what is being described as a potentially catastrophic computer error at one of the air traffic control centers has been resolved. that technical glitch caused flight delays in and out of london's airport. among them heathrow. airlines urging passengers to check the state us of their flights before they head to the

airport. i got more from our correspondent. >> there was a computer glitch, apparently a failure of the flight planning server at the main air traffic control center in the united kingdom. remember that name because i don't think it is the last time you will hear it. there was a problem for just under two hours, but two hours on a friday evening at this time of the year in what is -- heathrow is the busiest airport, we are told in the world busiest in europe. that has a huge knock-on effect. london alone has four airports. we know that the problem is over. the good news is that air space above london is now open again and has been since just after 1800 g.m.t. but the knock-on effect is

going to be huge. we hear there are already 50 consolations and expect that number to grow out of heathrow airport. >> that is our report from london. there was transport chaos in italy as a strike brought the country to a stand still. they protested in 50 cities, and some of the protests turned violent as our correspondent now explains. >> angry students marched the streets of rome before jumping fence of a regional council building and flinging bottles at police, who fired back with tear gas. the strikes followed after the unions walked out for the first time. the target of their rage, the jobs fact, passed last week, making it easy tore fire people. under the new rules, workers

build up job security rights gradually over time. unions say he is eating away at hard-one entitlements. >> instead of building a future, as they say, what we actually fear is this future is becoming more and more like a black hole for young people. but not only for them. >> they insist the new law is the only way to reduce record unemployment, now at 43% for under 25's. the jobs act is just one step in a comprehensive reform program aimed at shaking up italy's stagnant and bureaucratic economy. >> there are a lot of things we need to change in italy. we need to change the public administration. we need to simplify taxation. we need a justice system that is stronger but also more straight forward. >> despite the strong union turn-out renzy continues to

enjoy high approval rates. the polls show they are willing to give him time to get italy working. >> hundreds of thousands of pilgrims have been gathering for a shia religious rituals marking the death of the imam hussein, who died 1,300 years ago. one person is reported to have been killed there by rocket fire in that city. claire williams has more. >> music blairs from loud speakers as black-clab shiite -- pill grams march through the streets. they are coming for bastardo's ritual. islamic state group fighters view shiite muslims as heretic. but their attacks have done

little to keep them from making the trip. >> before the ritual started, we heard the islamic state group had said iranians would not be allowed to come here again. so we iranians decided to come in larger numbers, even more than in previous years. >> so worshipers are obeying the last of 40 days of mourning for imam hussein, who died in battle. young and old, the pilgrims face tight security checks. 40,000 security officers are on duty, including volunteers. >> 5,000 shiite volunteers are taking part in the security operation. there are also 2,000 female volunteers whose job it is to check and search female pilgrims. >> it is in government forces control, but the army has been fighting the islamic state

group just 30 kilometers north. on friday, a rocket killed one civilian on the outskirts of the city. >> now tensions are continuing to run how in the occupied palestinian territories. earlier, a palestinian man through as i had at a family of israelis inflicts what has been reported as height damage on them. he was then shot. protestors were fired upon, injuring 10 of them. they were protesting a death of a palestinian following a confrontation with israeli soldiers. gallagher, a lot is happen negligence that area. what more are you hearing about an explosion in gaza? we are hearing reports of a blast near the french cultural center there. >> definitely, tom. that is a completely unrelated

event, and "france 24" learned about it. there has sfweed been own explosion outside the cultural center. a hole of about 50 sent meets was caused by a device placed against that wall. the investigation is just beginning. islamist peace officers are out there. this is worrying for french authorities because this is the second attack of that type in two months. the first one had originally be claimed by the islamic state's organization, but the statement was denied moments after by another organization presenting itself as the islamic state group saying it was not response in.

the original statement has been deemed as not credible by french sources. this friday evening a little before 10 p.m. local time that explosion occurred. damage is structural damage. no casualties are being reported so far. that facility has largely been deserted since those first round of explosions some two months ago. an investigation into those events is still very much ongoing. that is probably why that facility has been closed thins then. tas very symbolic place because it is the last consulate in gaza, the last place where gaza can get a visa from a corn -- from a foreign cultural. and it is a cultural place where youth can sit next to

each other and watch a movie or something. the second explosion probably won't encourage france to open this facility up again any time soon. at this point we are still getting information about what happened this friday evening. very much a developing situation, but a worrying one to french authorities. >> it has been a turbulent few months as you mentioned. it has been a turbulent week in fact with the incidents and things we have been speaking about. we are waying for an important announcement from the palestinian president. what is that about? >> well, yes. we were actually expecting a major announcement this friday from haider al-abadi -- from the minister.

