World celebrates Christmas in shadow of war


Christian devotees gather for a midnight mass on Christmas Eve at the St. Sebastian Church in Chennai on December 24, 2023. - AFP

PARIS (AFP): People donned Santa caps on beaches, ski slopes and streets around the globe on Monday to celebrate Christmas, with Israel's war on Hamas and Russia's invasion of Ukraine casting a shadow over one of the world's favourite holidays.

Red and white Santa outfits appeared on surfers from Australia to Florida, on bicyclists in the smog-filled streets of New Delhi and intrepid souls braving chilly Channel waters for a holiday dip near Britain's Dover.

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Christmas , Celebration , world , Muted , War In Gaza

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