a very warm welcome to bbc news, broadcasting to our viewers in north america and around the globe. my name's mike embley. our top stories: us president—elect donald trump launches a scathing attack on the un after last week's security council resolution declaring israeli settlements illegal. when you see the nation solving problems, they don't, they cause problems, they don't, they cause problems, so if it lives up to the potential, it is a great thing, if it doesn't, it is a waste of time and money. israel's prime minister condemns as biased a speech by outgoing us secretary of state john kerry that said israeli settlement building on occupied land was a major problem. police in germany detain a tunisian man in connection with last week's berlin truck attack. and out with the old — new yorkers say good riddance to the worst of 2016. the veteran actress debbie reynolds

has died just a day after the death of her daughter carrie fisher. she was rushed to hushed oil after being taken ill at her son's house in beverly hills. we can now speak to the bbc‘s david willis in los angeles. what can you tell us? well, reports coming in at the moment, but it appears debbie reynolds, in fact the abc network in the us is confirming this, has died in hospital tonight. she was admitted to hospital few hours ago, apparently taken ill from a possible stroke, we are led to believe while discussing the funeral arrangements following the death of her daughter carrie fisherjust yesterday. miss fisher who played princess leia in the original star wa rs princess leia in the original star wars trilogy suffered a massive

heart attack on a flight from london to los angeles on christmas eve. she never regained consciousness and was declared dead yesterday. and then as... she was still taking in the news, debbie reynolds, her mother, 84 years of age, hollywood icon, a star of films like singing in the rain and a host of feelgood movies in the 50s and 60s, was said to have been taken into hospital after having suffered that stroke, we believe. and she never recovered. reports are now that she has died in hospital, as i say, at the age of 84. carrie fisher, of course, many times spoke of her admiration of her mother as an immensely powerful woman. absolutely, although they we re woman. absolutely, although they were not speaking for quite a while, mike, there was a 10—year period in

which they didn't communicate very much at all, and then they refound each other, if you like, and were very close towards the and of carrie fisher's life. but, you know, terrible news coming just 24 hours after we heard about the death of carrie fisher, now we are able to report that her mother, debbie reynolds, a hollywood icon, 84 years of age, has herself passed away. looking at what carrie fisher said about her mother in that interview in november on npr, very few women from her generation worked like that, kept her curriculum although live and raise children and had horrible relationships, as she put it, lost all her money and got it back again. she had an amazing life. she was someone to admire. absolutely, and debbie reynolds herself was able to even poke fun at herself was able to even poke fun at herself over the choice of men, she said, i have terrible choices, i'm make terrible choices, when it comes to husbands. her first

make terrible choices, when it comes to husbands. herfirst husband of course, eddie fisher, a very famous crooner in the us, went on to have an affairand crooner in the us, went on to have an affair and subsequently married elizabeth taylor, who was a friend of debbie reynolds at the time and the two women apparently later made it up on bought a seagoing crews they both happened to be booked on. but this was somebody who, as you say, was very adaptable, she had this film career, she went on to have a television career, she had her own tv career, although quite short lived, and of course becoming a star of the stage as well, and she was a businesswoman. she had her own hotel in las vegas and quite a reputation for accumulating memorabilia. unfortunately, the choice of husband is said to have contributed to the fact that her finances didn't hold up and she was eventually forced to sell not only the hotel but the memorabilia as well. as you say, many will remember

herfrom singing in the rain and nominated for an oscar in the unsinkable brown and a tony award for a unsinkable brown and a tony award fora ring. —— irene. in the latest sign of the huge political gulf between the incoming and outgoing american presidents — and the likely impact of their very different worldviews — donald trump has again attacked the united nations. the president—elect had already criticised the un for passing a security council resolution last week that condemned illegal israeli settlements on occupied palestinian land. unusually the us did not back israel in that vote but abstained. mr trump, just three weeks now from taking office, made his latest comments outside his home in palm beach, florida. the un has such tremendous potential and it's not living up to its potential. there is such tremendous potential, and it's not living up to it. when do you see the united nations solving problems? they don't, they cause problems. so if it lives up to the potential it's a great thing and if it doesn't it's a waste of time. jewish settlements are one of the most contentious issues between israel and the palestinians,

