all its aircrafts briefly due to a vendor technology issue. one of the worst starvation crises in modern times. a new report says famine in sudan has expanded. a record—smashing kiss of the sun, as nasa's solar probe makes history, with the closest ever approach to the star. and pope francis will mark christmas eve with a special ceremony shortly to launch a jubilee holy year for catholics around the world. hello and welcome to bbc news. hello and welcome to bbc news. american airlines says one of the busiest travel days american airlines says flights are resuming flights are resuming after it was forced to briefly after it was forced to briefly ground all services ground all services at the start of christmas eve, at the start of christmas eve, one of the busiest travel days

of the year. the airline blames a vendor technology issue but says it has been resolved. the computer outage led to some passengers being told to get back off their plane shortly before they were due to take off. one passenger posted this on social media. over intercom: thank - you so much for your patience. if you would so kindly grab your belongings... american airlines computers are down. we are deplaning. breaking news. i think this is a national computer failure. american airline computers are down. we are getting off of the plane. with me is david waddell, who has been reporting on this. tell us what is happening because this is a horrible day for this to happen?— because this is a horrible day for this to happen? yes, who wants to _ for this to happen? yes, who wants to be _ for this to happen? yes, who wants to be stranded - for this to happen? yes, who wants to be stranded to - for this to happen? yes, who l wants to be stranded to either go home or get away from home. there are delays of either one

or two hours and early in the morning it may have seemed to passengers that they weren't going to get where they were going. american airlines blames a vendor technology issue but that was resolved within an hour of the stop card by the federal aviation administration. those flights are now running but there may be knock on delays. many passengers are trying to go where they want to go and american airlines flies huge numbers of passengers. the? american airlines flies huge numbers of passengers. they are the hugest _ numbers of passengers. they are the hugest airline _ numbers of passengers. they are the hugest airline in _ numbers of passengers. they are the hugest airline in the - the hugest airline in the world and america?— the hugest airline in the world and america? yes. they operate 600 to 800 _ and america? yes. they operate 600 to 800 flights _ and america? yes. they operate 600 to 800 flights away - and america? yes. they operate 600 to 800 flights away in - and america? yes. they operate 600 to 800 flights away in 48 i 600 to 800 flights away in 48 countries. york

slightly down on the new york stock exchange. just over half of 1%. these incidents do have a knock—on impact on the financial challenges that accompany faces. when american airlines and other companies were affected by the crowdstrike software glitch over the summer cost american airline half $1 billion and it is unclear what this will affect them but it seems the issue has been resolved more quickly. issue has been resolved more cuickl . . ~' ,, , issue has been resolved more cuickl . ., ~ , . famine is spreading in sudan, according to a global hunger monitor. the famine review committee of the integrated food phase classification, ipc, says warring parties continue to disrupt humanitarian aid needed to alleviate one of the worst starvation crises in modern times. it says famine conditions have been confirmed in two camps for internally—displaced people in el—fashir, also in parts of the darfur region and south kordofan state. another five areas are expected to slip into famine by may next year. the ipc says about 24.6 million people, about half of all sudanese,

urgently need food aid. our correspondent richard kagoe is following developments from nairobi. i asked him just how bad the situation in sudan had become. the situation is dire because you're looking at half of sudan's population being classified as desperately in need of aid. we are looking at camps for internally displaced persons and residential areas also around the nuba mountains. also a cautionary statement they are being issued by the committee saying that also around 17 areas of famine and an additional five would be in the next five months, bringing the total to ten. so the situation is desperate.

but then, of course, there is the position of the sudanese authorities, who say that the report is not quite reflective of the situation on the ground because they didn't take into account malnutrition data and also crop productivity since the last rainy season. it is a very troubling situation because based on the last assessment at a camp, home to half a million people, there has been increasing tension between humaitarian aid organisations and the sudanese authorities. that is our correspondent in nairobi. let's take you to syria now. the group hts, which is effectively in control of much of syria, says it has now absorbed all armed factions into the country's armed forces. syria's de facto leader ahmed al—sharaa has reached an agreement

with former rebel faction chiefs, after meetings over the last few days. but it's not clear which groups were included, nor whether forces in areas which were not previously controlled by the government or groups linked to hts are covered by the agreement. meanwhile, protests have erupted in syria over the burning of a christmas tree in a christian—majority town near hama. demonstrators took to the streets of the capital damascus, calling for the new ruling faction, hts, to punish those who are responsible. bbc arabic s heba bitar was at a protest in damascus. whoa these are protest after a christmas tree was burned. it is being called for unity despite religion. these protesters want to stress they are not a minority. translation:- are not a minority. translation: ~ ., .,

translation: we are gathered toda for translation: we are gathered today for accountability - translation: we are gathered today for accountability for - today for accountability for those who commit a violation. we support hts and we are not against the rules but we want accountability.— against the rules but we want accountability. their chance insist that _ accountability. their chance insist that the _ accountability. accountability. their chance insist that the movement i accountability. their chance insist that the movement isi insist that the movement is peaceful. this comes a few against the rules but we want accountability comes a few peaceful. this comes a few hours before christmas hours before christmas celebrations are due to take place in several damascus celebrations are due to take place in several damascus churches. security personnel churches. security personnel from hts which is currently running matters in syria rushed to the area. they told us they running matters in syria rushed to the area. they told us they were there to protect the were there to protect the demonstrators. demonstrators. translation: ., , translation: ., , translation: to be honest, we are not protected, _ hama. want protected, we are translation: to be honest, we are not protected, we _ translation: to be honest, we are not protected, we are - are not protected, we are are not protected, we are scared. — are not protected, we are scared. they need to publicly scared. — are not protected, we are scared. they need to publicly catch — scared. they need to publicly catch those who are creating catch — scared. they need to publicly catch those who are creating problems and if they are problems and if they are foreigners, they should leave. foreigners, they should leave. hts said — problems and if they are fore said 5, they should leave. foreigners, they should leave. hts said that foreign fighters problems and if they are fore said that ey should leave. problems and if they are fore said that foreign ld leave. had been detained over burning problems and if they are fore said that foreign fighters, the christmas tree in hamas but hts said that foreign fighters �* burning had been detained over burning the christmas tree in hamas but locals are still worried —— in locals are still —— in locals are still worried —— in

hama. let's ta ke let's take you to a future just now. —— 28 view now. are continuing to celebrate christmas (live shot)these are live pictures from these are live pictures from a church in damascus. we'll keep you up to date with all developments as syria's new rulers outline their plans for the country, and all those who live there, here on bbc news. this is a service in the church of st nicholas. it is in the ukrainian capital and as you can see there, the church is being led now in terms of the latest service that it has been a difficult time, particularly for this church because there have been a number of russian drone attacks that have hit areas near the church of saint nicholas. that very much is the

focus there. let's take you now to bethlehem. this is the scene there in the wholly biblical place ofjesus's birth. it is a difficult time in bethlehem and they have decided this year to put forward a much diminished celebration

a nasa spacecraft should by now have passed closer to the sun than any previous man—made object. the parker solar probe has to survive radiation and extreme temperatures as it descends into the star's outer atmosphere.

it's hoped the data it could send back to earth might help solve some of the sun's mysteries. our science editor, rebecca morelle, has the story. our sun, in all its fiery splendour. we've been studying it for centuries, but there's still so much we don't know about it. now the closest—ever encounter is set to finally shed light on our star. three, two, one, zero. nasa's parker solar probe blasted off in 2018, heading to the centre of our solar system. it's been orbiting our star, getting ever nearer, but this latest flyby is taking us to a new frontier, to touch the sun. even though we've had missions that have gone very close to the sun, that wasn't close enough to get into this sort of magic region where all of this physics

and all of this...all of these processes are happening, and the the only way to be able to understand those processes is to fly through them and take the data right where all the action is happening. this mission is breaking records. parker solar probe hurtles past the sun at 430,000 miles an hour. no human—made object has ever gone so fast. it's the equivalent of flying from london to new york in less than 30 seconds. at its closest, it's 3.8 million miles, 6.2 million kilometres, from our star's surface. that's closer than any other spacecraft. it will have to endure scorching temperatures of 1,400 degrees celsius as it passes through the sun's outer atmosphere, known as its corona, and this could solve a long—standing mystery. the corona is really, really hot, and we have no idea why. so, the surface of the sun is about 6,000 degrees or so. for the corona, this tenuous outer atmosphere that you can see during solar eclipses, that reaches millions of degrees, and that is further away from the sun.

