christians gather at the church of the nativity in the holy city of bethlehem to mark christmas. protests break—out in syria calling for the protection of minorities by islamist leaders, after the burning of a christmas tree near hama. drive for greener cars — uk government consults president elect vows to pursue the death penalty for violent criminals after biden pardons criminals. and we'll be following santa's journey as he edges closer to london. christians have been gathering at the church of the nativity in the holy city of bethlehem to mark christmas. the latin patriarch ofjerusalem told worshippers to remain steadfast, saying he'd witnessed destruction in the war—torn territory of gaza, but also life amid the ruins.

shaimaa khaliljoins us from bethlehem. described the scene for us there tonight.— described the scene for us there tonight. happy holidays from here _ there tonight. happy holidays from here in _ there tonight. happy holidays from here in bethlehem - there tonight. happy holidays| from here in bethlehem where the midnight mass hasjust started and ushered in yet another sombre holiday season. i know that you have been covering christmas festivities here in bethlehem for many years and you will notice there is a big absence behind me which is that of the huge christmas tree that normally glistens at this time of night and lights up major square. that's nowhere to be seen. the biggest indication that while the ceremonies are going, happening, it is a very sombre mood here in the ceremonies are muted. the big celebrations have been cancelled out of respect, but also out of deep sorrow for what is happening in gaza yet again for a second

year running. the war in gaza has cast a very heavy shadow on this biblical city earlier during the session you could see children carrying banners calling for the end of the war on gaza. you spoke of the latin patriarch, he spoke to the crowds of worshipers, he's now leading the midnight mass, but earlier he spoke about their christmas mass that he held in gaza the day before and said that he saw destruction, poverty, despair, but he also spoke about the resilience of the people of gaza, the fact that they hadn't given up, that even though they didn't have enough food to eat, they were asking for education for their children. he said this is the message i bring you from gaza. he also called on the pilgrims to come because many, many people still haven't come here as they normally do. he said we are waiting for you. and this is another big absence that you feel here, the absence of tourists, the absence of pilgrims that would normally

fill the square behind me and you hear that as well from the local shops around manger square. i was speaking to a local shop owner who i saw last year because i was here last year because i was here last year and he said it's becoming worse this year and he said not many people can help us, only god can help us, and on this day, on this holy day, we pray for peace and we hope for a cease—fire. for peace and we hope for a cease-fire.— for peace and we hope for a cease-fire. you are right, we have been — cease-fire. you are right, we have been covering _ cease-fire. you are right, we have been covering events, | cease-fire. you are right, we i have been covering events, we are used to bringing everyone those images, how much do you think christmas itself, the festivities, the religious festival at the heart of this matters to people in terms of their daily life given the huge context, the political trauma that people are seen all around them in that region? i that people are seen all around them in that region?— them in that region? i feel like i've — them in that region? i feel like i've been _ them in that region? i feel like i've been here - them in that region? i feel like i've been here for - them in that region? i feel like i've been here for the | like i've been here for the second year now, and you do feel that the city is a shadow of itself, that people here have been robbed ofjoy, but i

also feel that people here are torn between the feeling of the fear of losing their livelihood, people here really rely, specially the shop owners and business owners rely on tourists and pilgrims and the thousands and thousands of people who flock in at this time of year, and for a second year running, they have been losing so much, again, some of the shop owners have said we are really worried about our livelihoods. we've had these shops for decades and we have never had something like this happened to us it is very difficult to celebrate in times like this, one local woman telling me how can we celebrate when our brothers and sisters are being killed not very far from where we are in gaza? so you do feel that they are conflicted on one hand they want their city to come back to life, they want their city and all its glory because the whole world looks at bethlehem into bethlehem in the holiday season at christmas, but they also

