this is bbc news. the headlines at 5.00 pm. beatle, 3 bee gee and a ballerina. ringo starr and barry gibb are knighted in the new year honours. strictlyjudge darcey bussell is made a dame. manchester fire service tackled a blaze in the city boss mark northern quarter. people are advised to avoid the area. thousands of iranians take to the streets of tehran in a show of support for the government, after two days of opposition protests. millennials will enjoy the biggest "inheritance boom" of any post—war generation — but not until they're into their 60s, a report says. captain steve smith scores yet another century as australia bats out the final day to save the fourth ashes test against england in melbourne. and at 5.45pm on meet the author, rebecca jones talks to bestselling american thriller writer david baldacci about his novel the fix. the beatles drummer ringo starr

and the last surviving member of the bee gees, barry gibb, are among those who have been knighted in the new year honours. the ex—deputy prime minister, nick clegg is also knighted and the former ballerina, turned strictly come dancing judge, darcy bussell becomes a dame. this report from our entertainment correspondent, lizo mzimba. # twist and shout! # 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... ..recognising ringo starr's half—a—century—long contribution to music.

# 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, you're going nowhere. war horse author and one—time children's laureate michael morpurgo, who too has been made a knight, hopes his award highlights the importance of literature for young people. reading is a great bastion against stupidity and bigotry and ignorance. it is the greatest weapon we have, really. and the greatest assistance we can give them is to make them readers. strictlyjudge darcey bussell, who has occasionally performed on the programme too, is to be made a dame for services to dance. i'm dickie roper.

i'm the night manager. those being made cbes, the next highest level of award, include actor hugh laurie for services to drama. are you english, pine? and best—selling riders authorjilly cooper. absolutely knocked out. knocked out — i was thrilled. i couldn't believe it. i mean, suddenly to get a letter, you know, and one thinks "0h, god, it's a bill, a gas bill or something". and it's this heavenly thing, saying "you're a cbe". it's wonderful. # i've got to run away. singer and campaigner marc almond is made an 0be for services to arts and culture. musician and producer wiley, known as the "godfather of grime", is made an mbe. commentator: pass to warburton. brilliant catch by the captain! in the world of sport, sam warburton, who has captained wales and the british and irish lions, is made an 0be. most of those being honoured are ordinary people doing extraordinary work, like efe ezekiel, who acts as a mentorfor young people.

of course, young people are everything to me. i'm passionate about them and passionate their life, their well—being and their welfare, so for me to be recognised for my passion is one of the greatest honours ever, so i'm in complete gratitude and appreciation. the majority of honours do go to people who are not in the public eye but who have given exceptional service. and in 2018, the honours committee say they will be looking to particularly recognise individuals who were 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. earlier, former astronaut helen sharman reacted to her inclusion in the honours list. it's such a pleasure, it really is a great honour, and am really thrilled. i had an old pe in 1993,

and this is for services to education and outreach. i am really very happy because it is something thatis very happy because it is something that is recognition of what i have been doing since my space flight, rather than the actors best buy, which of course is 26 years ago now. firefighters are tackling a blaze in a terror plot in manchester's northern quarter. the fire is on the ninth floor on et al study building. police has scored part of the vote, and manchester fire and rescue service has been asking people to avoid the area and to keep their doors and windows shut if they are nearby. we can give you a little bit more information based on some of the other material that i have been reading in the last few moments, although as it stands details and fairly scarce. and as one eyewitness saying that the fire was a result of the calls on some kind of crane. the

suggestion as the fire might not be under control, and as a result a group of people who have been down on the ground watching events have been praising the fire service for the bug that they have been doing. i think the might be able tojulia but greater manchester police are questioning by way of information to members of the public. the northern part of that manchester is greatly technic network of streets, a measure of cafes and restau ra nts a nd streets, a measure of cafes and restaurants and shops, and apartment buildings just not restaurants and shops, and apartment buildingsjust not a restaurants and shops, and apartment buildings just not a picadilly gardens. join us eat very much at the centre of it. i am just looking to see if there is any further information. the ninth and ten for the task of area affected, and that their it's far too early to say what their it's far too early to say what

the state of play as with the fire service passed back ability to control that fire. that is the latest we have, and when we had more, we will bring it to you, of course. in iran, thousands of people are attending pro—government rallies, following two days of street protests against the authorities. state television has shown crowds of people in the capital tehran. the anti—government protests in several parts of the country saw people demonstrating against what they say is corruption and falling living standards. 0ur persian service correspondent, kasra naji, reports the third day of anti—government protests in iran. this one in central tehran, around the main university campus. here they are shouting a slogan against iran's supreme leader, ayatollah ali khamenei. "shame on you", they say. "let go of the country and leave." small protests, but significant, and there are reports of more demonstrations elsewhere in the country. not far away, in north tehran, this is a government—sponsored rally,

planned before the latest wave of anti—government protests of the last three days. the authorities hope the nationwide rallies will be a show of force, a way of claiming back the streets. the focus of this rally is to show support for the supreme leader. the anti—government protests broke out on thursday with what was supposed to be a small demonstration against rising prices and continuing unemployment. this man is urging the ruling clerics to give him a job. demonstrators have a favourite slogan that says, "the young are sitting idle, while the mullahs are sitting in palaces." many are angry that the authorities are using iran's money on war efforts abroad in places like syria, iraq and yemen, instead of spending it at home.

