Transcripts For BBCNEWS BBC News 20161231

Extra security measures. But visitors undeterred by those recent events and gathering for a series of concerts which have been taking place throughout the evening there, ahead of this Fireworks Display, which began on the dot of midnight. Seems that we have seen of course in other parts of the world already, who are well into 2017, in paris also has welcomed in the new year, madrid as well. Dubai put on an amazing show as well, with fireworks from the worlds tallest building, in the heart of the city. And we will be looking at what london and edinburgh are doing in one hours time. We have also heard from police here that just to time. We have also heard from police here thatjust to make sure that people feel safe on a night like this, they are out in force on our streets here in the uk as well. Well, lets show you london, can be . There we go. Big big ben has fallen quiet lately, with no bongs, and thats not right. But this is the scene, with not just thats not right. But this is the scene, with Notjust Fireworks but a big music show along the thames. As countries around the world celebrate the start of a new year, many cities have modified Security Plans following the Lorry Attacks in berlin and nice. Concrete barriers have been placed in Central London to stop any potential attack, and thousands of extra police are on duty, as our correspondent helena lee reports. Three, two, one. Sydney, australia, one of the first major cities to welcome in 2017, the Harbour Bridge the focus of their spectacular display. Soon after, it was hong kongs turn, and this was their party. In london, theyre preparing for the nights celebrations. The met police says it has not had any specific intelligence to point to an attack, but they have looked at what happened in berlin and nice and adjusted their plans. As in the past, there will be officers with firearms, but the key thing is to strike the balance, and none of us wa nts to strike the balance, and none of us wants to disrupt the enjoyment all of us want to have on new years eve. We cant allow the bad guys to spoil our way of life. In other european cities, including berlin, security has been stepped up. In her new years eve address, the german chancellor, angela merkel, acknowledged the threat of a country faces. Translation the biggest test, without a doubt, is islamist terrorism, which has had germany in its sights for many years. In 2016 bid attacked us in votes wurtzberg, and just a few days ago in berlin. Other leaders sending m essa 9 es in berlin. Other leaders sending messages include donald trump. He tweeted. This is how 2017 was welcomed, dubai style. A lavish display, with fireworks shooting from the sides of the burj khalifa, the worlds tallest skyscraper. Millions of others dont have too much longer to wait to celebrate their new years eve. Lets find out how the final preparations are going here in the uk. Ina preparations are going here in the uk. In a moment we will hear from andrew black in edinburgh. 0ur Correspondentjonathan blake is in Central London for us. How big are the crowds tonight, jonathan . Well, they have been getting bigger and bigger all evening. We are expecting just over 100,000 people to fill the Viewing Areas here in Central London. And looking out across the embankment it looks like most of them have arrived and also on the bridges across the river thames as well. For the third year now, this event has been ticket only and the organisers say that is to ensure that everyone is safe and eve ryo ne to ensure that everyone is safe and everyone who comes to see the fireworks gets a decent view. The display itself will be 12 minutes long. We will talk about that in a second. We will have a chat to some of the people who have been waiting very patiently over the last few hours. How you doing . very patiently over the last few hours. How you doing . I am nice to meet you. Happy new year. Tell us what you wanted to come and see the fireworks up close . Last year i didnt see anything because i didnt have a ticket i am standing in front of the london i, and the view is beautiful. What are you hoping for . It is my first time in london, and i am looking forward to seeing it bigger and more beautiful each year. Hopefully you wont be disappointed, not long to wait. Hello to aberdeen and cardiff. We will let you get away with that. These spectators have been waiting patiently and trying to keep warm. Happy new year. Hgppy trying to keep warm. Happy new year. Happy new year. Tell us where you are from. I am from china, in beijing. And what are you hoping for the night from the fireworks . Hoping for happiness and a nice year, healthy, families, my parents. And we hope that people can get working ha rd we hope that people can get working hard and maybe have fun. You have been here for