live from london — this is bbc news. a powerful 7.6 magnitude earthquake strikes japan, prompting a major tsunami warning and bringing down buildings. the new year brings more hamas rocket attacks and more deadly strikes on gaza, as israel warns the war could go on throughout 202a. the uk's defence secretary says british forces are ready to take direct action against houthi rebels in yemen after a series of attacks on cargo ships in the red sea. and countries all around the world celebrate the new year with spectacular fire work displays. hello.

japan is on high alert after a powerful earthquake hit the north coast of the main island of honshu, followed by a series of strong aftershocks. officials issued a major tsunami warning, urging people to move to higher ground. tsunami warnings were also issued in south and north korea and far—east russia. japan's metorological agency says the quake had a magnitude of 7.6. it struck at just after ii:00pm local time, with its epicentre in the ishikawa area, close to the town of anamizu. several buildings are reported to have collapsed in the nearby town of suzu. this cctv video footage filmed appears to show two constructions collapsing. you can see clouds of dust forming above the wreckage at the top left and right of the screen, and the roof on the building in the foreground cracking apart. some tsunami waves, atjust over a metre, have already reached the coastline. these pictures were filmed in nearby niigata.

there were warnings that waves coule be up to five metres in places. this video shows the moment the tremor happened inside a supermarket. we're getting reports that some major highways have been closed, and more than 36,000 homes have lost power supplies. but the agency which administers japan's nuclear power plants says they have not been affected. starting with a nuclear power plant, there are currently no reported irregularities with nuclear power plants. 0ur asia correspondent rupert wingfield—hayes is following the story. bring us up—to—date with the latest. what you can see from those pictures is there been severe damage. this was a very large earthquake, 7.6 is extremely strong. it was very shallow as well so if you look at some of the video coming in from

places close to the epicentre, it was very severe shaking for about a minute or more and that is likely to have done a lot of damage, particularly to older buildings and in towns close to the epicentre. we've also had this warning out for the last nearly four hours that they could be up to a five metre tsunami hitting the coast anywhere from niigata to ishikawa and further down the coast. that doesn't appear to have materialised yet. a few smaller tsunamis have hit in a place with a big nuclear power plant, which is off—line so there is no threat to that facility. so far we have not seen the large tsunami that was he

had hitting the coast at any point and we are now around four hours since the main shake began and so i don't want to make wild predictions but the likelihood a large tsunami is going to now hit seems to be diminishing with every hour that passes and that's obviously good news for the people who live in the area ofjapan, many thousands news for the people who live in the area of japan, many thousands of whom will have left their homes and headed for higher ground and for evacuation centres in the last few hours and will have been terrified of what might be coming into the coast. of course, all overjapan people still have fresh memories of what happened nearly 13 years ago on the other coast of japan when a 15 metre tsunami hit north—eastern japan and cause devastation along the coast and massive loss of life. the fact a large tsunami hasn't struck yet will be a relief to many people there. struck yet will be a relief to many peeple there-—

joining us now on the line, jeffrey hall is a lecturer atjapan�*s kanda university. he has been posting videos on social media of the earthquakes and waves the tsunami is making. tell us about your experience, i understand you felt it. i’m tell us about your experience, i understand you felt it.— tell us about your experience, i understand you felt it. i'm all the wa over understand you felt it. i'm all the way over in _ understand you felt it. i'm all the way over in yokohama _ understand you felt it. i'm all the way over in yokohama on - understand you felt it. i'm all the way over in yokohama on the - understand you felt it. i'm all the l way over in yokohama on the other side ofjapan but at around 4pm the house i was in, i could feel heavy shaking, about two minutes long and i could tell even though it wasn't near me that this was a big earthquake. it was the same experience i had in tokyo when the 311 earthquake hit over ten years ago. you know this has been a terrible earthquake somewhere but not close. 50 terrible earthquake somewhere but not close. ., ., �* , not close. so far there haven't been the bi aer not close. so far there haven't been the bigger waves — not close. so far there haven't been the bigger waves expected. - not close. so far there haven't been the bigger waves expected. the - the bigger waves expected. the people still concerned about what

