Transcripts For BBCNEWS BBC News 20171225

Coming up later this hour. With just over a month to go until the winter just over a month to go until the Winter Olympics in south korea, i will be checking out some of team gbs will be checking out some of team gbs biggest medal prospect in part for the pyeongchang in path to pyeongchang. Good morning, and welcome to bbc news. Merry christmas. The queen will pay tribute to the cities of manchester and london in her Christmas Day broadcast for the way in which they dealt with this years terrorist attacks. Shes at her estate at sandringham with other members of the royal family, including prince harry and his fiancee, Meghan Markle. 0ur royal correspondent, nicholas witchell, reports. The queen recorded this years broadcast a few days ago at buckingham palace. Its main theme is the importance of home, a place she describes as a source of warmth and love. Looking back over the events of 2017, she praises the cities of london and manchester. The queen visited the victims of the bombing at the manchester arena, in which 22 people died as they left a concert. In her broadcast, she will talk about the powerful identities of manchester and london, which, she said, had shone through in the face of appalling attacks. 0n the table beside her in the broadcast, alongside pictures of Prince George and princess charlotte, are two photographs of her and her husband, one of which was taken on their wedding day in 1947. This year, theyve celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary, and the duke of edinburgh retired from his separate programme of engagements. In the broadcast, the queen will praise her husband for his support, and, as she puts it, for his unique sense of humour. The queen was absent from last years Christmas Day Church Service at sandringham due to a heavy cold. But theres expected to be a full turnout of the family at church this morning. And among the group attending church will be prince harry and his fiancee, Meghan Markle, who are both spending christmas on the sandringham estate. Itll be the first time someone whos yet to marry into the royal family will have joined their christmas celebrations. Her presence, a reminder of one of the events to which the family can look forward in 2018. Earlier, we spoke to Daniela Relph, who is at the sandringham estate. You can see the crowds, the queue behind us actually stretches out behind the camera, beyond where you can see. I can see it going round the corner on the sandringham estate. A big turnout. Many people were here from 5am to make sure that they got a good view so that when they opened those gates and get into the area in front of the church, they get to see the royal family a bit later on. It will be a full turnout. We are expected to see all of the senior royals, including the prince of wales and the duke and duchess of cambridge. Of course, led by the queen and the duke of edinburgh. I think you are going to find that the person that many people here today want to see is Meghan Markle, prince harrys fiance. She will be here for the first time. A slight break with royal protocol. Normally, you have to be married before you get invited to christmas at sandringham, but an exception has been made for Meghan Markle this year, and she will be here. A bit earlier, i talked to people here. A lot of them are americans who live locally, who say that they want to see meghan. Very excited to see meghan, of course, and curious as well. Itsjust been a tradition, really. This is my fourth year here, so. What about Meghan Markle today . Oh, yes, that will be special, wont it . Are you looking forward to seeing her . Oh, yes definitely do you think she will be a good addition to the royal family . Yes, im sure she will. They look lovely together. This is my first time coming here, im very excited to see the queen, the duke and duchess, the prince. This is our way of celebrating christmas, coming to the queen, Merry Christmas. We are hoping to get some pictures. You have the added bonus of Meghan Markle today, are you excited . I wanted to see the queen more. Its an added bonus. Its really the queen that we wanted to see the day. In terms of timings, the crowd should get their first glimpse of the younger members of the royal family at about 10 45am as they make the walk from the main house at sandringham up to the church. The queen is usually driven here just before iiam. With regard to Meghan Markle. A little daunting having dinner with the royal family your first year. But it is a sign of how readily they have accepted her into the royal family . Very much so. You would imagine it is daunting enough to have christmas with a new family anyway, let alone the royal family. Yesterday she will have had the experience of exchanging gifts, which the royal family do on Christmas Eve, a nod to their german ancestry. Today, she will have had breakfast year. Breakfast here. There will be a big lunch after church, and watching the queens christmas message. She is getting the full, traditional royal Family Experience here today this morning at sandringham. She seems, so far, as far as we can tell, have handled all of this scrutiny and attention very well and with great confidence. It is a break with protocol today, her being here. That is largely down to the fact that she is american, she has moved to the uk, her immediate family are in car are in california. And clearly the queen felt it was ok to make an exception for Meghan Markle this time around. We will return to Daniela Relph before iiam time around. We will return to Daniela Relph before am when the royal family make their way to church. Pope francis has used his Christmas Eve mass to urge the world not to ignore the plight of millions of migrants. The pontiff compared them to mary and joseph, recounting the biblical story of how they had to travel from nazareth to bethlehem but found no place to stay. Meanwhile, services have taken place across the uk and further afield. 