British panto production blends holiday tradition with Muslim culture and humor

In our news wrap Saturday, Russia attacked Ukraine's capital with a barrage of missiles and drones a day before Trump and Zelenskyy are set to meet, a quick-moving winter storm snarled holiday travel across the Great Lakes and Northeast, and California dropped its lawsuit against the Trump administration over the cancellation of more than $4 billion in federal grants for a high-speed rail project. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

President Trump said that he delayed U.S. military strikes in Nigeria until Christmas Day to deliver a message to groups he alleges are targeting Christians. The Nigerian government praised the attacks and said it provided the U.S. with the necessary intelligence. Nick Schifrin discussed more with former Amb. J. Peter Pham, the special envoy for the Sahel Region during Trump's first term. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Pantomime, or panto, is a family comedy filled with fairy tales, music, slapstick and audience participation and is a holiday season staple across the UK. This year, one production is selling out a retelling of "Snow White" that blends classic panto with Muslim culture and humor, and even teases its online trolls. Independent Television News correspondent Minnie Stephenson reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Ukraine's president has floated a possible compromise to a key Russian demand that Kyiv give up territory in eastern Ukraine. Volodymyr Zelenskyy's proposal could address one of the main sticking points that have bogged down U.S.-led negotiations, but Moscow has given no indication whether it might agree. Nick Schifrin reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

In our news wrap Wednesday, the Department of Justice says it's discovered over a million more documents possibly related to Jeffrey Epstein, an explosion in Moscow killed three people, investigators are searching for what caused a massive explosion at a Philadelphia-area nursing home and a powerful storm is slamming Southern California on the eve of what could be the wettest Christmas in years. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Thousands flocked to Bethlehem's Manger Square on Christmas Eve, the spot where Christians believe Jesus was born. It's in the occupied West Bank, and celebrations were canceled over the last two years because of the Israel-Hamas war. Producer Karl Bostic looks at what life is like for Palestinians who live there. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

We continue with a News Hour holiday tradition in which we ask members of the armed forces to record a holiday song. For Christmas Eve, we bring you "Joy to the World." This video was produced by the Pentagon's Defense Visual Information Distribution Service. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

We have an inside look into one of Ukraine's most rapidly evolving tools in its war with Russia. Small unmanned drones have come to dominate the frontlines, long-range strikes against power facilities and the waters of the Black Sea and Mediterranean. Special correspondent Volodymyr Solohub gained rare access to a military unit that's responsible for some of Ukraine's high-profile drone strikes. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

In our news wrap Monday, Denmark is pushing back against President Trump's move naming Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry as his special envoy to Greenland, Trump announced plans for what he called a new 'Trump class' of warships, a car bomb killed a senior Russian general in Moscow and Jim Beam is pausing production at its main distillery in Kentucky for all of next year. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

For millions of Jews around the world, Hanukkah ended Monday evening at nightfall. A holiday centered on dedication and perseverance, the Festival of Lights is particularly special in Israel, and especially for survivors of Oct. 7, their families and the families of the lost. The News Hour's producer in Israel, Karl Bostic, sent this report from two kibbutzes shattered by terror, and now reviving. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy