hello, i'm nicky schiller. let's go live to dubai in the united arab emirates where they are welcoming in 202a. the centre piece is the burj, the world's tallest tower. the display has taken ten months to plan and includes 15,682 fireworks that are being fired from 365 positions. the show also includes over 6,600 lights. they will bounce of the tallest tower in the world. it has taken them ten months to produce this display which they say, the dubai officials, the brightest, biggest and most colourful fireworks show that they have ever had. let's just listen and to see thereby welcoming in 2024. , c dubai.

so there we go. that is them welcoming a new year in dubai. don't forget that you can follow all of the celebrations around the world on the celebrations around the world on the bbc news website and app. the us military says its helicopters have destroyed three small boats in an attack on a container ship in the southern red sea. it's the second assault by iran—backed houthi rebels on the ship within 24 hours.

the us says the gunmen, who launched the raid from yemen, attacked in four boats, coming within 20 metres of the vessel. the fourth craft fled the area. the military said it needed for service to return to their normal jobs to maintain the israeli economy but the military emphasised that the campaign to eradicate hamas would go on and was expected to continue throughout 2024. so that news breaking in the last half hour or so. the israeli military confirming that they have begun to withdraw some troops, especially reserve units from the gaza strip and they do have plans forfurther withdrawals but it will all depend on the level of fighting. now, the israeli defence forces said five brigades had been released but they said that they would keep an eye on it and make sure that they still had the right number that they needed

for their ground operations. now, a lot of the troops that will be coming out are reservists. they, they say are needed to return to their normaljob is to maintain the israeli economy. we will bring you more on that as we get heard by the us military says its helicopters have destroyed three small boats in an attack on a container ship in the southern red sea. it is the second assault by rebels on the ship within 24 hours. the us as the gunman who launched the raid from yemen attacked the four boats coming within 20 metres of the vessel. the fourth craft fled the area. the rebels said the actions are in protest the gaza war where there have been more air strikes. 0ur correspondent is injerusalem and, little earlier, sent us this update report on the situation in gaza and a warning that you may find parts of her report distressing. street by street, the battles

on the ground in gaza rage on. israel is concentrating its ground offensive on the centre and the south of the strip, with hamas fighters continuing to resist the idf�*s advances. translation: the war is at its height. - we are fighting on all fronts. we have huge success, but we also have painful cases. central gaza is the latest focus of israel's military operation, with heavy bombardment on the densely populated al—nuseirat refugee camp. further south, in neighbouring deir al—balah, palestinian rescue workers stand around the body of their colleague. he was killed in a strike near the al aqsa hospital, where many of the wounded are being treated. this is one of what israel says are safe areas, where palestinians were told to go to escape the fighting in the centre.

but as the military operation expands, safe areas for gazans keep shrinking. the southernmost city of rafah has now become the last stop for hundreds of thousands of displaced people fleeing the heavy bombardment in khan younis, many using makeshift shelters near the border with egypt. there is nowhere else to go from here. translation: | hope - that the war would end soon. i hope we can return to our homes, go back to school, return to everything that is familiar in the new year. the fallout from the war in gaza continues to be felt in the red sea, with yet another houthi attack. the us central command said that navy helicopters destroyed three of four small boats used by the iranian—backed militants as they attempted to board a container ship. this footage released last month shows some of the group's armed militias dropping from a helicopter and seizing a cargo ship in the southern red sea. the houthis have claimed that their attacks on this vital

shipping route are directed at vessels linked to israel, in response to its conflict with hamas. as this year draws to a close there is no end in sight for the war in gaza or the suffering of its people. live now to stephen o'brien, former united nations under—secretary—general for humanitarian affairs. i would like to start this breaking news that we've had within the last half an hour or so. the news that the israeli defence forces are withdrawing some forces, mainly reserve units, from the gaza strip. what you make of that? i have course welcome it because anything which is a de—escalation of any nature has to be welcomed. i suspect that it is tactical and won't have a huge military effect. i am sure the israeli defence forces under the command of the israeli government been wanting to withdraw to the

point where they are less effective against the campaign which they are forsworn to prosecute against the mass terrorists in order to stop them being a continuing threat to them being a continuing threat to the israelis across the israeli border. and they have said it on the grounds of the level of fighting and there are still, as i understand it, air strikes as well as the extensive ground fighting but having no effectively have gone through the middle of the gaza strip, a lot of the tunnels the in extreme hand—to—hand combat which has been very distressing, it looks like the tunnels are slowly being cleared out. i still think that the overriding concern happens to be, of course, the humanitarian and the question of life and while we welcome this i don't think it will make a massive difference is we think about celebrating, going into the new year and the rest of the

world i think it is anything but a celebration in that part of the world, sadly. we celebration in that part of the world. sadly-— celebration in that part of the world, sadly. we had from our correspondent _ world, sadly. we had from our correspondent that _ world, sadly. we had from our correspondent that the - world, sadly. we had from our correspondent that the people j world, sadly. we had from our- correspondent that the people who were in the area which of course was a safe area at the start of the concert have been forced to go to raffle, very small area. but concert have been forced to go to raffle, very small area.— raffle, very small area. but with the humanitarian _ raffle, very small area. but with the humanitarian situation - raffle, very small area. but with the humanitarian situation in . raffle, very small area. but with l the humanitarian situation in bath abbey at the moment? of course, it follows that the is what the israeli is define their enemies, to be. and they're still holding hostages which is the primary war crime and those hostages should be released immediately back to israel and back to theirfamilies. the issue immediately back to israel and back to their families. the issue about the war and fighting has obviously moved certain safe areas southwards and they have gone down and even now

there are four crossings had a number of incidents which has caused laughs of life and severe injury, putting a increased pressure on the aid coming through. and there is no need save area which at the moment people are trying to flee to. you are quite right, hundreds of thousands, well over a million people have moved to the rafah region, living under plastic sheeting if they're lucky enough to have that, or out in the open. struggling to get the staples of life and temperatures do full strongly at nights are getting kind of heat let alone fuel for power, for infrastructure which is necessary to care for people but for as long as hamas, the terrorists, are using these innocent people as human shields, then they are at risk because of israel's clear

determination to pursue the terrorists for the absolute atrocity on the 7th of october. of course, your question will be what can you do about it? to which the answer, the most unlikely answer but the one which would be the most effective would of course be for the hamas fighters to give up and to put their arms beyond use and to release the hostages. absent that, it has to be that, ratherthan hostages. absent that, it has to be that, rather than the un making resolutions where the goodwill of the israelis is in short supply, is to really rely upon the tremendous professional goodwill of qatar, supported by egypt, and it is in their interest to protect people crossing into the sinai, i would hope very much that the talks will be continuing in qatar. qm. hope very much that the talks will be continuing in qatar.— be continuing in qatar. 0k, thank ou ve be continuing in qatar. 0k, thank you very much — be continuing in qatar. 0k, thank you very much for _ be continuing in qatar. 0k, thank you very much forjoining - be continuing in qatar. 0k, thank you very much forjoining us - be continuing in qatar. 0k, thank you very much forjoining us here | be continuing in qatar. 0k, thank. you very much forjoining us here in bbc news. final preparations are being made for new year celebrations in the uk, with a spectacular display involving

12,000 fireworks in london. tens of thousands of hogmanay revellers are expected to gather in edinburgh for the street party. and the concert in the gardens, which will be headlined by pulp. lorna gordon is in edinburgh for us. what is it looking like? yeah, you know, 50.000 _ what is it looking like? yeah, you know, 50,000 people _ what is it looking like? yeah, you know, 50,000 people are - what is it looking like? yeah, you l know, 50,000 people are expected here in the centre of edinburgh to take part in the celebrations. it is edinburgh's biggest party of the year. lots of bands. 0ne edinburgh's biggest party of the year. lots of bands. one of scotland's top tried bands. thank you forjoining us to put up for those who don't know tell us what hogmanay is all about. it is absolutely _ hogmanay is all about. it is absolutely massive - hogmanay is all about. it is absolutely massive foot - hogmanay is all about. it is absolutely massive foot of the biggest — absolutely massive foot of the biggest party of the year and no one does it_ biggest party of the year and no one does it better than edinburgh. they been here before _ does it better than edinburgh. tie: been here before and we does it better than edinburgh. tie1: been here before and we are delighted to be back. what is it like playing in front of the thousands that come to the centre of the capital city?— the capital city? good fun. good fun. that the capital city? good fun. good fun- that is _ the capital city? good fun. good fun. that is why _ the capital city? good fun. good fun. that is why we _ the capital city? good fun. good fun. that is why we keep - the capital city? good fun. good | fun. that is why we keep coming back _ fun. that is why we keep coming back we — fun. that is why we keep coming back we love _ fun. that is why we keep coming back. we love it _ fun. that is why we keep coming back. we love it here. _ fun. that is why we keep coming back. we love it here. it - fun. that is why we keep coming back. we love it here. it is - fun. that is why we keep coming back. we love it here. it is greatj back. we love it here. it is great furl _ back. we love it here. it is great furl it _ back. we love it here. it is great furl it is — back. we love it here. it is great furl it is the _ back. we love it here. it is great fun. it is the middle _ back. we love it here. it is great fun. it is the middle of- back. we love it here. it is great fun. it is the middle of winter. back. we love it here. it is great. fun. it is the middle of winter and it is cold — fun. it is the middle of winter and it is cold but— fun. it is the middle of winter and it is cold but it — fun. it is the middle of winter and it is cold but it means— fun. it is the middle of winter and it is cold but it means more - fun. it is the middle of winter and . it is cold but it means more dancing to keep _ it is cold but it means more dancing to keep warm — it is cold but it means more dancing to keep warm and_ it is cold but it means more dancing to keep warm and the _ it is cold but it means more dancing to keep warm and the for— it is cold but it means more dancing to keep warm and the for it. - it is cold but it means more dancing to keep warm and the for it. [5 - it is cold but it means more dancing to keep warm and the for it.- to keep warm and the for it. is that the aim to — to keep warm and the for it. is that the aim to get _

to keep warm and the for it. is that the aim to get people _ to keep warm and the for it. is that the aim to get people dancing? - the aim to get people dancing? absolutely. there is going to be a tonne of fireworks here. six minutes. what a setting above the castle. and that is our time off to watch them. lovely. what is hogmanay all about? ~ ., ., , ., ., all about? what does it mean to you au s? all about? what does it mean to you guys? growing _ all about? what does it mean to you guys? growing up — all about? what does it mean to you guys? growing no my _ all about? what does it mean to you guys? growing up my parents - all about? what does it mean to you guys? growing up my parents would| guys? growing up my parents would have a _ guys? growing up my parents would have a family — guys? growing up my parents would have a family but _ guys? growing up my parents would have a family but for _ guys? growing up my parents would have a family but for the _ guys? growing up my parents would have a family but for the last - guys? growing up my parents would have a family but for the last 15- have a family but for the last 15 years— have a family but for the last 15 years we've _ have a family but for the last 15 years we've played. _ have a family but for the last 15 years we've played. we - have a family but for the last 15 years we've played.— have a family but for the last 15 years we've played. we have been workinu. years we've played. we have been working- but _ years we've played. we have been working- but i _ years we've played. we have been working. but i love _ years we've played. we have been working. but i love it. _ years we've played. we have been working. but i love it. it— years we've played. we have been working. but i love it. it is- years we've played. we have been working. but i love it. it is such i years we've played. we have been working. but i love it. it is such a l working. but i love it. it is such a fun da . working. but i love it. it is such a fun day. everyone _ working. but i love it. it is such a fun day. everyone is _ working. but i love it. it is such a fun day. everyone is so _ working. but i love it. it is such a fun day. everyone is so up - working. but i love it. it is such a fun day. everyone is so up for. working. but i love it. it is such a fun day. everyone is so up for it. | working. but i love it. it is such a l fun day. everyone is so up for it. a spring _ fun day. everyone is so up for it. a spring in— fun day. everyone is so up for it. a spring in the — fun day. everyone is so up for it. a spring in the new— fun day. everyone is so up for it. a spring in the new year— fun day. everyone is so up for it. a spring in the new year and - fun day. everyone is so up for it. a spring in the new year and people| spring in the new year and people are up— spring in the new year and people are up for— spring in the new year and people are up for a — spring in the new year and people are up fora party— spring in the new year and people are up for a party and _ spring in the new year and people are up for a party and that - spring in the new year and people are up for a party and that is - spring in the new year and people are up for a party and that is the l are up for a party and that is the cloud _ are up for a party and that is the cloud we — are up for a party and that is the cloud we love _ are up for a party and that is the cloud we love playing _ are up for a party and that is the cloud we love playing for. - are up for a party and that is the cloud we love playing for. fit- are up for a party and that is the cloud we love playing for. a bigl cloud we love playing for. a big ha - cloud we love playing for. a big happy crowd- — cloud we love playing for. a big happy crowd. and _ cloud we love playing for. a big happy crowd. and it _ cloud we love playing for. a big happy crowd. and it starts - cloud we love playing for.- happy crowd. and it starts again across the bells.— happy crowd. and it starts again across the bells. what is the year had held for _ across the bells. what is the year had held for you? _ across the bells. what is the year had held for you? we _ across the bells. what is the year had held for you? we are - across the bells. what is the year had held for you? we are going l across the bells. what is the year| had held for you? we are going all across— had held for you? we are going all across the — had held for you? we are going all across the uk_ had held for you? we are going all across the uk and _ had held for you? we are going all across the uk and europe - had held for you? we are going all across the uk and europe and, - had held for you? we are going all across the uk and europe and, for| across the uk and europe and, for the first— across the uk and europe and, for the first time _ across the uk and europe and, for the first time ever, _ across the uk and europe and, for the first time ever, we _ across the uk and europe and, for the first time ever, we are - across the uk and europe and, for the first time ever, we are putting on our— the first time ever, we are putting on our own— the first time ever, we are putting on our own festival— the first time ever, we are putting on our own festival and _ the first time ever, we are puttingl on our own festival and september the first time ever, we are putting. on our own festival and september 13 and 14th _ on our own festival and september 13 and 14th lip— on our own festival and september 13 and 14th. , ., �* ., . ., ,, and 14th. up north. blackout. thank ou ve and 14th. up north. blackout. thank you very much _ and 14th. up north. blackout. thank you very much for — and 14th. up north. blackout. thank

you very much for that. _ and 14th. up north. blackout. thank you very much for that. thank - and 14th. up north. blackout. thank you very much for that. thank you. | you very much for that. thank you. thousands of people will be dancing to traditional scottish music and by the end of the week there will be another band playing. and for many people the highlight will be those six minutes of fireworks at midnight above the castle here in the centre of edinburgh. we are looking forward to it. thank you very much indeed. you are watching bbc news. and it is time now for a look at the sport. we will start with english premier league. hello from the bbc sport centre. let's start with the english premier league and mikel arteta says their defeat to fulham was the worst game of the season so far. arsenal lost 2—1 at craven cottage, missing their chance to return to the top. they took the lead through bukayo saka, but goals from rauljimenez and bobby decordova—reid either side of half time were enough for fulham to win and move them up to 13th. arsenal remain 4th, two points off liverpool and have played a game more.

today was our worst game of the season, i think. the pace, the purpose we have, we were second best in every action, we could not dominate and we had issues because of that. really disappointing. in saturday's other premier league game, tottenham cruised to a 3—1 win over bournemouth. goals from heung—min son and richarlison in the last 20 minutes, added to pape sarr�*s opener, before bournemouth scored a consolation through alex scott, who also had a goal ruled out for off—side. spurs are nowjust a point behind rivals arsenal in the table. we wanted to show a bit of a response today, and credit to the lads, they had two days lest rest than bournemouth, and the brighton game took a lot out of us physically. to put in that sort of effort was outstanding. luton town captain tom lockyer says he'll meet specialists in the new year to decide his footballing future. lockyer suffered a cardiac arrest during luton's match

against bournemouth on the 16th of december and has had an internal defibrillator fitted. in a statement on social media, he praised the doctors and paramedics, as well as the reactions of his team—mates and both sets of fans at the match earlier this month. in tennis, novak djokovic led serbia to a 2—1win over china in the united cup. djokovic beat china's zhang zhizhen in the first match, before 0lga danilovic lost to make the mixed doubles the decider. well, serbia won that 2 sets to 1. and that means they're second in group e behind china, who've already beaten the czech republic. staying with tennis, rafael nadal�*s first singles match since last january will be against austrian dominic thiem. they've been drawn against each other in the round of 32 at the brisbane 0pen. nadal was beaten in his comeback match, losing in the doubles alongside compatriot marc lopez at the brisbane international.

emma raducanu will certainly be hoping for a better upcoming season. the 2021 us open champion says she feels "reborn" as she prepares to return to the court this week after an eight month injury. raducanu underwent three surgeries, on her right ankle and both wrists, and dropped to number 298 in the world. her last on—court appearance was a defeat tojelena 0stapenko in stuttgart last april, but the 21—year—old said she is fit and ready to return for this week's asb classic in auckland, with a new perspective on her career. i feel reborn in a way, ifeel fresh. i feel ready, i feel happy, i feel excited. 0verall, i'm feeling very positive and lighter. i think that, for two years after the us open i felt may be a bit more weight on my shoulders, but now i feel completely fresh. the ugandan athlete benjamin kiplagat, who has represented his country at three

olympic games, has been found dead in kenya, with local reports saying he had been stabbed. the 34—year—old reached the semi—finals of the 2012 london olympics in the 3,000 metres steeplechase. he was reportedly found in a car with stab wounds near the rift valley town of eldoret, known as a top training centre for athletes. kenyan police have launched an investigation. and that's all the sport for now. russia's president vladimir putin says his country will never back down, as he addressed the nation in a new year's eve speech. ukraine came under attack from russian air strikes again overnight, mainly in the eastern kharkiv region. ukraine has disputed russia's claim it was targeting military targets in its latest attack on the, with kyiv claiming "not a single one was hit". 0ur correspondent james waterhouse has the latest on the recent strikes in ukraine and russia.

ina week in a week when we saw the biggest ever aerial bombardment we saw ukraine respondent russia hit back and it seems in the north—east city of the past 48 hours is really bore the brunt with several dozens of missiles landing in the city, causing extensive damage to medical buildings, residential blocks including a hotel, popular among foreignjournalists. 0urteam including a hotel, popular among foreignjournalists. our team were foreign journalists. our team were there foreignjournalists. our team were there only a few days ago. so i think this is a deadly tit—for—tat in the aerial sense and it almost takes place in tandem with what goes on in the front line when you have vladimir putin, as you say, saying he will never retreat were in the game and expected him to say otherwise but certainly there were fears russia had been stockpiling missiles as we approach the new year

celebrations but i think that moment has already arrived. china's leader, xijinping, has reiterated his claim that it is inevitable that taiwan will be reunified with mainland china. mr xi made the comments during his new year's address, which comes less than two weeks before a general election in the self—ruled island that beijing considers part of its own territory. in the speech, president xi also addressed a challenging year for the country's economy, stating it had weathered the storm. europe's longest reigning monarch, the queen of denmark, has announced that she will abdicate the throne injanuary. the queen made the unexpected announcement during her annual new year's address to the nation. the monarch has on the throne for 52 years and is europe's only reigning queen. she said her son, crown prince frederik, would take over on the 14th of january. the 83—year—old queen said her decision to pass the throne to the next generation had been influenced by her health. she had back surgery

earlier in 2023. i spoke to a journalist for her view on the application. , application. , application. i mean, the queen's speech is a speech that all people in denmark traditionally gather around to hear, and also people have guessing games in terms of which topics that she will touch upon. and usually she talks about topics that has marked the year. this year in her speech, she actually was very serious in her tone of voice from the get go. she spoke about the war in ukraine. she spoke about the war in gaza. and she also spoke about the climate crisis. and i would say the highlights. i mean, the positive thing she spoke about in her in her speech was her grandson, prince christian, in connection with his 18th birthday, where he held a very praised speech. and by mentioning him, she gave a nod to the new generation. and it was actually right after she spoke about prince christian that she mentioned her health, her back issues, and basically said

that he was ready to retract from her royal duties. she's also a renowned chain smoker as well, isn't she? well, yes, that's quite true. so this happened this happened a couple of hours ago. i know you've been monitoring the social media. what's been the reaction from the public there? i mean, most people are very, very shocked because she is a very gathering figure. but people also feel as if it's okay because she's been on the throne for over 50 years and she's really done a very good job. but on the other hand, a lot of people expected her to stay until her death, which i mean, she... she's not going to do that. yeah. and so now it it hands over to crown prince frederick. what sort of monarch do you think he's going to be? that's going to be very interesting. but i would say basically he's very popular because he's very,

very down to earth. i mean, usually you will see him at the festivals we have here in denmark during the summertime. and he also has this royal run where he does... does... sorry, where he he goes around different cities in denmark and a lot of people, they sign up because they want to run the australian journalist and documentary filmakerjohn pilger, known for his hard—hitting journalism and tv documentaries, has died at the age of 84. he worked for a number of publications including the daily mirror, world in action and the guardian and was highly critical of western foreign policy. he first became prominent with his 1970s documentary film �*the quiet mutiny�*, made during one of his visits to vietnam. i'm joined by tim dawson, the deputy general secretary of international federation of journalist.

i want to start off by asking how all you remember him? 1&5 i want to start off by asking how all you remember him?- all you remember him? as an enormously — all you remember him? as an enormously committed - all you remember him? as an enormously committed and i all you remember him? as an - enormously committed and talented journalist who i think, you know, is a giant ofjournalism not only in this country but around the world. someone who is tenacious pursuit of so many subjects really changed world affairs and while many things, many of his opinions that i don't share, i think is a shining example of committed, determinejournalism of committed, determine journalism who of committed, determinejournalism who takes that commitment and determination to entirely new audiences. ihis determination to entirely new audiences— determination to entirely new audiences. , . ., ., , audiences. his critics to accuse him of sensationalism _ audiences. his critics to accuse him of sensationalism and _ audiences. his critics to accuse him of sensationalism and sometimes l of sensationalism and sometimes siding with autocratic governments, didn't they? he had many critics. we had many, many views and it is unsurprising that he had critics. i unsurprising that he had critics. i said one of colleagues earlier he that he is somebody i would not have voted for if he should be prime minister but once i voted for a primer so would i want him to be

holding them to account and holding their feet to the fire to make sure they delivered on their promises? i absolutely would. i read an interview with him when he said journalism is nothing if it is not about humanity. it journalism is nothing if it is not about humanity.— journalism is nothing if it is not about humanity. it has to be about --eoles about humanity. it has to be about peoples lives- _ about humanity. it has to be about peoples lives. he _ about humanity. it has to be about peoples lives. he certainly - about humanity. it has to be about peoples lives. he certainly made l about humanity. it has to be about peoples lives. he certainly made it that, didn't he? he certainly did. you know, if you read his columns, he was a very visualjournalist so we'll start with some detail that he had observed that he felt exposed a deeper truth and would explore that before, you know, moving to a much broader picture and setting something in the context that he thought was important. australia but he moved to — thought was important. australia but he moved to the _ thought was important. australia but he moved to the uk _ thought was important. australia but he moved to the uk as _ thought was important. australia but he moved to the uk as a _ thought was important. australia but he moved to the uk as a boy - thought was important. australia but he moved to the uk as a boy and - thought was important. australia but l he moved to the uk as a boy and made it really has home and that is where he did most of the journalism from. yes, he did, he did. although, obviously, part of his early reputation is based on his reporting from across indochina, the vietnam war and its on what impact in

countries like cambodia so for many years people would have seen as very much a champion of that part of the world and he did important work about his home country and injustices perpetrated on aboriginals in particular so while he was somebody firmly rooted in london, he was very much a journalist of the world. what you think his legacy _ journalist of the world. what you think his legacy will _ journalist of the world. what you think his legacy will be? - journalist of the world. what you think his legacy will be? i - journalist of the world. what you think his legacy will be? i hope l journalist of the world. what you i think his legacy will be? i hope his lea will think his legacy will be? i hope his legacy will be _ think his legacy will be? i hope his legacy will be the _ think his legacy will be? i hope his legacy will be the inspiration - think his legacy will be? i hope his legacy will be the inspiration that l legacy will be the inspiration that he has provided full scores and scores ofjournalists. i, like many other people you mayjournalism their living, remembers a student reading his works and even at that time, not agreeing with every word but thinking, if i could do something remotely comparable to what he has done then that would be a satisfying way to spend my life and, you know, journalism can be very hard way to make a living. it can a very hard word in which to get on so having some real inspiration of people who have channel deeply felt and strongly convicted beliefs into, you know, ways of revealing

