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New Year: Celebrations begin to mark start of 2016 | New Year: Celebrations begin to mark start of 2016 |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The world has begun celebrating the New Year, with revellers in Australia and New Zealand among the first to usher in 2016. | |
Crowds counted down the last seconds of 2015 at Auckland's Sky Tower in New Zealand at 1100 GMT, with a laser show and fireworks display. | |
Up to 25,000 people had been expected to turn up for the festivities. | |
In Australia, fireworks lit up Sydney harbour at midnight (13:00 GMT). A million were expected to turn up. | |
New Zealand welcomed in 2016 an hour after Samoa and Kiribati, the first countries to ring in the New Year. | |
As the New Year sweeps across Asia, major cities like Hong Kong, Singapore and Beijing will kick off their own celebrations. | |
In Egypt, festivities will be staged in front of the pyramids near Cairo, as the government works to revive its tourist industry. | In Egypt, festivities will be staged in front of the pyramids near Cairo, as the government works to revive its tourist industry. |
Meanwhile, in Dubai, an extravagant display will illuminate the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, with 400,000 LED lights and 1.6 tons of fireworks set to be used. | Meanwhile, in Dubai, an extravagant display will illuminate the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, with 400,000 LED lights and 1.6 tons of fireworks set to be used. |
When 2016 hits Europe, approximately one million people will countdown at the Brandenburg Gate in Germany's capital, Berlin. | When 2016 hits Europe, approximately one million people will countdown at the Brandenburg Gate in Germany's capital, Berlin. |
Despite security fears across the continent, many major public events are going ahead, though with heightened security restrictions. | Despite security fears across the continent, many major public events are going ahead, though with heightened security restrictions. |
In Madrid, only 25,000 people will be allowed into the Puerta del Sol Square. More than 100,000 people are expected to watch the Mayor of London's fireworks show, a ticketed event. | In Madrid, only 25,000 people will be allowed into the Puerta del Sol Square. More than 100,000 people are expected to watch the Mayor of London's fireworks show, a ticketed event. |
Over in Sierra Leone, the declared end of Ebola will mark a return to festivities, after Freetown, the capital, was left deserted a year ago due to the disease's outbreak. | Over in Sierra Leone, the declared end of Ebola will mark a return to festivities, after Freetown, the capital, was left deserted a year ago due to the disease's outbreak. |
As 2016 finally reaches the Americas, up to a million people are expected to converge on Times Square in New York, amid tight security, to watch the famous ball descend. | As 2016 finally reaches the Americas, up to a million people are expected to converge on Times Square in New York, amid tight security, to watch the famous ball descend. |
On Rio de Janeiro's Copacabana Beach, crowds will not only mark the New Year - they will also fete the 100th anniversary of Samba music, and the upcoming summer Olympics. | On Rio de Janeiro's Copacabana Beach, crowds will not only mark the New Year - they will also fete the 100th anniversary of Samba music, and the upcoming summer Olympics. |