tom bateman, in bethlehem, we will be back with - in bethlehem, we will be back with you throughout theomorrow — her first since the death of her husband, prince philip. she will speak beside a framed photograph of the couple taken during their diamond wedding anniversary in 2007 — and will wear the same sapphire brooch that she wore on her honeymoon. the queen will spend christmas day at windsor castle with members of herfamily, including prince charles and camilla, the duchess of cornwall. the christmas story has been told many times, but you've never seen it like this. one chapel near swansea has enlisted its congregation's dogs to perform this year's nativity. the cast includes finley and fearne, who played mary and joseph, margaret the jack russell pug—cross as the babyjesus, and three wise whippets played by edna, betty and topsy. the chapel said they wanted to "cheer people up". this is bbc news. iam not i am not sure literally how to follow that. i think it is time for the weather. yes, it is the weather! and our lovely carol kirkwood is here, a human being, thank goodness! hell

the pandemic is taking a toll on terrorism around the world, bethlehem is the birthplace of jesus, itually festive this time a year but with israel having closed its borders to most foreigners and bethlehem being in the occupied west bank, residents are getting ready for a muted holiday season. >> christmas in bethlehem. the palestinian town, the birthplace of jesus. the tree is once again the center of attention. there are fewer restrictions than last year but life is not the same as before the pandemic. >> i love bethlehem. i love coming here. it is the first,, no, actually the second time i have been during the holidays. last year with corona it was impossible. i said this year i would come with my friend. >> it's great to be here. i'm quite surprised there are so many decorations because i did not expect much. >> once again this year, visitors from abroad will find it difficult to visit the occupied west bank. israel has closed its borders to foreigners, with few exceptions. for at least four weeks because of omicron. most visitors will be arab is raley's and local palestinians. >

tom bateman, bbc news, bethlehem.d all the lights and decorations" and remember the neediest. in his homily during the christmas eve mass, the pope said the fact that jesus was born in poverty should remind people that serving others was more important than seeking status or spending a lifetime in pursuit of success. here's a little taste of the service. singing the queen is expected to talk in some detail about her late husband, prince philip, in her christmas broadcast later. he died in april at the age of 99. the monarch will spend the day at windsor castle with six members of her family. there are some flashing images in this report from our royal correspondent, nicholas witchell. rehearsing at windsor for their part in the queen's christmas broadcast, the central band of the royal british legion will play the national anthem which begins the broadcast. this year's christmas message — a still from which has been issued by buckingham palace — will be an unusually personal one. the queen is wearing a brooch which sh

tom bateman, bbc news, bethlehem.f a space telescope that could transform our understanding of the universe. the rocket carrying the james webb space telescope will take off from french guiana on christmas day. it's the successor to the hubble space telescope — and it will give us a much deeper understanding of our universe and how it came about. 0ur science editor — rebecca morelle — reports. it's taken 30 years to develop, cost more than $10 billion and has involved thousands of scientists. now the james webb space telescope is finally ready to launch to begin the most ambitious astronomy mission ever attempted. this telescope is absolutely the biggest and most complex and most powerful telescope that we've ever attempted to send to space. all of us astronomers are extremely eager to get this telescope into space. but i think it's going to work and i think it's going to, again, just completely revolutionise how we understand the cosmos. the telescope is a successor to hubble, which has given us amazing images. butja

still ahead on tonight's "cbs evening news," christmas eve in the town of bethlehem.pepto bismol with a powerful coating action. for fast and soothing relief. pepto bismol for fast relief when you need it most. superpowers from a spider bite? i could use some help showing the world how liberty mutual customizes their car insurance. ow! i'm ok! only pay for what you need. ♪ liberty. liberty. liberty. liberty. ♪ only in theaters december 17th. my dvt blood clot left me with questions... was another around the corner? or could i have a different game plan? i wanted to help protect myself. my doctor recommended eliquis. eliquis is proven to treat and help prevent another dvt or pe blood clot. almost 98 percent of patients on eliquis didn't experience another. and eliquis has significantly less major bleeding than the standard treatment. eliquis is fda-approved and has both. don't stop eliquis unless your doctor tells you to. eliquis can cause serious and in rare cases fatal bleeding. don't take eliquis if you have an artificial heart valve or abnormal bleeding. if you had