clearly there is seething discontent. scenes we have not seen in iran for several years. kasra naji, bbc news. we're joined now by sanam vakil, associate fellow and specialist in iranian domestic policy at chatham house. thank you for coming in. what's your assessment of what we are seeing?|j think assessment of what we are seeing?” think the events were definitely surprising, and the fact that they have continued and probably will continue for a few more days is indicative of the grievances along all facets of society, notjust indicative of the grievances along all facets of society, not just an economic issues, but political, social, cultural, and wider grievances. grievances which are clearly spread around the country. absolutely. this has been an unorganised, spontaneous outbreak popular unrest. economic grievances

at the unifier, bringing all people out onto the streets, and there has been a contagion effect, but these protests are been a contagion effect, but these protests a re not been a contagion effect, but these protests are not as large as other protests are not as large as other protests in the past, and i think it is important to note that. it is not that long since the president won an election, so what has gone wrong sense? i think in onions for quite some time now, even before the election, they have been feeling very frustrated that the promises of the nuclear agreement have not trickled down, have not improved standards of living. unemployment is exceedingly high among the youth, it is an official estimated to be at 40%. is an official estimated to be at a0%. there are widescale cases of corruption, and these grievances purtill it when people feel poor. at those grievances in principle at the president, i'll do the go above them? i think hard liners have tied them? i think hard liners have tied the years these protesters still

opposition against the president, but to their surprise these protests have also resulted and chants against this print reader, against the regime at large, and that has been quite big development. we have seen been quite big development. we have seen pro—government been quite big development. we have seen pro—government rallies today. i did if it then? the government had long argued in as these rallies. these are to commemorate the end of the 2009 protest, so they had been planned, they have been effectively organise, bust people in from around the country into the city, so there's work to the government's favour, and the already had a significant police presence also on the street. as, as you say, there is a possibility for the protest, the anticipate any movement from the government, any change of policy?” think the government is trying to be quite cost is because it don't work best off into another 2009, so they have a strategy in place which

includes, of course, the police presence. they have arrested people, and supposedly also released a number of people as well. they are sending out warnings on the media for people not to join the demonstrations, and i think that in the coming days we should expect some kind of response from the president himself. the question is, easy going to make policy changes and address people's grievances, because that is a fork in the blood for the president. thank you very much for coming in. if f1 has been arrested and properties are being searched in sheffield. a fifth man has been arrested and properties are being searched in sheffield as part of an investigation into an alleged terror attack plot. four men were arrested last week by counter terrorism officers involved in the same operation which is being described as ‘intelligence led'. 0ur correspondent corinne wheatley has sent us this update. well, counterterror police say they arrested a man at about 11 o'clock last night here in the firth park area of the city.

he is 21, he is from nearby fir vale, and he was detained on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism. we know that two properties were searched by police today. one was a residential address, and another was a business. people in this area have reported seeing police activity today and we know that police csos have been maintaining a visible presence to try and reassure the local community today. all this comes after those four earlier arrests this month in connection with this investigation. two people appeared in court yesterday charged with terror offences. another was released without charge just before christmas and another remains in custody. south yorkshire police have said today that they know that all this will be causing some concern in the local community, and they say their priority is to work with counter terror police and to keep the public safe. they say that anybody with concerns about suspicious activity in their area should contact police. the headlines on bbc news:

performers, writers, politicians and local activists are among hundreds of people recognised in the new year honours list. a fire has broken out in a 12 story apartment block in manchester's northern quarter. a number of surrounding roads have been close. thousands of iranian government supporters attended officially sponsored rallies around the country after two days of unofficial protests around the country. sport now, and time for a full round up, from the bbc sport centre. we've had six results in the premier league so far. liverpool came from behind to beat leicester 2—1 at anfield. virgil van dijk was watching from the stands after his £75 million transfer from southampton made him the world's most expensive defender. he witnessed some shambolic liverpool defending as jamie vardy gave leicestser a very early lead but mohammed salah scored twice in the second half to secure the win. swansea are off the bottom off

