We work with our partners at underbelly, the event organiser, as well as gas security, the security provider, the city of Edinburgh Council and the other Emergency Services to make sure that everybody is as safe as they possibly can be at tonights event. And what kind of potential Security Issues might you have to deal with at an event of this scale . Generally, when you have so many people coming to an event and clearly there is alcohol that will be undertaken by a number of people and we would ask people to drink responsibly. And its important for people to keep as safe as possible. And this is an event which has been held for many years now and i guess there has never really been any massive problems at any one particular event, it seems to be the kind of event where most people turn up and want to enjoy themselves. They certainly do and the number of arrests we have seen over the years at this event is exceptionally low. Our role here really is to provide that additional layer of security and make sure that people are as safe as possible. And we have in recent years, at big public event like this they have been targeted by people, terror attacks and that kind of thing. Is that something that is in your mind when you are policing an event like this . Do you have to lay on extra security measures and that kind of thing because of that kind of risk . Clearly, given the events that have taken place, particularly over the last 12 months across the uk, we have to be cognisant of the potential for an attack and because of that, this year i have moved to an overt deployment of Armed Police Officers and that is purely a precautionary measure and to provide a greater level of public reassurance. And we also have a greater number of road closures to make sure the event arena is as safe as possible. But there is no specific intelligence about a threat to this event. And in terms of anyone whose kids might be coming along tonight or any families, what would you be able to say to reassure people . It is a great event, please come and enjoy yourself but please plan yourjourney and in particular know how youre going to get home. If you are coming as a group, please look after each other. I think in particular if you are going to drink, please do so responsibly and be aware that we are discouraging people from bringing bags to the event. The likelihood is you will be searched and for that reason we would discourage people from bringing large bags. Coming up in a moment werejoined by viewers on bbc one for a round up of all the days news. Four britons are feared dead after a sightseeing seaplane crashes near sydney. The aircraft plunged into a river during a trip in the run up to the new years eve celebrations. Here, disruption for rail travellers, as new year strikes hit South Western Railway and Crosscountry Services. A penalty save helps Manchester City avoid defeat, but their 18 game winning run in the premier league comes to an end at crystal palace. Three, two, one. And new Year Celebrations get under way around the globe, as we prepare to welcome 2018. Good evening. A seaplane has crashed into a river near sydney, killing all six people on board. Reports suggest four of those who have died are british, although this hasnt been confirmed by the police. The Foreign Office here is in contact with officials in australia. The aircraft, which was on a sightseeing trip in advance of the new Year Celebrations, came down in a river close to the suburb of cowan. Phil mercer reports from sydney. The seaplane crashed into Jerusalem Bay near the town of cowan. On board were five passengers and the pilot. The single engine aircraft is thought to have sunk rapidly. A witness said it had made a tight right hand turn and then nosedived into the hawkesbury river. A full scale search was soon under way. There were no survivors. Police divers have found the six bodies. The wreckage of the plane remains in more than a0 feet of water. The Authorities Say a full investigation will take place. I cannot confirm the identity or ages of the people who were on the plane. We are. It is early in the investigation, and we are working with the plane company, getting investigators here to confirm the identities and investigate why the plane crashed into the water. The seaplane was returning from a waterfront restaurant to rose bay on Sydney Harbour. Its a journey that would normally take around 20 minutes. The aircraft is owned by sydney seaplanes. It provides flights around some of the citys most popular tourist attractions, including the opera house, the harbour bridge, and to the north the hawkesbury river. The company said in a statement that its pilots are some of the most experienced in the world and that all its flights had been suspended until further notice. Air crash investigators will arrive at the site of the accident early on new years day to try to establish how and why a routine sightseeing flight could end in catastrophe. Phil mercer, bbc news, sydney. Here, thousands of rail travellers have faced disrupted journeys today as workers from two Companies Stage a 24 hour strike. Members of the rmt union on South Western Railway and crosscountry are taking action in disputes about the role of guards and working patterns. Lets go to Waterloo Station in london, and our correspondent anisa kadri. What have people been telling you, how has the travelling day been . Well, this is the countrys busiest station right behind me, waterloo, and not far at all from londons big fireworks display this evening. We have been in and out today, we have checked on things, and there have been a few cancellations, but there are been a few cancellations, but there a re posters been a few cancellations, but there are posters up warning that strike action is taking its effect, and they believe it is going to get really busy this evening. Indeed, South Western Railway, which operates a number of services, including two hampshire, sorry and berkshire, it says that there are reduced services running, and indeed they believe that a quarter of trains wont be running