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| New Year: Celebrations mark start of 2016 | New Year: Celebrations mark start of 2016 |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Countries around the world are marking the New Year, with festivities currently under way in parts of Europe and Africa. | |
| Russia and Kenya are among the latest countries to usher in 2016. | |
| Earlier in Japan, people released balloons by Tokyo Tower, while South Koreans celebrated with fireworks and traditional bell-ringing ceremonies. | Earlier in Japan, people released balloons by Tokyo Tower, while South Koreans celebrated with fireworks and traditional bell-ringing ceremonies. |
| Revellers in Australia and New Zealand were some of the first to welcome the New Year. | Revellers in Australia and New Zealand were some of the first to welcome the New Year. |
| Crowds counted down at Auckland's Sky Tower in New Zealand, with a laser show and fireworks display. Fireworks also lit up Sydney harbour in Australia. | Crowds counted down at Auckland's Sky Tower in New Zealand, with a laser show and fireworks display. Fireworks also lit up Sydney harbour in Australia. |
| In one of the more innovative celebrations, four divers equipped with musical instruments and breathing apparatus performed an underwater "concert" in a fish tank in Yantai, east China. | In one of the more innovative celebrations, four divers equipped with musical instruments and breathing apparatus performed an underwater "concert" in a fish tank in Yantai, east China. |
| In Dubai, festivities went ahead despite a fire at the city's Address Hotel. A fireworks display was held near the Burj Khalifa skyscraper. | In Dubai, festivities went ahead despite a fire at the city's Address Hotel. A fireworks display was held near the Burj Khalifa skyscraper. |
| Russia is the first major European city to welcome in 2016, with a fireworks display over Red Square. | |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| Are you celebrating the New Year? Share your pictures. | Are you celebrating the New Year? Share your pictures. |
| Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |
| Or use the form below | Or use the form below |