the table after two late goals beat watford 2—1 at vicarage road. jordan ayew and luciano narsingh both struck in the last five minutes. that gives carlos carvahal a winning start to the newjob. these are the other premier league results. ryan fraser scored twice for bournemouth when the beat everton 2-1. no goals between huddersfield and burnley or newcastle and brighton. manchester united against southampton kicks off in the next 15 minutes. celtic remain eight points clear at the top of the scottish premiership after a goalless draw in the final old firm derby of the year. bredan rogers‘ side had the better of the chances in the first half with scott sinclair twice missing good chances. but in the second half rangers came right back into it and were denied by some brilliant saves from craig gordon. they stay in third, 11 points behind the leaders. no goals either between second place

aberdeen and fifth place hearts. hibs and kilmarnock also drew. elsewhere, there were wins for hamilton, partick and dundee. we have had for a rugby matches today. exeter and bustards are not playing. that sees saracens made up the second in the table after a win over worcester. juan is still ongoing, actually. very early in the second—half, we can see that ha rlequins second—half, we can see that harlequins are absolutely thumping northampton saints. harlequins running away with that 36—7 at the moment. in the matt ritchie glasgow and edinburgh, it was halted for a while after a security alert, a false fire alarm, it is thought. they have restarted in the last 45 minutes, and you can see that glasgow and eating tell— zero.

now the good news for england's cricketers is that the ashes series won't be a whitewash — the bad news is that what had looked like an opportunity for an england victory, turned, once again, into the steve smith show — the australian captain forcing a draw in the fourth test. patrick gearey was watching. with the weather can after yesterday's ring, england were now up yesterday's ring, england were now up against two batsmen in anything but a hurry. in the face of that self—denial, children had been given a puzzle for his birthday. eventually, she decided he might be the answer. he came on to bowl, one to the bits, james vince took the catch. they removed it shall mask with a stroller on the 14 ahead. the other marsh was bogged down in a

silly, but the escaped. with england getting no help from the page and even less from the estuary and captain, that was left was for smith, a man who has now batted for more than 30 others this series, to com plete more than 30 others this series, to complete his century. to come maxi very difficult games and bid in a performance like that is very pleasing, and that is what we are about as a side, and i think that is about as a side, and i think that is a fair reflection of what we are capable of as a team. england denied by smith and these flat pitch. they bridges a much improved performance, but inject theirs was not asked is cricket that is most exciting. world champion bianca walkden has rounded off her outstanding year with gold at the inaugral world taekwondo grand slam series in china. by defeating usa's 0lympic bronze medallist jackie galloway in the final, walkden won the title

— and the £52,000 prize pot — the largest ever in taekwondo. she says she now plans to buy a house. that's all the sport for now. i'll have more for you in the next hour. let's return to the blaze a tower in manchester's northern quarter. this is an joiner street. manchester's northern quarter. this is anjoiner street. manchester fire and rescue services have been asking people to avoid the area and keep their doors and windows shut if they are nearby. we are told as many as 12 bad engines are at the scene. that speak to an eyewitness who i think has shot some video we can show you. tell us what you have seen in the area so far. i have been in the northern quarter in manchester,

and around 40 minutes ago, walking back, groups of people were congregating on street corners looking up, and i sawa building ablaze. it is a 12 story building, with claims that the side of the building. it was looking pretty serious. firefighters looked like they were worried at the scene. lots of people responding, people arriving, and more fire crew are driving. —— more fire crew arriving. we are showing the pictures that you found, and you can see the flames of very clearly visible coming out of those two floors. the unit of what the state of the fire is now? it is looking under control. it was an incredible response from the emergency service. probably about 12

fire trucks arrived in very quick secession. police cordoned off the streets around the area, and i saw a whole is on a kind of mechanical crane suddenly arise above, and jets of water going across the building, and that seemed to really start to get the fire under control, and from there more fire crews entered the building, and you could see that night and the helmets through the flames. it looked absolutely incredible what they were doing to bring it under control. knight it looked as after flames have start. i cannot see any flames now.” looked as after flames have start. i cannot see any flames now. ijust a word about the area, for those who do not know that part of manchester. we got a sense of how busy it was from your video. we're pretty much right in the centre of the city ‘s

it is on the edge of the trendy northern quarter. it is near the arndale centre, which is the major shopping centre in manchester. there we re shopping centre in manchester. there were a lot of people are blind, eight shoppers, a lot of people out there enjoying themselves and seeing friends and family. we appreciate yourtime, friends and family. we appreciate your time, mark. thank you very much. more information on the fire as and when we have it. millennials will inherit more about than previous generations, but they

will be on the 60s on average before the can enjoy the windfall, as a business correspondent explains. we've long been told that millennials, aged between 17 and 35, face major financial challenges. they are paid less than their parents, they won't have generous pensions, and they can't get on the housing ladder. but there may be some good news for them. so we know there's a big generational wealth divide. millennials are accumulating wealth at a far slower rate than the baby boomers before them did. we have looked at whether inheritances are going to solve that problem for them. and they will play a really big role. there will be lots more money coming down in the coming decades. and it will be a bit more widely spread because of high homeownership among the parents. but this isn't the silver bullet for millennials' living standards woes. according to the resolution foundation, the value of inheritances is set to double over the next 20 years, thanks to baby boomers aged between 50 and 70 leaving behind expensive property and investments. but the think tank says the average age someone inherits is 61, meaning too late for many of today's house hunters.

