if you treat now, this is not a lock can get is response completed. we cannot lose hope. we know what to do, and we have the tools to get back. we must always pay for the stream on al jazeera ah, to travel chaos at christmas. wreckage. corona virus infections, $4000.00 of flights to be cancelled or delayed. ah, plan fully back to bo watching al jazeera life, my headquarters in doha. also coming up a commission calls for gambia, former president ya, john, made to stand trial for murder, torture and brain. international pressure bills on libya to swiftly set a new date for presidential and parliamentary elections.

ah, and prayers for a better year ahead discovered 19 dampens christmas celebrations around the world. thank you very much for joining as christmas. travel plans have again been thrown into chaos by the current of i's pandemic. allie transmissible on the con, very, in test force airlines to cancel more than 4000 fights worldwide. in the u. s. sake and isolating airline employees are causing severe staff shortages. gabrielle is under reports from new york airport in new jersey. the surge of the army kron variant and not only affecting people on the ground, but also those trying to get in the air to visit loved ones for the christmas holiday. hundreds of flight cancellations in the united states, united and delta 2 of the largest carriers accounting for the most united sending out these alerts to passengers. your flight is cancelled due to an increase in

covert cases, limiting crew availability. we were really concerned last night when i saw on the news that they had canceled a 100 white that i'm like, oh my god, we won't be able to get home. luckily we kept checking the white bed a 2nd of white that is got here and everything was fine that we were really grateful for that. had new jersey. newark liberty, airport passengers. mostly we're trying to remain calm a little bit worried about cancellation. so we see what happens. oh, my foreign cancer. i got the, you know, all the vaccines, 3 of omega, i got a mass. otherwise we're ready to go. all good. while on the crown is surging. so to is holiday travel. officials say more than 2000000 people passed through airport security screening in one day. more than pre pandemic holiday travel, 2019 airport workers say they are viewing it. does not our work. other

times i, we do get along. great. it is nonstop. were nonstop holiday season? yes, i was it. it's crazy. i'm. i'm the one. what was like this? aside from the check encounters, the longest lines in newark airport, where the covey testing facility and airlines in the us are already starting to cancel more flights for the days ahead. and with the army kron very into not expected to peak for at least another couple weeks. it likely will mean more cancel flights, especially if the flight attendants and pilots to operate them continue to get infected. gabriel's ando, how does it new, new jersey? the u. k. government meanwhile, will send millions of text messages urging people to get their boosting jobs. it's a latest attempt to combat the rapid spread of the army con variant. more than 32000000 booster and for doses have already been administered or

a challenge straight course. you might get excited that how did you get to think they may be christmas, but the u. k. is vaccine booster program roles on without a pause. this is portsmouth on england, south coast and jobs are being given to people who slipped between the cracks. i knew now that i'm not opposed with that. i'm not fascinated and we need to get the town vaccinated to be able to go on the come get back to normal is that particularly the whole is a very vulnerable at this time of year to co. they sleep rough and they definitely need to be protected from some compliance. despite christmas day, the 25th and boxing day, the 26th being holidays jobs are still being given. it's just this sort of public service that boris johnson, frank, health workers and care is for and his christmas message. all those in the, in a chess, we're, he over christmas, our co workers, everyone involved in the incredible vaccination campaign. those looking after

people who have lost loved ones this year, that who would otherwise be on the road. he said, been so many words. those getting vaccinated and boosted are doing what jesus would have wanted. getting jobs, not just for themselves for ourselves, but for friends and family and everyone. we meet that after all, is the teaching of jesus christ, whose birth is at the heart of this enormous festival, ah, across europe on a crone is rampant, but countries are responding differently. germans q outside shops to show their health passes. nightclubs will be shot after christmas. and major events, we'll have attendance limits. spain has brought back mandatory mosque wearing outside now, as well as inside. but the netherlands lockdown is still something of an outlier, non essential shops, restaurants, hair, dresses, gyms, museums,