how bethlehem is celebrating. it's 2nd hand demick christmas. first we go to ethiopia. we're the leader of the ticker i region is blaming turkey. iran and the united arab emirates for fueling the countries crisis by providing military and financial support to the government . the country has been putting the civil war for more than a year now. forces from the to guy region have been battling government troops and a conflict that has drawn in neighboring eritrea as well. both sides are accused of committing atrocities and have taken and retake in territory with no cease fire in sight. meanwhile, tens of thousands of civilians have died and millions have lost their homes. corresponded maria, get nicholas gu traveled to the m hara region to meet some of the people who have been affected. this is all that is left of i you. but hans house to it. it was demolished by artillery fire, wendy tube in army and to grand forces clashed in the area yet i'm obama norman. hey, this is where the table was a whole. it's all broken now. we'll look at it. it was a nice house. it was beauti

tom bateman, bbc news, bethlehem.christmas eve mass. the head of the catholic church urged vatican cardinals and bishops to embrace humility this christmas season, the pope said the fact that jesus was born in poverty should remind people that serving others is more important than pursuing success. important than pursuing succes— important than pursuing success. �* ., success. and the queen will send success. and the queen will spend christmas _ success. and the queen will spend christmas day - success. and the queen will spend christmas day at - success. and the queen will. spend christmas day at windsor castle with a smaller group of family members than in previous years. she chose not to travel to sandringham for her traditionalfamily to sandringham for her traditional family gathering as a precautionary measure. she is expected to give a personal christmas message later, her first since the death of her husband prince philip. this report has some flashing images. rehearsing at windsor for their part in the queen's

tom bateman, bbc news, bethlehem.w — her first since the death of her husband, prince philip. she will speak beside a framed photograph of the couple taken during their diamond wedding anniversary in 2007, and will wear the same sapphire brooch that she wore on her honeymoon. our royal correspondent, nicholas witchell, reports. for the queen, forced for a second year by covid to spend christmas at windsor rather than hosting herfamily at sandringham, this will be a moment to reflect on a year marked by sadness. her christmas broadcast, a still from which has been issued by buckingham palace, is expected to be a very personal one. prominently on the desk beside her, a photograph of her and prince philip taken in 2007 when they celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary. philip's death last april, two months short of his 100th birthday and after 73 years of marriage, was the emotional low point of the year for the monarch. apart from a reference to him in her address to the cop26 conference, the queen has not so far s

as our life pictures coming to you from bethlehem here on bbc news.this christmas period, mainly across the hills of the northern half of the uk. further south, it'll tend to be milder, so any precipitation will be rain. and we've got areas of low pressure pushing into the south west, and they're weather fronts bringing outbreaks of rain. as these weather fronts slowly push north—eastwards into that stubborn area of colder air which is sitting to the north—east of the country, then this is where we're likely to see some of that rain turn to snow. so, we're starting christmas day morning off on a very cold, frosty note across scotland, the far north of england, but less cold, milder for northern ireland in towards wales and the south west. but here, we have more of the cloud, outbreaks of rain, which will be slowly spilling northwards and eastwards through the course of the day. quite a bit of cloud for most of england, but the far north of england, scotland off that cold, frosty start, will be dry and sunny throughout the day. maybe just the odd wintr

many and bethlehem. see it as more important than ever to spread the message of peace and good will to all ah, me honestly a soccer now and it was the last round of matches before the mid season break on sunday top for hopefully labor cushion traveled to the season. surprise package fryeburg who ended the year with a wind to keep them on course for a champions league finish. fryeburg fans could toast to a fantastic 1st half of the season with their side consistently and the top 6 since matched a 2 in front of a limited crowd of 750. the hosts had the early chances but couldn't convert and to live accusing. jeremy from pom handled the ball in the area, gifting the hosts, a penalty having missed from the spot last weekend. vincenza vivo stepped up again and was almost to come this time. his cheeky chip gave lucas rabinski the slightest hope of saving it. ah, visitors leave accusing we're looking to turn the tide after 2 windless matches and on the stroke of half time be equalized to friend. the units on ta