understand that they cannot do that with the war still going on in gaza. that with the war still going on in gaza-— that with the war still going on in gaza. , , , on in gaza. just remind us, the significance _ on in gaza. just remind us, the significance of— on in gaza. just remind us, the significance of the _ on in gaza. just remind us, the significance of the nativity - significance of the nativity church and what is happening in the services that are going on. well, this is the biblical sites, the historical site where jesus was sites, the historical site wherejesus was born. this is wherejesus was born. this is where every year midnight mass happens, ushers in the christmas day, the christmas season and this is really where the message of peace, of hope is delivered by the patriarch, and it is important because it brings the community together and i think one big significant thing that i've seen as well is that there is a sense of unity here, when we came into the square, for example, there was a mix of christians and muslims in the square, marking that moment, marking the beginning of the midnight mass, and i think, again, this is a time where there is a message of

unity, and this is something that the cardinal was saying, not just about being that the cardinal was saying, notjust about being steadfast, notjust about being steadfast, notjust about being steadfast, not just about not notjust about being steadfast, notjust about not giving up, but also about being united at this time of sorrow, of sombre newness as people mark christmas, but also are very aware that christians in gaza will mark that holiday for a second year in the midst of devastation.— second year in the midst of devastation. ., ~ , ., . devastation. thank you so much for bein: devastation. thank you so much for being there. _ devastation. thank you so much for being there. thank- devastation. thank you so much for being there. thank you. - protests have erupted in syria over the burning of a christmas tree in a christian—majority town near hama. demonstrators took to the streets of the capital damascus, calling for the new ruling faction, hts, to punish those who are responsible. the islamist hts movement has promised to protect minorities since toppling president bashar al assad earlier this month. lina sinjab reports from damascus. chanting.

"we will sacrifice our souls for our cross," these men chant as they demonstrate through the streets of damascus. they are christians. many fear life in the new syria. despite promises made by the country's latest leaders, these protesters and other minorities are not so sure. and this was the catalyst of the christmas eve protests — masked gunmen setting fire to a christmas tree in the main square of suqaylabiyah, a christian majority town in central syria, the incident captured and shared on social media. a spokesperson from the country's new leaders said foreign fighters were responsible and had been arrested. this transitional phase comes with uncertainties for many people, including minorities, and such incidents will increase the worries and fears among them. there are people who have

vested interests in spreading those fears, and it will take time for the new government to maintain stability and for people here in syria to adjust to the new reality. hayat tahrir al—sham is the group that brought down bashar al—assad. they began as a jihadist organisation, wanting to establish a state governed by islamic law. since taking over, its leaders have vowed to protect the rights of the country's diverse religious and ethnic groups. translation: to be honest, we're not protected. - we're scared. they need to publicly catch those who are creating problems and, if they're foreigners, they should leave. across the country, people have been celebrating the collapse of the 50—year assad regime, but it could be some time before everyone in syria is convinced. lina sinjab, bbc news, damascus.

also in syria today — hts, which is effectively in control of much of the country, says it has now "absorbed all armed factions into the armed forces." syria's de facto leader ahmed al—sharaa has reached an agreement with former rebel faction chiefs, after meetings over the last few days. but it's not clear which groups were included, nor whether forces in areas which were not previously controlled by the government or groups linked to hts are covered by the agreement. famine is spreading in sudan, according to a global hunger monitor. the famine review committee of the integrated food phase classification, ipc, says warring parties continue to disrupt humanitarian aid needed to alleviate one of the worst starvation crises in modern times. it says famine conditions have been confirmed in two camps for internally—displaced people in el—fashir, also in parts of the darfur region and south kordofan state. another five areas

are expected to slip into famine by may next year. the ipc says about 24.6 million people urgently need food aid. earlier, i spoke to sheldon yett, unicef representative to sudan, and began by asking for his response to the review. this is not the news any of us want to hear on the eve of christmas. it's a disaster for sudan. it's a disaster for the world. it tells us that the situation is getting worse and worse. we're now almost two years into this conflict now, and it's critical that we're able to get assistance to all children and all people in sudan who need it. and just tell us what your teams are saying and telling you. well, we're having difficulties getting assistance to those most in need. this is a country at war, and it's a country that is in desperate need of food into those affected populations clean water, health care, education. we need a package of services,