who see them as an obstacle to peace and the creation of a viable palestinian state. they also impact on attitudes to israel worldwide. the us is israel's majorfinancial backer, but in the last weeks of the obama administration, frustration with the hardline attitudes of the netanyahu government have boiled over in washington. outgoing secretary of statejohn kerry said today israel would never find peace, without resolution of the settlement issue. our middle east correspondent yolande knell reports from jerusalem. another bitter row between outgoing and incoming us president, —— another bitter row between outgoing and incoming us presidents, this time over israel. donald trump's complaining the country is being treated with total disdain and disrespect, but telling it to stay strong until the 20th of january when he takes office. it was the idea of tonight's speech byjohn kerry that angered the president—elect. he said the chances of peace with the palestinians were slipping away. the truth is that trends on the ground, violence, terrorism, incitement, settlement expansion

and the seemingly endless occupation, they are combining to destroy hopes for peace on both sides. this follows last week's un security council resolution, calling for a total halt in israeli settlements on occupied land. the us didn't use its veto power to protect israel, as it customarily does. the obama administration has just three weeks left, but it is still trying to make a difference here in the middle east, knowing that when donald trump takes over he will be much more supportive of israel and its position on settlements, and jerusalem in particular. if possible it would like to tie his hands. the secretary of state claims those in the right—wing government are defining the future in israel. a prominent person in the governing coalition was quick to give his response. it was a good speech, but totally unconnected to reality. whatjohn kerry is leaving behind is the middle east in flames, a genocide in syria,

iran moving towards nuclear weapons and now throwing israel under the bus. the us oversaw two rounds of peace talks between israel and the palestinians during the obama years. both broke down acrimoniously. the white house would like to advance peace efforts in the coming days. the danger is that it's too little too late. in response, prime minister netanyahu has accused the obama administration of paying "lip service" to what he called palestinian terrorism. president—elect trump has told israel to "stay strong" until he takes office next month and mr netanyahu also suggested good relations between the us and israel would be restored, in three weeks. i have no doubt that our alliance will endure the profound disagreement we have had with the obama administration and will become even stronger in the future. but now i must express my deep disappointment with the speech today byjohn kerry. a speech that was almost

as imbalanced as the anti—israel resolution passed last week. in a speech ostensibly about peace between israelis and palestinians, secretary kerry paid lip service to the unremitting campaign of terrorism that has been waged by the palestinians against the jewish state for nearly a century. what he did was to spend most of his speech blaming israel for the lack of peace, by passionately condemning a policy of enabling jews to live in their historic homeland and in their capital, jerusalem. since then we've heard from palestinian president mahmoud abbas responding tojohn kerry's speech. a senior palestinian official, saeb erekat, said mr abbas was convinced that peace with israel was achievable, but only if israel halts settlement building before talks restarted. president abbas is fully

convinced that a just, comprehensive and lasting peace can be achieved and is doable on all core issues on the basis of the peace initiative, specify terms of reference, which guarantees to fully and the israeli occupation. assistant professor guy ziv is from american university in washington dc. he's been analysing israeli politics and the role of the us in finding a two state solution. there is no peace process, no two—state solution really on the table, this is all slightly beside the point giving the —— even the incoming administration.” the point giving the —— even the incoming administration. i certainly think that kerry's speech would have made a greater difference if it was made a greater difference if it was

made a greater difference if it was made a few years ago. it is better late than never. i think in the remaining weeks in office this administration should be doing everything possible to say the two—state solution which is presently on life support from collapsing. can it really? mr trump is unequivocally pro israel and so are the people he is appointing. is unequivocally pro israel and so are the people he is appointinglj are the people he is appointing.” think it depends how you define pro israel. i don't think trump's inflammatory israel. i don't think trump's infla m matory tweets israel. i don't think trump's inflammatory tweets will bring peace and stability to the middle east or security to israel, norwell controversial moves like moving the embassy in israel to jerusalem controversial moves like moving the embassy in israel tojerusalem or supporting settlement expansion. none of that is going to help strengthen israel or help resolve the israeli—palestinian conflict. i certainly hope trump will work in irresponsible manner with the israeli and palestinian leadership in order to pursue the two—state solution because it is the only viable solution to this conflict. it is the only solution that can

