this is bbc news — these are the latest headlines in the uk and around the world. the world's most powerful telescope begins its journey to offer unprecedented images of the universe. queen elizabeth is expected to give a very personal christmas message this year — her first since the death of her husband prince philip. christmas day boosterjabs in england — thousands of people are expected to be vaccinated today, as the race to fight the surging omricon variant doesn't stop for the holiday. in his christmas message, pope francis highlighted the tragedies in yemen and syria which he said are being passed over in silence. tributes are paid to the former england and yorkshire captain ray illingworth who has died at the age of 89.

hello and welcome if you're watching in the uk or around the world. one of the greatest scientific missions of modern times has taken a giant leap forward in the last two hours, with the launch of the james webb space telescope. the $10 billion project has taken 30 years to reach this moment. the telescope was launched from kourou in french guiana. it's the most powerful ever built, and the developers hope it will reveal stars and galaxies from the birth of the universe, as well as distant planets which could provide evidence of life beyond earth. our science correspondent rebecca morelle reports. and we have engine start. and lift—off.

the start of a blockbuster astronomy mission. james webb begins a voyage back to the birth of the universe. inside this rocket is the biggest telescope ever sent into space. punching a hole through the clouds. 20 seconds into the flight... this is the james webb space telescope. it's a successor to hubble, but 100 times more powerful. after three decades in the making, and a cost of $10 billion, it's finally on its way. we've never attempted anything like that in space before. we're going to be entering a whole new regime of astrophysics. a new frontier. and that is what gets so many of us excited about james webb space telescope. this space telescope is a feat of engineering. at its heart is a 6.5 metre—wide mirror, made up of 18 hexagonal segments, each coated in a layer of gold. its size means it can detect the incredibly faint light coming

from the most distant stars. it also has a huge sun shield, about the size of a tennis court. it's made up of five layers, each as thin as a human hair, and this protects the telescope from the heat and light of the sun. sitting a million miles away from the earth, the telescope will give us our deepest ever view of the cosmos. from seeing the birth of the very first stars and galaxies, to revealing new planets in far—flung solar systems. what excites me is making discoveries, things we haven't thought about. and there's a whole history of astronomy that shows how, when we've looked at the new universe in a new way, we discover things we hadn't thought about. and there's something really exciting about doing that. to get into space, the telescope is so big, it's been folded up to fit inside the rocket. the most challenging part is getting it to unfurl. it's been practised here on earth, and that's hard enough.

there are 300 points where it could go wrong, but if anything fails in space, the telescope is too far away to be fixed. this is the most ambitious space telescope ever built. now its mission has finally begun and our view of the universe is about to be transformed. rebecca morelle, bbc news. astronomer professor garth illingworth has been involved in the webb project at various stages. he was at mission control and told me more about what it was like to watch the launch. we have scaled it up. we are going to have an incredibly cold telescope and we are going to work in a regime which is invisible to us from our eyes and practically impossible to work from from the earth. and then

we are going to look back through essentially all of time to when the very first stars granny galaxies formed, and how they grew into the magnificent galaxies like our milky way and draw mother today. we are also going to be exploring planets around nearby stars to try to understand their origins. and whether they have a life. and so this is an amazing telescope. and as you say, hubble on steroids, it definitely is. i you say, hubble on steroids, it definitely is.— you say, hubble on steroids, it definitely is. i was only quoting his own words _ definitely is. i was only quoting his own words back— definitely is. i was only quoting his own words back at - definitely is. i was only quoting his own words back at him! - definitely is. i was only quoting his own words back at him! i i definitely is. i was only quoting | his own words back at him! i am delighted at the success of the james webb telescope. 0ur science correspondent jonathan amos gave me his assessment a little earlier. hubble has a mirror that is 2.4 metres across. this thing is 6.5 metres across. this thing is 6.5 metres across. this thing is 6.5 metres across. it is 21 feet. and the performance of a telescope scales with the size of its mirror. and so this thing will have the resolution to really pick out small

details in the cosmos. it is going to pick up the light from, you know, right at the start, from when the first star is ignited. you might ask, why? but you know, you look around, you tap the desk in front of you, it is made of atoms. heavy atoms. if you go back to the big bang, what was created was just hydrogen, helium and a smattering of lithium. nothing more. and it required of the very first stars to forge the atoms heavier than that those three, to make everything to make the iron in your blood, the calcium in your teeth, the silly con and rocks. that all came from the first stars and their descendants. and we would like to see that a pop. we would like to see the light switch on in the universe. webb will show as that. it will be remarkable. volunteers are working at vaccination centres across england today,

