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those spectacular fireworks being launched from ten barges that are spread out across the sea. there's 2.5 million people gathering in cop —— copacabana for this celebration. it's thought that 25% of those celebrate really tourists. these fireworks celebrate really tourists. these fireworks expected celebrate really tourists. these fireworks expected to celebrate really tourists. these fireworks expected to go for 12 minutes. we're keeping a close eye on the united states as well, because new york is expected to ring in the new

yearin expected to ring in the new year in just under two hours�* time. you can see times square is already lit up with tens of thousands of people gathered for that moment. we�*ll bring you that live right here on bbc news when it happens. we�*ll be looking around the world at where other places have welcomed in 2025 already. that�*s coming up later in the show. in the meantime, let�*s get you “p in the meantime, let�*s get you up to speed with some recent developments in south korea. where officials have said that initial data has been extracted from the voice recorder on the jer from the voice recorder on the jeju aeroplane that crashed on sunday, killing 179 people. the voice recorder or black box could give key insight into what went wrong. the officials now have identified all 179 bodies of those who perished in the crash. authorities have already acknowledged the design of the runway and landing system at muan international airport, saying it may have contributed to the disaster. almost everyone on board the airliner died after it skidded

off the end of the runway following the emergency landing. it smashed into the concrete platform housing a guiding system. the boeing 737, that remained intact until it hit the structure, burst into flames. some aviation experts have described the design as an accident waiting to happen. sonia brown is an aerospace engineer at the university of new south wales. i asked her what is her biggest question about what happened. i think the biggest question that i have about what happened is — if this was a bird strike, and took out one engine, how could this have potentially impacted all of these other systems? this was — what we saw with a bird strike, for example, was one engine presumably be taken out, but these aircraft are designed and built and multiple election —— levels of redundancy and we would still have expected the landing gear to deploy even with one engine

out, and the flaps and spoilers still be able to deploy if it was simply one engine out from a bird strike. the runway itself is also come into question with its design with that structure at the ends of the runway which the aeroplane slid into. is it normal to have something at the end of the runway? i do want to note it�*s not at the end of the runway, it�*s at a distance, that does technically meet requirements. it was unfortunate it was such a hard structure. the instrumentation that was there could have been there with potentially a softer structure, and would have resulted in less lives lost, potentially. to me the key issue in this particular incident is the aircraft did not have any of the systems deployed that would help it slow down. it really did not slow down much at all during its belly landing along the runway and hit that structure off the end of the runway.

and to understand why those bits of equipment weren�*t deployed to slow down the aircraft, that�*s what the black boxes will tell us, won�*t it? that�*s what we�*re really looking towards in this investigation. the flight data recorder will tell us things like was the landing gear attempted to be deployed? were the flaps mention to be deployed? the flaps are meant to be deployed in the air, and the spoilers while the aircraft was on the runway. were they attempted and didn�*t work, were the systems giving alarms and saying they wouldn�*t work, were somehow both hydraulics down causing issues, which i believe is unlikely based on the fact it was a smooth landing with seemingly good flight control. how long do you think it

will be until we understand what happened to this plane? the international standard for a preliminary investigation is actually one month. so we expect them to have some of that data out by around 29 january. however the final report is expected after one year. that�*s where we�*ll have some full picture about this incident. but i would expect in a month we�*ll have a lot more information than now, just a couple of days after the incident. staying with south korea, but turning now to the political situation in the country. on tuesday, a south korean court issued an arrest warrant for suspended president yoon seok—youl, prompting his hundreds of supporters to gather outside his private residence. investigators requested the warrant after yoon�*s failure to appearfor questioning over his declaration of martial law for a third time.

all of the senior advisors in the presidential office have offered their resignation to the acting president, choi sang—mok. none of the resignations were accepted when they were offered to yoon seok—youl, and it�*s unclear if they will be accepted this time around. we have an honorary professor in korean studies at australian national university. all eyes are on the presidential residence at the moment. it�*s new year�*s day, but the arrest warrant was issued by the court yesterday. and arrest has to be taking place within seven days. and we see from the live stream that there�*s protests against yoon, supporting yoon�*s impeachment, and there�*s yoon supporters gathering around his house too. but the yoon seok—youl�*s team strategy for the investigation by the joint investigation team seems to be not based

on the rule of law. probably on the rule — rule by law — because they know how to evade the investigation. also a separate case under the constitutional court to see whether yoon�*s martial law last month was constitutional or not. so there�*s two separate processes going on at the same time. one is the joint investigation about the crimes of insurrection, and whether yoon�*s act was abuse of power. and secondly there�*s a separate case on the constitutional court that is to judge the impeachment motion passed by the national assembly. but yoon�*s team�*s strategy is to deny and refuse anything on the investigation by the corruption investigation office, police and the defence, but to reply and delay the process by the constitutional court. so we don�*t know.