several hours, havent you . Are you keeping warm . Been here for several hours, havent you . Are you keeping warm7m been here for several hours, havent you . Are you keeping warm . It is a little bit cold outside, but we have a warm coat, and we eat some food. It isa a warm coat, and we eat some food. It is a little bit warm. Keep warm, not long to wait now. Thanks very much, guys, and happy new year to you. Just some of the 100,000 or so people who have tickets for the nights event and have been waiting patiently to see the fireworks, which kicked off injust under an hours time, the centrepiece is the london eyejust hours time, the centrepiece is the london eye just across the river, and we expect 50,000 individual explosions synchronise to a specially chosen soundtrack which will reflect a tribute to some of the artists who have died in 2016. But the mayor of london says the message to the world is that london is open. These guys cant wait for the fireworks, and there is not long to go now. 0ur correspondent andrew black is in Princes Street in edinburghfor us. What is in store . Edinburgh over the yea rs has what is in store . Edinburgh over the years has garnered a reputation for being one of the biggest and best street parties. It has not disappointed this year, celebrations are well under way now. We are waiting on the main stage for the performance which will take us straight to the bells. It has been a sell out event this year. That means here on Princes Street in edinburgh and the surrounding area, 75,000 people had gathered to see in the new year, and all of that partying is going to be beamed All Around The World to Something Like 1 is going to be beamed All Around The World to Something Like1 billion people. A lot of people have been waiting very patiently tonight for things to get under way. Lets see if we can have a word with a couple of the party goers. How are you doing . Where have you come from today . My kids are up from sheffield, they have come up from the fireworks sheffield, they have come up from the fireworks for the fireworks. Why have you decided to come up for the Hogmanay Celebration . Why have you decided to come up for the Hogmanay Celebration7m why have you decided to come up for the Hogmanay Celebration . It is the best there is. Is this the first time you have been . Not my first time, but the first time my boys have been. How have you found it so far today . Is really. Looking forward to next year. Fantastic, well, thank you very much, guys. The crowds are here tonight in fantastic spirits as always, in edinburgh, probably important to mention that Public Safety events like this are of paramount importance. We have been talking tonight about the recent incident in berlin and what Police Scotland have said to us is that they are having a proportionate response to tonight. That means they dont want to stop people having fun, but at the same time they also wa nt to fun, but at the same time they also want to make sure that people are safe. There are Something Like 800 Security Guards on hand to make sure things go smoothly. But the big build up now is building up towards the big Fireworks Display at midnight from edinburgh castle. We are told we will be able to see that from 20 miles outside edinburgh, even for those people who want there. The weather is great, people are in huge good spirits. Edinburgh really knows how to when those fireworks get started, in just under 50 minutes time. We have some Breaking News to bring you now. There has been some kind of attack on a nightclub in istanbul, in turkey. At the moment reuters are quoting turkish tv network ntv. They are saying it was an armed attack which took place and there have been some casualties. We understand a number of people have been injured, at the moment we dont know how many. According to reuters, this turkish tv network is showing footage of armed Police Vehicles on the street outside this nightclub in istanbul. It is 2am in istanbul, in 2017, they are three hours ahead of us. I dont have this is anything to do with celebrations taking place to mark the new year. There has been heightened security a number of turkish cities tonight, istanbul amongst them, of course. And also the capital, ankara. The traffic leading up to some the main squares in those two cities has been closed in advance of the celebrations. And of course 2016 has been a terrible yearfor of course 2016 has been a terrible year for attacks in turkey, of course 2016 has been a terrible yearfor attacks in turkey, in various parts of the country. All the information we have at the moment is that a number of people have been wounded in an armed attack ona have been wounded in an armed attack on a nightclub in istanbul. As soon as we have more details we will of course bring them to you. The new years honours list has been dominated by britains 0lympians and paralympians. There are knighthoods for andy murray and mo farah. And from the world of entertainment, there is a knighthood for knotty ash funny man ken dodd. 0ur Entertainment correspondent lizo mzimba has the details. Game, set, match, murray. Ending the year with a win on the court and with a knighthood to his name. The title sir andy, though, could take some getting used to. I feel more still like andy murray. It feels, obviously, more normal to me, but its obviously a big honour and im happy with that, a nice way to finish or start the new year. Gold for Great Britain again olympic champion mo farah says his knighthood is a dream come true. London 2012 gold medallist Jessica Ennis hill has become a dame, as has rower katherine grainger, after five medals from five 0lympics. In the world of entertainment, one of britainss favourite performers, ken dodd, has received a knighthood. I said to the fella, i said, excuse me, can you help me out . He said certainly, which way did you come in . The best day ever, you cant get better than this. Ive played lots of big theatres. But this is it this is the day, yes. Im very, very proud. Laughter. The bucket residence, lady of the house speaking. Actress patricia routledge, shes been made a dame. Kinks frontman ray davies said he felt humility and joy to become sir ray. A knighthood, too, for Award Winning actor mark rylance. Victoria beckham becomes an 0be for services to the fashion industry. The Hillsborough Independent Panel was chaired by the former bishop of liverpool, james jones. He has now been knighted. 0bviously great pride, but mixed with sadness because of that enduring sadness of the families, who have continued to feel the loss of their loved ones at hillsborough. He is one of hundreds being recognised for their contributions to their communities across the uk. The bbc understands that the queen will decide tomorrow whether she feels well enough to attend a new years Day Church Service at sandringham. A spokeswomen for Buckingham Palace said the queen is still recovering from a heavy cold. The queen also had to miss the christmas Day Church Service, which other members of the royal family attended. It is expected a decision will be made tomorrow morning. So called Islamic State has said it carried out two bombings at a busy market in the iraqi capital, baghdad, this morning, killing at least 28 people. More than 50 other people were wounded. A third blast happened later in the east of the city. 0ur correspondent jonny dymond reports. For iraqis, 2016 ends as it began, with bloodshed and grief. Just one of the shoppers and traders slaughtered on a saturday morning. There were two bombs. One in a car parts shop, then another when a crowd had formed around the first. Fathers, and sisters, and mothers, and brothers. Translation when we heard the explosion, we found many People Killed and wounded, whom we rescued and sent to the hospital. Why does this happen in iraq . Why to the iraqi people . To the north, the battle to take mosul, iraqs second city, from so called Islamic State continues. It is a long slog. And for many residents, the only way is out. Three more months, iraqs government says, the action might take. Maybe next year will be better. But many iraqis are giving up, as they flee their battered city with nothing but bags and suitcases. The United Nations Security Council has unanimously welcomed efforts to end the fighting in syrias civil war. The Resolution Calls for rapid access for the delivery of humanitarian aid. Russia and turkey have helped broker a truce. Its the third ceasefire this year as part of efforts to end nearly six years of fighting in syria. The headlines on bbc news new Year Celebrations are under way Around The World Berliners welcomed in 2017 less than two weeks after the attack on a Christmas Market. The un Security Council unanimously endorses the ceasefire in syria brokered by russia and turkey. More than 100 stars of the olympics and paralympics are recognised in the new years honours list. Now with a full round up of the sport, heres 0llie foster. Chelsea have finished the year 6 points clear at the top of the premier league. They beat stoke 11 2 and have matched arsenals record set 1a years ago of 13 wins in a row in a single season. It was 2 2 with 25 minutes to go at stamford bridge. But a second goal from willian helped secure the points. If they beat tottenham next week, they will match arsenals all time record of 1a straight wins set across two seasons. To win 14 games ina row across two seasons. To win 14 games in a row in this league is very difficult. 