this is bbc news. welcome if you're watching here in the uk or around the globe. i'm lukwesa burak. our top stories. three, two, one. celebrations have been taking place around the world to herald the start of 2023. pope francis pays tribute to his predecessor, benedict, as a "faithful servant of the gospel and the church". as russian missiles strike kyiv — a former war crimes prosecutor calls for vladimir putin to be tried this yearfor crimes against humanity. and croatia begins the new year with a new currency — switching from the kuna to the euro.

welcome to the programme. cities around the world have been welcoming in 2023 — with the latest new year celebrations taking place across the united states, canada, the caribbean and latin america. this was rio dejaneiro in brazil — crowds gathered on its copacabana beach — watching the spectacular fireworks display there. this year is in contrast to the previous two years, when celebrations were scaled back because of the pandemic. the bbc�*s louisa pilbeam looks back on how the world has been seeing in the new year. crowd: 5, 4, 3, 2,1. big ben bongs. times have changed and with covid restrictions lifted in most parts of the world, fireworks lit up skies with crowds

able to watch below. in london, 100,000 people on the banks of the thames and a moment of royal reflection. the queen: i declare before you all, that my whole life, _ whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service. people came from around the globe, happy to watch the tradition in person again. amazing, i have goosebumps everywhere. this is my first time in london but it is amazing. that was awesome. happy new year! bagpipes skirl. in edinburgh, hogmanay was back with a bang, welcoming crowds for the first time in three years, in typically fine spirits. but one of the first to the party,

as always, new zealand. and australia turned up in their usual flamboyant style. china recently lifted many of their covid restrictions, meaning people could gather in large crowds. paris was chic as ever. fireworks pop. the queen: i declare before you all, that my whole life, _ and in kyiv, muted celebrations, a new year and approaching a year since the russian invasion. then it was time for perhaps the most famous celebrations of all, in new york. auld lang syne plays. a world in different lights, then, seeing in 2023, with the same hopes for a brighter here. louisa pilbeam, bbc news.

pope francis has addressed worshippers in the vatican this morning. his address follows the death of his predecessor, benedict xvi. the former pope will be lying in state in st peter's basilica from monday to allow mourners to pay their respects — until his funeral on thursday. pope francis celebrated mass for the solemnity of mary in the vatican, and afterwards he paid tribute to his predessecor in st peter's square. translation: the beginning of the | new year is entrusted to mary most holy, whom we celebrate today as mother of god. at this time, let us invoke her intercession, especially for pope emeritus benedict xvi, who left this world yesterday morning. applause. let us alljoin together with one heart and one soul in thanking god

for the gift of this faithful servant of the gospel and of the church. we saw recently, on the television, his images and all of the activities and life of pope benedict. let's cross to our religion editor aleem maqbool at the vatican now. we just listen to a little cleft of what pope francis had to say. what was the ambience like in st peter's sqaure, unto what was said today? just extraordinary scenes this morning as thousands of people poured into the square from every side, the police told us they estimate around 40,000 people were

here to see what is a regular lunchtime sunday homily by the pope at the balcony of the vatican just over my left shoulder, but this time was special. he started with the special prayers for pope benedict, and earlier in the day he addressed and earlier in the day he addressed a mass for peace, st peter's basilica behind me, where he talked about entrusting the beloved pope benedict to the holy mother to accompany him from this world to god. for most people i talk to, a lot of them happen to be here over new year's when they heard the news. there was still a sense of shock, there was talk as a welcome recognition of a complicated legacy that pope benedict hard, but that was just for the homily, that pope benedict hard, but that wasjust for the homily, we that pope benedict hard, but that was just for the homily, we are expecting many, many more people to

come into the square over the coming days, first for the laying in—state over three days, beginning in 24—hour time, over three days, beginning in 24—hourtime, and over three days, beginning in 24—hour time, and then of course for thursday morning's funeral which will be put aside over by pope francis. ~ . u, will be put aside over by pope francis. ~ . , . ., francis. what can we expect on thursday? _ francis. what can we expect on thursday? this _ francis. what can we expect on thursday? this is _ francis. what can we expect on thursday? this is an _ francis. what can we expect on thursday? this is an unusual. francis. what can we expect on - thursday? this is an unusualweek, a lot of the rituals _ thursday? this is an unusualweek, a lot of the rituals we _ thursday? this is an unusualweek, a lot of the rituals we associate - thursday? this is an unusualweek, a lot of the rituals we associate with i lot of the rituals we associate with it won't happen, they happened when pope benedict stepped down in 2013, the closing of the papal apartment, that happened in 2013, the great going of the ring —— breaking of the ring. that happened in 2013, but some of the things we would expect,

