south korea is plunged into fresh political crisis as mps vote to impeach the acting president after only a few days in the job. han duck—soo confirmed he will step aside to avoid more turmoil. the german president officially dissolves parliament — announcing a snap election on february 23rd. azerbaijan airlines suspends flights to seven russian cities following a plane crash in kazakhstan on christmas day. the world health organization says a un air crew member was seriously injured during an israeli air strike on the main airport in yemen — which killed six people. and the bbc speaks to one of the uk's most successful businessmen — sir richard branson — about his struggles with imposter syndrome

we start in south korea, where the political crisis has deepened in the last few hours after mps voted to impeach the acting president. there was chaos in parliament: a majority of lawmakers voted in favour of impeaching han duck—soo — less than two weeks after he was appointed to the leadership, following the impeachment of former president yoon suk yeol over his failed attempt to impose martial law. han is accused of aiding and abetting that attempt and also of blocking the appointment of three judges that parliament had chosen to oversee the case against the former president. this man, choi sang—mok, the finance minister, will now become south korea's third president in two weeks. in the past few minutes he's said the government has ordered themilitary to step up vigilance — amid fears north korea could take advantage of the political situation in the south.

let's show you the latest pictures live outside the south korean parliament and all that political instability and turmoil has sent the south korean currency plunging causing further economic problems as well as political problems as well as political problems in the country. our correspondentjean mackenzie has more from seoul. what has happened is this is the opposition party, right, that had voted to impeach prime minister han, who has been standing in as president ever since yoon suk yeol was impeached just less than two weeks ago. now the opposition party have a huge majority in parliament, which means they have been able to get this vote through. but what happened when it went through was that these members of mr yoon�*s party, the ruling party, they were the ones that got to their feet, surrounded the speaker of the house, started shouting at him. they are angry that he has even

allowed this vote to go ahead. such is now the political animosity between these two parties, total political gridlock in this country. how did we get here? well, over the last couple of days, this row has erupted between the opposition party and prime minister han. mr han has refused to appoint the judges that parliament had chosen to oversee mr yoon�*s impeachment trial. this is the court case that is ultimately going to decide whether mr yoon should be barred from office for good, or whether he should be reinstated, and the opposition party have decided that mr han, by blocking these appointments, is protecting the president and so therefore, they say that he's no longer fit to run the country. what this means, as you said, is that now the finance minister takes over. he is now the third in command. and people here are nervous about that. it's having a real world impact on their lives. and they are asking, well, where does this all end? because what if the finance minister comes in and he also decides not to approve these judges? then the opposition could vote to impeach him as well. and this could continue and continue until essentially, south korea doesn't have a functioning government.

german president frank—walter steinmeier has announced a snap election for february 23rd next year after chancellor olaf scholz recently lost a confidence vote in parliament. here is the president speaking a short time ago in berlin. translation: l have - in the past weeks spoken to leaders of the opposition and the ruling coalition after the no confidence vote. i've explored options for another coalition but have not been able to establish a majority. therefore, i am convinced that for the good of our country, new elections are now the right way forward. for more i'm joined in the studio by lauren taylor. talk us through the implications of this calling of a snap election in february. it was something we expected. what happened is the coalition collapsed in november, olaf scholz�*s governing coalition and he requested the

dissolution of the blunders like after losing the no—confidence vote. the constitution doesn't allow them to dissolve themselves so it was up to the president to make that decision. he has now called election for february the 23rd. but campaigning had started already because people were anticipating an election and we have seen olaf scholz has been trailing behind, he is on the centre—left and he has been trailing behind his rival. but those traditional parties are increasingly being attacked from both sides, from the radical left and the radical right, both by populist parties. this has been happening in the context when germany was reeling from this attackjust recently germany was reeling from this attack just recently on germany was reeling from this attackjust recently on a christmas market when a man drove his car into a christmas market and killed five people and injured hundreds more. the leader of the far—right party had been trying to capitalise on the anger that had come up

through that issue. blaming the government essentially for the failings here and also the immigration policies, even though in this case it seems the suspect was anti—islam and is sympathised with the afd. instability in germany when there is a lot of instability in france. these are the two powerhouses, if you like, the central pillars of the european union? , . , central pillars of the european union? . , central pillars of the european union? , . , . central pillars of the european union? , ._ , union? germany has always been seen as a big. — union? germany has always been seen as a big, powerful— union? germany has always been seen as a big, powerful engine i seen as a big, powerful engine in europe but its economy has been stagnating and we had a survey of german business association say most of them see their current business association is worse than a year ago and they are pessimistic about the current year. the economic institution said germany's economy will not get off the ground in 2025 either. also the collapse of the government means the constitutional break and how much the government can borrow. it is critical if you are going

to try and kick—start an economy, you might want to put money into an infrastructure and buildings and the economy. the cost of living is a major issue and also immigration. but we could have a for a while because the system generally produces coalitions, so you need... it might take awhile to get established. it need. .. it might take awhile to get established.— get established. it will be a busy year _ get established. it will be a busy year in _ get established. it will be a busy year in german - get established. it will be a i busy year in german politics, you, lauren. the kremlin has said it will not comment on the plane crash in kazakhstan — until the official probe is completed. 38 people died when the azerbaijan airlines came down after diverting from an area of southern russia. there were 29 survivors. a number of military experts have accused russia of shooting down the plane, with air defence systems mistaking it for a ukrainian drone. azerbaijan airline said it is cancelling seven of its route into russia.