address both the palestinian aspirations and israel's security needs. why do you think mr kerry said what he said, apparently a lining the outgoing administration much more with the arab view of israel, is it because everyone has a close eye on iran? i think first of all there is international consensus thatjewish settlements in the west bankin thatjewish settlements in the west bank in eastjerusalem are illegitimate and undermine the goal of the two—state solution. i think it was important forjohn kerry to reaffirm it, just as important to emphasise the need for a palestinian state to recognise a jury stayed for the palestinian people to recognise ajury the palestinian people to recognise a jury state and for the two people to live separately in peace and security and that was very important forjohn kerry to rearform what bill clinton first did when he left

office and issued the clinton parameters. george bush also have the roadmap for middle east peace and every president since bill clinton has endorsed this idea of a two—state solution. clinton has endorsed this idea of a two-state solution. thank you very much for that. thank you. german prosecutors say a 40—year—old tunisian man has been detained in connection with the truck attack in berlin earlier this month. police raided the suspect‘s home and workplace after his number was found on the phone of anis amri, the man who drove the truck into a christmas market, killing 12 people and injuring nearly 50. catriona renton reports. security is tight and in berlin ahead of new year celebrations. coming so close after the attack on the christmas market. 12 lives were lost and dozens injured when the truck ploughed into the crowds of christmas shoppers on the evening of the 19th of december. the man who

was driving, anis amri, from tunisia, were shot dead by police in the line for days later. now another man, a 40—year—old also from tunisia, has been detained in connection with what happened here. german prosecutors say he is number was found on amri's phone and it has been reported police raided his home and workplace in berlin. officials say he has —— they have until thursday to formally arrest him. the man who should have been driving the lorry, lukasz man who should have been driving the lorry, lu kasz urban, man who should have been driving the lorry, lukasz urban, was found dead in the passenger seat. his body has been taken back to poland, where he came from, to be examined. and other details about the investigation are emerging. the lorry had been living at speed. it has been reported that investigators say it is automatic braking system, which is triggered when an impact is sensed, may have prevented the loss of many more lives. germany is on alert. at the last new year celebrations in cologne dozens of women were assaulted and now with the attack on

berlin cities across the country are stepping up their response. stay with us on bbc news. still to out with the old — new yorkers say good riddance to 2016. the most ambitious financial and political change ever attempted has got underway with the introduction of the euro. tomorrow, in holland, we're gonna use money we picked up in belgium today, then we'll be in france, and again it'll be the same money. it has just got to be the way to go. george harrison, the former beatle, is recovering in hospital after being stabbed in his oxfordshire home. a 33—year—old man from liverpool is being interviewed by police on suspicion of attempted murder. i think it was good. just good? no, fantastic. that's better. this is bbc news.

the latest headlines: us president—elect donald trump launches a scathing attack on the un, after last week's security council resolution declaring israeli settlements illegal. israel's prime minister has condemned as biased a speech by outgoing us secretary of statejohn kerry, that said israeli settlement—building on occupied land was a major problem. update you on our breaking news: the actress, debbie reynolds has died at the age of 84, just one day after the death of her daughter carrie fisher. she was rushed to hospital after being taken ill at her son's house in beverly hills. best known for her performance opposite gene kelly in the 1952 singin‘ in the rain, debbie reynolds' career

spanned seven decades. on television she played grace's mother in the comedy will & grace, and was nominated for an emmy award. just recently carrie fisher spoke of her admiration for her mother. an immensely powerful woman, she said, iadmire her immensely powerful woman, she said, i admire her very much. very few women of her generation kept a career going through her life, raise children, had horrible relationships, lost all her money and got it back again. she has had and got it back again. she has had an amazing life. she is someone to admire. syrian rebel groups say they are discussing a ceasefire deal with turkey, but that it is too early to say if it has any chance of success. a top official with one of the main rebel groups said that one of the sticking points was the exclusion of a key rebel—held area on the outskirts of damascus. this comes as moscow accuses rebels of firing two shells at its embassy in damascus.

