hello, i'm nicky schiller. we want to start by taking you to three more countries that are welcoming in 2024, but in different ways. let's start in greece, this is the scene in athens where there is a firework display over the famous parthenon temple and the acropolis. and next to ukraine, this is the scene in kyiv�*s independence square, as you can see there are no people we have welcomed it in asia in many parts of asia, already in 202a. still to come, europe. this is the

first bit of europe. we had russia an hour ago first bit of europe. we had russia an hourago and first bit of europe. we had russia an hour ago and athens now and we also will of course have places like paris and berlin. in our�*s time and of course we will also have london as well to come but those of the celebrations in athens. it is a different picture in ukraine. it is a different picture in ukraine. and next to ukraine, this is the scene in kyiv�*s independence square, as you can see there are no people on the streets there. a curfew is in force because of the war with russia. locals aren't allowed. and from the war in ukraine, to the one between israel and gaza. this is the skyline

from israel looking into gaza. many probably hoping for peace as a new year. and final preparations are being made. there will be a huge fireworks display in london and also revellers will be taking part in a traditional hogmanay celebration in edinburgh. let's get an update on both of those. our correspondence are there. greg is in london but first let's go to lorna because the party is already under way in edinburgh. i can see she's got her finger in her ear which means it is already noisy. how's it going? it is ear which means it is already noisy. hovfs it going?— how's it going? it is already very loud here in _ how's it going? it is already very loud here in edinburgh. - how's it going? it is already very loud here in edinburgh. it- how's it going? it is already very loud here in edinburgh. it had i how's it going? it is already very i loud here in edinburgh. it had some fireworks. short blasts about the

castle here in the centre of the city and 50,000 people packed into the street behind me and the gardens below. they are taking part in this huge new year celebration in the city which bills itself as the home of hogmanay. there is a ceilidh, a silent disco, traditional music as well and some really big bands tonight. a little later on we will sit here from pulp who people of a certain age gave the soundtrack for their generation. they did a sound check a little earlier on. the shoppers who normally pack the street were excited. they will be on an hour. some street performers up and down the street here. safety is the number one priority for the organisers. there is a lot of police on duty tonight and those behind tonight's events says it takes about a year to organise. the highlight of

the course those fireworks at midnight and we are expecting a tonne of fireworks to go off above the castle in edinburgh. they will last about six and a half minutes are big celebrations here in edinburgh to mark the end of 2023 and the start of 202a. emir)? edinburgh to mark the end of 2023 and the start of 2024.— and the start of 2024. en'oy the -a . six and the start of 2024. en'oy the party. six minutes * and the start of 2024. en'oy the party. six minutes of _ and the start of 2024. enjoy the party. six minutes of fireworks l and the start of 2024. enjoy the l party. six minutes of fireworks in edinburgh. got to double that in london. craig mackenzie is on the banks of the river thames. 0ur london. craig mackenzie is on the banks of the river thames. our other preparations for the fireworks going? preparations for the fireworks ttoin ? , ., ., preparations for the fireworks uuoin? preparations for the fireworks ttoin? ., going? good evening. more than 100,000 people _ going? good evening. more than 100,000 people here _ going? good evening. more than 100,000 people here on - going? good evening. more than 100,000 people here on the - going? good evening. more than i 100,000 people here on the banks going? good evening. more than - 100,000 people here on the banks of the river_ 100,000 people here on the banks of the river thames to experience this spectacular— the river thames to experience this spectacular light show of fireworks. the biggest fireworks display in europe — the biggest fireworks display in europe. 20,000 fireworks will lit up here on_ europe. 20,000 fireworks will lit up here on the — europe. 20,000 fireworks will lit up here on the london eye, the most iconic_ here on the london eye, the most iconic symbol of the country. the london _ iconic symbol of the country. the london eyeball set the sky alight. let's _ london eyeball set the sky alight. let's talk— london eyeball set the sky alight. let's talk to some of those lucky enough — let's talk to some of those lucky enough to— let's talk to some of those lucky enough to get tickets.— let's talk to some of those lucky enough to get tickets. happy new year. how enough to get tickets. happy new

year- how long — enough to get tickets. happy new year. how long have _ enough to get tickets. happy new year. how long have you - enough to get tickets. happy new year. how long have you been - year. how long have you been waiting? — year. how long have you been waitina? �* year. how long have you been waitina? ~ ., year. how long have you been waitina? �* ., ., , . ., waiting? about four hours. we got here at half— waiting? about four hours. we got here at half five. _ waiting? about four hours. we got here at half five. you've _ waiting? about four hours. we got here at half five. you've got - waiting? about four hours. we got here at half five. you've got your | here at half five. you've got your union _ here at half five. you've got your unionjack— here at half five. you've got your unionjack hat. we here at half five. you've got your union jack hat.— here at half five. you've got your union jack hat. we are so excited. we saw a and _ union jack hat. we are so excited. we saw a and we _ union jack hat. we are so excited. we saw a and we wanted - union jack hat. we are so excited. we saw a and we wanted to - union jack hat. we are so excited. we saw a and we wanted to be - union jack hat. we are so excited. i we saw a and we wanted to be even further at the front.— we saw a and we wanted to be even further at the front. where have you travelled from? _ further at the front. where have you travelled from? from _ further at the front. where have you travelled from? from india. - further at the front. where have you travelled from? from india. this - further at the front. where have you travelled from? from india. this is i travelled from? from india. this is my second — travelled from? from india. this is my second year — travelled from? from india. this is my second year here _ travelled from? from india. this is my second year here in _ travelled from? from india. this is my second year here in london. i travelled from? from india. this is | my second year here in london. you are at the front. _ my second year here in london. are at the front. 100,000 people, sea of people. are at the front. 100,000 people, sea of people-— are at the front. 100,000 people, sea of people. pretty amazing. hope for the best- — sea of people. pretty amazing. hope forthe best- i— sea of people. pretty amazing. hope for the best. i admit _ sea of people. pretty amazing. hope for the best. i admit we _ sea of people. pretty amazing. hope for the best. i admit we are - sea of people. pretty amazing. hope for the best. i admit we are about i for the best. i admit we are about two hours — for the best. i admit we are about two hours away, _ for the best. i admit we are about two hours away, just _ for the best. i admit we are about two hours away, just under- for the best. i admit we are about two hours away, just under two i for the best. i admit we are about i two hours away, just under two hours now here _ two hours away, just under two hours now here is _ two hours away, just under two hours now here is that — two hours away, just under two hours now here is that the _ two hours away, just under two hours now here is that the way— two hours away, just under two hours now here is that the way it _ two hours away, just under two hours now here is that the way it has - two hours away, just under two hours now here is that the way it has be i now here is that the way it has be worth— now here is that the way it has be worth it — now here is that the way it has be worth it 2023, _ now here is that the way it has be worth it. 2023, how— now here is that the way it has be worth it. 2023, how was - now here is that the way it has be worth it. 2023, how was your- now here is that the way it has be i worth it. 2023, how was your year? full of— worth it. 2023, how was your year? full of ups — worth it. 2023, how was your year? full of ups and _ worth it. 2023, how was your year? full of ups and downs _ worth it. 2023, how was your year? full of ups and downs but _ worth it. 2023, how was your year? full of ups and downs but i- worth it. 2023, how was your year? full of ups and downs but i rather. full of ups and downs but i rather look at the apps. and the new year. i'm really excited for 2024 and everything the year was going to bring. it everything the year was going to brina. , everything the year was going to brin. _ , ., ., , everything the year was going to brina. _, , everything the year was going to bring. it is almost upon us are auoin to bring. it is almost upon us are going to have _ bring. it is almost upon us are going to have a _ bring. it is almost upon us are going to have a big _ bring. it is almost upon us are going to have a big old - bring. it is almost upon us are going to have a big old chair i bring. it is almost upon us are l going to have a big old chair and bring. it is almost upon us are i going to have a big old chair and a minute. it is too early now but very soon, and under two hours. thank

you. there have it. some of the voices here along the embankment and, ultimately, less than two hours' time the fireworks will go and it will be a ten minute spectacular. there will be messages, a special message from the king, a special message from the mayor of london and this year's theme is unity. uniting the country into 2024. thank you very much indeed. greg mckenzie on the banks of the river thames and you will be able to follow the fireworks here on bbc news and a reminder there is a special live page on the bbc news website. and i will bring you the celebrations in order to live under a hours' time. we will have the nation that makes elevations across the united kingdom. some of the rest of the day's the news. 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 meters of the vessel. the fourth craft fled the area. the houthi rebels say their actions are in protest against the gaza war, where there have been more airstrikes by israel. 0ur correspondent shaimaa khalil is injerusalem, a little earlier she sent us this report on the situation in gaza, and a warning 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 nuseirat refugee camp. further south in neighboring 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. the houthis have released a statement confirming that ten militants were killed in the us's response to their attack on the vessel, saying the united states would bear the consequences and vowing to continue targeting what they described as israeli—linked ships. as this year draws to a close, there is no end in sight for the war in gaza or the suffering of its people. shaimaa khalil, bbc news, jerusalem. as this year draws to a close, there is no end in sight for the war in gaza or the suffering of its people. shaimaa khalil, bbc news, jerusalem. the israeli military says it's withdrawing some reservist troops from gaza to give them a break, in preparation forfurther fighting into next year. the idf said five brigades had been released, but they'd be

needed back in gaza soon, as the campaign to eradicate hamas would go on. here's idf spokesperson, rear admiral daniel hagari making those comments. these days we are also adjusting the plan of forces' deployment in gaza and in the array of the service. some of the reserve soldiers will return to theirfamilies and theirjobs this week. this will allow a significant relief for the economy, and will allow them to gather strength ahead of the coming activities in the new year. the fighting will continue, and we will need them. these adjustments are meant to ensure planning and preparation for the rest of the 2024. the idf must plan ahead with the understanding that will be required for and the continuation of the fighting all throughout this year. that is the idf spokesperson. rear admiral chris parry is a former royal navy warfare officer, strategic forecaster and writer. 0ne one of the things i have said over

the years is that the sea is the physical equivalent of their world wide web and you get sort of choke points where the geography constrains the maritime route so you get it in the english channel, near singapore and other areas and to get quite a lot of shipping going through. it is very high density and, of course, much of the oil and gas that the west uses comes through that route. the only alternative, really, is to go around the cape and it is quite significant, of course, that the agents of iran are not constraining oil and gas that is going to china and india but they are constraining the oil and gas thatis are constraining the oil and gas that is coming to europe and the rest of the free world. in that is coming to europe and the rest of the free world.— rest of the free world. in the middle east _ rest of the free world. in the middle east to _ rest of the free world. in the middle east to russia. i russia's president vladimir putin says his country will never back down in its war against ukraine, 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". here's our correspondent james waterhouse in kyiv. in a week where we saw its biggest ever aerial bombardment, we saw ukraine respond. then russia hit back. and it seems the northeastern city of kharkiv over the past 48 to 48 hours has really bore the brunt, with several dozens of missiles landing in the city, causing extensive damage to medical buildings. we're told residential blocks, including a hotel popular among foreignjournalists. we, our team were there only a few days ago. so i think this is a deadly tit for tat in the aerial sense. but it it almost takes place in tandem with what goes on on the front line when you have vladimir putin, as you say, saying he will never retreat. i don't think anyone expected him to say otherwise.

but certainly it's been. there were fears russia had been stockpiling missiles as we approached the new year celebrations. but i think that moment has already arrived. 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 fourteenth of january. the 83—year—old queen said her decision to pass the throne to the next generation had been influenced by her health. a danishjournalist told us more about the announcement. a surprise announcement. 0n the 14th of january 2020 four, 52 years after succeeding my beloved father, i will

step down as the queen of denmark. i3 step down as the queen of denmark. b 83 danish queen said time had taken its toll on her health and she the decision to abdicate after undergoing back surgery in february. this surgery naturally gave rise to thinking about the future. but at the time had come to leave the responsibility to the next generation. i have decided that now is the right time. the generation. i have decided that now is the right time.— is the right time. the queen plans to hand the _ is the right time. the queen plans to hand the phone _ is the right time. the queen plans to hand the phone to _ is the right time. the queen plans to hand the phone to the - is the right time. the queen plans to hand the phone to the eldest i is the right time. the queen plans to hand the phone to the eldest of her two sons. is to hand the phone to the eldest of her two sons-— to hand the phone to the eldest of her two sons. is very down to earth and a very — her two sons. is very down to earth and a very modern _ her two sons. is very down to earth and a very modern person. - her two sons. is very down to earth and a very modern person. is i her two sons. is very down to earth and a very modern person. is for i and a very modern person. is for kids— and a very modern person. is for kids and — and a very modern person. is for kids and most of his kids actually went— kids and most of his kids actually went to _ kids and most of his kids actually went to public school instead of private — went to public school instead of private schools are people feel very connected — private schools are people feel very connected to him. i've met for many danes _ connected to him. i've met for many danes she _ connected to him. i've met for many danes she is— connected to him. i've met for many danes she is the only monarch they've — danes she is the only monarch they've ever known. she is seen windsor— they've ever known. she is seen windsor castle in 1974, two years windsor castle in1974, two years after— windsor castle in 1974, two years after she — windsor castle in 1974, two years after she succeeded her father king frederik _ after she succeeded her father king frederik. at the death of queen elizabeth— frederik. at the death of queen elizabeth ii, she became the longest serving _ elizabeth ii, she became the longest serving monarch in europe. denmark's

prime minister — serving monarch in europe. denmark's prime minister thanked _ serving monarch in europe. denmark's prime minister thanked the _ serving monarch in europe. denmark's prime minister thanked the queen i serving monarch in europe. denmark's prime minister thanked the queen for| prime minister thanked the queen for her service saying it was difficult to understand that the time had come for a change of throne. a feeling echoed across denmark as the nation prepares to welcome the next royal generation. you saw her in the report but earlier i spoke to a journalist who gave me her reaction to this unexpected announcement. 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 highlight 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 with the with the new crown prince, the new the former the future king of denmark. so he's very, very down to earth and very, very modern person. he has four kids. and for most of his kids, they actually went to public school instead of private schools. so people feel very connected to him.

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 19705 documentary film �*the quiet mutiny�*, made during one of his visits to vietnam. tim dawson is the deputy general secretary of international federation ofjournalist. here's are his thoughts onjohn pilger. an enormously committed and talented journalist a giant ofjournalism, not only in this country but around the world. he is someone whose tenacious pursuit with the change world affairs and while there are many things, many of his opinions that i do not share, i think he is a shining example of committed, determined journalism, who takes that commitment and determination to entirely new audiences.

his critics did accuse him of sensationalism and sometimes siding with autocratic governments, didn't they? he had many critics. he had many, many views and it is unsurprising that he had critics. i said to one of your colleagues earlier, he is quite possibly someone i would not have voted for had he stood to be prime minister, but once i had voted for somebody to be prime minister would i want pilger to be holding them to account? would i want him to be holding their feet to the fire, to make sure that they delivered on their promises? i absolutely would. i read an interview with him where he once said journalism is nothing if it is not about humanity. it has to be about peoples' lives. he certainly made it that, didn't he? he certainly did. i mean, if you read his columns, particularly, he was a very visualjournalism he would very often start with some detail that he had observed that he felt exposed the deeper truth, and he would explore that before, you know, moving to a much broader picture and setting something in a context that he thought was important.

australian, but moved to the uk as a boy and made it really his home and that is where he did most of hisjournalism from. yes, he did, he did. obviously, a large part of his earlier reputation is based on his reporting from across indochina, the vietnam war and it sort of onward impact on countries like cambodia setting for many years it would have seen him as very much a champion of that part of the world, and he then did important work about his home country, injustices perpetrated on aboriginals, in particular. and so, while he was somebody firmly rooted in london, he was very much a journalist of the world. john pilger, who has died at the age of 84. you know we're bringing you the build—up new year's eve celebrations across the uk and for london big ben is synonymous with the events but you might not know that united will

have been 100 years since they were first broadcast on the radio. we then finding out more. broadcast live the bells and the clock itself have mattered hugely to generations of people. the bonds are one of the most recognised towns around the world. big one of the most recognised towns around the world.— one of the most recognised towns around the world. big ben has been broadcast now— around the world. big ben has been broadcast now because _ around the world. big ben has been broadcast now because it _ around the world. big ben has been broadcast now because it is - around the world. big ben has been i broadcast now because it is becoming a symbol of freedom so the people who are hearing it throughout the second world war realise that there was one country which was still free. thereafter, it was part of the meaning of, the symbol of freedom. is a seamless operation getting the

bungs transmitted but it hasn't always been this easy. big ben's bongs were first broadcast on new year's eve 1923. bbc engineers were not allowed in the building. instead, they had to climb onto a roof top opposite the houses of parliament with a microphone to capture the sounds. in february 1924 the bells were regularly transmitted on the radio and the tradition is run ever since then with the chimes of this great bell, big ben, also being held on special occasions such as christmas day, armistice day and new year's eve. but there have been some notable exceptions. during the second world war, unbeknownst to the public, the bongs were replaced with recorded ones for security reasons. in 2017 the chimes on radio four were silenced again with a recording used inside. that was due to major restoration work taking place in the elizabeth tower which houses the clarke and bales. it elizabeth tower which houses the

clarke and bales.— elizabeth tower which houses the clarke and bales. it was important so that we give — clarke and bales. it was important so that we give restore _ clarke and bales. it was important so that we give restore the - clarke and bales. it was importantl so that we give restore the building for future _ so that we give restore the building for future generations. there were stone _ for future generations. there were stone were — for future generations. there were stone were crumbling and the great clock had _ stone were crumbling and the great clock had a — stone were crumbling and the great clock had a major overhaul in 30 years— clock had a major overhaul in 30 years at— clock had a major overhaul in 30 years at that point. we also upgraded the infrastructure so new tighting _ upgraded the infrastructure so new lighting that you can see now but also fire — lighting that you can see now but also fire systems, security systems and also _ also fire systems, security systems and also we — also fire systems, security systems and also we put heating in to preserve _ and also we put heating in to preserve the fabric for the very first time _ preserve the fabric for the very first time-— preserve the fabric for the very first time. ., ., , ., , first time. the tower has now been restored to — first time. the tower has now been restored to its _ first time. the tower has now been restored to its former _ first time. the tower has now been restored to its former glory. i first time. the tower has now been restored to its former glory. new i restored to its former glory. new microphones have been installed which means the alive bongs have a turn. with extra microphones being brought in on new year's eve. and brought in on new year's eve. and this is the mechanism that keeps it all taking — this is the mechanism that keeps it all taking so— this is the mechanism that keeps it all taking. so what _ this is the mechanism that keeps it all taking. so what we _ this is the mechanism that keeps it all taking. so what we have - this is the mechanism that keeps it all taking. so what we have here i this is the mechanism that keeps it all taking. so what we have here is| all taking. so what we have here is all taking. so what we have here is a flatbed _ all taking. so what we have here is a flatbed mechanism. _ all taking. so what we have here is a flatbed mechanism. it _ all taking. so what we have here is a flatbed mechanism. it is - all taking. so what we have here is a flatbed mechanism. it is a - all taking. so what we have here is a flatbed mechanism. it is a threel a flatbed mechanism. it is a three train _ a flatbed mechanism. it is a three train ctoch— a flatbed mechanism. it is a three train clock so _ a flatbed mechanism. it is a three train clock so it _ a flatbed mechanism. it is a three train clock so it has _ a flatbed mechanism. it is a three train clock so it has got _ a flatbed mechanism. it is a three train clock so it has got three i train clock so it has got three separate _ train clock so it has got three separate components, - train clock so it has got three separate components, wanti train clock so it has got three. separate components, want to train clock so it has got three i separate components, want to do train clock so it has got three - separate components, want to do the chimes. _ separate components, want to do the chimes. want — separate components, want to do the chimes. want to— separate components, want to do the chimes, want to do _ separate components, want to do the chimes, want to do the _ separate components, want to do the chimes, want to do the to _ separate components, want to do the chimes, want to do the to strike i separate components, want to do the chimes, want to do the to strike big i chimes, want to do the to strike big ben _ chimes, want to do the to strike big ben it _ chimes, want to do the to strike big ben it is _ chimes, want to do the to strike big ben. it is powered _ chimes, want to do the to strike big ben. it is powered by— chimes, want to do the to strike big ben. it is powered by three - chimes, want to do the to strike big ben. it is powered by three weights| ben. it is powered by three weights with a _ ben. it is powered by three weights with a combined _ ben. it is powered by three weights with a combined weight _ ben. it is powered by three weights with a combined weight of - ben. it is powered by three weights with a combined weight of two i ben. it is powered by three weights with a combined weight of two and i ben. it is powered by three weightsl with a combined weight of two and a quarter— with a combined weight of two and a quarter tonnes, _ with a combined weight of two and a quarter tonnes, it— with a combined weight of two and a quarter tonnes, it is— with a combined weight of two and a quarter tonnes, it is travel— with a combined weight of two and a quarter tonnes, it is travel down i quarter tonnes, it is travel down the central— quarter tonnes, it is travel down the central of— quarter tonnes, it is travel down the central of the _ quarter tonnes, it is travel down the central of the tower- quarter tonnes, it is travel down the central of the tower and i quarter tonnes, it is travel down the central of the tower and it . quarter tonnes, it is travel down i the central of the tower and it has an 85— the central of the tower and it has an 85 metre — the central of the tower and it has an 85 metre shaft _ the central of the tower and it has an 85 metre shaft which _ the central of the tower and it has an 85 metre shaft which goes i the central of the tower and it hasl an 85 metre shaft which goes down the middle — an 85 metre shaft which goes down the middle of— an 85 metre shaft which goes down the middle of the _