let's speak to bc russian reporter sergei goryashko who the company has decided to cancel some flights to russia in regards to this air crash. so first of all, flights have been cancelled to russia for the moment and another kazakhstan air company decided to scrap its flights to russia until further notice. azerbaijan airlines hasn't cancelled all flights, said it will keep flying to moscow and some of the cities but they will not be flying to the cities in the russian south where this plane crash has been directed to. where this plane crash has been directed te— directed to. meanwhile the

investigation _ directed to. meanwhile the investigation into - directed to. meanwhile the investigation into what - investigation into what happened continues? investigation into what ha ened continues? happened continues? indeed, the kremlin still— happened continues? indeed, the kremlin still does _ happened continues? indeed, the kremlin still does not _ happened continues? indeed, the kremlin still does not comment i kremlin still does not comment on the investigation and any versions which appear now on both social media and in the news, according to sources, the kremlin�*s spokesperson has told the statements coming from baku, the azerbaijan capital insisted the investigation is ongoing and is under way until it is concluded. the kremlin would not comment on the situation. on russian tv the version that the plane could have been shutdown is not discussed at all. it is basically ignored. the only two versions of what is happening with the azerbaijan claim is

that either it and counted some technical problems or a hit some birds. that is what is discussed on russian tv now. 0k, discussed on russian tv now. ok, thank you very much. and now to london, where a man has been charged with four counts of attempted murder after four pedestrians were hit by a car in london's west end. it happened on christmas day when police were called to reports of a car being driven on the wrong side of the road — in soho — in the early hours of the morning. the man charged — anthony gilheaney — has also been charged with causing serious injury by driving while disqualified, driving a motor vehicle dangerously, and possession of a bladed article in a public place. one victim remains in critical condition and is receiving treatment in hospital. people living in sudan's capital, khartoum, have welcomed the first convoy of food aid to arrive since the break—out of civil war in april last year. these are pictures of food trucks being unloaded

in khartoum on thursday. the delivery of supplies was arranged by united nations agencies and local sudanese support groups, who negotiated with the warring sides. although aid has reached other parts of the country since the start of the war, more than 2a million people are in urgent need of food aid, that's about half of the entire population. experts warn that the country is sliding into a "widening famine crisis" that has been marked by worsening starvation and a surge in acute malnutrition. the un health organisation says there was an attack. the injured man was part of the crew about the flight ahead of the world health organization out of yemen. he was there to

assess the humanitarian situation and remain stranded. israel's military says it is to defy the houthi rebel to fire missiles to israel. staff say air strikes overnight that targeted the area killed 50 people ahead of the nursing department told the bbc the army had given a 50 minute warning to evacuate patients and staff into the courtyard. the israeli army subsequently entered the hospital and has been removing the patients that were still there. israel has not yet made any comment on the evacuation. i have been

speaking about this to a correspondent injerusalem. this is a hospital that staff have been issuing desperate pleas in recent weeks saying their hospital has been hit repeatedly by the israeli military on various departments of its hospital. we had previously from an israeli official who said they intended to relocate the hospital, its staff and patients to another hospital which itself has been evacuated earlier this week. and it is one of the last remaining hospitals in an area of northern gaza which has been struggling under what the un calls a near total siege, where the israeli military has been restricting the delivery of aid supplies to that area. we spoke to some of the medical staff

there this morning, who, as you said described around seven o'clock this morning being told that all of the patients and staff much leave and we now understand the military has facilitated the removal of patients, including those in the intensive care, who the medical staff are telling us need specialist equipment in order to be moved so they are not harmed, including ventilation equipment. we haven't heard of any injuries during the evacuation but it does come after those air strikes in the vicinity of the hospital overnight which has led, as the director of the hospital said, to around 50 deaths, including five of the medical staff. the idf, the israeli army said they are unaware of those strikes in the vicinity of the hospital but they are looking into the reports of the staff being killed. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news.

