manger square has often been the stage where key conflicts played out.in its history. the six day war to a five-week siege by palestinian islamists in 2002 which began in manger square. ♪ as a violent second and launches a defensive shield and entered bethlehem to capture suspected palestinian terrorists, dozens of them fled to manger square and entered the church. the israeli government claimed that they were held hostage by the gunmen. the siege lasted 39 days until a deal was eventually reached allowing the hostages to be released in the islamists to surrender. ♪ the square is best known, however, for the manger that it is named after and the christian celebrations that continue to make it a magnet for pilgrims even as the number continues to dwindle. >> kati's future was waiting for her in the big apple. [♪] if you experience bladder leaks, you shouldn't have to sacrifice discretion for protection. try always discreet. the unique design features protective leakguards, which help prevent leaks where they happen most and an absorbent material that turn

manger square's capacity was capped at 200, and only just made it after recovering covid.ger square would usually be heathing with out of town palestinians and international tourists, there would be carol s concerts, hotels and restaurants would be doing their briskest trade of the year, but a west bank lock down means nonbethlehem residents are banned. the skies are closed to foreign visitors. those who did come out had mixed feelings. >> translator: this year is different than all years. there are no celebrations, because of the economic situation and the covid, it is a very sad situation. >> as you can see christmas is so sad this year, not too much participants. but at least we have the spirit of christmas. and this is what we wish for everyone all over the world. >> translator: i hope the new year will be better than this one and people around the world will get rid of this pandemic, although there is a pandemic, it is beautiful here. you just need to wear your mask and come enjoy it. >> reporter: as night fell, the christmas lights had manger square pretty much to th

and manger square would usually be heating with international tour rgss. concerts, performances, shops, hotels and restaurant would do their briskest trade of the year. the skies are closed to foreign visitors. >> this year is different from all year. because of the economic situation and the covid. it is a very sad situation. >> as you can see christmas is so sad this year. not too many participants. but at least we have the spirit of christmas and this is what we wish for everyone. >> translator: i hope the new year will be better than this one and people around the world will get rid of this pandemic. even though there is a pandemic, it's beautiful here. you just need to wear your mask and come and enjoy it. >> reporter: they have manger square pretty much to themselves. in the church of the nativity, where they believe jesus was born, and it seems things can't get any worse. cnn, bethlehem. >> coming up, a look at the biggest news events of 2020. how the coronavirus shaped our lives and. by pain? sleep, interrupted tonight, silence it with new zzzquil

this was the scene in bethlehem this morning, in manger square.empty. but the celebrations still went ahead at the church of the nativity where christians believejesus was born. but the service, which is normally attended by thousands of local and foreign worshippers, was closed to the public this year. the latest headlines, queen elizabeth has been reflecting on the hardships of the pandemic in her christmas speech as she and prince philip break tradition by staying in windsor. european union ambassadors get details of a post—brexit trade deal ina get details of a post—brexit trade deal in a christmas day briefing led by michel barnier. police in the us city of nashville in tennessee say a huge explosion in the city centre was a deliberate act. at least three people are injured. here, people living near the river great ouse in bedfordshire have been urged to leave their homes because of a risk of flooding tonight. because of a risk more than 80 flood warnings have been issued across england and wales in advance of the arrival of storm bella, whic

. >>> happening now, the place where jesus is said to have been born manger square in bethlehem.tly virtual. the newly appointed latin patriarch of jerusalem who recently recovered from the coronavirus will lead this year's reduced celebration. 4:52. we'll be right book. >>> welcome back, 4:54. covers stories about people doing good things for each other. >> a few ways people are helping one another. garvin thomas shows that. >> there are two stories i wanted to share with you today. one we talked about before, but the other one was born during the pandemic. the one we've shared before is working scholars. a program run by mountain views study.com. it started in 2017 with them offering a free online college education to anyone living or working in mountain view. >> congratulations. >> reporter: well that has now spread to six different california counties. their latest class just graduated last night. the biggiest one yet. 53 college graduates and no one paying tuition. >> it's a weight lifted off my shoulders and just a little more confident. >> reporter: one of their graduates