13. Today is another example. We faced against city. They played very well. My players showing me that they are very good to adapt in different situations. Different types of games we face. Liverpool are still second in the table after they beat third placed Manchester City at anfield. Not a great game. Georginio winaldum scored the only goal of the match. City are now ten points off the top of the table. The quality of man city, the situation in the season means we already have a lot of games was up when you invest in a game like this so much, in the end of course you wa nt to so much, in the end of course you want to have it all. Thank god we got it. The day after tomorrow we play again. Manchester united came from behind. Paul paul pogba scored in the end. Manchester united are scored in the end. Manchester united a re level scored in the end. Manchester united are level on points with spurs in fifth. In the other games, andre grey scored a hatrick for burnley as they beat struggling sunderland 4 1. Champions leicester had a much needed win against west ham. Hal robson kanu scored a brilliant winner for west brom as they beat southampton 2 1 to move up to eighth. Swansea, went down 3 0 at home to bournemouth. Paul clement is set to become their manager. Swansea are managerless at the moment after they sacked the american Bob Bradley Last Tuesday but paul clement is set to become their third manager of the season. Hes currently assistant to Carlo Ancelotti at Bayern Munich and was previously with the italian at chelsea, Paris St Germain and real madrid. He was sacked by derby earlier this year with the club fifth in the championship. Hes expected to take over at the premier leagues bottom club in the next 48 hours. In todays only match in the aviva rugby union premiership, exeter beat bath to jump above them into third place in the table. They staged a stunning second half comeback at the rec. They were 11 0 down at half time but two tries from james short in the final ten minutes saw them grab an unlikely win 17 points to 11. In the pro 12, leinster are up to second after beating ulster 22 7. Rory 0loughlin went over twice. There were also wins for the leaders munster, glasgow and edinburgh. Andy murray has been given a knighthood in the new year s honours list. He hasjust knighthood in the new year s honours list. He has just finished third in aberdovey. He beat the loss run each. It sounds strange. It was a big honour. He beat milos raonic. It was a nice way to finish the year. I am more than happyjust being known as andy, thats fine by me. That is your sport. From midnight tonight, anyone who owns an air gun in scotland will need a licence. The legislation was introduced after a toddler was killed by an Air Gun Pellet in glasgow in 2005. People in england and wales can own the weapons without any kind of documentation. Craig anderson reports. These are the guns that by january 1 will be illegal unless their owners have a licence. Already 11,000 people have applied for an Air Gun Certificate and anyone with a gun licence already can add air weapons to that. But thousands of Air Gun Owners have missed the deadline of october 31 to apply for a permit. Anyone who applied for a certificate before october 31 is ok because they applied early. Unfortunately, those who applied after that will have to wait some time before it is processed. They will have to make alternative arrangements for the safe storage of their airguns. Registered gun dealers like this one in inverness are providing a safe house for air weapons whose owners want to keep them but wont be licensed by sunday morning. Many of those in the gun trade think the clampdown is using a sledgehammer to crack a nut. Shooting people at high rise flats is illegal. Youre not allowed to do that, you never were. This legislation is a piece of tokenism which will achieve nothing. The people who will misuse air rifle are not the type of people who are going to go to the trouble of licensing their weapons anyway. But backers of the new laws say air weapons are involved in half of all gun crime in scotland and with an estimated 500,000 of them in scotland, tightening the legislation is justified. Thousands of airguns have already been handed in to police to be destroyed. Craig anderson, bbc news, inverness. Hull becomes the second ever Uk City Of Culture tomorrow. The Year Long Programme will include the Royal Shakespeare company taking up residence, and the Humber Bridge being turned into a musical instrument. 0rganisers say perceptions of hull will be changed forever. 