0ur religion editor, martin bashir, reports. At westminster cathedral, Cardinal Vincent nicholls, leader the Roman Catholic church in england and wales, framed his christmas message as a statement of concern for the way we tend to communicate with each other. He said we often prefer conflict to dialogue, hostility instead of a willingness to listen. Its a manifestation of a kind of radical individualism, and while the individual is hugely important, we have to know that we are also built to belong to each other. We are built to have relationships, and to work and find our best through relationships. He went on to say that as we gaze into a nativity scene at christmas, we find one who can free us from the choking effects of disagreement and strife. Christ himself. And at the very beginning of the christmas narrative here in bethlehem, in a land defined by walls of separation, a renewed call for reconciliation. Here in manger square, a Midnight Service has been held at the church of the nativity, where the archbishop ofjerusalem said that whilejesus was born in a town under roman occupation, he was identified as the prince of peace. Martin bashir, bbc news, in bethlehem. Plenty of people are working today. Almost 200,000 people are currently serving as part of the uk armed forces. For many on foreign deployments, it means christmas away from loved ones. Yesterday, bbc news visited one military base in iraq, as troops prepare to spend today farfrom home. Dan johnson reports. Im not going to pretend that its not difficult to be in iraq over christmas. Of all the families apart this christmas, these are amongst the furthest away, for the longest amount of time. This is my first christmas away from home in the army, and to be honest, im here with the lads, im here with my guys, here with my friends. So, yeah, its not with the family, but its quite good. As you see, its a good atmosphere. Its good fun. After 21 years service, you get used to being away from home. It gets harder when youve got a wife and child at home. Obviously you wont get to see your daughter open her presents on Christmas Day. Some improvisation helps give a feel of christmas in the desert. But, of course, not everything can be replicated. Theyve done quite well, doing it with old tyres. What do i miss most . A good christmas dinner i think will be the one, you know, mums cooking. Its a reminder that british troops are still serving in iraq, rebuilding the country, and others around the world. Work that doesnt stop for christmas. Dan johnson, bbc news. One of londons Busiest Railway stations has been been turned into a shelter for the homeless. Rail workers and Charity Staff are to serve a full christmas lunch to rough sleepers are euston station. Our news correspondent, caroline davies, is there for us. How many hours have we spent an back concourse waiting for trains, caroline . i think this concourse is very familiar to a lot of people, but probably never as empty as it looks today. I think if you have a looks today. I think if you have a look over here are the departures board, can you imagine how depressing that would be if on a normal monday morning that was what you saw when you came into this station. But of course its not a normal morning, it is Christmas Day and is looking festive here. These ta bles and is looking festive here. These tables are ready and set for the Homeless People that will be coming to have their christmas meal here at 11am, very shortly. I am joined to have their christmas meal here at 11am, very shortly. Iam joined by john from streets kitchen, who has been part of the team putting this together. When did you first hear about this idea from network rail . L few months ago, by good is mackay steven, i thought it would be a good idea. We jumped at it. It is something that we have always thought the use, empty buildings for events. For sleeping and for shelters. Theres all of these empty buildings. Can you tell me about the people invited to come along today . Its not open to everybody, just people who have been invited at the moment. Yes, sent mongers have provided some of their residents, people who stay at their hostels. People who use our Service Every night of the week. We have a lot of guests who are coming who are friends of ours over the years, theyll come along, from hackney, islington, camden, weve got a load of cars coming. People weve known over the years. Just for health and safety, to make sure it is a good day. For catering purposes, too, we needed to know how many we were having. 200 is a good figure. Why is it important to have Something Like this . At what reaction do you get from people who are homeless at the moment . The first time i told them nobody believed me, they didnt think that i was going to get this building, squat it or something, but it is important everybody has a christmas meal. At some point somebody everyday has a meal, christmas is highlighted, families and loved ones, people who arent at the table today. A lot of people are missing from people close tables today, but they will be with us, the Homeless People. We are coming together as a community, as we do every night of the week, we come together and share food. Is nothing together and share food. Is nothing to me, but it is important to be involved in Christmas Event so that people understand the extent of homelessness, which has increased, year run, year old. Injanuary, february and march isjust year run, year old. Injanuary, february and march is just as year run, year old. Injanuary, february and march isjust as bad. We even have more people coming. They need more and more support and more and more buildings, more and more and more buildings, more and more of these empty buildings, lets put them back into use as every simple solution to homelessness. Thank you very much. The volunteers will be welcoming people from 11am and wishing them a very Merry Christmas. Well done from all of the volu nteers christmas. Well done from all of the volunteers down there. What is on the menu, caroline . It is a four course meal starting with some salmon and soup. They have got the full christmas turkey and ending with christmas pudding. Fantastic, sounds great. Well done to everyone down there. Burglars have broken into a home in oxford and stolen food and christmas presents worth about £2000. Thames Valley Police said childrens toys and clothes were among the items stolen from an address in walton street yesterday. The culprits opened some of the parcels in the street and dropped the paper. Guatemala has said it will follow americas lead in moving its embassy in israel tojerusalem. Guatemalan president Jimmy Morales said he made the decision after speaking to israels pm benjamin netanyahu. Donald trump had threatened to cut aid to nations that voted against the us in a recent un vote on the issue. Ten people have been killed in a suicide bomb attack close to afg hanistans National Intelligence agency in the capital, kabul. The bomber was apparently on foot, and targeted people as they arrived into work. The so called Islamic State group said it carried out the attack. 