Fireworks starting as thailand says goodbye to 2017 and hello to 2018. Studio that was thailand, where they have been welcoming in 2018 on they have been welcoming in 2018 on the river kwai. Celebrations taking place around the world, and we are following them on bbc news. We have seen a number of celebrations, starting off in the southern hemisphere. First it was new zealand, and then sydney and hong kong, who brought in the new year just an hour ago above the historic victoria harbour. And this was the scene in sydney earlier. Where the harbour and its iconic bridge took centre stage as usual. Apparently people were queuing up to secure a good Vantage Point more than nine hours in advance of the show. Around 1. 5 Million People were there to watch. This year the display featured a rainbow theme to celebrate the passing of the countrys same sex marriage law. North korea has held a firework display in pyongyang to mark the new year. The fireworks display was held by the taedong river.
But since then i have actually had a massive turnaround. Christie, the first british woman to win a short track world title people became fans and they were really sorry for how people had treated me. And actually the majority of the South Koreans really support me. I think its nice to see how much ive moved forward since then. Im a totally different skater. Ive developed so much. I dont know how ill survive if it happens again and i have a terrible olympics and i mess it up. When i go to the olympics, im hoping to win a gold medal. I definitely want it more than anything else. But at the same time, part of me does need it, just with what happened in sochi and to get redemption for what mistakes i made. If i won a gold, it would be incredible, indescribable. The british bobsleigh four man team finished fifth, an agonising 0. 11 seconds from the medals at sochi 2014. But they are in line for an upgrade to bronze following the disqualification of two russians for doping offences. Corrupt
Outside source in 2018. Happy new year. The middle eastern editor jeremy bowen has just arrived on set, so you can contact us with any questions for him. After six days of Anti Government protests in iran, and the deaths of 22 people, its Supreme Leader has spoken. We have also heard from the Us Ambassador to the un. Here are both of them. Translation following recent events the enemies have united to create problems for the islamic republic, using all their weapons. We all know thats complete nonsense. The demonstrations are completely spontaneous. They are virtually in every city in iran. This is the precise picture of a long and oppressed people rising up against their dictators. Nikki haley also said washington wants an emergency meeting of the un security council. These demonstrations started on thursday in irans second largest city, mashhad. You can see it there in the north east. But by saturday, many more people and places were involved, including the capital, tehran. Its worth
We will be speaking to the former ambassador to north korea about todays show of unity at the Winter Olympics and as scientists grow the first human egg in a laboratory, we will ask how significant it could be to help the fertility of young cancer patients. And we look at the latest film releases, including black panther. That is all ahead on bbc news but now it is time for sportsday. Hello and welcome to sportsday. Coming up on this evening s programme. A show of unity. The Opening Ceremony of the 2018 Winter Olympics brings southland north korea together. The athletes by marching together send a powerful message of peace to the world. And im live at twickenham ahead of the second round of six nations matches. England against wales tomorrow the big one. England coach eddiejones tomorrow the big one. England coach eddie jones ramping up tomorrow the big one. England coach eddiejones ramping up the pressure. They can be confident but it will be difficult for them to come to twickenham a
But fail to make the final with billy morgan falling on his final run. After disappointment for the snowboarders, all eyes are now on elise christie. I will have more alive from pyeongchang at the rout it dirty pool at about 830 am. And nick has the weather. Rain at sons today for all of us, the chance of snow, especially later. Tomorrow is much colder, again. I have got the full forecast coming. Good morning. First our main story. The north Korean Leader kimjong un has invited the south korean president to visit him at the earliest date possible. The invitation was given by the sister of the north Korean Leader during a historic meeting between the two sides in seoul. Lets get more on this from our correspondent Stephen Mcdonnell whos in pyeongchang. Stephen, just put this in some kind of context for us, because only a couple of days ago this would have been a development that no one thought possible . Yes, it is absolutely remarkable that we have heard here. The news is flying around