0:00:06 > 0:00:10The Iranian President warns that violence and vandalism
0:00:10 > 0:00:16won't be tolerated, after four days of demonstrations.
0:00:16 > 0:00:20Hassan Rouhani appears on television
0:00:20 > 0:00:23to say people have the right to protest, but that his
0:00:23 > 0:00:28country's problems stem from international sanctions.
0:00:28 > 0:00:30Firefighters tackle a huge blaze at Liverpool Arena.
0:00:30 > 0:00:35The fire broke out in the multi-storey car park.
0:00:35 > 0:00:37Divers recover the bodies of six people, four
0:00:37 > 0:00:39believed to be British, who died when a sightseeing plane
0:00:39 > 0:00:42crashed in Australia.
0:00:42 > 0:00:46A penalty save helps Manchester City avoid defeat,
0:00:46 > 0:00:48but their 18-game winning run in the Premier League
0:00:48 > 0:00:55finally comes to an end.
0:00:55 > 0:00:58And New Year celebrations get under way around the globe
0:00:58 > 0:01:02as we prepare to welcome in 2018.
0:01:21 > 0:01:24Good evening.
0:01:24 > 0:01:28The Iranian President, Hassan Rouhani, has declared that
0:01:28 > 0:01:30people have the right to protest and criticise his government,
0:01:30 > 0:01:33but not resort to violence and vandalism.
0:01:33 > 0:01:36His comments are the first by a senior figure in Iran
0:01:36 > 0:01:38since widespread protests against the government
0:01:38 > 0:01:42began on Thursday.
0:01:42 > 0:01:45Today, police in Tehran used water cannon on the crowds.
0:01:45 > 0:01:52Kasra Naji, from the BBC's Persian Service, reports.
0:01:52 > 0:02:00Central Teheran during the fourth day of anti-government protests.
0:02:00 > 0:02:04These protesters are shouting, "Death to the dictator", a reference
0:02:04 > 0:02:06to Iran's Supreme Leader.
0:02:06 > 0:02:09The protests are the most serious challenge to the Iranian clerical
0:02:09 > 0:02:14regime for many years.
0:02:14 > 0:02:17As the night fell there were reports of demonstrations from at least
0:02:17 > 0:02:21a dozen or so cities up and down the country.
0:02:21 > 0:02:25President Rouhani has finally made a comment on the armrest,
0:02:25 > 0:02:27days after they started, the first top Iranian
0:02:27 > 0:02:33leader to do so.
0:02:33 > 0:02:36He said Iranians had a right to protest but not
0:02:36 > 0:02:37to violence and destruction.
0:02:37 > 0:02:40He said Iran had many problems that dated back to previous years,
0:02:40 > 0:02:43a reference to years of international sanctions
0:02:43 > 0:02:48because of its nuclear programme.
0:02:48 > 0:02:53The wave of demonstrations throughout the country started
0:02:53 > 0:02:56on Thursday here in Mashhad in the north-east with what was
0:02:56 > 0:03:06supposed to be a small protest, sponsored by the hardliners,
0:03:06 > 0:03:08to criticise the economic policies of the government
0:03:08 > 0:03:09of President Rouhani.
0:03:09 > 0:03:11Something that quickly got out of control.
0:03:11 > 0:03:15Earlier in the day the government moved to limit access in Iran
0:03:15 > 0:03:20to the Internet and the popular social media apps like Telegram.
0:03:20 > 0:03:24But in spite of these efforts, more and more videos
0:03:24 > 0:03:29are being posted on social media and there has been more violence.
0:03:29 > 0:03:32In one western city for example, a number of people are reported
0:03:32 > 0:03:37to have been injured.
0:03:37 > 0:03:39President Rouhani's latest words are unlikely to calm
0:03:39 > 0:03:41these demonstrators, who are calling for the overthrow
0:03:41 > 0:03:42of the government.
0:03:42 > 0:03:46Kasra Naji, BBC News.
0:03:46 > 0:03:48Firefighters have been tackling a major fire
0:03:48 > 0:03:51at the Liverpool Echo Arena.
0:03:51 > 0:03:53The blaze broke out in the multi-storey car park
0:03:53 > 0:03:54earlier this evening.
0:03:54 > 0:03:58Steve Saul is at the Arena for us.
0:03:58 > 0:04:01Steve, what more can you tell us?