at all. And its not just here trains wont be running at all. And its notjust here that there is likely to be a lot of disruption this evening. Indeed, Crosscountry Services are also affected because of industrial action. That means that services between newcastle and edinburgh are factored, there are reduced services there, and glasgow and aberdeen, those services are affected. As for the people striking, well, the members of the rmt union, they say that this is the way to raise awareness of their working conditions, their rotors, and also the issue of driver only trains. Indeed, they believe they are unsafe and you need guards on those trains as well. But the government says they are causing misery for passengers on new years eve. The advice is to check online for updates. As Anti Government protests continue across iran, president Hassan Rouhani is making a televised address to the nation. Its his first Public Statement since the unrest began on thursday. Two people have been killed in demonstrations which began because of anger about alleged corruption and rising food prices. With me now is kasra naji of the bbcs persian service. What are we hearing about what president rouhani might have to say . We have the draft of the speech that has been published, he says iranians have a right to protest, but not to resort to violence or destruction. He says that iran faces many problems that date back to previous yea rs, problems that date back to previous years, this is a reference to years of international sanctions, because of international sanctions, because of Irans Nuclear programme. He also adds that he expects the government and the people to roll up their sleeves and Work Together to resolve these issues. But these words are unlikely, in my view, to calm the situation in iran. We have seen protests all over the country for the last four days, and they are still going on, we are getting reports of more of them coming in. And its unlikely to satisfy many of those demonstrators who have been calling for the overthrow of this government and the overthrow of the whole clerical regime. Kasra naji, thank you very much for now, thank you. At least 36 people have been killed in a head on collision between a lorry and a bus on a notoriously dangerous road in kenya. The bus was carrying people to the capital, nairobi, when the accident happened on the Nakuru Eldoret highway near nakuru. More than 100 people have died in the last few weeks on that stretch of road alone. Ian palmer reports. Few survived the crash. First responders searched twisted metal to help and recover the injured, the dying and the dead. Police say the number of People Killed on this dangerous stretch of road has risen to 100 for the month of december alone. The east african country has one of the worst road safety records in the world. Its either the brakes failed, or the driver, for one reason or the other, was unable to control the vehicle. You never know what happens at night. Both drivers died in the head on collision. Officials say 3000 people die in road accidents each year in kenya. The World Health Organisation says the true figure could be as high as 12,000. Ian palmer, bbc news. Criminal gangs who claim benefits underfalse identities are to be targeted by the government using artificial intelligence. The department for work and pensions says it will use sophisticated Computer Programming to detect fraudulent claims for universal credit and jobseekers allowance. Now, new Year Celebrations have begun around the world as we welcome in 2018. New zealand was the first to light fireworks, then Sydney Harbour was lit up in a blaze of colour, as australia welcomed the new year. Richard lister reports. Five, four, three, two, one. Once again, sydney set the standard for new years fireworks. 1. 5 Million People lined the Harbour Front for a dazzling, deafening celebration. The rainbow theme was a tribute to australias legalisation of same sex marriage. Two hours earlier, auckland, new zealand, was the first major city to celebrate 2018, its sky tower lit up like a giant roman candle. Excited korean voiceover that is the unmistakable sound of north Korea Joining the celebrations, with what else but a display of rocket power . While midnight swept around the world, new york was gearing up for its celebrations, one of several cities with unprecedented security this year. Parts of china have had a day of festivities, even though theyll mark the new year in february. Music Auld Lang Syne but hong kong may have outdazzled sydney. Fireworks exploded across Victoria Harbour to a tune most of us will be singing later. Richard lister, bbc news. Well, here preparations are under way around the country. Big crowds are expected in london and edinburgh. Jonathan blake is on the banks of the thames. And andrew black is in edinburgh. First to jonathan. Yes, the countdown is on to londons celebrations, the london eye will once again be the centrepiece of tonights huge fireworks display, a massive effort in central london. In just a couple of hours time, 100,000 people will begin filling up the viewing areas on the embankment and the bridges across the river thames as well. Security is tight, as you would expect, the metropolitan police say there is no specific threat, but they are asking people to be vigilant, and there are armed officers on patrol. As for the fireworks themselves, 11 minutes with, 50,000 individual explosions, all choreographed to a specially chosen soundtrack, and carefully controlled from this booth behind us on the river thames. Big ben will chime in midnight to see in 2018, two gig off something which promises to bea two gig off something which promises to be a spectacular display. That is from london, andrew black is in edinburgh. Well, it is as we say appear, absolutely baltic, not that that has ever stopped people coming down in massive numbers to see in the new year. Princes street is looking quiet at the moment, but in a few hours time some 60,000 people will be gathering to see in the new year, which ends with a massive fireworks display being launched from the ramparts of Edinburgh Castle. Security is also an issue, as jonathan was saying, much the same in edinburgh, armed police on duty, but no specific threat to any events taking place here tonight. The other issue, of course, is whether parts of scotland have taken a bit of a battering from storm dylan, but organisers say that they dont think anything will be affected by that, so anything will be affected by that, sol anything will be affected by that, so i think, all in all, we are in for a pretty good night. Andrew and jonathan, thanks very much, enjoy it if you can, thank you. Football, and Manchester Citys winning run in the premier league has come to a halt after 18 games. They were held to a goalless draw this afternoon at crystal palace. But they still head into the new year with a 14 point lead at the top of the premier league. Adam wild watched the action. The message from fans was clear enough. Still, it is rather hard to imagine just how things could get any better for Manchester City. Never has a team been so far ahead at the end of the year. To their potential, well, there seems no end. But against crystal palace, this was a new year lacking celebration. Gabrieljesus injured, leaving in tears. It was his replacement, sergio aguero, that went the closest in the first half, but this was not the brilliance from city that all have come to fear. Victory would have equalled the european record. The target, then, straightforward hitting it seemingly less so. But palace are a side with aims of their own. They did have chances with which they should have done better. Everyone seemed to know it. And that, ultimately, for them, is how this will be remembered. In the 90th minute, awarded a penalty, late drama to end the year luca milivojevic, though, unable to see it out with a bang. So not quite the perfect end to 2017 for either side. For both, new years eve, as is so often the case, a bit of an anti climax. Adam wild, bbc news. Historians have a fresh insight into everyday life in ancient egypt as a result of new technology. Researchers at University College london have developed a scanning technique that reveals what is written on the papyrus of mummy cases. Pallab ghosh has this exclusive report. The hieroglyphics found in the tombs of the pharaohs show the lives of the ancient egyptians. But the paintings are what the rich and powerful wanted the people to know they are the propaganda of their time. But now theres a wealth of information about ordinary people being discovered using a new scientific technique. With a specially modified camera, researcher cerys jones takes photos of a mummys case at Chiddingstone Castle in kent. You cant see anything with the naked eye, but using infrared, a name is revealed irethoreru. A common name in ancient egypt, its a stephen or david of its time. Its amazing. Everyone in the room gasped, and people jumped up and ran for the computer, because in that one image you could read it. These scraps of papyrus are more than 2,000 years old. They were recycled to make the breastplate that covered a mummified body. The writing is obscured by the plaster and paste that hold them together, but researchers can see what lies beneath by scanning them with different kinds of light which makes the inks glow. These now constitute one of the best libraries we have of waste papyrus that otherwise would have been thrown away, so it includes things like, you know, tax receipts, and everyday information that we would nowadays throw away, back then they would throw away, but fortunately it was recycled into these objects. Our knowledge of ancient egypt is through the eyes of pharaohs and the very wealthy who were buried with their possessions, but this new imaging technique is enabling researchers to find out about the lives of ordinary egyptians. Until now, the only way to see what was written on the papyrus was to destroy these masks, leaving egyptologists with a dilemma do they destroy these precious objects, or do they keep them untouched, leaving the stories within them untold . I am really horrified when i see objects like these papyri cartonnages being destroyed in order to get at the text inside. Theyre finite resources, and we now have the technology to both preserve those beautiful, precious objects that tell us about, you know, ways of dying, but also looking inside them in order to understand the ways that the egyptians lived. There are hundreds of cases and masks that can be scanned, each one telling its own individual story of everyday life in ancient egypt. Pallab ghosh, bbc news. Ill be back on bbc one with the late news, which is at 9 30 in scotland and at ten oclock elsewhere. Now its time for the news wherever you are. Enjoy your evening. Goodbye. Good evening, you are still watching bbc news. We can return to edinburgh as we continue oui coverage bbc news. We can return to edinburgh as we continue our coverage of the build up to the new years eve celebrations. Andrew black is there. I hope its not too cold. Talk us through what is usually a great night in edinburgh. Firstly it is pretty cold but things are already gearing up for pretty cold but things are already gearing upfora pretty cold but things are already gearing up for a greg knight here and if you look behind me, this is Princes Street a great night. It is probably the quietest you will see it but in a few hours we are expecting some 60,000 people to gatherfor expecting some 60,000 people to gather for the main street party in advance of the bells tonight. For more on what is happening this evening i am joined by ed bartram who is in charge of everything tonight. This is a significant year, the 25th anniversary of money celebrations. It is a big year and we want to be give it a big refresh. It isa we want to be give it a big refresh. It is a big the biggest street party we have had eight stages, over 100 different performances, acrobats and fire eaters and an amazing light and fire eaters and an amazing light and sound show and the longest fireworks from the castle in the history of