the world anew, i think that inspiration will continue to inspire journalists particularly.— journalists particularly. thank you for remembering _ journalists particularly. thank you for remembering john _ journalists particularly. thank you for remembering john pilger - journalists particularly. thank you for remembering john pilger who | journalists particularly. thank you . for remembering john pilger who has died at the age of 84. hello there, good evening. blustery showers across the uk for much of the day. heavy thundery downpours for many, but also some sunny spells, so some beautiful rainbows spotted by our weather watchers, and very windy conditions across the south coast of england and wales. now, the ground already pretty saturated from all of the recent rain. there are a number of flood warnings in place, particularly across the welsh marches down into south—west england. all of the details on those on the bbc weather website. we've seen low pressure gradually push its way eastwards across the uk. in the centre of the low pressure across northern england and scotland, the winds are light but still very blustery towards the south coast overnight tonight. still plenty more showers around as well.

the focus for that wet weather across north—west england stretching down through into the north midlands and some more showers for parts of argyll and bute as well. some clearer skies for many. it's a cold, frosty start to new year's day after the hogmanay celebrations in scotland, but it is milder further south. let's take a look at new year's day. for most of us, i think it will be a nicer looking day of weather. if you fancy a new year's stroll, there will be quite a lot of dry weather around, some sunshine. that will last longest across east anglia for northern england, the midlands, northern ireland and for much of scotland. but the cloud will start to build towards the south—west of england through the late morning. there'll be outbreaks of heavy rain here by the time we get to the mid afternoon. temperatures starting to slip a little, 5 to 11 celsius. the milder air, of course, where we've got the cloud and the rain and those heavy downpours of rain falling on saturated ground, of course, in many places. starting to drift northwards and eastwards as we head through monday evening, eventually clearing the south coast. but there's more rain just waiting in the wings and we'll be seeing that on tuesday morning. as you can see on the pressure chart here, again, it's that on tuesday morning. as you can see on the pressure chart here, again, it's

tending to move its way northwards and eastward. so some more heavy rain across much of england and wales as we go through the first part of tuesday. that drifts into northern england by the end of the day. another feed of rain, some wintry showers perhaps over the tops of the hills into parts of aberdeenshire with the brisk southeasterly wind. temperatures turning milder, of course, towards the south, underneath the cloud and the rain, 11 to 13 celsius, but still colder across scotland and northern ireland. but here is the outlook for our capital cities. as we head through the start ofjanuary, things will be turning a lot colder for all of us by next weekend. bye— bye. we are still a few hours away from 2024 but around the world people have been celebrating, as rachel reports. five, four, three, two, one! new year celebrations have officially begun.

auckland in new zealand became the first major city to mark the start of 2024 with this light show on its harbour bridge and sky tower. sydney followed on from auckland with huge crowds gathering to watch a spectacular firework display over the harbour bridge and the opera house. japan has welcomed in the new year with this bell—ringing ceremony in tokyo. followed shortly after by seoul in south korea. fireworks then lit up the sky in hong kong, while in taiwan crowds enjoyed this display at the taipei 101 skyscraper. countries across the rest of the world are still gearing up for midnight celebrations and in some places preparations are still under way. in london, the fireworks display later is over in minutes, but it's been months in the making.

planning started in august, but a small team of 22 have spent three long days on the final touches. 10,000 fireworks are loaded onto three barges ready to head down the thames to the london eye, where they'll be set off at midnight. we've got over 30 tonnes of equipment that gets loaded onto the barges, 50 kilometres of cable and wiring, 4,500 cues that all need to be wired in and tested all ready for the midnight moment. preparations on the day itself are often close to the wire, with the london eye rigged just two hours before the display starts. four, three, two, one! with everything set, the sky a blank canvas, the teams will be hoping it all runs like clockwork. rachel mcadam, bbc news. we are expecting around 12 minutes of fireworks at midnight, and i will

be here to guide you through them