0ur correspondent, khalil noori, is following developments in kabul where he sent this update a short time ago. A suicide attackjust happened right in the morning rush hour time. Hospital and security sources say that at least six people, including four civilians and two military also ju reti personnel are killed, and five others are wounded. Militarily or security personnel. They say the suicide bomber was a young boy on foot, trying to reach one of the National Security Intelligence Agency facilities. Before he reached the target, he was recognised by police. And one of the security personnel held him tight. And he was able to blow himself up. This is the Second Attack that has been claimed by so called Islamic State in as many weeks. Does that suggest they are getting a foothold in afghanistan . As you mentioned, it is the Second Attack by is in the capital in a couple of weeks. Todays attack has happened inside the green zone under tight security measures, which is the International Forces headquarters, a number of embassies, and the more important Security Intelligence departments are based on the same road. Afghan security sources say that i as is defeated in afghanistan is is defeated. Despite all of this, our sources say that is fighters are operating in the north of afghanistan and in the eastern provinces like kandahar and provinces like kandahar and provinces bordering to pakistan. The headlines on bbc news the queen will pay tribute to how the people of manchester and london dealt with this year easter more attacks in her Christmas Day broadcast. The pope urges the world not to ignore the plight of migrants forced to leigh their countries because of violence. Nearly 200,000 British Military personnel are spending away from home on foreign deployments in iraq and afghanistan. A british woman being held in an egyptian prison for drug smuggling offences will appear in court later today. Laura plummer was arrested in october when she was found with 290 tramadol tablets in her suitcase. The painkiller is legal in the uk, but not in egypt. Her family has maintained she wasnt aware the drug was illegal. If found guilty she faces up to 25 years in prison. Surrey police are trying to identify a man who was found unconscious in a ditch yesterday afternoon. Theyve released pictures of the mans clothing in an attempt to track down his family. The man, who is thought to be in his 20s, is in a serious condition in hospital. They say the man, believed to be in his 20s, was wearing a red and white checked shirt and red canvas shoes. The deadly Tropical Storm that cut through the southern philippines on saturday is now headed to southern vietnam, where is it expected to make landfall later today, with up to 500mm of rain forecast in some areas. Storm tembin killed 230 people in mudslides and flash floods in the philippines and left at least 70,000 people displaced. Perus president has granted a medical pardon to jailed former president Alberto Fujimori. Fujimori was serving a 25 year sentence for human rights abuses, corruption and the sanctioning of death squads. The decision has had mixed reactions from peruvians. Shuba krishnan reports. Scenes ofjubilation scenes of jubilation outside scenes ofjubilation outside the hospital where former president Alberto Fujimori is being treated. His supporters greeted news of the pardon chanting his name, national hero. The 79 year old was transferred here on saturday, after suffering from low Blood Pressure and an irregular heartbeat. But this group were angered by the president s decision to release him on medical grounds. Translation its a total outrage, we can never forget what happened. We have to take to the streets now, 110w we have to take to the streets now, now is the time to get out an protest. They question the timing of the pardon which has come just days after Alberto Fujimori s political allies helped him avoid impeachment. The president s office has denied making a deal to survive the vote. Alberto fujimori is a highly divisive figure in peru, his critics say he was a corrupt dictator, while his supporters say he saved the country from terrorism, and economic collapse. Bob givens has dedied aged 89. He drew some of our best known cartoons such as tommy and gerry and popeye. It might be deepest winter at home, but englands cricketers will step out into the summer sunshine in australia later today for the first session of the next ashes test. They have already lost the series, but organisers expect a sell out at the Melbourne Cricket Ground as they try to rescue some pride. Patrick gearey reports. The ashes gone, and still they come. There is a reason englands fans are called the barmy army. When they are not watching cricket, they are playing it, and they have called up mr root to their team. Not the england captain, but his brother billy, a professional himself, who has had to watchjoe lose the urn with everyone else. I think he will always enjoy the challenge of it. I think there will be times where he is frustrated. But i think it is the sort of thing he will enjoy taking on, a tough challenge like this. Challenge is an understatement. Comment and criticism comes with cricket in australia. In the past week, root has had to watch the ashes go, and had to listen to his captaincy be described as soft and childlike by former australian skipper ricky ponting. He doesnt spend any time in our dressing room. He doesnt spend much time around the squad, so i dont think i would go about things as a little boy, for sure. I have my own way of doing things. I think it is important that you dont try and be something that youre not. Now he takes his team into a test like no other. Boxing day in melbourne is a national occasion, notjust a sporting one. Australian values of history, tradition and competition mean there will be no going easy on england. This is the notorious bay 13 of the mcg. Home to the most raucous supporters in cricket. They will be reminding whichever poor england fielder who has the misfortune of being posted near to them exactly what the score is in this series and how bad it could yet get for them. Words cant hurt england but runs do. Steve smith provides them and the aussie captain will play, despite injuring his hand in training. Ashes series can numb as well as inflict pain. Its been a good summer so far. Obviously won