and other public places are close until at least the middle of january. another christmas in the shadow of coven 19 glory. challenz al jazeera krishna. dire comma is the director of the deal global health innovation center. he says that although sam sadie suggest on mc on infections and milder hospitals that still be overwhelmed with cases are not handling it very well. unfortunately, we do know that the transmit ability is significant for the alma con variance, so we're seeing case numbers rise dramatically over 260000 cases reported just yesterday. and even though we're cautiously optimistic that the severity is lower, where the rates of hospitalizations may be anywhere from 20 to 80 percent lower than we saw with the delta variance. the sheer numbers mean that even if a few people as a percent are ending up in hospitals, that still is going to overwhelm many of our health system. we really have to both continue to vaccinate as aggressively as we can. but we can't forget about all of

the other measures. we do need to make sure that we're masking that we're following the at the testing access to treatment using every tool we have in our arsenal to make sure we're, we're maximizing our chance of getting through the next few weeks. in other words, news, gambia, the truth and reconciliation commission has called for former president ja jammy to face tribe for historic human rights abuses. it base it investigation on hundreds of testimony spanning decades of violence. alexander le shreveport, a 3 year long investigation in the gambia has recommended former president. yeah. john may be put on trial for murder, torture and sexual violence. yeah. johnny, this responsibility for the kill in both my more money on moment to me, where the former president seized power in 1994 and for 22 years over. so a regime that has been accused of committing hundreds of human rights abuses in

2017 john a was forced into exile and equitorial guinea after losing an election to adama barrow under president barrow the gambia as government set up the truth reconciliation and reparations commissioned to prob allegations of jeremy abuses the panel heard from hundreds of witnesses who offer testimony about alleged human rights violations. their stories were broadcast on radio and tv for the country to hear. the government now has 6 months to decide. it's next step. we are hoping that got me to give me a commitment, a commitment to implement the recommendations that we've been makes on actually. and as i head right now, the article in december supposedly on. but of course the, i just look on this on the chinese have not just have not been provide against anyone sort of a guest on that. but i guess many at home and abroad hope to see the former

president on trial though he remains in exile. but gambiola weren't the sole targets of the re, jim j. yeah, jeremy's victims include over 44 gun eons who were massacre. they include nigerians include senegalese. and the thinking is that if all of these countries got together and help gambia to create a court, it would also provide the political impetus for equitorial guinea, where j jam is living on the commission is intended to promote healing and reconciliation for victims and survivors. but y'all may still retains considerable support in the country. the possibility of his return from exile was a key election issue. earlier this month. on the rock concerns, his political supporters could hamper efforts to put the former leader and his associates on trial. jammy has yet to reply to the commission's findings. in the

past, he's promised to return to the gambia, but he's been barely seen in the years since his exile. the report may make him question whether he would even want to. alexander lurch al jazeera, the un secretary general has urged both sides in ethiopia to gray conflict, to embrace the opportunity for a lasting cease fire. that after the philippine government said it would not chase the rebels retreating into the t gray region. earlier this week to gray fighters withdrew from the neighboring afar and empire regions the fighting started in november last year. if you'll, if he declared a state of emergency last month when a rebels were gaining ground, at least 13 people have drawn when their migrant boat capsized in greece is a j, n. c. the 3rd disaster in as many days, coast guards managed to rescue dozens of others. smugglers have been increasingly using the dangerous route between turkey and greece to enter a europe there. avoiding the heavily patroled ha,

in islands. at least 39 people have been killed in bangladesh after fire ripped through a ferry carrying hundreds of passengers. and he say it broke out in the engine room in the middle of the night and quickly engulfed the boat. then as smith has more, this overnight ferry was packed with up to 800 people heading out of docker for a weekend, away with friends and family. many would have been sleeping in these crowded cabins as the fire took hold in the engine room. oh, the engine had been running for about an hour while on fire. later, the fire probably spread from the engine to the earl tanker and his top with a loud bang at this spot where you're standing right now about that that was not as flames whipped through the ferry. many passengers jumped into the river to escape, according to police. they believed the engine carried on running for an hour. as the fire took hold. many survivors of a terrible burn injuries and the death toll is expected to rise. i was on

