the world's most powerful telescope has launched into space — to offer unprecedented images of the universe. and after 3 months of spewing lava and ash, the volcanic eruption on the spanish island of la palma, has finally come to an end. the queen has spoken movingly — in her christmas day message — about her grief at the death of her husband, prince philip. she said there was "one familiar laugh missing" — and expressed empathy with other families who'd lost loved ones this year. our royal correspondent, nicholas witchell, reports. windsor castle christmas morning. the real standard signifying that the queen was in residence. the duchess of cornwalljoined the congregation at saint george's chapel for morning service. the queen did not attend as a precaution against covid—19 according to officials. from the very first moments of the queens broadcast, there was a keen sense of the loss she has felt over the death of prince philip last april after their 73 years of marriage.— prince philip last april after their 73 years of marriage. although it is a time of great _ 73 years of marriage. although it is a time of great happiness - 73 years of marriage. although it is a time of great happiness for - 73 years of marriage. although it is| a time of great happiness for many, christmas can be hard for those who have lost loved ones. this year especially, i understand why. but for me, and the months since the death of my beloved philip, i have grown great comfort from the warmth and affection of the many tributes to his life and work. from around the country, the commonwealth and the country, the commonwealth and the world, his sense of service, intellectual curiosity and capacity to squeeze fun out of any situation were all irrepressible. that mischievous, inquiring twinkle was as bright at the end is when i first set eyes on him. she as bright at the end is when i first set eyes on him.— as bright at the end is when i first set eyes on him. she spoke about the ha iness set eyes on him. she spoke about the happiness she — set eyes on him. she spoke about the happiness she gained _ set eyes on him. she spoke about the happiness she gained from _ set eyes on him. she spoke about the happiness she gained from seeing - happiness she gained from seeing members of herfamily, embracing the roles and values that meant so much to her she recalled how her husbands work on the environment was being taken forward. i work on the environment was being taken forward-— taken forward. i am proud beyond words that — taken forward. i am proud beyond words that his _ taken forward. i am proud beyond words that his work _ taken forward. i am proud beyond words that his work has _ taken forward. i am proud beyond words that his work has been - taken forward. i am proud beyond. words that his work has been taken on and magnified by our eldest son charles and his eldest son william. admirably supported by carmela and catherine. while covid—i9 means that we cannot celebrate quite as we may have wished. .. we cannot celebrate quite as we may have wished. . ._ we cannot celebrate quite as we may have wished. . .— have wished... there was a passing reference to — have wished... there was a passing reference to covid-19 _ have wished... there was a passing reference to covid-19 and _ have wished... there was a passing reference to covid-19 and a - have wished... there was a passing reference to covid-19 and a look. have wished... there was a passing reference to covid-19 and a look at| reference to covid—i9 and a look at to the platinum jubilee. but this was a broadcast from a wife morning her husband. there would still be jay her husband. there would still be joy at christmas, the queen said, even with one familiar laugh missing. so, a very personal message from the queen at the end of the sad and in some ways rather troubling year with the death of her husband and difficulties within the royal family. the years also ended with concerns about her own health. concerns by which the palace does its best to downplay. preferring instead to look ahead to next year and the platinum jubilee. earlier, i spoke to our royal correspondent, sarah campbell, about the personal nature of this year's queen's speech. from the photograph on the desk which was taken to mark their diamond wedding anniversary, the brooch that she was wearing, which she wore on her honeymoon in 1947, and you know, her christmas broadcasts always have a theme and it is not surprising that this year, when she lost her husband of 73 years, that prince philip was the thread that ran through the entire broadcast and as you say, many people said it was very poignant and personal because the queen is not somebody who tends to wear her heart on her sleeve and talk with such affection, i think, so publicly and that is what made it different and as i say, not surprising after the year she has had. looking back at prince philip's death but also i think she looked forward, to 2022, didn't she? it is a big year, a historic year. in february, she will be the first british monarch ever to have achieved 70 years on the throne, her platinumjubilee and that is what 2022 is going to be about. she talked about the commonwealth baton relay, the commonwealth games happening injuly next year will be one of the highlights of the platinum jubilee and she talked in her speech about the fact he wanted it to be a time of togetherness, for people to come together which of course they have done for the goldenjubilee and the silverjubilee and the diamond jubilee and people are hoping on thatjune weekend that they will be able to do so, pandemic allowing, for the platinum jubilee. what can you tell us about the security incident that took place? that news was released this afternoon by thames valley police. at 8:30am, about two hours after we saw those pictures of prince charles and camilla, the duchess of cornwall, walking towards st george's chapel, two hours before, rather, we know a teenager armed with what the police have described as an offensive weapon was arrested within windsor castle's grounds. superintendent rebecca mears from thames valley police