this is bbc news. i'm christian fraser. the headlines at 9am. a russian military plane bound for syria crashes into the black sea with 92 people on board. the queen will say she draws strength from "unsung heroes" like carers and volunteers, in her traditional broadcast to the commonwealth later today. crowds have begun gathering at sandringham, to watch the queen and other royals arrive for a christmas day church service at their norfolk estate. also in the next hour. the archbishop of canterbury speaks of the "anxiety and uncertainty" felt by many in the world in his christmas sermon. # oh, come, let us adore him. the most reverend justin welby says the power of god can chase away "the fear of terror". in halfan in half an hour we look back at a momentous year in sport. which included an incredible 12 months for andy murray. that's in oui’ months for andy murray. that's in our review. good morning and

welcome to bbc news. a russian military plane has disappeared from radarjust minutes after take—off from the black sea resort of sochi, according to the country's defence ministry. 92 people were on board the the tupolev—isii including russian servicemen and members of an army band due to give a concert in syria. rescue ships and helicopters are at the crash site six kilometres offshore, and have so far recovered one body, and debris from the sea. a russian official says the crash could have been caused by a technical malfunction or a crew error, but suggested it could not have been terrorism because the plane was operated by the military. the queen has chosen "inspiration" as the theme of her christmas

broadcast this year, and will speak of drawing strength from meeting ordinary people, who have done extraordinary things. she will spend today at her sandringham estate in norfolk with other members of the royal family. the duke and duchess of cambridge will spend christmas day with the middleton family at their home in berkshire. here's our royal correspondent nicholas witchell. the queen recorded this year's broadcast a few days ago at buckingham palace. its theme this year is inspiration and, in the broadcast, she will reflect on the achievements of olympic and paralympic athletes from britain and the commonwealth, many of whom she met at the palace reception in october, and whose achievements, she will say, are now inspiring others. and in this year, when the queen has marked her 90th birthday, she will refer to the inspirational work of the many charities with which she has been associated during her reign. she will talk also of the work of the many unsung heroes she meets around the country — carers, community leaders

and good neighbours. "ordinary people", as she puts it, doing "extraordinary" things. the departure of the queen and the duke of edinburgh to sandringham had to be delayed for 2h hours earlier in the week because both were said to be suffering from heavy colds. buckingham palace has said nothing further about their health, but there's no reason to think they won't be joining other members of the family this morning for the christmas service at the estate. there will be sadness at the news that zara tyndall has lost the baby she was expecting with her husband, mike, in the spring. it would have been their second child. absent from sandrigham this year will be the duke and duchess of cambridge and their two children, george and charlotte. in a break with tradition, they're having a family christmas in berkshire, at the home of the duchess‘s parents, the middletons. britain's senior anglican and catholic archbishops are addressing uncertainty in their christmas sermons. later this morning, archbishop of canterburyjustin welby will talk about fear and division in the world

as 2016 draws to a close. last night, the archbishop of westminster spoke of similar issues. here's our religious affairs correspondent martin bashir. a traditional start to christmas and a solemn midnight mass at westminster cathedral. cardinal vincent nichols began his sermon by quoting the poet wb yeats, referring to a turbulent year, with many fearing that things may fall apart, that the centre cannot hold. the last six months in particular has seen a widespread anxiety and uncertainty at many levels, at life in this country and in those major partnerships and neighbours that we have. so, with europe, with america, with the middle east, financially, economically. it's an unsettling time. the archbishop of canterbury, justin welby, who, like last year,

will deliver his christmas message later this morning, will also address the division and uncertainty that's marked global politics. cardinal nichols said the answer to our insecurity was neither materialism nor the pursuit of selfish interest, but rather a renewed focus on the life of christ. cardinal nichols concluded his midnight sermon by emphasising the fact of christ's birth, which he said was marked in time, recorded in the gospels and celebrated today. pope francis has celebrated christmas with thousands of worshippers at a midnight mass in the vatican earlier on sunday morning, amid heavy security. the head of the catholic church said in his sermon that the true meaning of christmas is being drowned out by materialism. he also denounced the continued

suffering of children, mentioning children in aleppo and those caught in the migration crisis. the american president—elect donald trump says he intends to close his charitable foundation, to avoid any conflict of interest with his presidency. the trump foundation is currently being investigated by new york's attorney general to establish whether it supported a republican political campaign in florida in 2013. the us journalist lynn sweet is a political commentator with the chicago sun—times. at the bottom line here is that donald trump does not give any of his own money to the foundation. he has not given any of his own money between 2009 and 2014, so at the heart of this is a foundation that goes to other people to ask for money. then there is another set of controversies, and this is what the attorney general in new york is looking at, is whether or not there is self dealing. you're not supposed to use a non—profit foundation in the united states to make political contributions, or to help your business.