the 2nd floor. suddenly the engine exploded and caught for it had be malfunctioning from earlier on. but the negligence of the ferry authority resulted in the far the ferry with coveting curtains, while the heat from the explosion was trapped inside and that he'd made everything firm. dozens of bodies have been recovered so far, very accidents, a common in bangladesh, usually blamed on over crowding, and lacks enforcement of rules. fairies are a main means of transport and a country that's criss crossed by more than a 130 riddles. the government to set up 2 committees to investigate the fire. they've been ordered to report their findings in free dates. bernard smith, our jersey, still ahead on al jazeera, more memorial statues, so victims of the channel men sway masika are removed in hong kong. adding to fears of history being erased and as little holiday cheer this christmas in nigeria as a rising price of food and transport phase worsens around the country.

ah, we could see our 1st white christmas and vancouver hill, 13 years. hello everyone. we're under a snowfall warning so that snow is going to fall and stick, especially when you consider those temperatures are plunging. the 3 day forecast shows us on monday, vancouver minus 5 well below average. so i want to pick up the story there. here we are on monday, zoom out north america, but the colors on the dark of the purple, the lower the temperature. this is impacting western canada and the western us los angeles, just a high of 12 degrees back to the here. and now we do have some heavy bouts of snow through the sierra nevada, reno nevada, over the next little bit, looking to pick up about 10 centimeters and more rain come natur for california. and for texas is about this exceptional warmth houston. yet could i set

a new record if you hit 30 degrees on saturday toward the east of canada, the northeast of the u. s. we've got some rain fallen here. so temperatures are actually above where they should be central. the marika, fairly quiet, lots of sunny spells, a few scattered showers costa rica into panama, of course, where we got all that activity bubbling up is the top end of south america through the andes, amazon basin, and look at these rock in storms closing in on salvador and for patagonia looking good in the sunshine, coma doro. up to 30 degrees on saturday. that's it, sir. ah, ah, they travelled thousands of columbus in to pick berries. but due time work has risen exploitation in the course of sweden, one a went east, investing aids on out to the room. mm. mm. you want to help save the world?

sneezing hero? ah, lou. ah, welcome back. a recap of our top stories. this are on al jazeera christmas travel plans have again been thrown into chaos by the corona virus pandemic. the highly transmissible on the con variant has force airlines to cancel more than 4000 flights worldwide. u. k prime minister voice johnson is urging people to get a booster vaccine shot over the christmas holiday. cases are searching across europe and gumby as truth and reconciliation commission has recommended that former

president via jamie's fan trial for murder, torture and rape. jamie fled to exile in 2017 after refusing to accept defeat in the presidential election. and more now on the corona virus pandemic, and a new oxfam report says there's further evidence of the inequitable distribution of vaccines. rich countries have received more vaccines in the run up to christmas, and african countries have all year. the report says in a 6 week period, the e u u k and u. s. received 513000000 doses. only 500000000. went to the entire continent of africa throughout the whole of 2021. fewer than 9 percent of africans actually are fully vaccinated at the current rate of delivery. it will take until april 2023 to get everyone a for a stolz. g 7 countries will have 1400000000 surplus doses by march of 2022, but are failing to deliver on donation pledges. now germany is one of the countries

resisting caused to lift vaccine patents, which would allow poor nations to produce jobs for themselves. john hall reports from billet 2021 has been a tale of 2, and that makes one in the global north where recovery became possible with the widespread delivery of vaccines. and one in the global south where locked downs have hit poor economies, harder with vaccines in much shorter supply. and the virus allowed to circulate more freely. the result by year end, a variant that threatens to turn the whole world back to square one. then overwhelming need for urgency to ensure that that same supplies are immediately and to countries in africa that i'm desperately waiting for proficient supplies on back scenes that are not about to expire. campaign is talk of empty promises and of vast profits being put before lives. like here in germany,