0ur arts correspondent Colin Paterson has more. Hull, city of culture 2017. Many were surprised when it was chosen. Tomorrow, its year in the spotlight begins. And last minute preparations continue. The ferens art gallery. Five millionjust been imprinted. Its great. One of its most famous residents is very excited. We always thought culture was rugby and fish and chips now were seeing its more its art, its history. Its a wonderful feeling, its new buildings. Its a new confidence that people in hull are proud to say, come and see us in hull. Hull is promising at least one cultural event every day of 2017, with £32 million being spent. What are you hoping the city of culture will achieve for hull . I want, nationally and internationally, people to see that this is a fantastic city with great stories, great people, and a lot to offer. Because every city deserves its moment in the limelight. And 2017 is ours. It all starts tomorrow afternoon. Buildings will be used as giant screens to retell the citys history, with One Turning Hollywood into hullywood. People here have recreated famous movie scenes. And later in the evening theres going to be a giant musical Fireworks Display. That is what is going to be set off. And those are bigger than those that were used in londons new years eve celebrations. As for the soundtrack, every single song is by an act from hull. Its hoped that in 2017, one Million People will visit hull. And this has caused a problem. The city only has 1000 hotel rooms. Hello. Hi there, come in. So a campaign has encouraged locals into the bed and breakfast trade. Its a great role, really. It feels like an unpaid ambassador. So i can welcome people into our home, and really help them to understand a bit more about the city. They might come with a negative perception, but i really feel they will leave with a much more positive perception after theyve stayed here. And another bonus the bbc has decided that every time the Tv Weather Map appears in 2017, hull will be on it. The city of culture has literally been put on the map. Colin paterson, bbc news. If youre staying up to welcome in the new year then youll have a bit longer to wait as a leap second will be added to this years countdown to compensate for a slowdown in the earths rotation. The extra second will occur as clocks strike midnight and the change is needed because standard time lags behind atomic clocks. Heres our science correspondent rebecca morelle. Bell tolls this new years eve, you have a tiny bit longer to enjoy the celebrations. An extra second is being added to the worlds time. 195le eeiggieifsxflefitfinifiie 0ur planet speeds up and slows down as it spins. So while a single rotation equates to one day, some days end up being a tiny fraction longer or shorter than others. And gradually the earths time drifts out of sync some say that having to reprogram an extra second puts them at risk. A good evening to you. If you are out celebrating the midnight hour. For one or two of us, it is looking soggy. There is a band of rain sinking southwards. The rain is sitting in place across parts of england and north wales and Northern England and north wales and to the north of that, things are turning chile. The fireworks will be going off with chilly conditions. Chilly. It is the wet weather that ta kes chilly. It is the wet weather that takes us into new years day, the start of 2017, across the south west of england. At 9am, there will be wet weather. To the south east of that, the rain will not have arrived. It will still be mild but £43 anglia across east anglia and into the midlands, a start. 0ver yjidlands arson. Start. ,n the 1zf 177 ef the penninefirrtfltteseeg wet sleep and wet snow is starting to develop on the of 51 sleep and wet snow is starting to develop on the of 51 rain gauging. On the bark fiffffifigrifiaegifig that gteveleg. On the high fififfifigrifiaegifig that 5; is eye it; ; gee. Ee. ,e. 5 5. 5; . Iwiej. Ee. Ww. ,. E. W the 5 5. 5; . Iwiejwe e. W. ,w, w the e , place s©ififil® to across the gt ieteng where. Wemflm ireland. There will see showers. Ireland. There will see sleet and wet snow over high ground. All the while they were the cold air cutting into the back of the weather system. Instead of moving through nicely, it will hang back across parts of the midlands and the south east so are soggy day here that further north and west, brightest guys, windy and cold if you are out for a walk. Tomorrow night and into the early hours of monday, we will finally lose the weather front and then we are all into the cold air. A cold and frosty start to the Monday Morning and wintry showers peppering northern and eastern coasts and windy. Monday is actually looking like a lovely day if you wrap up well because they will be liskeard and sunshine. We will be liskeard and sunshine. We will have goodbye to the fog. Clear skies. As we get deeper into the week, High Pressure will sit to the week, High Pressure will sit to the west of the British Isles and north westerly winds, never particularly warm, quite strong as well through Northern Areas but we will see slightly less chilly air. Spells of sunshine and a fair amount of cloud. There will be more weather here after midnight on the other side at from me for now its good night and side at from me for now its good Nightandi