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| Munich police warned of attack by 'five to seven suicide bombers' - live | Munich police warned of attack by 'five to seven suicide bombers' - live |
| (34 minutes later) | |
| 5.32am GMT05:32 | |
| 5.27am GMT05:27 | |
| 5.26am GMT05:26 | |
| 5.11am GMT05:11 | 5.11am GMT05:11 |
| So that means it’s also 2016 in eastern Canada, parts of the Caribbean where it wasn’t already 2016, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador and Panama. | So that means it’s also 2016 in eastern Canada, parts of the Caribbean where it wasn’t already 2016, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador and Panama. |
| A big feliz año nuevo to you all. | A big feliz año nuevo to you all. |
| Updated at 5.12am GMT | Updated at 5.12am GMT |
| 5.02am GMT05:02 | 5.02am GMT05:02 |
| 2016 in America (and other places) | 2016 in America (and other places) |
| Happy new year America! – and other places in that time zone. | Happy new year America! – and other places in that time zone. |
| Updated at 5.02am GMT | Updated at 5.02am GMT |
| 5.02am GMT05:02 | 5.02am GMT05:02 |
| There are reports giving more details about the Munich plot. According to the Munich broadcaster Bayerische Rundfunk, the suspects were Iraqis who were living in Munich and their names are known to the security forces. | There are reports giving more details about the Munich plot. According to the Munich broadcaster Bayerische Rundfunk, the suspects were Iraqis who were living in Munich and their names are known to the security forces. |
| BR reports that the suspects planned to attack in pairs, blowing themselves up “one behind the other”. | BR reports that the suspects planned to attack in pairs, blowing themselves up “one behind the other”. |
| We must emphasise that this is not confirmed information but BR is a very reputable broadcaster. | We must emphasise that this is not confirmed information but BR is a very reputable broadcaster. |
| 4.44am GMT04:44 | 4.44am GMT04:44 |
| More joy. Some amazing pictures from the celebrations in Rio. | More joy. Some amazing pictures from the celebrations in Rio. |
| 4.25am GMT04:25 | 4.25am GMT04:25 |
| Back to the joyous side of this New Year’s Eve. The focus is on New York now with only 40 minutes to go before the end of 2015. | Back to the joyous side of this New Year’s Eve. The focus is on New York now with only 40 minutes to go before the end of 2015. |
| One couple, Rick and Debbie Milley, have travelled to the city from Boston to complete a long-held ambition, Associated Press reports.. | One couple, Rick and Debbie Milley, have travelled to the city from Boston to complete a long-held ambition, Associated Press reports.. |
| “This is the center of the world on New Year’s Eve,” said Rick, 60 | “This is the center of the world on New Year’s Eve,” said Rick, 60 |
| “This was on our bucket list,” Debbie said. | “This was on our bucket list,” Debbie said. |
| Updated at 4.31am GMT | Updated at 4.31am GMT |
| 4.11am GMT04:11 | 4.11am GMT04:11 |
| Munich railway stations reopened | Munich railway stations reopened |
| Police in Munich say the railways stations closed after the terror warning – the central station and Pasing in the city’s west – have been reopened. | Police in Munich say the railways stations closed after the terror warning – the central station and Pasing in the city’s west – have been reopened. |
| They also said on twitter that they would reamin “watchful”. | They also said on twitter that they would reamin “watchful”. |
| They’ll keep us informed of any further developments. | They’ll keep us informed of any further developments. |
| 3.39am GMT03:39 | 3.39am GMT03:39 |
| German police tipped off by French intelligence – reports | German police tipped off by French intelligence – reports |
| German media are reporting that the French authorities tipped off their German colleagues about the planned attack. | German media are reporting that the French authorities tipped off their German colleagues about the planned attack. |
