New Year: Good morning. It’s 2016.

Amid heightened security, celebrants rang in the New Year in major cities around the world without incident. A “concrete” terrorism threat in Munich failed to materialize.

As many as a million people gathered in New York’s Times Square as CNN host Kathy Griffin flashed her middle finger at someone out there … don’t know who. The twitterverse was rife with speculation that CNN’s Don Lemon was broadcasting live and drunk from a bar in New Orleans and would end the evening in a hot tub with co-host Brooke Baldwin.

A 4.2 magnitude earthquake hit Oklahoma City. Pope Francis called for an end to the “arrogance of the powerful.” North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un said in his New Year’s speech that he is ready for war if provoked by “invasive” outsiders. Star Wars creator George Lucas compared the Walt Disney Company to “white slavers” who bought his children then apologized. And the final season of the British television series “Downton Abbey” begins Sunday night on Public Broadcasting.

Towering Inferno: A luxury high-rise hotel in Dubai burst into flames last night, spoiling the party for New Year’s revelers staying there. Explosions were heard from inside as fire burned the middle and upper floors of the 63-story building. No one was reported to be seriously injured. Firefighters fought the flames even as New Year’s fireworks lit the sky.

Politics: With their candidate’s poll numbers diving, three of Ben Carson’s top campaign advisors resigned after an internal power struggle. Carson’s campaign manager, deputy campaign manager, and communications director all quit. The retired neurosurgeon turned presidential candidate is expected to announce the appointment of retired Gen. Robert Dees, who met Carson in church. Carson is running fourth on Republican polls at 16 percent.

The Obit Page: Wayne Rogers, the handsome wisecracker who played Captain “Trapper” John McIntyre on the long running television series M*A*S*H, has died of pneumonia at age 82. Rogers appeared on other television shows, but his real professional genius was investing, real estate development, and money managing.

The Sports Page: No. 1 ranked Clemson remains undefeated and is headed to the college football championship game after beating Oklahoma 37-17 in the Orange Bowl.

No. 2 Alabama crushed Michigan State 38-0 in the Cotton Bowl. They’re gunning for their fourth national championship in seven years. Alabama is a university that also offers college classes.

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