Vatican’s Latin Patriarchate in Jerusalem Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa told worshippers at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem that suffering in Gaza endures despite a halt in Israel's war, but hope is still present.
Hundreds of faithful had packed the pews long before the Christmas midnight mass service began, filling the ancient space with murmurs, anticipation and prayer.
Security was tight ahead of the arrival of senior Palestinian officials and foreign dignitaries, with scout leaders, who had led marching bands through Bethlehem earlier in the day, now stationed at the church’s narrow doors, checking tickets.
Clergy dressed in white chanted steadily throughout the service, largely in Latin and Italian, as diplomats were ushered to the front rows and their security details stood watch from the back. A stir rippled through the crowd when Palestinian Vice President Hussein Al Sheikh entered the church, following a day of reports suggesting Israeli forces might block his arrival in Bethlehem.
Amid the movement and protocol, worshippers reacted in quieter ways, some visibly tired by the length of the service, others watching the unfolding arrivals with interest, and some were moved to tears.
Shortly after 11pm, the congregation was pressed to the sides of the aisle to make way for the procession of Cardinal Pizzaballa, who paused every few steps to bless the crowds as he moved towards the altar.
In his sermon, delivered more than an hour later, the patriarch said he sensed a return of life and joy to Bethlehem.
“I felt a very beautiful atmosphere in Bethlehem today,” Cardinal Pizzaballa said. “After a long period, I felt the joy and the sound of life, the feeling and spirit of Christmas. I hope that the world will see the other side of the Holy Land, which is not only conflict and war, but life and joy and commitment to life and joy.”
Turning to Gaza, which he visited last week, he said that while the war had stopped, its human cost remained stark.
“Despite the cessation of the war, suffering is still present in Gaza,” he said. “Families live in the rubble, and the future appears fragile and uncertain.”
Yet, he added, Christmas still carried a message of renewal for Gazans.
“The wounds are deep, yet here, too, the proclamation of Christmas resounds,” Cardinal Pizzaballa said. “When I met them, I was struck by their strength and desire to start over, their ability to rejoice again, their determination to rebuild devastated lives from scratch.
“I think they are really having their own special Christmas of new birth and life right now. They are a beautiful testimony to us today.”
For two years, visitors could walk through the Church of the Nativity and enter the grotto with barely another soul in sight. With a ceasefire now in place in Gaza, the crowds have returned, and Bethlehem was once again feeling the Christmas spirit.
“Honestly, I feel amazing,” said Selene Nastas, 17. “It's refreshing to go back and [see] everything becoming normal again.
Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
Read more about the coronavirus
German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
Sinopharm vaccine explained
The Sinopharm vaccine was created using techniques that have been around for decades.
“This is an inactivated vaccine. Simply what it means is that the virus is taken, cultured and inactivated," said Dr Nawal Al Kaabi, chair of the UAE's National Covid-19 Clinical Management Committee.
"What is left is a skeleton of the virus so it looks like a virus, but it is not live."
This is then injected into the body.
"The body will recognise it and form antibodies but because it is inactive, we will need more than one dose. The body will not develop immunity with one dose," she said.
"You have to be exposed more than one time to what we call the antigen."
The vaccine should offer protection for at least months, but no one knows how long beyond that.
Dr Al Kaabi said early vaccine volunteers in China were given shots last spring and still have antibodies today.
“Since it is inactivated, it will not last forever," she said.
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
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'The worst thing you can eat'
Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.
Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines:
Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.
Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.
Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.
Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.
Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.
The UAE's journey to space