abad said that all options were on the table. we expected he would clarify what he meant by that statement. one idea tossed around by high-ranking officials is that of halting all security cooperation between palestinian security forces and their israeli counterparts. that has not yet been official, and the announcement scheduled for sunday indicates this may not be a very easy decision for him to take. >> thank you very much for bringing us up to speed. with elections in israel looming just over three months from now polls out today show that a joint election by the left leader, her stanford og, could pose a serious challenge to netanyahu. one poll suggesting that the

livni ticket would win slightly over the right-roenicke likud party. earlier this week, france's last hostage ways released by al qaeda's north african affiliate. 51 is back on home soil. people are asking what the terms of his release were. he was kidnapped in mali in 2011. the country admitted that prisoners were exchanged for his freedom. let's listen to what the malian justice minister had to say. >> yes we did it, and we have done it for malians too before. here it concerned a citizen who comments from a country that came to help us. when our country was in a critical situation. the authorities of his country were fighting to release the

hostages. mali for its reputation and honor, could only help to save the life of the hostage. >> the malian justice minister speaking exclusively to "france 24." the world health organization said today the death toll from the ebola outbreak in west africa has now reached 6,589 3. more than 18,000 cases of the virus have been robbeded in the most affected countries. christmas celebrations in sierra leone have been called off. that is amid concerns that the virus could spread further during the set brationdsh during the celebrations. a hindu priest is defying his critics and pushing to convert muslims to hinduism enemas.

these religious conversions are sparking angry debate and some are accusing the government of trying to undermine independence ya's secular fountsations. >> shock and anger after a mass ritual conversion into hinduism. >> we didn't know they were converting us from muslims to hedge-fund ues. they told us to dress up, and they told all the men to wear their caps and the women to wear their bunch rkas. >> the 57 families, all slum dwellers said they were promised i.d. cards proving they lived below the poverty line. >> the ancestors of these

families had accepted islam around 25 or 30 years back or before that. but now these people have understood their interests are safe only in hinduism. >> they already fear a resurgence of haslinda did you groups under the ruling party. >> this news spread across india. this is a plan against muslims to convert them into hindus. but this plan will no go ahead. >> the prime minister has said he is focusing on creating wealth for ordinary indians, but he has come under criticism that he has allowed hardliners to flex their muscles. >> let's get a reminder of the top stories here on "france 24." thousands of people take to the streets to vent their anger against the economic reforms.

tensions continue to run high. and palestinian man throws as i had at a family on the west back before being shot and injured. reports of an explosion at the french cultural center. anger in india. a priest says he is planning to convert hundreds of muslims and christians enmasse to hinduism. >> a check for the business stories. let's start with a court ruling here in france about the app-based taxi service uber. >> a french court has given the green light and says it is not in a position to ban uber. at first glance this sounds like good news for the company, but the devil is in the details. the court said uber may infringe on french taxi law. they have to remove all

language saying it is oak for them to act like taxis. it has passed the buck to other french authorities to decide as the lawyer for the playoff points out. >> the court has considered that it didn't fall to it to take note that uber is criminally liable. so it is handing the authority over to the local authorities. to first sang uber pop to nature note of the i will legality so competitors can get a ban so that the harm stops. >> a lawyer for the playoff speaking there. it has been a tough week for uber, hasn't it? >> it has been a nightmare for uber. they have been involved in legal tuesdayles in california, spain, the netherlands and new delhi. one chinese search engine is making a $600 million investment in the company. uber has been operating in china since august of 2013.

let's get a check of how the markets are faring this friday. we off with crude oil in the u.s., once again trading below the $60. companies have worsened the supply glut and that puts downward prices on oil prices. stocks are trading lower in the session. cheaper oil prices are pushing all major indexes down to the red. the picture was pretty much the same at the close in europe. red across the board. the main indexes tumbled over 2%. let's stay with europe now. italy's prime minister has come out and said his tough line is needed to return to growth. this after thousands of workers across the country protested against labor market reforms and spending cuts. many protestors say they have heard enough time and now ready for action. >> from rome to milan, and and

to churin. italy grinds to a halt in 50 cities as thousands of workers take to the streets in boisterous protest organized by three of the country's biggest unions, their main bone of contention is the newly approved job pact, which ames to create new jobs by making it easier to lay off employees. >> we want to reclaim our rights. we want the democracy they are stealing from us along with the dig nit of workers. >> others are outraged at their inability to stimulate the stagnant economy. >> all we have are a bunch of useful peoples who in the end do nothing. >> as a result of the walk-out. public services have been badsly affected with not a bus or a metro to be seen in rome. dozens of flights were also cancelled. one man who has managed to fly off is the prime minister.

