New Year’s Eve 2017 LIVE: Stunning fireworks in Dubai and Sydney – Happy New Year 2018
Samoa was the first country to officially welcome the new year, followed shortly by New Zealand and Australia.
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New Year's Eve 2018: Live news and updates as the world welcomes 2018 with applause
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Armed police patrol the Thames
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Hogmanay celebrations are underway in Edinburgh, Scotland
SKY NEWS
The Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, took centre stage for the New Year display in Dubai
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A young family celebrates the new year in New Delhi, India
About 1.6 million people gathered in Sydney Harbour around 1pm GMT, to watch the breathtaking display of fireworks that ushered in the new year.
The fireworks display was held over the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House, coupled with a laser lights, music and cheers.
Japan, South Korea and several smaller islands spread across the Pacific were the next nations to flip over the calendars. China, the Philippines and Singapore have joined the jubilation at 4pm GMT.
Thailand, Indonesia, India, and Dubai all followed with some spectacular fireworks displays, before Moscow and Turkish capital Ankara ushered in the new year at 9pm GMT.
Outlying parts of the US, such as Hawaii and Alaska will be among the last places on the planet to celebrate New Year’s Eve.
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Which major cities will welcome 2018 first?
- 11am GMT Auckland, New Zealand
- 1pm GMT Sydney, Australia
- 3pm Tokyo
- 4pm Beijing and Hong Kong
- 8pm Dubai
- 11pm Paris, Rome and Brussels
- Midnight London
- 5am New York
- 8am Los Angeles
Here are all the live updates from around the world in GMT.
11pm: Happy New Year France, Italy and Germany!
Berlin and Paris are among the countries bringing in the new year. Fireworks lit up the skies above Brandenburg Gate.
We're just one hour away from the start of 2018 in the UK as crowds in London prepare to bring in the new year.
10.55pm: Nicole Stinson taking over live reporting
10pm: Two hours to go!
We're just two hours away from the start of 2018 and a number of countries in Eastern Europe have become the latest to kick off the new year.
Greece, Hungary, Finland, Ukraine and Latvia are among the countries in Europe celebrating the beginning of 2018, while South Africa, Egypt and Israel are also enjoying the festivities.
9.15pm: Armed police on the Thames
With less than three hours to go until the fireworks are set off in London, armed police have been spotted patrolling the Thames in a bid to keep the peace.
London's New Year celebrations come after a year marked by two devastating terror attacks in the British capital.
There is no specific threat, according to Metropolitan Police, but revellers have been urged to remain vigilant.
Supt Nick Aldworth said: “The policing plan has been developed and reviewed following the tragic incidents that have occurred through the year.
“We will have the right response of officers at the right locations; this will be a mix of overt and covert officers deployed, as well as dogs, and the use of CCTV and automatic numberplate recognition.
“People can expect to see armed officers in the area, and we will be using vehicle barriers across the event area. Security is paramount for us, and so we ask for patience and cooperation when getting through the check and search points.”
PA
9pm: Happy New Year Russia and Turkey!
Moscow and Ankara are among the latest capitals ushering in the new year.
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8.30pm: Hogmanay underway in Edinburgh
The fireworks have already begun in Edinburgh as tens of thousands attend the celebrations - despite weather warnings.
Storm Dylan has wreaked havoc across the UK in recent days and there were concerns the event may not be able to go ahead.
Fortunately, the stormy conditions subsided and allowed revellers to enjoy the turn of the year, with organisers in the Scottish capital promising "the best party ever."
Underbelly, which is producing the event for the first time, said there would be live music, DJs, street entertainment and the "ultimate fireworks display" from Edinburgh Castle.
8.00pm: Happy New Year Dubai!
Dubai is welcoming 2018 with a stunning lights and fireworks display centred around the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building.
The 160-storey building was the main feature of the extravagant five-minute display as Dubai became the latest city to welcome the New Year.
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7.45pm: 'We're just getting started'
Donald Trump has wished his 45.5 million followers a Happy New Year as the US President took to Twitter once again to reflect on his first year in the Oval Office.
What a year it’s been, and we're just getting started. Together, we are MAKING AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! Happy New Year!! pic.twitter.com/qsMNyN1UJG— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 31, 2017
7.40pm: Standby for extravagance from the Middle East
We're just moments away from Dubai's firework display, an event which is regularly among the most spectacular offerings across the world.
Other cities set to mark the beginning of 2018 at 8pm GMT include Abu Dhabi, Muscat and Port Louis.
Stay tuned...
7.30pm: Happy New Year Afghanistan!
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7.00pm: Happy New Year Pakistan!
6.45pm: Sadiq Khan promises "the best fireworks London has ever seen"
The London Mayor has promised a spectacular fireworks display in the UK capital as thousands of revellers wait to welcome 2018.
Speaking on Sky News, he said organisers anticipate tonight's events will be "a cracker".
Mr Khan added: “It’s going to be a really really good 15 minutes worth of entertainment.
“The first half will feature some of London’s greatest artists, the second half will be women-only artists.”
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