Thousands welcome the New Year across the world with fireworks shows (VIDEO)

NEW YORK, Jan 1 — Cities around the globe rang in the New Year with extravagant fireworks-filled celebrations.

Starting in Tonga at 1000GMT on December 31, people gathered to watch spectacular shows to celebrate the start of 2017.

Notable displays included those at New York’s famous Times Square, the Arc de Triomphe in Paris and at the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai.

The New Year celebrations continue until 1200GMT on January 1 — when a number of US outlying islands see the clock strike midnight. — Reuters

Fireworks explode over Copacabana beach during New Year celebrations in Rio de Janeiro January 1, 2017. — Reuters pic