it seems to be a very long and worse december the south korean population has seen. it�*s less than a month, martial law was on three december, within a month, these things are happening really, really fast. so, we have to see. the important thing is the opposition sees this move by yoon�*s legal team as a self—denier, he know that yoon seok—youl himself, he impeached the last president eight years ago. now he�*s the subject of the investigation and subject for the impeachment. we have to remember most people in south korea, 70% of the south korean population, is in favour of his impeachment, but he�*s refusing all the legal measures and lawful measures against him. so we�*ll to have see. it includes this arrest warrant. what do you think will happen?

there�*s a deadline of six january for this arrest warrant. that�*s the time constraint in place. do you think he�*ll be addressed before then? i was watching the live stream. actually the arrest is imminent. i think it will happen today or tomorrow. don�*t mess with koreans, they run things very fast. but there�*s a great ramification for korea�*s democracy in the next few days. there�*s already discussions about constitutional reform and judicialjustice and there�*s too much power in the presidential office. and there�*s also talks about, you know, changing from single—term five years to double four—year terms. it will turn out to be a great thing at the end of the day, president yoon is going, an impeachment motion is cited, but these things are really happening fast. in the next few months, we�*ll see if yoon is still staying in power or new election for a new president. thanks very much.

around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news. let�*s take a look at some other stories: the veteran bbc dj johnnie walker has died at the age of 79, just two months stepping down from the radio 2 rock show and sounds of the 70s, because of ill health. he pioneered new names such as fleetwood mac, the eagles and steve harley. wayne rooney has left plymouth argyle by mutual consent. he recorded just one win in his last 1a games as manager. he thanked fans for their support and said that argyle would hold a special place in his heart. notable names have been reacting after being recognised in the new year�*s honours list. stephen fry said he was startled and enchanted to receive a knighthood, and happy valley star sarah lancashire said

it was an unexpected delight. more than 1200 people have been recognised in the list. you�*re live with bbc news. now, ushering in 25 years of power as russia�*s leader, president vladimir putin told russians the country will move forward with confidence in 2025. mr putin paid tribute to the soldiers fighting in the war in ukraine, calling them true heroes. as our russia editor reports, many people in the country want to see an end to the conflict. this festive season, moscow feels very surreal. it�*s "happy holidays" and "joy to the world" from a country that is waging war on its neighbour. when i ask russians what they�*re hoping for most from the new year, everyone replies, "for the war

in ukraine to be over". "peace is what i want," she says. "for the war to end and for us to win it." this man wants talks, a negotiated settlement. weapons, he says, won�*t solve anything. the festive lights are bright, but patriotic fervour? that�*s fading. well, this is gorky park. 0ne difference i�*ve noticed from a couple of years back. in december 2022, along with the traditional tree, there were giant letter zs, the symbol of the so—called special military operation. this year, no zs, no slogans. it�*s all very traditional. i think that after three years of war, russians don�*t want to be reminded of this war. and i think the authorities sense that, which is why this new year, it�*s more snowmen than soldiers. but you cannot simply tinsel over a war or its consequences. "i want the military operation

to be over," she says, "so that we can forget all about it. "everyone becomes friends again and no one dies. "my nerves are on edge." for russians, there are economic consequences, too, of this war. so even after three years of sanctions, as you can see, there�*s still a lot of food on the shelves. but it�*s the prices that are the problem. inflation�*s a problem. so, for example, this year in russia, the price of potatoes has gone up by 88%, the price of butter by 35%. and there in fact there have been lots of reports of people stealing butter from shops, which is probably why in this supermarket, they�*re selling some butter in special security anti—theft boxes. few here believe they can change what is happening. "the russian people

are patient," alexander says. "they stay silent." some trust their government. but there is also fear and resignation here ahead of the new year. steve rosenberg, bbc news, moscow. meanwhile in ukraine, president volodymyr zelensky says his country will do all it can to end the war with moscow in 2025, and halt what he called russian aggression. standing in front of the iconic mother ukraine monument in kyiv, he also said that ukraine would need to fight next year to bolster its position both militarily and ahead of any talks to end russia�*s three—year invasion. around the world and across in the , across the uk, for more on this, i�*m joined by mick ryan. thank you for joining me. we know that president zelensky is saying the fight is far from over. but