so how is that atmosphere getting hotter? the mission is also studying the solar wind, the constant stream of charged particles bursting out from the sun's corona. the probe's even recorded the sounds of the sun. three different types of solar wind. various tones. dispersive chirping waves. langmuir waves. and doctor who—like whistler mode waves. when these particles interact with the earth's magnetic field, the sky lights up with dazzling auroras. but this space weather can cause problems, too, knocking out power grids, electronics and communication systems. the hope is the mission can help us to better understand this. but first, the spacecraft has to survive its burning—hot flyby. i will worry, but we really have designed that spacecraft to withstand all of these brutal, brutal conditions.

it's a tough...tough little spacecraft. during this close approach, the spacecraft is out of communication for several days, so the nasa team face a nervous wait over christmas before they can finally discover the secrets of our star. rebecca morelle, bbc news. let's speak to ken kremer, former research scientist and spacejournalist and blogger on the site space upclose. so good to talk to you and thank you for being here. tell me a bit about the launch at the 2080 because you are there! yes, take you for having me. a merry christmas to all of your viewers around the world —— in 2018. viewers around the world -- in 2018. i viewers around the world -- in 2018- i was — viewers around the world -- in 2018. i was there _ viewers around the world -- in 2018. i was there in _ viewers around the world -- in 2018. i was there in august of| 2018. i was there in august of 2018. i was there in august of 2018 and parker _ 2018. i was there in august of 2018 and parker who - 2018. i was there in august of 2018 and parker who the - 2018. i was there in august of| 2018 and parker who the probe was named after was there and i got to meet him so it was very exciting. this mission will kiss the sun as your reporter said and has a way to measure

and capture particles and determine their elemental composition, to look at protons and electrons so it is actually gathering particles from the sun while it is dipping so close, less than 3.8 million miles. it was absolutely spectacular. we are in the combination, the 22nd orbit going through the sand. that is why it is out of communication. around december 27 or so we said we established that we should re—establish contact and get data. should re-establish contact and net data. ., ., ., get data. how important weather be? your neck _ get data. how important weather be? your neck critically. - get data. how important weather be? your neck critically. we - be? your neck critically. we need to know how the sun operates. need to know how the sun operates-— need to know how the sun operates. need to know how the sun oerates. ~ ., ~ ., , operates. we need to know why is the corona _ operates. we need to know why is the corona so _ operates. we need to know why is the corona so hot? _ operates. we need to know why is the corona so hot? you - is the corona so hot? you talked about that in your report. across america in

indiana earlier this year we had a piece of corona and now they can examine that. further, it impacts birth to an space weather. we have had these northern lights that have actually dipped down into florida where i am this year because we are solar maximum. so we want to understand how that happens and predict a space weather because it can disrupt munication is in spacecraft and aeroplanes and disrupt power grids —— can disrupt power grids —— can disrupt communication. we need to fight against those disruptions.— to fight against those disruptions. to fight against those disrutions. . ~' , ., ., disruptions. thank you for takin: disruptions. thank you for taking the _ disruptions. thank you for taking the time _ disruptions. thank you for taking the time to - disruptions. thank you for taking the time to speak. disruptions. thank you forl taking the time to speak to disruptions. thank you for - taking the time to speak to us and we are excited to get results in a few days' time. now it's time for a look at today's sport with chetan. hello from the bbc sport centre. manchester united manager ruben amorim says marcus rashford does want to play for the club amid speculation the striker

wants to leave old trafford. rashford's missed united's last three games after saying he was ready for a new challenge. after their 3—0 defeat to bournmouth, united are 13th in the premier league and go to wolves on boxing day. amorim says he wants rashford and all his players to meet the challenge ahead. like any other player, the best that they can be. if you have big talent, big performance and big responsibility and big engagement. push forward everybody in this moment. some guys have a big responsibility here because they are here for a long time. so this is maybe one of the lowest moments in our club. so we have to face it and be strong in this moment. that is what i want for every player on the team. australia play india in the boxing day test on thursday. the series currently tied 1—1 with two matches to go. after the third test was drawn. opener sam konstas is set to become australia's youngest