0:04:01 > 0:04:11How much do we know?This is a major operation for Merseyside Fire and
0:04:11 > 0:04:14Rescue Service. 1600 cars are thought to be involved in this major
0:04:14 > 0:04:18blaze in the car park to the side of the Liverpool Echo Arena, close to
0:04:18 > 0:04:24the Albert Dock and City centre. They were called at about 5:45pm
0:04:24 > 0:04:27this evening. A number of vehicles thought to be involved in an
0:04:27 > 0:04:31incident that spread through the building. A major operation
0:04:31 > 0:04:37underway, 12 fire engines and two ladders sent to the scene, Mark
0:04:37 > 0:04:43vehicles arriving as we speak -- more vehicles. Flames shooting out
0:04:43 > 0:04:47of the car park some hours after the fire started. The Mayor of Liverpool
0:04:47 > 0:04:50Jonna Andersson is appealing for helpful, patient and transport to
0:04:50 > 0:04:57get many people home -- Joe Anderson. The liveable International
0:04:57 > 0:05:01Horse Show had been taking place here. The horses were led into the
0:05:01 > 0:05:05arena to keep them safe as their owners moved the horse boxes that
0:05:05 > 0:05:10were parked on the ground floor of the car park. A major investigation
0:05:10 > 0:05:14is underway and the incident continues tonight.
0:05:14 > 0:05:17At least 36 people have been killed in a head-on collision between a bus
0:05:17 > 0:05:20and a lorry on a notoriously dangerous road in Kenya.
0:05:20 > 0:05:23The bus was carrying people to the capital, Nairobi,
0:05:23 > 0:05:27when the accident happened on the Nakuru-Eldoret highway.
0:05:27 > 0:05:29More than 100 people have died in the last few weeks
0:05:29 > 0:05:34on that stretch of road.
0:05:34 > 0:05:36A seaplane has crashed into a river near Sydney,
0:05:36 > 0:05:40killing all six people on board.
0:05:40 > 0:05:41Reports suggest four of the victims are British,
0:05:41 > 0:05:45although this has not been confirmed by police.
0:05:45 > 0:05:49The Foreign Office here is in contact with officials in Australia.
0:05:49 > 0:05:53The aircraft, on a sightseeing trip in the run-up to
0:05:53 > 0:05:56the New Year celebrations, came down in a river close
0:05:56 > 0:05:57to the suburb of Cowan.
0:05:57 > 0:06:02Phil Mercer reports from Sydney.
0:06:02 > 0:06:05The seaplane crashed into Jerusalem Bay near the town of Cowan.
0:06:05 > 0:06:09On board were five passengers and the pilot.
0:06:09 > 0:06:13The single-engine aircraft is thought to have sunk rapidly.
0:06:13 > 0:06:16A witness said it had made a tight right-hand turn and then nosedived
0:06:16 > 0:06:18into the Hawkesbury River.
0:06:18 > 0:06:20A full-scale search was soon under way.
0:06:20 > 0:06:28There were no survivors.
0:06:28 > 0:06:29Police divers have found six bodies.
0:06:29 > 0:06:32The wreckage of the plane remains in more than 40 feet of water.
0:06:32 > 0:06:36The authorities say a full investigation will take place.
0:06:36 > 0:06:39I cannot confirm the identity or ages of the people
0:06:39 > 0:06:40who were on the plane.
0:06:40 > 0:06:44We are...
0:06:44 > 0:06:49It is early in the investigation, and we are working with the plane
0:06:49 > 0:06:53company, getting investigators here to confirm the identities
0:06:53 > 0:06:57and investigate why the plane crashed into the water.
0:06:57 > 0:06:59The seaplane was returning from a waterfront restaurant
0:06:59 > 0:07:04to Rose Bay on Sydney Harbour.
0:07:04 > 0:07:08It's a journey that would normally take around 20 minutes.
0:07:08 > 0:07:11The aircraft is owned by Sydney Seaplanes.
0:07:11 > 0:07:14It provides flights around some of the city's most popular
0:07:14 > 0:07:19tourist attractions, including the Opera House,
0:07:19 > 0:07:22the Harbour Bridge, and to the north, the Hawkesbury River.
0:07:22 > 0:07:26The company said in a statement that its pilots are some of the most
0:07:26 > 0:07:29experienced in the world and that all its flights had been suspended
0:07:29 > 0:07:33until further notice.
0:07:33 > 0:07:37Air crash investigators will arrive at the site of the accident
0:07:37 > 0:07:41early on New Year's Day to try to establish how and why
0:07:41 > 0:07:43a routine sightseeing flight could end in catastrophe.
0:07:43 > 0:07:53Phil Mercer, BBC News, Sydney.
0:07:53 > 0:07:55Thousands of rail travellers have faced disruption today
0:07:55 > 0:07:58as workers from two companies stage a 24 hour strike.
0:07:58 > 0:08:02Members of the RMT union on South Western Railway
0:08:02 > 0:08:06and CrossCountry are taking part in disputes about the role
0:08:06 > 0:08:08of guards and working patterns.
0:08:08 > 0:08:10New Year's celebrations have begun around the world
0:08:10 > 0:08:14as we welcome in 2018.
