welcome to bbc news. i'm gavin grey. our top stories: massacre in turkey — at least 35 people are killed in a gun attack at a packed nightclub in istanbul. a0 others are wounded. the authorities say it was a terrorist attack. the un security council unanimously votes to support russia and turkey's latest efforts to end violence in syria. 28 are killed and more than 50 people wounded in a double bombing at a market in baghdad. and london rings in the new year in style with a huge fireworks display on the river thames. we start with breaking news from turkey. at least 35 people are dead after an armed attack at a nightclub in istanbul.

local media say shots were fired during new year celebrations at the reina nightclub. it's thought that more than a0 other people have been wounded. the attack happened in the ortakoy district during new year's celebrations. between 500—600 people were in the club at the time. istanbul's governor says it was a "terrorist" attack. we will hear more from the governor shortly. these live pictures, still outside the club. we believe the incident is over. ambulances have been ferrying the injured away over the last few hours. as you can see, quite a crowd of people outside. it is one of turkey's most popular nightclubs. apparently be shooting happened at about one o'clock in the morning local timejust happened at about one o'clock in the morning local time just an happened at about one o'clock in the morning local timejust an hour after the new year had been welcomed

in in turkey. some reports, unconfirmed, that the gunman entered the nightclub dressed as santa claus. there is some video posted on social media which we can't verify at the bbc. but certainly this is not the first time, of course, it has been attacked, and we will be talking with our correspondent shortly. first, he is the governor of istanbul saying, in his opinion, this was a terrorist attack. translation: today, around 1:15 am, a terrorist attacked and entertainment venue using a firearm. the terrorist shot and killed the police officer in front. he then fired people in the venue, who were only there to have fun new year's you. at least 35 people have u nfortu nately you. at least 35 people have unfortunately been killed. one of them is a police officer. at least 40 them is a police officer. at least a0 people are in hospital. the investigation is ongoing. that was

the governor of istanbul. we can speak to our turkey correspondent mark lowen. details are still very sketchy. what more do we know of the attack? we will come to what the governor said ina will come to what the governor said in a moment. 35 people have been killed and at least a0 people injured, some in a critical condition. the attack targeted the reina nightclub in istanbul, close to the bosporus bridge. it is one of the most popular nightclubs in istanbul, indeed in turkey. it happened shortly after midnight when at least one attacker entered the nightclub. he sprayed bullets outside the nightclub before entering. there are reports that at least one was dressed in a santa claus outfit and then entered the nightclub, spraying bullets from a kalashnikov rifle inside, killing

civilians and we understand at least one police officer. we are told at least five or 600 people were inside the nightclub when the attacker struck. they were of course celebrating new year's eve, bidding farewell to a genetic year in tu rkey‘s farewell to a genetic year in turkey's one in history. there are reports that some of those people inside the nightclub jumped reports that some of those people inside the nightclubjumped into reports that some of those people inside the nightclub jumped into the bosphorus, you see on which the nightclub was situated, in order to try to evade the attack —— the sea. some 17,000 extra police officers on duty just to try to contain some 17,000 extra police officers on dutyjust to try to contain such an awful eventual. public events had already been cancelled in taksim square and other areas of the city. istanbul has been on high alert. this has been a year that has seen a wave of deadly terror attacks. both by so—called islamic state, but also

by so—called islamic state, but also by the kurdish militant group, the pkk. at least 22 terror attacks this year has killed 360 people. it has been a very, very distressing year for turkey. a very grim year. this nation was hoping to put that you behind them, and therefore people we re behind them, and therefore people were celebrating tonight, albeit in an atmosphere of heightened security with people prevented from going into the centre of the city. areas of istanbul were cordoned off as well as areas of ankara. this appears to have been a targeted attack on a very popular nightclub, that will send shockwaves through the country, and showed just how vulnerable turkey remains after a very grim year of terror attacks. one of the national television stations is saying special police force officers are currently still searching the nightclub. you mentioned the pkk and islamic state. the answer is we still do not know yet. yet the governor of istanbul is

coming out with a very strong statement, saying without doubt this was terrorism. yeah. clearly this country sadly has become accustomed to such terror attacks that target public areas, police, security forces. what has tended to happen is that the pkk, the kurdish militant group, has targeted the security forces, police and the army. a few weeks ago, there was a twin bombing ina weeks ago, there was a twin bombing in a stable outside a football stadium which targeted police. that was claimed by a kurdish militant group —— in istanbul. they have been other attacks on the airport, which killed a0 people injured. that was claimed by islamic state. the fact this heat and nightclub with revellers and civilians among the casualties, that would point, i suppose, towards the islamic state

group. at this point it is too early to tell who is behind this attack. we never islamic state has released a video saying that turkey is very much targeted by the group, that they are trying to recover it in turkey. turkey has become ever more embroiled in the war in syria. there was a ground operation in syria earlier this year to try to target is. i think the finger of suspicion will probably point towards is. as i say, the kurdish militancy is at play as is a homegrown left—wing group as well, but is classified by turkey is a terrorist group. this is a vulnerable country, and that is the state of affairs in 2016 and beginning to thousands 17, with another terror attack in the heart of turkey's most popular and biggest city —— beginning 2017. of turkey's most popular and biggest city -- beginning 2017. thank you very much. i know you are keeping your eyes on these figures. at least

35 killed and a0 injured, some critically. we will go back live to be seen. many of the local police are out. the emergency services, as you can understand. although this did happen sometime ago, it is still evidence gathering. that mix of confusion as well. it is also now being reported by a news agency in the country, some witnesses claiming the country, some witnesses claiming the attackers were speaking arabic. that is unconfirmed. that is from one news agency in the country. those live pictures just outside the reina nightclub, which marco was saying is on the banks of the bosphorus, with some 600 people inside celebrating new year's eve. zafer arapkirli is a turkish journalist and broadcaster. he's on the line now from istanbul. what more can you add?” what more can you add? i don't know how to speak about it, but the very

sad part of the story is we were expecting this. you would not asked why we are expecting this. your reporter reminded us about the past attacks. very recently, three weeks ago, we were outside that football stadium. there was a twin bomb attack. 35 people died. a5 people died. hundreds were injured. i escaped that attacked by a couple of minutes. just last summer, there was an attack on the main airport of istanbul. it is not a matter of if anything would happen but a matter of when, and how. and how big a casualties we would suffer. it came just on the very night of the new year's eve, just on the very night of the new yea r‘s eve, and just on the very night of the new year's eve, and on the very moment that people, including me, hundreds of thousands, maybe tens of millions

of thousands, maybe tens of millions of people, were exchanging good m essa g es of people, were exchanging good messages for the next year, and believe me, honestly, everybody was using the same sentence. we were saying to each other that never again should we repeat 2016. but it camejust at again should we repeat 2016. but it came just at the moment while we we re came just at the moment while we were expecting this sort of goodwill messages. the policeman and policewomen, turkish security, all around the city. three parties were cancelled. there were small street parties, just a couple of 100 meters from the scene of tonight's attack. we were hoping nobody would be injured there. but unfortunately this kit at the most popular nightclub of the city, maybe the most popular nightclub of turkey. sorry to interrupt, but the

president, president erdogan, has promised to stamp out terrorism in the country. but there has been a long list of attacks last year. there is this attack on the first day of 2017. the city was expecting it, as you say. do people have confidence he can stamp it out? there is very little confidence, honestly. the reporter reminded us that the enemies are not a shortlist. we are suffering threats from islamic state terrorists, we are suffering threats from the pkk organisation, we are suffering threats from alternative left organisations. it is very difficult to face them. this is a city of nearly 80 million people. can you |magine? nearly 80 million people. can you imagine? they are very few countries in europe having this much population as a whole. this is a very huge city. imagine other big

capitals of the world. it has been difficult to put policeman in every corner. of course there are a lot of shortcomings of the government, a lot of shortcomings of the intelligence organisations, but actually, physically, it is virtually impossible to put a policeman at every corner. what you should do is you should clear out the roots of terrorism, and it is a matter of intelligence. does this attack, to the subsequent proceeding attacks that we have had, have they shaking people's confidence following that failed coup of the summer? have they shaken people's confidence in the government? obviously people are not happy here with the government, and people are not happy with the way all of this