male test batting debutant in over 70 years at the age of 19, and his coach is looking forward to seeing what he can do. we said from the get—go going into the summer we wouldn't shy away and age was no barrier, and what he has shown is an array of shots and to put pressure back onto opponents, and he gets his opportunity, so we are really excited for him. boxing day, the biggest stage. you may as well get that one out of the way early. the international cricket council have released the fixture list for the champions trophy. the eight—team tournament will be held in host country pakistan while india, who refused to travel there, will play their match at a neutral venue in dubai. defending champions pakistan and india were drawn alongside new zealand and bangladesh in group a while england will face australia, south africa and afghanistan in group b. there have been plenty of firsts in the history of the sydney to hobart yacht race which was first held in 1945. an all—filipino crew of 15 sailors will make it another when the annual ocean race begins on thursday. with veteran ernesto echauz, captain of centennial 7,

who starts the race. as one of six international teams out of the more than 100—strong fleet, centennial 7's crew comprises sailors from the philippines' national team and the philippines navy. there was an opportunity last september, early september, when... was for sale so we took the opportunity and were able to acquire it. lo and behold, the yacht is ready to sell. and that's all the sport for now. thank you very much indeed for that. pope francis is set to launch a special holy year

for catholics across the world within the next couple of hours. known as a jubilee, it occurs once every 25 years. pope francis will signal thejubilee by opening the normally bricked—up holy door of st peter's basilica ahead of christmas eve mass. more than 30 million catholic pilgrims are expected to visit rome during the holy year. for more on this, let's speak to catherine pepinster, who is a catholic commentator. it is so good to have you here. thank you forjoining us on bbc news. tell us more about this and why it is so important. the catholic church _ and why it is so important. tue: catholic church has and why it is so important. tte: catholic church has been holding the specialjubilee since about the 13th century. the idea is that people go on pilgrimage, mostly to rome, and they focus very much on prayer at that time, focusing on guard and those you are going the

pilgrimage becomes very important —— focusing on god. the pilgrims walk through the store in thejubilee which is absolutely enormous at saint peter's basilica. they step through it after it has been unlocked today through the jubilee year. it will have been sealed since the lastjubilee and it will be a very great ceremony an occasion which pope francis will enact today and christmas eve. thejubilee that we had in 2000, the millennium year, popejohn paul ii we had in 2000, the millennium year, popejohn paul i! said to young people and children that when we have anotherjubilee, you will be young adults. come to rome for thisjubilee. so i think that is why a lot of young people went. so think that is why a lot of young people went. so it is a

siritual young people went. so it is a spiritual message _ young people went. so it is a spiritual message that - young people went. so it is a spiritual message that runs l spiritual message that runs almost like a thread through generations.— generations. yes. it has a theme and _ generations. yes. it has a theme and pope - generations. yes. it has a theme and pope francis l generations. yes. it has a l theme and pope francis has generations. yes. it has a - theme and pope francis has said that the theme of this jubilee will be that the theme of thisjubilee will be hope. that the theme of this jubilee will be hope. but the whole idea of the jubilee will be hope. but the whole idea of thejubilee comes from the bible used to be a the settlement of the debt as well as trying to move away from your sins —— it is to be about the settlement of debt. it's about focusing on god and fellow human beings. tell us more about _ fellow human beings. tell us more about what _ fellow human beings. tell us more about what the - fellow human beings. tell us i more about what the highlights of the year will be parker solar probe mechanic i think for the pilgrims, the highlight will be going to rome. t for the pilgrims, the highlight will be going to rome.- will be going to rome. i was there in october— will be going to rome. i was there in october and - will be going to rome. i was there in october and the - will be going to rome. i was i there in october and the whole city was in a people and a prayer which places getting ready for thejubilee

prayer which places getting ready for the jubilee to encourage —— ready for thejubilee to encourage —— and all places were getting ready for the jubilee. there will be opportunities to see the tomb of st peter which is usually quite difficult to say, that is peter the first apostle of jesus. —— difficult to see. it is a very momentous thing. but the vatican has embraced technology with this jubilee. it has engaged in a project with microsoft and there is going to be a digital twin of saint 1552 00:23:35,737 --> 0