0:08:14 > 0:08:16New Zealand was the first to see fireworks, before
0:08:16 > 0:08:19Sydney Harbour was transformed into a blaze of colour.
0:08:19 > 0:08:21Richard Lister's report contains flashing images.
0:08:21 > 0:08:29Five, four, three, two, one...
0:08:29 > 0:08:38Once again, Sydney set the standard for New Year's fireworks.
0:08:38 > 0:08:401.5 million people lined the harbour front for a dazzling,
0:08:40 > 0:08:45deafening celebration.
0:08:45 > 0:08:48The rainbow theme was a tribute to Australia's legalisation
0:08:48 > 0:08:50of same-sex marriage.
0:08:50 > 0:08:55Three, two, one...
0:08:55 > 0:08:59Two hours earlier, Auckland, New Zealand, was the first major
0:08:59 > 0:09:01city to celebrate 2018, its Sky Tower lit up
0:09:01 > 0:09:04like a giant Roman candle.
0:09:04 > 0:09:09EXCITED KOREAN VOICEOVER.
0:09:09 > 0:09:12That is the unmistakable sound of North Korea
0:09:12 > 0:09:14joining the celebrations, with what else, but a
0:09:14 > 0:09:21display of rocket power?
0:09:21 > 0:09:23Perhaps the most unusual display, though, didn't
0:09:23 > 0:09:25involve fireworks at all.
0:09:25 > 0:09:30In Dubai, they lit up the world's tallest building with lasers.
0:09:30 > 0:09:33The Burj Khalifa became a shimmering canvas,
0:09:33 > 0:09:37visible up to 60 miles away.
0:09:37 > 0:09:40While midnight swept around the world, New York was gearing up
0:09:40 > 0:09:42for its celebrations, one of several cities with
0:09:42 > 0:09:46unprecedented security this year.
0:09:46 > 0:09:49Parts of China have had a day of festivities,
0:09:49 > 0:09:52even though they'll mark the New Year in February.
0:09:52 > 0:09:54MUSIC: "Auld Lang Syne".
0:09:54 > 0:09:59But Hong Kong may have outdazzled Sydney.
0:09:59 > 0:10:02Fireworks exploded across Victoria Harbour to a tune most
0:10:02 > 0:10:04of us will be singing later.
0:10:04 > 0:10:10Richard Lister, BBC News.
0:10:10 > 0:10:13Here, large crowds are gathered for the celebrations
0:10:13 > 0:10:16in Edinburgh and London.
0:10:16 > 0:10:19Andrew Black is in Edinburgh, first let's hear from Jonathan Blake,
0:10:19 > 0:10:26who's on the bank of the Thames.
0:10:26 > 0:10:31The countdown is well and truly on for London to see in 2018 with a
0:10:31 > 0:10:35spectacular fireworks display, as ever. Crowds on the embankment and
0:10:35 > 0:10:39bridges over the River Thames are building as the 100,000 people who
0:10:39 > 0:10:43have tickets to see the display up close take their place in the
0:10:43 > 0:10:49viewing areas. A huge event and a huge security operation, it is tight
0:10:49 > 0:10:53as you'd imagine. The Metropolitan Police say there is no specific
0:10:53 > 0:10:57threat but they asked people to be vigilant, banks have been searched
0:10:57 > 0:11:01and they asked people to report anything they see that is suspicious
0:11:01 > 0:11:11-- bags have been searched. Armed police are on patrol and there are
0:11:11 > 0:11:14undercover police. There are three barges on the river behind me with
0:11:14 > 0:11:18dirty tonnes of equipment, setting off 50,000 individual explosions
0:11:18 > 0:11:24into the night sky with the London eye, the centrepiece of the show.
0:11:24 > 0:11:29The soundtrack featuring female artists to celebrate 2018 as the
0:11:29 > 0:11:32Centenary year of women being given the right to vote and it all kicks
0:11:32 > 0:11:39off as Big Ben chimes midnight. London is not the only City
0:11:39 > 0:11:43celebrating.
0:11:43 > 0:11:47As you can see behind me, the party has kicked off. This is Princess
0:11:47 > 0:11:53Street, the main street in Edinburgh City centre, transformed for a
0:11:53 > 0:11:59massive street party. We expect around 60,000 people here and the
0:11:59 > 0:12:02peak and 150,000 people in all coming to Edinburgh to see in the
0:12:02 > 0:12:09New Year. Tonight will end with a massive crescendo, a fireworks
0:12:09 > 0:12:12display which is set off every year from Edinburgh Castle and
0:12:12 > 0:12:18battlements as part of the extended and now record length, more than ten
0:12:18 > 0:12:21minutes long. People have been enjoying live music from the likes
0:12:21 > 0:12:29of human league. Amongst that there is the serious issue of security.
