welcome to bbc news, broadcasting to viewers in north america and around the globe. my name is duncan golestani. our top stories: iran's anti—government protests spread. thousands across the country demand an end to corruption, rising prices, and the release of political prisoners. a toddler playing with a stove is thought to have caused new york's worst fire for decades. 12 people died in the blaze in the bronx. funerals in egypt for nine people killed in attacks on coptic christians. so—called islamic state have claimed responsibility. peace and love! and arise, sir ringo. the beatles‘ drummer, ringo starr, receives a knighthood in the british new year honours list. so, too, does bee gee barry gibb. dancer darcey bussell becomes a dame. hello.

the us state department has condemned the arrest of peaceful protesters during a second day of anti—government demonstrations in iran. a wave of protests has spread to some of the country's biggest cities. demonstrators have been demanding basic rights and an end to corruption. thousands of people are said to have participated in demonstrations on friday, including in the capital tehran. people came out onto the streets in rasht, and kermanshah in the west, with smaller protests in mashhad, shiraz and elsewhere. wyre davies reports. these are extremely rare sights — cities across iran hit by large and sometimes violent anti—government protests. this is the western city of kermanshah.

and despite the repressive action taken against demonstrators by the police, the protests have quickly grown and spread across the country. iranians have suffered tremendous economic hardship with a huge fall in living standards over the last decade. but what started as a protest against rising prices has grown into much wider anger against strict clerical rule and iran's supreme leader, ayatollah ali khamenei. demonstrators are demanding that political prisoners should be freed and the government should stop spending millions on foreign wars. there is seething discontent with iranians spending money on wars abroad, on spreading shiaism abroad, supporting hezbollah abroad. and that has changed the character of the demonstration into a political one, undermining the whole clerical regime. iran's relatively moderate president, hassan rouhani,

has promised the benefits of economic growth after an international deal to limit its nuclear activities. but those promises have so far failed to materialise. it is too early to say if the regime is under serious threat. these are the biggest protests in iran for almost a decade, and the government will use greater force if it feels it's losing control. wyre davies, bbc news. mohammad ali kadivar is an expert on iran at brown university in the united states. he says it's too early to tell how significant the protests are. i think the geographical spread of the protest is quite significant, especially when we compare this with the movement of 2009 which only happened in tehran.

but in terms of the number of protesters, this is quite small. it is in the thousands — that is not a big number compared with the green movement or the student protests we had in 1999. in terms of radical slogans, i think this has been important. the fact that this has been reported and spread throughout the social media. before we have had protests in cities, socio—economic demands, in 1990, 1991, but because the internet did not exist at the time, people in other cities did not hear about those protests. you mentioned the spread of these protests. it is interesting they are happening in quite conservative places. yeah, this is interesting. i think there is a consensus among the experts that initially this may have been a

plot by hardliners against the president's government. it might have been to undermine the government. but this has clearly got out of hand. initially, they were chanting slogans. now there are slogans against the supreme leader and the rule of the clergy. the slogans have radicalised and they started from socio—economic demands, but they have escalated. this is quite common in repressive regimes where there is no institutional venue for people to voice their grievances. iranians remember what happened in 2009, they have seen what has happened in neighbouring arab countries where there were uprisings, do you think they have the stomach to keep on demonstrating if there is a tough and bloody crackdown? i think that is very hard to predict. these waves of protest at these early stages are very

fragile and unpredictable. if we go back to arab countries, pressure started at the same time and even in algeria, it spread to neighbour towns but was contained to algeria and spread to tunisia and led to a regime change. it is quite small in iran. i think people who participated today probably made those decisions today. people who might participate tomorrow are now thinking there has not been much repression so i don't think people are very scared. if more repression is used by the regime, there could be a backlash and bring more people in the streets. on the other hand, repression is sometimes successful, as it was in 2009. officials in new york say a fire which tore through an apartment block in the bronx appears to have been started by a young boy playing with a stove. the fire spread rapidly up

the stairway killing 12 people, including four children. these pictures released by the fire department in new york show the scale of the damage within the building, much of the interior reduced to a charred shell still dripping with water. yogita limaye reports. smoke rose through the air of a bronx neighbourhood on thursday evening. the fire started in a kitchen on the first floor of this apartment building, and eyewitnesses say it quickly spread to the top floor. as i look, i see flames and i realise everyone‘s panicking. so i go down and see what is wrong, and obviously, by the time i got downstairs, the fire had already escalated from one apartment to two, two almost to three. within three minutes, firefighters arrived, more than 150 of them. the injured were rushed to hospital and those who had been rescued were given blankets to shield them from a severely cold evening. but not everyone could be saved.