an 85 metre shaft which goes down the middle of the tower. _ an 85 metre shaft which goes down the middle of the tower. three i an 85 metre shaft which goes down the middle of the tower. three a i the middle of the tower. three a week— the middle of the tower. three a week we — the middle of the tower. three a week we come _ the middle of the tower. three a week we come up _ the middle of the tower. three a week we come up to _ the middle of the tower. three a week we come up to the - the middle of the tower. three a i week we come up to the mechanism to wind the _ week we come up to the mechanism to wind the clock— week we come up to the mechanism to wind the clock weights _ week we come up to the mechanism to wind the clock weights back _ week we come up to the mechanism to wind the clock weights back up - week we come up to the mechanism to wind the clock weights back up to i wind the clock weights back up to the top — wind the clock weights back up to the to -. �* ., �* , , the top. and new year's eve is cominu the top. and new year's eve is coming up- _ the top. and new year's eve is coming up. what _ the top. and new year's eve is coming up. what preparations| the top. and new year's eve is i coming up. what preparations are going into that? itruiiilii coming up. what preparations are going into that?— coming up. what preparations are going into that? will be here on the da makin: going into that? will be here on the day making sure — going into that? will be here on the day making sure the _ going into that? will be here on the day making sure the clock— going into that? will be here on the day making sure the clock is i going into that? will be here on the | day making sure the clock is running precisely— day making sure the clock is running precisely the — day making sure the clock is running precisely the time _ day making sure the clock is running precisely the time it _ day making sure the clock is running precisely the time it will— day making sure the clock is running precisely the time it will take - day making sure the clock is running precisely the time it will take time l precisely the time it will take time checks— precisely the time it will take time checks out— precisely the time it will take time checks out the _ precisely the time it will take time checks out the day— precisely the time it will take time checks out the day and _ precisely the time it will take time checks out the day and make i precisely the time it will take time | checks out the day and make small adjustments— checks out the day and make small adjustments to _ checks out the day and make small adjustments to the _ checks out the day and make small adjustments to the pendulum i checks out the day and make small adjustments to the pendulum justl checks out the day and make small. adjustments to the pendulum just to make _ adjustments to the pendulum just to make sure _ adjustments to the pendulum just to make sure that— adjustments to the pendulum just to make sure that midnight— adjustments to the pendulum just to make sure that midnight happens. make sure that midnight happens exactly— make sure that midnight happens exactly when _ make sure that midnight happens exactly when everyone _ make sure that midnight happens exactly when everyone is - make sure that midnight happens. exactly when everyone is expecting it to _ exactly when everyone is expecting it to. . ., . , , , it to. the iconic bells will be broadcast — it to. the iconic bells will be broadcast around _ it to. the iconic bells will be broadcast around the i it to. the iconic bells will be broadcast around the world | it to. the iconic bells will be i broadcast around the world again at midnight with the sound of 12 chimes signalling the start of the new year. theyjust have a 90 minutes away from the bongs of big ben but 21 time zones are already in 2024. you can follow them all on the bbc news live page. happy new year in the last hour to ukraine, greece, south africa and egypt. coming up hour we will have celebrations in paris on the champs—elysees, 1 million people expected there. also we will be live in berlin where

