live from london. this is bbc news. japan downgrades its major tsunami warning, but urges people to stay on higher ground, after a powerful 7.6 magnitude earthquake hit the country, bringing down buildings. the new year brings more hamas rocket attacks and more deadly air strikes on gaza — where almost 22,000 palestinians have been killed since october the 7th. and stunning images captured by the james webb space telescope have been released, two years after it was launched by nasa. we begin injapan, where a powerful earthquake and several strong

aftershocks have hit the north coast of the main island of honshu — destroying buildings, tearing up roads and disrupting travel. japanese channel mtv is reporting one man died after a building collapsed in shika town in ishikawa prefecture. a major tsunami warning has been downgraded, but people along the coast of centraljapan have been urged to stay on higher ground because of high waves. south and north korea and russia also issued tsunami warnings. the epicentre of the 7.6—magnitude quake was in the ishikawa prefecture — and the effects were felt up to 200km away in the capital tokyo. dozens of buildings are reported to have collapsed, including in the town of suzu. this cctv video footage shows clouds of dust forming above the wreckage at the top left and right

of the screen — and cracks in the roof on the building in the foreground. helena wilkinson reports. rumbling, screaming. this footage from inside someone�*s home captures the moment the powerful earthquake struck. it was also caught on camera in this supermarket. there was chaos and confusion. and this is the coastline in ishikawa prefecture, in the central region of the country. tsunami warnings had been issued and people told to head to higher ground. translation: i would like to ask | all residents to continue to pay. close attention to the occurrence of this strong earthquake and if you are in the region for a tsunami is expected, please evacuate as soon as possible.

the 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck just after 4pm local time. the red x on this map marks the epicentre, near suzu city in the ishikawa prefecture. there had been a major tsunami warning along part of the coastline but it has now been downgraded marked in red on the map. this earthquake is not as severe as the 2011 one which had a magnitude of 9 and led to a meltdown in the fukushima nuclear power plant. this time, all nuclear facilities are currently unaffected. following the earthquake, a huge fire broke out in one of the affected areas. there are fresh warnings of further earthquakes across japan on new year's day. israel's military says it has killed

a senior hamas commander — adel msammah — in an overnight strike in central gaza. the israel defense forces said he led an attack on a kibbutz in southern israel on 7th october. israeli tanks are reported to have pulled out of some districts of gaza city ahead of a planned troop reduction... but the military says it expects the war to continue throughout 202a. and there was no let—up in the israeli air strikes hitting gaza overnight. the hamas—run health ministry says 156 people were killed in the past 2a hours, taking the total number of palestinians killed in gaza to almost 22 thousand. in israel itself, the new year began with air raid sirens sounding in tel aviv and other areas, after hamas launched more rockets. 0ur middle east correspondent, yolande knell, is injerusalem. she gave us more details about last night's rocket attacks.

so it was just after midnight local time, people in tel aviv had been seeing in the new year and there were these air—raid sirens that went off, as a barrage of rockets, hamas said it used longer—range m90 rockets, were fired towards tel aviv, also a part of southern israel. now, israel's iron dome missile defense system was quickly in action. there were the thuds of interceptions bringing down those rockets but really a very grim start to the new year. meanwhile, in gaza itself, in the dark, we had scenes of rescuers scrambling in the rubble of buildings that had been newly flattened by israeli air strikes. some 50 people killed in the latest air strikes in gaza city, about 20 of them people who were taking shelter at the al—aqsa university, we understand. also in the centre and in the south of the gaza strip, fighting there remains extremely intense.