as the push continues to give every adult a booster by the end of the month. the nhs says it expects thousands of people to receive theirjab on christmas day. vaccination centres are closed in northern ireland, scotland and wales. as ministers consider whether tougher restrictions are needed in england, the roman catholic archbishop, cardinal vincent nichols, has urged them not to close places of worship. emily unia reports. redbridge town hall in east london is one of a small number of vaccination centres in england that opened this morning, on christmas day, to help bolster the booster programme. fantastic idea to save so many lives. myjob, i am in contact with customers all the time. so i have got to keep myself safe, keep my customers safe. it is family time, the time you want to spend with your loved ones. - it is often in times like that that we get to think- through the real priorities, . and the real priorities are that you want to protect yourself and you want to protect - your loved ones.

the government wants to offer all adults a booster by the end of the year, to tackle the spread of the 0micron variant. this pharmacy in london has been open since eight this morning. they have got about 80 appointments pre—booked, but there is capacity for at least 400 other people to walk in from the streets and get a jab. and there was a very personal reason for opening over the christmas break. i am very close to the owners of the shop. the original owner, he passed away from covid injanuary this year, and it was a horrible experience for his family. and his sons have been working very hard to make sure no on else goes through the same thing as they did. this new variant appears to cause mild illness, which health officials have described as a glimmer of hope. it is still spreading fast, though, prompting scotland, wales and northern ireland

to introduce new restrictions. in his christmas message, the head of the catholic church in england called on the government to keep places of worship open. i think we are at that point of saying we understand the risks, we know what we should do, most people are sensible and cautious. we don't need stronger impositions to teach us what to do, we know. new restrictions for england, known as step two, could see pubs and restaurants serving customers outdoors only, and a ban on different households mixing indoors. a decision on whether to bring england in line with the other uk nations could be taken early next week. emily unia, bbc news. security forces in the sudanese capital khartoum have fired tear gas, in an effort to disperse the latest pro democracy protests. the authorities restricted phone and internet services and blocked roads leading to the city. at least 48 protestors have been killed since a coup in october. general abdel fattah al—burhan who led the coup has warned that protests could impede a smooth democratic transition.

pope francis has called for more dialogue and warned against a tendency to withdraw during the coronavirus pandemic. here's the pope addressing a crowd at saint peter's square during his christmas day speech. translation: sisters and brothers, what would our world be _ like without the patient dialogue of the many generous persons who keep families and communities together in this time of pandemic? we have come to realise this even more. 0ur capacity for social relationships is sorely tried. there is a growing tendency to withdraw, to do it all by ourselves, to stop making an effort to encounter others and do things together. 0n the international level too, there is the risk of avoiding dialogue, the risk that this complex crisis will lead to taking short cuts, rather than setting out on the longer path of dialogue.

yet only those paths can lead to the resolution of conflicts and to lasting benefits for all. a christmas service has been held in a renovated church in indian—administered kashmir for the first time in thirty years. the mayor of the city of srinagar, and other officials, greeted those who visited st luke's church, one of the oldest in kashmir. the 125—year—old of worship was shut down three decades ago, when the separatist violence began in the muslim—majority region. in the queen's christmas day broadcast, she has spoken for the first time — in some detail — about the loss of her husband, prince philip, who died in april. the monarch poignantly reflected on a year of personal grief, saying there was "one familiar laugh missing" amid the continuing impact of the coronavirus pandemic. 0ur royal correspondent,

nicholas witchell, is here. the first she has delivered as a widow and a man who had been at her side for seven decades. how personal did this feel?— did this feel? more personal, actuall , did this feel? more personal, actually, than _ did this feel? more personal, actually, than i _ did this feel? more personal, actually, than i had _ did this feel? more personal, | actually, than i had expected. did this feel? more personal, - actually, than i had expected. that is how it was described to us by buckingham palace, that it would be particularly personal. and actually, i think it's really quite touching. it is really quite a departure from the normal christmas broadcast, which is normally a reflection of the year. this was very personal. and i think one got an impression of the keen sense of loss that she clearly feels for the man who was her husband for 73 years. let's have a listen to how the broadcast open. christmas can be hard for those who