governor thank you so much mrs my and as you can see the manger square is empty most of the events have been called off this evening and we are expecting a midnight mass with a very limited number of people in kenny's abraham there live for us in bethlehem thank you needa. one of the world's largest sea commerce companies is under investigation china beijing is accusing on the barber of one publicity behavior yes another blow for the company's founder jack ma government regulators attempt to rein in his expanding business empire sara kark reports from hong kong. he has a net worth of around $50000000000.00 and is china's 2nd richest man jack meyer is also the founder of the e-commerce giant alibaba which regulators have accused of using monopolistic tactics they have been signaling for quite some charm changes are what they do not walk at least an essence control of market share is filled by 8 percent when stock markets opened the investigation as part of a wider government crackdown on china's booming internet space it's also yet another setback for the alibaba group which planned a je

the square is best known however for the manger that it's named after.lebrations that continue to make it a magnet for christian pilgrims, even as the number of christians living in bethlehem itself continues to dwindle. ♪ advanced non-small cell lung cancer can take away so much. but today there's a combination of two immunotherapies you can take first. one that could mean... a chance to live longer. opdivo plus yervoy is for adults newly diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer that has spread and that tests positive for pd-l1 and does not have an abnormal egfr or alk gene. it's the first and only approved chemo-free combination of two immunotherapies that works together in different ways to harness the power of the immune system. opdivo plus yervoy equals a chance for more days. more nights. more beautiful weekends. more ugly sweaters. more big hugs. more small outings. opdivo and yervoy can cause your immune system to attack normal organs and tissues in your body and affect how they work. this may happen during or after treatment has ended and can b

the square is best known however for the manger that it's named after.lebrations that continue to make it a magnet for christian pilgrims, even as the number of christians living in bethlehem itself continues to dwindle. apple. two medical societies have strongly recommended to doctors to treat acute, non-low back muscle and joint pain with topical nsaids first. a formulation they recommend can be found in salonpas. a formulation they recommend can be found in salonpas. salonpas. it's good medicine. hisamitsu. people are saving hundreds in a land not so far away, on the most reliable network with xfinity mobile. they can choose from the latest phones or bring their own. and because they get nationwide 5g at no extra cost, they live happily ever after. again! again! your wireless. your rules. your way to stay closer together this holiday season. switch and save up to $400 a year on your wireless bill. and get $150 off when you buy a samsung a series phone. learn more at xfinitymobile.com. ♪ located about >> located about 6 miles south of jerusalem, bethle

people came here, they were packed into manger squarejust people came here, they were packed into manger squarere packed into manger squarejust behind me, watching the procession takes place during the day when the church leaders come from nearbyjerusalem, along the stark street, just behind me, make their way into the square, accompanied by all the palestinian scout bands. and they are playing the bagpipes and drums. we saw them a little bit this morning. then midnight mass, usually that would be packed, foreign dignitas, the palestinian president will be there. this year, he has said he is not going to come, he's 85 and it's not really considered safe for him to move around. people are being asked to watch midnight mass on television this year. and also, we have coronavirus restriction still in place because there has been a surge in coronavirus in the west bank, in recent weeks. bethlehem remains under a night—time curfew, there is a weekend curfew on fridays and saturdays here. it's going to make it very difficult for palestinian christian families to have their usual get—togethers. christi

these pictures are from manger square outside the church of nativity, south ofjerusalem in the west bankjesus was born, specifically a grotto underneath where the church was first built which is marked by an inlaid silver star. the duke and duchess of cambridge are beginning a tour across britain by train, to personally thank people who have gone to exceptional lengths to help out during the coronavirus epidemic. during the three day trip, they'll be greeted at pre—arranged stops by care home staff, school children and volunteers a quick reminder of our top story stoppage — our top story. president trump has begun a campaign in georgia, and he repeated without elements his allegation that the presidential contest had been rigged and he had really one. you can reach me on twitter — i'm @lvaughanjones. well, the chilly weather is here to stay for the next few days. it's not desperately cold but certainly cold enough for some of that snow to still hang around in the hills and the mountains. for most of us, sunday is actually going to be quite a bright day and, yes, a few showers in the fore

