This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-30640656
The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 5 | Version 6 |
---|---|
New Year's Eve: Global celebrations bring in 2015 | New Year's Eve: Global celebrations bring in 2015 |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Celebrations for the start of 2015 have taken place across Asia and Europe, with firework displays in a host of major cities. | Celebrations for the start of 2015 have taken place across Asia and Europe, with firework displays in a host of major cities. |
New Zealand led the way, with Sydney Harbour providing a spectacular backdrop to Australia's display. | New Zealand led the way, with Sydney Harbour providing a spectacular backdrop to Australia's display. |
There was shock in Asia as a crush in Shanghai, China saw 35 people die marking the start of 2015. | There was shock in Asia as a crush in Shanghai, China saw 35 people die marking the start of 2015. |
The Gulf Arab emirate of Dubai aimed to break the world record for the largest LED-illuminated facade. | |
It launched its spectacular display centred on the world's tallest building. | |
Europe's celebrations began in Moscow with fireworks over St Basil's Cathedral and the Kremlin. | Europe's celebrations began in Moscow with fireworks over St Basil's Cathedral and the Kremlin. |
In Berlin a huge open air concert was held in front of the Brandenburg Gate, while in Paris the Champs-Elysees was closed to traffic so that pedestrians could witness a visual spectacle projected onto the Arc de Triomphe 15 minutes before the start of the new year. | |
The arrival of 2015 was also significant for Lithuania as it became the 19th country to join the euro currency. | |
In Spain, millions of revellers converged around Madrid's Puerta del Sol, while in Barcelona, London and Edinburgh huge fireworks displays or street parties were held. | |
Up to 1.5m people lined the shores of Sydney harbour to see the city's famous firework display. | Up to 1.5m people lined the shores of Sydney harbour to see the city's famous firework display. |
The city's Lord Mayor, Clover Moore, said the recent hostage crisis in the city had focussed the minds of Sydney residents. | The city's Lord Mayor, Clover Moore, said the recent hostage crisis in the city had focussed the minds of Sydney residents. |
"We are celebrating that we are a multicultural, harmonious community but we will be thinking about what happened," he said. | "We are celebrating that we are a multicultural, harmonious community but we will be thinking about what happened," he said. |
Celebration plans were muted in Indonesia in the wake of the recent AirAsia Flight QZ8501 crash. | Celebration plans were muted in Indonesia in the wake of the recent AirAsia Flight QZ8501 crash. |
But across the rest of Asia there were lavish parties, with a sound and light show at Beijing's Olympic stadium and an eight-minute firework display in Hong Kong. | But across the rest of Asia there were lavish parties, with a sound and light show at Beijing's Olympic stadium and an eight-minute firework display in Hong Kong. |
"I think a more peaceful year would be good for everyone," Louis Ho, 65, told AFP news agency, as the territory bade farewell to a year that saw widespread street protests. | "I think a more peaceful year would be good for everyone," Louis Ho, 65, told AFP news agency, as the territory bade farewell to a year that saw widespread street protests. |
Moscow's display led the way in Europe, with President Vladimir Putin describing the 2014 annexation of Crimea as "a historic landmark" for Russia. | Moscow's display led the way in Europe, with President Vladimir Putin describing the 2014 annexation of Crimea as "a historic landmark" for Russia. |
Mr Putin also sent messages to several world leaders, telling US President Barack Obama that the US and Russia had a shared interest in "maintaining peace and international stability". | Mr Putin also sent messages to several world leaders, telling US President Barack Obama that the US and Russia had a shared interest in "maintaining peace and international stability". |
In Brazil, more than one million people will join the crowds on Rio de Janeiro's Copacabana beach, while New Yorkers will watch the city lower its trademark crystal ball over Times Square. | In Brazil, more than one million people will join the crowds on Rio de Janeiro's Copacabana beach, while New Yorkers will watch the city lower its trademark crystal ball over Times Square. |
Pacific Islands just to the west of the international date line, including Samoa, Kiribati and the Chatham Islands of New Zealand, were the first places to herald the new year. | Pacific Islands just to the west of the international date line, including Samoa, Kiribati and the Chatham Islands of New Zealand, were the first places to herald the new year. |
Send us your pictures of your new year celebrations by emailing yourpics@bbc.co.uk | Send us your pictures of your new year celebrations by emailing yourpics@bbc.co.uk |