the husband put them outside, burned all over. burned, burned, burned. and then they start bringing them down, one by one. it's hard to take. it's really, really hard. officials say an unattended 3—year—old boy playing with a cooker sparked the fire. the mother was not aware of it, was alerted by the young man screaming. she exited her apartment with her 2—year—old and 3—year—old and left the door open, so this fire quickly spread up the stairs. fire travels up — the stairway acted like a chimney. it took the fire so quickly upstairs that people had very little time to react. they couldn't get back down the stairs, those that tried. a few of them perished. you know, it's sad, because,

you know, for the new year, now we have to deal with this tragedy thatjust happened now. you know, that's saddened a lot of souls in this neighbourhood so it's not gonna be, like, a happy new year. during the most festive time of year, this neighbourhood and this city has found itself in the midst of tragedy and grief. yogita limaye, bbc news, new york. five indian officials have been suspended after a huge fire killed at least 14 people in mumbai. most of the victims were young women at a birthday party. one politician has described the building as a "death trap". the fire, at the kamala mills compound in mumbai, is reported to have started in a restaurant and spread quickly. 21 people are being treated in hospital. the bbc‘s sanjoy majumder reports. the fire broke out on a rooftop restaurant in a popular commercial district in the heart of mumbai. within minutes, it spread — first to a bar next door, and then through the entire building.

most of the victims were women attending a party at the bar. the bbc‘s gujarati service editor, ankurjain, was at the restaurant when the fire broke out. there was a stampede, and everybody was trying to just rush out. in less than three minutes after the fire started, the whole of the area was engulfed in fire, and before anyone, including us, could reach the staircase, the first place to catch complete fire completely was the fire exit. the blaze was eventually put out early in the morning, the structure completely gutted. the families and friends of the victims are distraught and raising questions about safety measures. the building was located in a congested neighbourhood that once housed the city's colonial—era textile mills and is now filled with bars, restaurants and offices, some still located in the old factories, others in high—rise glass and steel towers.

but many of them lack proper safety standards and emergency exits. an investigation has now been ordered to determine the cause. action has been taken against the restaurant owners, and five city officials have been suspended for negligence. sanjoy majumder, bbc news, delhi. let's take a look at some of the other stories making the news. a gunman has killed one person and left another critically injured after a shooting at an office block in california. it's thought the attacker then turned the gun on himself. it's thought to have happened at a law firm in long beach. an 83—year—old man has died from the injuries he suffered when a car was driven at a crowd of pedestrians in the centre of melbourne. antonios crocaris was one of 19 people taken to hospital after being rammed by the vehicle. the alleged driver, saeed noori, has been charged with 18 counts

of attempted murder and one count of reckless conduct, endangering life. from monday, transgender people will be allowed to enlist in the us armed forces for the first time. the policy set under president obama's administration will come into force after president trump's transgender ban was defeated by the courts. the trump administration says it won't appeal the ruling made by two federal courts. the un's cultural and educational agency says israel has formally announced it will give up its membership of the organisation on sunday. it follows a decision by the united states to withdraw from unesco as well. both countries were unhappy with a series of unesco resolutions, one of which referred to israel as the occupying power injerusalem. israel has nine cultural sites on the unesco world heritage list. the white house has congratulated liberia

on its presidential election. in a statement, it describes the country's first democratic transition in more than 70 years as a "major milestone". liberia's elections board has officially certified former international football star george weah as the winner. our correspondent umaru fofana has been to mr weah‘s party headquarters. the street parties and carnivals have continued in the last 2a hours since the announcement of the results by the electoral commission. this is the headquarters of george weah‘s political party and as you can see, people have thronged to this place almost unendingly. they spent an all—night vigil here, dancing, celebrating what they call the beginning of a new era for this country. so far, things seem to be going very well with the vice president joseph boakai, whom george weah defeated, having admitted defeat in the elections. diplomatic efforts are going on, with george weah having held meetings with some visiting diplomats, among them the united

nations envoy here, former nigerian president olusegun obasanjo. stay with us on bbc news. still to come: turning turtles‘ fortunes — the mexican mission hoping to safeguard one endangered species. the most ambitious financial and political change ever attempted has got under way with the introduction of the euro. tomorrow in holland, we will use money we picked up in belgium today, and then we will be in france and again it will 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 at 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.