Side at from me for now its good night and i wish you a happy new year. Hello, this is bbc news. The headlines at 11 30pm new Year Celebrations are under way on a Christmas Market. Security has been stepped up in major cities. In london, thousands of extra police have been deployed for the celebrations. The key thing is to strike the balance, and none of us wants to disrupt the enjoyment all of us want to have on new years eve. We cant allow the bad guys to spoil our way of life. Reports are coming in of an armed attack on a nightclub in istanbul. Turkish television says many people have been injured. The un Security Council has unanimously supported the ceasefire in syria brokered by russia and turkey. It has also called for rapid access for the delivery of humanitarian aid. The queens new years honours list is dominated by britains 0lympic and paralympic stars, including lee pearson, mo farah and andy murray. Reports are coming in of an armed attack on a nightclub in the turkish city of istanbul. Local media say shots were fired during new Year Celebrations at the trendy reina nightclub. Media say people have been wounded. Police and ambulances have been deployed to the area. Some reports from turkish ntv say that two attackers were involved in this assault on the nightclub, and according to cnn turkish, quoted by reuters, one of those attackers is said to still be inside the nightclub. Security measures have been increased in several cities across turkey, notably istanbul in the capital, angara, leading up to the capital, angara, leading up to the new years celebrations. Traffic has been diverted away from the squares in those cities ankara. Many of coarse nervous after those attacks in neath and berlin. Sketchy details coming in from istanbul at the moment but we will bring you more details on that attack when we get them. As countries around the world celebrate the start of a new year, many cities have modified Security Plans following the Lorry Attacks in berlin and nice. Concrete barriers have been placed in Central London to stop any potential attack, and thousands of extra police are on duty, as our correspondent helena lee reports. Three, two, one. Sydney, australia, one of the first major cities to welcome in 2017, the Harbour Bridge the focus of their spectacular display. Soon after, it was hong kongs turn, and this was their party. Disco Auld Lang Syne in london, theyre preparing for the nights celebrations. The met police says it has not had any specific intelligence to point to an attack, but they have looked at what happened in berlin and nice and adjusted their plans. As in the past, there will be officers with firearms. But the key thing is to strike the balance, and none of us wants to disrupt the enjoyment all of us want to have on new years eve. We cant allow the bad guys to spoil our way of life. In other european cities, including berlin, security has been stepped up. In her new years eve address, the german chancellor, angela merkel, acknowledged the threat the country faces. Translation the biggest test, without a doubt, is islamist terrorism, which has had germany in its sights for many years. In 2016 it attacked us in wurzburg, ansbach, and just a few days in the Christmas Market here in berlin. Other leaders sending messages include donald trump. He tweeted. This is how 2017 was welcomed, dubai style. A lavish display, with fireworks shooting from the sides of the burj khalifa, the worlds tallest skyscraper. Millions of others dont have too much longer to wait to celebrate their new years eve. We havent got long to go either. And this is the scene in london, with half an hour to go till midnight. I thought it was going to appear behind me. It is looking rather quiet out there are hundreds of thousands of people out on the streets of london. About 100,000 of them right knee at this, the london eye, with the lightbeam is shooting up eye, with the lightbeam is shooting up into the sky. At midnight, in about 23 minutes or so, the sky will be filled with fireworks, of course, and also lots of music this evening. We have already been hearing from the police about how they have provided a visible presence this year to give people reassurance that they are taking as many precautions as they can, following that attack just a week ago in the Christmas Market in berlin. We will of course bring you those fireworks. Wouldnt be right without it, would it . The new years honours list has been dominated by britains 0lympians and paralympians. There are knighthoods for andy murray and mo farah. And from the world of entertainment, there is a knighthood for knotty ash funny man ken dodd. 0ur Entertainment correspondent lizo mzimba has the details. Game, set, match, murray. Ending the year with a win on the court and with a knighthood to his name. The title sir