attending a business forum in istanbul, he promised to continue to push forward regardless of how painful it could be. >> we need to change the public administration in italy. we want to reform taxation, and we need to make important reforms to the judicial system. >> faced with pressure from the unions on one side and pressure from the e.u. to meet debt and deficit targets on the other, he is stuck in the middle with unemployment at 12.6% and an common forecast to gross 0.2% next year. the u.s. narrowly avoided a government shut-down. late thursday, congress passed a $1.1 terrell spending bill. the bill will next head to the senate before windsing up on the president's desk. some democrats complain the budget measures in the bill

aren't tough enough on wall street. >> nobody wants to shut down government. everybody here wants to have an answer, and we could have an answer. all the opposite side has to do is to stop supporting a bill that would allow the biggest banks in america to rip off the people one more time. >> that brings us up to date with all the business news. thank you for that. >> time now for a check of what is happening online. web news is up next. >> hello, there. welcome to the web news with our pick of the stories making thines. coming up on today's show authorities in hong kong sent in things to this camp. protesting against water tanks. and american peace oversee supplies things.

>> amid ongoing pro democracy demonstrations they sent in police to evacuate the main protest encampment in the business district. witnesses at the scene have been sharing accounts online. there were all manner of dourments during the rounds on social media attesting to the large volume of police deployed. the images, many of which have been posted under the occupy h.k. movement show police arresting countless demonstrators, demolishing camps and tearing down barricades erect the by the protestors. the authorities also called in hundreds of government workers to assist the evacuation. dispatched to the district with dump trucks to rapidly remove any trace of protestors.

they are look to go put an independent to the pro democracy dimon desperations in hong kong, but they haven't sunged yesterday. these messages written on posters around the british colony vowing to continue campaigning. activists are warning the powers that be that they will return to the streets to make their voices heard, and they will fight for universal suffrage in hong kong. >> up until now ireland has funded water supplies through general taxation. but as part of austerity measures, the government has set up a company to charge for water use. the fees introduced in january thousands of citizens have taken to the streets to protest a move they say is unfair. opposition is now rife online with a number of artists

joining the movement. a growing number of songs are appearing on youtube slamming the new water tax, which has been did he announced as illegal. many see the move as a step toward water privatization. a message by the group rolling tab review in this clip. >> irish water not for sale. no privatization. irish water, irish nation. >> legends area irish musician has ails penned a piece. a parody song called cool clearwater. the star of the 1970's takes a swipe at the new water charges with many lira cal gems. >> don't forget, though it rains line hell until the rivers swell, now they are trying to sell us the water. >> the protest movement has support from outside of ireland.

british ack toward and comedian russell brand has posted two videos online condemning the controversial measure, saying poorer households would be the worst hit. >> when baseball player adrian gonzalez who plays for dodgers presented a customized jersey from pena nieto, he probably wasn't expecting a fierce backlash. but people say he shouldn't be spending his time accepting gifts. he should be focusing on combatting crime. they can't understand why the dodgers would want to support such a controversial president. >> 86 men and just 15 women have been awarded the nobel peace prize since it was first

introduced back in 1901. this graphic provides some interesting graphic to the prize winners and is available on the economist. at the beginning of the 20th century, the majority of recipients were european men. but we have seen a lot less of this demographic in recent years. >> this tunnel of love was set up to highlight the dreadful debt rating state of certain french universities. students from across the country have been sending in photos of broken or outdated equipment and general disretire. the aim is to raise awareness for the need in funding for higher education. you can take a closer look here.

>> the flipt michigan came up with a wonderful way of spreading cheer this festive season. as we can see from youtube they stop motorists for

m lima, peru this is democracy now! broadcasting from cop20, the united nations climate change conference. >> if we fail, future generations will not and should not forget those who ignore this moment. no matter the reasoning. future generations will judge our effort, not just as a policy failure, but as a massive