back the urn which was the objective at the start of the series, and weve got an opportunity to keep winning. Thats been my message to the boys. Dont worry about 5 0 at this stage, you have to win this one first. Even on christmas morning, even with the series decided, they come to watch practise in melbourne. More than 90,000 will be here on boxing day to pick over the ashes left overs. Patrick gearey, bbc news in melbourne. Joe mcfadden might have been crowned this years strictly come dancing champion, but today its the turn of former contestants to waltz their way onto the dancefloor for the strictly Christmas Special. Tim muffett caught up with the dancers and celebrities in rehearsals. Well, they have me doing a viennese waltz with brendan, which is lovely. Its just nice shes finally got a decent partner to dance with, instead of that anton fella. It didnt take long. About 45 seconds. Merry christmas, anton a bit of a royal theme this year, isnt it. You have been to buckingham palace, met the duchess of cornwall. You had a cheeky cha cha with her. I got a little cheeky cha cha, im not going to lie. I enjoyed it, i think she did too. She is a very close friend of craig, apparently. Is she . So he says. So he does have a friend everyone says strictly changes your life, have you been dancing ever since . This is my normal now, thats what changed. Cue dramatic music. This is now my life. We are just watching it back now, to see if there is any tiny improvements that we could make. Compared to brian connolly, how does colin rate . They are two completely styles of dancers. So that would be really unfair of me to compare. I love you brian, i love you colin. Is the this your own special routine youre working out here, what is this bit . This is a bit of a group dance, we are doing a jive. Well, its a jive for colin, to me itsjust running round. People say strictly changes your life, it makes people dance all the time. Did it have that effect . Absolutely. Before i used to just listen to music, now its like, oh, you do a foxtrot to this, oh, you do a quickstep to this, oh, this is a jive. Does that make you dull at dinner parties . I kind of keep it in what was it like being back on this dance floor . Right now, it feels 0k. When i hear the, kimberley dancing thejive, im going to be like. What are the unusual requests you get for the Christmas Special . We have had practice reindeer ears theyre the same as normal reindeer ears. This is pashas shiny reindeer tummy. I am seeing a mustard yellow velour thing here, what is it . Gold sorry. Sorry, sorry. Jeremy vines golden shoes. They are. They are huge. They are a 12. It has a special coating on it. The jeremy vine coating. Wipe down, after your christmas dinner. Thats good. I have to descend from the ceiling on some sort of star, because when i did strictly i was never allowed to fly. Massive shoes. They have made gold shoes and there may be nobody else who can wear size 12 gold shoes apart from Audley Harrison. The Audley Harrison music. Yes. Thats right, i forgot. You must never say the words Audley Harrison. I wish it could be Christmas Every day. You know the words youre on in a minute how different is the atmosphere on a Christmas Special, compared to the highly competitive live shows every saturday . Does it feel different . We get a christmas lunch, then theres a cheese and biscuit party. We never have cheese and biscuit parties. Cheese isnt good for the voice, though, is it . Dairy products . No. Are you competitive with each other . Not really. Dave arch over here, are they competitive with each other . Laughter. Cheering and applause. You can watch the strictly come dancing Christmas Special on bbc one at 6 30pm. Lets get the weather. Led aged 89. He drew some of our best known cartoons such as tom and jerry and popeye. There is no snow but plenty of rain round. Philip had the weather. A very Merry Christmas to you. Now a bad start to the day for some parts of the British Isles, notably out towards the eastern side here, a bit of sunshine coming up with the dawn and even a bit further west, towards sale, there was a bit of blueness about that sky, they are the exceptions to a fairly wet and windy rule across, down to northern ireland, you have that combination of wet and windy fare so not particularly seasonal in the sense of snow and reindeer this is the other face of december. It is on the mild side. A lot of wind but it is coming in from the south and south west. The temperatures where we have been of late across the late greater part of england and wales. As soon as you get near that weather front, here a really dramatic change, very wet, very windy and get to the north of the weather front, ita to the north of the weather front, it a mixture of the odd brightness and the odd shower. Notice the temperature, three, four or five. That is crucial because as this whole weather front works its way further towards the east, it will eventually allow some of that cold airto tumble down eventually allow some of that cold air to tumble down and across the British Isles during the course of the night. 0ne British Isles during the course of the night. One to four degrees as you see. A bit of ice round first thing. I wouldnt be surprised if there is a fresh covering of some snow across the highest ground in northern britain. As get on through boxing day, a much brighter day in prospect. Yes, the showers will gang taggart. Wintry, notjust to the high ground in the north and you will lose your sunshine eventually down across this south west corner, new weather system coming in here. Look at that. No more the ten, 1112 degrees it is somewhere in single figures for all parts of the British Isles. 