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New year celebrations welcome 2014 New year celebrations welcome 2014
(35 minutes later)
Celebrations around the world are under way to mark the start of 2014.Celebrations around the world are under way to mark the start of 2014.
People in Auckland, New Zealand, were among the first to celebrate. In Australia, hundreds of thousands gathered for a spectacular firework display around Sydney's Harbour Bridge.People in Auckland, New Zealand, were among the first to celebrate. In Australia, hundreds of thousands gathered for a spectacular firework display around Sydney's Harbour Bridge.
East Asian cities were next to ring in the new year, with Beijing, Jakarta and Singapore all hosting celebrations.East Asian cities were next to ring in the new year, with Beijing, Jakarta and Singapore all hosting celebrations.
Dubai aimed for a world record with a fireworks extravaganza stretching along 30 miles (50km) of seafront. Moscow also celebrated with a spectacular firework display over the Kremlin.
Adjudicators from Guinness World Records were on hand to check proceedings. However, there was intense security in Red Square following recent suicide bombings in the southern Russian city of Volgograd.
Dubai - in the same time zone as Moscow - aimed for a world record with a fireworks extravaganza stretching along 30 miles (50km) of seafront.
Adjudicators from Guinness World Records were on hand to check proceedings, but it was not clear immediately whether the attempt was successful.
The world's tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, was the centrepiece of the display.The world's tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, was the centrepiece of the display.
Moscow - in the same time zone as Dubai - also celebrated, albeit with intense security in Red Square following recent suicide bombings in the southern Russian city of Volgograd.
In Hong Kong, tens of thousands of spectators watched the fireworks over Victoria Harbour.In Hong Kong, tens of thousands of spectators watched the fireworks over Victoria Harbour.
The Chinese city of Wuhan earlier called off its display in order to avoid worsening a smog problem.The Chinese city of Wuhan earlier called off its display in order to avoid worsening a smog problem.
In Japan, Shinto priests gathered at shrines. Japanese people traditionally visit shrines and temples to pray for their families at this time.In Japan, Shinto priests gathered at shrines. Japanese people traditionally visit shrines and temples to pray for their families at this time.
Later on, festivities will be held in western European cities including Berlin, Paris and London. Festivities are gearing up in western European cities including Berlin, Paris and London.
The organisers of London's display have said crowds watching the show along the banks of the Thames will be able to "taste" the atmosphere, with flavoured mist, "snow" and confetti released.The organisers of London's display have said crowds watching the show along the banks of the Thames will be able to "taste" the atmosphere, with flavoured mist, "snow" and confetti released.
Spectators will also get scratch 'n' sniff programmes and fruit sweets.Spectators will also get scratch 'n' sniff programmes and fruit sweets.
Cape Town in South Africa is planning a free concert with lasers, fireworks and a special 3D tribute to former President Nelson Mandela, who died on 5 December.Cape Town in South Africa is planning a free concert with lasers, fireworks and a special 3D tribute to former President Nelson Mandela, who died on 5 December.
New York will mark the new year with the traditional New Year's Eve countdown and ball drop over Times Square, while Rio de Janeiro is once again expecting more than two million people to pack its Copacabana beach.New York will mark the new year with the traditional New Year's Eve countdown and ball drop over Times Square, while Rio de Janeiro is once again expecting more than two million people to pack its Copacabana beach.
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
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