you... just good? no, fantastic! that's better. this is bbc news. our top story this hour: thousands of anti—government protestors have ta ken to the streets across iran. it's the country's most serious show of dissent for years. with just over a week to go before egypt's coptic community marks

christmas on the orthodox calendar, there's been an attack against christian targets. nine people died in two attacks south of cairo, according to the interior ministry. seven people including a policeman died when a gunman tried to storm a church but was intercepted and arrested by police. he had earlier killed two people. so—called islamic state says it was behind the attack. the bbc‘s hanan razek reports. just two days ahead of the new year, another attack on the christian community in egypt. a friday mass was being held inside a church in southern cairo. but then, it was fear and shock as gunfire was heard outside. translation: the ones that were sitting here got hit, and they went into that shop. and he died too, and his daughter got shot in her arm.

and the man from the restaurant there, his daughter was going to a lesson. she was leaving the church and she got hit in the hand. and there was an elderly lady who was coming out of church to see what happened, and she too fell here and died. her blood was here. the attacker first targeted the police force securing the church where hundreds of worshippers were. the gunman, a wanted jihadist implicated in attacks on police, was wounded and arrested at the scene. he had been armed with an assault rifle, 150 rounds of ammunition, and a bomb he intended to set off at the church. on his way to the church, he also killed two other people when he opened fire on a store owned by a christian family. in the last few days, the egyptian authorities have intensified the security presence in the streets here as a precautionary measure for possible attacks on christians, or churches in general, during the new year and the christmas period. mourning the dead, they came here for the funeral to say goodbye to their loved ones. this is the latest in a series of attacks targeting christians in egypt in the last few years. the indonesian island of bali,

with its palm trees and white sandy beaches, is one of the world's top holiday destinations. but these days, a stretch of the island's coast is becoming littered with tons and tons of, well, litter. but the indonesian authorities are fighting back, deploying an army of cleaners onto the golden shoreline, which includes the famous kuta beach. russell trott reports. with its palm fringed beaches and a reputation as a paradise on earth holiday destination, bali attracts thousands of tourists all year round, but those seeking sun, sandy beaches and a surf on one of its most popular golden shorelines, kuta beach are now having to watch where they put their best each. a mountain of plastic and food packaging is strewn between sunbathers,

while being surfers dodge the waste carried on the waves. it's got so bad that a garbage emergency has now been declared, 700 cleaners have been brought in to remove around 100 tons of debris every day to a nearby landfill. when i want to swim it is not really nice, so i see lots of garbage here everyday every time. they want to clean it but it is still here, so it's always coming from the ocean all the time. it's really horrible. like this high of garbage. around one and a quarter million tons finds its way onto these beaches and waterways. only china dumps more rubbish into the sea. bali's rubbish problem is at its worst during the annual monsoon season. it's not just horrible

to look at either. the waves of plastic increase the risk of flooding and injure or kill marine animals which ingest it and get trapped in it. translation: this week, we have removed almost 500 tons from nearby landfill. all this rubbish ruins the image of kuta for tourism, it looks bad to the international community. as a member of the un's clean seas campaign, indonesia is trying to get to grips with the problem. it's pledged to reduce marine plastic waste by 70% by 2025. that means not only a massive clean—up campaign, but also boosting recycling services and raising public awareness. with tourism already hit by last month's volcanic eruption, everyone on bali knows there's a lot at stake. russel trott, bbc news. volunteers have released thousands of baby turtles into the sea at a beach in west mexico.

it's part of a project to protect the endangered olive ridley turtle, whose numbers have fallen sharply in recent years due to the poaching of its eggs. jon ironmonger reports. on this secluded beach in concepcion, bamba, the time has come to take the plunge. but not for these locals, for hundreds of endangered baby turtles. the release of the olive ridley hatchlings is the culmination of a conservation project that hopes to boost the chances of this troubled species. it's two turtles each, and all at once, the rite of passage begins, with a short trudge into the sea. translation: we have released 2300 turtles today. we always release them at night and the afternoon normally, so the birds and everything have gone. we've seen the number of animals is going down in the ocean. nets and gulls are always killing them. sometimes, four orfive turtles are killed daily. each summer, olive ridley turtles land on wahaca's pacific beaches to lay their eggs.

but populations have dwindled through poaching. the eggs and the meat are a delicacy, and can be found at local food markets despite laws prohibiting their sale. projects like this one hope to reverse the turtles‘ fortune, by collecting, reburying, and protecting the eggs until it‘s time for them to hatch, and well as inspiring a new generation of conservationists. i released her to the sea. she went to the sea. she went to her house with her family. it will be 25 to 30 years until the baby turtles return to these beaches, by which time, theirfuture might be more secure. john ironmonger, bbc news. the beatles‘ drummer, ringo starr,

and the bee gees‘ singer barry gibb, are among those to be knighted in queen elizabeth‘s new year‘s honours. strictly come dancing judge darcey bussell is made a dame for her services to dance. our entertainment correspondent, lizo mzimba, has more details. # twist and shout... more than 50 years after beatlemania, the fab four‘s drummer has been honoured with a knighthood. # what would you do if i sang out of tune... recognising ringo starr‘s half a century long contribution to music. # no, i get by with a little help from my friends... # tragedy! former bee gee barry gibb said he was humbled and very proud to be made sir barry. # with no—one to love you...