11, 12. Through boxing day ve anyone and the first part of wednesday we will push this weather system across the southern half of the British Isles. Cold air trying to come down from the north and where the two meet on the northern flank of that area of low pressure, thatis flank of that area of low pressure, that is where we have got the possibility of an conversion of some of the rain into snow. Again, i think a high ground feature, i think the thing you will notice is it is going to be a wet old day on wednesday, up to a couple of inches of rain. Elsewhere a chilli day, despite the presence presence of bait of sunshine. Take care. See you 0011. Bait of sunshine. Take care. See you soon. Bye. A very Merry Christmas. This is bbc news. The latest headlines the queen will pay tribute to how the people of manchester and london dealt with this years terror attacks. In her Christmas Day broadcast, shell say the cities powerful identities had shone through in the face of appalling attacks. The pope has urged the world not to ignore the plight of migrants forced to leave their countries because of violence. Nearly 200,000 British Military personnel are spending christmas away from home on foreign deployments, including in iraq and afghanistan. Euston station is opening as a shelter today and to serve a christmas dinner to hundreds of Homeless People in the capital. Volunteers from Homelessness Charities st mungos and streets kitchen, and network rail, will serve the festive meal. The 2018 pyeongchang Winter Olympics begin injust over a months time in south korea. Whilst concerns about the on going conflict with north korea and the russian doping scandal have dominated much of the build up, the british team are aiming to make history at the games themselves. Bbc sports nick hope takes a look at some of the best british prospects in path to pyeongchang. It takes a special kind of athlete to succeed at the Winter Olympics. Traditionally, british success has been sporadic at best. But in recent yea rs, been sporadic at best. But in recent years, team gb has finallyjoined the party. Lizzie yarnold is the 0lympic the party. Lizzie yarnold is the olympic champion there were four gb medals during sochi 2014. That could be upgraded to a record wall of five. British athletes are winning more major medals now than at any point in history. There is every chance that pyeongchang 2018 in south korea could be Great Britains best ever game. Best ever games. 0ne best ever game. Best ever games. One of britains best medal prospect is elise christie, competing in three events. Since the last game, she has become a World Champion. She is looking to put her 0lympic she has become a World Champion. She is looking to put her olympic team and firmly behind her after a devastating sochi 2014. Oh, theyve gone down, theyve all gone down i cant believe it christies been penalised again. Its been tough. I its been tough. Lcant even describe how hard it was. I suffered a lot after it, in my normal life can be in. L a lot after it, in my normal life can be in. I had a crash at the game. I received a lot of Death Threats and online abuse from the south koreans. It changes me as a person. You know, i lost a lot of confidence from it. But since then i have actually had a massive turnaround. Christie, the first british woman to win a short track world title people became fans and they were really sorry for how people had treated me. And actually the majority of the south koreans really support me. I think its nice to see how much ive moved forward since then. Im a totally different skater. Ive developed so much. I dont know how ill survive if it happens again and l have a terrible olympics and l happens again and l have a terrible olympics and i messed it up. When i go to the olympics, im hoping to wina go to the olympics, im hoping to win a gold medal. L go to the olympics, im hoping to win a gold medal. I definitely wanted more than anything else. But at the same time, part of me does need it, just with what happened in sochi and get redemption for what mistakes i made. If i won a cold, it would be incredible, indescribable. If would be incredible, indescribable. If| would be incredible, indescribable. If i won eight goals. The british bobsleigh four man team finished fifth, and agonising 0. 11 seconds from the medals at sochi 2014. But they arent lying for an upgrade to bronze following the disqualification of two russians for doping offences. Corruption on an unprecedented scale. 1000 russian athletes are accused of doping. The russian government organised and directed is investigated doping programme. From london 2012 through the sochi 2014 and beyond. Great britain look set to win is bobsleigh bronze medal, the ioc banned three more russian athletes for doping. Weve been stolen our moment, basically. I feel like we fought so hard, knowing we were good enough to get on the podium. Its hard to take. As were seeing across all sports in the world right now, this is happening all too frequently. Its a really sad state. It would have been a massive family achievement, more than anything. Theres no escaping that, it would have been different. The funding would have been much higher. Obviously, the personal reward of it. Potentially, though, there would have been opportunities for us to further our careers. We didnt come third until weve got the middle. How much would you like it to be resolved by pyeongchang . One of the things that is mentioned is, how do you feel about your moment being stolen away from you. In some cases, that could be corrected by being presented the medal in the pyeongchang. Silver for Great Britain. Bronze last week. You have another chance to do it at the games themselves. The team is going in the right direction . It is. Previously there had been one competitive team, now there is two. The possibilities are huge for this team. We are going to get a podium. The british four man team from sochi 2014 should learn whether they will receive a retrospective bronze medal by late january. Sliding sports wont enter the winter paralympics until beijing 2022. But for pyeongchang 2018, britain possess some medal prospects. Here are some of the ones to watch. Like britains wheelchair curlers, it gb 0lympic hurlers have enjoyed plenty of medal success at recent games. The women won bronze and the men silver at sochi 2014, and both collected european honours in the last few months, suggesting that they are in career best form. And both teams will be boosted by the presence. Eve will skip the womens team, whilst her older and younger brothers will line up for the team gb meant. Competing alongside my brothers will make it exciting and extra special. Its not everyday you can compete at the 0lympic everyday you can compete at the Olympic Games alongside two of your brothers with Great Britain on your back and family watching gone, that makes it really exciting. I guess there is a little bit of added pressure, having been medallists before, you kind of have that podium the kind of step up to. But theres nothing stopping us being as good as we we re nothing stopping us being as good as we were last time, if not even better. The Winter Olympics have been revitalised by freestyle skiing and snowboarding events in the 21st