Locals in bethlehem to celebrate christmas in the holy land. Hello and welcome to bbc news. Its Christmas Morning in australia but hundreds of families are spending the day in emergency shelters, unable to celebrate in their homes, as the country battles one of its worst bushfire disasters in years. Figures released by firefighters in New South Wales reveal nearly 1,000 houses have been destroyed. Conditions have eased, but another extreme heatwave is due later this week. Prime minister Scott Morrison was criticised for going on holiday during the bushfires. Hes since returned and apologised for being away. He says volunteer firefighters who work in the federal Public Sector will be given an extra four weeks paid leave. Phil mercer reports from New South Wales. 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 emerg
Thousands of worshippers have packed st peters basilica in rome for Christmas Eve Midnight Mass. Pope francis told the faithful that god loves everyone, even the worst of us, and urged them to give thanks. The pope, generally seen as a reformist leader of the catholic church, also spoke of change. This from our rome correspondent mark lowen. In the gilded splendour of st peters basilica, this was a solemn Christmas Eves mass. The seventh that pope francis has led. He talked of gods love, you may have made a mess of things, but the lord continues to love you. That may be seen as continues to love you. That may be seen as some as a reference to church scandals, including sex abuse. Perhaps then, there was a pointed message in his words, we change, the church changes, history changes, once we stop trying to changes, once we stop trying to change others, but change ourselves. Among those taking part in the liturgy were children chosen from countries including venezuela, iraq and uganda, a
A new international research project has found that seaweed and mussel farming can increase wild fish populations and bolster species diversity, whilst also providing a sustainable food source for humans.