this was the scene in bethlehem this morning, in manger square.te empty. but the celebrations still went ahead at the church of the nativity, where christians believejesus was born. but the service, which is normally attended by thousands of local and foreign worshippers, was closed to the public this year. this is a christmas eve unlike any that locals have seen before. not even when there have been the flare—ups in violence in the israeli palestinian conflict have festivities been so muted. typically, this would be the busiest night of the year for bethlehem, with no room at hotels. that is not the case this year and it is devastating for a place that is so reliant on tourism. what a year it's been for captain sir tom moore, the former british army officer and centenarian, known for his achievements raising tens of millions of pounds for charity in the run—up to his 100th birthday during the covid—19 pandemic. we've been following him and john maguire has been to meet him and find out about his christmas plans. it's been a year like no otherfor

this was the scene in bethlehem this morning in manger square.ne is quite empty, but the celebration still went ahead at the church of the nativity where christians believe jesus church of the nativity where christians believejesus was born. the service, which is normally attended by thousands of worshippers, was closed to the public this year. this is a christmas eve unlike any that locals have seen before. not even when there have been flare—ups in violence have festivities been so muted. typically, this would be the busiest night of the year for bethlehem, with no room at hotels. that is not the case this year and it is devastating for a place that is so reliant on tourism. churches across the uk will be holding scaled—back celebrations. the archbishop of canterbury has said elderly and vulnerable churchgoers should consider the risks and not feel obliged to go to church. for those that do grow, services will feel different and many will be broadcast online. —— for those that do go. the darkness is deep. yet, light penetrates the darkness. a h

these pictures are from manger square outside the church of nativity, south ofjerusalem in the west bankesus was born, specifically a grotto underneath where the church was first built which is marked by an inlaid silver star. the duke and duchess of cambridge are beginning a tour across britain by train to personally thank people who have gone to exceptional lengths to help out during the coronavirus academic. during the three day trip, they will be greeted at prearranged stops by care home staff, schoolchildren and volunteers. a reminder of our top story: president trump has been speaking at a rally in georgia, his first campaign event since he lost the presidential election last month. but as he's made clear on twitter in just the last few hours, mr trump is still refusing to concede tojoe biden. you can reach me on twitter — i'm @lvaughanjones. i will be back with the headlines in a couple of minutes, and there is plenty more online. this is bbc news. well, the chilly weather is here to stay for the next few days. it's not desperately cold but certainly cold enough for some of that s

these pictures are from manger square outside the church of nativity — south ofjerusalem in the west a grotto underneath where the church was first built which is marked by an inlaid silver star. a reminder of our top story now. president trump has been speaking at a rally in georgia it is his first campaign event since he lost the presidential election last month but as he made clear during the speech, he is still refusing to concede tojoe biden. he is still refusing to concede to joe biden. you he is still refusing to concede tojoe biden. you can find me online out social media. —— online on social media. you are watching bbc news. well, the chilly weather is here to stay for the next few days. it's not desperately cold but certainly cold enough for some of that snow to still hang around in the hills and the mountains. for most of us, sunday is actually going to be quite a bright day and, yes, a few showers in the forecast. low pressure is close by so hence there will be a fair bit of cloud in places from the morning onwards. but more significantly we still have that current of col

these pictures are from manger square outside the church of nativity — south ofjerusalem in the weststands is wherejesus was born — specifically a grotto underneath where the church was first built which is marked by an inlaid silver star. a treasure trove of love letters dating from the second world war has been found at a waste recycling centre in france. the documents were written by a soldier to the woman he would end up marrying. she died six years ago — and the letters were assumed to be lost. the bbc‘s tim allman has the story. these pictures, just released show many of the fighting french army going back to their native land. france was torn apart by the war, occupation, then liberation. 5 million men were mobilised. these are the letters ofjust one of them. pierre, writing to his sweetheart amy, his words now spoken by their grandson. translation: tonight it's very cold and i don't have much to warm up. i kiss you very tenderly hoping my letter finds you in good health. this is where the letters were found, a recycling centre in south—west france. around 200 of them, thrown