now it's time for a look at today's sport. driving in great fanfare the new manchester united manager has become the first in a century to lose all five of his opening matches. united have dropped to 14th in the premier league table and he says he has no idea how long it might take for him to revive the fortunes of the team. they will have to survive and win some time to work on the team after a third defeat in a row. in work on the team after a third defeat in a row.— work on the team after a third defeat in a row. in this moment we have to _ defeat in a row. in this moment we have to survive _ defeat in a row. in this moment we have to survive and - defeat in a row. in this moment we have to survive and work - defeat in a row. in this moment we have to survive and work on | we have to survive and work on the team. we know it, i started this job and the new the team. we know it, i started thisjob and the new id the team. we know it, i started this job and the new id without any time to train with a lot of tough games. it is a long

journey, like i said in the first day, we have to continue and we have to fight these bad moments because this is part of football. �* , ., moments because this is part of football. �* , . .,~ football. arsenal can take advantage _ football. arsenal can take advantage of _ football. arsenal can take advantage of a _ football. arsenal can take advantage of a slip - football. arsenal can take advantage of a slip by - football. arsenal can take - advantage of a slip by chelsea. mikel arteta's site have dropped behind nottingham forest but can overtake them and chelsea with a win at the emirates taking them to within six points of the leaders liverpool but they will have to manage without the injured kyer sacko. a late flurry of wickets has given australia control of the boxing day test in melbourne... with india more than 300 runs behind after day two. replying to the home side's first innings score of a74 built on the back of steve smith's 34th test century... india started well but a chaotic run out... and then the wicket of virat kohli started a mini collapse in which the tourists lost three batters forjust six runs... leaving them in trouble at 164 for 5. it was celebrated particularly by australian

teenager sam konstas, who was barged into by kohli when he was batting on debut yesterday leading to a fine for the indian player. meanwhile, day two in centurion as well for the opening test between south africa and pakistan. the home side are replying to pakistan's 211 all out. and have aiden markram to thank for their recovery from 66 for three. but wickets have fallen around him. he is unbeaten on 88 and nine behind south africa on 202 a7. it was a day of last—gasp finishes on dramatic night in the nba as four games were decided in the final ten seconds while the atlanta hawks scored 50 points in the final quarter of their game to come from 17 points down to stun the chicago bulls. meanwhile, in indiana the oklahoma city thunder came from 15 points down to beat the pacers for their ninth straight win. shay gilgeous—alexander was the star of the show as he led the way for the thunder with a career—high equalling 45 points. he also added eight rebounds and seven assists as the thunder took the win 120 to 114.

and that's all the sport for now. irish government papers have been released in which the late queen, elizabeth ii — spoke about northern ireland's annual orange order parades. in the documents she expressed her relief that the "silly marching business" was quieter than expected when the former irish ambassador to the uk visited in 2000. almost 25 years later the report has now been cleared for release. for more on this, let's speak to our ireland correspondent sara girvin. what has been their reaction to the publication of these comments?— the publication of these comments? ., . ., comments? not much reaction et. we comments? not much reaction yet- we will — comments? not much reaction yet. we will explain _ comments? not much reaction yet. we will explain why - comments? not much reaction yet. we will explain why those | yet. we will explain why those reported comments would have raised eyebrows and been

controversial back into thousands and even still now. it is a lot to do with what was going on in northern ireland at the time. in 2000 northern ireland wasjust two the time. in 2000 northern ireland was just two years post good friday agreement which had brought peace after 30 years of violence known as the troubles. things were still very delicate and throughout the 1990s orange order marches in which tens of thousands of orange order members come out onto the streets of northern ireland to commemorate the historic battle. associated protests and counter protests with those marches would have erupted in violence across northern ireland. it threatened the peace process. so to hear the british monarch describe it as silly marching business can come across as dismissive as to what was a serious situation at the time. i should explain he will raise eyebrows because of the organisation but the orange order is, it is a deeply unionist organisation, meaning it wants northern ireland to remain as part of the uk. it is

also a deeply royalist organisation and holds members of the royal family and the monarchy in very high regard. so for members of the orange order to hear the queen reportedly dismissed their traditions as silly marching business will be really disappointing for members of the orange order. just disappointing for members of the orange order.— the orange order. just very briefl , the orange order. just very briefly. did _ the orange order. just very briefly, did we _ the orange order. just very briefly, did we learn - the orange order. just very l briefly, did we learn anything else about the late monica's thoughts on northern ireland? there were some other interesting details. she was said to be very interested in northern ireland and what was happening about the peace process and very optimistic and the possibility of a visit to the possibility of a visit to the republic of ireland was discussed in 2000. the irish government was said to be cautious about that at the time and in fact it will be more than a decade in 2011 when that historic and symbolic visit would take place, which really set a new tone at the time in anglo—irish relations. lots of interesting details in these papers, but nearly 25 years

