Christmas message

Deepfake queen to deliver Channel 4 Christmas message

While the Queen is delivering her traditional message on the BBC and ITV, her digitally created doppelgänger will be sharing its "thoughts" on Channel 4.

Buckingham Palace told the BBC it had no comment on the broadcast.

Channel 4 said the intention was to give a "stark warning" about fake news in the digital age.

Deepfake technology can be used to create convincing yet entirely fictional video content, and is often used to spread misinformation.

In the message, the deepfake will try its hand at a TikTok viral dance challenge.

     

Pope Francis: God still loves us all, even the worst of us

He was speaking to thousands of people during Christmas Eve Mass in St Peter's Basilica at the Vatican.

"You may have mistaken ideas, you may have made a complete mess of things... but the Lord continues to love you," the Argentine pontiff said.

This will be interpreted by some as a reference to Church scandals, including sex abuse, our correspondent says.

Pope Francis will return to St Peter's Basilica later on Christmas Day to deliver the traditional papal message to the world.

Nauru President Waqa delivers Christmas message of love and generosity

“For God so loved the world, He gave His only begotten Son,” was the beginning of the president’s message to the nation, underscoring that Nauruans are proud to embrace being Christians, especially at this time of celebrating the birth of Christ.

President Waqa encouraged brotherly love emphasising that Christmas is a time of happiness, a time for giving and a time for renewing.

Christmas 2018 is particularly special for Nauruans as they continue to celebrate the nation’s 50th anniversary of independence.

Queen's Christmas message: 'I draw strength from unsung heroes'

Volunteers, carers, community workers and good neighbours are unsung heroes whose quiet dedication makes them special, she will say.