Revellers erupted in cheers amid a confetti-filled celebration in New York’s Times Square to welcome in the new year, part of star-studded celebrations and glittering fireworks displays around the world to usher in 2012.

France’s jubilation over unexpectedly making it to the World Cup final has barely reached the hardened kids kicking stones in front of a graffiti-streaked, urine-stained housing project of La Courneuve.

Margaret Kelly, the Irish-born founder of Paris’ famed Bluebell Girls dance troupe, has died at her home in the French capital aged 94.