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| New year revellers begin welcoming 2013 | New year revellers begin welcoming 2013 |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Celebrations are being held around the world to mark the new year, with the city of Auckland in New Zealand holding the first major event of 2013. | |
| More than 1.5 million people gathered around Sydney harbour to watch the city's famous firework display. | |
| Big shows are also planned in many other cities globally. | Big shows are also planned in many other cities globally. |
| Celebrations will also be held for the first time in Burma, where large public gatherings were banned by its previous military rulers. | Celebrations will also be held for the first time in Burma, where large public gatherings were banned by its previous military rulers. |
| Subdued celebrations | |
| In Auckland, the largest city closest to the International Date Line, fireworks exploded over the city's 328m (1,076ft) Sky Tower as midnight struck (11:00 GMT). | |
| Two hours later, the huge crowds around the harbour in the Australian city of Sydney were treated to a typically extravagant fireworks display. | |
| Seven tonnes of fireworks lit up the famous landmarks of the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House to a soundtrack co-written by Australian singer Kylie Minogue. | |
| The display is expected to pump $160m (£98.5m) into the local economy, the BBC's Phil Mercer in Sydney said. | |
| As many as 100,000 people were expected around Hong Kong's harbour for the city's biggest ever fireworks display, costing $1.6m (£980,000), the Associated Press reports. | |
| Meanwhile, in Burma, tens of thousands were expected to attend the celebrations in the former capital Rangoon, which will feature a fireworks display and performances by the country's entertainers. | |
| Reports say the festivities will be broadcast live on Burmese television. | Reports say the festivities will be broadcast live on Burmese television. |
| The celebration is seen as the latest sign of the country's liberalisation under its military-backed civilian government. | The celebration is seen as the latest sign of the country's liberalisation under its military-backed civilian government. |
| However, there is a subdued atmosphere in the Indian capital Delhi, following the death last week of a 23-year-old victim of a brutal gang rape. | However, there is a subdued atmosphere in the Indian capital Delhi, following the death last week of a 23-year-old victim of a brutal gang rape. |
| The army has cancelled its celebrations across the country, as have the governments in the states of Punjab and Haryana. | The army has cancelled its celebrations across the country, as have the governments in the states of Punjab and Haryana. |
| Thousands of residents and clubs have also called off new year celebrations. protests over the case continued on Monday. | Thousands of residents and clubs have also called off new year celebrations. protests over the case continued on Monday. |
| Later on, festivities will be held in European cities including Moscow, Paris and London. | Later on, festivities will be held in European cities including Moscow, Paris and London. |
| More than two million people are expected to be on Rio de Janeiro's Copacabana beach. | More than two million people are expected to be on Rio de Janeiro's Copacabana beach. |
| New York will mark the new year with the traditional New Year's Eve countdown and ball drop over Times Square. | New York will mark the new year with the traditional New Year's Eve countdown and ball drop over Times Square. |
| How are you celebrating the new year? Send us your comments using the form below. | How are you celebrating the new year? Send us your comments using the form below. |