soaring property prices, especially in the south—east, lie behind the expected surge in inheritances in the future. so if you're in your 30s or younger, and your parents own property, then you can expect to inherit something substantial. but if your parents don't own any major assets, then your future wealth prospects don't look as good. joe lynam, bbc news. nepal has banned solo climbers from scaling its mountains, including mount everest. the new safety regulations also prevent double amputee and blind climbers from attempting to reach the summit of the world's highest peak unless they can produce a medical certificate proving their fitness. the government says the law has been revised to make mountaineering safer and reduce the number of accidents and deaths. several families left homeless by the grenfell tower fire have not received extra money promised to them by the council to help cover

the cost of christmas. the royal borough of kensington and chelsea has apologised saying it made a mistake, after nearly 20 households promised the relief payments missed out. if the cold weather has got you thinking about summer sunshine, there's a warning today from the consumer group which? that holiday firms may be misleading consumers. many tour operators promote money—off deals, providing travellers book by a certain date. but a study found that half the holidays advertised were the same price — or even cheaper — after the offer expired. the firms involved have all denied misleading their customers. now — can waterfalls freeze? well, some canadians predict that niagara falls may freeze this winter. as the temperature continues to fall in what's been an unusually cold winter for the country. a polar vortex has brought arctic temperatures to some parts of canada. in toronto the mercury fell to minus 22 degrees — smashing the previous record set 57 years ago. now here's the weather, with darren bett.

the fourth named storm of this seasonis the fourth named storm of this season is set to arrive on the last day of 2017. this is a storm dylan, and it will develop out of this deepening area of cloud. already, some of that cloud has been spilling our way, and it is turning wet in their south west. the winds will blow that where northwards and these words, heating the cold air in scotland, and throwing some more snow over the hills, and a sea conditions by the northern half of the country. in the south, it will be much milder. the biggest impact should come from the strength of the wind. it is storm dylan, then by the alleys met service. the met office haveissued alleys met service. the met office have issued an amber wind warning,

with the strongest winds more likely to be across the northern half of northern ireland and south—west scotland. gus 70 mph, plus winds picking up in the early morning. it very gusty winds for a while. further south, it will not be as windy, after a spell of rain clears away from overnight, we should get some sunshine arriving. just one or two ‘s jealous. very windy weather over the north. the winds will ease of the afternoon. we will seek more of the afternoon. we will seek more of these showers bands, and they will be quite heavy as well. quite a range of temperatures like today. 60 breeds in scotland, perhaps two in southern england. dcn the new year, they must be some showers around, but the winds will be much later at

this stage in scotland. for the first day of the new year, it is a chance of some rain running eastwards a cross chance of some rain running eastwards across southern parts of england at, and that could be quite heavy. elsewhere, some sunshine and a few showers. perhaps chilly on new year's day, but is not desperately told. there will be strong winds and longer spells of rain, and still some frost around, but still very u nsettled. good evening. two of the most famous names in music — ringo starr of the beatles and barry gibb of the bee gees — are among those awarded knighthoods in the new year honours list. the former deputy prime minister nick clegg also receives a knighthood and darcey bussell, the accomplished ballerina and judge on strictly come dancing has been made a dame. they're among 1,100 people named in the new year honours list — many of whom have been rewarded

for their work in the community. 3? be”?! e of she-“ . _:— easy, joey, easy now. he was humbled and very proud a knighthood, too, for the creator of war horse, michael morpurgo. strictlyjudge darcey bussell, who has occasionally performed on the programme too,

is made a dame for services to dance. is made a dame for i'm dickie roper. is made a dame for i'm the night manager. is made a dame for those being made cbes, the next highest level of award, include actor hugh laurie for services to drama. are you english, pine? for services to drama. and best—selling riders authorjilly cooper. absolutely knocked out. authorjilly cooper. i was thrilled. authorjilly cooper. i couldn't believe it. authorjilly cooper. i mean, suddenly to get a letter, you know, and one thinks "0h, god, it's a bill, a gas bill or something". and it's this heavenly thing, saying, "you're a cbe". it's wonderful. saying, "you're a cbe". hull had a hugely successful year as uk's city of culture. members of the team behind the 12 month celebration have been made cbe and 0bes. month celebration have # i've got to run away. month celebration have singer and campaigner marc almond is made an 0be for services to arts and culture. is made an 0be for services musician and producer wiley, known as the "godfather of grime", is made an mbe.