have lost _ christmas can be hard for those who have lost loved ones. for me, since the loss_ have lost loved ones. for me, since the loss of— have lost loved ones. for me, since the loss of my beloved philip, i have _ the loss of my beloved philip, i have drawn great comfort from the warmth _ have drawn great comfort from the warmth and affection of the many tributes— warmth and affection of the many tributes to his life and work, from around _ tributes to his life and work, from around the — tributes to his life and work, from around the country, the commonwealth and the _ around the country, the commonwealth and the world. his sense of service, intellectual— and the world. his sense of service, intellectual curiosity and capacity to squeeze fun out of any situation, were _ to squeeze fun out of any situation, were all— to squeeze fun out of any situation, were all irrepressible. that mischievous enquiring twinkle was as bright _ mischievous enquiring twinkle was as bright at _ mischievous enquiring twinkle was as bright at the end is when i first set eyes — bright at the end is when i first set eyes on him. but life, of course, _ set eyes on him. but life, of course, consists of final partings, as well— course, consists of final partings, as well as — course, consists of final partings, as well as first meetings. and as much _ as well as first meetings. and as much as— as well as first meetings. and as much as i— as well as first meetings. and as much as i and my family miss him, i know— much as i and my family miss him, i know he— much as i and my family miss him, i know he would want us to enjoy christmas _ christmas. a- christmas. a subdued year for her family christmas. — a subdued year for her family as much as many others in this country and around the world. what year coming up where there is a lot to look forward to, for the queen? that is absolutely — look forward to, for the queen? trust is absolutely right. there is very

little in the broadcast about covid. just a passing reference to the fact that covid has again disrupted christmas plans, and it has disrupted her own. she was planning to go to sandringham, but she stayed at windsor instead, and she was joined there today byjust six members of the royal family. the prince of wales and the duchess of cornwall and others. but yes, indeed, looking ahead to next year, which is a significant one for her, for the monarchy, because it will be the platinum jubilee, for the monarchy, because it will be the platinumjubilee, to for the monarchy, because it will be the platinum jubilee, to 70 years since she acceded to the throne in february 1952. and also, the commonwealth games, which are happening here in the united kingdom, in birmingham. next summer, we look forward to the commonwealth games. the baton is currently— commonwealth games. the baton is currently travelling the length and breadth _ currently travelling the length and breadth of the commonwealth, heading towards _ breadth of the commonwealth, heading towards birmingham. a beacon of hope on its _ towards birmingham. a beacon of hope on itsjourney. it will towards birmingham. a beacon of hope on its journey. it will be a chance to celebrate the achievements of

athletes — to celebrate the achievements of athletes and the coming together of like—minded nations. and february, 'ust like—minded nations. and february, just six— like—minded nations. and february, just six weeks from now, will see the start— just six weeks from now, will see the start of— just six weeks from now, will see the start of my platinum jubilee year. _ the start of my platinum jubilee year, which i hope will be an opportunity for people everywhere to en'oy opportunity for people everywhere to enjoy a _ opportunity for people everywhere to enjoy a sense of togetherness, a chance _ enjoy a sense of togetherness, a chance to — enjoy a sense of togetherness, a chance to give thanks for the enormous changes of the last 70 years. _ enormous changes of the last 70 years, social, scientific and cultural, _ years, social, scientific and cultural, and also, to look ahead with confidence. it with confidence. it is _ with confidence. it is only a couple of months since she had to withdraw from some important events, not least, of course, remembrance sunday, which she would never normally miss. what can we say about her health? weill. she would never normally miss. what can we say about her health?- can we say about her health? well, i wish i can we say about her health? well, i wish i could — can we say about her health? well, i wish i could say _ can we say about her health? well, i wish i could say more. _ can we say about her health? well, i wish i could say more. i _ can we say about her health? well, i wish i could say more. i wish - can we say about her health? well, i wish i could say more. i wish i - can we say about her health? well, i wish i could say more. i wish i knew| wish i could say more. i wish i knew more. buckingham palace downplays any question about health as much as possible. it is a sensitive issue. it is nine weeks now since she