andy, though, could take some getting used to. I feel more still like andy murray. Feels, obviously, more normal to me. But its obviously a big honour and im happy with that, a nice way to finish, or start the new year. Gold for Great Britain again olympic champion mo farah says his knighthood is a dream come true. London 2012 gold medallist Jessica Ennis hill has become a dame, as has rower katherine grainger, after five medals from five 0lympics. In the world of entertainment, one of britainss favourite performers, ken dodd, has received a knighthood. I said to the fella, i said, excuse me, can you help me out . He said certainly, which way did you come in . The best day ever, you cant get better than this. Ive played lots of big theatres. But this is it this is the day, yes. Im very, very proud. Laughter. The bucket residence, the lady of the house speaking. Actress patricia routledge, she has been made a dame. Of liverpool, james jones. He has now been knighted. 0bviously great pride, but mixed with sadness because of that enduring sadness of the families, who have continued to feel the loss of their loved ones at hillsborough. He is one of hundreds being recognised for their contributions to their communities across the uk. The bbc understands that the queen will decide tomorrow whether she feels well enough to attend a new years Day Church Service at sandringham. A spokeswomen for Buckingham Palace said the queen is still recovering from a heavy cold. The queen also had to miss the christmas Day Church Service, which other members of the royal family attended. It is expected a decision will be made tomorrow morning. So called Islamic State has said it carried out two bombings at a busy market in the iraqi capital, baghdad, this morning, killing at least 28 people. More than 50 other people were wounded. The attack was carried out by two militants wearing suicide vests. The United Nations Security Council has unanimously welcomed efforts to end the fighting in syrias civil war. The Resolution Calls for rapid access for the delivery of humanitarian aid. Russia and turkey have helped broker a truce. It is the third ceasefire this year, as part of efforts to end nearly six years of fighting in syria. 20 minutes until they set the fireworks off over london. 0ur Correspondentjonathan blake is in Central London for us. Jonathan. Yes, not long to go now before london kicks off its new years eve celebrations. As you can probably hear, the party is already swing down here on the in full swing down here on the embankment. There are 100,000 people also who have tickets to tonights event, and they have just about the best view in town. As well as those on the bridges across the river thames, they have been waiting for several hours now, patiently, for the fireworks to kick off. And we are going to be treated to a 12 minute display here in Central London. The london eye behind me will be the centrepiece of that. On the river thames there are barges packed with 30 tons of equipment, all held together with about eight Kilometres Worth of cable. And the show itself will be set to a carefully selected soundtrack, featuring david bowie, prints, some other key acts from the last year, and there will be 12,000 fireworks, Something Like 50,000 individual explosions prince. So it does promise to be one of the most spec pa kula promise to be one of the most spec pakula displays seen across the world spectacular. The people who have been waiting patiently or might have been waiting patiently or might have been waiting patiently or might have been getting a bit chilly in the last hour or so. A little bit cold out there, but they are ready and waiting, and with, as i say, the best view in town for the fireworks, which will be kicking off in 20 minutes time. Our correspondent andrew black is in edinburgh for us, and it is a broad night, ithink andrew black is in edinburgh for us, and it is a broad night, i think the word is. Absolutely. We are in the final few minutes until the bells. At the moment you can probably hear that paolo nutini is on the main stage. It has been a great night in edinburgh. A sell out night so here on Princes Street and the surrounding area we have 75,000 people gathering to see in 2017 and the bells, and all of that will be beamed around the world to 1 billion people. Police have been very vigilant tonight for anything, of course, following the incident in early on, but they have had a very proportionate response to tonight. They have wanted to make sure people we re they have wanted to make sure people were having fun, while making sure everything was safe. Now we are just building up to the main event of the night, that is the gigantic Fireworks Display which is going to be launched from the battlements of edinburgh castle. We are told that is the most intense six minutes of fireworks