tom bateman, bbc news, bethlehem.tholics to "look beyond all the lights and decorations" and remember the neediest. in his homily during the christmas eve mass the pope said the fact thatjesus was born in poverty should remind people, that serving others was more important than seeking status or spending a lifetime in pursuit of success. here's a little taste of the service. singing the queen will spend christmas day at windsor castle with a smaller group of family members than in previous years. she decided not to travel to sandringham for her traditional family gathering as a precautionary measure amid rising coronavirus cases. she's expected to give a very personal christmas message later — her first since the death of her husband, prince philip. there are some flashing images in this report from our royal correspondent, nicholas witchell. rehearsing at windsor for their part in the queen's christmas broadcast, the central band of the royal british legion will play the national anthem which begins the broadcast. th

tom bateman, bbc news, bethlehem.repair bill that came to $20,000. tuomas katainen was landed with the hefty bill afterfinding out he needed to replace a battery in his vehicle. his tesla dated back to 2012. tesla — owned by the world's richest man, elon musk — has faced complaints about the cost of replacing batteries in some models. well, we enjoyed it. you're watching bbc news. the forecast and the lead up to christmas has always been about mild wet weather trying to feed and the family south—west into colder conditions and no north—east, and thatis conditions and no north—east, and that is exactly how the christmas weather is going to play out. no further north—east you are, the code that you christmas it will be for you. the further south—west, the milder a christmas with rain at times. another system feeding and rain into southern and south—east england, the midlands and wales. another with cloud and patchy rain into southern scotland and parts of northern ireland. maybe a few flurries on the ground out of that.

of his live in bethlehem and he's a cool founder of rights movement campaign. how do you feel seeing the lives, the people christmas this year? of, despite all the challenges that we have been going 3 through, through the pandemic, is really thrilling and exciting to see people again, gathering children and families. being excited about the fact that we can get that again. yes, there's no tourist, it's not the same as we used to it. but at least we were able to, to be here together and celebrate this edition that we have been doing for many years. and we will continue to do you our co founder of that movement campaign, which is an initiative that highlights the restrictions of movement when it comes to palestinian. what are you trying to do through right to movement? what i would, i would compare really resemble the reality of our everyday life. and by the down here, when you run in by this time we're running campaign was started by this time marathon the 1st, but no marathon, which really talk somebody out of the, of our everyday life when you run in palestine

it is not normal to see bethlehem this way. repoer: butt christmas, there's always light.own celebrates, it remains a year of hope against the odds. ♪ anchor: final preparations are underway for the rescheduled launch of a space telescope that could transform our understaing of the universe. the rocket carrying the james webb space telescope will take off on christmas day. it is the successor to the hubble space telescope and it will give us a deeper understanding of our universe and how it came about. our science editor reports. reporter: it has taken 30 years to develop. cost more than $10 billion. and has involved thousands of scientists. now the james webb space telescope is finally ready to launch, to begin the most ambitious astronomy mission ever attempted. >> this telescope is absolutely the biggest and most complex and most powerful telescope we've ever attempted to send to space. all of us must draw matters are extremely eager to get this telescope into space. but, i think it is going to work and i think it is going to, again, just completely revolutionized how w

what's the mood like in bethlehem this year? it's definitely more festive this year than it was last year when people weren't even allowed to come here to the manger square and celebrate christmas season. so we're seeing hundreds and hundreds of people gathering here to start celebrating christmas. but one thing is missing that bethlehem has always had tourists. haven't been able to cross into the west bank because israel, which controls the board. there's or who actually can enter the occupied westbank, and israel has a stopped the flock of tourist ever since the emerge of the alma crone virus. this has been the situation for people for the past 2 years and to talk more about tourism. i'm joined here now by miss that abraham salamis, the tour guy. these been working in the city for years, but for the past 2 years, you've been jobless right? road throat. so 1st of all, i would like to, ah, wish everybody merry christmas and happy new year, and i hope next year will be better than this one. ah, yes, the tourism industry has been