cancelled the trip to northern ireland. we have seen very little of her in those nine weeks. there have been some video audiences, conferences and that sort of thing. but of this, really, the christmas broadcast, is the first time we have had a chance to see her for face—to—face —— face—to—face in that sense. i think the planning for the platinumjubilee is proceeding but i think that there is this unknown element, because clearly, all her officials will now put her well—being, her health and well—being, her health and well—being, as the absolute priority, but we are told by buckingham palace that they are still proceeding with plans for the platinum jubilee, but she will be 96 in april of next year, so that, of course, is very much colouring all their thinking. nicholas witchell, as ever, thank you. the former england and yorkshire cricket captain ray illingworth has died. he was 89 and had been suffering from cancer. joe wilson on his life.

ray illingworth, batsman, bowler, leader, a cricketerfor all ray illingworth, batsman, bowler, leader, a cricketer for all seasons. he began his career in the 1950s. it must be out. he finally stopped playing in the 1980s. just think, when he became england captain in 1969, they wondered then if he was too old. ,, ., 1969, they wondered then if he was too old. , .,, 1969, they wondered then if he was too old. , , , too old. some people said this is too old. some people said this is too old. some people said this is too old to start _ too old. some people said this is too old to start being _ too old. some people said this is too old to start being captain - too old. some people said this is too old to start being captain of. too old to start being captain of england? too old to start being captain of encland? , ., _ �*, england? yes, well obviously it's not a ten england? yes, well obviously it's rrot a ten year — england? yes, well obviously it's not a ten year policy _ england? yes, well obviously it's not a ten year policy or— england? yes, well obviously it's not a ten year policy or anything | not a ten year policy or anything like that, — not a ten year policy or anything like that, but i think i am still as on the _ like that, but i think i am still as on the ball— like that, but i think i am still as on the ball as i have ever been. i don't _ on the ball as i have ever been. i don't think— on the ball as i have ever been. i don't think it makes any difference. in don't think it makes any difference. in sydney— don't think it makes any difference. in sydney in— don't think it makes any difference. in sydney in 1971, during a fractious ashes test, he led his players off the field when beer cans were thrown from the stands. yes. players off the field when beer cans were thrown from the stands. yes, he is out. were thrown from the stands. yes, he is out- the — were thrown from the stands. yes, he is out- the end _ were thrown from the stands. yes, he is out. the end of _ were thrown from the stands. yes, he is out. the end of the _ were thrown from the stands. yes, he is out. the end of the match. - were thrown from the stands. yes, he is out. the end of the match. his - is out. the end of the match. his team-mates _ is out. the end of the match. his team—mates carried him off when england won the match and the series. , , , , ,

series. this must surely be the createst series. this must surely be the greatest moment _ series. this must surely be the greatest moment of— series. this must surely be the greatest moment of ray - series. this must surely be the - greatest moment of ray illingworth's quickly— greatest moment of ray illingworth's quickly lie. english cricket appointed a new quickly he. — english cricket appointed a new man today, ray illingworth becomes chairman of selectors. it is today, ray illingworth becomes chairman of selectors. it is time as chief administrator _ chairman of selectors. it is time as chief administrator of _ chairman of selectors. it is time as chief administrator of india's - chief administrator of india's cricket wasn't as selector and coach, he did not secure the results or the dressing room harmony he once sought as a captain. i or the dressing room harmony he once sought as a captain.— sought as a captain. i have fined michael on _ sought as a captain. i have fined michael on two _ sought as a captain. i have fined michael on two counts. - sought as a captain. i have fined michael on two counts. first, . sought as a captain. i have fined j michael on two counts. first, for using dirt, secondly, forgiving incomplete evidence to the match referee. that incomplete evidence to the match referee. �* , incomplete evidence to the match referee. . , ., ., , incomplete evidence to the match referee. . , ., , referee. at his adopted county, leicestershire, _ referee. at his adopted county, leicestershire, and _ referee. at his adopted county, leicestershire, and his- referee. at his adopted county, leicestershire, and his native i leicestershire, and his native yorkshire, he was a master technician. the australians regarded his england as the mentally toughest opponents they faced. there is no higher compliment for a man who span the decade of post—war cricket. ray illingworth, the cricketing legend, whose death has been announced at the age of 89. england faces a daunting task in melbourne tonight as the team faces australia for the third ashes

