From Dubai to North Korea, world rings in 2017 with STUNNING firework displays
FROM glitzy Dubai to the hermit kingdom of North Korea, the world is ringing in 2017 with a series of stunning firework displays.
Dubai welcome 2017 with EPIC firework display
On beaches and in cities, huge crowds have shrugged off security concerns to take in the celebrations and welcome the new year.
Thousands of extra police officers and soldiers have taken to the streets across Europe to protect crowds from any threat.
London has been encircled by a ring of steel, as concrete barriers prevent the sort of devastating truck attack seen in Berlin and Nice, while armed police also travel on the Underground for the first time ever.
Sadiq Khan promised London would be the "envy of the world" after tonight's event.
Sydney rings in the New Year with a stunning fireworks display
He said: “There will be a great fireworks tonight - the best London has ever had.
“We will be the envy of the world, I promise you that.”
The first countries to ring in the new year where Pacific islands including Samoa, with New Zealand and Australia following suit an hour later.
New Zealand celebrates 2017 - over twelve hours before the UK will ring it in
The sun has already risen in Australia on the first day of 2017, with those hardy revellers still on their feet celebrating with an early-morning swim.
Crowds celebrate with fake snow at Tokyo's New Year celebrations
Huge firework displays have also taken place across Asia and the Middle East, while the countdown is well and truly on in Europe.
Australians celebrate the first dawn of 2017 with a morning dip
Final preparations are still underway across America, especially in Las Vegas were a huge pyrotechnic display has been planned.
Fireworks above the Pyongyang skyline, where North Korea is celebrating the New Year
Police take pictures at the Brandenburg gate
Revellers in France saw in the New Year in style
Even North Korea got in on the fun, where New Year's Eve is the only Western holiday celebrated by the country's bloody rulers.
Celebrations across Europe have begun as France, Germany and Spain saw in the New Year.