situation is handled. but as i told you, physically, it is so impossible. it is not possible to have all security in such a big city. the government should wipe the table and put everything on the table and put everything on the table and put everything on the table and start from scratch. to clear this out. because as i told you, we have a huge list of enemies. we have a huge list of terrorists who, for any purpose, it is not easy to wipe it out in one day. u nfortu nately, to wipe it out in one day. unfortunately, it seems we will be suffering these things in the near future because even the government themselves admit they are very well organised to wipe them out totally. we appreciate your time. thank you

very much. let's just recap on these five shots, and if you havejust joined us, some of the breaking news we have been getting here on bbc news —— life. at least 35 people have lost their lives on an attack in istanbul. the city's governor says he believes it to be a terrorist attack. at least another a0 were injured in the attack at the reina nightclub, which is on the banks of the bosphorus. some of those are described as being critically injured. one of the attackers, if there was more than one, we don't know yet, but one attacker was dressed in a santa claus costume, and it is reported shot people outside the nightclub before then entering the nightclub and shooting again. though that is unconfirmed. as we havejust and shooting again. though that is unconfirmed. as we have just been hearing from our correspondent in turkey, and a turkish journalist,

islamic state and the pkk are at the moment those under the spotlight for those who might be responsible. but we simply don't know at the moment. we will come back to istanbul when we get further developments during the course of the programme. the un's security council has unanimously supported efforts for a ceasefire. rebel groups in syria have threatened to abandon the deal if government forces continue to attack areas under their control. total support for the latest attempt at peace. after so many years of fighting is this finally a route out of war? the latest agreement is backed by some of the key players, but doubt stopped the us and other

countries giving it wholehearted endorsement. instead, they simply welcomed it. we have loaded in favour of this resolution because it strikes the right balance. cautious optimism, and support, predicated on hope. but tempered by a realistic need to wait to see how this arrangement is implement it before casting the full weight of the security council behind it. many details of the agreement remain secret, but the russian government, which brokered it along with turkey, says other countries should not obstruct the process. translation: i don't want to criticise, but i would like in the most delicate way to just hint to colleagues it is a very complicated process. everything we have been able to achieve is the result of enormous work. so please, let's keep things clear. please help us. if you don't want to help, just make sure that you don't convert kate things. in syria, many questions remain. will aid get

through to everyone? how will breaches of the truce be handled? what will happen to groups that haven't signed the deal? and the biggest of all, will president assad remain in power? the grouping with support from the united states still says he has to go. all of the war crimes he has committed here, these crimes, you cannot expect someone like him to go on ruling syria. so if he doesn't go, it means there will be no peace in syria. it is the third truce in less than a year. but for the time being it appears to be holding. but peace is more than absence of war. so—called islamic state has said it carried out two bombings at a busy market in the iraqi capital, baghdad on saturday morning, killing at least twenty—eight people. more than 50 other people were wounded. a third blast happened later in the east of the city. our correspondent jonny dymond reports. for iraqis, 2016 ends as it began, with bloodshed and grief. just one of the shoppers and traders

slaughtered on a saturday morning. there were two bombs, one in a car parts shop, then another when a crowd had formed around the first. fathers, and sisters, and 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 battle to take mosul, iraq's second city, from so—called islamic state 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. this is bbc news, i'm gavin grey. the latest headlines: at least 35 people have been killed in a gun attack on a crowded nightclub in istanbul. another a0 have been wounded. the city's governor said it was a terrorist attack. the un security council has unanimously voted to support russia and turkey's latest efforts to end violence in syria. germany's chancellor, angela merkel, says islamist terrorism is the biggest threat facing her country. in her new year message, mrs merkel promised to do everything possible to improve security following the deadly lorry attack in berlin earlier this month. translation: 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. in his final new year message, barack obama spoke about his legacy as president. he appealed to all americans to work together for a better society. looking back over his eight years in office, he highlighted a range of policies on healthcare, climate change, and equality, which he said had made the us stronger. 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. let's round up some of the other main stories: senior government ministers in the democratic republic of congo have signed an agreement with the opposition to end the growing political crisis, but presidentjoseph kabila is yet to put his signature to it. under the terms of the deal, he will stay on until elections are organised by the end of 2017 to replace him. china's main television broadcaster is rebranding itself abroad, as part of a government campaign to improve the country's global image. china central television will offer content in several languages on tv, online and through mobile apps, with the aim of providing international news from a chinese perspective. around the world, people have been

welcoming in the new year. the first big city to say hello to 2017 was auckland, in new zealand. now, the uk has also started the year in style, as catriona renton reports. big ben tolls. as midnight struck, london flooded with colour, and the lights of the river thames, as the uk became the latest country to ring in the new year. prince: dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to get through this thing we call life. welcome to london. # prince - 1999.