but most importantly, we need to be able to target those most in need. we need access. we need to ensure we can get consistent delivery of food and nutrition supplies and health supplies to those populations in need, and that has proven difficult. and we've obviously heard a lot about the crisis that sudan is facing. does this review tell you and others something new? it tells us that we all have to increase our efforts, and we need an end to this war. we need to make sure that we have consistent, sustained and predictable deliveries to these populations in need. again, we've seen pledges to to make this happen, but we haven't seen the consistent mechanics to make this happen. and that's what we need in place. joe biden may have promised a smooth transition to donald trump's second term in the white house — but that hasn't stopped the president—elect from voicing some harsh

criticisms of the current commander in chief — about his decision to commute joe biden may have promised a smooth transition to donald trump's second term in the white house — but that hasn't stopped the president—elect from voicing some harsh criticisms of the current commander in chief — about his decision to commute the death sentences of 37 federal prisoners to life in prison. donald trump took to his own social media platform, truth social, to criticise the sparing of what he described as 37 of the worst killers in the us. he added — "when you hear the acts of each, you won't believe that he did this. makes no sense. relatives and friends are further devastated." it's no secret that the two men have completely opposed views of the death penalty. there have been no federal executions during mr biden's time as president — and there will now be just three people remaining on federal death row. during his first term in office, mr trump brought back federal executions — which hadn't been carried out for almost two decades. 13 murderers were executed by lethal injection. our correspondent in washington, rowan bridge, has the latest. there are three people who will remain on death row.

they are all cases of mass killings, basically in the united states. and they still could face the death penalty. but donald trump doesn't have the power to undo the commutations that joe biden has given. so those people will be removed from death row and will face life in prison without parole. other people who come on to death row subsequently, clearly then, could face the death penalty under a trump administration. it is christmas eve today, but has there been any reaction to what donald trump has said on this? i mean, there have been reaction to the decision byjoe biden in the first place to do this. it clearly split. i mean, it splits american opinion and it split the opinion of some of the families involved in these cases. and i think the biden white house was well aware that this was going to be a controversial decision and in some ways, to kind of pre—empt that. they issued a bunch of statements alongside joe biden's decision from campaign groups welcoming

the move, but also from some of the friends and family of some of those who were murdered by some of these people on death row, saying that they also supported the decision to commute some of these sentences. however, that was not universally welcomed. the daughter of one of the people who was whose mother was murdered said that as a result of this decision, joe biden and his supporters had blood on their hands to use their words. so this is a very divisive issue. the latest gallup poll, for example, suggests that around 53% of americans support the death penalty in murder cases. so it is very divisive. and clearly, donald trump has kind of firmly stated his case that he plans to bring back the use of the use of the death penalty, and if he can, he is keen to expand it as well. he made that clear on the campaign trail. the former us president bill clinton has been released from hospital in washington dc, after being admitted for a fever yesterday. in a statement mr clinton's deputy chief of staff said the former president was gratefulfor his "exceptional care" and the well wishes he received at the georgetown university hospital. after being admitted for tests

he was treated for flu. the former us president has had a number of health issues in recent years including undergoing quadruple bypass surgery. armed men in haiti have opened fire at medical staff, police officers and journalists during a media conference to announce the reopening of the country's biggest public hospital. at least two people have been killed and many others injured. journalists were waiting for the arrival of the health minister at the general hospital in the capital, port—au—prince, when the shooting began. the site had been recaptured by haiti's government injuly, after being occupied and destroyed by violent gangs that control much of the city. journalists arrived awaiting the health minister when shooting began around iiam the health minister when shooting began around ”am at the university state hospital, also known as the general hospital in port—au—prince. the largest public hospital in the country. at least two people

are known to be injured, soiri, killed, with many injured. it's thought that one journalist and one police officer, this hospital had been closed since march, during a surge of gang violence which saw the former prime minister ousted from power. it was then recaptured by the government injuly, after occupied by gang violence and really destroyed in a really violent way. this was seen as a huge step forward for the government to are really trying to regain control of the city, which is overrun by gang violence. around 85% of port—au—prince is thought to be controlled by gangs currently. do we know why there is this apparent increase in violence? there has been a resurge of violence, the spreading of territory by gangs and it comes at a time where there's been little response from the international community which is often condemned by the transitional government of haiti, but also very little impact of this multinational