live now tojon b alterman. he is the senior vice president & middle east programme director at the centrer for strategic and international studies. let's understand this. it's the new year and the conflict continues. where do you see it heading from here? do you see a possible resolution? i here? do you see a possible resolution?— here? do you see a possible resolution? ~ ., ., resolution? i think a resolution in some way — resolution? i think a resolution in some way off- — resolution? i think a resolution in some way off. the _ resolution? i think a resolution in some way off. the israelis - resolution? i think a resolution in some way off. the israelis feel i some way off. the israelis feel hamas is still fighting and still has the capability and if they let up has the capability and if they let up the pressure now, hamas will come back bigger and stronger and angrier. to make it worthwhile, they have to destroy hamas's ability to come back and they think they are some way away from that. at the same time, hamas feels the more they can resist this, the more opinion is turning against israel

internationally, in europe and the united states and if they can hang on, israel will emerge weaker and they will emerge stronger. at this point, each side feels now is not the time to stop but is the time to bear down. the time to stop but is the time to bear down-— the time to stop but is the time to bear down. �* , w . , bear down. and this weight tactics, civilian casualties, _ bear down. and this weight tactics, civilian casualties, families - bear down. and this weight tactics, civilian casualties, families of- civilian casualties, families of hostages are also waiting on the weight is getting longer in israel. but the implication is in the red sea becausejust but the implication is in the red sea because just today, but the implication is in the red sea becausejust today, israel but the implication is in the red sea because just today, israel has been deployed in the red sea as we heard from the uk, joining the alliance of security with the us. how do you view that? certainly part ofthe how do you view that? certainly part of the iranian — how do you view that? certainly part of the iranian strategy _ how do you view that? certainly part of the iranian strategy is _ how do you view that? certainly part of the iranian strategy is to - how do you view that? certainly part of the iranian strategy is to do - of the iranian strategy is to do things attributable but deniable. they've been supporting hamas for many years but even more strongly they have been supporting hezbollah, increasing violence on the northern

border. there is violence in iraq by groups affiliated with iran. the red sea navigation is now under threat from houthi rebels. we can read $100 million a yearfrom iranians. we think this is a broader effort to diminish efforts to make it less hostile area and from us perspective, the danger of having a regional war remains very present is something that americans are trying to work with allies to put down. which are the allies? there been different stakeholders and negotiations, egypt and qatar are rising in prominence there. and you have the us. what role do you see them playing?— have the us. what role do you see them playing? there are other allies of course. them playing? there are other allies of course- the _ them playing? there are other allies of course. the saudis _ them playing? there are other allies of course. the saudis and _ them playing? there are other allies of course. the saudis and emerald l of course. the saudis and emerald parties, europe has a role. everybody has a role and can it bring countries together? can it be

to resolution? can it deter aggression? forthe to resolution? can it deter aggression? for the biden administration, this is the most complicated ask they have had. so far there hasn't been a lot achieved, unable to end the war in gaza. but as we look back on the administration in the future, this will be the historic confrontation, as our president felt.— as our president felt. pardon for this question — as our president felt. pardon for this question but _ as our president felt. pardon for this question but looking - as our president felt. pardon for this question but looking at - this question but looking at statements from israel, there is relocation from southern gaza to northern lebanon. how difficult does this make things for president biden who has been pressing for a humanitarian pause? it’s who has been pressing for a humanitarian pause? it's hard. he sees this as _ humanitarian pause? it's hard. he sees this as getting _ humanitarian pause? it's hard. he sees this as getting some - humanitarian pause? it's hard. he sees this as getting some traction | sees this as getting some traction with israelis but he'll want more traction in the week to come. as the

implicit deadline. we could argue we are starting to see change but he wants to see more.— britain's defence secretary says the uk won't hesitate to take further direct action against houthi rebels who are attacking ships in the red sea. the houthis have been targeting foreign ships since the start of the israel—gaza war. the situation was a �*test�* for the international community. writing in the telegraph newspaper, grant shapps said the situation was a �*test�* for the international community. with more on this, our security correspondent, frank gardner. now, the uk, the us and their partners in the region are discussing how they should best respond to a whole series of drone and missile attacks and hijacking attempts on international shipping in the red sea. so the houthis, which are a rebel yemeni group backed by iran, they took over power in yemen in late 2014 and they control most

of the populated areas of yemen and certainly the red sea coast. and they've got some quite powerful weaponry. they have announced their support for the palestinians, but specifically for hamas in gaza. and they are saying they're showing that by targeting any shipping they consider that is israeli linked, whether it's heading to israeli ports or not. and they have hijacked a major container ship, the galaxy leader. they fired missiles over a hundred of drones and missiles at others. this is a very crucial national international waterway. it goes through a narrow choke point, only about 30 kilometres wide and 17,000 ships a year pass through, 12% of global trade. and it's being disrupted. this is going to drive up oil prices, commodity prices and so on. so in response, the us and uk have formed a kind of coalition task force and they are considering

whether they've got to actually take out the houthi missile sites. a microfinance economist and nobel peace prize winner has been sentenced to six months in prison for violating labour laws in bangladesh. muhammad yunus was found guilty, along with three colleagues, of failing to create a workers welfare fund. all four deny wrongdoing and have been granted bail, pending appeals. their supporters say the case is politically motivated. professor yunus has been a vocal critic of bangladeshi prime minister sheikh hasina. with more details here's south asia correspondent anbarasan ethirajan. muhammad yunus is a well—known, acclaimed economist. he won the nobel peace prize for creating this micro—financing scheme, lifting millions out of poverty in 2006.

and this model has been followed in many parts of the world. now, the government has filed a number of cases and according to his lawyer, more than 180 cases in the last 10 or 12 years or so, charging him with several complaints, including how they violated labour laws and not creating a welfare fund for the workers. and today's judgment was in connection with that. but mr yunus and his supporters strongly denied these charges. in fact, he has issued a statementjust a few minutes ago where he said, "as my lawyers have convincingly argued in court, this verdict against me is contrary to all legal precedent and logic." now, if you look at the background, there has been a tension between mr yunus and the current prime minister, sheikh hasina, bangladeshi prime minister, and once described mr yunus as a "bloodsucker of the poor" and accused the grameen bank, founded by mr yunus of charging exorbitant interest rate. mr yunus and his supporters,

the grameen bank, denied these charges, so there is a bad blood between these two and she always viewed him as some kind of a rival. and she also challenged the international community, whoever wrote letters in support of mr yunus, saying, "you can come to bangladesh and view the legal proceedings in court and then you make yourjudgment." but many of his supporters, as well as staff members, say they were still in a state of shock following this judgment. around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news. let's look at some other stories making news here in the uk. the number of migrants crossing the channel has fallen year—on—year for the first time since current records began. government figures show total arrivals in 2023 were 36 percent lower than the record 45,774 crossings in 2022. police in london have launched

a murder investigation after the fatal stabbing of a teenage boy. detectives say they were called to an incident shortly before midnight in the primrose hill area. a 16—year—old boy was pronounced dead at the scene. a male suspect has been arrested on suspicion of murder. an increase in the cost of domestic energy has taken effect in england, wales and scotland, adding to the pressure on household budgets in the new year. a higher price cap — set by the regulator 0fgem — from now to april means gas and electricity costs will be 5% higher than the last three months. you're live with bbc news. sport and for a full round—up, from the bbc sport centre, here's ben croucher. hello from the bbc sport centre.

in the last few minutes, 16—year—old luke littler has beaten northern ireland's brendan dolan. littler took the first four sets, but dolan fought back and it was at 4—1. they took a break and then littler came back out to win a fifth set. he will now play rob cross in the semifinal. a reminder that rob cross came back from 4—0 down to beat chris dobey 5—4 earlier. littler beat his hero raymond van barneveld in last 16. you can follow the darts on the bbc sport website and app. tennis and disappointment for andy murray who is out of the brisbane international, losing in the first round. murray started well, taking the first set against grigor dimitrov. but the second seed came from behind to win the next two sets 7—5, 6—2. murray is scheduled to play the kooyong classic next week ahead