it's sad — it's not normal to see bethlehem this way.r of hope against the odds. merry christmas! tom bateman, bbc news, bethlehem. stay with us on bbc news. still to come: a rocket carrying the most powerful telescope ever to go into space is due to blast off later. we'll speak to one of the scientists involved live at the launch site in french guiana. the world of music's been paying tribute to george michael, who's died from suspected heart failure at the age of 53. he sold well over 100 million albums in a career spanning more than three decades. the united states' troops have been trying to overthrow the dictatorship of general manuel noriega. the pentagon said it's failed in its principle objective to capture noriega and take him to the united states to face drugs charges. the hammer and sickle| was hastily taken away. m its place. — the russian flag was hoisted over what is now— no longer the soviet union, but the commonwealth of independent states. | day broke slowly over lockerbie, over the cockpit of pan am's maid of the seas,

the pandemic with i have elected by i love bethlehem. i love coming here later. it's the 1st i know actually the 2nd time i've been during the holidays last year with corona, it was impossible. i said this year i'd come with my friends lemonade had that issue. might have been this mega span, it's great to be here. oh, i'm quite surprised. there are so many decorations, stickle, because i didn't expect much national fin the that the money marked in the field. once again, this year, visitors from abroad will find it difficult to visit the occupied westbank. israel has closed its borders to foreigners with few exceptions, for at least 4 weeks because of all me gone, most visitors foby are up, is re lease and glucose palestinians. global situation is not so rude, we have about news about it is a new volume over covey 19. but despite of these bad news, we hope that makes the sound would be possible for the figures to come here to bake lamb. and to celebrate together we've been looking at least else the church of the nativity has been well coming visitors for centuries

smaller christmas eve crowds as the pope's mass and in the biblical town of bethlehem but what's notmissing is hope. and on the road, with a reminder that all it takes is one person to make a difference. this is the "cbs evening news" with norah o'donnell, reporting from the nation's capital. >> yuccas: good evening to our viewers in the west, and thanks for joining us this christmas eve. i'm jamie yuccas in for norah. we begin with the rise in omicron cases causing nightmares for holiday travelers. airlines have canceled more than 1,000 flights here in the u.s. and over 3,000 worldwide because employees are getting infected by the virus. in the last week, the number of average daily cases is up 45%. that surge is attributed to the fast-spreading omicron variant. there is one bit of good news. hospitalizations remain flat, hovering around 60,000 patients, suggesting omicron infections have been less severe than the deadly delta strain. despite the covid surge, president biden and the first lady try to bring christmas eve cheer to kids at children's national hospital here in the natio

the pandemic with i have elected by i love bethlehem. i love coming here later. it's the 1st i know actually the 2nd time i've been during the holidays last year with corona, it wasn't possible. i said this year i'd come with my friends eliminate that issue . miles, i've been this mega span. it's great to be here. oh, i'm quite surprised. there are so many decorations stickler because i didn't expect much actual fin the that the money marked in the field. once again, this year, visitors from abroad will find it difficult to visit the occupied west bank. israel has closed its borders to foreigners with few exceptions. for at least 4 weeks because of all me gone, most visitors will be our up is re lease and glucose palestinians. global situation is not so good. we have a bad news about it is a new volume, paula covey. 19. but despite these bad news, we hope that makes the sound would be possible for the figures to come here to break lamb to celebrate. today the re below, for at least else the church of the nativity has been well coming visitors for centuries. the b

people here in bethlehem have depended on tourism for decades. so naturally when tourism stopped, the economy took a hard hit. now, you know, christmas people are looking to buy presents and the things are turning around, at least for the holidays. people are willing to spend more to try and bring some bright brightness and hope into the house and have like a happy holiday. so i think during this time people will spend, even if you know it's a bit difficult for them that has been, is do not control that on board. there's so they have to rely on what restrictions israel has in place. november. israel has allowed vaccinated tourists to come in and so people here were hopeful that tourism is going to be back. but soon after news of the new barian has emerged, israel has shut down its borders again. here are saying that while they're glad that there is some sense of normalcy coming back to town, especially during the christmas season, it's the tourism that's going to revive the economy. ah tucker, juggler. headlines here on al jazeera, early results

we of the nativity, the reality of bethlehem.— of the nativity, the reality of bethlehem. ~ , . , bethlehem much embrace those messages of _ bethlehem. we very much embrace those messages of hope _ bethlehem. we very much embrace those messages of hope and - bethlehem. we very much embrace| those messages of hope and looking forward in an optimistic way. thank you for chatting with us this morning and happy christmas to you. most welcome. merry christmas to you all and good morning. all the best from bethlehem. let's take a look at the inside pages. charlie. how involved do you get when you watch television? emotionally? do you like to put yourself in a place where sometimes yourself in a place where sometimes you think, sometimes when you watch a cookery programme is likely to a shame we can't smell it? do you sometimes wish you had that? not really, i don't think i'd ever, literally as i'm saying, have i ever dressed up at home in order to watch a television programme? i'm just thinking about it, and i never have done that either. how do you feel about licking your television? have you ev