in new zealand, the countdown began on auckland's sky tower, as it became the first major city in the world to welcome in 2017. soon after, it was sydney, australia. the harbour bridge to focus of its spectacular display. —— the focus. in tokyo, 2017 burst onto the scene.

the japanese celebrated with a sea of white balloons. # village people - ymca. and this of white balloons. # village people — ymca. and this was hong kong's kind of party. crowds were treated toa kind of party. crowds were treated to a sparkling display over victoria harbour, accompanied by a rendition of old lang syne. and happy new year from and happy new yearfrom us and happy new year from us at the bbc. we just have time to get back to

istanbul, where we have live shots of the attack which happened a little earlier. this is on the banks of the bosporus, at the reina nightclub and there are still people hanging around, lots of emergency service vehicles and a little earlier the figures that we had for those who had been killed and injured was 35 who had lost their lives. with a0 injured, some critically. we are waiting for an update that. with the governor of istanbul saying he believed that this was a terrorist attack, and as isaid no this was a terrorist attack, and as i said no one has claimed responsibility for the attack. not so far, those two groups, islamic state and also the pkk, are under the spotlight for that. we will bring you more as we have it here on

bbc world news. good morning and a very happy new year to you. the change of year brings a change in the weather. if we look at the recent satellite picture, you can see this strip of cloud sinking its way southwards. there is rain coming from this cloud. it is associated with a weather front, and in fact, it is a cold front. as that continues to journey southwards and eastwards through new year's day, we will see increasingly cold air digging in from the north. that is the pattern for the next couple of days. but back to the here and now, the first part of new year's day increasingly wet across southern parts of the british isles. so this is the story at 9am this morning. across south—west england, some quite heavy bursts of rain stretching up through the south midlands and into east anglia. to the south—east, a mild start. seven degrees in dover. a lot of cloud, the main body of rain won't have reached here by this stage.

and then, on the back edge of the weather front, cold air starting to dig in, and we could see sleet and wet snow developing particularly up over high ground, the pennines. wintry showers for northern scotland. rain close to the coast, but inland, over high ground, some snow. windy and icy stretches on untreated roads. for wales, back into the weather front with rain and wintry weather up over high ground. remember, cold air is digging into the back of the weather front. and our front essentially stalls across south—eastern areas, so here we can expect rain throughout new year's day. further north, bright skies and sunshine, and wintry showers, particularly for exposed coastal areas. and a really chilly day, four or five degrees, mild air holding on across the far south and south—east. but then as we go through the night, that cold air works its way southwards across all parts of the country, as we finally push our weather front away.

and we see quite widespread frost, as well, and potentially icy stretches. particularly where we see showers through the night on exposed coasts. these are increasingly turning wintry even to low levels. these will continue into monday sometimes. for most for monday though, it is a beautiful day with sparkling sunshine. however, it won't do much for the temperatures, 3—6 degrees at best. deeper into the week, high pressure is in charge out to the west. a north—westerly wind, so not a particularly warm direction, but slightly less cold air will work into the mixture on tuesday and wednesday. with it, some cloud but for many it will stay dry. just a few showers for exposed coasts. the latest headlines from bbc news. i'm gavin grey. at least 35 people have been killed and a0 wounded in an armed attack on a crowded nightclub in istanbul, turkey. up up to 6a0 have been inside the reina

nightclub when the shooting happened. the governor of the city has called it a terror attack —— 600 people. the united nations security council has unanimously welcomed efforts by russia and turkey to stop fighting in syria, and says it supports the start of a political process. people were injured in a roadside bomb in baghdad. exploded me a car parts shop and later a suicide bomber detonated his device among a that had gathered.