thousands are gathering in manger square. manger square in bethlehem. here in manger square i can see there are thousands around us but actually the whole of bethlehem as large crowds because people turn out, line the streets to greet church leaders arriving from jerusalem. they have now passed, coming through the israeli military check—point separate it from jerusalem next door and then they come through the city alongside stark street which is a traditional route that is believed that mary and joseph passed along here before mary gave birth tojesus, according to the nativity story, and they will be met by local dignitaries. some of them have already gathered in the square and lot of local people, palestinian christians, palestinian muslims out here and also the palestinian scouts that you can hear very loudly. daily dispossession, playing the drums and bagpipes. and this year what has made it extra special, is that for the first time after two years when pilgrims, because a town relies on them for the economy, they couldn't

this year though large numbers of terrorist and local have been to manger square to celebrate christmas. and to him joins us live now from beth m. so very different kind of vibe and atmosphere this year. off to several years of coven restrictions. yes, this was the year that palestinians were looking forward to because this is the 1st year that the christmas season with happened without any cove in 1900 restriction. but it's been a year that has been marred with losses. those has been a lot of tension here in the occupied bank more than 230 palestinians were killed by israeli forces across all the occupied territory, including the besieged, gaza strip. so of course, that political situation, that tension the fact that palestinians feel that they don't have proof of that their life of ending the israeli occupation that has been lingering and has been in place for decades. i fucked. the celebration always been talking to people and asking them where do they find hope amid these difficulties? and they tell us that part of their struggle is actually celebrating, they live in one of the holi

oh, and in bethlehem, palestinians have turned out to see the scouts and bands parade in manger square across the church of the nativity. it's a tradition that happens every 24th of december as they accompanied the latin patriarch to the church in infinity, revered by christians, as the birthplace of jesus festivities will run throughout the day until the traditional midnight mass. the church pilgrims from across the world gathered and cute to see the grotto where the bible says jesus of nazareth was born. that you're his update at the sour stay tuned for world stories coming up next. ah, a jenny is full of surprises. we've got all out use one day in vienna.

earlier in bethlehem, palestinians and tourists have turned out to see scouts and bands parade in manger square across from the church affinity. the tradition that every 24th of december they accompanied the latin patriarch to the church, revered by christians, as the birthplace of jesus. facilities will run throughout the day until the traditional midnight pilgrims from around the world, lined up to see the grotto where the bible says jesus was born. and do you know the correspondent rebecca readers was at that parade. she sent us this report for the christmas celebration. so well actually on the way here in bethlehem, as you can see behind me, this parade hasn't been able to take place for the last 2 years because of corona virus restriction. this year the crowds out in full se, braving the terrible weather to come here. pensive. these marching band seats kristin ridge, youth, fruits and scouts performing in front of the nativity church. now tonight, at the nativity church, they'll be a midnight mass with dignity in attendance by local and international. in bethlehem, over this week of christ

here in manger square, despite some damp weather, there is plenty of christmas cheer.a procession. the palestinian scouts leading the way through the streets, playing bagpipes and drums. lots of competition between them as they entertain the crowds. they escorted church leaders arriving from jerusalem into bethlehem. we saw the head of the catholic church, a latin patriarch, shaking hands with people in the crowds. then it was down into the grotto of the fourth century nativity church just behind me over there. that is built on the very spot where christians believe thatjesus was born. here in bethlehem, what's giving locals extra sense of relief this christmas is the fact that pilgrims are back. tens of thousands of international visitors have been able to come here during christmas week and that is just extremely important for the economy of bethlehem, which is so reliant on tourism. i have been speaking to some of the visitors who came. you can experience christmas all over the world but in bethlehem, where our saviour was born, it's where we wanted to be this year.

thousands have been gathering in manger square. 0ur middle east correspondent yolande knell is there.inue. lots of people out once again. the official band marching through the streets and it always attracts lots of tourists to come and see this annual event. i think we can get more on this now. i can see there are thousands around us but actually the whole of bethlehem as large crowds because people turn out, line the streets to greet church leaders arriving from jerusalem. they have now passed, coming through the israeli military check—point that separates it from jerusalem next door and then they come through the city alongside stark street which is a traditional route that is believed that mary and joseph passed along here before mary gave birth tojesus, according to the nativity story, and they will be met by local dignitaries. some of them have already gathered in the square and lot of local people, palestinian christians, palestinian muslims out here and also the palestinian scouts that you can hear very loudly. they lead this, playing the drums and bagpipes. and this year what