of the australian open. elsewhere in brisbane, naomi 0saka said she was proud of herself for winning her first match back after 15 months away from professional tennis. the four—time grand slam champion is playing in herfirst tournament since giving birth to her daughter. 0saka beat the unseeded german tamara korpatsch 6—3, 7—6 to set up a meeting with karolina pliskova at the brisbane international. over in perth, world number one iga swiatek has helped poland become the first nation into the quarter finals of the united cup. she won her singles rubber against spain's sara sorribes tormo before combining with hubert hurkacz to breeze through the mixed doubles. against sorribes tormo and alejandro davidovich fokina, the duo didn't even drop a game to give poland a 2—1victory over spain and confirm their spot at the top of group a. to football now and liverpool can extend their lead at the top

of the premier league table later, if they beat newcastle at anfield. jurgen klopp's side have just one home defeat in 51 league matches, whilst newcastle have lost their last four on the road. however, the liverpool manager is concerened about the effect however, the liverpool manager is concerned about the effect the festive schedule is having on his players. they play five games in 13 days and that is insane as well. we came somehow through that but then it is about using that extra recovery time because the next games are coming because we are still in all cup competitions so we have a busy january as well. other teams maybe have a less busy january which is helpful. we'll have to get through that as well and then from february we all have the same schedule again. back to australia where opener david warner has announced his retirement from one—day international cricket. he'd already stepped back from test

cricket before the current series against pakistan but has kept the door open to a possible return if needed at next year's champions trophy. warner's one day career places him sixth on australia's leading run scorer list, having also won two world cups. it was a decision i was comfortable with, and to win in india from where we were was amazing. i've said all along that i was a boy having a dream, you know, i have not always fit the mould, but i have been authentic and honest. i'm not someone different and i think that shows you on the field in test cricket i played the exact same way. and that's all the sport for now. russia's president vladimir putin has pledged to "intensify" attacks on ukraine, after an escalation

of deadly attacks by both sides in recent days. the russian—installed authorities in donetsk say ukrainian shelling has killed four people there. meanwhile, ukraine says one person was killed in the port area of 0desa after russia launched 90 attack drones last night — 87 of which were destroyed by the country's air defence systems. president zelensky has promised to increase the domestic production of weapons and ammunition this year — including the construction of at least a million drones. a host of famous films, books, music and characters including mickey and minnie mouse enter the public domain from today. this means disney will no longer enjoy exclusive copyright over the earliest versions of the characters in the us. our culture reporter noor nanji has more. mickey whistles.

it was the animation that launched the house of mouse. 1928's short film steamboat willie featured non—speaking versions of mickey and minnie. these early images are now available to the public in the us to use as they like. this is a deeply symbolic and long—awaited moment, because of disney's perceived role in the extension of the copyright term, which prevented these properties from going into the public domain for an additional 20 years. but there are still limits on how you can use these images. what i cannot do is start making merchandise and the same kind of products that disney sells. and so if i'm selling t—shirts with mickey and minnie on it and someone seeing those t—shirts thinks erroneously that they're getting a disney product when they're not, that's what trademark stops. other famous properties now available to the public include the silent film the circus by charlie chaplin, let's do it by cole porter, and the novels

lady chatterley�*s lover by dh lawrence, and orlando by virginia woolf. pooh, piglet, eeyore, we were friends for many years. but there are a few successful examples of beloved old property being used for new original content. winnie the pooh, which is also owned by disney, was turned into an r—rated horrorflick, blood and honey, after entering the public domain in 2022. the movie was a far cry from the childhood book, and with that in mind, it will be in disney's interest to keep tight control over how their most iconic characters are used. noor nanji, bbc news. it's two years since the james webb space telescope was launched by nasa, and it's already wowed us us with the stunning images it's beaming back. it has also made some astonishing discoveries as our science editor rebecca morelle reports. the beauty of the cosmos captured

