you are a ukraine says it has fired are a a missile from a sea drone to take down a russian helicopter. officers say the attack is the first of its kind. hello i'm christian fraser. new year celebrations in the large parts of the pacific. lets head straight to beijing where the clock has just struck midnight. cheering and applause

let's head over to taipei, to the taipei capital, the highest point. —— back to the taipei tower, the highest point in the capital. i think ithinki i think i can take you to kuala lumpur. a pretty colourful as well. and evasion, the country that invented the fireworks, this is the beijing municipal bureau of culture and tourism. at 1.4 billion chinese people ring in the new year —— and in

beijing, in the country that invented fireworks. let's bring you back to taipei, i'm seen plenty of fireworks in taipei. and back to hong kong. what an array of music.

if that has not got you in the mood, nothing will. this is back to taipei.

happy new year! happy new year in taiwan and — happy new year! happy new year in taiwan and they _ happy new year! happy new year in taiwan and they get _ happy new year! happy new year in taiwan and they get to - happy new year! happy new year in taiwan and they get to do - happy new year! happy new year in taiwan and they get to do it - in taiwan and they get to do it all over again within lunar new year comes around so which of course, is the main celebration. that is taipei. it is a bit more muted affair in beijing, fairto is a bit more muted affair in beijing, fair to say, but those pictures there are in taipei and are still going there and in hong kong. goodness me, that is quite a celebration! aside from watching the fireworks, there's people in taiwan might have been watching the new year message from the chinese president president lee —— ——

president president lee —— —— president xi. in his end of year message, the chinese president xi xinping said no one can stop china's "reunification" with taiwan, laying down a clear warning to the pro—independence forces in taiwan. russia's president vladimir putin marking 25 years in power hailed the �*proud' achievements of his country — warning that russia "would only move forward" in 2025. here's the celebrations in sydney. always a fireworks bonanza focused on the harbour bridge. this one went on for 12 minutes. and not very far away... this was new zealand with a spectacular fireworks display at the auckland sky tower. it did sound lively, i can assure you. we'll bring you plenty more of those celebrations in the hours ahead —

as 2024 ticks to an end. across the many time zones, it will take us 26 hours for the entire world to welcome in 2025. it might be a damp squib here in the uk with bad weather forecasts coming in. large parts of the uk are under yellow weather warnings. edinburgh's traditional hogmanay celebrations have been cancelled because of the strong winds they're expecting, and newcastle and blackpool have called off their outdoor celebrations. our scotland correspondent, katrina renton is in edinburgh with more on the cancellations. it's still very windy here in edinburgh, and that's the reason why organisers had to cancel tonight's outdoor events. the world—famous street party, the live music in princes street gardens and of course, the spectacular fireworks that people look forward to every year. but it's not to be this year. this is the first time that bad weather has caused the outdoor events to be

cancelled since 2006. now, 45,000 people were planning on attending the party tonight. some of them come here from all over the world, and i've met some of them in the city centre who have been telling mejust how disappointed they are. some people that have come from australia and malaysia, but also realistic that it's windy and it's still one of the best places in the world to celebrate hogmanay, whether you're inside or outside. so people putting a bright look onto it all. now there are still yellow weather warnings in scotland. now they cover the south and the central belt and that's for wind. but there's still a more serious amber warning in place in the north of scotland and that covers aviemore, inverness, fort william and into moray. and the most problems that we are seeing realistically today are actually in travel. some of the roads have had problems on them and the rail network has also suffered. the highland main line is closed. network rail say that's because there's so much water on the track that it's just not safe to run trains. the far north line also has

got numerous problems, numerous flooding problems on it, and scotrail has had to introduce speed restrictions across much of the network. so the advice is if you're planning on going on the train, do check in advance. you now we're here in edinburgh. there are, of course, other events going on in scotland this evening that haven't had to be cancelled. 0utdoor here is cancelled. indoor, of course isn't and edinburgh remains one of the best places in the world in my opinion. to celebrate new year and a happy new year to all of you when it comes. and a happy new year to you as well. i'm joined by bbc weather presenter elizabeth rizzini. it is not good out there, is it? it is very windy night, it is mounted, there is a lot of heavy rain to come in the forecast and there are a lot of met office whether one is