that's at the heart of it. thousands of people are being urged to leave their homes in the philippines as a super—typhoon roars towards the country's east coast. typhoon nok—ten is expected to hit today, bringing winds of nearly 160 miles an hour. dozens of ports have been closed, as officials warn of potentially the israeli prime minister benjamin netanyahu has cut some of his country's funding to united nations agencies. he's responding to friday night's un security council resolution demanding an end to settlement activities in the occupied palestinian territory. he said the resolution was was biased and shameful. tributes have been paid to status quo‘s rick parfitt who's died in hospital in spain at the age of 68. the guitarist had suffered

a series of health problems, and picked up a serious infection. the queen guitarist brian may said he had "truly joyfully rocked our world". while midge ure said the news was "dreadfully sad". more now on the news of the russian military plane which has crashed in the resort of sochi. debris has been found in the sea. 0ur moscow husband told us about the reaction. russia is certainly shocked, this tupolev—154 jet russia is certainly shocked, this tupolev—15ajet belonged russia is certainly shocked, this tupolev—154 jet belonged to russia is certainly shocked, this tupolev—15ajet belonged to the russian defence ministry. we know it took off from sochi airport in southern russia earlier today, bound for syria, and the russian army base there. a few minutes after take—off,

it disappeared from radar screens and later the russian defence ministry confirmed the plane had crashed into the black sea. a search and salvage operation was launched. the short while ago defence officials said they had located debris fragments from the crashed plane and had recovered at least one body. there is no talk of survivors. this is pretty much a salvage operation. as to who was on board, we believe there were 92 passengers and crew, including members of the russian army's world —famous and crew, including members of the russian army's world—famous song and dance ensemble the alexandra military band due to give a new year is considered to russian servicemen in syria. steve rosenberg in moscow. saying there is no indication there is any terrorist issue. the tupolev—154 has a chequered history. there have been accidents before. we

have had a line from president putin who has ordered a government investigation into the crash, he says the russian prime minister dmitry medvedev will form and head a state commission to investigate the crash, and he has expressed his deepest condolences to the families and friends of the victims. more news on that when we get it. the headlines on bbc news. a russian military plane bound for syria crashes into the black sea with more than 90 people on board. the queen will say she draws strength from "unsung heroes" like carers and volunteers, when she delivers her christmas message later today. meanwhile, crowds begin gathering at sandringham to watch the queen and other royals arrive for a christmas day church service at their norfolk estate. more than 100 skiers have been rescued

after being trapped in cable cars above the mountains in italy. one of the ski lifts failed in high winds, leaving people swinging 30 metres in the air as they headed back to the valley after a day on the slopes. caroline davies reports. lowered back to firm ground after hours stuck hanging above it. these skiers in italy were rescued and winched to safety after strong winds stopped their cable cars. the breakdown happened in northern italy at the alpine resort of cervinia close to the swiss border. it is one of europe's highest skiing resorts and skiers were stuck at an altitude of over 2,500 metres while rescuers tried to reach them. heavy wind meant rescuers could not use helicopters to help those trapped. there was much wind, this rescuer said. we stopped at the pillar and remained there for two hours. now there are the first rescue operations. it took over eight hours to bring

down more than 130 stranded skiers. fortunately, the weather was mild and none suffered from cold exposure. we have been lucky, this skier says, the gondola was heavy but there were moments with gusts of 150 kilometres per hour during which the gondolas were almost horizontal. a scary moment. the resort said on social media that no—one was in danger during the rescue. those safely out were pleased to be back before christmas. caroline davies, bbc news. one year on since their arrival in the uk, the bbc caught up with a syrian family who were one of the first to be brought over as part of the government's vulnerable persons resettlement programme. the ayo family lives in coventry, and the two children have visible scars from a suicide bomb. frankie mccamley reports on how they're settling in to their new lives. a year

ayearon and a year on and with a new addition to the family, and they and their two young children were among the first to come to the country and a government scheme to resettle vulnerable refugees. translation: it is a big change for us. translation: it is a big change for us. it made us forget our concerns especially for the little girls. they are much happier now. the uk has been good for us. the only issue is the language but we are trying to learn. but it is very different from oui’ learn. but it is very different from our country. the family have spent the year settling into their new home in coventry. translation: the community is nice, the people are quite nice. we miss home for sure but what can we do? the children go to school, they are happy. we are happy. they were forced to leave syria

