New Year celebrations: Global festivities welcome 2017

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Fireworks in major cities have ushered in the New Year, from Sydney to New York

Fireworks have lit up the skies over some of the world's most iconic landmarks as people across the globe gather to welcome the new year.

From Sydney to Moscow, Paris to New York, crowds said goodbye to 2016, a tumultuous year in global politics.

Many cities stepped up security for New Year's Eve celebrations, after a year in which attackers drove lorries into crowds in Nice and Berlin.

Thousands of extra police have been on duty in London and other cities.

But it did not stop tens of thousands lining the River Thames to watch a fireworks display with one very clear message after the country voted to leave the European Union: "London is open."

Fireworks light up the London skyline and Big Ben just after midnight on January 1, 2017Image source, Getty Images
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London brings the new year with fireworks along the Thames

View of a light show on the city's iconic Arc de Triomphe monument during the New Year celebration in Paris, FranceImage source, Reuters
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Paris's Arc de Triomphe was lit up with pictures

Fireworks explode next to the Quadriga sculpture atop the Brandenburg gate during New Year celebrations in BerlinImage source, Reuters
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Fireworks explode over the Brandenburg gate in Berlin, Germany

Fireworks explode over the Kremlin, during the New Year celebration in Moscow, RussiaImage source, AP
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Fireworks explode over the Kremlin, in the Russian capital, Moscow

Confetti in Times Square, New York, 1 January 2017Image source, AP
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As midnight struck in New York, Times Square was deluged with confetti

It also failed to dampen spirits in Paris, where about 500,000 people poured into the Champs-Elysees, where the Arc de Triomphe was lit up with a colourful countdown and the word "welcome" in dozens of languages.

Revellers in Berlin were undeterred by the recent terror attack at a Christmas market, gathering for a series of concerts before a midnight fireworks display.

People watch the fireworks exploding over Copacabana beach during the New Year's Eve celebrations in Rio de Janeiro, BrazilImage source, AP
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People watch a fireworks display from the water off Copacabana beach, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Fireworks explode over the ancient Parthenon temple atop Acropolis hillImage source, Reuters
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Greece welcomes 2017 with a fireworks display over the Parthenon temple

Fireworks in DubaiImage source, Getty Images
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Fireworks lit up the world's tallest building, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai

Buddhists light candles during New Year celebrations at Jogye Buddhist temple in Seoul, South KoreaImage source, AP
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Buddhists light candles at Jogye Buddhist temple in Seoul, South Korea

Some 2,000 police watched over the around two million people enjoying a fireworks display on Rio de Janeiro's Copacabana Beach which had been shortened this year due to a severe economic crisis.

But the 17,000 police officers on duty in the Turkish city of Istanbul were unable to prevent an attack on a nightclub less than two hours into 2017, which left at least 39 dead.

Pacific islands including Samoa, Tonga and Kiribati were the first to enter 2017 at 10:00 GMT, followed an hour later by Auckland, where fireworks erupted from the 328m (1,080ft) tall Sky Tower in the city centre.

Fireworks explode above Singapore"s financial district at the stroke of midnight to mark the New Year"s celebrations on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017, in Singapore.Image source, AP
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Singapore celebrates the new year

Fireworks illuminate the night sky over Malaysia's landmark, Petronas Towers during New Year's Eve celebrations in Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaImage source, EPA
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Fireworks ring in the New Year in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

The iconic midnight fireworks display at Sydney Harbour in Australia paid tribute to Prince and David Bowie, two music superstars who died in 2016.

Seven tonnes of fireworks were set off in two displays watched by about one and a half million people.

On Friday a man in Sydney was charged in connection with threats made against Sydney's New Year's Eve celebrations.

Revellers take part in New Year"s celebrations at Puerta del Sol square in central Madrid, SpainImage source, Reuters
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People in Madrid celebrate the New Year

Iraqi walk past security forces as they gather at the al-Mansour square during Christmas and New Years eve celebrations in the capital BaghdadImage source, AFP
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Celebrations in Baghdad, Iraq, took place under heavy security

Fireworks illuminate the night sky over the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) during New Year"s Eve celebrations in Nairobi, KenyaImage source, EPA
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Fireworks light up the sky over Nairobi, Kenya

Police said he was charged with a "crimes act offence, but not a terrorist offence" and there was no continuing threat to the community.

Israel has also warned its citizens travelling in India to avoid crowds, saying there is a risk of imminent "terrorist attacks".

'Many enemies'

Meanwhile, US President-elect Donald Trump tweeted new year greetings, including to his "many enemies".

Mr Trump will be sworn in as US president on 20 January.

Donal Trump tweet: Happy new year to all, including to my many enemies and those who have fought me and lost so badly they just don't know what to do. Love!Image source, Twitter

A "leap second" was added to the countdown just before midnight in countries in the GMT timezone, such as the UK, to compensate for a slowdown in the Earth's rotation.

The extra second occurred just before clocks struck midnight and a time of 23:59:60 GMT was recorded, delaying 2017 momentarily.

This is required because standard time lags behind atomic clocks.

North Koreans gather to watch a New Year"s fireworks display at the Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, North Korea, on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017Image source, AP
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North Koreans gathered at Kim Il Sung square in Pyongyang

"Bearded Men" parade in the streets of Slawatycze, in Lublin region, Poland, 31 December 2016. "Bearded Men" is an old local tradition, passed from generation to generation. During last three days of December citizens of Slawatycze disguised in special costumes, say goodbye to the Old Year and make wishes for the New Year.Image source, EPA
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So-called "bearded men" parade through the streets of Slawatycze in Poland's Lublin region as part of a local tradition

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