Australia and NZ first to welcome 2015

Nearly 1.5 million people lined the famed Sydney Harbour to usher in the new year with spectacular fireworks.

Sydney as always was one of the first major cities in the world to usher in the new year amid frenzied fanfare and spectacular fireworks. Three hours before midnight, a 9-minute firework display was launched from the bridge deck and barges across the Sydney Harbor as a preliminary event for young children. The pyrotechnics display consisted of around 11,000 shells, 100,000 individual effects and 25,000 shooting comets at a cost of $6.06m, according to organisers. They also estimated that as many as a billion people around the world would have watched the display that was accompanied by live music. New Zealanders welcomed 2015 with a giant clock on Auckland's landmark Sky Tower counting down the minutes until the New Year. A huge fireworks display was then launched from the top of the tower at midnight. On the opposite side of the world, United States' New York city will drop its Waterford crystal ball at midnight, in a tradition being increasingly copied across the US with twists celebrating local icons. Amid the celebrations, some US cities were also on alert for  protests related to recent police killings of unarmed black men. No plans for major protests were announced in New York, where the police department is still mourning two officers shot to death in a patrol car. But security will be tight, with more personnel than usual.

Houthis killed in Yemen suicide bombing

More than 30 Houthi rebels killed in Ibb city in central Yemen while at least 23 dead in fighting elsewhere.

The Houthis seized large areas of Yemen, including the capital Sanaa, in September [File: AP]

At least 23 Houthi rebels have been killed in a suicide bomb attack at a gathering in Ibb city of central Yemen, while fighting in Radaa district has killed at least 34 others.

Five more Guantanamo detainees freed

Five prisoners held for 12 years in Guantanamo Bay without charge, sent to Kazakhstan for resettlement, US says.

Their release brings the prison population at Guantanamo down to 127, according to a Pentagon statement [EPA]

Five men who were held for more than a decade without charge at the US Navy base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, have been sent to the Central Asian nation of Kazakhstan for resettlement, the US government said.
The five men "were unanimously approved for transfer" after a thorough review by a task force of several US government agencies, the Pentagon said in a statement on Tuesday.

Palestinians vow to pursue statehood

Crowds in Ramallah pledge not to forget cause for a free state, as leaders meet to discuss response to failed UN bid. The UN Security Council rejected the resolution, with the US and Australia both voting against the motion [AP]

Thousands of Palestinians have gathered in Ramallah, vowing not to forget their cause for a free state after the UN Security Council voted against a draft resolution for an end to Israeli occupation. While they chanted slogans of freedom during a parade to mark fifty years since the Palestnian group Fatah was founded, the gathering on Wednesday was also as much to register their disappointment over the failed resolution.

Greece dissolves parliament for January vote

Vote to take place amid concerns that the austerity-weary country could start unwinding unpopular fiscal reforms.

Prime Minister Samaras has warned that voting for Syriza could lead to Greece being expelled from the eurozone [Reuters]

Greece's parliament has been dissolved ahead of an early election that will be warily watched by markets and international creditors concerned that the austerity-weary country could starting unwinding unpopular fiscal reforms.

Italy rescues migrants from 'drifting ship'

Italian coast guards save at least 728 migrants, mainly Syrians, from cargo ship after its crew apparently disappeared.

The ship had already passed inspection by Greek navy, but failed to detect anything suspicious [AFP]

Italian coast guards have saved at least 728 migrants from a cargo ship near the Greek island of Corfu after its crew apparently disappeared.

Palestinians decide to join ICC

President Abbas signs documents to join ICC a day after resolution to end Israel's occupation was defeated at the UN.

Abbas also signed a raft of 20 other treaties, aligning Palestine with various international organisations [AFP]

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has signed documents necessary for joining international organisations including the International Criminal Court (ICC) at a meeting in Ramallah.
President Abbas signed the documents on Wednesday, a day after a UN Security Council failed to pass a resolution that had aimed to set a deadline for Israel to end its occupation of territories sought by the Palestinians.