| According to Süddeutsche Zeitung, the Munich-based newspaper, the French intelligence services passed the tip on to Germany’s federal intelligence (BND), who then passed it to the German police. | According to Süddeutsche Zeitung, the Munich-based newspaper, the French intelligence services passed the tip on to Germany’s federal intelligence (BND), who then passed it to the German police. |
| There are now 550 police deployed in Munich to find the suspects, according to Agence France-Presse, with officers guarding train stations which were shut down in the wake of the alert. | There are now 550 police deployed in Munich to find the suspects, according to Agence France-Presse, with officers guarding train stations which were shut down in the wake of the alert. |
| Updated at 4.15am GMT | Updated at 4.15am GMT |
| 3.21am GMT03:21 | 3.21am GMT03:21 |
| It won’t be so warm in Las Vegas though where more than 300,000 folks are expected to crowd the car-free Strip to bring in the new year in a little under five hours from now. | It won’t be so warm in Las Vegas though where more than 300,000 folks are expected to crowd the car-free Strip to bring in the new year in a little under five hours from now. |
| Apparently it will be close to freezing by the time midnight comes in Sin City. But security will be tight there as well. People have been asked to leave bags and baby strollers at home or cooperate when asked to have their bags searched throughout the night, Associated Press reports. | Apparently it will be close to freezing by the time midnight comes in Sin City. But security will be tight there as well. People have been asked to leave bags and baby strollers at home or cooperate when asked to have their bags searched throughout the night, Associated Press reports. |
| 3.14am GMT03:14 | 3.14am GMT03:14 |
| 2016 has arrived in Argentina where people are celebrating in the capital Buenos Aires in temperatures of 27C (81F). | 2016 has arrived in Argentina where people are celebrating in the capital Buenos Aires in temperatures of 27C (81F). |
| Updated at 3.18am GMT | Updated at 3.18am GMT |
| 3.08am GMT03:08 | 3.08am GMT03:08 |
| The party’s building up in New York where performers of various stripes have been on stage in Times Square in front of a crowd expected to reach close to one million. | The party’s building up in New York where performers of various stripes have been on stage in Times Square in front of a crowd expected to reach close to one million. |
| 2.52am GMT02:52 | 2.52am GMT02:52 |
| Quite a show in Rio tonight. | Quite a show in Rio tonight. |
| 2.16am GMT02:16 | 2.16am GMT02:16 |
| The full story on the Munich terror threat is here. | The full story on the Munich terror threat is here. |
| 2.06am GMT02:06 | 2.06am GMT02:06 |
| Happy new year to everyone in Brazil where it’s just turned midnight. Big year for Brazil where one of the highlights of 2016, the Olympic Games, will take place between August 5-21 against a backdrop of political turmoil. | Happy new year to everyone in Brazil where it’s just turned midnight. Big year for Brazil where one of the highlights of 2016, the Olympic Games, will take place between August 5-21 against a backdrop of political turmoil. |
| Updated at 2.08am GMT | Updated at 2.08am GMT |
| 2.01am GMT02:01 | 2.01am GMT02:01 |
| In New York, where there is just over three hours to go before midnight, people are packing into Times Square amid very tight security. | In New York, where there is just over three hours to go before midnight, people are packing into Times Square amid very tight security. |
| More than a million people are expected to gather for the traditional dropping of the New Year’s Eve crystal ball. | More than a million people are expected to gather for the traditional dropping of the New Year’s Eve crystal ball. |
| We have the capacity here to take a celebration like this and to make sure it’s exceedingly safe. You’ll see lots of police officers in regular uniforms and regular weaponry but you’ll also see the heavily armed officers. | We have the capacity here to take a celebration like this and to make sure it’s exceedingly safe. You’ll see lots of police officers in regular uniforms and regular weaponry but you’ll also see the heavily armed officers. |
| 1.49am GMT01:49 | 1.49am GMT01:49 |
| Munich police 'warned of attack by five to seven suicide bombers' | Munich police 'warned of attack by five to seven suicide bombers' |
| The authorities in Munich have just given an update about the situation there. | The authorities in Munich have just given an update about the situation there. |
| Bavaria’s interior minister Joachim Herrmann and Munich police president Hubertus Andrae have said that police were warned of a “serious, imminent threat” by Islamic State group suicide bombers intending to strike on New Year’s Eve. | Bavaria’s interior minister Joachim Herrmann and Munich police president Hubertus Andrae have said that police were warned of a “serious, imminent threat” by Islamic State group suicide bombers intending to strike on New Year’s Eve. |
| According to German news agency dpa, Andrae said German authorities had been tipped off by a foreign intelligence service that IS was planning attacks with five to seven suicide bombers. No one has been arrested so far. | According to German news agency dpa, Andrae said German authorities had been tipped off by a foreign intelligence service that IS was planning attacks with five to seven suicide bombers. No one has been arrested so far. |
| Police spokesman Werner Kraus told Associated Press that “after evaluating the situation, we started evacuating the train stations and also asked partygoers to stay away from big crowds outside”. | Police spokesman Werner Kraus told Associated Press that “after evaluating the situation, we started evacuating the train stations and also asked partygoers to stay away from big crowds outside”. |
| 1.40am GMT01:40 | 1.40am GMT01:40 |
| Good morning/good evening, wherever you are. It’s Martin Farrer in Sydney to take you through the rest of the new year celebrations. Happy new year to you if it’s already 2016 where you are; if not, I hope you’re enjoying the buildup to midnight. | Good morning/good evening, wherever you are. It’s Martin Farrer in Sydney to take you through the rest of the new year celebrations. Happy new year to you if it’s already 2016 where you are; if not, I hope you’re enjoying the buildup to midnight. |
| Given what has happened in Munich tonight and the scaling back of festivities in other parts of Europe, we’ll try to keep you up to date with serious developments as well as keeping any eye on the time. | Given what has happened in Munich tonight and the scaling back of festivities in other parts of Europe, we’ll try to keep you up to date with serious developments as well as keeping any eye on the time. |
| 12.59am GMT00:59 | 12.59am GMT00:59 |
| British astronaut Tim Peake has wished “beautiful planet Earth” a happy New Year in a special message from space that was beamed on to screens at Edinburgh’s Hogmanay event just before midnight. | British astronaut Tim Peake has wished “beautiful planet Earth” a happy New Year in a special message from space that was beamed on to screens at Edinburgh’s Hogmanay event just before midnight. |
| Happy New Year United Kingdom! #HappyNewYear https://t.co/ZyE9ZmNdYk | Happy New Year United Kingdom! #HappyNewYear https://t.co/ZyE9ZmNdYk |
| 12.52am GMT00:52 | 12.52am GMT00:52 |
| Even astronauts need a bit of a party to welcome in the New Year. | Even astronauts need a bit of a party to welcome in the New Year. |
| It's begun! Fireworks projected outside @space_station. Here's to a great projected 2016! #HappyNewYear #YearInSpace pic.twitter.com/st4TS0elGZ | It's begun! Fireworks projected outside @space_station. Here's to a great projected 2016! #HappyNewYear #YearInSpace pic.twitter.com/st4TS0elGZ |
| Updated at 12.59am GMT | Updated at 12.59am GMT |
| 12.31am GMT00:31 | 12.31am GMT00:31 |
| Scotland refuses to let storm Frank dampen spirits as Hogmanay is celebrated in style. | Scotland refuses to let storm Frank dampen spirits as Hogmanay is celebrated in style. |
| Updated at 12.32am GMT | Updated at 12.32am GMT |
| 12.12am GMT00:12 | 12.12am GMT00:12 |
| Fireworks light up London skyline as 2016 welcomed with a bang. | Fireworks light up London skyline as 2016 welcomed with a bang. |
| Updated at 12.42am GMT | Updated at 12.42am GMT |
| 11.59pm GMT23:59 | 11.59pm GMT23:59 |
| With just minutes to go before the UK rings in 2016 pictures from the Isle of Lewis show the island’s own, natural display of lights. | With just minutes to go before the UK rings in 2016 pictures from the Isle of Lewis show the island’s own, natural display of lights. |
| Quick snap from window - blowing like the clappers and freezing out there! Swordale, Isle of Lewis @aurorawatchuk pic.twitter.com/4ZgOAh5L11 | Quick snap from window - blowing like the clappers and freezing out there! Swordale, Isle of Lewis @aurorawatchuk pic.twitter.com/4ZgOAh5L11 |
| Updated at 12.42am GMT | Updated at 12.42am GMT |
| 11.38pm GMT23:38 | 11.38pm GMT23:38 |
| There were no fireworks at the Eiffel Tower in Paris tonight as a year in which the French capital was battered by two terror attacks drew to a close. | There were no fireworks at the Eiffel Tower in Paris tonight as a year in which the French capital was battered by two terror attacks drew to a close. |
| Updated at 11.43pm GMT | Updated at 11.43pm GMT |
| 11.27pm GMT23:27 | 11.27pm GMT23:27 |
| New Year celebrations pass off peacefully in Germany despite earlier terror alerts in Munich. | New Year celebrations pass off peacefully in Germany despite earlier terror alerts in Munich. |
| Updated at 11.43pm GMT | Updated at 11.43pm GMT |
| 11.10pm GMT23:10 | 11.10pm GMT23:10 |
| Revellers on London’s South Bank have posted on Twitter to express admiration for the changing hues of the London Eye as the Unicef campaign to highlight the plight of Syrian children lights up iconic buildings in London and Edinburgh. | Revellers on London’s South Bank have posted on Twitter to express admiration for the changing hues of the London Eye as the Unicef campaign to highlight the plight of Syrian children lights up iconic buildings in London and Edinburgh. |
| Updated at 11.32pm GMT | Updated at 11.32pm GMT |
| 10.44pm GMT22:44 | 10.44pm GMT22:44 |
| Police in Munich have warned of a “serious and imminent” threat of a terror attack tonight and have asked people to avoid two of the city’s train stations as the clock nears midnight in Germany. | Police in Munich have warned of a “serious and imminent” threat of a terror attack tonight and have asked people to avoid two of the city’s train stations as the clock nears midnight in Germany. |
| Updated at 10.51pm GMT | Updated at 10.51pm GMT |
| 9.38pm GMT21:38 | 9.38pm GMT21:38 |
| The Guardian has the latest from witnesses to the Dubai skyscraper fire. | The Guardian has the latest from witnesses to the Dubai skyscraper fire. |
| David Moran, a Dubai-based businessman who was dining in the hotel: | David Moran, a Dubai-based businessman who was dining in the hotel: |
| We were immediately shown where to leave. They were very good. They knew their jobs and people escaped without panic.” | We were immediately shown where to leave. They were very good. They knew their jobs and people escaped without panic.” |
| Another witness told Dubai television of a crush to get out: | Another witness told Dubai television of a crush to get out: |
| They evacuated us into a shopping mall. There were so many people running.” | They evacuated us into a shopping mall. There were so many people running.” |
| Kenneth Flynn told Sky News about his escape from the burning building: | Kenneth Flynn told Sky News about his escape from the burning building: |
| We had some dinner at about nine o’clock or 8.45pm. We ordered one drink and my partner noticed something falling from the building. She said ‘What’s that?’ and I said ‘I don’t know but I’ll have a look’. By the time I walked out the whole building was just ablaze. It was unbelievable. By the time I came back in I had lost her because the whole place was in panic. People were crushing each other trying to get out and get down the stairwell. | We had some dinner at about nine o’clock or 8.45pm. We ordered one drink and my partner noticed something falling from the building. She said ‘What’s that?’ and I said ‘I don’t know but I’ll have a look’. By the time I walked out the whole building was just ablaze. It was unbelievable. By the time I came back in I had lost her because the whole place was in panic. People were crushing each other trying to get out and get down the stairwell. |
| I’ve never experienced anything like it, it was surreal. | I’ve never experienced anything like it, it was surreal. |
| The heat was so intense outside it was unbelievable. Then it was panic stations. People started to panic, crushing each other trying to get downstairs and jumping over railings. | The heat was so intense outside it was unbelievable. Then it was panic stations. People started to panic, crushing each other trying to get downstairs and jumping over railings. |
| Updated at 9.43pm GMT | Updated at 9.43pm GMT |
| 9.30pm GMT21:30 | 9.30pm GMT21:30 |
| Click through for the Guardian’s gallery of New Year’s eve celebrations around the globe. | Click through for the Guardian’s gallery of New Year’s eve celebrations around the globe. |
| 9.06pm GMT21:06 | 9.06pm GMT21:06 |
| The latest from Spain: | The latest from Spain: |
| The time to wish a Happy New Year 2016 to Comoros 🇰🇲, Djibouti 🇩🇯, Eritrea 🇪🇷, Ethiopia 🇪🇹, Kenya 🇰🇪, Madagascar 🇲🇬, Somalia 🇸🇴, Sudan 🇸🇩 ⅓ | The time to wish a Happy New Year 2016 to Comoros 🇰🇲, Djibouti 🇩🇯, Eritrea 🇪🇷, Ethiopia 🇪🇹, Kenya 🇰🇪, Madagascar 🇲🇬, Somalia 🇸🇴, Sudan 🇸🇩 ⅓ |
| And Iraq: | And Iraq: |
| #Baghdad has seen continuous non-stop fireworks since early evening. Kid of startling at first. Happy New Year! | #Baghdad has seen continuous non-stop fireworks since early evening. Kid of startling at first. Happy New Year! |
| 8.48pm GMT20:48 | 8.48pm GMT20:48 |
| From Dubai, where a skyscraper quickly caught fire just before the midnight fireworks celebration. | From Dubai, where a skyscraper quickly caught fire just before the midnight fireworks celebration. |
| 8.32pm GMT20:32 | 8.32pm GMT20:32 |
| The Guardian’s Martin Chulov and Kareem Shaheen have just filed their latest report on the skyscraper fire in Dubai. | The Guardian’s Martin Chulov and Kareem Shaheen have just filed their latest report on the skyscraper fire in Dubai. |
| The massive fireworks display later went ahead at the world’s tallest tower in Dubai, while plumes of smoke still billowed from the nearby fire. | The massive fireworks display later went ahead at the world’s tallest tower in Dubai, while plumes of smoke still billowed from the nearby fire. |
| Tens of thousands of people whistled and cheered at the display taking place at the Burj Khalifa. | Tens of thousands of people whistled and cheered at the display taking place at the Burj Khalifa. |
| Maj Gen Rashed al-Matrushi, general director of the Dubai civil defence, reportedly told the television channel Al Arabiya earlier: “There are no injuries, thank God ... Of course, it will not affect the celebration.” | Maj Gen Rashed al-Matrushi, general director of the Dubai civil defence, reportedly told the television channel Al Arabiya earlier: “There are no injuries, thank God ... Of course, it will not affect the celebration.” |
| The Dubai police said the blaze started on the 20th floor of the building, which is also a residential address. Footage taken by witnesses and uploaded to the internet shows huge flames rapidly climbing the hotel’s exterior from what appeared to be a terrace or balcony. | The Dubai police said the blaze started on the 20th floor of the building, which is also a residential address. Footage taken by witnesses and uploaded to the internet shows huge flames rapidly climbing the hotel’s exterior from what appeared to be a terrace or balcony. |
| The flames appeared to have soared to near the top of the building within seconds. More than one hour after the fire started, it still appeared to be out of control. | The flames appeared to have soared to near the top of the building within seconds. More than one hour after the fire started, it still appeared to be out of control. |
| 8.25pm GMT20:25 | 8.25pm GMT20:25 |
| The Guardian’s US data editor Mona Chalabi made a lovely little chart on how long people keep their New Year’s resolutions. | The Guardian’s US data editor Mona Chalabi made a lovely little chart on how long people keep their New Year’s resolutions. |
| 8.16pm GMT20:16 | 8.16pm GMT20:16 |
| If you’re in Africa, Europe, the Americas and parts of Russia and the Middle East, it’s not too late to prepare for what tomorrow may bring. | If you’re in Africa, Europe, the Americas and parts of Russia and the Middle East, it’s not too late to prepare for what tomorrow may bring. |
| Here are three hangover guides selected from the Guardian’s extensive collection of post-drinking advice. | Here are three hangover guides selected from the Guardian’s extensive collection of post-drinking advice. |
| Related: The morning after: how to lessen your hangover | Related: The morning after: how to lessen your hangover |
| Related: Anyone for ant tea? Hangover remedies from around the world | Related: Anyone for ant tea? Hangover remedies from around the world |
| Related: How to cope with, if not cure, your public holiday hangover with food | Related: How to cope with, if not cure, your public holiday hangover with food |
| 8.06pm GMT20:06 | 8.06pm GMT20:06 |
| And the fireworks in Dubai are going off as planned. | And the fireworks in Dubai are going off as planned. |
| #Dubai fireworks with smoke-shrouded #TheAddress backdrop. Surreal. #NYE pic.twitter.com/upJAylo8Db | #Dubai fireworks with smoke-shrouded #TheAddress backdrop. Surreal. #NYE pic.twitter.com/upJAylo8Db |
| #NewYear fireworks #Dubai pic.twitter.com/JTkxHm8Rrd | #NewYear fireworks #Dubai pic.twitter.com/JTkxHm8Rrd |
| 7.54pm GMT19:54 | 7.54pm GMT19:54 |
| Amanda Holpuch | Amanda Holpuch |
| A Twitter user named Artemi Suárez has been tweeting Happy New Years messages to countries across the globe when it turns midnight in their respective time zone. | A Twitter user named Artemi Suárez has been tweeting Happy New Years messages to countries across the globe when it turns midnight in their respective time zone. |
| Suárez, a university student in Spain, said in an email that he decided to send out the tweets this morning. | Suárez, a university student in Spain, said in an email that he decided to send out the tweets this morning. |
| This morning I was thinking about the way to greet the New Year to everyone, and I was sitting at my desk and saw the Worldwide Map so then I decided to greet the people of all the Time Zones around the World. I started at 10:00 AM (UTC+1, from Spain where I live) with the UTC+14 zone including Samoa and Kiribati eastern islands and then time zone by time zone. | This morning I was thinking about the way to greet the New Year to everyone, and I was sitting at my desk and saw the Worldwide Map so then I decided to greet the people of all the Time Zones around the World. I started at 10:00 AM (UTC+1, from Spain where I live) with the UTC+14 zone including Samoa and Kiribati eastern islands and then time zone by time zone. |
| Happy New Year to all the Line Islands (Kiribati) and Samoa people. You're the first to welcome the 2016, enjoy it so much!! 😀😀 | Happy New Year to all the Line Islands (Kiribati) and Samoa people. You're the first to welcome the 2016, enjoy it so much!! 😀😀 |
| Suárez plans to celebrate by having dinner with his boyfriend and another friend. After midnight, they might go out or stay at home and watch movies. | Suárez plans to celebrate by having dinner with his boyfriend and another friend. After midnight, they might go out or stay at home and watch movies. |
| Happy New Year Artemi! | Happy New Year Artemi! |
| Happy New Year 2016 to the people of Afghanistan 🇦🇫 who had entered 2016 just 18 minutes ago. #TimeZones #NewYear2016 | Happy New Year 2016 to the people of Afghanistan 🇦🇫 who had entered 2016 just 18 minutes ago. #TimeZones #NewYear2016 |
| Updated at 7.56pm GMT | Updated at 7.56pm GMT |
| 7.38pm GMT19:38 | 7.38pm GMT19:38 |
| Dubai’s media office is reporting that there were 15 people injured and one person suffered a heart attack in the skyscraper fire. | Dubai’s media office is reporting that there were 15 people injured and one person suffered a heart attack in the skyscraper fire. |
| 14 minor injuries,1 moderate&1 heart attack case reported due 2 over-crowding&smoke at the fire site,all received prompts medical assistance | 14 minor injuries,1 moderate&1 heart attack case reported due 2 over-crowding&smoke at the fire site,all received prompts medical assistance |
| Updated at 8.30pm GMT | Updated at 8.30pm GMT |
| 7.24pm GMT19:24 | 7.24pm GMT19:24 |
| It is already 2016 in many parts of the world, like Japan. | It is already 2016 in many parts of the world, like Japan. |
| Here’s video from celebrations there, as well as China, Taiwan and Australia. | Here’s video from celebrations there, as well as China, Taiwan and Australia. |
| 7.07pm GMT19:07 | 7.07pm GMT19:07 |
