Year of front covers, cartoons and satire. Good afternoon and welcome to bbc news. The duke of edinburgh has returned to sandringham in time for christmas, after leaving hospital in london. Prince phillip, whos 98, spent four nights in the king edward vii hospital on the advice of his doctor. Our correspondent, charlotte gallagher, is at sandringham, where there is relief that the duke is back home. Yes, a real relief here that the duke of edinburgh is back with his family to spend christmas on the sandringham estate. Not just from the royal family, but also people who work on the estate, who say they see that him quite a lot, he walks around the estate, they check to him and he feels like part of the family. They are pleased he is back to spend christmas with his family. We will next see the royals tomorrow morning as they go to church, as they do on christmas morning, we dont know if Prince Philip will be there. Firstly, he has just been discharged and secondly because he did not go last year and since retiring from public life in 2017, he has been out a lot less in public, preferring to spend time on his own activities. Who we do think well be there, Prince George and princess charlotte, they will be there. Prince williams older children making their debut on Christmas Day. A lot of people who come down here to see the royals will be very excited by that. Prince andrew, we are expecting him to come down. There was speculation that he would not come on Christmas Day because of the scrutiny and criticism surrounding his friendship with the convicted sex offender jeffrey epstein, and also that bbc newsnight interview which created headlines across the world, mainly negative, but apparently he will be here tomorrow. Speaking to staff working on the estate, they are expecting around 6000 people to come and see the royals tomorrow. Itjust shows you that despite the bumpy year, as te queen said, there is still a lot of interest in the royal family. The duke of edinburgh leaves hospital, in time to spend christmas with the queen. Prince philip was discharged afterfour nights in hospital, and headed straight to sandringham to join his family. Its welcome news for the queen who, in her christmas message, describes the past year as quite bumpy. Also on this afternoons programme. The hidden victims of australias bushfires, helped by the firefighters working around the clock. And, on Christmas Eve, why last minute shopping may not be such a bad idea. Good afternoon. The duke of edinburgh has returned to sandringham for christmas after leaving hospital in london. Prince phillip, whos 98, spent four nights in the king edward vii hospital on the advice of his doctor. His return to norfolk comes as its been revealed that the queen will describe 2019 as a bumpy year in her christmas message. Heres our royal correspondent nicholas witchell. Afterfour nights in the king edward vii hospital, the duke emerged this morning and walked, slowly but without assistance, to the waiting vehicle. There has been no information about the reason for his stay at the hospital. In the past, he has been treated there for bladder and chest infections. Whatever the nature of this latest episode, the duke, who is 98 now, has clearly satisfied his doctors that he is well enough to return home. A helicopter took him from Buckingham Palace to the queens sandringham estate where the royal family is gathering for christmas. In her christmas broadcast tomorrow, the queen will talk about a past year which has felt quite bumpy. She doesnt clarify what it is that has been bumpy, which will inevitably invite speculation. These are her words. Talking about reconciliation, she says. The obvious conclusion is that this is a coded message from britains head of state, urging the country to try to move on from the divisions of the brexit debate. But the reference to a bumpy year may also be taken to refer to events within her own family, after a year which began with the duke of edinburghs road accidentjust outside the sandringham estate, which continued with the duke and duchess of sussex complaining about the problems, as they see them, of being in the public eye and which culminated most recently with the controversies surrounding prince andrew, which forced him to step back from public duties. For the queen, who arrived norfolk at the end of last week, there is at least the reassurance of knowing that her husband will be with her over christmas. Absent, though, are the sussexes. They are in canada. This is their Online Christmas card a picture of them with their seven month old son archie. But the other principal members of the family will all be there. This was george a few days ago, stirring a christmas pudding with his father, grandfather and great grandmother. The royal familys christmas is ready. Nicholas is with me now. In terms of the queen talking about a bumpy year, tell us more about what those elements might be. A bumpy year, tell us more about what those elements might hem would be so much simpler if she would be so much simpler if she would be so much simpler if she would be a bit more explicit, wouldnt it . We can only look at the context wouldnt it . We can only look at the co ntext a nd wouldnt it . We can only look at the context and we know from the extracts which Buckingham Palace has released that one of the themes of the broadcast tomorrow is reconciliation. We know that she will talk about the 75th anniversary of d day, a former sworn enemies coming together and in the context of reconciliation she says the path can be quite bumpy, as we have found this year. She talks about small steps overcome deep seated divisions and long held differences. Surely