helena wilkinson, bbc news. urged world leaders to share covid vaccines, saying walls of nationalism could not be built to inhibit the fight against the pandemic. the bbc‘s rome correspondent mark lowen has more. well, this time last year, there were 50,000 people in st peter's square, watching the pope's christmas urbi et orbi — "to the city and the world" — christmas message from the balcony of st peter's basilica. this year, st peter's square is completely cordoned off by police. we are in the middle of a christmas lockdown, and the pope spoke from inside the apostolic palace. the world has changed and many people's faith has been shaken, and coronavirus was very much at the heart of the pope's christmas message. he called on people to care for and to offer generosity to the victims of the pandemic. he also called on world leaders to co—operate, so that there should be access to vaccines for all countries. he said, "we cannot erect walls," perhaps a message to the outgoing donald trump administration there. i

helena wilkinson, bbc news. police in the us city of nashville, in tennessee, say a huge explosion in the city center was a deliberate act. at least three people are injured. european union ambassadors get details of a post—brexit trade deal in a christmas day briefing led by michel barnier. queen elizabeth reflects on the hardships of the pandemic in her christmas speech, as she and prince philip break tradition by staying in windsor. chile's president has described the start of a national coronavirus immunisation programme as a moment of hope and excitement for the country. chile, mexico and costa rica have become the first countries in latin america to begin vaccination campaigns. argentina is also planning to start inoculations in the next few days. tim allman has more. in chile, potential salvation comes from the skies. the first 10,000 of an ordered 30 million doses of the coronavirus vaccine arriving at this airport in santiago. the country's president was there to welcome them, as the precious cargo was

helena wilkinson, bbc news.re 21,672 new coronavirus infections recorded in the latest 24—hour period. that means the average number of new cases reported per day in the last week is now 17,004. there were 1,456 people admitted to hospital on average each day over the week to last friday. and 424 deaths were reported — that's people who died within 28 days of a positive covid—19 test. that means on average, in the past week, 415 deaths were announced every day. it takes the total number of deaths so far across the uk to 63,506. the period of self—isolation for people who've had contact with those who've tested positive for coronavirus is to be cut from 14 to 10 days. the new rules — which already apply in wales — take effect in the rest of the uk on monday. the change will also apply to travellers quarantining after returning from abroad. the news came as data showed the number of coronavirus cases falling across most of england and northern ireland, but increasing in wales, london, and the east of england. here

helena wilkinson reports.nd scott for support, when dame barbara windsor visited downing street last year, it was clearjust how unwell she was. determined, though, to speak out about dementia care, she urged the prime ministerfor speak out about dementia care, she urged the prime minister for better support for those affected, saying the system was completely inadequate and unfair. the couple had been nervous about revealing her diagnosis, but they decided to go public in 2018, they wa nted decided to go public in 2018, they wanted people to know and accept it for what it was. working together with alzheimer's society has been incredible. both campaigned tirelessly on behalf of the charity, and became ambassadors, credited with helping so ambassadors, credited with helping so many others. unite with me against dementia. families won't discuss it, it is still a taboo. someone as amazing as barbara, her wonderful still a taboo. someone as amazing as barbara, herwonderfulfamily, still a taboo. someone as amazing

our correspondent helena wilkinson has been looking back at her work.ing the prime minister for better care for dementia sufferers. the system, she said, was completely inadequate and unfair. three years ago, robert beattie was diagnosed with alzheimer's. his wife says dame barbara going public about her diagnosis was important. honestly, to get the government talking about it and hopefully doing something about it. hopefully, the momentum will start and there will be more people like rob and me that will go and talk. we know some in wales already do. but the people inside the houses that are ashamed, we need you to do the same thing, and get this platform so that we can get the help that we need. what's it like, day to day, living with alzheimer's? it is day by day. that is what i would say, it is day by day. he'll forget what room he is in, he won't know where the bedroom or the bathroom is. i have to guide him through the process of getting changed, clothed. earlier this year, ross kemp, her on—screen son in eastenders and close friend, spoke to dame

long—term funding solution to end what she called the social care crisis. 0ur correspondent helena wilkinsonoking back at her work. fraile and supported by her husband, scott, it was clear on this visit to downing street last year just scott, it was clear on this visit to downing street last yearjust how u nwell downing street last yearjust how unwell she had become. she was, though, determined to use her voice, urging the prime ministerfor better ca re urging the prime ministerfor better care for dementia sufferers. the system, she said, was completely inadequate and unfair. three years ago, robert beattie was diagnosed with alzheimer's. his wife says dame barbara going public about her diagnosis was important. honestly, to get the government talking about it and hopefully doing something about it. hopefully, the momentum will start and they will be more people like rob and me that will go and talk. we know some in wales already do. but the people inside the houses that are ashamed, we need you to do the same thing, and get this platform so that we can get the help that we need. what is it

helena, thank you for that, helena wilkinson.virus restrictions. the office for national statistics said consumer prices index inflation decreased to 0.3% from 0.7% in october. clothing and footwear costs made the largest contribution to the drop, as shoppers saw prices which were 3.6% lower than a year ago. the cost of food and non—alcoholic drinks also fell, decreasing by 0.6% in 12 months. the uk vaccines minister, nadhim zahawi, has announced the latest figures for the roll—out of the coronavirus vaccine. mr zahawi says 137,897 people have received the coronavirus vaccine so far. that is the pfizer/biontech vaccine. the figures include 108,000 people in england, 18,000 in scotland, 7,897 in wales, 4,000 in northern ireland. more now on our top story. sterner warnings about the dangers of mixing over christmas are to be issued by the four uk nations — but sources say the rules allowing three households to mix are "unlikely to change". but what are the current rules? our health correspondent, laura foster, explains. this christ

let's speak to our correspondent helena wilkinson. helena, what more can you tell us?ry of course, those in the eu will be wanting to look at the detail incredibly closely. we haven't had that released yet but in a christmas message by the prime ministerfrom downing street, released last night, he talked about the, the deal itself, and also while he was talking, he waved round a draft copy of that deal, the first time we've actually been able to see it for ourselves. it is 1500 pages long, 500 pages of which is the meat of it, and then you have another 1,000 pages which contains annexes and foot notes, so it will is going to ta ke foot notes, so it will is going to take whoever reads it hours and hours to read it. let us have a listen to what the prime minister has to say. i have a small present for anyone who may be looking for something to read in that sleepy post christmas lunch moment. and here it is. tidings, glad tidings of greatjoy, because this is a deal, a deal to give certainty to business and dave lee travis hers and investors in our country from the first o

helena wilkinson reports.ia care, she urged the prime minister for better support for those affected, saying the system was completely inadequate and unfair. the couple had been nervous about revealing her diagnosis, but they decided to go public in 2018, they wanted people to know and accept it for what it was. working together with the alzheimer's society has been incredible for us. both campaigned tirelessly on behalf of the charity, and became ambassadors, credited with helping so many others. unite with me against dementia. families won't discuss it, it's still a taboo. and someone as amazing as barbara, her wonderful family, even coming public and talking about this, even just that act has made such a massive difference in the dementia world for families struggling everywhere. scott, how are you? i'm good, mate. earlier this year, ross kemp, her on—screen son in eastenders and close friend, spoke to dame barbara's husband about the couple's pain and their struggle. what was it like when the specialist tu