the headlines. the rocket carrying a space telescope that could transform our understanding of the universe. it has just launched from french guiana. the telescope aims to seek deeper into space. volunteers in england help give vaccines in the race to fight the surging omicron variant in the country. the government is offering every adult a booster by the end of the month. pope frances has delivered his traditional christmas day urbi et orbi message to the world. he deplored the immense tragedies in yemen and syria which he said were being passed over in silence millions around the world face travel disruption over christmas, as the surge in omicron variant cases sees thousands of flights cancelled due to staff shortages. airlines say they re contacting those passengers affected, before they arrive at the airport. this is bbc news.
An explosion in cases driven by the rise of the Omicron variant has meant a Christmas season tainted by the pandemic for a second year running, with Santa's arrival and longed-for family reunions.