and bethlehem is shining. it waits for this night and it lives off it. that is true in a small sense for jerusalem and for nazareth, all the places associated with jesus. we see almost no one here. it is empty. francois: the u.s. will lift the travel ban imposed on southern african states where the omicron variant was first detected. south africa felt it was being punished for its diligence in reporting the new strain of covid to the world health organization. also on the list of those for whom the van will be lifted december the 31st, botswana, mozambique, and malawi. morocco extending the closure on air travelers until the end of january. in the u.s., hundreds of flights canceled on christmas eve, as a surge covid-19 infections triggers sff shortages. delta alines canceled 138 flights, united airlines, 170. domestically, most u.s. flights going ahead despite the spread of the omicron variant. a possible reduction in isolation periods for contacts in france, one of the measures to be unveiled at the start of next week, as pharmacies find themselves swam

in this story of christmas, the star of bethlehem is the one behind the camera.h his son jimmy, he recalls christmas is passed. —— with his sonjimmy, he recalls christmases past. morice, christian palestinian, watched the world change in front of his lens. his images called moments in time in the holy land —— maurice. but while the west bank went through war and political travolta, his was and political travolta, his was a job of documenting bethlehem's vip visitors —— tumult. the town and its folks through the decades. and, of course, every year, he captured christmas. find and, of course, every year, he captured christmas.— captured christmas. and here, m dad captured christmas. and here, my dad was — captured christmas. and here, my dad was filming _ captured christmas. and here, my dad was filming the - my dad was filming the celebration and here i am. he filmed me while i was in the scouts. i was a good scout! 0h, here, here does make this is at home with santa. 0h, here, here does make this is at home with santa. oh, my god. i remember i started working with

tom bateman, bbc news, bethlehem. of a space telescope that could transform our understanding of the universe. a rocket carrying the james webb space telescope will take off from french guiana on christmas day. it's the successor to the hubble space telescope — and it's designed to look deeper into the universe than ever before. i'm joined now by doctor megan argo who's a senior lecturer in astronomy at the university of central lancashire. welcome to the programme. so tell us first about how this is different from the hubble space telescope. well, it's bigger, for a start, the mirror is much bigger than the mirror is much bigger than the mirror on the hubble space telescope, so that makes it more sensitive, so we will be able to see fainter things in the universe that the hubble telescope hasn't been able to show us. it's also working on a slightly different part of the spectrum from a slightly different part of late, hubble was working with the visible part of the spectrum, but this next one is focusing on the infra

and how does it feel being from bethlehem? we know so many people think of it, that's just the city in the bible and not many people know how life if it's here. how life has it been for you as a palestinian christian living in best lab? well, to be honest and at some point we were used to it, you know, like it's ok. we have the nativity here like 5 minutes away. but would you meet a lot of people? there are millions of people that wish to live here because it's a whole the side, very holly side. and i think we have a very like a great luck to live year beside these important side all the ones. and i do believe that it's an important part of the very politically and bridget from the religion side of course. and many people do wish to live here. so i think we have a mission to spread the mission of, of peace and love spread. because this is the city of love and peace. thank you so much laura. i thought she is an activist. then she calls this the city many people here were saying they're proud to be from bethlehem. they say this

i have my holy word in praise these things and peace to men on earth o little town of bethlehem aboveign life the everlasting light the hope and dreams of all ears are here tonight the hope and fear of all the years are resting tonight ♪ ♪ >> c-span is your unfiltered view of government. funded by these television companies and more, including sparklight. >> the greatest town on earth is a place you call home. at sparklight it's our home, and right now we are facing our greatest challenge. that's why sparklight is working round-the-clock to keep you connected. we are doing our part so it's easier to do yours. >> sparklight support c-span as a public service, along with these other television providers, giving you a front row seat to democracy. >> download c-span's new mobile app and stay up-to-date with live video coverage of today's events. from live streams of the house and senate floors and key congressional hearings, the white house events in supreme court oral arguments. even our live, interactive program washington journal, where we hear your voices every day. sees ben now has y