known as the "godfather commentator: the pass to warburton. known as the "godfather brilliant catch by the captain! known as the "godfather in the world of sport, sam warburton, who has captained wales and the british and irish lions, is made an 0be. england cricket players have been recognised, including anya shrubsole. have been recognised, her bowling helped england win the world cup. it really has been a landmark year and it says a huge amount about the whole tournament and women's cricket in general, i think. and women's cricket it shows how much the game has grown and just how big that tournament was, that it's recognised in something like the new year honours list. that it's recognised in something most of those being honoured are ordinary people doing extraordinary work, like efe ezekiel, who acts as a mentorfor young people. like efe ezekiel, who acts of course, young people are everything to me. i'm passionate about them and passionate about their life, their well—being and their welfare. and passionate about their life, so for me to be recognised for my passion is one of the greatest honours ever, so i'm in complete gratitude and appreciation. so i'm in complete the majority of honours do go to people who aren't in the public eye but who have given exceptional service.

and in 2018, the honours committee say they will be looking to particularly recognise individuals who were 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. firefighters are tackling a blaze in a block of flats in manchester's northern quarter. a blaze in a block of flats the fire is on the ninth floor and tenth floors of the 12—storey building onjoiner street. and tenth floors of the 12—storey police closed part of the road and manchester fire and rescue service is asking people to avoid the area and to keep their doors and windows shut if they are nearby. the area and to keep their doors in iran, thousands of people are rallying in support of the government after street protests against the authorities entered their third day. protests against the authorities state television has shown crowds of people in the capital tehran. the anti—government protests started in mashhad and spread to several parts of the country, over what demonstrators say is corruption and falling living standards. 0ur correspondent

wyre davies reports. the wyre davies reports. third day of protests in iran, what the third day of protests in iran, what began in small cities is now spreading to the capital tehran and the main university campus. these are worrying signs for the iranian government and the ultraconservative shia clerics who have rolled over the country since the 1979 revolution. shouting for the clerics to give him a job, this protester typifies the economic anger felt by many iranians, they accuse the clerics of living in gilded palaces and sponsoring conflicts overseas while the economy and the country suffers. but dissent in iran is only tolerated to appoint. uniformed and plain clothes police clashed with protesters and made dozens of arrests in several cities.”

protesters and made dozens of arrests in several cities. i don't expect the protest to snowball as of now because the regime has a response in place and if the protesters don't stop ultimately the reaction will become heavy—handed. we arejust reaction will become heavy—handed. we are just not there yet. in a response on twitter donald trump wa nt response on twitter donald trump want iran that the world was watching saying that tehran should respect people's rights to express themselves. comments that the iranian foreign minister called opportunistic and deceitful. the government has warned people not to ta ke government has warned people not to take part in what it calls illegal protests, organising instead large, pro—regime counterdemonstrations, in support of the supreme leader. and the end of two clever —— the end to clerical role has been a theme of this demonstration, some of which

has ended in violence. nepal has banned solo climbers from scaling its mountains, including mount everest. from scaling its mountains, the new safety regulations also prevent double amputee and blind climbers from attempting to reach the summit of the world's highest peak unless they can produce a medical certificate proving their fitness. a medical certificate the government says the law has been revised to make mountaineering safer and reduce the number of accidents and deaths. younger people will enjoy the biggest "inheritance boom" of any post—war generation according to a research body that analyses living standards. to a research body that the resolution foundation says those born in the 80s and early 90s, known as millennials, will inherit more wealth than previous generations. will inherit more wealth there's a snag, though — they are not likely to benefit from the money until their 60s, as our business correspondent joe lynam explains. as our business correspondent we've long been told that millennials, aged between 17 and 35, face major financial challenges. millennials, aged between 17 and 35, they are paid less than their parents, they won't have generous pensions, and they can't get on the housing ladder. and they can't get so we know there's a big generational wealth divide. millennials are accumulating wealth

at a far slower rate than the baby boomers before them did. at a far slower rate than the baby we've looked at whether inheritances are going to solve that problem for them. are going to solve and they will play a really big role. there will be lots more money coming down in the coming decades. and it will be a bit more widely spread because of high homeownership amongst the parents. spread because of high homeownership but this isn't the silver bullet to millennials' living standards woes. bullet to millennials' it's match day at sheffield united and there is always a sense of anticipation. and there is always but when it comes to money this study suggests that young people will have to wait until they're in their 60s before inheriting anything, but are they worried? in their 60s before inheriting you put so much work in at uni and so much into yourjob, and you're not going to be able to own a house and have a house for your family and i think that's difficult knowing that. knowing that you've got to wait that length of time in the future. well, we'll inherit it but it was never our money to begin with. but it was never our exactly. but it was never our so i don't suppose it makes a difference. whether we've got to wait or not. makes a difference. unless of course i spend it all before i go. laughter which may happen.