by the james webb space telescope. from the tarantula nebula, where stars are born amidst the dust, to a dying star, the ring nebula, throwing off its outer layers as it runs out of fuel. and the phantom galaxy glowing eerily with 100 billion stars amongst its spiral arms. these images are stunning but they're also transforming what we thought we knew about the cosmos. the telescope can look back to the very dawn of the universe and it's revealing game—changing galaxies that are breaking all the rules. it can see the cosmos 13.5 billion years ago, just after the big bang. scientists thought the first galaxies would be primitive structures, but in fact they're forming far faster and earlier than astronomers ever thought possible. we certainly thought that we'd be seeing things that were, i might call them fuzzy blobs of stars, collections of stars. and what we're actually seeing is fully formed galaxies.

and when you look at them, they have sort of perfect spiral arms. you can see that these galaxies in the early universe already have those mature structures. so, in that sense it's really changing scientific thinking. this isn't the only discovery that's shaking up the early cosmos. the telescope is also spotting a surprising abundance of giant black holes. black holes are scattered throughout the universe. this is the one at the centre of our own milky way. they form when a massive star dies and collapses in on itself. what we're now finding with jwst is surprisingly large black holes already existing quite early on in the universe's history, when there hasn't been time to go through this process of stars forming and living their lives. so what that suggests is that actually these black holes are completely skipping the star formation part of the process. we're also seeing the unexpected, closer—to—home, bizarre, planet—like objects nicknamed jumbos.

this is the orion nebula, a star—forming region in the milky way. but look a little closer and there's something incredibly strange, huge planet—like objects floating free, not tethered to any star — these tiny pairs of light here. they're called jupiter mass binary objects, orjumbos, and they've left astronomers scratching their heads. nobody predicted or expected you would see objects the size ofjupiter orbiting around each other, freely floating. we thought we would see singles, isolated ones, but to find binaries like this is crazy. we don't expect to find the answer on day one, year one. this is a long journey for all of us now. so, what's next for the james webb space telescope? no doubt there will be more ethereal images. and it will start to look even further back in time as it continues its quest to detect the light from the very first stars to shine. rebecca morelle, bbc news.

stay with us here on bbc news. hello there. after a very wet december, it looks like the weather pattern is going to change forjanuary. towards the south—west of england, the clouds have been rolling in and rain coming in. you can see what is happening here on the early satellite picture. cloud streaming up satellite picture. cloud streaming up from the south—west, bringing more rain and winds picking up around the weather system. once that moves through, another following behind and those combined could bring about two inches of rain to england and wales and some flooding. wet weather this evening across england and wales, moving clear of northern ireland and into scotland

with snow over the mountain tops. clearer skies will follow but the rain returns on to the south—west by the end of the night. windy in the northern isles, windy across southern parts of england and wales, particularly around those southern coasts. we've got the spell of rain, maybe for northern ireland, certainly across england and wales. it may well turn a bit drier across the south of england and south wales during the afternoon. temperatures here in those strong winds reaching 14 degrees, seven degrees where we've got a bit of sunshine in scotland, but also some showers. that weather system there bringing that second spell of rain moves away overnight. still some brisk winds up towards the far north—east

things will turn cold by the end of the week with wet and windy conditions. high pressure building down from the north. that will leave us with a north—easterly breeze and colder air and some frost wealth. the weather patterns changing after a few days of wet and windy weather with increased chance of high pressure through the rest of the month. that means things changing and dryer but also colder.

are now on bbc news — the arts interviews: david tennant. this is a present for you from the british library. that's amazing. i've just handed david tennant a new copy of a very old book. well, it is fascinating to see it all as it was. first published in 1623, shakespeare's first folio was 400 years old this year. to celebrate, the king and queen played host to an original copy and theatre's royalty, many of whom can thank the folio for their most memorable roles. chatter will these hands ne'er be clean? the collection of plays was put together by two of shakespeare's

fellow actors seven years after his death.