. # 0 little town of bethlehem. # how still we see thee lie. # above thy deep and dreamless sleep. #t stars go by. # yet in thy dark streets shineth. # the everlasting light. # the hopes and fears of all the years. # are met in thee tonight. # for christ is born of mary. # and gathered all above. # while mortals sleep. # the angels keep. # their watch of wond'ring love. # 0 morning stars together. # proclaim thy holy birth. # and praises sing to god the king. # and peace to men on earth. # 0 little town of bethlehem. # how still we see thee lie. # above thy deep and dreamless sleep. # the silent stars go by. # yet in thy dark streets shineth. # the everlasting light. # the hopes and fears of all the years. # are met in thee tonight. # the hopes and fears of all the years. # are met in thee tonight...# now it's time for the weather with nick miller. hello again. for most people looking for a white christmas, it has been a grey and damp one. bringing a new meaning to white christmas, the form on some of the waves that have been hitting the coastline on a strong wind. we have seen a spr

the pandemic with i have elected by i love bethlehem. i love coming here later. it's the 1st i know actually the 2nd time i've been during the holidays last year with corona, it wasn't possible. i said this year i'd come with my friends eliminate that issue . miles i had to pin this mega span. it's great to be here. oh, i'm quite surprised. there are so many decorations stickler because i didn't expect much. ashley when the that the money marked in the field. once again, this year, visitors from abroad will find it difficult to visit the occupied westbank. israel has closed its borders to foreigners with few exceptions, for at least 4 weeks because of all me gone, most visitors will be, are up is re lease and glucose palestinians. global situation is not so rude. we have a bad news about it is a new volume over covey 19. but despite these bad news, we hope that makes the sound would be possible for the figures to come here. to beg claim to celebrate today the rebuild, at least else the church of the nativity has been well coming visitors for centuries. the buildi

that's right, people here in bethlehem are unbelievably proud of their city.that isn't happening this year because of omicron and so they are finding new ways to celebrate. >> reporter: in the little town of bethlehem, the countdown to christmas is on. prayers and songs of praise going up from the city where the christmas story began. >> it's so exciting, it's so special. especially at christmastime. and we were one of the very few tourists fortunate enough to be able to come to israel and to come to bethlehem. >> reporter: that's because israel closed its borders to foreigners last month, trying to keep out the omicron variant but it also kept out pilgrims and tourists heading to the west bank, taking a major toll on the economy and leaving holy sites like bethlehem's church of the nativity quiet this year this is the grotto where jesus is believed to have been born. on a normal day, there would be a line snaking through the church, but today, it's completely empty even without many visitors from overseas, the streets of this ancient city are still alive with

the pandemic with i have elected by i love bethlehem. i love coming here later. it's the 1st i know actually the 2nd time i've been during the holidays last year with corona, it wasn't possible. i said this year i'd come with my friends lemonade had that issue. miles i had to pin this mega span. it's great to be here. oh, i'm quite surprised. there are so many decorations stickler because i didn't expect much. i should fin the that that money marked in the field. once again. this year, visitors from abroad will find it difficult to visit the occupied westbank. israel has closed its borders to foreigners with few exceptions, for at least 4 weeks because of all me gone, most visitors will be, are up is re lease and glucose palestinians. global situation is not so good. we have a bad news about it is a new vaviante over covey 19. but despite these bad news, we hope that makes you sound would be possible for good figures to compu, to beg, lamb 2 syllable 8th grade will read the locker crystals. the church of the nativity has been well coming visitors for centuries. t

the pandemic with i have elected by i love bethlehem. i love coming here later. it's the 1st i know actually the 2nd time i've been during the holidays last year with corona, it was impossible. i said this year i'd come with my friend lemonade had that issue . might have been this mega span. it's great to be here. oh, i'm quite surprised. there are so many decorations, stickle, because i didn't expect much ashlynn the that the money marked in the field. once again, this year, visitors from abroad will find it difficult to visit the occupied westbank. israel has closed its borders to foreigners with few exceptions, for at least 4 weeks because of all me gone, most visitors foby are up, is re lease and glucose palestinians. global situation is not so rude. rehab, news about these a new vaviante over covey 19. but despite these bad news, we hope that makes whose town would be possible for the figures to comp. you bet. lamb 2 syllable 8th grade will read the locker key skills. the church of the nativity has been well coming visitors for centuries. the building has be

