2016 welcomed around the world

In Paris, the Champs Elysees was at the heart of the French capital’s new year festivities. The usual fireworks display was cancelled – and a video performance was instead projected on the Arc de Triomphe. France (function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = “//connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v2.3”; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, ‘script’, ‘facebook-jssdk’));Champs Elysees Paris, New Year Eve Celebrations LiveLe compte a rebourg, la derniere minute.The last minute counting before 2016.Posted by Champs Elysees Paris on Thursday, December 31, 2015 #paris is dressed and sparkly for #NewYearsEve! #celebrate2016 #arcdetriomphe #lightitup #artasair #notafraid pic.twitter.com/VznbNsWvYy— Art As Air (@artasair) December 31, 2015 United Kingdom Across the Channel, in London, thousands lined the banks of the River Thames as the night sky was filled with fireworks. The London Eye provided the backdrop for the stunning display. And from the London Eye, a Happy New Year to our UK followers! pic.twitter.com/mS2uDq5MTe— ED92 (@ED92live) January 1, 2016 Germany Hundreds of thousands of revellers attended Germany’s biggest New Year’s Eve party at Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate. Eight minutes of fireworks rang in the new near at the historic landmark just after midnight. Fireworks explode behind the Quadriga statue atop the Brandenburg Gate pic.twitter.com/Wg9DIVaZ1p— Charlie Perkins (@charlieperkins7) January 1, 2016 Russia Moscow marked the arrival of 2016 with traditional fireworks over the Kremlin. Many Muscovites gathered along the Moskva River to see the colourful celebrations as Russia welcomed in the new year. WATCH: #Moscow rings in 2016 with fireworks above the Kremlin and Red Square.https://t.co/3ZkMNG0BSO— NBC Nightly News (@NBCNightlyNews) December 31, 2015 USA More than one million people in New York’s Times Square hailed the arrival of 2016 marked by the descent of the traditional lighted crystal ball from amid glittering fireworks and a blizzard of confetti. #HappyNewYear from the #TimesSquare #BallDrop! pic.twitter.com/7oIyQ1JdsW— Times Square (@TimesSquareNYC) January 1, 2016 Those of you in #TimesSquare for #NYE2016 – check out all the TMobile #magenta around you!! Here we come 2016!! pic.twitter.com/IHzHPsI1hO— John Legere (JohnLegere) January 1, 2016 Brazil Rio de Janeiro’s Copacabana Beach was the location of a New Year’s Eve samba-celebration. Most of the two million people along the famous beach wore white to represent renewal and peace. Making a splash: people watch fireworks during New Year celebrations on Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro pic.twitter.com/72HSHeHiw8— Agence France-Presse (@AFP) January 1, 2016 Thailand Happy New Year to all from Patong Beach Thailand. May 2016 be great. See you back home tomorrow!! pic.twitter.com/VUuRMHK0Av— Mike Sievert (@SievertMike) December 31, 2015

2016 welcomed around the world

In Paris, the Champs Elysees was at the heart of the French capital’s new year festivities. The usual fireworks display was cancelled – and a video

Read more

Fireworks and festivities usher in 2016 around the globe

Cubans mark Revolution anniversary, as world celebrates new year

First celebrations as the world welcomes in 2016

Which European passports are the strongest for visa-free travel?

CIA warns of Russian drone threat to southern Europe

Bardem calls for singer P!nk to be removed as Unicef ambassador over Palestine stance

Finland and Sweden scramble fighter jets to intercept Russian aircraft

Rutte says Putin is in a 'bad place' as he reassures NATO allies