welcome to bbc news, broadcasting to viewers in north america and around the globe. my name's mike embley. our top stories: the american actress and singer debbie reynolds has died at the age of 84, just a day after the death of her daughter carrie fisher. us president—elect donald trump launches a scathing attack on the un after last week's security council resolution declaring israeli settlements illegal. where do you see the un's solving 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. hello.

within the past hour it's been announced that the veteran actress, debbie reynolds has died just a 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. earlier our correspondent david willis in los angeles gave us some detail about the relationship between mother and daughter. 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 2a 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, in fact, she said, very few women from her generation worked like that, kept her career going all through her life and raised 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 over the choice of men, she said, i have terrible choices, i'm make terrible choices when it comes to husbands. her first husband, of course, eddie fisher, who was a very popular crooner in the us, went on to have an affair and subsequently marry elizabeth taylor, who was a friend of debbie reynolds at the time — the two women apparently it up onboard a seagoing cruise 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 husbands 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. let's go to hollywood journalist jenny woolf. the two events quite possibly related? no two ways about it. you have to understand that carrie fisher never regained consciousness, so

carrie fisher never regained consciousness, so her mother saw her daughter lying there. sent out m essa 9 es daughter lying there. sent out messages that she was in a stable condition, but she knew carrie fisher was going to die. it was just too much for her. her son said she wa nted too much for her. her son said she wanted to be with her daughter. i don't know all of the details but i don't know all of the details but i do know that debbie has been in very fragile health. just last year she was honoured by the screen actor's guild. debbie love to dress up in sequins and get applause, she loved the attention, and she was too ill to show up and carrie accepted the award for her. if all you have done is see debbie fisher at 19 years old in singing in the rain you would never forget her. and she went on from that to do tammie and the bachelor and the unsinkable molly browne and they call her the unsinkable. she admitted she was quite a survivor and carrie said,

thatis quite a survivor and carrie said, that is what i got from her, i tried to bea that is what i got from her, i tried to be a survivor too. what did she say about the iconic role about the iconic movie at the age of 19? you know, she was up for it. she said it was just a know, she was up for it. she said it wasjust a wonderful know, she was up for it. she said it was just a wonderful blessing, something that came to her unexpectedly. and she determined to sort of keep up with gene kelly, keep up with the pros, and she did. and she was so sweet and so lovable. so optimistic. you had to help her on the set. and they could see that they had magic in that. that move, you have got to watch it again, singing in the rain, it is really something, but as carrie said, she said, i will be princess leia for ever and my mum will be tammie for ever, because not only did tammie and the bachelor succeed in the movie but she had a hit song, tammie, she could sing, dance, she

could fund raise, she could charm everybody. and in her later years she spent a lot of time in vegas. everyone thought that debbie was miss perfect but i can tell you that her act in vegas was pretty bawdy, she had a mouth on her and the audiencejust she had a mouth on her and the audience just loved she had a mouth on her and the audiencejust loved her, they related to her, they thought she was their mum too, so she was very much a bowl of it, i will fight through anything, you know, she would say to carrie, you know, go for it, because debbie's mother, you know, carrie's grandmother, said, go for it, and, boy, she did go for it, and this in a way did sink the unsinkable. there are reports that debbie was discussing funeral arrangements for carrie when she suffered a stroke. it has to be said they did not

a lwa ys it has to be said they did not always get on. those were in the younger days, in the younger days they didn't get along, and debbie said when carrie was going through her most turbulent times she thought she would lose her to drug abuse. but then they lived in houses next door to each other and they were in and out of each other‘s itchen and on the phone every day. now, you have to remember, carrie had a daughter, debbie's granddaughter, billy lloyd, and debbie and billy got a long great. she would sing and dance with her, she is now in her young 20s, she is an actress on tv, and from what i understand she is, you know, quite a solid creature for all that her mother and her grandmother have gone through. so, you can understand that billie losing her mother and her grandmother within days, that is who you really have to worry about. jenny woolf, thanks so much for that. 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 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 held two rounds of peace talks between israel and the palestinians during the obama years. both broke down acrimoniously. 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. i've been speaking to guy ziv from american university in washington, who's been analysing israeli politics. he sastohn kerry's speech reaffirms the idea of a two state solution. i certainly think that kerry's speech would have made a greater difference had it been 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 save the two—state solution, which is presently on life support, from collapsing. but can it really? mr trump is unequivocally pro—israel, so are the people

he is appointing. i think it depends how you define pro—israel. i don't think trump's inflammatory tweets will bring peace and stability to the middle east, or security to israel, nor will controversial moves like moving the embassy in israel to jerusalem or supporting settlement expansion. none of that is going to help strengthen israel or help resolve the israeli—palestinian conflict. so, i certainly hope trump will work in a responsible 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 aligning the outgoing administration much more with the arab view of israel, is this partly because everyone now has a close eye on iran? i think that, first of all,