strictlyjudge, darcey bussell, who has occasionally performed in the programme too, is made a dame. jilly cooper has sold more than 12 million books since the 1970s, the riders author becomes a cbe for services to literature and charity. absolutely knocked out. i was thrilled. i could not believe it. suddenly to get a letter, i thought it was a gas bill or something, it is the most heavenly thing. you are a cbe. it is wonderful. # i've got to run away... singer and campaigner marc almond is made an obe for services to art and culture. musician and producer wiley, known as the godfather of grime is made an mbe. pass to warburton. brilliant catch by the captain. in the world of sport, sam warburton, who has captained wales and the british lions is made an obe. most of those being honoured is ordinary people doing extra ordinary work, efe ezekiel who acts as a mentorfor young people. of course young people are everything to me.

i am passionate about them and their life and their well—being and welfare. for me to be recognised for my passion is one of the greatest honours ever. so i am in complete gratitude and appreciation. the vast majority are people who aren‘t in the public eye but have given great service. and in 2018 the honours committee say they are looking to particularly recognise individuals who are involved in the response to and the aftermath of the london and manchester terror attacks and the fire at grenfell tower. lizo mzimba, bbc news, buckingham palace. don‘t forget you can get in touch with me and most of the team on twitter. i‘m duncan golestani. hi there.

it was scotland and northern england that bore the brunt of the snowy weather. bringing localised disruptions on friday but also great conditions for getting out on the sledges in bradford, west yorkshire. further north in scotland, again we had some heavy falls of snow out and about. snow near the roadside here in speyside, a bit of slush on the roads and with temperatures fallen away, we are expecting icy stretches as we start off the morning saturday, particularly for the northern half of the uk. across england and wales many areas had this band of rain through which has brought mild conditions. temperatures 10—13 degrees first thing saturday morning, mild start to the day. through the rest of saturday, many of us starting on a cloudy and grey note, a few bright sunny spells getting through across wales and the midlands. another band of rain will slip into that cold air in scotland, bringing snow to the mountains particularly across 200 metres elevation to the north and central of the central belt. higher areas perhaps seeing sleet for a time. quite a contrast in temperatures. quite chilly in the north, very mild further south, 13 or 1a degrees.

we have had the snow and cold weather but times they are a changing. you might have heard storm dylan is expected to form in this part of the atlantic. at the moment itjust doesn‘t exist. the area of low pressure doesn‘t exist, but this area of cloud will be passing underneath a very powerful 190 mph jet stream and this creates storm dylan. a bit of uncertainty exactly how strong it will be or how far north south it will be. it will likely bring some severe gales to the northern half of the uk, scotland, northern ireland and northern england. also heavy outbreaks of rain blowing in the wind, but by the time we get to the afternoon, dylan would have bobbed into the north sea, leaving behind a whole rash of blustery showers, still with some snow in high ground in scotland and a range of temperatures still. highs of 5 or 6 in scotland, further south 11 or 12 degrees. and on the mild side. what about new years celebrations? not as cold as it has been. four degrees to scotland and northern ireland, northern england as well. some showers knocking around and that is true further south as well in england and wales, with temperatures around london about seven celsius, a blustery south—westerly wind.

for new year‘s day, outbreaks of rain quite close to southern england, further north in scotland, wet and windy weather still with the risk of snow across the high ground scotland above 200m. in between these areas of weather some sunshine to be found on new year‘s day. that is your latest weather. this is bbc news. the headlines: anti—government protestors have taken to the streets across iran in the country‘s most serious show of dissent for years. thousands demanded an end to corruption, rising prices and the release of political prisoners. authorities have warned that the demonstrators will be firmly dealt with. new york‘s fire department says a fire which killed 12 people

was caused by a toddler playing with burners on a stove. investigators say the kitchen door was then left open, allowing the blaze to spread. four people remain critically injured in hospital. the beatles‘ drummer, ringo starr has been knighted in the new year‘s honours — together with the surviving member of the bee gees, barry gibb. the renowned former ballerina, darcey bussell, becomes a dame. more than a thousand people receive an award — most recognised for work in their communities. now on bbc news, one of the highlights of the year