lina sinjab has been following developments. so, the russians have announced that there were two attacks on their embassy in central damascus. the embassy is a big embassy in musra street, in damascus, and of course we've heard also from some residents that at least two rockets fell, one outside the embassy and one inside the embassy. so far we don't know who is to blame for this attack. of course, the russians have said that this is going to halt or affect any peace efforts. that's happening just in time, when russia and turkey are preparing for a nationwide ceasefire. the announcement came from the turkish side today, but hasn't been confirmed so far, from neither the russians nor the government. but there is lots happening behind the scenes, basically by the russians, in co—ordination

with turkey and iran, to set a sort of road map to end the conflict in syria. they are talking about talks and meetings in kazakhstan end of next month. they're inviting both the government and the opposition. so far it's not clear which part of the opposition will take place when and if they happen. but even this week there are meetings taking place between russia and rebel groups to do discussions about a ceasefire, but also a potential wider plan for syria. ilhan tanir is journalist and analyst who has reported extensively on turkey and the middle east. he joins us now from washington. good to talk to you. i guess the fa ct good to talk to you. i guess the fact that these talks are going ahead at all, and with these players, is a pretty clear indication of the new world order, isn't it? i definitely agree. this seems to be the culmination of what has been already stated, which is

the exclusion of the us administration, as the presidency is nearing its end and the trump administration of president elect trump and his team so far seem to... they are going to be happy to leave syria to russia. and it seemed ankara took the signal. this is not the first time ankara has been talking to russia. they already had disagreement in east aleppo, to be able to withdraw the civilians. and about ten days ago turkey and russia and the iranians officials signed this declaration, moscow declaration, for a roadmap. so this is the third step for these three countries, excluding the us, and going ahead with their plan and vision for syria. what do you think

the chances are of success, and what might success lookalike? it is a very tough question —— look like. because as we all know, turkey has influence, obviously, in northern syria. iran and russia, obviously, influence with the assad regime, with the syrian president. but also there are rebels in the south of syria, iran, the mass guess, in the eastern part of syria. so maybe... this is now being talked about nationwide ceasefire. but i think the parties are going to be satisfied with the northern part of syria, including aleppo, at least to start with. this partial ceasefire, and then go ahead with turkey's

invasion in northern syria. its own claim now, almost coming to a city near aleppo. the parties and actors are going to be ok with starting a ceasefire, and take it from there, evenif ceasefire, and take it from there, even if it is going to be not a nationwide ceasefire. thank you very much. thank you. let's round up some of the other main stories: the organisation for security and co—operation in europe says it came under a major cyber attack in november. it said the incident had put the integrity of its computer network at risk, but that the systems were safe now. the osce said that it didn't want to speculate about reports that russian hackers were behind the security breach. police in pakistan have arrested three men accused of preparing home—made liquor mixed with aftershave, causing one of the country's deadliest cases of mass alcohol poisoning. 34 people died and many more

were hospitalised after they drank the mixture on christmas eve. 13 people have died in peru, after their bus fell 300 metres into a ravine. the accident happened in the central peruvian region of ayacucho. the bus was headed towards huanta, in the district of ayna san francisco. one person is still unaccounted for. it has been a tough year for many, and new yorkers have been making the most of good riddance day. it is now in its tenth year, with festivities taking place in times square, as catharina moh explains. the first smashing of the day. junk and clutter, be gone! you can all relate to that. it is good riddance day in new york, which means getting rid of the negativity of 2016... how does that feel? oh, that feels good! ..to make space for all the possibilities that 2017 might bring.