according to afp analysis, ukraine lost seven times more territory to russia than in 2023. how vulnerable are they going into this year?— going into this year? they're vulnerable, _ going into this year? they're vulnerable, but _ going into this year? they're vulnerable, but so _ going into this year? they're vulnerable, but so are - going into this year? they're vulnerable, but so are the i vulnerable, but so are the russians. the russians have lost an enormous number of soldiers for the ground they�*ve taken in the last few months. in many respects, they have accelerated operations in the hope they can project in the minds of the trump administration a peace deal is necessary now. that�*s not the case, but they want western politicians to believe that. and talking about the us and its involvement here, they�*re set to have a new president, a returning president, donald trump, in the white house in just a few weeks�* time. his support for ukraine may not be the same asjoe biden�*s was. does that pose a big problem for president zelensky? we're not really _ for president zelensky? we're not really sure. _ for president zelensky? we're not really sure. we _ for president zelensky? we're not really sure. we haven't i not really sure. we haven�*t seen a dedicated plan from the incoming administration. we�*ve seen the special ukraine russia

co—ordinator appointed. we know what he wrote about, coercing russia and ukraine into some kind of ceasefire. it will depend on donald trump�*s views and how he can convince putin to step back from some of the hard—line positions keeping everything he has and seeking to take over more of ukraine. do you see that as being the key to the conflict? a path that donald trump decides to take? ~ ~ , take? well, i think it will be an important— take? well, i think it will be an important determiner. i take? well, i think it will be i an important determiner. but ukraine isn�*t going to give up just because donald trump decides they should. in some respects, we should bear in mind a bad peace would be a much worse outcome than no peace at all. so, president zelensky, i think, peace at all. so, president zelensky, ithink, rightly peace at all. so, president zelensky, i think, rightly is posturing his country to fight on at least in the short term to ensure that they can give themselves the best chance of a just and enduring peace when negotiations do occur.- just and enduring peace when negotiations do occur. now, you mention it's _ negotiations do occur. now, you mention it's not _ negotiations do occur. now, you mention it's not just _ negotiations do occur. now, you mention it's not just the - negotiations do occur. now, you

mention it's notjust the us, - mention it�*s notjust the us, there�*s other western powers as well that support ukraine. who will also be looking to see what the us does. is there resolve amongst its nato allies in europe, they�*ll continue to support ukraine? in europe, they'll continue to support ukraine?— in europe, they'll continue to support ukraine? well, i think there is amongst _ support ukraine? well, i think there is amongst most - support ukraine? well, i think there is amongst most of- support ukraine? well, i think. there is amongst most of them. we can track the current rise in defence spending by many nato countries from the last time donald trump was in power. i think this time you�*ll see that trend continue. as countries smash through the 2% gdp and head towards 2.5%. indeed, countries like poland and the baltics are spending far more than that, they know the consequences of appeasing putin. ., , ., the consequences of appeasing putin. ., , ., ., the consequences of appeasing putin. ., ., ., putin. lots to look out for in the year _ putin. lots to look out for in the year ahead _ putin. lots to look out for in the year ahead with - putin. lots to look out for in the year ahead with this - i putin. lots to look out for in i the year ahead with this - with the year ahead with this — with this war ongoing in ukraine. thanks very much for that. mick ryan, a retired major general in in the australian

army and a senior fellow at the lowy institute. ca n lowy institute. can the cause of the blackout in puerto rico is under investigation, but preliminary findings point to a fault in an underground line, according to luma energy, the country�*s main distributor. fully restoring service could take up to 48 hours. earlierthis service could take up to 48 hours. earlier this year, puerto rico experienced two blackouts, injune and august, after a hurricane. 0n the night of new year�*s eve, puerto ricans are demanding for more to be done to address the country�*s power issue, with the incoming governor saying the country�*s energy system is failing its citizens. now for more on this, i�*m joined by

rammon —— ramon luiz nevez. he�*sjoining us by candlelight. tell us about how new year�*s celebrations are shaping up? it's celebrations are shaping up? it�*s been quite depressing for all of us, who were expecting to have meetings with our family, family reunions, and we are all in the dark here. right now, i�*m in my wife�*s parents�* house with her family, now, i�*m in my wife�*s parents�* house with herfamily, but now, i�*m in my wife�*s parents�* house with her family, but i visited my mother, she�*s in the dark too. these are very frustrating situation. we are very proud of our christmas season which really starts in november and ends mid—january. so, this is a special occasion for us. and we�*re quite frustrated that in the last day

of 2024, we have evidence of how critical our energy situation is right now. and ramon. — situation is right now. and ramon. i _ situation is right now. and ramon, i understand - situation is right now. and ramon, i understand you | situation is right now. and ramon, i understand you chaired the energy committee in the puerto rico senate. what�*s the root cause of the energy troubles that puerto rico seems to be having?— to be having? puerto rico's an ener: to be having? puerto rico's an energy sector _ to be having? puerto rico's an energy sector - _ to be having? puerto rico's an energy sector - it _ to be having? puerto rico's an energy sector - it was - energy sector — it was controlled for more than 70 years by a near monopoly. it�*s the electrical power authority. it's the electrical power authority. it�*s a government—run utility, still is. and operate for 70 years. however, in the last few decades, it became affected by responsible financial practices. so carrying more