it all before i go. it may happen. it all before i go. although millennials are set to inherit more than any previous generation thanks to booming property values, that assumes that the inheritance is not spent on social care for their parents or themselves. spent on social care soaring property prices, especially in the south—east, lie behind the expected surge in inheritances in the future. so if you're in your 30s or younger, and your parents own property, then you can expect to inherit something substantial. but if your parents don't own any major assets, then your future wealth prospects don't look as good. joe lynam, bbc news. don't look as good. football and in the scottish premiership the final old firm game of 2017 ended in a stalemate. premiership the final old firm game celtic created the better opportunities in the first half with scott sinclair going close on a number of occasions. rangers were on top after the break but keeper craig gordon kept celtic in the match. but keeper craig gordon kept

the goalless draw keeps celtic eight points clear at the top of the league. celtic eight points clear that's it for now. celtic eight points clear we are back with the late news at 1010pm. now on bbc1 it's time for the news where you are. goodbye. for the news where you are. the thriller writer david baldacci, has enjoyed the kind of success most authors can only dream about. his first book, absolute power, became a bestseller and it was turned into a film starring and directed by clint eastwood. david hello. this is bbc news. after 12 months holding the prestigious title, the northern english city of hull is coming to the end of its time as uk city of culture. thirty—two million pounds have been spent on a year—long programme of cultural events — with much of the money coming from local business. the aim was to change perceptions of the city, so there were visits from the turner prize, the royal ballet and katy perry, to name a few. our own entertainment correspondent colin paterson has also been a regular visitor — and he couldn't resist

going back one last time. hull started its year as city of culture with a bang, a musical firework display on january the first. honestly, you put some money into that, makes london look like noddy. the opening event, made in hull, turned buildings into giant screens, showing the history of the city. come on, come to hull. they were off. at least one cultural event took place every day, and now, at the end of the year, people don't want it to be over. i have lived in hull for 73 years. has there ever been a year like this? no, never. people coming from out of town are saying, it is not like we thought it would be, it is brilliant. blade, blade was the most exciting. we went from here to there, fabulous. yes, more than1 million people saw the blade, a giant wind turbine turned into a 75 metre sculpture,

so popular a permanent home has been found for it. i wish to communicate with you, transformed the thornton housing estate into a work of art. and katy perry visited for radio 1's big weekend. there is always something entertaining about a huge american star saying hello to somewhere unlikely. let's go hull! she did not disappoint. hull's aim was to attract more than 1 million visitors, but 3 million came. it feels like a more confident city, you can see it in the redevelopment. the amount of people that have come to hull for the first time, having opinions about art and getting involved in it, it makes the case for culture again. culture is the lifeblood of our cities. the turner prize was held in hull and bbc breakfast enlisted the local primary school as art critics. it looks like a potato... it is not as cold as it was this time yesterday.

it was a year that put hull on the map, literally. the bbc director general tony hall ordered that every time a weather map appeared that hull was on it, and that will continue. there are those that think chances have been missed and worry about the future of grass roots art in the city. spoken word events above pubs, community theatre groups and the like, they feel slightly overlooked. the massive amount of money that was spent on gigantic events, it is perfectlyjustified, they are brilliant events, but some of that could've been set aside and trickled down. so, where does hull go from here? to try and build on the momentum the company who ran 2017 will continue to put on events. we still want to be ambitious and ground breaking and do things that attract national and international media. we will do fewer things, but not any less significant. hull had always been a city at the end of the line. in 2017 it became a destination of choice.

colin paterson, bbc news, hull. firefighters are tackling the blaze in the northern quarter of manchester. the fire is on the ninth floor of the 12th story building on joiner street and police have closed pa rt joiner street and police have closed part of the road and manchester fire and rescue services are asking people to avoid the area and keep their doors and windows closed if they are nearby. 12 fire engines are at the same. we can see now on your screen, the latest from manchester fire service given you a sense of the work going on on the ground, 12 crews a re the work going on on the ground, 12 crews are tackling the blaze at its height. a local councillor has been quoted on twitter and i would stress it isa quoted on twitter and i would stress it is a local councillor rather than

the fire service, the fire may well have been put out according to this councillor but i am told that the fire service says it is still continuing at this stage. 0bviously the council warning is still for people to stay away from the area to allow services fill accents and the fire service is talking about one casualty having been taken to hospital as a result of that fire. both fire personnel and police personnel very much at the scene continuing to work on events in joiner street in the northern quarter of manchester. now to a group of school children from kidderminster, who have become pen pals with elderly residents living at a nearby care home. after five months of correspondence, the children have been able to put faces to the people behind the letters. 0ur reporter, ali fortescue went along to meet them. signed, sealed, and this time it's being hand delivered. we are going to see our penpals and i am really excited.

