media websi...

23/12/2025 21:39 France 24

Sudan's prime minister takes his peace plan to the UN

In tonight's edition, Sudan's prime minister urged members of the United Nations Security Council to stand "on the right side of history" as he laid out his plan to end the war in Sudan. Also, voters gear up to head to the polls in the Central African Republic for historic elections. And in Kenya,...

23/12/2025 21:17 France 24

Russia attacks Ukraine energy sector with drones and missiles strikes

Russia fired more than 650 drones and three dozen missiles at Ukraine in a large-scale attack that began during the night and stretched into daylight hours Tuesday, officials said. At least three people were killed, including a 4-year-old child, two days before Christmas....

23/12/2025 15:54 France 24

Sudan's prime minister takes his peace plan to the United Nations

Sudan’s prime minister on Monday proposed a wide-ranging peace initiative to end a nearly 1,000-day war with a rival paramilitary force, but the United States urged both sides to accept the Trump administration’s call for an immediate humanitarian truce....

23/12/2025 11:44 France 24

Russia attacks Ukraine energy sector with over 600 drones, dozens of missiles

Douglas Herbert gives us his analysis....

23/12/2025 11:26 France 24

Car bomb kills Russian Lieutenant General Fanil Sarvarov in Moscow

Gavin Hall, Lecturer at University of Strathclyde, is our guest....

23/12/2025 10:12 France 24

'It's mainly the western part of Ukraine which has been targeted'

‍Russia launched ⁠more than 600 drones and dozens of missiles ‍to strike Ukraine's energy sector in overnight attacks on Tuesday. "It's mainly the Western part of Ukraine which has been targeted [including] the regions of Rivne, Ivano-Frankivsk, as well as the central region of Ch...

23/12/2025 08:55 France 24

Live: At least three killed in Russian missile and drone attacks across Ukraine

Several Ukrainian regions suffered power outages amid frigid winter weather on Tuesday after Russia carried out a massive attack with drones and missiles. The strikes killed at least three people, including a four-year-old child, according to officials. Follow our liveblog for the latest updates....

23/12/2025 06:01 France 24

AFCON 2025: Mali robbed of win, Egypt take three points against Zimbabwe

Day two was packed with drama. Mali saw their three points slip away after a late equaliser from Zambia. Bafana Bafana meanwhile managed to beat a tough Angola side, scoring a second goal to make it 2-1. There was more excitement during the final game of the day as the Pharoes faced the Warriors, ...

22/12/2025 23:18 France 24

Moscow car blast kills Russian general, investigators suspect Ukraine involvement

A senior Russian general was killed Monday morning after an explosive device detonated underneath his car in southern Moscow. According to investigators, the attack on Lt. Gen. Fanil Sarvarov, who led the Operational Training Directorate of the Russian Armed Forces General Staff, may have been "lin...