later it still is interesting to hear others' issues of identity and tradition are as delicate here in northern ireland as they were then, more than a quarter of a century ago. than a quarter of a century auo. ., ~' than a quarter of a century auo. ., ~ , ., than a quarter of a century ao. ., ~' , . sir richard branson is one of the uk's wealthiest and most high—profile entrepreneurs, but he says he still feels moments of disbelief when meeting other successful people and world leaders. he's spoken to the bbc for a new documentary about �*imposter syndrome', and his own self—doubt — which he traces back to struggling with dyslexia as a child. rob adcock went to meet him. good evening, everybody. there are few global companies with one leader who is synonymous with the brand. but virgin for many people is richard branson. and no matter how you feel about any of his brands... how are you doing? come on then. ..branson�*s favourable public image seems to persist. when we walk around the ship, we see so many people that want to come up

to you and want to speak to you and want to have selfies and things like that. what does it feel like to always be, to always be on? my mum was very much brought us up to love people and she was wonderful with people as well and my dad too, you know. for some people, they may never have met somebody in the public eye. and so they have a little bit of respect for you. that's extremely nice and i should be grateful for it. hello, how are you? you've always got to be careful who's going to look over to you in the jacuzzi! you're one of the few people that has been so successful that's done so many amazing things that people still want to succeed. do you feel that as well? by and large, i don't think that that sort of tall poppy syndrome has come my way. maybe a tiny bit at the beginning of covid, but i think most of my life i've found people have been incredibly encouraging. richard calls it tall poppy syndrome, which means cutting down something which grows too large, or criticising someone thought to be too successful. as a child, i suppose i was full of, i was

full of self—doubt. mainly, ithink, because i was dyslexic, i really struggled at school. you know, i would look at a blackboard and everything was a jumble. dyslexia is a form of learning difficulty. it's estimated up to one in every ten people in the uk has some degree of it. intelligence isn't affected, but many people experience challenges around reading, writing or spelling. when richard branson was young, the condition was little known. it was extremely difficult. i mean, you just, you know, the school reports basically had teachers despairing. in those days, if you didn't get the right exam results, you were beaten. and i was beaten a lot. the way i dealt with it was to try to put my mind into things that i was interested in. we've spoken about imposter syndrome. you've met so many amazing people. have you ever felt it in a social setting where you thought to yourself, how on earth have i got here? 0h! um, yeah, there's no question.

i mean, i've been incredibly fortunate to have met some incredible people. the only person in the world i haven't met who i'd like to meet is president putin. ijust want to, um... i just want to tell him what a selfish, selfish man he is to have killed and maimed alljust for his own glory of being able to say that he took ukraine. most people in the world i have great respect for. but putin, i have no respect for whatsoever. the obamas, for instance. i mean, we were lucky enough to spend time with them when they stepped down from the white house. delightful, charming people. and obviously when you're sitting, you know, having conversations with people like that, if you reflect back to your childhood and the times at school when you were looking at the blackboard and everything was a mumbo—jumbo and you had to come home to your parents going through your school exam reports, yeah, you have

to pinch yourself a bit. rob adcock, bbc news. and the documentary imposter syndrome is available to watch now in the uk on bbc iplayer. stay with us here on bbc news. hello. the fairly mild spell of weather is set to continue through today and for many of us through the weekend. we have mist and fog and for some of us, the fog will linger all day especially over higher ground. high pressure keeping things largely dry and settled. this system causing problems over the north of scotland and with the pressure there from the atlantic, not much of a breeze to lift the cloud so it is pretty murky in central and southern areas, in particular some

brighter, sunny skies. the rain sitting across the far north—west of scotland, temperatures 7 or 8 degrees. tonight, rain will extend across the north west of scotland, mist and fog forming especially in england and wales so saturday morning is murky for many. temperatures between 4 and 9 degrees. on saturday, another similar day for england and wales, some breaks in the cloud over higher ground. this waving front sits across central scotland and northern ireland, some brighter spells across the north of scotland bringing showers in the north—west, temperatures between 7—11 degrees. the second half of the weekend sees the weather front pushing further south, squeezing the isobars through monday in scotland. perhaps some sunny spells and getting warmer at 10 or 11 degrees.

the rain is persistent across scotland and we see more wet weather, some snow over the higher ground perhaps, turning colder across the north, 2 degrees in lerwick. furthersouth, it's mostly dry and settled, with variable amounts of cloud. the colder air in the north could work south heading towards wednesday, new year's eve, potentially some unsettled weather with the colder blast so still fairly mild as we start next week, wet and windy in the middle of the week and colder at the end of next week. goodbye!

now on bbc news — nobel minds: economics and medicine. in this programme, this year's nobel laureates in economics and medicine tell us why some countries are so much richer than others and what a worm tells us about how complex life emerged. this is nobel minds 202a.