thousands of people came here, they we re thousands of people came here, they were packed into manger square that takes place during the day when church leaders come from nearby jerusalem, along the start street just behind me, make their way into the square, accompanied by all the palestinian scout bands stop they are playing the bagpipes, their drums, we have seen them a little this morning but then, midnight mass usually that would be packed with foreign dignitas, the palestinian president will be there, this year he says he's not going to come, he is 85 now and it's not really considered safe for him move around. people are being asked to watch midnight mass on television this year and also we have coronavirus restrictions still in place because there has been this surge in cases in the west bank in recent weeks. bethlehem remains under a night—time cu rfew, bethlehem remains under a night—time curfew, there is a weekend curfew on fridays and saturdays here. it's going to make it very difficult for palestinian christian families to have the usual get—togethers. palestinian christian fami

this was the scene in bethlehem this morning in manger square. scene is quite empty. the celebrations are still went ahead of the nativity, where christians believe jesus ahead of the nativity, where christians believejesus was born. the service, normally attended by thousands of local and foreign worshippers, was closed to the public this year. this is a christmas eve unlike any that local people have ever seen before. not even when there have been flare—ups in violence in the israel palestinian conflict have festivity been so muted. typically this will be the busiest night of the year for bethlehem, with no this will be the busiest night of the yearfor bethlehem, with no room in the hotel. inevitably that is not the case this year, and that is just devastating for a place that is so reliant on tourism. in the vatican, pope francis celebrated christmas eve mass in st peter's basilica in front ofjust 200 worshippers who wear wearing facemask. the mass, traditionally held at midnight, was moved forward by two hours to meet italy's a night—time cur

these pictures are from manger square, outside the church of nativity — south ofjerusalem in the westbeen pared back due to coronavirus restrictions. now it's time for a look at the weather with chris fawkes. are weather is going to stay on the cold side today and into the first pa rt cold side today and into the first part of the working week as well. hold at the moment with rain in the east. the whole there has been brought to us by the dip in the jet strea m brought to us by the dip in the jet stream you can brought to us by the dip in the jet stream you can see brought to us by the dip in the jet stream you can see with cool weather spreading across west europe into the north—west of africa. this morning we had seen a widespread frost. temperatures have got down to —4 frost. temperatures have got down to “11 macro. the frost has been pretty widespread. we have seen some rain around as well. this is the radar picture showing the majority of rain affecting eastern areas of the uk. we have a variety of weather from place to place. we have seen light and patchy rain crossing the midla

year of sickness and quarantine, the radiance of an illuminated christmas tree like this one in manger squareewer clouds because of the pandemic, but pope francis may have said it best, overlooking the tree in st. peter's square. they are symbols of hope, he says, especially in this difficult time. the scenes of the season are a soothing reminder of that, st. marks square in venice is a cascade of golden light in a modern twist on the traditional tree. the artist says my purpose is to light up this town which needs light, which needs new emotions. a dazzling drive through in brazil provides a thrill for the children and a respite for adults. in a country where so many families have been shattered by the virus. >> translator: to have an event like this where you're safe, one visitor says, to not get out of your car is really great. >> reporter: a museum in spain tried a mix of naughty and nice with this nativity display where even the angels are wearing masks and social distancing. the decorations may be different, but the message is the same. this truly is a time where we all need a little co

we can see that shops are shuttered and although there are a few more people you can see in manger squareehind me than there were earlier today, those that aren't journalists or security and medical personnel would be local palestinians because the west bank is under lock down, so palestinians can't travel to bethlehem across the west bank. there's not going to be any performances. usually people would also come here to soak up the festive cheer in the atmosphere to see carol concerts and attend midnight mass. all of that is scaled back. the performances are not going to happen, and the main event of the day will be the procession of the latin patriarch, and even the patriarch himself was a doubt for today. he's only just recovered from covid. he's due to be met by marching bands, scouts, marching bands, but again, far fewer bands than he would ordinarily be net with, and go in for prayers as well. christmas hasn't been cancelled. it is much more somber and low key than it ordinarily would be. >> yeah, it is very different for everyone across the globe. we're looking at live pictures in b