international security force led by kenyon on the ground. they've deployed troops now who've been in haiti for some weeks, but are only in a very small area of port—au—prince, the capital, and yes that area may be more secure but it's not representative of the wider capital. there are still a large parts of this capital and areas surrounding it which are absolutely destroyed by gang violence. it's thought that around 760,000 children are on the brink of famine in haiti as the brink of famine in haiti as the social services, hospitals, schools, community kitchens are in absolute disarray, the public health sector as we have seen with the hospital trying to reopen but failing to do so is on the brink of collapse as well. ., . , ., is on the brink of collapse as well. ., ., , ., , ~ ., well. for gangs to strike or armed men _ well. for gangs to strike or armed men to _ well. for gangs to strike or armed men to strike, - well. for gangs to strike or armed men to strike, the l armed men to strike, the opening of a public hospital, you know, it's something —— do we know if it was something specific, they trying to send a message from something they are

trying to get from this? is it too soon to glean that information?- too soon to glean that information? ~ u, , ., information? we can understand that the majority _ information? we can understand that the majority of _ information? we can understand that the majority of this - information? we can understand that the majority of this armed l that the majority of this armed violence is all over territory and instilling fear in the haitians in many areas of the capital, port—au—prince. this hospital is downtown and it's thought that this was a warning sign to the government saying you have in overrun us, you have not regained this hospital, you may have thought you have but we are very much in control of this very valuable social service, a real heart of the community, hospital, public hospital is invaluable in these circumstances. the gang is really sending a message here saying you thought you may have got the upper hand in this small area but that is not the case, according to them. thank ou ve case, according to them. thank you very much- _ denmark says it will increase its defence spending on greenland by at least one and a half billion dollars. the promise camejust hours after america's president—elect, donald trump, repeated his desire for the us

to purchase the territory. denmark's defence minister said that the timing of the funding announcement wasjust an "irony of fate." the money will pay for two new naval vessels, long—range drones to monitor the artic island, and an upgrade to an airport to allow it to handle supersonic jet fighter aircraft. donald trump hasn't reacted — on friday, he had said that the security of america and the world depended on the us owning and controlling greenland. greenland's prime minister had responded by saying that his country is not for sale. a russia missile has struck the ukrainian city of krivyi rih, killing one person and injuring more than a dozen others. the strike on president zelensky�*s hometown came as his christmas message was being broadcast. local authorities say the ballistic missile hit a four—storey residential building. videos posted online showed rescuers pulling injured people from the rubble. standing before kyiv�*s saint sofia cathedral, mr zelensky said ukrainians wanted to see a christmas star shining in the skies, not

russian missiles and drones. rwandan habineza antoine grew up with a passion for languages. he has studied over 30 languages and speaks many of them fluently, including russian, japanese, spanish, german and arabic. we put habineza's language skills to the test and found out which languages were the hardest and easiest languages to learn, which languages he dreams in and what advice he has for other linguists. take a look. cote d'ivoire. this is a japanese grammar book. this is a russian to french dictionary. meet habineza antoine, a hyperpolyglot from kigali, rwanda. a hyperpolyglot is someone who speaks six languages or more fluently. right now i have managed actually to study 32 different languages. but today, right now i can speak or use 22 different languages.