that can only be a reference to the political divisions that we have seen political divisions that we have seen over political divisions that we have seen over the past 12 months as a result of the brexit debate. As head of state, she found herself being forced by her Prime Minister into the prorogation of parliament which turned out to be unlawful and that is quite a bump for her. I think that that is what she is referring to although inevitably, it is undeniable that it has also been a bumpy and difficult year for the royalfamily bumpy and difficult year for the royal family but we will have to wait and see till three oclock tomorrow afternoon to see the broadcast in its entirety. We will predict for now, thank you very much. People in the australian state of New South Wales have been showing their gratitude to the volunteer firefighters battling huge bushfires, by donating christmas presents. Since september, nearly 3,000 volunteers have been out every day trying to control the blazes which have engulfed vast areas. 0ur correspondent phil mercer sent this report. Koalas and other Australian Animals are the unseen victims of the fires. Much of their habitat has been destroyed and the survivors need all the help they can get. The true extent of australias bushfire crisis is gradually emerging as the charred remains of devastated towns are inspected. Since the start ofjuly, the authorities here in New South Wales say almost a thousand homes have been destroyed by the bushfires. This property was devoured by flames that tore up through a gully at the back. Communities like this terrorised by fires that, in many places, are simply burning out of control. We just want to make sure that you guys have got stuff for your community. The damage would be far worse without the efforts of volunteer firefighters. Here in buxton, locals have been showing their appreciation to those who have been working around the clock to keep the town safe. It is just overwhelming support, with obviously all the presents and stuff for the kids. I havent even done any Christmas Shopping or anything for my daughter. She will turn one on january the 11th. To boost the emergency efforts, the australian Prime Minister, scott morrison, says that volunteer firefighters who have jobs in the Public Service will be given four weeks paid leave. Some have been battling the fires for months and, with no end in sight to the crisis, a long, dangerous summer lies ahead. Phil mercer, bbc news, New South Wales. Police in new zealand have called off the search for the bodies of two people missing since the volcano eruption on white island earlier this month. Police say they took the decision after extensive shoreline and aerial searches. The bodies of Hayden Marshall inman, who was 40, and 17 year old Winona Jane Langford are thought to be in the water off the island. Ms langfords parents were among the 19 People Killed by the eruption. Police in hong kong have fired tear gas at pro democracy protesters whove been holding rallies. The demonstrators had gathered around shopping malls and areas popular with tourists. Some activists threw umbrellas and other objects at the police, who responded by beating them with batons. Thousands of people have been arrested since the unrest began injune. A Record Number of cattle were slaughtered last year because of bovine tuberculosis nearly 16,000 and the disease is considered a significant Animal Health problem for the uk. Now one farmer on the west coast of wales is fighting back, by trialling a new test that could help spot infected cows that are being missed by the current checks. More details from our science correspondent richard westcott. It may look idyllic, but theres a shadow hanging over this welsh dairy farm. Injust three years, more than half the herd thats 320 animals have been slaughtered because of bovine tuberculosis. Its been quite astonishing, the. Do i use the word devastation, that its caused my business. No one likes getting onto a sinking ship every morning, and thats how it feels because, you know, were constantly losing animals, 25 to 35 animals every test. In a bid to save his farm, chris and his vet rob have been given government permission to try something different. The current tb test is prone to miss infected animals, who then rejoin the herd. So they are amongst the first to trial a new type of test that should be better at finding those missed infections. I think the difference it could make is we will detect animals sooner, be able to manage or remove those animals before they become infectious, and therefore, overall, we should be able to shortcut the disease and stop the reinfection of animals within the herd. At the university of nottingham, one of the scientists who devised the new technique analyses blood from wales. Current tests involve giving an animal parts of tb bacteria and seeing how its skin reacts. But it doesnt always work. The new technique uses a virus called a phage to smash open the cells of any tb in the blood and pull out its dna. This machine can then spot it, even if there is only a tiny amount. If you have really good testing, you have the skin test and then you have this additional test on top of it, is that enough, do you think, to ultimately get the country clear . I hope so. I really believe that. And if our test is part of the toolbox that helps us control the disease, thats all we are after. Initial results from wales look promising. 