but from manger square in bethlehem to main street, usa, the coronavirus pandemic has made it unlike any other christmas in our lifetimes. at a time, when millions of people would be traveling, a new restriction from the u.s. centers for disease control and prevention. starting monday, it will require a negative-covid test for all passengers coming to the u.s., from the uk. this comes, amid concerns over a new variant of the virus that spreads more easily. the pandemic has claimed more than 1.7 million lives, so far, this year. and it is forcing worshippers to wear masks to churches around the world. pope francis will deliver his christmas message, not from the balcony of st. peter's square, as he usually does, but from a hall inside the vatican. only about a hundred people attended christmas eve mass in a smaller, rear section of the st. peter's basilica. the pope, reminding the crowd that jesus was born a poor outcast, and urging followers to help the needy. >>> meanwhile, the world health organization has a holiday message of its own. saying people must not squander the sacrifices

went ahead with its annual christmas tree lighting ceremony complete with fireworks in historic manger square this month. the crowds were thin. despite the hardship, some people here see a kind of sa sanctity in the silence. >> many this will open eyes for many people. many don't believe. maybe now they'll believe. >> reporter: and like 2,000 years ago, maybe bethlehem can offer a light to the world just when the world needs it most. well, israel and the palestinian territories have seen a spike in covid over the past several months. israel has started its vaccination effort but the palestinians, they don't have the vaccine yet. so they'll have to wait for their relief from the pandemic. ayman? >> all right. thank you. i want to bring into the conversation james zogby, president of the american institute. we just heard israel faces its third lockdown. the vaccine already being distributed there. palestinians not yet getting it. i want to read to you from the "washington post," reporting about this. next door in the west bank and the gaza strip, the prospects for vaccinating palestinians are f

and in the west bank, a lockdown in bethlehem muted festivities at manger square in the traditional birthplace of jesus. >> christmas is a holiday that renews hope in the souls, and therefore, despite all the obstacles and challenges due to the coronavirus and due to the lack of tourism, the city of bethlehem is still looking forward to the future with optimism and will celebrate christmas in all its human and religious meanings. >> nawaz: some churches around the rld were forced to hold their midnight masses earlier in the day to abide by loca pandemic curfews. stilto come on the newshour: a crucial time for giving and what it means for groups that serve those in need. stepping back to conder how the u.s. is being transformeby overlapping crises. despite the pandemic, the entrepreneial spirit is alive and well. and much more. >> nawaz: this time of year is a critical one for charities and non-profits that rely on a surge of holiday giving to make ends meet. but this year we've seen the need for their service dramatically grow, especially at food banks where lines are stretching longer than be

went ahead with its annual christmas tree lighting ceremony, complete with fireworks in historic manger squarelier this month but the crowds were thin despite the hardship some people here see a sanctity in the silence. >> corona sent a message many christmas will open eyes for people many people don't believe. maybe they will believe. >> reporter: they hope this christmas in bethlehem like the one two millenia ago can offer a light to the world, a chance for rebirth just when the world needs it most. covid cases have actually spiked in israel over the last several months and israel has started their vaccination program, but the palestinians, they don't have the vaccine yet they're going to have to wait for their relief from the pandemic contessa >>> in new york city, at least eight children have been placed in foster care because of covid. next, meet one young man who refused to let the pandemic split up the only family he had left >>> and seven people inside a house when it was leveled by an explosion. rvivs. rush in, searching fo >>> the surging number of coronavirus deaths in the country i

