31/12/2016 BBC Weekend News

Fireworks and festivities welcome in 2017.

In Australia, there was a spectacular display of fireworks

Security is stepped up for New Year celebrations in major

In London, thousands of extra police are deployed.

Sydney, Australia, one of the first cities to welcome in 2017.

The Harbour Bridge the focus of their spectacular display.

Soon after, it was Hong Kong's turn and this was their party.

In London, they're preparing for tonight's celebrations.

The Met Police says it is not had any specific intelligence

to point to an attack, but they've looked at

what happened in Berlin and Nice and adjusted their plans.

There'll be more than 3000 visible police officers present tonight.

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 Year's Eve.

We can't allow the bad guys to spoil our way of life.

In other European cities, including Berlin, security

In her New Year's Eve address, the German Chancellor Angela Merkel

acknowledged the threat her country faces.

TRANSLATION: The biggest test, without a doubt,

is Islamist terrorism, which has had Germany

In 2016 it attacked us in Wurzburg, Asbach and just a few days ago

in the Christmas market here in Berlin.

Other political leaders sending New Year messages

Around the world, millions of people are getting ready

to celebrate their New Year's Eve, welcoming in 2017 in style.

Our correspondent is in Edinburgh. Things are well underway here. The

gates opened at 9pm and thousands of people have been streaming and ever

since. The event tonight as a sell-out. Some 75,000 people will be

seeing in the 2017 when it comes. They're partying is going to be

beamed around the world to something like 1 billion people. The live

music has already started and spirits are quite high. Public

safety is paramount in public events like this and other Hogmanay events

are rendered the UK have had to review the policing arrangements.

That is no different in Edinburgh. Police Scotland to have said that

they are taking a proportionate view. They want people to have fun

but they want to make sure that they are safe at the same time. There are

hundreds of security guards on duty as well so very much hoping that

everything goes to plan tonight. The big build-up is towards the giant

fireworks display, which is happening from the battlements of

Edinburgh Castle at are told that we will be able to see the firework

display for 30 miles around. The weather is good, spirits are high

and we are in for a pretty spectacular night.

So, Islamic State has claimed is responsible for a blast.

For a Raaqys, 2016 ended in bloodshed and grief. -- Iraqis.

There were two bombs. One in a car park. And 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 hospital. Why does this

happen in Iraq? Why to the Iraqi people? To the north, the battle to

take Mosul, Iraq's 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, Iraq's government says, the action may take. Maybe

next year will be better. But many Iraqis giving up. They flee their

battered city with nothing but bags and suitcases.

Here, Hull becomes the second UK City of Culture tomorrow. : Paterson

reports. Hull, city of Culture 2017. Many were surprised when it was

chosen. Tomorrow it's year in the spotlight begins. Last-minute

preparations continue. It's great. One of its most famous residences

very excited. We always thought culture was rugby and fish and

chips. Now it is more. It is art, it is history, it is a wonderful

feeling, its new buildings, a new confidence. People are proud. 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

this is a fantastic city with great stories, great people and a lot to

offer. Because every city deserves its moment in the limelight. 2017 is

ours. It all starts tomorrow afternoon. Buildings will be used as

giant screens to retail the city's history. With one... People here

have recreated famous movie scenes. Later in the evening there will be a

giant fireworks display. That is what is going to be set off. Those

are bigger than those that will be used in London. For the soundtrack,

every single song is by an act from Hull. It is hoped that in 2017 a

million people will visit Hull. This has caused a problem. The city only

has a thousand hotel rooms. So a campaign has encouraged locals into

the bed-and-breakfast trade. I feel like an unpaid ambassador, I can

welcome people into our home and help them to understand a bit more

about the city. I feel they will leave with a positive perception

after they have stayed here. And other bonus. The BBC has decided

that every time the TV weather map appears in 2017, Hull will be

honoured. The City of Culture has literally been put on the map. In

today's football, Premier League leaders Chelsea beat Stoke City 4-2

for their 13th win in a row. Liverpool and Manchester City had

the chance to close the gap in the late kick-off.

Patrick Geary reports. This is a night to remember old acquaintances.

Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola met many times on German touchlines.

They are two of the Premier League's so-called super managers, charged

with invigorating teams and players, like Adam Lallana, picking out

Wijnaldum. Through the first-half, the pressing came from the men in

red. The only thing missing, precision. Those in offered little.

Manchester City took the best part of an hour to muster anything. That

was Sergio Aguero's first shot of the match. It sparked a mini surge.

David Silva gave and filled its first truly nervous moment. But this

was an anti-climax. -- Anfield. This win sets up Liverpool's New Year's

chines. -- talents. Much more throughout the

evening on the BBC News Channel. Now it is time for the