the 52 high foot christmas tree in manger square. >> an impressive holiday light shows 2,000 bulbs illuminate where they can launch the nativity scene. more than a tuned actors to put on the show. is it the second time that they've retold the story inside the cave. >>> a appoint and poynant image of a soccer star. >>> the reason behind the cold feet behind a project. the giants add a fa >>> former outfielder agreed with a two-year deal for $31 million. he must pass a physical he missed all of blast season following shoulder surgery. this is scott boris that represents. that must have been a fun call. that is suddenly very crowded with free agent this offseason. the giants needed relief pitching. it got ugly. so they went out and got and i had call face. all the warriors wanted for christmas is a healthy steph curry. but now they'll settle for some wins on their upcoming 8-game homestand. they were outscored by 58 points. but dr. dry is diagnosed some of what is ailing the defending champs. >> right now, i think we're very fragile. a team that struggled from the spirit perspective. the defense

while these are live pictures right now for manger square and the city where people have been gathering near the church of the nativity need abraham reports now from bethlehem and the occupying west from bethlehem to the world. palestinians say the christmas message of hope started from their small city . they believed that jesus was born here more than 2000 years ago. ah, this annual parade tells the christmas story and towards different palestinian cities . it starts the journey from bethlehem. a city that depends heavy on tourism, but it's taking a hard to hit in the past few years. due to the pandemic from charlotte corner paradox. we suffered economically because of cobra closures this year is better because more tourists were allowed in. hopefully, we'll pick up the cfc up up here. so the political situation is difficult. the colonel mc situation is even worse, but we are the people of the land and will remain steadfast in it. we've offered questions used to make up 11 percent of the palestinian population in the 1920s. now they formed less than one percent. many here blame these

. >> they have the church of the nativity and a 52 high foot christmas tree in manger square. >>> this is an impressive holiday light show. and this is the 32nd time they have resold the story inside that cave. >>> we get an update of the best soccer player of all time is in failing help. >>> and we look at carlos reyes's and the cold feet on signing the contract. >>> the giants add a familiar >>> all of the money that ownership promised to invest were back in their pockets when this guy did not agree to sign. consorto needs to pass a physical. this is scott boris that represents him. so that must have been a fun call. could i play all over the outfield that is suddenly very crowded with the resigning of jack peterson and free agent mitch hannager. they went on got and i had call face. taylor rodgers joins his twin brother tyler into bay area. that is a three-year deal for $33 million. they are the first brother teammates since 1990. >>> all the y want is a health think roster. >> right now ring we're very fragile. we have struggled from the spirit perspective. our defense has been god

. >>> on a tree laid lighting in manger square where thousands cheered .e world traveled to what is believed to be the birthplace of christ. this event provided a boost. christmas and all your christmass. >>> if you come across standing water in a roadway and owow dee don't try to go through it. >>> the tenderloin ce for good has been providing showers and resources to limit overdoses. the center opened last year during the state of emergency order. >>> a higher education strike in california is entering its fourth week. students at uc campuses are feeling a negative impact as finals approach. but most say they support the demand by academic workers for higher raises. >>> more than 350 volunteers donated their time and resources to help those in need. they packed up food boxes filled with dried foods and produce. >>> now the food bank second harvest says because of the pandemic, government aid has expired, assistance is more crucial than ever. >>> los angeles is considering requiring again as cases of it ayutover the through the bay. you'll get more time o

tens of thousands of visitors are gathering in bethlehem for the annual christmas procession in manger squareahead of midnight mass at the nativity church. and in his first christmas message as monarch, king charles is to pay tribute to his mother, the late queen elizabeth ii. those are the headlines on bbc news. you are watching bbc news. now on bbc news, amol rajan interviews ian hislop. even by recent standards, 2022 has been a tumultuous year in news. russia launched a war in europe. her late majesty queen elizabeth ii died just months after her platinum jubilee. and britain went through three prime ministers and even more chancellors. one man who's tried to make sense of it is ian hislop, whether on tv or as editor of private eye's fortnightly magazine and latest annual. i visited his office for a conversation not just about recent news, but also why it's been a turn—off for some and why we need proper journalism more than ever. ian, thank you so much for talking to me and to bbc news. let's start, if you're happy to, with a few kind of reflections on this year, because in recent years t