coming around as well. the amber warning _ coming around as well. the amber warning for - coming around as well. tie amberwarning for rain coming around as well. tie amber warning for rain across the grampians and islands has now expired but still some showers in the area that could add to the flooding problems. i can show the focus at midnight. here we go. as the clock chimes, this is scotland underneath or the weather. some wintry showers in the north of scotland, where the colder air is, coming for all of us later. southern scotland, where you windy for northern ireland. very wet, heavy persistent rain across parts of the midlands into north wales, quite relentless, some school costs of wind back. way to the south of wind back. way to the south of that rain, parts of east anglia, a gust of winds of about 50 miles an hour, plus the london area, should be largely dry but is going to be very windy, also true across the south—west as well. that brand of rain truck this way by the south was and we get a call

feeling air. the south was and we get a call feeling air-— feeling air. that it gets better? _ feeling air. that it gets better? it _ feeling air. that it gets better? it is _ feeling air. that it gets better? it is not - feeling air. that it gets better? it is not going | feeling air. that it gets i better? it is not going to feeling air. that it gets - better? it is not going to get better? it is not going to get better into — better? it is not going to get better into new _ better? it is not going to get better into new year's - better? it is not going to get better into new year's day. | better? it is not going to get| better into new year's day. it is how early you're going to get up, basically. they will be some sunshine developing across northern england but that very wet start to the day across the midlands, wales and stays wet across southern england too and across southern england too and across the south—west. a second band of rain, behind that, cold feeling air, icy patches and wintry patches for northern scotland. wintry nets over the tops of pennines and cumbria. northern ireland, larger dry but this of wintry showers. it has a lot colder and was a night into thursday that is january, the sight of it, feeling very cold. gracing the new year- . — feeling very cold. gracing the new year. , hangovers. - feeling very cold. gracing the new year. , hangovers. we i feeling very cold. gracing the - new year. , hangovers. we could all no for new year. , hangovers. we could all go for a _ new year. , hangovers. we could all go for a brace _ new year. , hangovers. we could all go for a brace new— new year. , hangovers. we could

all go for a brace new year. - all go for a brace new year. some sad news to announce. the death has been announced ofjohnnie walker, the bbc radio dj whose voice has been heard on the airwaves for more than fifty years. johnnie walker hosted his last show in october, after announcing a deterioration in his health. he was 79. david sillito looks back at his life. the voice ofjohnny walker, was because of the boats that changed his life.- because of the boats that changed his life. the age of 21 from selling — changed his life. the age of 21 from selling cars _ changed his life. the age of 21 from selling cars and - changed his life. the age of 21 from selling cars and being i changed his life. the age of 21 from selling cars and being al from selling cars and being a car mechanic in birmingham out of the high seas the 20 million listeners is fantastic the rebel spirit of 60s radio rather that it is a temperament he left government —— my publisher without passing any

exams but he did not need a levels for what he wanted to he wanted to levels for what he wanted to do. i was plain records and do. i was plain records and this was the beginning of this this was the beginning of this rotate and i thought what a rotate and i thought what a great chance. in great chance. in rotate and i thought what a great chance.— rotate and i thought what a great chance.— rotate and i thought what a great chance. in the early 70s, he was part — rotate and i thought what a great chance. in the early 70s, he was part — great chance. in the early 70s, great chance. in the early 70s, he was part of _ great chance. in the early 70s, he was part of the _ great chance. in the early 70s, he was part of the woodcut - he was part of _ great chance. in the early 70s, he was part of the _ great chance. in the early 70s, he was part of the woodcut - he was part of the woodcut establishment in bbc radio 1 he was part of the woodcut establishment in bbc radio 1 but he rebel would get told but he rebel would get told what to play. —— —— was part of what to play. —— —— was part of the broadcasting establishment. the broadcasting establishment. it all came to head one day it all came to head one day when he declared that the bay when he declared that the bay city were garbage. he left for city were garbage. he left for america and over the years, america and over the years, there are many ups and downs. there are many ups and downs. when he returned to the bbc, when he returned to the bbc, his cocaine habit led to him his habit led to him being briefly suspended. more his cocaine habit led to him being briefly suspended. more than 50 years after the 60s than 50 years after the 60s pirate broadcaster first pirate broadcaster first arrived at the bbc, he was arrived at the bbc, he was