those are different books which are very useful for me as a hyperpolyglot in learning and mastering different foreign languages. which language was the hardest to learn? german. so because of some differences in terms of the syntax or grammatical structures. which language was the easiest to learn? italian. so because i already knew french, italian and french are very close languages. what inspired you to learn so many languages? i have some members of my family who used to study in the former soviet union, so they used to speak both russian and french. and when i heard them speaking both languages,

i felt extremely happy. so therefore i decided to study or to be interested in foreign languages. which language do you dream in? so i dream, obviously, in different languages. so because i'm a tutor or a teacher of different languages, sometimes in my dream ifind myself dreaming, speaking, for example arabic, hebrew, greek, japanese, russian. but most of the time i dream in kinyarwanda, my mother tongue. what advice do you have for other language learners? try to find different language partners, especially native speakers, to practice with them. a language that someone is studying. so because it helps a lot. translation: thank|

you for this interview. extraordinary linguist there. pope francis has launched a specialjubilee year for roman catholics in a christmas eve ceremony at the vatican. and jubilees take place once every 25 years — and pope francis has marked the start by opening the normally bricked—up holy door of st peter's basilica. more than 30 million people are expected to make a pilgrimage to rome. the north american aerospace command says they have repositioned its radars and satellites to track santa claus as he sets out on his worldwide mission to deliver presents to children around the globe. norad, a joint operation between the us and canadian militaries, is responsible for guarding the skies over north america. later, as santa approached the north america, they will dispatch a fighterjet — to greet santa. norad track santa the same way

we do our 365—day coverage of north america every day. so we use a combination of satellites, radar and fighter aircraft. so specifically with santa, we pick him up normally on radar. first off, our north warning system, which is the northern canada and alaska, and then as he gets airborne and higher and further away from north america, we use our satellites that are in geosynchronous orbit that are air capable, so infrared capable. and rudolph snow gives off the same signature, so we use that to to track them around the world. and then as they get closer to north america, we launch fighterjets to go out and intercept and escort santa briefly as he's delivering gifts to the kids in north america. doing this for 16 centuries so far no accidents. 4 billion gifts have been delivered. he somewhere over belgium we believe right now. do you stay with us here on bbc news.

good evening. christmas eve ushered in some calmer weather after the wet and windy weather that we had at the weekend. you can see the remnants still sitting by the side of the road in northern ireland. blue sky and sunshine here, though. however, it was a slightly different story in newquay and cornwall. a lot of low cloud, damp, misty, murky. it didn't deter some from taking an afternoon walk on the beach. and that cloudy, murky story will continue into christmas day for many of us. but it will also continue to stay mild for this time of year. and that's because we're under this influence of high pressure. the wind direction is south—westerly, feeding in that cloud from the ocean, and thick enough for some drizzle. this weather front here still continuing to produce some outbreaks of rain and still windy. so through this evening, we'll have some showery rain into the far north west of scotland with gusts of winds

40—50 miles an hour. we keep that blanket of cloud, though, preventing temperatures from falling too far, so it will be a very mild start to christmas morning for early risers. temperatures sitting at around 7—10 celsius. again, the cloud thick enough for some drizzle, misty, murky first thing in the morning. hopefully that will lift, and we'll see, once again, some breaks in the cloud from time to time. more persistent rain into the western isles and northern isles and the far north west of scotland. here it stays windy. but on the whole it's a quiet story for christmas day, temperatures around 11—13 degrees. not as mild as today, but nevertheless, that is pretty good for this stage in december. now that mild air is going to stay with us all the time, the cold air starting to sneak in from the back door. but it will take its time in arriving. so as we go into boxing day, there'll be little in the way of change — spot the difference. we're trying to see breaks of the cloud and some blue sky from time to time, and our weak weather front sinks its way down across the borders into the north of england. temperatures, again, staying in double digits. moving out of thursday into friday and the start of the weekend, we will start to see a change because weather

fronts will start to push that a little bit further across the country. the wind direction swings around to a north westerly, and that is going to gradually start to introduce some cooler air as we head towards the new year. so you'll start to see that some showers could turn a little wintry in the far north and east of scotland.

this is bbc news. the headlines: you two celebrations for christians at the church of the new hippity in bethlehem to mark christmas. —— nativity. purchase break—out after the burning of a christmas tree. president—elect trump vows to pursue death penalty for violent terminals after president biden commutes 37 death sentences. and we are tracking santa. now on bbc news — a look back at some of the biggest stories of the year.