it is an unlikely friendship, but with just one mile and 80 years between them, jasmine and her school friends are finally making the trip up to barchester care home to meet their penpals for the very first time. are you jasmine? that is very nice, isn't it? that is lovely. have you got something to give, james? did you do these? we have been writing to the residents here sincejuly now, and the children have been loving receiving replies as well as writing about events that have happened in their lives. more than 400 letters have been sent between the school and the care home, but as well as offering the chance to hand deliver a christmas card, home, but as well as offering the chance to hand deliver a christmas card, it is an opportunity for the children to show

off their musical talents. # jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way # oh what fun it is to ride...# i thought we would just sing the carols, not really speak to them and then go home, but it wasn't like that. we got to speak to all the residents. there is a big age gap but it doesn't matter. i gave her a christmas card, a poem, and a card that year one has done. what is it like meeting jasmine, who has been writing you these letters? it is lovely, isn't it? you are a lovely girl. many of the residents here have dementia, but their carers say receiving the children's letters has lifted their spirits. i think it's just having that connection again, letting them share their stories with people and children in particular. what it was like living back in the olden days, and the residents get to learn what it is like living now with the children and all their new technology. i loved seeing the children with us.

it is a great honour to us. and also, we hope they learn a little too. this has gone so well that schools up and down the country, and as far away as australia, are starting similar penpal projects. but there's only one thing left to say for now. merry christmas! ali fortescue, bbc news. 0n meet the author rebecca jones meets bestselling american thriller writer david baldacci to talk about his novel the fix. the thriller writer david baldacci, has enjoyed the kind of success most authors can only dream about. his first book, absolute power, became a bestseller and it was turned into a film starring and directed by clint eastwood. david baldacci has gone on to write 30 novels which have sold more than 100 million copies around the world. his latest is called the fix and it is his third book about the detective amos decker. he witnesses a seemingly senseless and random murder outside the headquarters of the fbi

in washington dc. david baldacci, iwould like to start, if i may, by rewinding the clock back to your childhood when your mother gave you a notebook in which to write stories. had you always wanted to be a writer? well, i was a big reader back then. i was probably seven or eight years old and when i was a kid, i'd didn't shut up. i would tell tall tales all the time, usually to get myself out of trouble with school officials and other parents and my mother came and bought me a journal and she said, honey, you know all the stuff you have been talking about, why don't you try writing it down? so, my pen hit the paper and this epiphany went off in my head. and i can take my imagination and put it down on paper and people can read what i am thinking about.

this is so cool. years went by and i went back to my mother and said, thank you for such a gift, it has changed my life. she said, i am so glad it worked out for you, but quite frankly, i just wanted to shut you up! because, mothers need a bit of peace and quiet. i will always love you, but you just never stopped talking. there you go, it worked out in the end. it worked out in the end, but in the interim, you became a lawyer, you did not become a writer, so how did that happen? for 15 years, i wrote short stories online. you can't make a living selling short stories. maybe you could if you are john updike orjohn irving, but not david baldacci. i never even got paid when i sold a story, they would give me a bunch of free copies of the magazine and they said it would be enough in payment. so i became a lawyer and i did very well. i practised for ten years in washington. i was writing the whole time. high school, college, school, ten years of practising law, i wrote short stories, novell is, screenplays and then finally novels. absolute power was really the turning point for me. and then you were able to commit to it full—time. fast forward now, dozens of novels later, to your latest novel, the fix and this tells the story of a man who shoots a woman outside

the fbi headquarters and then turns the gun on himself. it is a whydunnit, rather than a whodunnit. what inspired the story? this is the third instalment in my amos decker series. we first saw him in memory man. he has synaesthesia from a brain injury. here's an unlikely hero. he is a big soppy obese guy who has no personal skills, no one really gets along with him. i thought he would be a great series guy. people love him. his motivation is simple, he wants to find out the truth, no matter where it takes them. he looks at the thing, he was a witness, he was walking down the street and

sees the man should the woman and turned the gun on himself. it is very like hitchcock. he keeps going back, did he really see what he thought he saw? constantly throughout the novel, the reader is looking about one thing and i wanted to make it claustrophobic, i wanted people to look at that thing over and over. as a lawyer i know that eyewitness accounts are totally unreliable. when they do remember, it can often be all wrong.” unreliable. when they do remember, it can often be all wrong. i wanted it can often be all wrong. i wanted it to be a plot point. amos decker is not your typical hero, what appeals to use a much about him? so many characters are fit and well trained and classical heroes. as a writer, i think if you do not expand and challenge yourself, you weather. i wanted to write a different character and amos decker said that bill. he is not your typical hero. i channel him so easily, he is weird and quirky. my wife says i am like that. i was very struck by how topical the book is, the murderer