test. england's 2—0 down going into the famous boxing day test — and to win the ashes, the team needs to win the remaining three games in the series. the eruption of the cumbre vieja volcano in the canary islands has finally come to an end, three months after it began spewing ash and lava. no one was injured during the 85 day ordeal on the spanish island of la palma. but the volcano destroyed more than thirteen hundred homes, churches, and schools, and submerged hundreds of hectares of farmland. last week, us presidentjoe biden and first ladyjill biden were treated to a very special christmas concert at the white house by italian tenor, andrea bocelli, and his children. 0n social media, andrea said a visit to the white house had been a dream of his, which had now become a reality. before he flew to america, journalist colm flynn sat down with andrea bocelli in florence for a bbc radio special, and brings us this report.

he has one of the most recognisable and loved voices in the world. # gloria... # gloria... # in excelsis they are. italian tenor andrea bicelli has sold over 19 million albums, performed across the globe and for a christmas special on the bbc world service, he is giving a rare interview here in florence. andrea bocelli, when you think back to your childhood growing up here in italy, are there any memories that stand out for you from christmas time, any strong memories, that excitement, that magic? translation: i that magic? translation: , , ., ., translation: i remember my dad, one ear, for translation: i remember my dad, one year. for almost — translation: i remember my dad, one year, for almost the _ translation: i remember my dad, one year, for almost the entire _ translation: i remember my dad, one year, for almost the entire year, - year, for almost the entire year, every evening after dinner, would go into a room and do something in

secret. then, on christmas eve, i discovered what he had done. he had built an electric train set. with all the tunnels and the tracks and the switches and the station. he had about an electric train. and on christmas night he gave it to me and my brother. it was such a marvellous gift. # everybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe... andrea grew up in a small town in pisa, italy, and was born with congenital glow,, a degenerative eye condition. he became completely blind at the age of 12, but never let that hold him back. growing up, when did you first realise you had an incredible gift and an amazing voice? when did you realise?

translation:— voice? when did you realise? translation: there wasn't one s - ecific translation: there wasn't one specific moment, _ translation: there wasn't one specific moment, but _ translation: there wasn't one specific moment, but it - translation: there wasn't one specific moment, but it was - specific moment, but it was something that happened quickly, because even when i was a child i was often interrupted by my parents when i was playing and i was told to get up on what was my first stage, the highest step of the fireplace at home. i rememberthey the highest step of the fireplace at home. i remember they always called me over. "andrea, come and sing a song!" my mother and father knew my dream was to become a singer, to live through music. but since realistically that was a gamble, and would be very difficult to achieve, my father, especially, would always say to me, "do what you want, but first, study." say to me, "do what you want, but first, study-"— first, study. " wasn't your father or someone said _ first, study. " wasn't your father or someone said to _ first, study. " wasn't your father or someone said to you, _ first, study. " wasn't your father or someone said to you, when - first, study. " wasn't your father or i someone said to you, when someone pays a dollar to hear you sing, then you can call a singer?—

you can call a singer? exactly, my father said — you can call a singer? exactly, my father said this _ you can call a singer? exactly, my father said this every _ you can call a singer? exactly, my father said this every time. - father said this every time. translation: he father said this every time. translation:— father said this every time. translation: , ., , ., translation: he used to say to me that as long — translation: he used to say to me that as long as _ translation: he used to say to me that as long as they _ translation: he used to say to me that as long as they say _ translation: he used to say to me that as long as they say bravo, - translation: he used to say to me that as long as they say bravo, it's i that as long as they say bravo, it's worth nothing. bravo doesn't cost anything. it isjust an worth nothing. bravo doesn't cost anything. it is just an act of courtesy. but when they pay you a few dollars, you will know the value of your singing. andrea's catholic faith is something thatis andrea's catholic faith is something that is very important to him. and what he says has helped him through life. he has performed at the vatican for three popes, and one performance in particular was extra meaningful. translation: it meaningful. translation: ., , .,y translation: it was the day followin: translation: it was the day following my _ translation: it was the day following my father's - translation: it was the day