where the start up beyond tech partnered with the american pharmaceutical spend, pfizer expects to have made $18000000000.00 in 2021. with much more to come. that's not point 5 percent of growth added to germany's bottom line from just one company. thanks to the domestic production of vaccines and sales to rich countries, while just 7 percent of the whole continent of africa have so far been vaccinated. if there is one thing we have learned, it's that norwegian, no country, no community and no individually save until we are all safe. the arrival of the oma from variance should be a wake up call. the things need to change, but will they? let's not lose hope and put a lot of pressure on governments so that they change their position. and that they realize actually now with on the kron that this is also going to,

to last forever for germany, because they're going to be new variance. there needs to be new vaccines that needs to be new booster shots for forever. if we don't just start this pandemic everywhere. a 100 countries have joined the call for vaccine patrons to be temporarily waived. so the developing countries can produce their own britain and germany are among those firmly opposed with the g 7 instead pledging to donate a 1000000000 vaccine doses to the developing world a pledge that has not yet been met. so as the world battles, the omicron variant or the next one that comes along, it becomes clear that those vast profits are secure. while the health of the least well off remains at risk. and the pandemic looks set to roll on unhindered into 2022 and beyond. jonah whole al jazeera berlin, lebanon's president, michelle, i won't say his country need 6 to 7 years to emerge from its current crisis. it's

racing, one of the world's worst economic crises in a 150 years. the currency has loss up to 90 percent of its value since 2019 and millions of people now live in poverty. un secretary general antonio terrace has said the world is not doing enough to help lebanon avoid economic collapse. international pressure is building on libya after the electoral commission cancelled presidential and parliamentary polls. the u. s. and for european powers are urging the country to quickly set a new date for the elections. molly traina has more from tripoli today as little as 70 anniversary or independent or independence day. it's also the day that a presidential election should have been run. so we're here in morris, where, where you can see a crowd gathering as libyan celebrate historic day and live in history. but right next to the celebration, you have people protesting here saying that election should go shouldn't go ahead

without a constitution. they're calling for a constitutional referendum before a presidential election takes place. now, just wednesday, the libya high national elections commission suggested that elections be postponed until january 24th. and really, we're not seeing any regret. we've talked to a couple of people. and here's what one of them had to say on the limit to what we have seen on the ground. and when you look at the live in social media, most of the live and people are calling for a constitutional research random, a presidential election without the constitution is impossible of almost the halo. so what we're seeing now is live in calling for our lametre election to move ahead . they want the constitutional referendum that identifies a power rather than then they are a resident with a believe we'll move the country forward to more universities in hong kong have

removed cultures, built for victims of the tenant men square massacre. the chinese university took down the goddess of democracy, calling it an unauthorized statue. link on university also removed a memorial dedicated to the student scaled in 1989. on thursday, the university of hong kong removed the culture, the pillar of shame, our long you is a writer in civil rights campaigner. he explains why the statues are being taken down. the removal of these statues and the pillars of shames and so on is firstly a to add symbol. i used that phone call or told me is supposed to be well previously. i mean, seems last year, july, when reaching impose that the national security laws on hong kong is already the

beginning of all phone calls, but well, and then the aging has prosecuted $150.00 free protesters and the law. but now this is just a spectrum. ah, it has not involved in any separate age or suppression or collusion before enforces or just dare and spare it does. why would they offer a di, wanted to, to get rid of the schedule, which has not only nationalistic of the law. the reason is really a symbol, because, ah, i firstly there were 4. do you want us to catch about 10 america? and more importantly, it's make sure that ah, the scenario where. busy hong kong them ok, learns and china to no credible when john hand in hand,

which was the case in the 80 die. and it was, is connection which refers to the statue. oh, yeah ha, says symbolized. is that that's a preaching. there's one that happen again. a russian quote as find 2 of the world's biggest tech companies for failing to delete contents, the government deems illegal. google has been fined nearly a $100000000.00 and meta just over $27000000.00. they're reviewing the rolling human rights group, say moscow's campaign threatens freedom of speech. and i jerry into feeling the impact of rising prices as they try to enjoy the festive season. food prices and travel costs are soaring, preventing many people from going home for the holidays. fidelis barry for summer butcher bonaza. jonathan is out shopping for the family ahead of the festive season. he's trying to buy gifts for his children and stock up for the