turns into an issue of national security, you also deal with isis, cyber security, hacking, security, you also deal with isis, cybersecurity, hacking, how important is that to you to make the book feel current? i am bound by plausibility and fortunately for me, it seems that anything is plausible these days. for me, it is to take life as we know it now, i am curious about the world and i tried to read everything i can, take life as it is now and try to extrapolate it out, what will it be like in the near future, so i can push the envelope and see what is coming. i had a guy tell me, i had written a scene and i thought it was going to be too much. i asked him to read it. he said he did not have to read it, because he said if you can imagine it, we have already done it. that is chilling. it is interesting you say you had a conversation with an intelligent

quy: conversation with an intelligent guy, because i know you talked to members of the fbi and secret service, what kind of things do they tell you? they are helpful, they share a lot of information. sometimes they will say, i will tell you this but it cannot end up in a book, and it never does. they have a lot of stuff, i would not want to be them, it must be hard to sleep at night. i was struck by how meticulously plotted the novel was and i wondered do you start from the outset knowing exactly what will happen or does the story evolve as you are writing it. it evolves organically. i have never known the ending ofany organically. i have never known the ending of any book i write. if i did that, i would just be typing, is an epiphany, i might sit down and think, what will i do today, i will try this, if it does not work, i can go back. that spontaneity is integral to creativity. i have an

outline, even before i create a character, but how dull and boring without b. for me to discover the page as i am writing it, for the reader i think it will be stunning. that must be even more difficult because you sometimes have even more than one novel on the go. you could write up to three novels a year, how do you fit it all in? i am obsessive. this is what i do and i love to do it. if i did not love to write, i would love to do it. if i did not love to write, iwould probably love to do it. if i did not love to write, i would probably have stopped. everyday i get iget up i get up thinking, it is so fortu nate i get up thinking, it is so fortunate i can tell another story. iaman fortunate i can tell another story. i am an eight—year—old child with a piece of paper and a pen. it is a i°y piece of paper and a pen. it is a joy and! piece of paper and a pen. it is a joy and i tell aspiring writers, make sure you're in it for the right reasons, can you live without writing? if you can, do something else because you will not make it. it will get you through all the bad times and the criticism and rejection. it is like bullet—proof armour, thatjoy of writing because

no matter what they hit you with, you will keep going. how difficult is it to keep coming up with different plots and ideas? you need to have this nonstop curiosity about the world and life. i read everything, i go to places and talk to people and i absorb knowledge and information. if you know a lot about a lot of different things, you can bring the elements together and you can write unique stories. it is a challenge, writing is not a job or a hobby or a passion for me, it is a lifestyle, this is who i am and it permeates throughout my entire life. i'm in the studio but i am also looking around and seeing things and ideas come to me. it is part of me. how do you relax? i love to write, i relax by writing, i love to read, i'd like to go out on my boat. do what sports. i have a nice family. it isa what sports. i have a nice family. it is a nice life. at the end of the day, it is the book and pen that

drags you back? i was a never give a writer of blank paper on a major holiday, you will never see them again. it has been a pleasure to talk to you. later in the night, store dell and will be approaching from the atlantic, strengthening the wings, the met office have issued an amber wind warning with the strongest winds greatest impacts across the north of northern ireland and south west scotland. before the windstar to pick we have heavy rain in the south west of the uk which get pushed into the cold air of scotland, more snow on the hills and icy conditions. milderfurther south. the winds could have an impact with potentially damaging winds in northern ireland, strong winds in northern ireland, strong winds moving across scotland and northern ireland, the far north of england. things calm down when the

worst of the wings clearway, sunshine for a while but bands of showers coming in and those could be heavy. quite a range of temperatures, another chilly day for scotland, mild but not quite as mild as today in the south of england. changeable into the start of the new year, often wet and windy. this is bbc news. the headlines at 6.00pm. beatles drummer ringo starr and bee gees singer barry gibb receive knighthoods, while strictlyjudge darcey bussell, is made a dame, in the new year honours. manchester fire service tackles a blaze in a 12—storey block of flats in the city's northern quarter. one person has been taken to hospital suffering from smoke inhalation. thousands of iranians take to the streets of tehran in a show of support for the government, after two days of opposition protests. millennials will enjoy the biggest "inheritance boom" of any post—war generation — but not until they're

into their 60s, a report says. coming out later this hour, with just over a month ago until winter 0lympics, i will be checking out some other our biggest medal