said security processes were triggered within moments of the man entering the grounds. he did not enter any buildings. the royalfamily were informed. we know this is a 19—year—old from southampton. he is now in custody, arrested on suspicion of breach of trespass of a protected site and possession of an offensive weapon. the leader of the roman catholic church, pope francis, in his annual christmas day speech, has said the effects of the pandemic threatened efforts to resolve conflicts on an international level. around the world there were smaller crowds at church services and other events because of the coronavirus outbreak. sadat ahmed bakir has the report. mass wearing masks. that is the theme of the day, of this second christmas under the shadow of the coronavirus pandemic. even main traditional christmas events such as the pope's urbi et 0rbi message were scaled back, with fewer visitors allowed in. pointing to ongoing turmoil in syria, yemen and iraq, pope francis said the world is becoming desensitised to suffering. the pontiff called for more dialogue and warned against a tendency to withdraw. translation: 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 to 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. in the west bank city of bethlehem, where christians believejesus was born, the numbers were also lower than usual, as israel closed its borders forforeigners in an effort to rein in the infections. the latin patriarch ofjerusalem led prayers at the church of the nativity�*s ancient prayer hall. the leader of the anglican church, the archbishop of canterbury, praised the work of volunteers helping refugees in his christmas sermon. the christmas story shows us how we must treat those who are unlike us, who have far less than us, who have lived with the devastating limits of war and national tragedy. there have been the volunteers who have been on my mind, welcoming and caring for refugees arriving on the beaches so close to this cathedral, and they do one thing — save life at sea. it is not politics. it is simply humanity. this christmas is also the occasion for a special service for the first time in 30 years at srinagar�*s st luke's church. the i25—year—old place of worship in the indian administered kashmir was shut down three decades ago when the separatist violence began. christmas gatherings will be easier than a year ago in many other places around the world. for example, most australians are allowed to travel interstate over the festive break for the first time in two years. as sydney's catholic archbishop puts it, christmas was a ray of light light in dark times. sadat ahmed bakir, bbc news. let's get some of the day's other news. officials in the democratic republic of congo, say at least six people have been killed by a suicide bomb attack, in the eastern city of beni. the mayor, narcisse muteba, said the bomber killed himself and five other people. it isn't clear whether any group was behind the attack — but security forces are investigating. security forces in the sudanese capital, khartoum, have fired tear gas in an effort to disperse the latest pro democracy protests. the demonstrators converged on the presidential palace for the second time in a week, but were met by a heavy security presence. earlier, the military government restricted phone and internet services and blocked roads leading to the city. england faces a daunting task in melbourne, as the team faces australia for the third ashes test. england is 2—nil 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 biggest space telescope ever constructed has been launched into orbit. the james webb telescope is on board a european ariane rocket which took off from french guiana. it's the successor to the hubble telescope — and designed to beam back unprecedented images of the universe. it's the most powerful telescope 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. 0ur science editor, 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 it's mission has finally begun and our view of the universe is about to be transformed. rebecca morelle, bbc news. and a short while ago i spoke to the author and astronomer tom kerss. i'v e i've been following the submission for all of my life and as a student and so, it is taking a long time to get here, a red letter day for astronomy and yes, it is expensive, but it is a highly capable platform for astronomy is going to provide as much is ten years of absolute cutting hedge astronomical observations because the success of something like, this, these things are with paying for because they are invaluable to the scientific community. as astronomers, we are the closest you can get the time travellers. we look into the real past, catching light that left before any of us or anyone that we can name was born and in the case of webb, we are talking about looking back to a time before any galaxies were born. back to when the first stars formed when the universe was just a tiny fraction of 1% of the age that it is now. it is really astonishing to think about seeing things that have never been seen before and indeed building an instrument, building this giant in space that was designed specifically to do just that. is going to take us into a new era of astrophysics and thatis into a new era of astrophysics and that is why this date which is a very memorable date, thankfully, is one that they astronomers and scientists of many disciplines or want to remember for very long time. i think in general, the public are going to find the next big thing even more memorable that's going to arrive in about six months to we start to see the first images from the telescope and i think it's really going to blow peoples minds. i don't know what that subject is going to be, but it condensates me to be unprecedented and it's going to be unprecedented and it's going to look like nothing that we have ever seen before.