and that's neither abraham with the latest. joining us live from bethlehem. thank you. now, only 7 people have been killed in an explosion in the democratic republic of congo, the congress governments as a suicide bomber target at a restaurant. and benny now group has claim responsibility for the attack, but the area has been frequently targeted by rebels from the allied democratic forces to the club. 19 pandemic now and airlines of intervals to cancel more flights because the staff shortages, us airlines alone cancelled a further $900.00 flights on saturday, bringing the total number of cancellations globally to nearly $5000.00 highly transmissible on the con variant has seen an increase in employee sickness, airlines calling on governments to reduce the length of clothing, 1900 quarantines to allow people to return to work and convert into fueling a surge of corona virus cases across europe. france, italy, and the u. k. have a lot of the highest number of cases since the pandemic began. and although the new strain a p as a milder its higher rate of transmits ability i

he has more from bethlehem. all these people hear of gather to welcome the latin battery out of jerusalem. yet the septic, the bad is arrival here. and now since the beginning of the christmas celebration here battle i have, this is a sound where many balancing is would tell you is like a way to lafayette to be because many believe that jesus christ was born here in battle now. but back to last year, numbers of people are allowed to enter here. the major square is much more. it's a more festive season. last year people weren't even allowed to attend this celebration here in the square. now one element many palestinians would tell you is missing is tourism. this is a city that has long depended on tours coming in. but the plan that make the board does have only been open for just 2 week. israel is the one who put droll was access to the occupied by bank. it's very noise to see some people around here. however, this is only the 10th of what used to be here normally is. this gives me a little bit hope that things w

also coming up and overcrowded very catches fire and bangladesh kili at least 39 people were in bethlehem in the occupied west bank to see how the pandemic is affecting this year as christmas celebrations. plus i was out of a job aid in a mongrel forest, just off the reviewed seat. and i'll tell you how the lack of fresh water is killing species of mangrove with hello more than 2000 flights globally have been cancelled on christmas eve. and the latest blow caused by the highly transmissible army kron variant its left would be travellers stranded as the holiday season kicks off, live towns delta and united airlines all saying the virus is affected, their flight cruise over in the u. k. the prime ministers urged the public to get booster shots during the festive season and other countries like france nostril, you have shortened the wait time to receive booster shots as they rushed to stem the tide of infections to talk us through the trouble chaos were joined by gabriel, he's on though he's joining us from newark airport over new jersey. so what is the situation like where you are gabriel?

the pandemic with the have elected by i love bethlehem. i love coming here later. it's the 1st. i know actually the 2nd time i've been during the holidays last year with corona, it was impossible. i said this year i'd come with my friend lemonade had that issue . miles i had it been this mega span. it's great to be here. oh, i'm quite surprised. there was so many decorations, stickle, because i didn't expect much. ashley in the that the min max in the field. once again, this year visitors from abroad will find it difficult to visit the occupied westbank . israel has closed its borders to foreigners with few exceptions. for at least 4 weeks because of all me gone, most visitors foby are up, is re lease and glucose palestinians. global situation is not so rude. we heard about the news about these a new volume over covey 19. but despite of these bad news, we hope that makes the sound would be possible for the figures to compu to back layman, to celebrate together read the local to the scales. the church of the nativity has been well coming visitors for centuries. the building has b

the de leon is still to come on the show how it bethlehem is a celebrating. it's the 2nd pandemic christmas. that is coming up in just a bit. but 1st let's go to ethiopia, where government troops have been regaining territory. it was last 2 to grow and forces based in the countries north, is the latest chapter in a conflict that has caused enormous suffering in the horn of africa. ethiopia has been fighting a civil war for more than a year now. forces from the t bar region are battling government troops in a conflict that has drawn an neighboring eritrea as well. both sides are accused of committing atrocities that have taken and retake in territory with no cease fire in sight. meanwhile, tens of thousands of civilians have died and millions have lost their homes. access for journalists, there has been very limited, but our correspondent was given permission to visit the government controlled am hara region. from there, maria got nichols escrow sent us this report on some of the people have been affected. this is all that is left of our you. but hands house t

