Sydney kicks off the global celebrations

SYDNEY’S Harbour Bridge exploded in a spectacular blaze of New Year fireworks yesterday as people around the globe began welcoming 2011 with a glittering array of parties.

A fiery waterfall plunged from the landmark Australian structure as seven tonnes of fireworks ignited in the night sky, thrilling 1.5 million people crammed on the city’s foreshore.

The celebrations follow devastating floods that have hit 200,000 in the country’s northeast, while extreme heat prompted wildfire warnings around Melbourne and Adelaide.