The news at Christmas
- 25 Dec 06, 02:30 PM
As we all know, the news never stops and a small but dedicated team kept the website fully up to date on Christmas Day. With the death of James Brown, the "Godfather of Soul", the Queen's annual message, as well as messages from church leaders around the world, and continuing conflict in Iraq and Somalia, there was plenty to report. In among those breaking news stories was a report that that scientists may have found a way to stop an alcoholic's craving for drink.
The shared experience of Christmas around the world was marked in our picture gallery of the day, which included two 'Santas' enjoying Bondi Beach. I could tell they were from my home country of Ireland as they had only managed to turn slightly pink in the Australian sun.
Jane Little, a BBC correspondent in Washington reflected on the controversy surrounding attitudes to Christmas, while Huw Williams in Basra reflected on 'just another day' for British troops on duty far from their families.
We also posed the question - for those who chose to escape the frenzy of the kitchen or the sometimes unavoidable tensions of a family gathering(!) - 'Is it OK to go online on Christmas Day?'.
The only difference in the normal newsroom routine here was when the journalists stopped for a festive glass of wine and some top of the range BBC sandwiches. I'm sure you didn't notice the interruption and normal service has now resumed.
Gary Duffy is UK editor of the BBC News website
