this is bbc news, here are the headlines at apm: australia welcomes in the new year in style with a spectacular display of fireworks over the sydney harbour bridge. this is the scene live in hong kong, as revellers welcome in 2017. security is stepped up in major cities around the world and in the uk for new year celebrations, after the deadly lorry attacks in germany and france. hundreds of ordinary people are recognised in the queen's new year's honours along with many of britian‘s olympic and paralympic stars, including mo farah, jessica ennis—hill and andy murray. i feel more still like andy murray. feels obviously more normal to me

but it's obviously, you know, a big honour and happy with that. nice way to finish or start the new year. at least 28 people are killed in two bomb explosions at a busy market in baghdad. the so—called islamic state group say two of its militants were responsible. 40% of councils in england have no procedures in place to prosecute people who misuse disabled parking permits. in half an hour, reporters. we look back at some of this year's best reports, including a painkillers epidemic in america. good afternoon and welcome to bbc news. celebrations have begun around

the world to welcome in 2017. this is the scene live in hong kong, as thousands of revellers bring in the new year. that is the scene in victoria harbour, as thousands lined the sure there to watch the display. in the past half—hour, a rather different take on celebrations in tokyo, as thousands of balloons were released in honour of their biggest holiday. people will go to shrines to praise the good fortune and good luck in the coming year. spectacular fireworks have also

illuminated sydney and auckland to celebrate the arrival of 2017. this was the scene in sydney harbour just over an hour ago. officials there say it's the city's biggest ever fireworks display. 1.5 million people are estimated to have been celebrating by the opera house on the harbour front. the display paid tribute to some of the music legends who died in 2016, as purple fireworks — in honour of the late pop artist prince — rained down from the harbour bridge. earlier, auckland, in new zealand, was the first major city to welcome the new year. fireworks erupted from the 300—metre tall sky tower in the city centre. security has been stepped up in major cities as the world marks the start of the new year.

concrete barriers are blocking off central squares in paris, madrid and new york to prevent attacks like the recent ones in berlin and nice. in cities including london, thousands of extra police are being deployed ahead of new year celebrations. these latest pictures show barriers being erected near trafalgar square. richard lister reports. the metropolitan police says there's no specific intelligence about an attack in london but it has been looking at the tragic events in berlin and nice and has adjusted plans for new year's eve accordingly. some 3,000 officers will be on the streets of the capital as part of a package of measures to maintain security. we spent a long time carefully planning this operation with our partners. they include the mayor's office, westminster city council and many others, to make sure people can come to central london on new year's and have a fantastic time. and when they come, to give us extra time, as there will be a search

regime in place. something like 3,000 police officers on duty in central london alone, and there'll be stewards as well. the police federation says there will also be more armed officers on patrol in london this year than in previous years, and more areas where vehicles will be banned. greater manchester police and other forces say they've also stepped up crowd protection measures in the wake of the berlin attack. germany's chancellor, angela merkel, says islamist terrorism is the biggest threat facing her country. in a new year message, she refers to the truck attack on a christmas market in berlin, in which 12 people died. translation: the biggest test, without a doubt, is islamist terrorism, which has had germany in its sights for many years. in 2016, it attacked us, and a few days ago at the christmas market here in berlin.

and, yes, it is especially bitter and repugnant if terror attacks are carried out by people who are allegedly looking for protection in our country. we are free, caring, open. bearing in mind the pictures of a heavily bombed aleppo, we want to reiterate how important and correct it was that our country in the last year helped those who genuinely required our protection to find a foothold here and to integrate. the bbc‘s damien mcguinness has more details from berlin. she talks about the three terror attacks germany has suffered in 2016, all three of which were connected to people pretending to be refugees or asylum seekers. she said it was particularly shocking and repulsiveness, that was the word she used, that these attacks were

committed by people who had come to germany looking for help, but i thought what was particularly interesting about her speech was that she stands by her policy on refugees. she said, actually, when you look at the pictures of the bombings on aleppo, it shows it's particularly important to show compassion and the only way to fight terror is with compassion, and she was very adamant she would stick by what she sees as european values of openness of freedom and tolerance, so openness of freedom and tolerance, so that was interesting in that regard. no step back from her policy on migration. and she's also very strong in ready standing up to what many people say is populism. she called on european unity and said germany should lead the way in keeping europe together, and this was real, a real nod to the new anti—migrant party ast, which has arisen in the last few years, and of course angela merkel is facing real in september. so i think that indicated she is ready standing her