22/12/2025 21:36 France 24

BREAKING NEWS

25/12 18:55 - California Gets Heavy Rain, Snarled Travel and Power Outages for Christmas 25/12 18:34 - Pope Leo speaks about Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan in his first Christmas address 25/12 17:44 - Putin wishes Happy New Year to Kim 25/12 17:28 - Why Russia Is Likely to Reject the New US-Ukrainian Peace Plan 25/12 17:10 - No Power, No Heat, No Water: Odesa’s Days of Hell Under Russian Fire 25/12 16:40 - Ukraine hits major Russian oil refinery with British missiles, officials say 25/12 16:21 - Pope Leo urges 'courage' to end Ukraine war in first Christmas address 25/12 15:43 - Southern California sees third death from atmospheric river storm drenching region 25/12 15:35 - News24 | Pope Leo XIV urges Ukraine-Russia talks, warns of Gaza suffering in Christmas message 25/12 15:28 - King's Christmas message urges communities to pull together in times of uncertainty 25/12 15:10 - King Charles calls for reconciliation and unity in Christmas message 25/12 15:00 - The Titanic, Sinclair C5 and Brexit: the Museum of Failure is coming to the UK 25/12 15:00 - End of shareholder revolt register ‘will help UK firms bury pay controversies’ 25/12 13:01 - Ukraine accepts demilitarised zone to end Russia war, but do DMZs work? 25/12 13:01 - Ukraine accepts demilitarised zone to end Russia war, but do DMZs work? 25/12 13:00 - Into the void: how Trump killed international law 25/12 12:30 - Pope and new Archbishop of Canterbury make pleas over Gaza and immigration in Christmas sermons 25/12 12:25 - In pictures: Christmas festivities from across the world 25/12 11:47 - Met Office warns of cold, windy weather but white Christmas ‘highly unlikely’ 25/12 11:41 - Russia made a 'proposal' regarding jailed French researcher Laurent Vinatier 25/12 11:34 - 'A huge relief': Joy returns to Jerusalem amid Christmas festivities 25/12 11:30 - Immigration debate ‘dividing us’, incoming archbishop of Canterbury warns in Christmas sermon 25/12 11:21 - Pope Leo laments suffering of Gaza Palestinians in first Christmas sermon 25/12 11:21 - Pope Leo laments suffering of Gaza Palestinians in first Christmas sermon 25/12 10:36 - In post-Assad Syria, wary Christians celebrate Christmas under tight security 25/12 10:28 - First Christmas in Gaza in two years: A story of hope and survival 25/12 10:28 - First Christmas in Gaza in two years: A story of hope and survival 25/12 10:23 - Redknapp runner among King George contenders 25/12 10:02 - ‘Carol of the Bells’ Once Filled the Air Here. Now It’s Only Bombs. 25/12 10:00 - ‘Carol of the Bells’ was born in a Ukrainian city destroyed by Russia 25/12 09:58 - Bethlehem celebrates first festive Christmas since Gaza war 25/12 09:53 - Video: Gaza’s Christians mark first Christmas since fragile ceasefire deal 25/12 09:53 - Video: Gaza’s Christians mark first Christmas since fragile ceasefire deal 25/12 09:07 - Cold health alert and weather warnings issued for parts of UK on Christmas Day 25/12 08:34 - Ukrainian refugee leaves UK sixth-form college that urged her ‘to study Russian’ 25/12 08:31 - Russia claims to have seized more than 5,100 square km of Ukraine in 2025 25/12 08:31 - Russia claims to have seized more than 5,100 square km of Ukraine in 2025 25/12 08:00 - Hundreds of thousands newly displaced as Islamic State insurgency expands in Mozambique 25/12 07:16 - Western Australia faces bushfire threat as cold, wet and bumpy Sydney to Hobart yacht race forecast 25/12 07:00 - Security bosses warn of rise in UK building site thefts by organised crime 25/12 06:56 - Pope speaks of Gaza's suffering, urges direct talks on Ukraine war in first Christmas blessing 25/12 06:51 - Live: Ukraine fires Storm Shadows, drones at Russia’s energy facilities 25/12 04:29 - Majority of Russians expect Ukraine war to end in 2026, state survey finds 25/12 04:29 - Majority of Russians expect Ukraine war to end in 2026, state survey finds 25/12 02:31 - Intense Storm in Southern California Brings Heavy Rain and Forces Evacuations 25/12 01:08 - A Father and Son’s $108 Billion Hostile Bid for Warner Bros. Discovery 25/12 01:07 - Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 1,400 25/12 01:07 - Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 1,400 25/12 00:01 - If Winter Is More Like “Whine-ter” For You, These 36 Finds Will Keep You Nice And Toasty 25/12 00:01 - The world is more violent than ever - but this 56-year conflict still pauses for Christmas 25/12 00:01 - This 56-year conflict still pauses for Christmas 24/12 21:31 - Eleven arrested over mass shooting in South Africa tavern 24/12 21:13 - EU ‘in a state of disintegration’ – Orban 24/12 21:01 - He Was Locked Up in a Psych Ward. It Helped Him Get His Life Together. 