. >>> happening now, manger square in bethlehem. plan to go ahead with in-person celebration but fewer events. >>> next, marcus, a quick look at our top stories including bay area hospitals already pushed to the brink hoping people heed advice of health leaders and stay home this christmas. up next, a live report from one bay area city where the surge in covid cases may actually be turning around for the better. you're watching "today in the bay." >>> welcome back. here's a quick look at the top stories we're following. >> "today in the bay" cierra johnson is live where health leaders are talking aboutthe lives saved because of the people who listened to the latest stay-at-home order. >> yes, good morning. many families had to make that tough decision on whether to stay or actually travel this holiday season but local leaders are saying if you're one of the ones who stayed and you also work or live in the city or county of san francisco, you may have helped save lives. according to the city's top doctor, dr. grant colfax an estimate

these pictures are from manger square outside the church of nativity, south ofjerusalem in the west banklebrations have been pared back due to coronavirus restrictions. we have it on good authority that the bbc breakfast three goes up in the bbc breakfast three goes up in the morning. have you put yours up yet? it might be a job for this afternoon. we usually like a glass of fizz when we put ours up, but because i was working today i resisted the temptation. i am a bit ofa resisted the temptation. i am a bit of a light weight. how about you, chris? there i was yesterday having a sleep after an early start in the morning, as you understand. i came downstairs and there was a massive tree, so big that the top of the tree, so big that the top of the tree was bent over to fit under the ceiling! she was in big trouble! moving on to weather—related things. we have some cold weather to come across all parts of the uk. the weather is going to be very different from place to place. the familiar cold fuel to the weather has been brought in by thejet strea m has been brought in by thejet stream over

state thank you so much and 8th expected that the latin patriarca he's expected to arrive to the manger square in the next few hours but still going to be looking a very different christmas this year need a break him embezzling hand thank you. iraq's government recently devalued the local currency the iraqi dinar by more than 20 percent is the biggest currency devaluation against the dollar since the 2003 fall of saddam hussein prices of everyday goods and services have suddenly sky rockets is fueling fear and anger among many iraqis who spent decades struggling to survive financially charles stratford says this report from baghdad. for more than a year a theory abraham has been coming to protest in central baghdad to demand better services political reform and an end to what he says has been decades of government corruption and mismanagement but he's here today because like many iraqis he is shocked and angry about the government's recent devaluation of the iraqi deano against the dollar by more than 20 percent. stand by the government's action i will at the activity lose almost quarter of my

him is impacted by the virus the biblical birth city of jesus usually it tracks terrorists but manger square is empty this year will be held online instead on an unusually silent night. christmas gives people hope for better times so we are celebrating the holiday normally the only thing missing at this stage is big crowds like it used to be in previous years but people in bethlehem or optimistic that the future will be better off. well like many others germans are marking this christmas on the lockdown tens of thousands of new cases are being recorded every day and social distancing means muted celebrations far removed from the larger gatherings and famous markets traditionally associated with this time of year like a reports from berlin this is christmas in kovi to lock down the season of the mandatory mosque wearing clothes chops and public facility at a minimum markets that might otherwise be thriving are now empty the few places filling up the hospital wards packed with patients in a serious or critical condition more than 5000 of them will spend this christmas alone in hospital which e

outside the church has been celebrations are being scaled back just about 50 people were allowed in manger square where jesus christ had to be thousands of pilgrims usually come from around the world in the event abraham is in bethlehem in the occupied west bank. in the past few years it was very hard for us to find that. cover the christmas tree lighting. that's resulted without people they are getting the support line what did. you find what you found. out if it was here. at the. hotel fire me. but. the feat. here put it that like this here what you have to. any who work on a john region the hotel owners were anticipating a very busy season and more tourist season so they took loans and expanded their business not their in debt not only them but their employees many were laid off and have been looking for alternatives but no one is hiring unemployment rates are soaring and with an average of around 2000 cases each day of the coronavirus a 2nd lockdown is looming this could only mean bad news for a city that has always depended on tourism specifically during the christmas season . that's the new