ground and not catering to populism but rather has decided she will stand up against it. barack obama has given his new year message. he took the opportunity to talk about his lecacy as us president. we have made extraordinary progress as a country these past eight years, and here's the thing — none of it was inevitable. it was the result of tough choices we made and the result of your hard work and resilience. to keep america moving forward is a task that falls to all of us. sustaining and building on all we have achieved from helping more young people afford higher education, to ending discrimination based on pre—existing conditions, to tightening rules on wall street, to protecting this planet for our kids — that's going to take all of us working together. because that's always been our story. the story of ordinary people coming together in the hard, slow, sometimes frustrating, but always vital work of self—government. it has been the privilege of my life

to serve as your president and as i prepare to take on the even more important role of citizen, know that i will be there with you every step of the way to ensure that this country forever strives to live up to the incredible promise of ourfounding — that all of us are created equal, and all of us deserve every chance to live out our dreams. from the obama family to yours, have a happy and blessed 2017. the russian president has also given his message for 2017. translation: it hasn't been easy but the difficulties we face have motivated us. we have found huge reserves of our capacity to move forward. the main thing is we believe in ourselves, our strength and our country. the queen has used the new year's honours list to recognise

the success of more than 100 of britain's olympians and paralympians. there are knighthoods for andy murray and mo farah, while jessica ennis—hill is made a dame. andy swiss has the details. at the end of a glittering yearfor british sport, for five of its greatest stars, the greatest of honours. first, a knighthood for the man who spent 2016 scaling dizzying new heights. commentator: wimbledon champion again — a supreme performance! after winning a second wimbledon, a second olympics and the world number one spot, it's now sir andy murray. a fitting finish to a remarkable season. i feel more still like andy murray. it feels obviously more normal to me. but it's obviously a big honour. i'm happy with that, it's a nice way to finish, or start, the new year. there's also a new title for mo fa rah‘s collection. commentator: gold for great britain again! the double—double.

he described his knighthood as a dream come true. having come to britain as an eight—year—old from somalia, he added, he could never have imagined it. another athletic star, meanwhile, becomes a dame. london 2012 heptathlon champion jessica ennis—hill, who retired this year. there's also a damehood for rower katherine grainger — after five medals at five consecutive olympics, the perfect ending to her career. and there's a knighthood for one of britain's top paralympians. dressage rider lee pearson won his 11th gold medal in rio. among the other honours, two sporting couples. cbes for cyclists jason and laura kenny, while hockey gold medallists kate and helen richardson—walsh become an obe and mbe respectively. and after their impressive run at euro 2016, wales football manager chris coleman becomes an obe, and his northern ireland counterpart, michael o'neill, an mbe. just a few of more than 100 sporting figures honoured

for a memorable 12 months. there were also some notable names honoured from the worlds of arts and entertainment. among them, there's a knighthhood for the knotty ash funnyman ken dodd, as our entertainment correspondent lizo mzimba reports. i'm full of plumtiousness. he's been one of britain's favourite entertainers for more than half a century. now ken dodd has received a knighthood. i said to the fellow, "excuse me, can you help me out?" "yes, which way did you come in?" you don't get bigger than this. i've played a lot of big theatres. but this is it, this is "the" day. i'm very, very proud. the bucket residence, the lady of the house speaking. actress patricia routledge — she's been made a dame. kinks frontman ray davis

said he felt humility and joy to become sir ray. a knighthood, too, for award—winning actor mark rylance. bond actress naomie harris becomes an obe. figures from fashion and design have also been recognised. american vogue editor anna wintour said she was touched to be made a dame. victoria beckham becomes an obe for services to the fashion industry. the hillsborough independent panel was chaired by the former bishop of liverpool, jamesjones. he's now been knighted. obviously great pride, but mixed with sadness because of that enduring sadness of the families, who have continued to feel the loss of their loved ones at hillsborough. he's one of hundreds being recognised for their contribution across the uk. lizo mzimba, bbc news. the queen will decide tomorrow

whether she feels well enough to attend a new year's day church service at sandringham after suffering with a rather heavy cold over christmas. you will remember that she and the duke of edinburgh, who was also suffering from a cold, we re who was also suffering from a cold, were forced to delay their journey to their norfolk estate from buckingham palace just before christmas and the queen missed that christmas and the queen missed that christmas day ceremony church service. however, we are told she is up service. however, we are told she is up and about and a decision will be made tomorrow as to whether she feels well enough to attend a new year's day church service at sandringham. at least 25 people have been killed and more than 50 injured after two bomb attacks at a busy market in central baghdad. a roadside bomb exploded near a shop, then a suicide bomber detonated his device among the crowd that had gathered. so—called islamic state says

it was behind the attacks. jonny dymond reports. a packed market — shoppers and traders hemmed in. two bombs. one in a car—parts shop, then another when a crowd had formed around the first. both suicide bombers. they took more than two dozen with them. fathers and sisters, mothers and brothers. translation: when we heard the explosion, we found many people killed and wounded whom we rescued and sent to the hospital. why does this happen in iraq? why to the iraqi people? to the north, the fight to take mosul, iraq's second city, from so—called is, continues. it is a long slog. and for many residents, the only way is out. three more months, iraq's government says, the action might take.

