New Year’s Eve 2015: Paris defiantly welcomes in the New Year despite

An annual procession of the Black Nazarene, a black wooden statue of Jesus Christ, was held a day earlier than usual Thursday to prevent injuries from mounds of trash and unexploded firecrackers that litter Manila’s streets after New Year’s revelries.

A throng of 1 million revelers in Times Square rang in the New Year with raucous cheers and a blizzard of confetti, striking an optimistic, even defiant, tone amid jitters over extremist attacks and heavy security that included 6,000 police officers.

USA authorities said they were monitoring overseas communications to detect any threats, pledging to be vigilant following the recent terror attacks in San Bernardino, California and Paris.

Security was also heightened in Shanghai after last year’s deadly stampede.

Originally Mr Fung would watch the display just with his grandma but over the years more family and friends joined him and this year he is expecting over 50 people to be there.

Another man was also arrested for allegedly throwing a bottle at a police officer’s head during an incident at a Shalvey service station in the city’s west around 1am.

“I hope that all who live here enjoy a peaceful and prosperous year ahead, and that all they wish for will come to pass in 2016”.

As 2015 drew to a close, many people were bidding a tired and wary adieu to a year marred by attacks that left nations reeling and nerves rattled. Sydney, historically the primary to host a serious New Year’s bash, kicked off the worldwide festivities when it lit up the skies with pyrotechnics on the stroke of midnight (1300 GMT Thursday).

People take part in the New Years Day’s Whitley Bay dip in Northumberland.

A year ago nearly 85 tonnes – or 15 double-decker buses worth – of rubbish was deposited on the capital’s steets following the celebrations.

In the Gaza Strip, the Islamist Hamas rulers of the Palestinian enclave have banned New Year celebrations, saying they go against Islamic teachings.

Major celebrations and a giant fireworks display are expected in London later tonight despite a terror threat that is listed as “severe”.

New Year’s Eve 2015 was the night Sydney grew up and celebrated responsibly, with police and health professionals saying the message about alcohol-fuelled violence is beginning to sink in.

NSW Ambulance paramedics responded to more than 2300 incidents between 4pm on New Year’s Eve and 5am on Friday, with the bulk of the call-outs in Sydney.

“Every year officers are rostered to work New Year’s Eve and Notting Hill Carnival as these are major policing operations in our annual calendar of events”.

New Zealand, Australia and Japan were among the first countries to have welcomed in 2016.

“With only a few exceptions, the vast majority of people in the city for New Year’s Eve behaved safely, sensibly and responsibly”, he said.

Police reported generally good behaviour from millions of revellers.

In New York City, despite a pledge of tight security, one million people are expected to turn out to see the Times Square ball descend.

“You feel sad for the people inside…”

At least 16 people were injured when a huge fire ripped through a luxury 63-storey hotel, the Address Downtown, where crowds were gathering to watch New Year’s Eve celebrations.

South Koreans marked New Year’s Eve with traditional bell ringing ceremonies, fireworks and outdoor music and dance performances.