— ever seen before. there are four illars to ever seen before. there are four pillars to its _ ever seen before. there are four pillars to its remit _ ever seen before. there are four pillars to its remit and _ ever seen before. there are four pillars to its remit and really - pillars to its remit and really interested in the fourth and that his alien life. wow. this is a subject his alien life. wow. this is a sub'e . ., his alien life. wow. this is a sub'e i ., ., ,, his alien life. wow. this is a sub'e u . . , , , ., �* subject that grabs everyone. and kee -s us subject that grabs everyone. and keeps us up _ subject that grabs everyone. and keeps us up at — subject that grabs everyone. and keeps us up at night. _ subject that grabs everyone. and keeps us up at night. it - subject that grabs everyone. and keeps us up at night. it is - subject that grabs everyone. and keeps us up at night. it is on - subject that grabs everyone. and keeps us up at night. it is on the| keeps us up at night. it is on the frontier of science and discovery and it's about the inevitability of the worlds and other solar systems and we really are in the infancy of that particular area of science. he call those x0 planets are solar planets. we know of a few thousand so far, but we expect that there are many billions, perhaps even trillions, that extend beyond. as such large numbers that it seems unlikely that the earth is completely unique. perhaps there are other worlds just like our own are similar enough that they can host other forms of life and if we are going to discover that, we're going to need to be able to see those planets and some details to evaluate the contents of their atmospheres. this is one of the four pillars of the mission and there is something quite like a gigantic space—based infrared observatory for analysing what is happening on other worlds. so, is really exciting to think about what we are going to see. {line about what we are going to see. one more message _ about what we are going to see. one more message to squeeze in. within six months, it should be deployed or unfurled. are you feeling about that because that is the next big stage, isn't it? ., ., , because that is the next big stage, isn't it? ., .,, , isn't it? today was very nerve-racking - isn't it? today was very nerve-racking moment| isn't it? today was very l nerve-racking moment in isn't it? today was very - nerve-racking moment in the isn't it? today was very _ nerve-racking moment in the very nerve—racking moment in the very thing, it was a beautiful launch and note that it's in space, i am feeling a bit more calm about it and the engineers know exactly what they're doing as rebecca said, it is a fragile and complicated instrument, but step—by—step it is going to slowly be commissioned and sent off to its final place about 1 billion miles away. a reminder of our top stories 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". in his christmas message, pope francis highlighted the tragedies in yemen and syria, which he said are being passed over in silence. the world's most powerful telescope has launched into space — to offer unprecedented images of the universe. the former england test cricket captain, ray illingworth, has died. he was 89, and had been undergoing treatment for oesophageal cancer. he had a 15—year test career — playing 61 times for england. joe wilson looks back at his career raymond illingworth. beautifully hooked. 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. some people would say this is too old to start being captain of england? yes, well obviously it's not a ten—year policy or anything like that, but i think i am still as good a bowler as i have ever been. i 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, he is out! the end of the match. his team—mates carried illingworth off when england won the match and the series. this must surely be the greatest moment of ray illingworth's cricketing life. english cricket appointed a new man today — ray illingworth becomes chairman of selectors. his time as chief administrator of english cricket wasn't as successful. as selector and coach, he didn't secure the results nor the dressing room harmony he once sought as a captain. i have fined michael on two accounts. first, for using dirt. secondly, for giving incomplete evidence to the match referee. but at his adopted county, leicestershire, and his native yorkshire, illingworth was a master tactician. the australians regarded his england as the mentally toughest opponents they'd faced. there is no higher compliment for a man who spanned the decades of post—war cricket. the former england cricket captain, ray illingworth, who's died, at the age of 89. it's been a chaotic christmas for thousands of people trying to catch flights home in the us — as surging covid cases have side—lined pilots and other crew members — leaving people stranded at airports. christmas eve saw around 690 flights cancelled, leaving some travellers with no choice but to spend the night almost nine hundred domestic and internationalflights in and out of the country have been cancelled today. and there've also been around 800 delayed christmas day flights. most of the affected airlines have attributed the disruption to the growing number of 0micron cases in the united states, which make up for nearly three quarters of the country's coronavirus cases. the impact of super typhoon rai is being felt all the more acutely today as families face christmas in the wake of disaster. the un says 3 million people are in need of assistance. tanya dendrinos reports. devastating the islands, many have lost everything. it devastating the islands, many have lost everything-— lost everything. it will be a sad christmas- _ lost everything. it will be a sad christmas. we _ lost everything. it will be a sad christmas. we have _ lost everything. it will be a sad christmas. we have no - lost everything. it will be a sad christmas. we have no party . lost everything. it will be a sad i christmas. we have no party food lost everything. it will be a sad - christmas. we have no party food but at least we are alive. it is better than welcoming christmas with the dead loved one. we thank god that herfamily in our dead loved one. we thank god that her family in our community were spared. her family in our community were sared. , ,': her family in our