holidays. while his family plans have been disrupted by the rising cost of food items, i bought my car, my head spaces. oh god, what i want to buy to the level of them went out. we had to be able to sell signals within this bureaus. nobody wants to be on the elevator shopping anymore because there is also another for many people fitting their family has become a daily struggle as the coastal some items have doubled enterprises. i spoke with his behind a 31st it says in those traveling for the holidays, the cost of tickets is rising to oh, missy charles dokie has 3 children to look after. she can afford to take them to anywhere these holidays in terms of our traveling. i was planning to travel, maybe to lagos, all some other album, places that will go and have

a vacation with the family, you know, spending and going for that to a pat, his guy news, and all that. it's all this once we have to cut them off the hi chic more mc reality. he's also squeezing santos or the market like abdul shackle before. if christmas remained like you one week we asked that did some job market can started to move barry way. what this time around out to we are the costumer damn no call me like that. the number of people living in poverty in africa's most populous nation, is among the highest in the world. the world bank is to meet my juris inflation and foot prizes pushed several 1000000 more into poverty in 2021. now been and this business analyst says very little has been done to improve the situation. now, it is a little more starched or calm,

where we are. acknowledge to deborah dotson or not. where should be we are not where we should be. tis are bad. tis ah bad, bad as in. but then when we act no lead that solution, we call for dues suffering. they'll hope that politicians can keep their promise that the situation will improve mixed here. fidel is amber. al jazeera, a butcher, upon francis as urged a world to look beyond the lights and decorations, and remember the poor. during the festive season, the head of the roman catholic church reminded the faithful that serving others is more important than seeking satta. so success, it's a 2nd time christmas eve mass has been held at saint peter's basilica in the vatican into pandemic. again, the number of people who could attend was increased from last year, despite a spike in coven 19 cases in the city. 100 gathered for midnight mass in bethlehem in the occupied west bank smaller than usual crowds gathered for the festivities in

the birth base of jesus. what is known as a birth based of jesus? no, many christmas says bethlehem busiest tourist season this year. israel, his band, almost all international travel, including 2 occupied palestinian territories. nita abraham pass more. all these people here of gather to welcome the latham patrick of jerusalem. yet the step, if the bad luck is arrival here. and now since the beginning of the christmas celebration here, bethlehem, this is the sound where many balance it is with value is like a way to lafayette is the because many believe that jesus christ was born here in battle now. but back to last year, numbers of people or bill allowed to enter here. the major square is much more. it's a more oppressive season. last year, people weren't even allowed to attend this celebration here in the square. now one

elements, many pals, these would tell you is missing his door is in. this is a city that has long depended on doris coming in. but the plan that make the board is have only been open for just due week. israel is the one who drove was access to the occupied west bank. it's very nice to see some people around here. however, this is only the 10th of what used to be here, normal use. this gives me a little bit hope that things will get better hopefully in the, in the, in the near future. we still need some time to recover fully. keep in mind we are not white. people with videos are very, very resilient people. jesus was born on that occupation. he was born at the time that i mean to assemble, affordability, and weakness. i dictate that tried to kill them, but they divide all odds and the over game and from this song came, a message will be sent home to let us know the world as a palestinian. i do believe that i have

a palestinian identity. i have like this is my city, this is my country and i'm not, i'm not really able to move. it was like it was freedom inside my country. this might be obstacles many years. they that they are lucky that they're still leveraging with inhibited lab rates. are people who are telling me that the method of christmas is all about the next year. we'll be back with her again. i'm fully valuable with the headlines on al jazeera christmas travel plans have again been thrown into chaos by the corona virus pandemic. the highly transmissible omicron very in test for sale lines to cancel more than 4000 fly swelled white gable is under has more from newark airport in new jersey delta. one

of the major carriers here in the us announced over a 125 cancellations on friday, united airlines. so another.