18 high risk animals recently given the all clear by the official tests came up as infected with the new technique. But they will need to test hundreds more animals in many different areas before we know for sure if this is an effective new weapon against the old disease that we still cant control. Richard westcott, bbc news, ceredigion on the west coast of wales. Pilgrims from around the world have been gathering in the city of bethlehem, revered by christians as the birthplace ofjesus, to celebrate christmas in the holy land. Thousands converged on the town in the Israeli Occupied west bank, with Christmas Eve festivities taking place in and around the church of the nativity. From bethlehem, our correspondent Barbara Plett usher sent this report. This is bethlehems time of year, when it invites the world to celebrate the story of a humble birth that changed history. Its a tradition for palestinian scouts to set the pace of festivities. This time, perhaps, with an extra spring in their steps. Bethlehem is enjoying its busiest tourist season in two decades, a bright spot despite dark times for the palestinian economy. And for bethlehems christians, there is a special gift from the vatican, a splinter of wood believed to be from jesus manger. Its small but a big boost for a community decimated by waves of emigration. Yet in the holy land, the christmas cheer is always wrapped in political realities. The procession of christian leaders from jerusalem crossed into bethlehem through an israeli Army Checkpoint and a concrete barrier that separates the two cities. If we look to our human realities, politics, social, economics, we have not so much hope. 0n the other side, i see everywhere i go in the communities commitment, volunteers, desire, especially in the youth, to do something for their society, for theirfamilies. The patriarch will be leading the Midnight Mass here in manger square at the church wherejesus is said to have been born, the highlight for locals and pilgrims alike. Its a Merry Christmas here. Lots of sparkling lights and happy people tonight. But in this town, in this region, the situation is fragile. Perhaps the only permanent thing is faith. Barbara plett usher, bbc news, bethlehem. Now, hundreds of thousands of us have, apparently, been out on the high street doing our chrismas shopping today. Figures from the Polling Company yougov suggest i2 of people use Christmas Eve to find bargains. In previous years, last minute shopping hasnt brought any real savings, but thats changing, as struggling retailers discount their goods before the big day. 0ur Consumer Affairs correspondent Colletta Smith followed three shoppers on their last minute dash. Racing through the shops just hours before christmas, scott still has gifts to find. And hes not alone. Joining him for the last minute dash is his disorganised mate, dean. Theirfriend nick makes it three dads in the final frenzy. But are they the modern day Three Wise Men . Ive got an idea of what i need to get. Ive got a cheeseboard. What, youve made a list . For my son. Cheese, bread. No, actually thats the wrong list. Is thatjust your Shopping List . So, its usually Christmas Eve, we go shopping every year, in a panic situation. Usually end upjust in the pub. Something for my daughter. They are certainly not alone. More than one in ten of us doing our shopping in december will finish present buying in the final 48 hours. Describe your daughter to me. Shes eight. No, shes not oh, my god but this year, could scott and his mates actually be making the best choice . Thank you very much. Merry christmas. Yes, you too. Sue used to be a top director at house of fraser. She says the early sales are bad news for retailers but good news for shoppers. This year there are some great things on offer at very reduced prices, because many retailers, after black friday at the end of november, have maintained their reductions and gone on their winter sale, normally on boxing day, a bit earlier. The biggest problem with last minute buying is the panic factor. Debt Charities Warn that despite decent offers, people are more likely to become desperate and blow the budget as a result. So, will the lads stick to their 11th hour Shopping Habits . I dont really plan, but, yeah, it always seems to sort itself out after a while. Its probably not the best way to do it, but then you do get the odd little bargain so you think, oh, its worth doing, rather than just buying online. Probably still be here on Christmas Eve next year but, again, ill probably do quite a lot of it online. Perhaps not exactly the Three Wise Men, but their last minute present dash is no longer the daft idea it once was. Colletta smith, bbc news, in manchester. Good luck to them were back with the late news at 11 25pm. Now on bbc one its time for the news where you are. Goodbye. Hello. This is bbc news. Boris johnson and Jeremy Corbyn have thanked nhs staff and other Public Servants who work through the holidays in their christmas messages. The Prime Minister said the uk stood in solidarity with christians around the world, who have faced persecution for their beliefs. Mr corbyn said it had been a difficult year for many, but christmas was a chance to reflect on hopes for a better world. Were hearing more about the Prime Ministers plans for the new year. 0ur political correspondent, mark lobel, told us earlier how mrjohnson isjetting off with his girlfriend Carrie Symonds to the private island of mustique in the caribbean. He will be staying with friends when he goes, but he is not going just yet. He has taken a call in downing street from the present of turkey president of turkey and will be spending Christmas Day in downing street with carrie and his dog. He sent out a christmas message, praising the doctors, nurses, police and army members working over christmas and also highlighting the plight of persecuted christians. Some people