tim allman takes a look at those who enjoyed a different kind of christmas this year.lebrating christmas as best they can — us soldiers at an iraqi army base near mosul. plenty of turkey and tinsel but thoughts are obviously elsewhere. it's kind of rough, honestly, ‘cause today is my first big holiday so i feel like a lot of people are getting really homesick and, i mean, i miss my family and i am sure everybody else does too. everybody‘s families are gettign together for the holidays and we're stuck out here. some people who are stuck even further out — the crew of the international space station, orbiting the earth at a height of 400km certainly gives you a different perspective on this festive occasion. there is another very important aspect of being on iss and that is seeing the planet as a whole and it actuallly reinforces, i think, the fact that we should live as one people and strive for peace. from the expedition 50 crew, we want to wish you a merry christmas and happy holidays. back on earth, christmas was celebrated in different ways — in macedonia a fun run

tim allman, bbc news. of the year. in his cabinet. he is now bbc‘s sport personality of the yeahm in his cabinet. he is now bbc‘s sport personality of the year. it is a prize for the uk‘s top athlete for the past 12 months. he is the first person to win the award three times. if you want to get in touch with me, you can do so on twitter. i would love to hear from you. thanks for watching. hello. a huge week of pre—christmas travel plans, and with different weather challenges either end of the week. now, what we‘ll see later in the week is actually governed by what‘s happening in us and canada at the moment. a big freeze at the moment. much of the continent starts below freezing, but the temperature contrasts in the south—east. this fires up a jet stream that will charge towards us this week bringing ever deeper areas of low pressure later on. that will give us a challenge later in the week. the challenge again this morning is contesting with the fog. having an impact on some of the roads and airports. prob

tim allman, bbc news.h in the democratic republic of congo, where presidentjoseph kabila has refused to step down. monday should have been his last day in office, but no elections have been held to choose a successor. in some parts of the capital, kinshasa, clashes have taken place between police and protesters demanding he leaves office. the head of the international monetary fund, christine lagarde, has been found guilty of negligence over a compensation payment made eight years ago when she was the french finance minister. a special court in paris decided not to punish her or give her a criminal record. the executive has reaffirmed confidence in her. the case relates to the payment of more than four—hundred—million dollars to the tycoon bernard tapie. president 0bama has pardoned 78 people and shortened the sentence of 153 others convicted of federal crimes, the greatest number of individual clemencies in a single day by any president. he has focused primarily on shortening sentences of those convicted

the bbc‘s tim allman explains. ho, ho, ho. who needs reindeer and a slay?ta could be seen clinging onto the side of a skyscraper, an interesting site for tourists. this is an annual event. father christmas, or at least a man dressed up christmas, or at least a man dressed up as father christmas, claims down a tower in central berlin. waiting for him, a cafe full of young children. when he arrives, the children. when he arrives, the children point him in the direction ofa children point him in the direction of a satellite of toys that we are told fell from the sky. eventually he brings them inside to hand out as presents. translation: he climbed through here when he was at the door. he gave us presence through here when he was at the door. he gave us presence as a through here when he was at the door. he gave us presence as a thank you forfinding his door. he gave us presence as a thank you for finding his sack. i door. he gave us presence as a thank you forfinding his sack. i got door. he gave us presence as a thank you for finding his sack. i got a beachba

tim allman, bbc news. that is about all we have time for.hank you for watching bbc world news. hello. a huge week of pre—christmas travel plans, and with different weather challenges either end of the week. now, what we'll see later in the week is actually governed by what's happening in us and canada at the moment. a big freeze at the moment. much of the continent starts below freezing, but the temperature contrasts in the south—east. this fires up a jet stream that will charge towards us this week bringing ever deeper areas of low pressure later on. that will give us a challenge later in the week. the challenge again this morning is contesting with the fog. having an impact on some of the roads and airports. probably worst across parts of western england and wales this morning. some dense patches of fog in places across the south—west. a pretty grey and dismal start for many. maybe not quite as foggy as east anglia and the south—east as it has been in recent days, which could be good news in the airport. some of the higher ground will see

tim allman, bbc news.identjoseph kabila has refused to step down. monday should have been his last day in office, but no elections have been held to choose a successor. in some parts of the capital kinshasa, clashes have taken place between police and protesters demanding he leaves office. the head of the international monetary fund, christine lagarde, has been found guilty of negligence over a compensation payment made eight years ago when she was the french finance minister. a special court in paris decided not to punish her or give her a criminal record. the case relates to the payment of more than $400 million to the tycoon bernard tapie. president obama has shortened the prison sentences for 153 convicts and pardoned 78 others. the outgoing president has also commuted the sentences of more than 1,000 federal prisoners, said the white house said, as part of a push to reduce the number of people serving long sentences for non—violent drug offences. donald trump has been formally elected president of the