maybe next year will be better. but many iraqis are giving up, as they flee their battered city with nothing but bags and suitcases. new year celebrations are underway around the world. australia welcomed in the new year with a spectacular display of fireworks over the sydney harbour bridge. security is stepped up in major cities as well as in the uk, for the crowds for the celebrations after the deadly attacks in germany and france. more than 100 stars of the olympics and paralympics are recognised in the new year ‘s honours list, including andy murray, mo farah and lee pearson. celtic won the old firm match to move 19 points clear of rangers in

the scottish premiership. scott sinclair scored the winner at ibrox. the man who made one appearance in two years for england has made the national squad. and rafa nadal has won a special match in abu dhabi. andy murray came third. burnley, chelsea, leicester, west brom and bournemouth all winning their matches today. man united drawing at home. a full update at 5:10pm. let's more now on the new year ‘s honours list. ken dodd said he felt highly tickled by the owner of receiving a knighthood. i'm very proud. i'd like to thank

all the people who pushed it for me because they are the ones who made it. thank you very much. do you think a lot of people would say it's long overdue? 0h, think a lot of people would say it's long overdue? oh, no. my library books are! no. a bit surprised and it's a wonderful feeling. how did you receive the news?|j it's a wonderful feeling. how did you receive the news? i have to share this award with all the people, all show business people, and particularly variety people, because they give so much of their time and their talent to good causes. so i shall be delighted to help them. and how does it feel to receive the award, notjust for the entertainment work but also the charity work you do? as i say, show business people are very generous. very generous with their time and talents. and they help all sorts of wonderful, wonderful charities and good causes, and i shall do the

same. you've already got an obe, from the early 80s. and you've become so highly regarded in the world of entertainment. does this make that extra bit of difference? 0h, make that extra bit of difference? oh, yes. this is probably the best day of my life. the most important. it isa day of my life. the most important. it is a wonderful feeling. as i say, i feel full of plumptiousness. the best day ever. can't get better than this. i've played lots of big theatres, i've worked abroad, but this is it. this is the big day. i'm very proud and all the people who supported me over the years, thank you, thank you very much. now joining nowjoining me from his home in

sutton coldfield is someone who has received a new year honour for his services to british agent music. many congratulations for getting this honour. this a surprise? i've waited 64 yea rs this a surprise? i've waited 64 years to this a surprise? i've waited 64 yea rs to receive this a surprise? i've waited 64 years to receive this wonderful news! everybody in the gallery is saying you don't look like you're 64! obviously all this music keeps you looking and feeling very young. tell us more about what you do, because you specialise in performing and teaching punjabi music and dance. isn't that right? gas, i've been doing it for the past 48 years of my life and every day has been wonderful. —— yes. i've been in the uk specialising in dancing and we've

been touring around the world, new zealand, australia, africa, around europe and india, and we have the record for the biggest amount of bhangra dancers in the world and within three years i had received a six lifetime achievement award from different organisations, but this one is the most important thing, especially getting an honour for the whole family, so very pleased. why is this the most important? of all the awards you've received, why this one? because the committee, the prime minister, all, the queen, they recognise the hard work somebody has been doing, so this is a wonderful thing. any awards are very important because if somebody rewards you something that means you've done

something that means you've done something for the community, the arts, the charity, but getting recognised from the royal family is a big thing. it's a big credit not just for me but all the asian artists around the world, especially the musicians, because the singers, they get all the recognition, money, fame, but musicians unfortunately, they don't get that much recognition. but this award, all my brothers and sisters in bhangra dancing, they will be thrilled! and as you say, you've been doing this, teaching and performing, for 45 yea rs. teaching and performing, for 45 years. is the interest in this form of music and dance, is the interest as strong as ever? is it growing?m is fantastic now. in olden days, the days of the beatles, the rolling stones, the music that came out of india, it was the sitar by ravi shankar, but now it is the biggest

talk of the town around the world. when we played alongside ub40 at live aid on the same stage as snoop dogg, paul mccartney, the funny thing is, we also played in front of her majesty the queen when it was the goldenjubilee her majesty the queen when it was the golden jubilee at the symphony hall. how wonderful! so many fantastic memories and stories for us. congratulations, and we cannot let you go without you playing your drum for us. so, please, go ahead. thank you! here we are! let me just lower the camera down... lowered that for me. ok, here we go! ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, this is it! thank you! absolutely wonderful!

