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World welcomes New Year with spectacular shows

The world celebrated the New Year with breathtaking fireworks and stunning shows. From Sydney's iconic harbor to Paris' Eiffel Tower, these images take you on a journey to witness some of the most spectacular New Year celebrations around the globe.

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World welcomes New Year with spectacular shows

The Chatham Islands, part of New Zealand's territory, were first in the country to ring in the year. The islands, about 800 kilometres east of New Zealand's South Island, are home to some 700 people.

Later, people in Asia enjoyed massive light shows, including in Singapore, where onlookers watched firework displays at Marina Bay.

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World welcomes New Year with spectacular shows

In Bangkok, celebrations centred on the Chao Phraya River which reflects the lights of the fireworks display each year. Thailand, which follows the Buddhist calendar, is welcoming the year 2567.

In Taiwan, about 16,000 fireworks were set off at the country's landmark Taipei 101 building, which is 509 metres tall.

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World welcomes New Year with spectacular shows

In the South Korean capital Seoul, the start of 2024 was marked with the giant Bosingak bell being struck exactly 33 times, like every year. Tens of thousands of people gathered for the event.

China also welcomed in the New Year - albeit much more quietly than other parts of the world. New Year's Eve is not a top priority for the Chinese given that their traditional lunar year does not begin until February 10. Only then do people celebrate extensively.

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World welcomes New Year with spectacular shows

However, in the Chinese special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau, New Year's Eve has a higher significance due to their British and Portuguese heritage. In Hong Kong, tens of thousands gathered by Victoria Harbour to marvel at the huge fireworks display.

There will though be little to cheer in Israel and the Gaza Strip or Ukraine, where conflicts continue unabated.

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World welcomes New Year with spectacular shows

American Samoa, 220 kilometres to the east of Samoa on the other side of the International Date Line, will be the last to ring in 2024.