century. And at the last games, Great Britain claimed a first ever 0lympic Great Britain claimed a first ever olympic medal on the snow, with jennyjones claiming a bronze medal. Although she isnt competing any more, theres still plenty to be excited about. Ski sundays ed leigh has more. Ive spent more than a quarter of the century reporting on winter sport, and i can say hand on heart, going into pyeongchang, britain has never had so many medal contenders. The first one you have to talk about is katie 0rmerod, shejust the first one you have to talk about is katie 0rmerod, she just missed out on so four years ago, and in the period since she has established herself as one of the best slopestyle riders on the female tour. The next rider you have to talk about is billie morgan, the first man to land the hallowed trick in snowboarding right now, billy is another serious contender. Jamie nicholls is my dark horse. He is pound for pound one of the best rail riders in the world, and has been working hard on hisjump tricks. He is now a brilliant all round rider. He could be a serious hope for a medal. We cant forget about the skiers. There is no shortage of talent in that corner either. James woods is top of the list. Fifth in sochi whilst carrying a hip injury, the last 12 months have been brilliant build up to the game. He has had world cup goals. Lizzie atkin is an ex american skier who claimed third in slopestyle at the World Championships. Katie summerhays has bagged a silver. Im very excited about team gbs prospects in pyeongchang. So, theres certainly plenty of medal potential from a freestyle perspective. Next, we take a look at the other prospects on the path to pyeongchang. Britain has struggled in Alpine Skiing for decades, but slalom specialist dave redding now has world cup success to his name. This athlete will be competing in her fourth olympics, the first as a mother. She gave birth to her daughter, leah, in 2016, and is already training herfor a daughter, leah, in 2016, and is already training her for a future in the sport. Ice dancers penny combs and nick bottle and have been one of sport was like most unlucky durisic recent yea rs. Sport was like most unlucky durisic recent years. He needed heart surgery recent years. He needed heart surgery before the last olympics, and combs shattered her knee in 2016. But they are back on the up. Andrew musgrave is on top of his game, and competes at one of the 0lympics toughest events, Cross Country skiing. The british bobsleigh womens team had all of their financial bobsleigh womens team had all of theirFinancial Support bobsleigh womens team had all of their Financial Support pulled months before the game. But a Crowdfunding Campaign saw them raise over £40,000. Also keep an eye out for this skeleton athlete. She has won world cup honours in recent yea rs won world cup honours in recent years and will be looking to make an impact on her 0lympic debut. Britains leading slider remains lizzie yarnold, the olympic champion from sochi 2014, who has taken a one year career breaks in the last game. She has returned refreshed, but has struggled to find the consistency of old. Lizzie yarnold is the olympic champion 0h, old. Lizzie yarnold is the olympic champion oh, my goodness since i was a little kid i always wanted to go to the olympics. Today i am an olympian and a gold medallist, its mind blowing. L olympian and a gold medallist, its mind blowing. Ithink olympian and a gold medallist, its mind blowing. I think after sochi, there was this niggling feeling that i hadnt been there was this niggling feeling that lhadnt been world cup champion, l hadnt be World Champion or european champion. My mind skipped immediately to that. To be able to achieve all four titles within two seasons, 407 days, was awesome. But l was so exhausted. So im really glad that l l was so exhausted. So im really glad that i did take that time of. That time off. Training was a lot harder than that time off. Training was a lot harderthanl that time off. Training was a lot harder than i had that time off. Training was a lot harderthan i had remembered. Its just constant. Everything we do is ina basement just constant. Everything we do is in a basement of a gym, just lifting weights, trying to get stronger, trying to get faster i think the past 18 months have been very up and down. Lizzie yarnold takes the bronze medal shes way back in tenth, 11th spot, im surprised the 0lympic tenth, 11th spot, im surprised the olympic champion may struggle to get a second heat after that run. At the moment, my results and were warned them to be. Are not where moment, my results and were warned them to be. Are not where i want them to be. Are not where i want them to be. Ill believe in myself and have confidence. The goal of trying to become the first british winter olympian to retain my title is so motivating. Thats what gets me out of bed every morning. As youve been seeing, we have more medal prospect for Great Britain in Winter Sports than at any point in history. There is every chance that pyeongchang 2018 could be record breaking game for Great Britain. We are going to take you directly to sandringham. About 200 people are waiting outside the church on the sandringham estate to see the queen and other members of the royal family when they attend the main Carol Service this morning. You can see hundreds of them lined up you can see hundreds of them lined up along the route at the moment. This, of course, is an annual tradition in sandringham. The queen actually missed this Service Last Year because she had a very bad cold. But she is well today. The queen and Prince Philip attended a Holy Communion service at the church this morning before people arrived, and they are returning with the rest of the family just before 11am, we understand. The duke and duchess of cambridge will be with them. A lot of the people are there to see harry, prince harry, and Meghan Markle, who willjoin the royal family for Christmas Day. She will be the first unmarried partner to join the royal family for Christmas Day following her engagement to prince harry last month. You can see the police waiting patiently for the queen and Prince Philip to arrive. Prince philip of course doesnt have public engagements any more. 96 year old and announced his retirement from public life earlier this year. The queen will talk about him in her address later today. There is a picture of the queen and Prince Philip on the day they were married on the