| It’s just after midnight in Pakistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and parts of Russia. | It’s just after midnight in Pakistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and parts of Russia. |
| #NewYear celebrations across #Pakistan pic.twitter.com/8haFMxZyGX | #NewYear celebrations across #Pakistan pic.twitter.com/8haFMxZyGX |
| 6.58pm GMT18:58 | 6.58pm GMT18:58 |
| The Dubai media office is reporting that New Years celebrations in the city will continue as planned. | The Dubai media office is reporting that New Years celebrations in the city will continue as planned. |
| The fire at the Address Downtown reported to have originated from outside 20th floor of hotel, has not spread inside | The fire at the Address Downtown reported to have originated from outside 20th floor of hotel, has not spread inside |
| Internal fire extinguishers are preventing spread of fire inside the hotel | Internal fire extinguishers are preventing spread of fire inside the hotel |
| Four squads of firefighters are working to control a fire that broke out at The Address hotel and ensure safety on the site | Four squads of firefighters are working to control a fire that broke out at The Address hotel and ensure safety on the site |
| 6.41pm GMT18:41 | 6.41pm GMT18:41 |
| Rory Reynolds, editor at Dubai news site 7DaysUAE, said on Twitter that Dubai police have not yet reported any casualties from the skyscraper fire. | Rory Reynolds, editor at Dubai news site 7DaysUAE, said on Twitter that Dubai police have not yet reported any casualties from the skyscraper fire. |
| Dubai Police chief Colonel Saif al Mazroui says no casualties reported yet and Dubai's Address Hotel evacuated @alialshouk | Dubai Police chief Colonel Saif al Mazroui says no casualties reported yet and Dubai's Address Hotel evacuated @alialshouk |
| Dubai Media Office reporting that fire started on 20th floor, outside the building | Dubai Media Office reporting that fire started on 20th floor, outside the building |
| 6.24pm GMT18:24 | 6.24pm GMT18:24 |
| Guardian Middle East reporter Kareem Shaheen reports on Dubai, where a fire has broken out at a building near the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest skyscraper. | Guardian Middle East reporter Kareem Shaheen reports on Dubai, where a fire has broken out at a building near the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest skyscraper. |
| It is less than two hours to midnight in Dubai, where an elaborate midnight fireworks display was planned at the Burj Khalifa. More from Shaheen: | It is less than two hours to midnight in Dubai, where an elaborate midnight fireworks display was planned at the Burj Khalifa. More from Shaheen: |
| Reports identified the building as the Address Downtown hotel, which lies on a boulevard in central Dubai, a stone’s throw from the Burj Khalifa, and Dubai Mall, the world’s largest shopping mall. The hotel is 63 storeys high. | Reports identified the building as the Address Downtown hotel, which lies on a boulevard in central Dubai, a stone’s throw from the Burj Khalifa, and Dubai Mall, the world’s largest shopping mall. The hotel is 63 storeys high. |
| Dubai had planned to wow spectators with three separate firework displays. The show was to begin at the Burj Khalifa, which organisers said was fitted with 400,000 LED lights. | Dubai had planned to wow spectators with three separate firework displays. The show was to begin at the Burj Khalifa, which organisers said was fitted with 400,000 LED lights. |
| Updated at 7.47pm GMT | Updated at 7.47pm GMT |
| 6.11pm GMT18:11 | 6.11pm GMT18:11 |
| Dubai skyscraper fire | Dubai skyscraper fire |
| Fire has broken out in a residential building near Dubai’s massive New Year’s Eve fireworks display. | Fire has broken out in a residential building near Dubai’s massive New Year’s Eve fireworks display. |
| It is not immediately clear what caused the fire, but we’ll have more details soon. | It is not immediately clear what caused the fire, but we’ll have more details soon. |
| Flames coming out of The Address Hotel Downtown - worried and praying everyone is Ok. Stay safe Dubai. pic.twitter.com/SU7aWhEheU | Flames coming out of The Address Hotel Downtown - worried and praying everyone is Ok. Stay safe Dubai. pic.twitter.com/SU7aWhEheU |