gucharan awarded for services to asian music and the performing arts. we all need some of that to blow away the cobwebs after new year's eve! air passengers in the south east of england are being warned of continuing disruption with flights because of earlier fog. heathrow, gatwick and london city airports have all warned passengers to check with their airlines before travelling. our correspondent angus crawford reports from heathrow airport. this really has been a question of the morning after the fog the night before. yesterday we know that something like 200 flights were cancelled across the uk — that affected about 30,000 people. it also meant that air crew and aircraft were in the wrong places when it came to departures and arrivals today, so even though the fog has lifted — earlier this morning you couldn't even see the control tower — although it's lifted there is still disruption. here at heathrow, we think about 50 flights have been cancelled in and out of the airport.

london city airport had considerable delays this morning, real problems there. at gatwick there are 40—60—minute delays on some departures. so the advice is simple — if you are attempting to travel today, do consult your airline before you set off from home. a new strike by workers on southern railway is causing disruption to rail services. members of the rmt union started a three—day walk—out this morning in the long—running dispute about the role of conductors. an ongoing ban on overtime by drivers in the aslef union is adding to the disruption. 40% of councils in england have no procedures to deal with people who misuse disabled badges. they could be used fraudulently without any

fear of fine. the finding has been described as staggering by a disability charity. officers in oxfordshire checked hundreds of blue badges during a three—day operation over the festive season. many were confiscated because they were not being used by the owner. it's something that we need to force. we need to make sure people are using their badges correctly so that people are able to get to the shops who need to get to the shops and disabled. fines of up to £1000 could be given to those who abuse the system but the department for transport says 61 out of 152 local authorities don't have any policy when it comes to prosecuting drivers. legal action was taken —— where legal action was taken, it involved somebody using somebody else's badge. disability charities have sent —— have said more needs to be done to tackle fraud. council say

they do take it seriously and are working hard to combat blue badge misuse. nicola sturgeon has said it was her top priority to ensure scotland retains as many of the benefits of eu membership as possible, including the freedom to work, travel and study in other member states. we are also working to safeguard the opportunities that so many in scotla nd opportunities that so many in scotland now take for granted. we are determined that scotland's wrote to remain in the eu will be respected and that people in scotla nd respected and that people in scotland can retain as many of the benefits of eu membership as possible. —— scotland's vote. this includes the freedom to travel, work and study in european countries. the new year is inevitably a time when we look to the future and i'm determined to ensure that we give scotland's future the care young

people need to lead happy and fulfilling lives, and i'm confident that in 2017 we will make further progress towards that goal. nicola sturgeon. now the latest weather. hello, sarah. the weather is looking a bit mixed. cloudy conditions in the south with colder conditions in the north, and this cold front is sinking slowly south across northern areas, so by the time we get to the evening, outbreaks of rain and cold outbreaks to northern areas. further south, more in the way of cloud across england and wales heading across us this evening. many places dry but by midnight the rain pushes in across parts of northern england into the north west and wales. we could have cloud and mist as well. these are

the temperatures as we get to midnight. we have that band of cloud sitting across central areas but by the time we get to new year's day, a wet day for central and southern parts of england. turning colder but a return to the sunshine to welcome in 2017 in the north. good afternoon. this is bbc news. the headlines now at almost 4. 30pm. hgppy happy new year. in hong kong, a spectacular fireworks display welcomes in the new year. and as the world marks the start of 2017, security has been stepped up in major cities. in london, thousands of extra police are being deployed ahead of the celebrations. something like 3,000 police officers are on duty in central london alone. there will be stewards as well. the queen's new years honours list is

dominated by britain's olympic and paralympic stars including lee pearson, mo farah and andy murray. at least 28 people have been killed by two explosions at a crowded market in baghdad. the so—called islamic state group in iraq said it carried out the attack. i'm back at 5pm. now reporters. hello. welcome to reporters. in this special edition of the programme, we're looking back at some of the best reports from this year from our network of correspondents around the world. coming up: i'm a heroin addict. yoo i've overdozed four times