bethlehem's manger square is bracing itself for a christmas like no other. >> christmas will look a bit maybe by praying, by raising up our voice to god that things will change and coronavirus will disappear. >> reporter: last year, this is what christmas was like in bethlehem. streets heaving with tourists and pilgrims from around the world, soaking up the festive cheer was jesus was born. but in march, the gates to the biblical city were slammed shut after the israeli occupied west bank's first major outbreak of covid-19 erupted here. there have been over 65,000 cases in the palestinian territory and more than 620 deaths. resulting in strict lockdowns that have spelled doom for many of bethlehem's small businesses. >> people are afraid. in a city, you feel the spirit of the birth of jesus, but these days, you don't see any spirit. it's sad. >> reporter: the eerie silence isn't just on the streets. it's also in the churches. here at the church of the nat e nativity where it's believed jesus was born on this very spot, there are no crowds, no choir singing and just the precious few of t

bethlehem was nearly empty today as the traditional latin patriarch procession marched through manger squaremitted to follow in the tradition with few pilgrims in sight. >> we cannot celebrate according to the traditions because of the pandemic. we will -- [inaudible] reporter: palestinian territories recorded more than 120,000 cases of coronavirus since the start of the pandemic. in israel there have been nearly 400,000 total cases as the country started started a massie vaccination campaign this week. in vatican city pope francis will hold his traditional midnight mass. it will not take place at midnight this year. 7:30 local time. many people will gather virtually to participate in this mass due to covid-19 curfew restrictions. connell? connell: trey yingst for us. one of the things not normal this time of year, christmas parties many of us would be having in the office and being around town with people we work with. to make up for what has been lost enter the upstream app and the ceo joins us right now, alex taub. that is, a lot of people i'm sure just using zoom or face time or whatever

his last sunday blessing before 25 december, he told a crowd in st peter's square that there was no consumerism in the mangerndon is of course one of the areas which is now in england's tier 4, where the most stringest coronavirus restrictions are now in place. ayshea buksh has been finding out how londoners are adapting to the new changes. trained actor nathaniel richards came to london to pursue his dreams, but his recent roles have been working on a market store and at a covid test centre, and he'll be spending christmas on his own. it's my own decision that i'm going to be by myself. i could break the rules if i wanted and go home, but i'm not going to do that because i'm not just looking out for myself, i'm looking out for my family, my friends and the people around here. nhs doctor irena gretchen had also hoped this year to have a big nhs doctor irena gresham had also hoped this year to have a big family christmas out of london. she'll still be working over the holidays on the wards at st mary's hospital in paddington. i work for the nhs, so it's normal for us. business as usual, really. it's what we h

sunday blessing before the 25th of december, he told a crowd in st peter's square that there was no consumerism in the mangeroverty and love. the italian authorities have destroyed hundreds of millions of dollars worth of the amphetamine captagon. seized when shipments from syria were intercepted. it was part of a coordinated effort against a trade in lucrative narcotics likely to be run by the syrian regime and its allies. captagon is used recreationally across the middle east but is also taken by militants fighting on the frontlines. 0ur correspondent quentin sommerville, gained exclusive access to the operation in naples. syria's walkin feel 1 million miles away in europe but tonight in naples it intrudes once again. syria's war can seem a million miles away from europe but tonight, in naples, it intrudes once again. italy's financial crimes police are on a night—time mission that has been months in the making. earlier this summer, they seized 1 billion euros of amphetamines. initially, they thought they came from the islamic state group. well, they weren't right about that. but tonight, they're taking th

his last sunday blessing before 25 december, he told a crowd in st peter's square that there was no consumerism in the mangerve. the sharply increased number of new cases in the uk is being linked to the new variant of covid being more infectious. concerns over this new variant have led to the widespread travel restrictions now imposed. our health correspondent catherine burns reports now on what we know about the mutation and now it happened. since the pandemic started, we've learnt a lot about coronavirus, but it's been learning about us too. it's had practice at dealing with our immune systems and has developed an extra way of fighting us — this new variant. it's changed 23 times. many differences are linked to the all—important spike protein, the part of the virus that lets it bind onto human cells. so, the worry is that this mutation could make it easier for the virus to infect us. doctors think this new variant could spread up to 70% faster, although that figure is just an estimate. scientists advising the government also say it could increase the r number, which shows how the virus can spread, by betw