hogmanay, nine minutes long and 15,000 different rockets. And did you feel every year you have to go one better . My event company, underbelly, this is our first year running it which is a big honour and it is exciting and we wanted to put oui it is exciting and we wanted to put our mark on it and heighten some of the live aspects. There are not many cities around the world that have a street party, many have fireworks but this is a huge street party that starts at 7pm and finishes at 1am and has loads of different stuff going on throughout the arena. And how has the street party involved . I remember coming 20 odd years ago as a street party and it was fairly straightforward, you would have a drink and watch the fireworks and go home but it seems to have evolved into something much bigger. M started i think at an event, a free event that anybody could turn up to and in the last ten or 15 years it became more ticketed and more content was put in. I think edinburgh is the home of hogmanay, you cannot find a better place to set off fireworks than the castle behind us and it means so much to scotland. It is about welcoming people to scotland at the start of the year and it is great we have such a Huge International audience coming to the city for this one special night. And a word on security, Massive Public events like these will always be a potential focus given the kind of attacks we have seen in the past so what is your approach . That balance is to make sure people still have a good time. We have spent months working with Police Scotland and the council and the security arrangement are very robust as you would expect. There is a Significant Police presence but that is in keeping with the current uk threat level and what you would expect from major event like this. We are obviously doing bag checks and we advise people not to bring a bag because you will get in quick but its important for us to make sure it is as safe and secure as well as a fun night and we are lucky to worse with closely with Police Scotland to achieve that. Thank you for that. Of course the events to might end with the spectacular fireworks display launched from the ramparts of Edinburgh Castle to see in the new year. One of the issues has been potential weather problems with a concern about storm dylan but the organisers say they do not anticipate any weather related problems to have any impact on any events going on here so i think we are infora events going on here so i think we are in for a pretty good night. Excellent, good luck and stay warm if you can i should not have been so flippant if you can i should not have been so flippa nt about if you can i should not have been so flippant about the weather it is a long night when it is that cold. The build up to the celebrations in edinburgh. Before we move onto some of the other stories of the day, few details coming in in the last few minutes, we are hearing reports of a fire at the Liverpool Echo arena. It is being described as a majorfire in the multistorey car park. It is thought that 150 cars are inside the car park, it is described as a major fire and if you are in the area you might know that it is currently staging the International Horse of the year show this tweet shows that the horses have all been moved inside the arena for safety. You can see that they are inside. There were a lot of people due to be there. We are hearing that people who have parked there are going to have to get public transport home and Mike Atherton tomorrow. Some unclear details but that is the information we have been sent thus far. Merseyside fire and rescue were called at around a quarter to five this evening. A fire at the Liverpool Echo arena and as far as we can tell it is purely in the car park but nonetheless it is being described as a major fire. We will keep an eye on that. Such a busy night of the year and there is an ongoing show their soap we will keep you up to date with that. And the weather prospects, as we have been reflecting in edinburgh and elsewhere, important on this night so lets find what they are wherever you are the country. The worst of storm dylan has now passed. Early in the day we had gusts of up to 76 mph, some big waves and rough seas and travel disruption but some areas have missed all of it and enjoy some sunshine. It has been a real mixture and the focus now turns to showers and the focus now turns to showers and squally winds in the south west driving along the south coast so those showers come into eastern areas. If youre planning to see in the new year, expect some showers, particularly in Northern Ireland, western scotland, eastern scotland and north east england might be dry and north east england might be dry and not as windy as earlier but it will feel quite chilly. We do have a band of showers running eastwards across england and wales, one lot clears away from the east coast, another coming into wales and the south west. As we head into the first day of the new year, there is storm dylan heading towards scandinavia. A secondary low will bring showers from the north west on new years day and is developing low could bring stormy winds across the channel and parts of france. There will be a spell of rain running eastwards a cross will be a spell of rain running eastwards across the south of the country in the morning on new years day and some sunshine before those dusty winds blow more showers into Northern Ireland and Northern England and wales and perhaps the north midlands. Quite a cold day in scotland, even in the north east where it is largely dry, typical temperatures for this time of the year but as the showers fade away and the winds drop overnight it will get colder and we are more likely to get colder and we are more likely to get a touch of frost in rural areas. In the south west it will be milder because there will be rain coming in at the end of the night and that will push across the whole of the country on tuesday and it might give us some snow over the country on tuesday and it might give us some snow over the pennines and Higher Ground in scotland