table as she makes that speech. Engagements any more. 96 year old and announced his retirement from public life earlier this year. The queen will talk about him in her address later today. There is a picture of the queen and Prince Philip on the day they were married on the table as she makes that speech. She talknt about his unusual sense of humour. Which is unique. It is a bit blowy, you can see the rain is keeping off. Many americans turn up for this, it is quite a tradition so they come along with their champagne and mince pies and get in the spirit of it all. All. The royal family tend to go straight in but after the service, they do go down the line and speak to all the people who have turned up. Some of them who have wrapped up very warm, you up. Some of them who have wrapped up very warm, you can see up. Some of them who have wrapped up very warm, you can see there. A daunting day i i would imagine for Meghan Markle, it is daunting going to your first christmas with any new family, not to mention the royal family. As i said to our correspondent who is there for us, it is perhaps a sign of how readily she has been accepted into the family that she is going to be there today. I want to talk to daniella about what they do on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. I have it on Good Authority they open some of their presents on Christmas Eve and save a few for the children on Christmas Day. I like the sound of that. Two days of opening presents. So there we are. We are waiting for the queen and Prince Philip to turn up. As soon as and Prince Philip to turn up. As soon as they do show at the church we will take you live to that and show you the live pictures. Meanwhile let us check in on what is happening in rome. The pope has urged the worlds Roman Catholics not to ignore the plight of migrants who have been forced to flee because of violence at his christmas ve mass the pontiff drew comparisons with the story of mary and joseph who found no place of course to stay in bethlehem when mary was about to give birth. The pope said respect for migrants we an integral part of christianity. Think we can bring that to you. Let us see if we can bring that report. Let us see if we can bring that report. In vatican city, the faithful began gathering long before midnight in st peters square. Beneath a giant christmas tree, a scene to reflect the birth of jesus. While inside the basilica began the annual ceremony, steeped in catholic tradition. This the fifth Christmas Eve mass to be held by pope francis. With 1. 2 billion Roman Catholic followers around the world, the pontiff used his speech to highlight the plight of migrants, telling his followers the story of mary and joseph and the trials they were forced to endure on theirjourney to bethlehem. His holiness urged compassion to those who have also fled their homes. Translation we see the tracks of entire families, forced to set out in our own day. We see the tracks of millions of people who do not choose to go away, but driven from their land, leave behind their dear ones. In many cases this departure is filled with hope. Hope for the future. Yet for many others, this departure can only have one name. Survival. Outside of the cathedral, among the splendour of st peters square, there was hope that pope francis speech would bring people together. I hope that the people would be more forgiving towards one another, whatever their religion is, more accepting, so that we will all live in harmony. I think that the pope signifies a lot of hope for a lot of people. He has the power to bring a lot of people together. Later on Christmas Day, the pope will be back on the balcony of st peters basilica to deliver the traditional blessing to the city and the world. Virginia langerberg, bbc news. Around 160 people have been rescued in the french alps after being left hanging for several hours in the resort of chamrousse when a ski lift broke down. Faith 0rr reports. Delighted to be back on solid ground. This woman is one of dozens who were trapped when the ski lift broke down in a french resort. A vast rescue operation was launched at 2pm gmt on Christmas Eve. It took the Emergency Services two and a half hours to bring eve ryo ne two and a half hours to bring everyone down safely. The skiers involved are looking on the bright side. Translation i would like to start over again, it was so cool. We made friends, it was nice, we met people from everywhere. It is an experience i would have wanted. So it is cool. Around 70 gondolas were stuck and officials dont yet know what caused the lift to bring down and strand skiers 25 metres to the air. But those rescued has nothing but praise for the america sip services. Emergency services they managed very well. We will be back home in time so it is great. A christmas crisis averted in the alps. Even if the festivities were more ropey than these skiers had in mind oysters are an acquired taste for many, but one farmer in france is hoping to change that, patenting pre flavoured varieties. The unconventional technique is splitting opinions and taste buds, in the french Oyster Capital of marennes. Georgina smyth reports. When it comes to flavour for this farmer, the oyster is his oyster. After getting the idea from customers, he created a special process of adding a twist to his products, by putting oysters in a tank of sea water laced with extracts like lemon, muscat or ginger. Translation they filter it naturally. Its a flavour thats has been designed for the oyster, not to kill it or disturb it, so it naturally filters like the water in which it would normally live, in the sea or a tank. The 16 step process was perfected by trial and error, but the risk has paid off. Translation yes, its great. You really taste the oyster, it doesnt mask the flavour. It is good. Still thinking outside the shell, there are plans to add grapefruit, plum and truffle to the menu in the future. Translation i tasted them and i dont like all of them. I like raspberry and muscat. With shallot you expect the taste of vinegar and you reallyjust have the shallot taste, so it is pretty surprising. The oysters are gaining popularity across the world, with boxes being packaged for as far as hong kong, but the oyster connoisseur concedes local sea food purists are harder to sway. Translation the french are used to eating normal oysters. They have been doing it for decades and it is hard to change habits that have been around for years, but we are trying. The