there will be fireworks around the brandenburg gate. so do stay with us here on bbc news. if you are ready in 2024, a very happy new year from all others. hello there, good evening. many of us glad to see the back of december 2023, it looks like from the statistics it will have been wetter than average. many of us have seen twice the average rainfall, and eastern scotland could have seen three times. and we will start off the new year with an area of low pressure keeping things pretty unsettled. but it is not expected to last. so, the first few days will be unsettled with some wet and windy weather at times, but it does look likely to turn a little bit colder and drier into next weekend. not a bad start, actually, to the new year. many of us starting off with some

sunshine, and keeping the sunshine across scotland, northern ireland and northern england, clouding overfrom wales, with strengthening winds, the rain will gradually turning quite heavy as darkness falls. here we will keep double figures, but where we have got the sunshine, liverpool, north, it will be relatively dry. but it is worth bearing in mind if you are travelling back after seeing friends and family over the new year, there will be a spell of wet and windy weather through the early evening of monday, and that continues to sweep its way eastwards overnight, and then it is going to be replaced by another batch of heavy rain and strong winds during tuesday. we start on tuesday were some wet weather moving through scotland, a little wintering us to higher ground, a brief window of fine weather before yet more wet and windy weather pushes on a crossing in wales. we could see gusts of wind close to 50 mph inland,

and temperatures around 6—13. then we see another area of low pressure keeping things showery until we get to the end of the week, because high pressure potentially builds in from the west. but that will bring a change to the feel of the weather. we will lose the yellows, the milder air is pushed out of the way, and replaced by some colder air and a north—easterly wind, so on those exposed east coasts, it really will feel quite different. but at least as we head towards next weekend, we are likely to see single figures but yes, a lot of dry, settled and sunny weather. happy new year.

this is bbc news. the headlines. the us navy says it has sunk three houthi rebel boats in the red sea which had got within metres of a container ship which has come under the attack for a second time in 24—hour is. the queen of denmark announces she will step down after 52 years on the throne. she is europe's longest reigning monarch and will abdicate in two weeks. president putin said russia won't back down in ukraine as moscow carries out more drone attacks. officials say at least 28 people were injured in kharkiv after russian missiles hit the

north—eastern city. and this is the scene in athens, amongst the latest cities in the past hour to see in the new year. celebrations continue around the world as we welcome in 2024. now on bbc news — a look back at 2023 and the biggest stories. there's a huge barrage going on overhead just at the moment. this yevgeny prigozhin seemed determined to march his men to the top of the hill. then, he marched them down again.