may happen? the people still concerned about what may happen?— people still concerned about what ma ha en? ., , , may happen? the government is being ve careful may happen? the government is being very careful here. _ may happen? the government is being very careful here. in _ may happen? the government is being very careful here. in 2011 _ may happen? the government is being very careful here. in 2011 there - may happen? the government is being very careful here. in 2011 there was - very careful here. in 2011 there was a sense of complacency among many people that if it's not the highest level of tsunami you can stay in your home and not go to higher ground. in this case they've issued the first highest level alert since that time and the news has been very serious, basically shouting at people telling them to get out now, do not stop and watch this. we are still not out of the safe zone yet. this warning level will not go down probably until the morning. 0n this warning level will not go down probably until the morning. on 311 many years ago it was all the way until 3am. there was an aftershock a few minutes ago i saw on the tv. so, this is not out of the clear yet in terms of tsunami damage. you mentioned _ terms of tsunami damage. you mentioned people _ terms of tsunami damage. you mentioned people have left their homes, tell us about the

preparedness there is for these kind of emergencies. in preparedness there is for these kind of emergencies.— of emergencies. in japanese times it's re of emergencies. in japanese times it's pretty typical — of emergencies. in japanese times it's pretty typical to _ of emergencies. in japanese times it's pretty typical to have _ of emergencies. in japanese times it's pretty typical to have an - it's pretty typical to have an emergency bag with some food, water, some basic things so thatjust in case there is an earthquake you can flee without having to gather things. also, there are evacuation centres designated in most communities and people will be sent maps to know where they can go, in some cases they have platforms they can go up onto. many people have evacuated and are now in these evacuation centres that are supposed to be safer but they don't have a lot of food, they don't have all the things they left behind at home. i suppose you are on the other side so it wasn't as strong. you concerned at about what might happen next? it's obviously very concerning for

the people over there. on the other side ofjapan it's not the people over there. on the other side of japan it's not really the people over there. on the other side ofjapan it's not really a dangerfor us but side ofjapan it's not really a danger for us but it's still something that every single tv channel is playing an alert or having live coverage because it's such a huge thing. this is the day that many people from other parts of japan will go back to their home towns so many people are visiting for new year's. it's equivalent of christmas here so people are worried people they know who are travelling for the holidays. it's a very tense moment for the whole country. thank ou for moment for the whole country. thank you for taking — moment for the whole country. thank you for taking the _ moment for the whole country. thank you for taking the time _ moment for the whole country. thank you for taking the time to _ moment for the whole country. thank you for taking the time to talk- moment for the whole country. thank you for taking the time to talk to - you for taking the time to talk to us. israel's military says it has killed a senior hamas commander, adel msammah, in an overnight strike in central gaza. the bbc has not been able to verify the israel defense forces' claim that he was behind several of the hamas attacks on southern israel on 7th october. it comes as air strikes

continue to hit gaza, killing at least 2a people. the israeli air force and navy helped ground forces with their overnight manoeuvres against hamas, which is designated a terror group by many governments. in israel, the new year began with air raid sirens sounding, including in tel aviv, after hamas launched more rockets. 0ur middle east correspondent yolande knell is injerusalem. she gave us more details about last night's rocket attacks. so it was just after midnight local time, people in tel aviv had been seeing in the new year and there were these air—raid sirens that went off, as a barrage of rockets, hamas said it used longer—range m90 rockets, were fired towards tel aviv, also a part of southern israel. now, israel's iron dome missile defense system was quickly in action. there were the thuds of interceptions bringing down those rockets but really a very grim start to the new year. meanwhile, in gaza itself, in the dark, we had scenes of rescuers scrambling in the rubble of buildings that had been newly flattened by israeli air strikes.

some 50 people killed in the latest air strikes in gaza city, about 20 of them people who were taking shelter at the al—aqsa university, we understand. also in the centre and in the south of the gaza strip, fighting there remains extremely intense. live now to rev dr munther isaac. he is the pastor of the evangelical lutheran christmas church in bethlehem. we start the new year with a warning from israel that the war in gaza could continue throughout 2024, how has that affected people there? thank you for having me. it's already hard to believe that it's been almost close to three months and this war is going on with fierce fighting and without any clear sign to an end, especially the

humanitarian disaster situation among the palestinians who went south to the area of rafah. it's hard to believe it's been three months and it's very concerning to hear these reports that it will continue, because as i said what will happen next is who knows? how long will it last? we are very concerned.— long will it last? we are very concerned. ., , . . , concerned. how is the church helping with humanitarian _ concerned. how is the church helping with humanitarian efforts? _ concerned. how is the church helping with humanitarian efforts? really - with humanitarian efforts? really what can you _ with humanitarian efforts? really what can you do? _ with humanitarian efforts? really what can you do? we _ with humanitarian efforts? really what can you do? we want - with humanitarian efforts? really what can you do? we want to - with humanitarian efforts? yum what can you do? we want to support, we have many people from around the world who say how can we support? the problem is, you can't get anything into gaza. it's even hard to get into communication with our friends in the church or beyond. you know, the hospital are still running

but it needs so much more renovation and construction but can't go there, you can't do anything. the church is ready but it seems you can't get anything right now. is ready but it seems you can't get anything right now.— ready but it seems you can't get anything right now. is to help you can offer is— anything right now. is to help you can offer is if— anything right now. is to help you can offer is if people _ anything right now. is to help you can offer is if people have - anything right now. is to help you can offer is if people have faith, l can offer is if people have faith, perhaps some help with their mental health, is that something you focus on when talking to people? we health, is that something you focus on when talking to people?- on when talking to people? we are sendin: on when talking to people? we are sending sopport — on when talking to people? we are sending support messages. - sending support messages. communication is very hard, maybe two or three hours able to send text messages, sometimes they call. we are still holding vigils, we haven't stopped and we have not stopped appealing to the conscience of world leaders that this must stop, this is unbearable. as i said, it's shocking to me that this war has not ended yet, with no near end in sight. even

the people here in bethlehem are traumatised by this. we are beginning to think that notjust no one cares but truly the world doesn't see us as equals. with the constant bombardment and it's becoming just normal news, 100 were killed here, 200 were killed there and life goes on. 9000 children so far have been killed and it's still going on. far have been killed and it's still auoin on. . ~' ,, far have been killed and it's still auoin on. ., ,, , far have been killed and it's still uuoinon. . , . ., going on. thank you very much for talkin: to going on. thank you very much for talking to us- _ britain's defence secretary says the uk won't hesitate to take further direct action against houthi rebels who are attacking ships in the red sea. the houthis have been targeting ships since november to show their support for hamas in its war with israel. writing in the telegraph newspaper, grant shapps said what was happening was a "test" for the international community. air strikes are reportedly among the actions being considered. authorities in ukraine say five people have been killed in separate russian attacks on 0desa and donetsk. 0ne official said there had

been "massive" shelling. these are the latest in a series of air attacks by both sides over recent days. in his new year address volodymyr zelensky promised a big increase in the production of weapons in ukraine, saying at least a million drones would be built. he added that f—16 fighter jets would be delivered by ukraine's western partners. around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news. let's look at some other stories making news here in the uk. almost three million people were seen for an urgent cancer check over the last 12 months — according to new analysis from nhs england. the number being tested has increased by more than a quarter compared with the same period before the pandemic. the government says catching the disease early is crucial to improving survival rates. period underwear could be set to fall in price after the government said the product would no longer be subject to vat from today. the treasury says removing the tax should make the pants up

to £2 cheaper per pair. they are seen as a greener alternative to tampons and sanitary towels. an increase in the cost of domestic energy has taken effect in england, wales and scotland — adding to the pressure on household budgets in the new year. a higher price cap — set by the regulator 0fgem — from now to april means gas and electricity costs will be 5% higher than the last three months. you're live with bbc news. sport and for a full round—up from the bbc sport centre, here'sjohn watson. hello there and happy new year. will it be andy murray's last hurrah in 2024? the three—time grand slam winner has suggested he might retire if he's continued to be dogged by injury. he's been competing in the brisbane

international as he gears up for the australian open. murray took the first set, and looked good for his lead, but fell away in the sceond and is trailing in the thrid. trailing 5—2 at the moment. andy murray hoping to find some form as he heads into what could be the final year of his career. naomi 0saka won the first match on her comeback to the court by beating tamara korpatsch in straight sets. the four—time grand slam champion is playing in herfirst tournament for 15 months after taking time off to give birth to her first child. 0saka defeated the unseeded german korpatsch 6—3, 7—6 to set up a meeting with karolina pliskova. it felt really amazing and i think it's something that you don't know you miss until you're away from it. it's just really incredible to also see so many little kids out there. for me, i don't really care too much... that's a lie, i care if i

win or lose, butjust the process of it all, i know i trained really hard during the off—season. i think it's one of those things where i feel like i'm playing well enough so come eventually. it's good to see her back. australia batter david warner has announced his retirement from one—day international cricket warner played a pivotal role in helping his country win the world cup against india last year ending up the tournament's leading run scorer. he played 161 0dis and scored 22 centuries with an average over 45. warner had already announced his retirement from test cricket before the current series with pakistan, with his last test due to be on wednesday. the premier league title race is shaping up to be one the closest for years with just three points separating the top five sides. arsenal missed the chance to go top on sunday, losing 2—0 at fulham, completing a miserable festive campaign where they've picked up just one point from a possible nine.

we have been for 20 games and we will play the other 19 games, we will play the other 19 games, we will be out there for sure, if we play like we played today we will be nowhere near that. we have the ability to do have shown our consistency but today was a really difficult day. liverpool can establish a three—point lead at the top of the premier league if they beat newcastle at anfield later. jurgen klopp's side have lostjust one league game this season, whereas newcastle have fallen foul of both nottingham forest and luton in their last two games. liverpool are also unbeaten in 14 league games against the magpies, but klopp is mindful that the intensity of the festive schedule could take its toll. we played five games in 13 days, it's absolutely insane as well. we came somehow through that but now it's about using that extra recovery time. because the next games, and

we're still in a cup competition, so we're still in a cup competition, so we have a busyjanuary we're still in a cup competition, so we have a busy january as well. 0ther we have a busy january as well. other teams probably have a less busy january which is helpful. other teams probably have a less busyjanuary which is helpful. we all have to get through that as busy january which is helpful. we all have to get through that as well and then from february we'll have the schedule again. finally, teenage darts sensation luke littler returns to the oche at the world championship later. the 16—year—old saw off his hero, raymond van barneveld, on saturday to reach the quarterfinals. next in the teenager's sights is northern ireland's brendan dolan. and no surprises, littler is brimming with confidence. i'm only 16 and i've got nothing to fear, no one to fear, because my game can be better than anyone is on my day. it's unbelievable to start my day. it's unbelievable to start my new year off with a win. 0bviously getting to the semifinal but it's all about what happens on the day and preparation towards me

as day. it feels like there's nobody can't beat at the moment and will be hoping to reach the final. and that's all the sport for now. the archbishop of canterbury has called on political leaders contesting elections this year to show respect for one another. justin welby urged them to disagree passionately but not to focus on division. 0ur correspondent jon donnison has more. in the year he crowned a new king, archbishop justin welby opens his new year message on the coronation. all: god save the king! and, in particular, the example set by the country's military. for the first time in 70 years, our forces swore an oath to a new monarch. they promised to be faithful and to observe and obey all orders. they understood that it wasn't about being served by us, but to serve. hip, hip. all: hurray! and at a time when headlines have been dominated by wars, much of the archbishop's message is focused on the world's

conflicts — first in ukraine. wars seem everywhere, at the moment. wars we know about, wars forgotten. i've seen for myself the ongoing human cost of war. in ukraine, i went to bucha, where evidence of atrocities was found. i've met ukrainian refugees — most recently in georgia and romania. families having to start again in a new country. he also touches on the current conflict in the middle east. injerusalem last october, i sat and listened to some of those traumatised by war — palestinian and israeli. faith—based organisations are contributing to support communities in the uk... and separately, in an interview with radio 4's today programme to mark the new year, the archbishop urges politicians in an election year not to focus on division and what he called wedge issues.