there is international consensus thatjewish settlements in the west bank in eastjerusalem are illegitimate and undermine the goal of the two—state solution. i think it was important for kerry to reaffirm it, just as it's important to emphasise the need for a palestinian state, to recognise a jewish state, for the palestinian people to recognise a jewish state, and for the two people to live separately in peace and security, and that was very important for kerry to reaffirm what bill clinton first did when he left office and issued the clinton parameters. george bush also had the roadmap for middle east peace and every president since bill clinton has endorsed this idea of a two—state solution. stay with us on bbc news. still to come: out with the old — new yorkers say good riddance to the worst of 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 0xfordshire 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: the american actress and singer debbie reynolds has died at the age of 84, just a day after the death of her daughter carrie fisher. us president—elect donald trump launches a scathing attack on the un, following last week's security council resolution declaring israeli settlements illegal. german prosecutors say a ao—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 tightened 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, was shot dead by police in milan four days later. now, another man, a ao—year—old also from tunisia, has been detained in connection with what happened here. german prosecutors say his number was found on amri's phone. it has been reported police raided his home and workplace in berlin. officials have until thursday to decide whether to formally arrest him. the 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 moving at speed. it has been reported that investigators say its 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's celebrations in cologne, dozens of women were assaulted. and now, with the attack on berlin, cities across the country are stepping up their response. 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 al—mazraa,

a 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're 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 part in these kind of talks, when and if they happen.

but even this week there are meetings taking place in ankara between russia and different rebel groups, to discuss a ceasefire, but also a potential wider plan for syria. britain's most decorated 0lympian and tour de france winner, sir bradley wiggins, has announced his retirement from cycling. in a statement, the 36—year—old said he had been lucky enough to live a dream, and make a career out of a sport he fell in love with when he was 12. it ends a stunning career, which also brought him world championships and many other honours. but it follows questions about medical treatments he received in training. here is our sports correspondent richard conway. 0n the road, and on the track, sir bradley wiggins dominated his sport like few others. he is the uk's most decorated 0lympian, winning eight medals over 16 years. in 2012, he became the first briton to claim the tour de france title, achievements which took him on a path to the palace.

but, after so much success over the years, sir bradley wiggins's remarkable career has finally rolled to a halt, in a statement, he said... wiggins kindled his love of cycling at his local club in south london. and at the age of 12, he knew what he wanted to achieve, telling his teachers he would one day be an olympic champion. he delivered on that promise, winning his first gold at the 2004 athens games, all at a time when british cycling success was far from the norm. and his personality, intertwined with a love of mod culture, helped him to transcend and popularise the sport. his retirement comes at a time of heightened scrutiny into his career, though. earlier this year, russian hackers

revealed wiggins had been given powerful steroid injections before three key races, including his 2012 tour de france win. the substance involved is banned under normal circumstances, as it can be performance—enhancing. but wiggins legally and legitimately applied for a medical exemption, he says, to treat hayfever. this wasn't about trying to find a way to gain an unfair advantage. this was about putting myself back on a level playing field, in order to compete at the highest level. one of britain's brightest sporting careers is now at an end. but it was one that was coloured throughout by gold and yellow. 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 from 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. a reminder of our top story: hollywood legend debbie reynolds has died at the age of 84, just one day after the death of her daughter, carrie fisher, princess leia, of course, in star wars. carrie fisher, princess leia, of course, in starwars. she carrie fisher, princess leia, of course, in star wars. she was rushed to hospital a few hours ago. it is believed they were discussing funeral arrangements for carrie fisher when she suffered a stroke. she is best known for her performance opposite gene kelly in the classic musical singin‘ in the rain. and you can get in touch with me and most of the team on twitter. i'm @bbcmikeembley. 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 during 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 and 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 degrees 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. and 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 a wind. so that means that the fog isn't perhaps 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 in the south—westerlies. and 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. i'm mike embley. the hollywood actress debbie reynolds has died, just one day after the death of her daughter, carrie fisher. she was 84. she's best known for starring opposite gene kelly in singin‘ in the rain, and most recently, after a career spanning seven decades, as grace's mother in tv‘s will and grace. the us president—elect donald trump has made another attack

on the united nations, after last week's security council resolution condemning illegal israeli settlements on occupied palestinian land. he claimed the un caused problems rather than solving them. israel's prime minister has described as "biased" a speech by the outgoing us secretary of state, john 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 settlement issue. now on bbc news, it's time for click. this week, a click christmas with digital jumpers,