we have been told by the vatican it will be a simple funeral on thursday, it might not be the crowds of an estimated i billion people that attend pope john's funeral into thousand and five, this is a different feeling, there won't be the conclave to decide who the pope is afterwards. lots of unusual moments, including the fact it will be a setting pope reciting over the sitting pope. ukraine's armed forces say they've shot down 45 iranian—made drones fired by russia since new year's eve. the latest bombardment follows a wave of attacks on ukraine cities over the christmas season, including residential areas, which forced tens of thousands of people into shelters over the festive season. there's been a defiant new year

address from president zelensky, with a message of hope for ukraine soldiers on the ground — praising their efforts in fighting agression — saying there was no option than fighting until victory — as many spent new year's eve under attack on the eastern front. the bbc�*s 0lga malchevska reports. singing on the front line. these soldiers are celebrating new year's eve in the bunker during a brief moment of calm. this is bakhmut, eastern ukraine, the area that has seen the fiercest fighting. joining them, the mayor of kyiv, vitali klitschko, ex—celebrity world boxing champion. he saw in the new year with the troops, his spokesperson told the bbc. bringing some supplies, a more festive mood and a message for the season. translation: the freedom battalion, bakhmut guys, who defend our -

motherland and its territorial integrity, independence and peace of every ukrainian. i will do everything to make the next year, 2023, the year of peace. this christmas tree is in kramatorsk, another city on the eastern front line. a soldier shared the footage with the bbc. translation: we have no light, l electricity from a generator, but we have a new year with a christmas tree and presents. svetlana in kyiv was hoping for a peaceful night with herfamily — two kids, a dog and a cat. they didn't want to sleep in the cold, dark basement and instead were sheltering in their flat. russia launched one more attack in the night and early morning of the new year, just hours after shelling the capital and other regions during the day. it was like typical russian terrorism stop that was the reason why he struck on new year's eve, because he had, like, 311 days to

kill everything. but he can't and he feels that we are stronger than he thought before. and now he willjust want to terrorise us. it will not work, though, says mykola and others we spoke to on this new year's day, after another russian attack. ukrainians believe 2023 will bring them victory. 0lga malchevska, bbc news. let's talk to our correspondent in kyiv — hugo bachega. hello there. there were these attacks on new year's eve which shocked many people, but then a very defiant ukraine coming forward. what is it like at the moment? i defiant ukraine coming forward. what is it like at the moment?— is it like at the moment? i think ukrainians— is it like at the moment? i think ukrainians are _ is it like at the moment? i think ukrainians are angry _ is it like at the moment? i think ukrainians are angry and - is it like at the moment? i think ukrainians are angry and tired l is it like at the moment? i think| ukrainians are angry and tired of these attacks which have hit places like kyiv away from the front lines. the air raid sirens alerted, people

told to go to shelter, loud explosions, but no casualties because the defence systems intercepted those drones. that happened hours after russia launched 20 missiles targeted in cities across ukraine, one person was killed in the capital. i went yesterday to the district hit here and this woman was in the kitchen when her house was hit by part of a missile intercepted by the air defence. people are tired of these attacks. russia has for weeks been attacking cities away from the front lines, yesterday the authorities accuse russia of deliberately targeting civilians, as people had gathered to celebrate the new year. looking at what leaders have said,

president lenski defined, describing 2023 as the year of return —— president zelensky. what reaction has there been to his words? i president zelensky. what reaction has there been to his words? i think esterda has there been to his words? i think yesterday when _ has there been to his words? i think yesterday when president _ has there been to his words? i think yesterday when president zelenskyl yesterday when president zelensky gave his speech, an emotional speech, he spoke for 17 minutes, people were moved by his words. he mentioned some cities that had been liberated, and some places that remain under occupation, antique praise ukrainians for resisting russian oppression, his country had no option but to fight. it was a different tone resort from vladimir putin, who was surrounded by soldiers, repeating his claim russia is fighting for its survival, this

is fighting for its survival, this is russia defending itself in ukraine. he gave no indication he is barking down, on the contrary, he gave indication the war is going to continue. brazil's new left—wing president, luiz inacio lula da silva, will be sworn into office today — 20 years after he first led the country. he narrowly beat his far—right predecessor, jair bolsonaro. mr bolsonaro has now left the country for florida — abandoning his final official duty of handing over the presidential sash at the ceremony. one man who'll be at the inauguration is celso amorim, who served under brazil's president—elect as foreign minister from 2003 to 2010, and hejoins us now. thank you very much forjoining us on bbc news. is this going to be a