we have to say my opponent is never my enemy. my opponent is always my fellow human being. we disagree profoundly, we disagree on incredibly important things, but they're human. we respect each other�*s dignity, their humanity, and the humanity of those who support them. and that is a decision by leaders. and i hope and pray that, in this country, they will forswear wedge issues. happy christmas. archbishop welby ends his new year message to the country by wishing everyone a peaceful 2024. jon donnison, bbc news. here in the uk, the river thames was the setting for london's new year fireworks and tens of thousands of people gathered in edinburgh for the hogmany celebrations. greg mckenzie reports. big ben strikes midnight.

it's europe's biggest fireworks display, and as the countdown began, more than 100,000 people watched along the river thames as the london skyline lit up and the sounds of big ben chimed. you can actually smell the gunpowder — the air, you can smell it. it is fireworks night here. big ben, the chimes have rang, and we are now officially in 2024. the best show on earth! amazing, indescribable, no words. so worth it, i am loving it so much. this is my first time for london, coming here and seeing this. i i love it, it is so good.

many had travelled from all over the world to see in the new year in london. we are originally from the philippines, but we live in liverpool, so hello to the scousers! this year's theme is unity — a message played from the king. 0ur society is woven from diverse threads. and the london mayor, who thanked those working in the nhs, the police and the fire service. he said the event took months to organise. we have been planning this sincejuly. there is a team of 75 who have been working over the last four days. one of our strengths as a city and a country is our diversity. we'll be celebrating our diversity but also trying to bring communities together.

meanwhile, in scotland, edinburgh's hogmanay celebrations saw revellers from all over the globe as it celebrated its 30th anniversary. a total of 85,000 people there alone. best new year's eve ever! it is the place to be! it is really cold. # should old acquaintance be forgot...# and as those headed home singing auld lang syne and putting 2023 behind them, the focus now turns to a new day, as 2024 is officially here. happy new year! greg mckenzie, bbc news. check out the website for continuing coverage including the powerful earthquake injapan where there's also been a tsunami warning.

stay with us here on bbc news. hello. i think most of us are ready for a bit of a change in weather type. december was pretty dull — for some in england and wales, the dullest on record. also rather wet, too, across the uk, with above—average rainfall quite widely, but wettest of all, eastern parts of scotland, where we saw as much as three times our normal december rainfall. now there's more wind and rain to come over the next few days. but that change i mentioned — it could be turning drier. also colder, and an increased chance of wintry weather as we go from late week onwards. now, out there at the moment there's a bit of sunshine around for new year's day walks, but the morning sunshine gives way to cloud and rain across parts of southern england, wales and northern ireland during the rest of this afternoon. winds also picking up here, lightest winds towards the north—east of scotland, where it's still on the chilly side. temperatures around 3 to 6 degrees for many, but most parts of the uk will see

temperatures, again, above average for the start of the new year. if you're on the move, though, this evening, more rain arrives, some heavy and persistent rain, lots of surface water and spray on the roads across much of england, wales and northern ireland as we head in towards the evening. that wetter weather spreads into scotland and after a brief frost here we will see temperatures low enough for some snow on the hills. temperatures will lift, though, for many, through the night, and by the end the night into tomorrow morning, a pretty mild start across the south, 9 to 11 degrees. warmer by night, again, than it should be by day. but a wet and windy day to come across some southern areas, particularly during the morning. that rain spilling its way northwards earlier than we saw through today, and with stronger winds, maybe a little bit of brightness later. morning rain and mountain snow across scotland edges its way northwards towards 0rkney and eventually shetland. it does mean many parts of scotland brighten up. further rain at times in northern ireland. again, a mild one. but a windy end to the day, particularly across the south and the far north. rain at times across much of northern england into the midlands,

which will eventually push out in towards the continent to give some pretty stormy weather here, as we head through into wednesday. a quieter area of low pressure moves in and it won't be quite as windy. still breezy though, through shetland and through some english channel coasts. but there'll be varying amounts of cloud, some sunshine, a scattering of showers, mainly to the north and west. most persistent rain will be there across parts of 0rkney. temperatures still on the high side but things will there change afterwards. area of low pressure starts to push its way southwards. a ridge of high pressure moves in. it turns colder, temperatures closer to average, but also drier.

now on bbc news, the year in review — the royal year. a moment in history — the coronation of king charles iii. god save the king! congregation: god save the king! - cheering

across three days in may, the nation celebrated