than $9 billion in debt with its bond holders. and aside from that, while it wasn�*t carrying massive debt, it started spending less and less money on maintenance of the capital works and infrastructure. that�*s really the root cause of the problem. after that, as we know, in 2017, we suffered from a major hurricane, hurricane maria, that destroyed most of puerto rico�*s energy grid. and the question is, after hurricane maria, president trump in 2020 appropriated $20 billion, between $15 billion and $20 billion for the reconstruction of the grid. that was back in 2020. and since then, we have — puerto rico has not seen any improvement, even though the

government has the money, to reconstruct, rebuild the grid. it has not done it. so we�*re still with basically the same situation as we were before maria, and that�*s the main reason why we�*re having so many problems with blackouts. it could get worse. however, i must stress that the governor—elect has convened a committee which i�*m a part of that committee, to deliver to her recommendations of how to fix the problems that are critical in an energy sector. we hope to do so within the next few days. it we hope to do so within the next few days.— we hope to do so within the next few days. it does seem like significant _ next few days. it does seem like significant challenges i next few days. it does seem like significant challenges to overcome, to put all of the years and all the systems have been deteriorating as well. are you optimistic? when do you think the lights will come back

on, in the short term?- on, in the short term? there's a general _ on, in the short term? there's a general blackout _ on, in the short term? there's a general blackout all- on, in the short term? there's a general blackout all over - a general blackout all over the island. luma energy, a private operator of the transmission distribution system, they�*re doing optics, the lights are turning on in different parts of the island but most of us are in the dark.— of the island but most of us are in the dark. thank you so much for _ are in the dark. thank you so much for talking _ are in the dark. thank you so much for talking to _ are in the dark. thank you so much for talking to me. - are in the dark. thank you so much for talking to me. i'm l much for talking to me. i�*m afraid we are out of time. i do hope the lights come on for you soon and wish you all the best for the year ahead. hello there. we�*ve got more strong winds, heavy rain and some snow as we head into the new year. the heavy rain has moved away from scotland, but it�*s moved further south, and it�*s across this part of northwest england that we have an amber rain warning from the met office. 100mm of rain in the hills — likely to be flooding and travel disruption. there�*s our band of rain in the morning. and on the rain end, particularly south of it, some very gusty winds arriving, particularly

so in the southwest and coastal areas. north of the rain band the winds won�*t be as strong, but it�*s getting colder. there�*ll be some snow and ice to start the day in northern scotland. through the morning this heavy rain and squally winds will push down into southern england. then things calm down for a while. another band of rain and hill snow moves southwards across scotland towards northern ireland, later into northern england. sunshine and snow showers continue in northern scotland and we�*re getting a northerly wind. it�*s not going to be as strong as the southwesterly wind ahead of the rain, but it is going to be introducing colder air. last of any mild areas across southernmost parts of england. but it�*ll be a wet end to the day. that weather front does clear away. and then we introduce this arctic air right the way across the whole of the country. temperatures will be dropping. a widespread frost for thursday morning. could be some icy patches following any overnight showers as well. most of the snow showers on thursday are going to be across northern scotland. a few wintry showers for northern ireland, near the west coast of wales,

more especially along some of these north sea coasts, but for large parts of the country it�*s going to be dry and sunny. certainly going to feel a lot colder everywhere, but away from those north sea coasts at least the winds are not going to be particularly strong. but we�*re going to stay in that colder air as we head towards the end of the week. and there�*ll be some more snow showers across the north and northeast of scotland. a few more wintry showers for northern ireland, perhaps towards the north wales, and a few showers getting close to those north sea coasts. but again, many places on friday will be dry and sunny. and again it�*s cold — temperatures in scotland struggling to get above freezing. things could get very interesting later in the weekend. this low pressure threatening to bring some wet weather into the cold air on sunday. but ahead of that on saturday, that weather front across

the north may well bring some rain, sleet and snow to scotland. one or two wintry showers further south. some patches of fog for northern parts of the uk. the winds are going to be quite light. it is going to feel cold as we head into the weekend. again, highs of only around three to five celsius.

voice-over: this is bbc news. we�*ll have the headlines for you at the top of the hour, which is straight after this programme. allyson felix is the most decorated track and field athlete of all time.

she is widely considered one of the greatest athletes of the 21st century. off the track, felix is a celebrated entrepreneur and a fierce advocate for maternal rights after her own experience of maternal care in the health system and bruising encounters with sponsors. bbc 100 women met allyson here at the sports campus named after her in the university of southern california, where she studied, to talk about how we can make women athletes�* lives better, the challenges of combining motherhood and elite sport, and the changes she wants to bring about in her retirement years ahead. welcome to 100 women in conversation. thank you for being here. thank you for having me.

well, we are at the university of southern california,