still there behind the still there behind the microphone playing the music microphone playing the music that he loved. it isjohnnie, say thanks it is johnnie, say thanks for everything. it is johnnie, say thanks for everything-— it is johnnie, say thanks for everything. bye-bye. avoid synonymous _ everything. bye-bye. avoid synonymous with _ everything. bye-bye. avoid synonymous with bbc - everything. bye-bye. avoid| synonymous with bbc radio. everything. bye-bye. avoid - synonymous with bbc radio. -- a synonymous with bbc radio. —— a voice synonymous with bbc radio. let's hearfrom his wife. i could not be more proud ofjohnnie. almost the end with a worse dignity and grace he coped with this debilitating lung disease, who made his charming, humorous south until the end for that with a strong amazing man. it has been a roller—coaster ride, she writes, from start to finish. tim davey, the we was director—general, says that we are deeply saddened about the

news ofjohnnie's passing and i thoughts are with his family and friends and as well as everyone is bbc radio 2. it was a pioneer, entertaining millions of beloved listeners on the bbc across decades. most recently, he hosted two shows on radio two. there will after the audience as much asjohnnie and we loved him back. johnnie walker, who has died today, announced by bob harris a radio two in the last few minutes. 0ur two in the last few minutes. our thoughts are with his family. around the world and across the uk. you are what you bbc news. —— you are watching bbc news.

wayne rooney says that plymouth will always hold a special place in his heart, he was sacked earlier today, just seven months into a three—year deal, leaving the club bottom of the championship. the former manchester united and england striker was in charge for 25 games, and managed just five wins in that time and failing to win any of their matches away from home. it was his third stint managing a side in english football's when second—tier following spells with derby and birmingham city. first team coach kevin nancekivill and club captain joe edwards will be in charge for their new year's day game at home to bristol city. it's an almost unthinkable statement from a manchester united manager, but ruben amorim says that there's every posssibilty that they face a battle to stay in the premier league. his gloomy outlook follows their latest defeat. 2—0 at home to newcastle united. they've lost five of their last 6 in the league, meaning that united end the year 14th in the premier league, seven points above the relegation zone, 23 points off the top of the table.

the portuguese admitted that he needs to change things quickly if they're not to sink even farther down the table. the worst moments in the history of our club. and we have to accept that. another loss in front of our supporters, and newcastle were better. looking at the table, it does not look at all pretty. you are edging ever closer to the relegation zone. do you feel as though it might be a battle to avoid the drop? i think it is a possibility and we have to be clear with our fans so we have to change something. this is going to be a blow for the wolverhampton warriors who are one place from the relegation zone. wolverhampton wanderers will be without their forward matheus cunha for the next two games he's been suspended and fined £80,000. he was charged with misconduct following an altercation at fulltime in their defeat to ipswich earlier this month. he's been an important player in their reveival under new boss vitor pereira, with seven points from their last three games, but cunha who admitted the charge will now miss games against nottingham forest and bristol city in the fa cup.

world number one aryna sabalenka has started her season with a win. the belarusian, who will be defending her australian open title for a second time next month, won comfortably at the brisbane international, beating renata zarazua of mexico 6—4, 6—love. the first match is always a tricky one, you are trying to see where your tennis is at. it was a tricky start but i am glad that i closed the first set and in the second set, it felt like whatever i would do would work for me. i am really happy with the first win of the season. the main store is also in brisbane. —— and the men's is also in brisbane. novak djokovic comfortably novak djokovic comfortably reached the second round in brisbane. reached the second round in brisbane. the top seed and 24—time the top seed and 24—time grand slam winner beat grand slam winner beat australian wild—card entry rinky hijikata, 6—3, 6—3. australian wild—card entry

djokovic will next face rinky hijikata, 6—3, 6—3. frenchman gael monfils for a place in the quarterfinals a place in the quarterfinals and he's looking forward and he's looking forward to being joined soon to being joined soon by his new coach andy murray. by his new coach andy murray. he targets an 11th he targets an 11th australian open title. we spoke before the match. australian open title. we are communicating daily, we are communicating daily, so i am excited to have him so i am excited to have him in my team and in my corner. in my team and in my corner. for 20 plus years, he has for 20 plus years, he has been across the net been across the net and for the first ever and for the first ever on the same side of on the same side of the court, so it should the court, so it should be fun in melbourne. be fun in melbourne. murray is not in australia yet murray is not in australia yet because he is on the skiing because he is on the skiing trip with his family. trip with his family. it was a world first. nick kyrgios continued his nick kyrgios continued his comeback but couldn't get past comeback but couldn't get past the first round in brisbane. the first round in brisbane. the australian has spent 18 months out of the atp tour due to wrist and knee injuries to wrist and knee injuries and he looked in decent shape. and he looked in decent shape. however, he was beaten however, he was beaten by frenchman giovanni mpetshi perricard. by frenchman giovanni mpetshi perricard. kyrgios said he was left kyrgios said he was left in throbbing pain. in throbbing pain. i'll be back in the next hour. i'll be back in the next hour. see you then. see you then. ukraine's military intelligence says an unmanned sea drone has shot down a russian helicopter