community were sared, , ,': ., her family in our community were sared. , x: ., , spared. the un says 3 million people are in need of— spared. the un says 3 million people are in need of assistance _ spared. the un says 3 million people are in need of assistance and - spared. the un says 3 million people are in need of assistance and among | are in need of assistance and among them, around a million children. it is difficult. because we don't have food and — is difficult. because we don't have food and we are just begging. is food and we are just begging. [55 been food and we are just begging. been one food and we are just begging. i3 been one of the most powerful storm to hit the philippines this evening, claiming at least 375 lives. scientists say climate change is causing typhoons to become more powerful and strengthen more rapidly. an ominous warning for action with no stopping the force of mother nature. spanish officials say the volcanic eruption in the canary islands has finally come to an end after three months. no one was injured during the 85 day ordeal on the island of la palma. but the volcano destroyed properties and submerged hundreds of hectares of land, as jack surfleet reports. it was the first eruption since 1971. and the volcano burst into action on the 19th of september. slowing down the mountain, through villages and handing up to 600 metres wide. in its path with 1300 homes, churches and schools. all of which were destroyed. rescue teams have to relocate more than 30,000 people from their homes. many have lost almost everything they own. an exclusion zone was set up around the flow, including in the sea, with the molten rock boiled sea water release poisonous gases and increased the size of the island. there'd been no earth tremors since the 13th of december. the longest period without any activity since the eruption began. authorities were wary of false hope and held off until christmas day to give the message that many had been so desperate for. what i want to say today can be said with just four words. the eruption is over. it is an emotional relief, but i think we can add one more word to the message. the word hope. because we can now focus all of our energy and reconstruction of the island. ~ , ,. , island. the prime minister described it as the best — island. the prime minister described it as the best christmas _ island. the prime minister described it as the best christmas present. - it as the best christmas present. his government has pledged over 200 million euros to help people living on the island to piece together their homes and their livelihoods after the longest ever eruption on record. you can reach me on twitter — i'm @lukwesaburak. hello, there, and a very merry christmas to you. we have seen a band of rain and hill snow working its way northwards across the country to end christmas day and into the early hours of boxing day. most of the rain and hill snow will become confined to the north of the country, certainly across scotland through the day, and then we will see something a bit brighter with some showers following in across the south. this weather front has continued to journey northwards. as it bumped into the cold air which has been sitting across the north and east of the country, that is where we had the rain turn to snow initially, across the hills of north wales, north midlands and also northern ireland, but very much so across the pennines and in towards central and southern scotland, some drifting with strong wind as we head through the course of boxing day morning. into the afternoon, the rain and hill snow becomes confined to the hills of scotland. something a bit drier in the south, a legacy of cloud, mind you. some brightness for northern ireland, wales and the south—west. winds light here but still strong and gusty further north, close to the weather front. again, another cold day across northern areas, particularly with any lying snow over the hills. again something much milder in the south and south—west. as we move out of boxing day, that weather front to the north begins to fizzle out, taking the rain and hill snow when it. elsewhere, lots of dry weather, lighter winds, clear spells, a recipe for mist and fog. further south, into the south—west, a new weather front working its way in. milder, wetter and windy weather arriving here. a cold night to come across the north. here it is, the new area of low pressure, a weather front swiping the south—west and the south of the country as we move through the day. most of the impact will be felt across france but we will still have enough wind and rain for it to be noticeable. initially, south wales and south—west england, pushing into the midlands and across to the south—east through the day. turning mild and windy with it. further north, not a bad day, particularly across scotland and northern england. it will be chilly but bright with plenty of sunshine. temperatures are struggling to get much above six or seven. again, double figures across the south. the mild air really wins out as we move through the new week and in the run—up to new year. it could turn very mild for a time with winds coming up from the south or south—west. but low pressure will always be nearby and in fact, it will be quite wet and windy at times. it could become balmy for a while across southern areas, even into the first part of january. 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". in his annual christmas message, pope francis highlighted the tragedies in syria and yemen. he warned the world was becoming so desensitised to others suffering, that they'd hardly notice when it happened. the world's most powerful telescope has launched into space — to offer unprecedented images of the universe. a series of complex activities shall be carried out over the next six months. and after 3 months of spewing lava and ash, the volcanic eruption on the spanish island of la palma, has finally come to an end. more than 7,000 people were forced to leave their homes. now on bbc news. david sillito explores the six buildings shortlisted for the 2021 riba stirling prize — and reveals