will say, you are off on a nice caribbean island, you deserve it after a long break. A labour source has said that boris is a proud member of the elite who will protect our bankers and billionaires, no surprise he holidays with them. As the leader of the peoples government, perhaps he will get some stick for that. He is paying for it himself. Other leaders have travelled abroad, tony blair used to go to barbados to hang out with cliff richard. David cameron spent a lot of time in cornwall, but also travelled abroad. Theresa may went on walking holidays in snowdonia where she called the infamous snap election. For borisjohnson, we need to distinguish been the personal and political, and he has banned ministers from going to the annual gathering in the swiss resort, economic gathering. A downing street source told the Evening Standard that our focus is on delivering for the people, not champagne with billionaires. The slight irony of that is that the owner of the paper hosted a party the night after borisjohnson won his landslide victory, and the guardian said it was a champagne fuelled, caviar fuelled christmas party. You do have an equal measure of celebrity and politician in Boris Johnson that many close to him speak about, and perhaps no surprise he goes to these parties, but even when he is in the caribbean for a holiday, no suggestion that he will be handing over power to a deputy, so he will still very much be in charge. Doctors are warning of the dangers posed by small button batteries that can be found in toys, Christmas Lights and musical cards. If swallowed, the batteries can burn through a childs throat in a short period of time. The Child Accident trust says two children a year die in the uk from swallowing the batteries. 0ur Health CorrespondentDominic Hughes has more. Claire still remembers vividly the events of 2015. At the age of two, her daughter sophie came dangerously close to death after swallowing a button battery. It badly damaged her throat and burned a hole in her lung, leaving sophie in intensive care and needing multiple operations. If they swallow one and they leave it, it can be fatal. And if it wasnt for my Quick Response and getting up there, because within two hours it had already done damage, it is not worth thinking about, really. They are really dangerous and things escalate so quickly. This speeded up footage shows how fast a button battery can cause damage. Slices of ham represent the delicate tissues of the throat, saliva reacts with the battery to release caustic chemicals. Within two hours, the flesh is already scorched. Senior doctors say it is important that batteries in toys, lights, clothing and cards are kept safe. Because children mistake these things as sweets, keep them out of reach where they cant get to them. If they come in compartments, in toys, christmas cards, make sure they are in there, locked away if possible. Better to prevent than have to go to an a e department, but if you do have to go, our great nhs staff will be there to locate and remove the battery. Sophie has made a good recovery but her mum knows it was a close call. And not an experience anyone else should go through. Residents in villages in the falkirk area of scotland were left without power for a number of hours earlier, after a car left the road and hit an electricity pylon. It happened on the a905 at airth forcing the road to be closed, which may now be shut for most of the day. The Scottish Ambulance service said a male casualty was taken to the forth valley royal hospital. Time for a look at the weather with nick miller no White Christmas this year but perhaps a bit better gift is a break from the rain. A good deal of sunshine out there but i am afraid the break does not last long, here comes low pressure as it turns wet and windy again in time for boxing day. Lets look at things going into Christmas Day. This is how the rest of the night is shaping up. Showers will be fading from many of us, still some for some areas but many skies clearing, when the easing, temperatures nothing away. A cold innate, close to freezing at least a growing frost in some spots, death in below freezing. Maybe one or two icy sports, but remember the reg of High Pressure . That is the settled weather for Christmas Day. A chilly start with a touch of frost but plenty of dry, sunny weather on the way and good news if you are travelling. A caveat if you are travelling after dark, i will get to that. There will be some cloud, and a few showers brushing northern scotland but fading and high cloud beginning to push on toward South West England and Northern Ireland and wales. Ahead of the weather system it will feel cold, particularly the southern half of the uk, travelling 0k until we get after dark when we could see some fog developing, particularly through north, central and eastern parts of england, could be dense in places. A lot of that will lift going into the morning, the breeze will freshen in the west, turning wet as the atlantic weather system moves in the band of rain. Temperatures heading up as the night goes on, still quite chilly, the further north and east you are, with a test of frost in parts of scotland. Boxing day, a very different look to the weather, more cloud around this area of rain moving north and east, summerhill snow, a bit of breeze, for wales and South West England later in the day. Still chilly in the north east, temperatures nor mild in the south east, more mild going into next weekend. A lot of dry weather around, occasional rain towards scotla nd around, occasional rain towards scotland and Northern Ireland. Christmas forecast is shaping up and from everyone here, have a very Merry Christmas