welcome to newsday — broadcasting live from singapore where it is 7 in the morning on new year's day — but celebrations are continuing around the world, let's show you some pictures from paris. as the city welcomes 202a. the amazing fireworks, you can see an amazing fireworks, you can see an amazing number of people watching the fireworks as well. of course, becoming the latest city to welcome in the new year, and we have other

cities celebrating as well, so shall we show you some live pictures from rome as well, in italy? where we can see, again, fireworks. amazing work there as well. also, we can also show you some live pictures from berlin germany. amazing pictures, again, isn't it? so, many european cities welcoming the new year, of course many cities here in asia have welcomed 2024 about six, seven hours ago. of course, will we will bring you more on new year's celebrations around the world

later in the programme. 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 houthi rebels say their actions are in protest against the gaza war, where there've been more air strikes by israel. 0ur correspondent shaimaa khalil is injerusalem — a little earlier she sent us this report on the situation in gaza , 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 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. 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. 0ur washington correspondent gary 0'donoghue has more about why the americans have taken the action that we've seen in the red sea. i think they are under a lot of pressure to maintain what they call freedom of navigation in that red sea area through the suez canal and beyond because it is such an important economic route for the whole world, around 10% world of trade flows through that area. they are also of course responding to these provocations because they believe iran is behind groups like the houthis and others who have been launching attacks against american bases in iraq and syria, but this is a significant escalation and what we have here is us navy pilots coming effectively face—to—face with houthi fighters in the red sea, killing ten of them and thinking

three of their boats, and i think it will mean in future are certainly a lot of pressure from republicans to do more to combat the threat from the houthis including according to one republican, the house chair of the intelligence committee, potentially striking their capacities inside yemen itself. the israeli defense forces said five brigades have been released, with ground operations in gaza having diminished the ability of the palestinian group hamas to fire rockets into israel. they said the reservists were needed to return to their normaljobs 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. here's the idf spokesperson making the annoucement.

translation: 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 required for more missions and the continuation of the fighting all throughout this year. europe's longest reigning monarch, the queen of denmark, has announced — live on television — that she will abdicate injanuary, when she reaches 52 years on the throne. speaking in her traditional new year's eve address, 83—year—old queen margrethe said her son crown prince frederik would take over from her. here's naomi choy smith. a surprise announcement live

on national television during queen margarethe's traditional new year's address, then 14 iaea. 0n the 14th of january 2024, 52 years after succeeding my beloved father, i will step down as the queen of denmark. the 83—year—old danish queen said time had taken its toll on her health and she made the decision to abdicate after undergoing back surgery in february. translation: the surgery naturally gave rise - to thinking about the future, whether the time had come to leave the responsibility to the next generation. i have decided that now is the right time. queen margaret plans to hand the throne to queen margarethe plans to hand the throne to crown prince frederick, the eldest of her two sons. 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. for many danes, queen margaret is the only monarchhe they have ever known. she's seen here visiting windsor castle in 1974, two years after she succeeded her father, king frederick. after the death of queen elizabeth, the second queen, margarethe became the longest serving monarch in europe. denmark's prime minister thanked queen margaret 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. naomi choy smith, bbc news. turning now to the war in ukraine. president volodymyr zelensky has vowed in his new year's address to wreak "wrath" against invading russian forces in 2024. zelensky said he would dial up domestic production of weaponry — claiming that ukraine would have a million drones in its arsenal next year. russia's president vladimir putin struck an equally defiant tone in his new year's address — saying his country will never back down.

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 country with kyiv claiming "not a single one was hit". 0ur correspondent james waterhouse has the latest on the recent strikes in ukraine and russia. 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

but 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. live now to military expert and former us marines chief of staff in europe, colonel brendan kearney. thank you so much forjoining us on newsday again. now, as james mentioned, ukraine came under attack from russian air strikes once again overnight. we haven't really seen as many missile attacks from russia in recent months. do you think they've been holding back for this big attack? i been holding back for this big attack? ~ ., �* , been holding back for this big attack? ~ . �* , u, , attack? i think that's the case, and, attack? i think that's the case, and. you _ attack? i think that's the case, and. you know. _ attack? i think that's the case, and, you know, the _ attack? i think that's the case, and, you know, the ukrainians| attack? i think that's the case, - and, you know, the ukrainians have had some real success in targeting

targets particularly in crimea that most recent one against the landing ship in the audio so, crimea i think we are seeing in their response in terms of the husbanding of missiles, drones, all those types of things is now being evident.— now being evident. ukraine has disuted now being evident. ukraine has disputed russia's _ now being evident. ukraine has disputed russia's claim - now being evident. ukraine has disputed russia's claim that. now being evident. ukraine has disputed russia's claim that it i now being evident. ukraine has i disputed russia's claim that it was targeting military targets. keep claiming not a single one was hit. what do you think have been the targets of russian strikes? waging a warof waging a war of terror on the ukrainian civilians. they have consistently, the evidence is overwhelming, targeted hospitals, churches, schools, you name it.