tim allman has more.e been naughty or indeed is nice, father christmas was on his way. and like every year, the north american aerospace defence command, or norad, gave people the chance to track his progress. before setting off on his herculean task, santa — well, let's be honest, a guy dressed up as santa — took time out for some waterskiing in the us state of virginia. notjust him, his elves and reindeers gave it a go. some not as successfully as others. in belarus, hundreds of people dressed up as father frost and his granddaughter the snow maiden, taking part in an annual parade. translation: it's always a joy and a celebration. it is important to be festive in your heart, and then it spreads to both children and adults. although in the orthodox church christmas does not come until next month, they were still celebrating in this part of siberia — underwater, for some reason. a special party taking place in lake baikal. despite temperatures reaching —20, they still managed with a tree and wine. in col

tim allman reports. events eve nts ca n events can move quickly in this country.re angry at the withdrawal of $100 bolivar the note, but these are true believers. the president says it is not his fault. we are victims of international sabotage. i denounce this. i have been monitoring events all day and olney i support the people for their support in our bid to attack the financial mafia. a few hours later, his tone had changed. in a national television broadcast he said the new currency would be delayed until next month. tell that to these people trying to leave the country. with the economy in milton and inflation rampant, many people are struggling forfood rampant, many people are struggling for food and supplies. and the second largest city, the crisis has led to seems like this. protesters clashing with police and restaurants and shops looted. i had to pay 5000 dollars just to get food to eat. their presence and it may he'll the current crisis, but the country is still running out of cash and with inflation running at rampant levels, there is no hint of the cr

tim allman reports. —— a sleigh.irrespective of whether you have been naughty or indeed is nice, father christmas was on his way. and like every year, the north american aerospace defence command, or norad, gave people the chance to track his progress. before setting off on his herculean task, santa — well, let's be honest, a guy dressed up as santa — took time out for some waterskiing in the us state of virginia. notjust him, his elves and reindeers gave it a go. some not as successfully as others. in belarus, hundreds of people dressed up as father frost and his granddaughter the snow maiden, taking part in an annual parade. translation: it's always a joy and a celebration. it is important to be festive in your heart, and then it spreads to both children and adults. although in the orthodox church christmas does not come until next month, they were still celebrating in this part of siberia — underwater, for some reason. a special party taking place in lake baikal. despite temperatures reaching —20, they still manag

tim allman, bbc news.demands that the president step down. monday should have been his last day in office. his term ended at midnight but there have been no elections to choose a successor. 0pposition says they will reject any move by the president to extend his rule. the red card is one of the symbols that his detractors say should be brandished to remind him that it is time for him to go. donald trump has been formally elected as the next president of the united states. as expected, members of the electoral college, themselves chosen by the election in november, have voted in favour of mrtrump. most ignored last—minute calls urging them to defy tradition and choose mrs clinton, who received nearly three million more votes than the president—elect. bill hayton reports. this is where the president of the united states is actually elected. after months of primaries, campaigning and voting day itself, this is how the us constitution says it must be done. at small meetings across the country, one in each of t

tim allman, bbc news. on the website you will find plenty on wholesale latest stories.erever you are. contrasting weather conditions top and tail this week but either side there will be issues with pre—christmas travel plans. those of you heading out this morning, fog could be a problem but probably western england and wales will see the worst of the issues. the fog most extensive. grey across the board for england and wales. limited to the higher ground across the south—east and east anglia. it could cause problems at one or two of the airport and some of the higher routes, and the far north of england. not as much a problem for northern ireland and scotland. the east of scotland, fairly bright along with north—east england but chilly. maybe some patchy rain to take us through the morning, and drizzle. it will brighten up into the afternoon. the gloom may lift through the day, allowing hints of brightness across england and wales. misty in the west for some and in the east, patchy rain and drizzle. temperatures feeling fairly cool with mist and patchy fog. patchy rain

tim allman takes a look at those who enjoyed a different kind of christmas this year.ey can. us soldiers at an iraqi army base near mosul. plenty of tinsel but thoughts are elsewhere. i feel a lot of people are getting homesick and i miss my family and i am sure eve ryo ne miss my family and i am sure everyone else does too. some people who are stuck even further out — the crew of the international space station, orbiting the earth gives you a different perspective on this festive occasion. there is another important aspect of being on iss and thatis important aspect of being on iss and that is seeing the planet as a whole and it reinforces the fact that we should live as one people and strive for peace. we want to wish you a merry christmas and happy holidays. back on earth, christmas was celebrated in different ways — in macedonia a fun run were 300 people dressed as santa claus. 0rganisers said it brought a nice red and beyond is to the streets. in southern italy, these father christmas is talk to the water. a great way to cut loose after a long night delivering pre