fresh start or uphill battle? ? it will be an uphill battle in some respects, but we are accustomed to uphill battles. the biggest task now is reconstructing everything jair bolsonaro destroyed, because it wasn't only things we have done as a centre—left government, it has been accumulating by the civilisation in brazil, so in human rights and environment, climate, all these areas, there are lots of things to do, and everything has a reflex on foreign policy. we will get onto foreign policy. we will get onto foreign policy. we will get onto foreign policy sooner, but how would you describe brazil when you were in

the administration, to the brazil of today? you say things have moved on, but try and give us some context. well, i think the main difference is in brazil itself, when luiz inacio lula da silva came, it was a big hope, but at the time there wasn't this idea of reconstructing and rebuilding. the government had differences, but it was a normal thing, normal transition in a democratic country. jair bolsonaro, who came to power as a result... that is a long story. jair bolsonaro is different, someone who said, in

his own words, his objective was to deconstruct brazil. he tried to do that in all the areas, social, environmental, human rights, and international relations. brazil became a pariah. there is a lot to do in a different way. the challengers are big then, and big now. there is a difference... just a moment. it is the big international support for luiz inacio lula da silva, a record number of delegations, vice ministers, prime ministers and so on. i’m delegations, vice ministers, prime ministers and so on.— ministers and so on. i'm so sorry, we have run _ ministers and so on. i'm so sorry, we have run out— ministers and so on. i'm so sorry, we have run out of— ministers and so on. i'm so sorry, we have run out of time. - ministers and so on. i'm so sorry, we have run out of time. thank i ministers and so on. i'm so sorry, l we have run out of time. thank you very much, and i hope the inauguration goes well today. i know you will attended. now, with a look at all the sport,

here's gavin ra mjaun. great britain have made it to the knockout stages of tennis's united cup after beating spain to top group d — and move into the quarterfinals. great britain took a 2—0 lead into new year's day, after wins for cameron norrie and katie swan a day earlier. it meant that britain needed just a win from the second day's play, which started with harriet dart against paula badosa. dart took the first set of that match, but then fell away, losing the match in three. which gave dan evans the chance to seal the series victory. and evans came back from a second set to forget — to beat albert ramos vinolas, in three sets... 6—3,1—6, 6—3 he won... giving britain an unassailable lead... evans broke his opponent in his first service game of the deciding set and rallied again after the spaniard hit back to level the set at 2—2. the first premier league match of 2023 gets underway in the next hour. it's tottenham, looking to bounce back into the top four against aston villa, who are just five points above the drop—zone. both sides have world cup winners back in action, spurs bring cristian romero back into the heart of the defence,

and emi martinez starts in goalfor villa. also returning is hugo lloris — tottenham's goalkeeper — who was on the losing french team in the world cup final, but manager antonio conte says it won't affect him. when you lose a final, the world cup, you are feeling not so good, but i think about hugo, it was good for him to put the disappointment to one side and then to come back in a fantastic way. we are talking about one of the best goalkeepers in the world, in the last ten years. chelsea manager graham potter says his side have gone through a "real tough period" as they look to close the gap on the champions league places later. they could move to within five points of fourth if they win at nottingham forest.

potter's chelsea lost three consecutive games before the world cup break, but came back with a win over bournemouth. 0urjob now is to try and get as many people bark, it's been a hard, as challenging in my time as a coach. we are chelsea, we don't want to hear those reasons, excuses, you have to get on with it and find the answers. arsenal manager mikel arteta says his side can get even better after they increased their lead at the top of the premier league to seven points. it's after a 4—2 win at brighton in the premier league on new year's eve — which followed manchester city dropping points at home to everton. arteta's side face third—placed newcastle next, and he says he's not getting carried away. there is still a long run to go, my excitement comes in the dressing room when the players are talking about what they could do better, so

they know we can still be better, play better, and against newcastle we have to be better. that play better, and against newcastle we have to be better.— we have to be better. that is all the support _ we have to be better. that is all the support for— we have to be better. that is all the support for now. _ we have to be better. that is all the support for now. happy - we have to be better. that is all the support for now. happy new we have to be better. that is all- the support for now. happy new year. at least ten people have been killed in the afghan capital, kabul, in an explosion at the entrance of the military airport. the taliban government has been battling an insurgency by islamic state militants who have targeted a number of key installations in the city in recent weeks. 0ur south asia editor, anbarasan ethirajan, has the latest. the taliban authorities are saying there was a loud explosion outside the entrance of the military airfield in kabul which is a very protected zone. and when the forces left afghanistan in 2021 they were all there.