24/12 20:33 - Some festive swims cancelled after wind warning 24/12 19:56 - News24 | Bethlehem celebrates first festive Christmas in over two years as Gaza ceasefire holds 24/12 19:47 - Zelensky open to withdrawing troops in new peace draft, awaits Russian reply 24/12 19:15 - Is peace in Sudan possible? 24/12 19:15 - Is peace in Sudan possible? 24/12 19:00 - Australians expected to spend big on Boxing Day as shoppers warned of deceptive sales tricks 24/12 18:57 - For Palestinian Christians, return of Bethlehem celebrations mark opportunity to revive hope 24/12 17:47 - Ukraine and US agree new peace plan after Moscow hit by another deadly bombing 24/12 17:31 - Sahel summit: What is the biggest challenge facing the region? 24/12 17:31 - Sahel summit: What is the biggest challenge facing the region? 24/12 17:21 - Three killed in Moscow car explosion, say Russian authorities 24/12 17:09 - Pentagon says China’s nuclear warhead growth slows, commits to stabilizing tensions 24/12 16:25 - Visa ban for European critics of online harm is first shot in US free speech war 24/12 16:15 - Zelensky Open to Pulling Back Troops in Eastern Ukraine to Reach Peace Deal With Russia 24/12 16:01 - If Cold Weather Makes You Wanna Cry, Here Are 27 Pieces From Torrid That’ll Keep You Cozy And Warm 24/12 15:27 - Ukraine's Zelensky awaits Russian answer to revised US-peace plan 24/12 15:08 - Israel strikes southern Lebanon as deadline to disarm Hezbollah nears 24/12 15:03 - Four Palestine Action hunger strikers vow to continue as two pause protest 24/12 15:03 - Four Palestine Action hunger strikers vow to continue as two pause protest 24/12 15:01 - Flu cases falling ahead of Christmas, experts say 24/12 15:00 - Trump’s claims to Venezuelan oil are part of broader ‘resource imperialism’, experts say 24/12 14:26 - Russia may be feeling the pressure after Moscow blast and US-Ukraine peace framework 24/12 14:14 - Zelensky reveals US-Ukraine plan to end Russian invasion 24/12 14:13 - EU warns of possible action after the US bars five Europeans combating online hate 24/12 14:08 - News24 | Two police killed in explosion in Moscow 24/12 14:05 - White Christmas ‘unlikely’ but health alert issued amid falling UK temperatures 24/12 14:00 - Welsh first minister vows to keep Labour ‘most successful democratic party on the planet’ 24/12 14:00 - EU warns of possible action after US bars five Europeans accused of censorship 24/12 13:37 - US and Ukraine edge closer to joint plan to end war – with Moscow’s response uncertain 24/12 13:30 - Christmas festivities slowly return to West Bank holy city of Bethlehem 24/12 13:19 - Next year ‘will be even worse’ – Italy’s Meloni 24/12 13:06 - Here’s What Is in the 20-Point Peace Plan for Ukraine 24/12 12:48 - Zelensky moves towards demilitarised zones in latest peace plan for Ukraine 24/12 12:45 - Blast Kills Three in Moscow Near Site of General’s Car Bombing 24/12 12:37 - Bethlehem celebrates first festive Christmas in over two years as Gaza truce holds 24/12 12:29 - Ukraine: Zelensky reveals revised 20-point US plan to end Russian war 24/12 12:26 - Russia sets timeline for power station on the Moon 24/12 11:55 - News24 | North Korean soldiers in Ukraine want to start a ‘new life’ in South Korea 24/12 11:37 - France slams US visa ban as row over European 'censorship' deepens 24/12 11:20 - Zelensky unveils new US-backed, 20-point plan to end the war in Ukraine 24/12 11:00 - Christmas in Ukraine: 'Despite the war, our children want to feel happy' 24/12 10:55 - Prof. Schlevogt’s Compass No. 37: Moscow’s polycentric Christmas – radiating true spirit citywide 24/12 10:31 - If You Struggle Solving Those Somewhat Obnoxious Personal Care Problems, These 57 Items Will Help You Out 24/12 10:13 - Christmas celebrations slowly return to Bethlehem, Jesus' birthplace 24/12 10:00 - War-weary Ukrainians seek healing nature in their vast national parks 24/12 10:00 - Investors Warn of ‘Rot in Private Equity’ as Funds Strike Circular Deals