crowds of people gathered in times square to take part. some made their grievances public. others preferring to toss their bad memories straight into the bin. good riddance to tiny thumbs on twitter. i want to shred the stress and the anger. this was, like, the last connection to my cancer. it takes a lot of courage to share that with us. thank you, arlene, right? that's amazing. how does that feel? that feels great, great. whilst the majority wrote their memories on pieces of paper bound for the shredder, others came with photographs, bags of bills, anything associated with discontent. it's a lot of stuff that i brought. as the negative vibes were being thrown out, people also began writing wishes, and making resolutions for the new year. just before we leave you, a reminder

of that breaking news. the actress debbie reynolds has died aged 84, just a day after the death of her daughter carrie fisher. she was rushed to hospital. she was taken ill at her son's house in beverly hills. many will know her best for her role opposite gene kelly in singin‘ in the rain. she was also nominated for an oscar for the unsinkable molly brown and for a tony in the broadway musical irene. she had two children with eddie fisher, who left her for elizabeth taylor. carrie fisher died on tuesday at the age of 60. debbie reynolds, of course, known for many people as well for her tv role playing grace's mother in will & grace. we've got a lot of fog out there, thick fog.

it's quite patchy, which makes it dangerous as well. and on top of that, we've got sub—zero temperatures. so that combination means freezing fog in some areas, and that, in turn, means that the roads could be quite slippy. so really pretty dangerous on some of those roads, if you are travelling in the early hours, and really throughout much of the morning, into the afternoon, because that fog will be stubborn to clear. this time of the year, when there is no wind, the sun is low on the horizon, just can't work on that fog, it cannot melt it, as we say, away. this is what it looks like at 8:00am in the morning. you can see fog extensive across england, also the near continent there. temperatures down to —3 in some areas. now, the further north you go, we've got a bit more of a breeze coming off the atlantic here. so that means that that fog can't form, and there are also bits and pieces of light rain. fog doesn't like the rain, too. so for the western isles in the highlands, i think fog—free, fog—free for northern ireland.

but here across the bulk of england, at the very least it will be sort of cloudy, misty, a bit of brightness, and in one or two areas that fog is going to persist. now, in terms of the temperatures, for most of us, actually quite a chilly day. three orfour degrees. warm spot there, tropical in stornoway, 11 celsius. where you've got the wind and the rain, so it's not ideal. let's focus on that fog, because i have said that it may stick around into the afternoon, these sorts of areas here. where it does stick around, the temperatures of course struggle. we haven't got the sunshine coming in. warming up the ground, so it is zero degrees celsius. so thursday night, so this is the following night now, a bit more of a breeze across the uk. these isobars here, the pressure lines, mean there is more of wind. so that means that the fog isn't going to be quite so widespread into friday morning and friday afternoon, maybe, across the south—east. but i think for many of us it is sort of a cloudy—ish sort of day, with some sunshine.

notice that there is some rain getting into the far north of the uk. this is new year's eve, weather front moving into northern ireland, scotland, the far north of england, too. to the south of that, probably staying dry. temperatures just about into double figures the south—west, south—westerlies across europe. actually, the bulk of the continent probably hovering close to freezing during the course of new year's eve. but look at that, london is actually going to be warmer than madrid on new year's eve. now, something does happen as we go into 2017. the thinking is that a cold front, a pretty good cold front, will sweep across the uk, and introduce these northerly winds. so i think 1 january 2017 is going to feel pretty nippy across the uk. the latest headlines from bbc news. my name's mike embley. us president—elect donald trump has launched a scathing attack on the united nations after last week's security council resolution declaring israeli settlements illegal. he said the un had caused problems rather than solved them. israel's prime minister has described as "biased" a speech by the outgoing us secretary of statejohn kerry

that was one of the most highly critical in years by any senior american official. mr kerry said israel would never find peace until it resolved the issue of israeli settlement building on occupied palestinian land. the hollywood actress, debbie reynolds, has died at the age of 84 just one day after the death of her daughter carrie fisher. she was rushed to hospital after being taken ill in beverly hills. she's best known for her 1952 performance opposite gene kelly in singin‘ in the rain. now on bbc news, victoria derbyshire takes a look back at the exclusive interviews and films which have featured on her programme in 2016.