The technicolour display will include a rainbow waterfall of fireworks cascading off the Sydney Harbour Bridge to mark Australia's legalisation of same-sex marriage following a nationwide postal vote in support of change. - Around the world -The chimes of midnight then move across the world to Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe and finally the Americas. In Australia, the beefed-up police presence will include some officers carrying semi-automatic rifles in Sydney and bollards used as barriers against vehicles. Other cities are also preparing for possible threats following deadly vehicle assaults over the past two years in Barcelona, Nice and London. New York's Times Square celebrations will be safeguarded by the toughest security presence in years, after two recent attacks apparently inspired by the Islamic State (IS) extremist group.

Source: The Nation Bangkok December 31, 2017 05:15 UTC