you will see anywhere in the uk, and infact even fireworks you will see anywhere in the uk, and in fact even if you are not in edinburgh you will still see the fireworks and the accompanying laser show for more than 20 miles around. One of the best things about tonight, though, has been the weather. I can probably tell you, it is barmy for this time of year in scotland. It was raining a bit earlier on, but the weather has really been fantastic. And the crowd are in great spirits. Let mejust give the final word here to the crowd, they will probablyjust give you a big cheer before we finish. There we go. Perfect timing. You have rehearsed them very well. Thank you very much. A balmy night, says andrew, in edinburgh. You can still see his breath. It is not that army, is it . A different definition. As the uk counts down the final minutes of 2016, countries around the world, or more specifically, to the east of here, have already been celebrating the new year. Australia was one of the first, and the fireworks in sydney were as impressive as ever. Beat that, says sydney. A similarly extravagant display unfolded On The Waterfront in hong kong which rang in the new year in its imitable style. Hgppy happy new year for Auld Lang Syne, my dear for Auld Lang Syne, well take a cup okindness yet for Auld Lang Syne should auld acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind . Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and Auld Lang Syne and surely yell be your pi ntstowp and surey ill be mine and well take a cup okindness yet for Auld Lang Syne happy new year disco Auld Lang Syne plays. Quite enough of that. If you prefer your Auld Lang Syne in a more traditional style, prefer your Auld Lang Syne in a more traditionalstyle, edinburgh prefer your Auld Lang Syne in a more traditional style, edinburgh will be on soon. And this years fireworks in dubai which lit up the burj khalifa, the worlds tallest building, marked a more successful year for the city than last year, when a Skyscraper Fire threatened to upset celebrations. Dubai, we like that, thank you very much. A little closer to home the new yearfireworks in berlin within the past hour. Its a city which has had a difficult few weeks but sights set firmly on the future in this display from the brandenburg gate. That is how the Fireworks Saw in 2017 in berlin. Some much needed light relief. The london fireworks are just minutes away. 0ur Correspondentjonathan blake is in Central London for us. Iam bringing i am bringing you up to date with the latest lines from istanbul regarding the attack on a nightclub. It is an armed attack taking place tonight according to turkish tv. Also cnn turkish have also been reporting on this. The latest assessments are that 20 30 people may have been wounded in this attack on the nightclub. According to reports, two gunmen entered the club dressed in santa claus costumes and began opening fire at random. Ambulances were dispatched, armoured Police Vehicles have been seen on the street outside the nightclub. It is said to be two attackers involved will stop the latest reports are that one of the attackers is still inside the building. Police Special Forces were preparing to mount an operation so they could enter the building in the hope of bringing the attack to an end. Security measures in istanbul and ankara and other major cities around the world have been heightened in advance of new Year Celebrations. Traffic leading up Year Celebrations. Traffic leading up to the main squares in these cities have also been stopped. That is what we are hearing so far from istanbul. The london fireworks are just minutes away. 0ur Correspondentjonathan blake is in Central London for us. Not long to go, jonathan . Not long to go at all. It has been a long wait for the 100,000 or so people who are packed into the Viewing Areas here in Central London. In a last minute or so, the music has stopped, the dj has been keeping the crowd warmed up all night long. People have been here for several hours wanting to get the best view. For the third year in a row, the event has been ticketed will stop the organisers say it is to keep it safe and to make sure everybody gets a good view. The embankment is packed. It is not long at all to go until london celebrates the end of 2016 at the beginning of 2017. There will be 12 minutes of the fireworks set to a specially selected soundtrack featuring some of the artist who have died over the past 12 months. There will be 50,000 individual explosions at lighting up the night sky. Three barges with 30 tons of equipment on the river behind me. The countdown is now on. As the midnight hour approaches, The Chimes Of Big Ben will kick off the display and we will get in early and wish you a happy new year. Jonathan blake. Soaking up the atmosphere. Lets listen to the chimes. Big ben tolls