| Updated at 6.12pm GMT | Updated at 6.12pm GMT |
| 5.03pm GMT17:03 | 5.03pm GMT17:03 |
| Indonesia and Thailand have now welcomed in the New Year. | Indonesia and Thailand have now welcomed in the New Year. |
| 4.09pm GMT16:09 | 4.09pm GMT16:09 |
| China, Hong Kong and Singapore are among the latest countries to welcome 2016. | China, Hong Kong and Singapore are among the latest countries to welcome 2016. |
| As...entertaining as North Korea's #NYE2016 video was, Beijing is a bit more fun! Live: https://t.co/TrXOuyv91t pic.twitter.com/YGVtMXyquB | As...entertaining as North Korea's #NYE2016 video was, Beijing is a bit more fun! Live: https://t.co/TrXOuyv91t pic.twitter.com/YGVtMXyquB |
| 3.39pm GMT15:39 | 3.39pm GMT15:39 |
| Japan and South Korea have also welcome the new year. Hundreds of people in Tokyo let off balloons to celebrate the arrival of 2016. | Japan and South Korea have also welcome the new year. Hundreds of people in Tokyo let off balloons to celebrate the arrival of 2016. |
| 2.09pm GMT14:09 | 2.09pm GMT14:09 |
| Queensland has now welcomed 2016 with another glittering fireworks display in Brisbane. | Queensland has now welcomed 2016 with another glittering fireworks display in Brisbane. |
| Happy New Year #brisbane #nye2016 pic.twitter.com/uh7TeAseVK | Happy New Year #brisbane #nye2016 pic.twitter.com/uh7TeAseVK |
| 1.03pm GMT13:03 | 1.03pm GMT13:03 |
| Melbourne and Sydney have welcomed 2016 with lavish firework displays. | Melbourne and Sydney have welcomed 2016 with lavish firework displays. |
| Around 1.6 million people are celebrating the new year in Sydney harbour. | Around 1.6 million people are celebrating the new year in Sydney harbour. |
| Syd #NYE2016 fireworks bigger & better than ever. A pyrotechnic ejaculation of joy. Here's 2 a yr of love & laughter pic.twitter.com/ndCdsGzyl7 | Syd #NYE2016 fireworks bigger & better than ever. A pyrotechnic ejaculation of joy. Here's 2 a yr of love & laughter pic.twitter.com/ndCdsGzyl7 |
| Updated at 3.30pm GMT | Updated at 3.30pm GMT |
| 12.23pm GMT12:23 | 12.23pm GMT12:23 |
| New Year celebrations have begun around the world with the Pacific islands of Samoa and Kiribati the first to usher in 2016. | New Year celebrations have begun around the world with the Pacific islands of Samoa and Kiribati the first to usher in 2016. |
| Samoa used to be one of the last countries to greet the new year until 2011 when the date line was shifted to the east of the island and it became one of the first. | Samoa used to be one of the last countries to greet the new year until 2011 when the date line was shifted to the east of the island and it became one of the first. |
| New Zealand welcomed the new year an hour later with revellers in Australia enjoying New Year’s Eve fireworks as the countdown to midnight draws closer. | New Zealand welcomed the new year an hour later with revellers in Australia enjoying New Year’s Eve fireworks as the countdown to midnight draws closer. |
| HAPPY 2016... New Zealand! #NYE from #RVA @CBS6 @KristenLuehrs @NikkiDeeRay pic.twitter.com/pideFzmq3P | HAPPY 2016... New Zealand! #NYE from #RVA @CBS6 @KristenLuehrs @NikkiDeeRay pic.twitter.com/pideFzmq3P |
| Updated at 1.06pm GMT | Updated at 1.06pm GMT |
| 12.22pm GMT12:22 | 12.22pm GMT12:22 |
| More than 1 million are expected to gather in Sydney to enjoy a display featuring a multicoloured firework “waterfall” cascading off the Harbour Bridge and pyrotechnic effects in the shapes of butterflies, octopuses and flowers. | More than 1 million are expected to gather in Sydney to enjoy a display featuring a multicoloured firework “waterfall” cascading off the Harbour Bridge and pyrotechnic effects in the shapes of butterflies, octopuses and flowers. |
| While in Melbourne, the country’s second-largest city, people are expected to gather by the hundreds of thousands despite blistering temperatures to watch nearly 11 tonnes of fireworks light up the sky. | While in Melbourne, the country’s second-largest city, people are expected to gather by the hundreds of thousands despite blistering temperatures to watch nearly 11 tonnes of fireworks light up the sky. |
| Updated at 12.23pm GMT | Updated at 12.23pm GMT |