tom bateman, bbc news, bethlehem.tmas eve mass. the head of the catholic church urged vatican cardinals, bishops and bureaucrats thursday to embrace humility this christmas season, saying their pride, self—interest and the "glitter of our armor" was perverting their spiritual lives and corrupting the church's mission. here's a snapshot of events at vatican city. they sing some scenes from the vatican there. don't forget you can get in touch with me and some of the team on twitter — i'm @luxmy—g stay with us here on bbc news, because we will have the headlines at the top of the hour for you. hello there, i'm olly foster with the latest from the bbc sport centre. another boxing day game is off in the premier league. everton's squad is depleted because of covid and a number of injuries. they were due to travel to burnley on sunday, but it has now been postponed. it's the third premier league fixture to go on boxing day. 20 matches across the football league are also off. spurs boss antonio conte says yesterday's premier

the pandemic with i have elected by i love bethlehem. i love coming here later. it's the 1st i know actually the 2nd time i've been during the holidays last year with corona, it was impossible. i said this year i'd come with my friend lemonade had that issue . might have been this mega span. it's great to be here. oh, i'm quite surprised. there was so many decorations stickler because i didn't expect much ashlynn the that the money marked in the field. once again, this year, visitors from abroad will find it difficult to visit the occupied westbank. israel has closed its borders to foreigners with few exceptions, for at least 4 weeks because of all me gone, most visitors foby are up, is re lease and glucose palestinians. global situation is not so good. we heard about news about these a new vaviante over covey 19. but despite of these bad news, we hope that makes the sound would be possible for the figures to come here. to bet lamb 2 syllable 8 together. read the locker at least else the church of the nativity has been while coming visitors for centuries. the bui

neither abraham reports now from bethlehem. a season in 2019 with 50 that had hit that to or is that because bob and people weren't even allowed to do it? then the 4th, 3 lighting ceremony last year. but the day that differ in the thousands and thousands of palestinians are here, that these people are coming from different places from back what they occupied lot back at the city and is ready. this is one of the initiatives this year to revive the economy christmas market where people can sell that product as well as their crafts people. here in bethlehem have depended on tourism for decades. so naturally when tourism stopped, the economy took a hard hit. now, you know, christmas people are looking to buy presents and the things are turning around, at least through the holidays. people are willing to spend more to try and bring some bright brightness and hope into the house and have like a happy holiday. so i think during this time people will spend, even if you know it's a bit difficult for them, they go that extra mile just to

some israeli security personnel have blocked them from accessing wholly sites in jerusalem. bethlehem, making it impossible to mark the festive season with family members. human or al say it has no a little more reset. sorry i was trying to create some christmas cheer at her home in garza the tree self and her grandson is helping with the decorations. for his sake, she's trying not to let her disappointment show. she'll not see many members of her family and hasn't seen some for years because of the blockade on garza. some had to leave home to find work overseas corners a man then his grandma was in the past. we used to get together and gather all the family at christmas. but to day there's no one left. they've all gone abroad and christmas has no flavor. we can't even travel from here to meet them because of the restrictions. ah, those christians left in the gaza strip, had to abandon any hope of celebrating christmas and the holy cities of bethlehem and jerusalem. because of israel is security restrictions. in 20192020 no permits were granted. and although this year israel said $500

christmas celebrations have taken place in bethlehem, including an annual procession led by the headed in a mass at the church of the nativity, built on the spot where it's believed thatjesus was born. but for a second year running, the celebrations were without their usual international crowds because of a ban on foreign visitors, due to covid—19. staying in bethlehem, an exhibition has been taking place of photos tracing 70 years of history — and christmas events there. the pictures were taken from the 1950s onwards by one of the town's first official photographers — maurice michael — whose son later took up the same trade... as a bbc news cameraman. our middle east correspondent tom bateman has their story. in the story of christmas, the star is the one behind the camera. marise michael was one of the town's first official photographers. with his sonjimmy, he recalls christmas is passed. marise, christian palestinian watch the world change in front of his lens. his images caught moments in time in the holy land. but while the west bank went through war and political to malt, his w