after a bomb exploded while out with others celebrating a kurdish spring festival. their nine—year—old and six—year—old boy left seriously injured. they we re boy left seriously injured. they were taken to iraq for urgent treatment before being brought to this country. the government pledged to settle an extra 100 and the pull making this city their new home. the goals are at a school in the local area. it is really fun and they teach us really well. teachers are good. it is really good. is the weather different? yes. sometimes it rains. and it is called. both still need to undergo surgery but, for this family, theirfocus undergo surgery but, for this family, their focus is undergo surgery but, for this family, theirfocus is on their undergo surgery but, for this family, their focus is on their new lives and what the future may bring. the queen is due to visit the church

of st mary's magdalen near sandringham. crowds are already forming. good morning. big crowds this morning. they have been arriving since 6am. we have 400 people in the queue on the sandringham estate. the hired a gate which will open shortly. they can go nearer to the church where the royal family will be walking up from the estate to their traditional christmas day service. people have come from all over the world. courtney, you have come all the way from pennsylvania. why is it so special? coming to see the queen. and to see my family and friends in england. why is it so special?

it is nice to see the royal family up it is nice to see the royal family up close, we are used to seeing them oi'i up close, we are used to seeing them on tv. if we go across over here, we have another group, where are you from? philippines! just to see the queen. yes. and prince harry. and prince harry. a special occasion for you. it is nice to see the royals up close, looking forward to it very much. are you disappointed not to see prince william and the duchess of cambridge. a little but that is another reason to come back! the queen and the royal family are due to attend the morning service in a few hours. there had been a delay to the trip because the queen and prince philip had heavy cold but we are expecting them to walk those 300 yards from the house to the church

here on the sandringham estate. good to see the philippines represented! we never get a list of who is coming but there were concerns the queen and the duke might not make it feeling the weather. i suppose we shouldn't be surprised because she does like the traditional sandringham. this is a special time of year, to be with the rest of their family, like many of us around the country, a time to be together and have those traditions. yesterday, the royal family had their formal evening traditions. yesterday, the royal family had theirformal evening meal where they exchanged presents. they compete fiercely to see who can give the cheapest and most humorous gift. we are expecting them to be here, the queen is usually driven from the house to the church. the duke of edinburgh normally walks up leading the rest of the family, depending on

his health he may be driven. we will find out in a few hours. 95 this year, the duke. when the family arrived, are the crowds allowed closer to the church? the crowd will line the path leading up the crowd will line the path leading up to the church. the family will walk past and go into the service which lasts 45 minutes. sometimes there is a speaker so we can hear there is a speaker so we can hear the service and carols outside. they will come out, the younger members of the royal family will greet the crowd and received flowers, wish everyone a happy christmas. they will walk back for christmas. they will walk back for christmas lunch which is about an hour. then settled to watch the queen's speech. and then i imagine play games, go for a walk, exchange gifts. this is about spending time together. and that addition which is so important to the queen and the royal family. a bright day in norfolk.

it was raining last year. we will join you later. christmas is a time for family, but if you don't have one it can be difficult. the poet lemn sissay knows exactly how that feels. he was fostered as a baby but when he turned 12 his foster family gave him up. he spent the next five years in and out of children's homes. that's why each year he organises special christmas dinners for young people who've left care. breakfast‘s jayne mccubbin went to meet him as he prepared for one of those dinners in hackney. not everyone has someone at christmas. this isn't my... you're better with words. i'm better with words. lemn sissay understands this. author, poet, broadcaster, orphan. there was nobody there. you were on your own? yeah, i was on my own. if i visited a friend's house, i often felt i was the boy with no family who was going to visit families, you know? jingle bells, jingle all the way. here in hackney he is getting ready

for one of his care leaver‘s christmas dinners, a project that has grown from one city to five cities in four years. all of the gifts here have been donated by strangers and the parties will all be run by volunteers. do we really not know the words tojingle bells? the only reason we do the christmas dinner is so that those young care leavers go away with a memory that they can look onto next year. that's all christmas is, it's the making of a memory for you to look onto next year. so we all come around the christmas dinner table and we all remember, "we did this last year and it was incredible". for a lot of care leavers, the memory was a bad one from the year before. we are creating memories. this is his passion, and for the team that passion is infectious.