everything except the tactical targets that most militaries would really actively go after. so there's nothing different and what the russians are doing. i think the ukrainians have made an emphasis of very selectively targeting russian infrastructure, primarily airports, you know as close as into moscow, and conducting some sabotage operations into, as far east as siberia. so there's two different approaches to work there, but the russians are being very, very indiscriminate and really it's a violation of the laws of war across the board. . violation of the laws of war across the board-— violation of the laws of war across the board. . , _, . , the board. there have been concerns that have we've _ the board. there have been concerns that have we've been _ the board. there have been concerns that have we've been reporting, - the board. there have been concerns that have we've been reporting, that| that have we've been reporting, that the west's support might be waning. do you think this work could end up in a stalemate?— in a stalemate? well, it could. there's always _ in a stalemate? well, it could. there's always that _ in a stalemate? well, it could. there's always that possibility. however, i really don't think that's going to be the case. i think, you know, the west has to make the

appropriate political noise and language that goes ahead and reflects deeper concern, which everybody does have come over this continuing conflict. but, quite honestly, i think there is a greater degree of western support quieting behind ukraine. ukraine has been extremely successful, they've done very well. and the west, traditionally, is part of our culture, we back the winners. and in this particular case ukraine is winning. is this when going to take two months, or two years? that's the question and i don't have an answer to that one. question and i don't have an answer to that one-— to that one. colonel brendan kearney. _ to that one. colonel brendan kearney, thank _ to that one. colonel brendan kearney, thank you - to that one. colonel brendan kearney, thank you very - to that one. colonel brendan l kearney, thank you very much to that one. colonel brendan - kearney, thank you very much again forjoining us on newsday, wishing you a very happy new year as your city welcomes the new year. eight hours. around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news.

two british skiiers who died in an avalanche in the french alps on thursday have been named. they were 22—year—old archie vokes, and his mother kate vokes, who was 54, from manchester. they lost their lives when an avalanche swept through an off—piste section of the saint—gervais resort near mont blanc. in a statement, the family said they are �*beyond heartbroken�*. a crackdown on xl bully dogs has come into force in england and wales. it means owners must follow strict rules on how they are handled in public, including keeping them muzzled and on a lead. it comes ahead of a ban in february when it will be a criminal offence to own an xl bully dog in england and wales without a certificate. a climber has been stretchered off the side of a mountain in the cairn—gorms after becoming lost in blizzard conditions. rescue crews were called out around 5:30 last night where they found the climber in a boulder field

suffering from exhaustion. you're live with bbc news. 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. tim dawson is the deputy general secretary of international federation ofjournalists. he told us how he�*d rememberjohn pilger. he was an enormously committed and talented journalist who i think, you know, is a giant ofjournalism not only in this country, but around the world. he�*s someone whose tenacious

pursuit of so many subjects really changed world affairs. and while there are many things, many of his opinions that i don�*t share, i think he�*s a shining example of committed, determined journalism who takes that commitment and determination to entirely new audiences. he had many critics. he had many, many views. and it�*s unsurprising that he had critics. i said to one of your colleagues earlier, he�*s quite possibly somebody i wouldn�*t have voted for had he stood to be prime minister. but once i�*d 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. and if you read his you know, his columns, particularly, he was a very visual journalist. so he would very often start with some some detail that he�*d observed, that he felt exposed, a deeper truth. and would explore that before moving to a much broader picture and setting something in a context

that he thought was important. a large part of his early reputation is based on his reporting from across indo—china, the vietnam war and its sort of onward impact in countries like cambodia. so i think for many years people 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. so while he was somebody firmly rooted in london, he was very much a journalist of the world. new year celebrations have begun. millions more people are expected to take part in worldwide celebrations over the coming hours, as sean dilley reports. this is how new zealand welcomed 2024 in auckland. it was the first major city to show off its stunning display. fireworks were launched from its tallest building, the sky tower, and its harbour bridge, over the water.

the sky tower, and its harbour bridge. over the water, australia used two of their most recognisable landmarks to light up their skies. seoul welcomed 2024 at 3pm uk time, tokyo celebrated with 108 strikes of this bell, the last landing at midnight. shortly after, hong kong marked their new year with this fireworks musical. dubai kicked their year off in serious style from the top of the burj khalifa. in the uk, it�*s the final countdown for each of the four nations. tens of thousands of people are expected to attend a hogmanay street party in edinburgh with pulp headlining a concert in the gardens. really excited about tonight.

it�*s really nice to see everybody out and about and just getting back into the vibe, especially after the covid years. so it�*s really nice to see everything getting back to normal again. in the capital, london�*s mayor, sadiq khan, promises a night britain can be proud of. tonight's fireworks, the music, the lights, the surprises will mean that tonight's going to be the best night we've had for a number of years. i think the best fireworks ever. like last year, tens of thousands are gathering here for a sold—out display. millions of others will watch on telly or online. sean dilley, bbc news. in a moment we�*ll hear from greg mckenzie in central london, but first our correspondent lorna gordon in edinburgh. parties are well under way, learn a. in the last few minutes, pulp took

to the stage just in front of me, behind me a part of the crowd 50,000 strong here to celebrate new year in scotland�*s capital city which builds its name as the home of hogmanay. there are street performers, there is a k lee, a scottish country dancing party if you like, there is also the big band on the stage, and then of course the fireworks at midnight. a tonne of fireworks are going to be lit off tonight. what a spectacular backdrop of edinburgh castle. a good couple of hours still to go in terms of the celebrations, less than an hour of go, of course, until we celebrate the new year.

and, greg, in central london, how is it going there? we and, greg, in central london, how is it going there?— it going there? we are literally 30 odd minutes _ it going there? we are literally 30 odd minutes away _ it going there? we are literally 30 odd minutes away from _ it going there? we are literally 30 odd minutes away from saying - it going there? we are literally 30 - odd minutes away from saying goodbye to 2023, _ odd minutes away from saying goodbye to 2023, and seeing in 2024. behind me of— to 2023, and seeing in 2024. behind me of course, the london eye, iconic for this— me of course, the london eye, iconic for this country, and this year's theme — for this country, and this year's theme is— for this country, and this year's theme is going to be unity. uniting theme is going to be unity. uniting the whole — theme is going to be unity. uniting the whole country. at midnight, big ben, youti— the whole country. at midnight, big ben, you'll hear the chimes, 20,000 fireworks _ ben, you'll hear the chimes, 20,000 fireworks and a 20 minute spectacular. that's the biggest fireworks display in europe, more than _ fireworks display in europe, more than 100,000 people have tickets to be here _ than 100,000 people have tickets to be here along the river thames to watch _ be here along the river thames to watch that— be here along the river thames to watch that spectacular. they'll bring — watch that spectacular. they'll bring in — watch that spectacular. they'll bring in some of those people who managed — bring in some of those people who managed to get tickets, i want to say happy— managed to get tickets, i want to say happy new year but we are about 34 minutes _ say happy new year but we are about 34 minutes away. happy new year. how lon- 34 minutes away. happy new year. how long of— 34 minutes away. happy new year. how long of you — 34 minutes away. happy new year. how long of you been waiting? a few hours. i long of you been waiting? a few hours- i live _ long of you been waiting? a few hours. i live in _

long of you been waiting? a few hours. i live in london - long of you been waiting? a few hours. i live in london but - long of you been waiting? a few hours. i live in london but i'm i long of you been waiting? a few. hours. i live in london but i'm from er -t. hours. i live in london but i'm from egypt- what— hours. i live in london but i'm from egypt. what about _ hours. i live in london but i'm from egypt. what about yourself, are - hours. i live in london but i'm from| egypt. what about yourself, are you looking _ egypt. what about yourself, are you looking forward to the fireworks? yeah, _ looking forward to the fireworks? yeah, i'm — looking forward to the fireworks? yeah, i'm excited. how looking forward to the fireworks? yeah, i'm excited.— looking forward to the fireworks? yeah, i'm excited. how far have you travelled? — yeah, i'm excited. how far have you travelled? are _ yeah, i'm excited. how far have you travelled? are you _ yeah, i'm excited. how far have you travelled? are you really _ yeah, i'm excited. how far have you travelled? are you really excited? i travelled? are you really excited? six hours — travelled? are you really excited? six hours here.— travelled? are you really excited? six hours here. . , _ , ., ,, six hours here. happy new year. see, there are lots — six hours here. happy new year. see, there are lots of _ six hours here. happy new year. see, there are lots of people from - six hours here. happy new year. see, there are lots of people from all- there are lots of people from all over— there are lots of people from all over the — there are lots of people from all over the world that have come here to experience the fireworks, and they literally just to experience the fireworks, and they literallyjust over a half an hour— they literallyjust over a half an hour and — they literallyjust over a half an hour and it will be a ten minute spectacular. there will be speeches that are _ spectacular. there will be speeches that are going to be read out and prerecorded speeches, so there's messages — prerecorded speeches, so there's messages going to be from the king, we'll hear— messages going to be from the king, we'll hear messages from the mayor, and this— we'll hear messages from the mayor, and this year— we'll hear messages from the mayor, and this year it's all about uniting the country. there will be a special tribute _ the country. there will be a special tribute to _ the country. there will be a special tribute to the national health service — tribute to the national health service here, to the police and the fire service. — service here, to the police and the fire service, there also be some celebrity voices that you will hear once _ celebrity voices that you will hear once the — celebrity voices that you will hear once the fireworks are set at midnight _ once the fireworks are set at midnight. and of course, that iconic

sound _ midnight. and of course, that iconic sound of— midnight. and of course, that iconic sound of big ben will bring in 2024, and we'll— sound of big ben will bring in 2024, and we'll say goodbye to 2023. oh my roodness, and we'll say goodbye to 2023. oh my goodness. greg. _ and we'll say goodbye to 2023. oh my goodness, greg, you're _ and we'll say goodbye to 2023. oh my goodness, greg, you're starting - and we'll say goodbye to 2023. oh my goodness, greg, you're starting to - goodness, greg, you�*re starting to lose your voice. and, lorna, what can we expect when the new year comes in edinburgh?— comes in edinburgh? well, the music will stop briefly. _ comes in edinburgh? well, the music will stop briefly, a _ comes in edinburgh? well, the music will stop briefly, a couple _ comes in edinburgh? well, the music will stop briefly, a couple of - will stop briefly, a couple of minutes before midnight, ahead of the much—anticipated fireworks display. as long as the london�*s display. as long as the london�*s display —— not quite as long as the london display, it�*s about six and a half minutes. castle in the centre of the city and the fireworks exploding above, it will be a sight to behold. and the headline i pulled will continue with some of their biggest hits of the decades. something to look forward to hear in edinburgh. something to look forward to hear in edinbur: h. ., ., something to look forward to hear in edinburuh. ., ., ., something to look forward to hear in edinburuh. ., . ., , something to look forward to hear in edinburuh. ., . . , ., ~ edinburgh. lorna and greg, thank you so much for— edinburgh. lorna and greg, thank you so much for that, _ edinburgh. lorna and greg, thank you so much for that, and _ edinburgh. lorna and greg, thank you so much for that, and we _ edinburgh. lorna and greg, thank you so much for that, and we will- edinburgh. lorna and greg, thank you

so much for that, and we will be - so much for that, and we will be back as london and edinburgh welcomed the new year at the top of the hour, so dojoin us if you can, but for now, thank you so much for watching newsday. hello there. many of us glad to see the back of december 2023, because it�*s felt as though it�*s not stopped raining. of course we�*ve got to collate the official statistics, but it does look likely that the december of 2023 was 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, he the rain will gradually turning quite heavy as darkness falls. here we�*ll keep double figures, but where we have got the sunshine, liverpool, lincolnshire north, it will be relatively dry. but it is worth bearing in mind if you�*re 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�*s going to be replaced by another batch of heavy rain and strong winds during tuesday. we will start off on tuesday were some wet weather with some wet weather moving through scotland, a little winteriness to higher ground, a brief window of fine weather before yet more wet and windy weather pushes on a crossing in wales. on across england and 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. we�*ll have the headlines for you at the top of the hour, which is straight after this programme. margaret atwood. one of the world�*s best—selling critically—acclaimed authors, she�*s published more than 60 books, and has won the booker prize, twice. the winner of the first booker prize of the 21st century, margaret atwood. cheering and applause. her stories often centre on oppression and brutality. most famously, her 1985 novel, the handmaid�*s tale, a dystopian vision of america, in which women are enslaved, now an emmy award—winning television series. there�*s an eye in your house.

in this episode of this cultural life, the radio 4 programme, she reveals her formative influences and experiences, and how, even in high school, her creativity was clear. i put on a home economics opera. it was about fabrics. can you remember how it goes? # fabrics need a swim in the suds. # it makes them feel just like new. # plink—plink, plink—plink. laughter. i want to make sure the mics are recording us. margaret atwood, welcome to this cultural life. thank you very much.

happy to be here.