following my father's death. l translation: it was the day| following my father's death. it translation: it was the day - following my father's death. it was a very difficult moment to overcome. and naturally, it is indelibly impressed in my mind. [30 and naturally, it is indelibly impressed in my mind. do you think of our impressed in my mind. do you think of your father _ impressed in my mind. do you think of your father a _ impressed in my mind. do you think of your father a lot _ impressed in my mind. do you think of your father a lot around _ of your father a lot around christmas time? translation: i christmas time? translation: ., �* 4' christmas time? translation: ~ ., translation: i don't think that there is a translation: | don't think that there is a day — translation: i don't think that there is a day that _ translation: i don't think that there is a day that a _ translation: i don't think that there is a day that a memory - translation: i don't think that there is a day that a memory of| translation: i don't think that i there is a day that a memory of my father doesn't come to my mind. every day. this santa claus comes to children, yes. but santa claus is coming to town and he is coming to adults. will santa claus be visiting your house this year?—

will santa claus be visiting your house this year? absolutely, yeah. what did you _ house this year? absolutely, yeah. what did you ask— house this year? absolutely, yeah. what did you ask santa _ house this year? absolutely, yeah. what did you ask santa for, - house this year? absolutely, yeah. j what did you ask santa for, andrea bocelli? ., . , what did you ask santa for, andrea bocelli? .. , ., ., bocelli? peace, rest and health. # you better — bocelli? peace, rest and health. # you better watch _ bocelli? peace, rest and health. # you better watch out, - bocelli? peace, rest and health. # you better watch out, you i bocelli? peace, rest and health. i # you better watch out, you better not cry. in florence, italy, column flynn, bbc news. a court in los angeles has ordered the former liverpool footballer daniel sturridge to pay more than 22 thousand pounds, that's around thirty—thousand dollars, to a man who found his stolen dog. the striker had offered a reward for whoever helped to reunite him with his pomeranian — named lucci — but failed to pay up. sturridge was taken to court by foster washington who said he felt let down when the millionaire footballer failed to honour the reward. there is a christmas moral there. you are watching bbc news.

hello and merry christmas from everybody here at bbc weather. we know what adds a little extra meteorological magic to christmas is some snow. that is lacking for much of the uk today. for many it is just a continuation of a grey and damp weather we have seen of late. but we have seen snow and it is officially a white christmas. in shetland, parts of central and eastern scotland, into the high part of the pennines and yorkshire dales as well, there may be some flurries out there through the afternoon. away from some sunny spells in northernmost parts of scotland, it is mostly cloudy. heavy rain through parts of south west, southern england into wales. northern ireland turning particularly wet in armagh mac and darren mike. the wind is

adding an extra bite to proceedings. this is what might site on the thermometer, but when you factor in thermometer, but when you factor in the strength of that wind, particularly through northern and eastern parts of the uk, look at the difference it makes. it will feel like it is at, or even below freezing. whereas it is still mild in the south—west. this rain not moving very much during daylight hours. it does much further north and east tonight and boxing day across more —— much of wales, england, still there in northern ireland. as it runs into cold air across northern england first and then southern and central scotland, then southern and central scotland, the rennes turns to snow. —— rain turns to snow. difficult conditions in the higher route on boxing day, with the snow falling and the wind blowing as well. we could see some snow at relatively low levels for a time. as it moves further north through scotland tomorrow, the far north sing sunny spells. elsewhere,

heavy showers moving through northern ireland, wales and england, but brightening up in the south—west in the afternoon. temperatures a little bit higher, but still feeling colder because of the winter. here is a look at boxing day evening. some clearer spells down towards the south and south—west. elsewhere, a lot of cloud, still some showers or outbreaks of rain. a battle between the mild and cold every christmas weekend. beyond that is the mild air that wins, with areas of low pressure bringing in spells of wind and rain, but pushing milder, even very mild air in places, right across the uk.

this is bbc news, the headlines. queen elizabeth speaks about her personal grief over the death of her husband prince philip in her christmas day message, saying there was "one familiar laugh missing" amid the continuing impact of the coronavirus pandemic. and lift off. the world's most powerful telescope begins its journey to offer unprecedented images of the universe. christmas day boosterjabs in england — thousands of people are expected to be vaccinated today as the race to fight the surging omricon variant doesn't stop for the holiday. in his christmas message, pope francis highlighted the tragedies in yemen and syria which he said are being passed over in silence. tributes are paid to the former england and yorkshire captain ray illingworth who has died at the age of 89.