churchgoers gathered to celebrate the birth of jesus after a full day of ceremonies in the city's manger square years because of covid shopkeepers. and i'll tell report businesses are being restored in the city as thousands of people celebrate the christmas holiday. okay. so from there, let's go to australia where churchgoers gathered at saint mary's cathedral in sydney. >> their congregation listen to a reading of the christmas nativity story and celebrated the holiday in traditional fashion. might. meanwhile, aussies flock to the continous beautiful beaches spouse turned out to soak up the sun. that's what i want to be that's an walking among the sun bathers there. >> they all have these really special holiday traditions will. and john, do you guys have holiday traditions? i celebrate. yeah. we get scott work how do the same? you know, those christmas gifts yet they don't pay themselves. so we've got i do the 10, 11 years of my career. the good works about 9 of that's been my holiday traditions. and that's ok, you know what? we are looking out there at the next several days here with conditio

testament to the resilience is part of their struggle and we've seen palestinian fake out to the manger square. celebrating scouts, people are dancing with bagpipes. we listen to nice music from the scout group, so that the more the here, while it has been gloomy, all of this year, people tell you that celebration is indeed a part of their struggle. and i'm joined here now by an activist who was from bethlehem itself. george dan, you're the co founder of the rights movement campaign, your site from jerusalem, but it is a sister town to bethlehem. how did you see the celebration this year? i think we're old as by the finance 1st. thank you for having me. and as, as for the finance, this is a very special day for us, very special season for us. this is our season as palestinian christians. we celebrate today at christmas we have but a finance, a coming from all over the country to celebrate this year and bethlehem and the birth based uses. people are of course, excited. this is part of the resilience we spoke about, but also suffering there's. there's been a lot of things that happen this year.

visits his away this year though, they've been many more tourists and locals that have been to manger square to celebrate christmas. earlier i spoke to al jazeera is admitted abraham. she brings us more now from bethlehem. this was the year that palestinians were looking forward to because this is the 1st year that the christmas season with happened without any coven 19 restrictions. but it's been a year that has been marked with losses. there has been a lot of tension here in the occupied west bank more than 230 palestinians were killed by israeli forces across all the occupied territory, including the besieged, gaza strip. so horace, that political situation, that tension the fact that palestinians feel that they don't have all of a better life of and being the israeli occupation that has been lingering and has been in place for decades, affects the celebrations, always been talking to people and asking them where do they find hope amidst these difficulties? and they tell us that the part of their struggle is actually the celebrating. they live in one of the holiest places in the world. be

earlier in the day, christians walkthrough manger square in the parade of pilgrims entered with bagpipesaying alongside a marching band. the celebrations this year were a welcome change from the past two years that saw a sharp decline in visitors to ancient sites due to the covid 19 pandemic. last year, we celebrated christmas during the pandemic and without any tourists from any country in the world. this year. we're celebrating christmas with tourists that arrived to palestine from all over the world thousands of miles away in vatican city, pope francis delivered his traditional christmas eve mass. more than 10,000. people were in attendance both inside and outside in st peter's square. the pope had a solemn message calling on people from around the world to remember those suffering from poverty and war this morning. during his christmas message, the pontiff discussed suffering around the globe in places like ukraine, yemen and afghanistan. he also spoke about greed and consumption in the modern world . on this day as we see it around a well spread table, may we not avert our gaze from

yolande knell is near manger square. morning to you.ders from jerusalem, passed — church leaders from jerusalem, passed down the street into manger sguare. _ passed down the street into manger square, and then they will head into the grotto— square, and then they will head into the grotto of the newly renovated nativity— the grotto of the newly renovated nativity church just behind the grotto of the newly renovated nativity churchjust behind me, built— nativity churchjust behind me, built on— nativity churchjust behind me, built on the spot where christians believe _ built on the spot where christians believe jesus was born. this year there _ believe jesus was born. this year there is— believe jesus was born. this year there is extra reason forjoy in bethlehem because after those two very difficult christmases, for a very difficult christmases, fora town— very difficult christmases, for a town that — very difficult christmases, for a town that relies so much on tourists. _ town that relies so much on tourists, the pandemic travel lockdo

there was a big building here, there was a tiny manger where god would become man and he would be born in the fulfillment of prophecy. the 129,000 square foot complex is shared by three church authorities, the greek orthodox, armenian and roman catholic. when constantine and helen the great, they came to search for the place where jesus was born. they found the growth of the cave. the grotto where the cave is. that is the manger location? yes, exactly. the manger location. you will go down, you will find the star has 14 points. the greatest story ever told. starts right here. could we have an opportunity to. to see the very location? yes. throughout all of recorded. global. history, people have always wondered, does god know? does god care? and in the christmas story here in this place, pete, is the answer to that question. god loved us so much that he gave his only begotten son, whoever believes in him, child everlasting life. amen. just a few feet from the star marking the place of his birth is the location of the manger where baby jesus lay. as visitors came to see the new arrival. matthew chapter two says this now after jesus was b