0:12:29 > 0:12:32Big public events like this need a strict policing operation. Police
0:12:32 > 0:12:37have put extra resources on the streets including armed officers but
0:12:37 > 0:12:42as with the event in London, there is no specific threat and the police
0:12:42 > 0:12:46have been trying to make sure people can enjoy themselves as much as
0:12:46 > 0:12:51possible while keeping a close eye on things. Some more good news
0:12:51 > 0:12:54tonight. This is Scotland in the winter and the weather can sometimes
0:12:54 > 0:12:58be pretty horrific and parts of Scotland have been battered by storm
0:12:58 > 0:13:04Dylan over the last day or so. Organisers were hoping that things
0:13:04 > 0:13:08would go ahead as planned, and they have indeed. The weather is holding
0:13:08 > 0:13:13out, it isn't too bad. People are having a really awesome time. I
0:13:13 > 0:13:20think that's going to continue rights to the final countdown.
0:13:20 > 0:13:24Absolutely. Enjoy the party. Thanks very much.
0:13:24 > 0:13:28Football, and Arsene Wenger reached a new milestone by taking charge
0:13:28 > 0:13:31of Arsenal for a record 811 Premier League matches
0:13:31 > 0:13:34as his club drew 1-1 with West Bromwich Albion.
0:13:34 > 0:13:36And Manchester City's winning run in the league has come
0:13:36 > 0:13:38to a halt after 18 games.
0:13:38 > 0:13:43They were held to a goalless draw by Crystal Palace.
0:13:43 > 0:13:45They still head into the New Year with a 14-point lead
0:13:45 > 0:13:47at the top of the table.
0:13:47 > 0:13:48Adam Wild watched the action.
0:13:48 > 0:13:52The message from fans was clear enough.
0:13:52 > 0:13:56Still, it is rather hard to imagine just how things could get any better
0:13:56 > 0:13:59for Manchester City.
0:13:59 > 0:14:02Never has a team being so far ahead at the end of a year,
0:14:02 > 0:14:05to their potential, well, there seems no end.
0:14:05 > 0:14:08But against Crystal Palace, this was a New Year lacking celebration.
0:14:08 > 0:14:12Gabriel Jesus injured, leaving in tears.
0:14:12 > 0:14:16It was his replacement, Sergio Aguero, that went the closest
0:14:16 > 0:14:19in the first half but this was not the brilliance from City that
0:14:19 > 0:14:21all have come to fear.
0:14:21 > 0:14:23Victory would have equalled the European record.
0:14:23 > 0:14:26The target, then, straightforward.
0:14:26 > 0:14:28Hitting it, seemingly less so.
0:14:28 > 0:14:31But Palace are a side with aims of their own.
0:14:31 > 0:14:33They had chances with which they should have done better.
0:14:33 > 0:14:35Everyone seemed to know it.
0:14:35 > 0:14:40That, ultimately for them, is how this will be remembered.
0:14:40 > 0:14:43In the 90th minute, awarded a penalty, Luka Milivojevic unable
0:14:43 > 0:14:47to see the year out with a bang.
0:14:47 > 0:14:51So not quite the perfect end to 2017 for either side.
0:14:51 > 0:14:54For both, New Year's Eve, as is so often the case,
0:14:54 > 0:14:56a bit of an anti-climax.
0:14:56 > 0:15:04Elsewhere, a big day on the calendar of a rather different sort.
0:15:04 > 0:15:07At West Brom, Arsene Wenger took charge of Arsenal for the 811th
0:15:07 > 0:15:08Premier League game, a new record.
0:15:08 > 0:15:11But there was much work to be done before any celebrations
0:15:11 > 0:15:12would be allowed to start.
0:15:12 > 0:15:14His team certainly made him wait.
0:15:14 > 0:15:16It wasn't until the second half before they found a way
0:15:16 > 0:15:20through and even then it took a little good fortune,
0:15:20 > 0:15:23Alexis Sanchez' free kick, deflected in.
0:15:23 > 0:15:27But with moments left, that was still far from the end
0:15:27 > 0:15:29of it, two minutes remaining, remaining, West Bromwich
0:15:29 > 0:15:31offered a hand into it.
0:15:31 > 0:15:33This, deemed a penalty.
0:15:33 > 0:15:35Jay Rodriguez gladly spoiled Wenger's special day.
0:15:35 > 0:15:371-1, late controversy, the Premier League year
0:15:37 > 0:15:39with drama to the very end.
0:15:39 > 0:15:46Adam Wild, BBC News.
0:15:46 > 0:15:53You can see more on all of today's stories on the BBC News Channel.
0:15:53 > 0:15:57From all of us on the late team, have a very happy New Year!