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New Year's Eve: World welcomes 2017 with huge celebrations after traumatic year New Year's Eve: World welcomes 2017 with huge celebrations after traumatic year
(about 17 hours later)
Much of the world has celebrated the end of 2017 – while others wait eagerly for 2016 to finish. Millions of people across the world took to the streets to celebrate the start of the new year, in a blaze of fireworks.
Millions of people across the world have taken to the streets, launched fireworks and joined in with local commemorations of the new year. But the mood was tinged with sadness after the traumatic and tumultuous time seen in 2016.
But the mood was tinged with sadness after the traumatic and tumultuous time seen in 2016. Berlin launched a huge firework display from near the Brandenberg Gate, for instance – but it was marked by the memory of the attack on a Christmas market in recent days. Berlin launched a huge firework display from near the Brandenberg Gate, for instance – but it was marked by the memory of the attack on a Christmas market in recent days.
Security was stepped up across Europe and Britain. Officials including Sadiq Khan said they were confident that a mix of safety and enjoyment had been guaranteed. Security was stepped up across Europe and Britain. Officials including London mayor Sadiq Khan said they were confident that the right mix of safety and enjoyment had been achieved.
In Russia – which in one sense celebrates the New Year a number of times because of its various timezones – 2017 was welcomed with a stunning firework and light show. But it also came with a warning from Putin that 2016 had been a "difficult year" and that people should work harder to make 2017 a better one. Celebrations in Istanbul were marred by mass shooting at a nightclub which killed at least 39 people. The gunman was still at large.
Sydney in Australia celebrated by unleashing its biggest fireworks display in history. In Russia – which in one sense celebrates the New Year a number of times because of its various timezones – 2017 was welcomed with a stunning firework and light show.
But it also came with a warning from Putin that 2016 had been a "difficult year" and that people should work harder to make 2017 a better one.
Meanwhile, New York saw problems of a different kind when singer Mariah Carey's performance in Times Square was beset by technical difficulties. 
Tonga and Samoa were among the first places in the world to welcome the new year.
Sydney in Australia celebrated by unleashing its biggest fireworks display in history. 
More than a million crowded around its famed harbour and opera house to watch firecrackers and flaming starbursts fill the night's sky.More than a million crowded around its famed harbour and opera house to watch firecrackers and flaming starbursts fill the night's sky.
Auckland in New Zealand earlier became the first city in the world to say goodbye to 2016 and welcome in the new year.
The city celebrated the start of 2017 with a fireworks and laser display from the Sky Tower at 11am GMT.
Tonga and Samoa were among the first places in the world to welcome the new year around 10am GMT.
Australia was next, celebrating the new year at 1pm GMT.
The show paid homage to Prince and David Bowie and was set to a musical medley inspired by the late singers.The show paid homage to Prince and David Bowie and was set to a musical medley inspired by the late singers.
The seven tons of fireworks launched from barges on the harbour also included a “Willy Wonka moment” in tribute to the late actor Gene Wilder's most famous role,.The seven tons of fireworks launched from barges on the harbour also included a “Willy Wonka moment” in tribute to the late actor Gene Wilder's most famous role,.
Australia was followed by Japan at 3pm GMT, where temple bells echoed at midnight as families flock to shrines for the country's biggest holiday. Japan celebrated at 3pm GMT, with temple bells sounding at midnight as families flocked to shrines for the country's biggest holiday.
Beijing and Shanghai, China's two largest cities, passed New Year's Eve at 4pm GMT in a state of security lockdown, according to Chinese media reports citing police.Beijing and Shanghai, China's two largest cities, passed New Year's Eve at 4pm GMT in a state of security lockdown, according to Chinese media reports citing police.
Two years ago, more than 30 people died in a deadly stampede on Shanghai's waterfront, where 300,000 people had gathered to watch a planned light show.Two years ago, more than 30 people died in a deadly stampede on Shanghai's waterfront, where 300,000 people had gathered to watch a planned light show.
This year, a "leap second" is being added to the end of the year to compensate for a slight slowing of the Earth's rotation. This year, a "leap second" is being added to the end of the year to compensate for a slight slowing of the Earth's rotation. 2016 is already a leap year.
2016 is already a leap year.