this is amanda, who is sorting everybody out. am i right? we have 20 volunteers, 60 young people, four hairstylists, artists, musicians, social workers coming down to do a really amazing christmas day for young people. it's gonna be amazing. this is sabrina, who is the hair woman and stylist and she is pretty incredible! as a care leaver myself, i know how important it is to give self—esteem and to feel like people care. this incredible man is ryan. ryan is going to be the chef for the evening. when i was 14, i went into temporary foster care for a weekend and it sort of turned into nearly five years. christmas is about family and not everyone is lucky enough to have it. the best part of the day

was sitting down and having a meal with all the people. messages from previous dinners show just how much they mean to ca re leavers. everyone looks happy. i won't ever forget this day! everything was spot on. amazed by it, amazed by everything. i hope they have one next year as well! and that is totally the plan. all: merry christmas! now, if you're already missing the excitement this year's strictly come dancing had to offer, i've got some good news for you. later today, there'll be a strictly christmas special, where dancers past and present will tango, jive and cha—cha it out, to get another chance of winning that coveted glitter—ball trophy. i went behind the scenes to take a look at what gives the christmas episode, that fabulous magic and sparkle. it may not look like much from the outside.

but, behind closed doors, it's a different story. welcome to elstree studios, the home of strictly come dancing. this is where the magic happens. it's been another year of sparkles, sambas and salsas and last weekend, ore odube wowed the audience and judges with joanne clifton. it was an emotional end to the series as the grandfather of strictly len goodman bid an emotionalfarewell after leading the judging panel since the programme started 12 years ago. but he's back for one last time with six former contestants taking to the stage for a christmas feast that will not disappoint. so, what does it take to put a festive bonanza

of a show like this together? behind the scenes at strictly, all these fantastic costumes. so much work goes into these. this department is where it all happens. jane, hello! the christmas show is christmas themes. we've got love actually, home alone, frozen. is there more glitter or more snow? a bit of both. always more glitter. we endeavour to make everything sparkly and christmassy. taking part in this year's series threw me out of my comfort zone completely. it was totally different to anything i'd ever done before, but i loved every minute of it. and coming back to the studios, well, it was like i had never been away. bumping into familiar faces, catching up with old friends. and how are this year's competitors finding it? like giving birth.

you remember the good bits, not how scary it is to get out on the dance floor. my family are coming to me for christmas and we always watch strictly. my mum hasn't been on social lmedia, and has been away and doesn't know i'm doing the christmas special. what should we expect from you? i'm doing the charleston. music from elf. it's very quick but it's very fun. i'm working on my swivel. he's got it! my charleston isn't. .. you've got heels. tell us about the outfit. your theme is frozen, your elsa. elsa.

the handsome prince. he's so popular. he's magnetic. the pink bowtie, it does it all. it's a privilege for me. it's mine. i'm the luckiest. too much love here! i still have my backstage privileges and managed to sneak into bros starr matt goss before the show. i've been here a few times now and i'm always amazed at the sets. they throw everything at it. the amount of detail. in the meantime, merry christmas from everyone on the dance floor. merry christmas, breakfast. have a wonderful, brilliant christmas day. we hope you have a joyful family

cuddles, best presents. you can catch the strictly christmas special later today on bbc one, at 6.45pm. staff in a hospital in the american city albuquerque have been making the most of the special deliveries this christmas. newborn babies have been keeping warm inside stockings. it's become something of a tradition, and volunteers say that some parents still have their stockings even though their children have grown up. although it seems not everyone this year was equally impressed by their festive outfits. it is balmy out there. double digit temperatures around the country. good morning. very mild so far this christmas day with temperatures in double figures. a fan of wet weather will think southwards as the day

goes on. behind that, turning clearer and colder. ahead of that, plenty of cloud, western errors seen outbreaks of rain. to the east of high ground, some sunshine. up high ground, some sunshine. up to 15 celsius. but turning colder in scotland and northern ireland this evening. it isa this evening. it is a windy christmas day, into tomorrow in northern scotland with wintry showers overnight. boxing day will have a colder feel, particularly across scotland with snow showers on low levels. there is an amberwarning snow showers on low levels. there is an amber warning from the met office for the northern isles, 80 miles an hour from storm connor. elsewhere, a lot of dry weather and some sunshine, feeling cold. free and free and a russian military plane bound for syria crashes into the black sea with 92 people on board. the queen will say she draws strength from "unsung heroes" like carers and volunteers,

in her traditional broadcast to the commonwealth later today. crowds have begun gathering at sandringham, to watch the queen and other royals arrive for a christmas day church service at their norfolk estate. the archbishop of canterbury speaks of the "anxiety and uncertainty" felt by many in the world in his christmas sermon. only news we're getting from the palace. we heard that the royals we re palace. we heard that the royals were expected by buckingham palace is saying the queen will not be going to mary magdalene church today because she is suffering from a

heavy cold. she delayed her visitor to sandringham because they were feeling under the weather, both higher and the duke of edinburgh, and it seems it has got the better of her