off the coast of occupied crimea. officials said

area advancements since 2024, in particular, with the focus of 2024, in particular, the new technologies as well as the development of the drones production locally is progressing. moreover, we also have a very important news from yesterday when we had the release of 189 servicemen who defended mariupol, azovstal, the chernobyl nuclear power station and snake island, and of course, those civilians who were captured and they were defended with the mariupol. so these two events are something that keeps ukrainians very much positive till the end of 2024 and looking beyond for 2025. vladimir putin has sent a new year message. it's playing out through the different time zones in russia. he did pay tribute to russian soldiers fighting in the war, describing them as true heroes, but he did not refer in detail to the state of the conflict. what does the early part of 2025 look like to you? first of all, and very much important, how much we're going to be equipped. and that's why the news of yesterday, and we're hoping also at the beginning of 2025,

about the american aid and specifically military aid was something that is helping us to stay online and to stay, let's say, on the ground firmly. and this assistance package, which helped us with, with the amount of $2.5 billion, comes as we ukrainian experts say quite lately. but at least it comes for a moment, and it hopes that we will be stable for a moment to keep what we say winter month in particular, and still negotiating with the new advisers and, of course, the newly elected president donald trump and perse, the willingness and the morale of ukrainian militaries, as well as civilians and territorial defence units is very high, and what we are lacking is also the only the defence equipment which we are trying to do within local production lines. and the british government is helping also with that as well as other governments. but at the same time, we are also keeping efforts in order, as in civil society experts, specifically me as a ukrainian

working outside of ukraine to help to to literally persuade more the policy makers of other governments that military aid for ukraine is something is pivotal not only for ukrainian security, but also for the european security. in 2025, in particular. we have plenty more news, nous —— coming up, do you stay with us. hello. good evening, a blustery entity tragedy four. says wendy on new year's day, staying colder but for the rest of denied,

steadily mad out there for the vast majority. more rain across the essentials with, prettify the essentials with, prettify the south was and if we assume and, as the clock chimes of midnight, which is showers and cold air across the far north of scotland, still some showers across flood affected areas. when you quite essential but, strong gust across northern england, southern scotland and it's where we are likely to see the heaviest of the rain because you know the midlands and into north wales, further south than it is, larger dry for the rest of the night but so is where we are likely to see the heaviest of the rain crossing of the midlands and into north wales, further south thanit into north wales, further south than it is, larger dry for the rest of the night but says coolly costs of wrenches ahead of the squad front as it continues to push further south. went into tomorrow morning, across the south of england and into south was, some sunshine further north, school or gust of wind is that front goes through and on the second front, some wintry showers over the high ground over the pennines and cumbrian fells, cold arctic air is starting to dig in. temperatures in the south dropping as we head to write a day that called the feeling air and northerly wind, started to

take hold across the whole of the uk through wednesday night and into thursday morning. 0n and into thursday morning. on thursday, icy stretches and quite a widespread frost are cited it as well, many temperatures below freezing. take a look at thursday morning, more wintry showers are piling into the far north of scotland on that northerly wind. into the far north of northern ireland and the coast as well. winds lessening a little inland but it will not get a pass low single figures. larger dry, some sunshine but will be feeling cold, particularly exposure to that northerly wind and feel as it is below freezing for much of the day for the precious chart for friday. a slide switch in wind direction, more north—westerly and that will help to drive some of the wintry showers further inland across north—west scotland and northern ireland, the mip midlands and into wales. record. bye for now. —— very

cold.

now on bbc news, "where the polar bears wait". 0n the edge of the canadian arctic, a community lives alongside the largest land predator on earth. they call it the polar bear capital of the world. but it's so much more interesting than that.

a place that's been defined by remoteness, beauty and danger. there's a bear there! it's crossing the road. we heard crackers going off, and now the polar bear alert team are moving around, so we're going to get back in the car. the bear was up on this deck here. it was testing the door. we don't want him going back to town. this place, its people and its polar bears now face an uncertain future. the longer they're on shore, the longer they're fasting and the longer they might need to start looking for alternative sources of food. i really want to - better my community. i want to be - here in the future. i really hope - there is a "here".