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New Year's Eve 2015 celebrations - live New Year's Eve 2015 celebrations - live
(35 minutes later)
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.
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
6.24pm GMT18:24
Guardian Middle East reporter Kareem Shaheen is in 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:
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.
6.11pm GMT18:11
Dubai skyscraper fire
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.
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
5.03pm GMT17:035.03pm GMT17:03
Indonesia and Thailand have now welcomed in the New Year.Indonesia and Thailand have now welcomed in the New Year.
4.09pm GMT16:094.09pm 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/YGVtMXyquBAs...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 GMT15:393.39pm 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 GMT14:092.09pm 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/uh7TeAseVKHappy New Year #brisbane #nye2016 pic.twitter.com/uh7TeAseVK
1.03pm GMT13:031.03pm 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/ndCdsGzyl7Syd #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 GMTUpdated at 3.30pm GMT
12.23pm GMT12:2312.23pm 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/pideFzmq3PHAPPY 2016... New Zealand! #NYE from #RVA @CBS6 @KristenLuehrs @NikkiDeeRay pic.twitter.com/pideFzmq3P
Updated at 1.06pm GMTUpdated at 1.06pm GMT
12.22pm GMT12:2212.22pm 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 GMTUpdated at 12.23pm GMT