Award Winning molluscs have proved popular in belgium and french customers curious to try them will soon be able to buy them at major supermarkets. We are going back to sandringham because i have it on Good Authority the royal family are leaving the church. There you see, there is round 200 people gathered this morning in the cold, to see the royal family. You can see they are lined up along the root, and the intelligence and Security Committee personnel have been touching their earpieces so that might be a sign we are about to see the royal family. It is first christmas for Meghan Markle, she will be joining them for Christmas Day, of course after announcing their engagement, her engagement to prince harry last month. We dont think we are going to see Prince George and princess charlotte. The children dont tend to attend the church when hay are so young. The duke and duchess of cambridge will be there. Prince andrew has been seen as well. The queen and Prince Philip were there earlier, they went alone to a Holy Communion service at the church. They are coming back with the rest of the family today. And, as i say, for the queen, she did miss it last year, she doesnt like to miss the service but she had a heavy cold last year, i am sure she is pleased to be attending day. Prince william also there Prince Philip also there. We dont see hu him as much. He does fulfil some public agaugement along with the queen from time to time. He will be mentioned in the queens speech today. But she had a heavy cold last year, i am sure she is pleased to be attending day. Prince william also there Prince Philip also there. We dont see hu him as much. He does fulfil some public agaugement along with the queen from time to time. He will be mentioned in the queens speech today. She but she had a heavy cold last year, i am sure she is pleased to be attending day. Prince william also there Prince Philip also there. We dont see hu him as much. He does fulfil some public agaugement along with the queen from time to time. He will be mentioned in the queens speech today. She praises his unique sense of humour. You will notice that there are pictures on the table next to her, pictures of their 70th wedding anniversary they just celebrated her, pictures of their 70th wedding anniversary theyjust celebrated and anniversary theyjust celebrated and a picture there from the day they we re a picture there from the day they were married. I think were married. Ithinki were married. I think i can see one of the cars just driving up to the church at the moment. We will see who is in this the first car, presume bly presumably this will be the queen. Pulling up to the front gates of the church, where the vicar is waiting for them. An annual event. Hundreds like to turn up. We have seen pictures of them this morning drinking champagne, there is the queen, making her way into the church, for a carol sever advice which starts at 11. 00 this morning. Can we see Prince Philip. I am not sure he is with her. It doesnt appear he is s it is just the queen on her own this morning with the rest of the family presumably about to arrive as well, and that is the duchess of cornwall, who is walking up the steps behind her there, as well. Asi her there, as well. As i say, Prince Philip was at the Holy Communion service this morning so maybe he is 96 years of age of course, so maybe he is taking a rest. There is Prince Charles and Prince Andrew waving to the crowds. And no doubt making his soon to be daughter in law feeling very welcome on herfirst daughter in law feeling very welcome on her first christmas with the royal family. The, i think we saw the count and countess of wessex going past there. There is Prince Philip. There he is, he was keeping prince harry and Meghan Markle company. There you go. You see. Grandad keeping prince Harry Company there, as they go up the church. And we also saw there duke and duchess of cambridge. So the queen going in alone and Prince Philip going in with the rest of the family. What we will probably see after the Carol Service is the royal family coming out and mingling with the crowds who are there, they do like to say hello and give their Christmas Greetings to people who live locally to the sandringham estate. So there we are. And that is the wide shots. It gives you an impression of how many people have arrived on the sandringham estate. Mercifully the rain is keeping off. It is cold and blustery but quite a treat to so so many members of the royal family turning up members of the royal family turning up at the church this morning. Let us find out what the weather is doing. Gl Merry Christmas to you. It is one of those i am afraid for northern and western parts of the British Isles if you are near that weather front it a combination of wet and windy weather for a good front it a combination of wet and windy weatherfor a good part front it a combination of wet and windy weather for a good part of Christmas Day. That front moving very very slowly ever further towards the east. Ahead of it still as mild as cloudy as it has been to the north of it the first signs of really cold air which once this weather front has moved out generating the odd gust before it quits the scene, then the cold air floods down across the British Isles to greet us as we get up into boxing day to days. Look at those temperature boxing day. Look at those temperatures. The day is one of sunshine, at last, at last, but there will be shower, wintry across there will be shower, wintry across the northern half of scotland, and then late in the day you will lose your sunshine as a new weather system brings more cloud and wind and rain into the south west. This is bbc news. The headlines at 11. 00 prince harry and Meghan Markle have arrived with the queen and other senior royals at sandringham for a christmas service. The queen will pay tribute to how the people of manchester and london dealt with this years terror attacks in her Christmas Day broadcast. The pope urges the world not to ignore the plight of migrants forced to leave their countries because of violence. Also christmas away from home for nearly 200,000 British Armed forces personnel, including in afghanistan and iraq. The bbc is at one military base in iraq, as troops reflect on christmas away from their loved ones. What do i miss most . A good christmas dinner i think will be the one. You know, mums cooking. Euston station is opening as a shelter today to serve christmas dinner to hundreds of homeless