the taliban say several people have been killed and injured and local media have given various figures. it shows that despite the taliban are promising they would bring security to people in kabul and the rest of the country, these kind of bomb blasts and explosions are happening. no group has admitted responsibility yet. the islamic state group militants have admitted responsibility for several similar attacks in the past, for example, five chinese nationals were injured when five gunmen stormed a hotel in kabul a few weeks ago. it poses a security challenge for the taliban authorities. new government figures have been released for the number of people who've arrived in the uk by crossing the channel on small boats. a total of 45,756 migrants made the crossing during the whole of 2022.

the last crossings of the year happened on christmas day, when 90 people made the journey from france in two boats. there's still reported to be a backlog of 100,000 applications from people seeking asylum in the uk. the new year's day parade has returned to the streets of london for the first time since 2020. 0ur reporter, nick johnson there for us. it was quiet earlier, but the parade is well under way. it is it was quiet earlier, but the parade is well under way.— is well under way. it is in full swina. is well under way. it is in full swing- this _ is well under way. it is in full swing. this parade _ is well under way. it is in full swing. this parade was - is well under way. it is in full. swing. this parade was devised is well under way. it is in full- swing. this parade was devised back in the 1980s by someone who wanted to create an event that would blow away those christmas cobwebs. 0ur heads are feeling sore, heading back to work and schools, so he wanted something to blow those cobwebs

away. this is doing about, around 8000 performers passed by us, including the first group muster, groups from the uk, europe and other london boroughs, but from around the world. i spoke to someone from a band in el salvador who said each member had to raise their money to come and perform here. this is the first restriction free new year's day parade in london since early 2020, and the organisers have high hopes for the number of people who have turned out, they reckon 500,000 people are here. we are down from piccadilly circus, and to those people are colin and suzanne. you've come from sussex. why was it important for you to be here? it is important for you to be here? it is a secial important for you to be here? it is a special occasion, _ important for you to be here? it is a special occasion, it hasn't happened for a while and we've never

been here, _ happened for a while and we've never been here, and after covid we thought— been here, and after covid we thought we'd better make the most of life. ., , ~ thought we'd better make the most of life. ., a i. ., life. tell me when asked you to like? the _ life. tell me when asked you to like? the south _ life. tell me when asked you to like? the south americans - life. tell me when asked you to like? the south americans and| life. tell me when asked you to - like? the south americans and north americans have _ like? the south americans and north americans have been _ like? the south americans and north americans have been brilliant. - like? the south americans and north americans have been brilliant. beenl americans have been brilliant. been lots of grouns _ americans have been brilliant. been lots of groups from _ americans have been brilliant. been lots of groups from the _ americans have been brilliant. keel lots of groups from the americas, half a billion people expected to watch around the world. looks like he has got the fund gig. the american singer anita pointer — one of the pointer sisters — has died aged 74. anita pointer had a string of hits with her sisters in the 1970s and 80s, including i'm so excited, automatic and jump. they won three grammy awards during their career. her publicist said she had cancer and was surrounded by family when she died.

that is bbc news for now. in the meantime, you can get in touch with meantime, you can get in touch with me on twitter. happy new year. hello. whilst the new year has begun cold and wintry in much of scotland and across the rest of the country it's still fairly mild it is mild and which will win out, some rain at times but some drier and chillier interludes. we will see thickening cloud and some patchy rain across the channel islands and into the south coast. elsewhere, some showers, some heavy unfriendly, and rain were no other high ground

effect in northern scotland. temperatures, 4 degrees for aberdeen, i3 temperatures, 4 degrees for aberdeen, 13 in london, this area of wet weather pushing through south—east england into east anglia. some clear spells, ice likely to be an issue in northern ireland and into scotland, where it is another cold night, —8, chilly in the south. into monday, some showers likely to move across our parts, some further showers pushing into western scotland, some wintry over high ground. in between, a slice of sunshine, relatively light winds, decent weather to get out and about. a chillier day, highs of 9 degrees, further north, just 2 degrees in scotland. monday into tuesday, frontal systems pushing in from the atlantica, bringing rain and strengthening winds, a windy day on tuesday. some hill snow in the north

of the uk, but turning back to rain as the air turns a milder, temperatures will be higher for many places, five or six in north scotland, 13 in south wales and south of england. the system moves away, dry for a time in wednesday, on the first part of thursday, the persistent pressure zone, bringing more rain and perhaps in snow over high ground. mild for much of the time, perhapsjust a bit high ground. mild for much of the time, perhaps just a bit colder into friday.

west to east too. that is how it is looking. take care. addressing crowds at st peter's square, pope francis has described his predecessor, benedict xvi, as a faithful servant of the gospel and the church. pope benedict died yesterday at age of 95. as russian missiles strike kyiv — a former war crimes prosecutor calls for vladimir putin to be tried this year for crimes against humanity. sir geoffrey nice said the case against the russian leader "could not be clearer". brazil's new left—wing president, luiz inacio lula da silva,