Now playing Next musica Flick of the wrist: competition gives budding conductors a chance to shine It's tough at the top in orchestra-conducting and very few make it in this privileged world. A competition run by philanthropist Donatella Flick in partnership with the London Symphony Orchestra gives 25/12/2014
Now playing Next United Kingdom Queen's Christmas speech praises Ebola doctors, calls for reconciliation The Queen has used her traditional Christmas Day broadcast to praise medical workers fighting Ebola in west Africa. She said she had been “deeply 25/12/2014
Now playing Next Greece Food banks provide free Christmas dinners in Greece as austerity cuts bite In Athens, hundreds of people have queued up to take advantage of a free Christmas dinner organised by a food bank. Poverty levels are at an all time 25/12/2014
Now playing Next Russia Snow in Moscow: Winter wonderland or traffic hell The Russian capital has been blanketed in thick snow, making it a winter wonderland for tourists and a nightmare for commuters. It is the first heavy 25/12/2014
Now playing Next Vatican Pope Francis condemns persecution of minorities in Christmas Day address Tens of thousands of people turned out to hear the Pope’s Christmas Day message in St Peter’s Square in the Vatican. Pope Francis spoke about Ebola 25/12/2014
Now playing Next Russia Putin orders freeze on vodka prices The Russian president has ordered a freeze on vodka prices amid an escalating economic crisis. During a meeting Putin told government officials that 25/12/2014
Now playing Next Vatican Pope says world needs more tenderness and empathy In his Christmas Eve Mass at St Peters Basilica in Rome, the pontiff said the world needs tenderness in times of conflict. 25/12/2014
Now playing Next Spain Spain's King says corruption must be tackled Spain's new King Felipe VI said corruption must be stamped out in his first Christmas Day speech. 25/12/2014
Now playing Next France France tells people to enjoy Christmas, but stay vigilant Have a relaxing Christmas, but keep personal safety in mind when out in public, say French authorities. 24/12/2014
Now playing Next Russia Father Christmases meet at Russia-Finland border Russia’s Father Frost and Finland’s Father Christmas have had a festive meet-up on the border of the two countries. The pair exchanged festive 24/12/2014
Now playing Next France First photos of Monaco royal twins Monaco’s Royal Palace has released the first photos of the royal twins. The pair were born on December 10 to Prince Albert II of Monaco and his wife 24/12/2014
Now playing Next Ukraine Ukrainian PM calls on rebels to fulfill Minsk peace deal Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk has called on pro-Russian rebels to fulfill a ceasefire agreement reached in September. He spoke as 24/12/2014
Now playing Next Germany Jailed former Bayern boss returns prestigious award Disgraced former Bayern Munich boss Uli Hoeness has returned a prestigious award following his jail sentence for tax fraud earlier this year. 24/12/2014
Now playing Next Vatican Pope hits out at Cardinals' 'lust for power' In his Christmas greeting to those who run the Holy See, Pope Francis said they were "hypocritical" and had "forgotten the Lord". 24/12/2014
Now playing Next Germany Canadian man guilty in body parts case Canadian Luka Magnotta receives a life sentence for the killing and dismembering of a Chinese student in 2012. 24/12/2014
Now playing Next Belarus Eurasian Economic Union Summit begins with a show of disunity The leaders of Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia and Kyrgyzstan have sealed a deal to introduce a Eurasian Economic Union which will come into 23/12/2014
Now playing Next Ireland Northern Ireland leaders strike deal to save power-sharing government Northern Ireland’s Catholic-Protestant power-sharing government lives to fight another day, after a deal was reached on a range of disputes. The 23/12/2014
Now playing Next Sport Former Klitschko coach dies The former coach of heavyweight champions Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko has died. Fritz Sdunek passed away at the age of 67 following a heart attack 23/12/2014
Now playing Next Switzerland Sony to release "The Interview" in some US cinemas Sony Pictures has done a U turn and says it will release “The Interview” in some US cinemas in time for Christmas. The comedy film about a plot to 23/12/2014
Now playing Next France Santa Claus goes underwater Santa Claus took a break from wrapping presents today to drop by the Paris city aquarium and feed the fishes. Swimming underwater in a full Santa 23/12/2014
Now playing Next Finland Santa sets off for work Santa took the opportunity today to send his Christmas greetings to everyone. He then set off from home in his sled, pulled by a single white 23/12/2014
Now playing Next Ukraine Ukraine to seek NATO membership and step up military presence in war-torn east Ukraine’s parliament has voted to drop its official neutrality in international relations. President Petro Poroshenko pledged on Tuesday to seek 23/12/2014
Now playing Next Russia Russia successfully launches the massive Angara 5 rocket into orbit Russia has succesfully launched its massive Angara 5 rocket. The spacecraft is the first new rocket to be developed by Russia since the fall of the 23/12/2014
Now playing Next Russia Presidents of Central Asian states meet for security talks in Moscow The presidents of five Central Asian states have met at the Grand Kremlin Palace in Moscow for talks on security. Armenia, Belarus, Tajikistan 23/12/2014