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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
(30 days later)
5.55am GMT5.55am GMT
05:5505:55
SUMMARYSUMMARY
The blog has come to natural end with the climax of the festivities in New York. So I will say goodnight to those of you who might be reading in the US and elsewhere, and good afternoon or good morning to everyone everywhere else. And, of course, happy new year.The blog has come to natural end with the climax of the festivities in New York. So I will say goodnight to those of you who might be reading in the US and elsewhere, and good afternoon or good morning to everyone everywhere else. And, of course, happy new year.
But before that, here is a summary of the night, terror warnings and all:But before that, here is a summary of the night, terror warnings and all:
A full story from Ben Knight, our correspondent in Berlin, is available here.A full story from Ben Knight, our correspondent in Berlin, is available here.
Related: Germany hunts suspected Isis bombers planning Munich New Year's Eve attackRelated: Germany hunts suspected Isis bombers planning Munich New Year's Eve attack
5.32am GMT5.32am GMT
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5.27am GMT5.27am GMT
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5.26am GMT5.26am GMT
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5.11am GMT5.11am GMT
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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.
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at 5.12am GMTat 5.12am GMT
5.02am GMT5.02am GMT
05:0205:02
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.
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at 5.02am GMTat 5.02am GMT
5.02am GMT5.02am GMT
05:0205:02
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 GMT4.44am GMT
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More joy. Some amazing pictures from the celebrations in Rio.More joy. Some amazing pictures from the celebrations in Rio.
4.25am GMT4.25am GMT
04:2504:25
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.
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at 4.31am GMTat 4.31am GMT
4.11am GMT4.11am GMT
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Munich railway stations reopenedMunich 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 GMT3.39am GMT
03:3903:39
German police tipped off by French intelligence – reportsGerman 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.
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at 4.15am GMTat 4.15am GMT
3.21am GMT3.21am GMT
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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 GMT
03:14
2016 has arrived in Argentina where people are celebrating in the capital Buenos Aires in temperatures of 27C (81F).
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at 3.18am GMT
3.08am GMT
03:08
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.
2.52am GMT
02:52
Quite a show in Rio tonight.
2.16am GMT
02:16
The full story on the Munich terror threat is here.
2.06am GMT
02:06
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.
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2.01am GMT
02:01
In New York, where there is just over three hours to go before midnight, people are packing into Times Square amid very tight security.
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.
1.49am GMT
01:49
Munich police 'warned of attack by five to seven suicide bombers'
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.
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”.
1.40am GMT
01:40
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.
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 GMT
00:59
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.
Happy New Year United Kingdom! #HappyNewYear https://t.co/ZyE9ZmNdYk
12.52am GMT
00:52
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
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at 12.59am GMT