Cities around the world say good riddance to 2014

Revellers converged on the beaches of Brazil, the skyscrapers of Dubai, and New York’s Times Square to say good riddance to a turbulent 2014 marred by terror woes, ebola, and airline disasters.

About 1m revellers rang in the new year in Times Square, watching a giant, glittering ball drop as a tonne of confetti fell, containing well wishes for the upcoming year.

Activists in Boston staged a peaceful “die-in” during First Night, the city’s New Year’s Eve celebration. Police reported no arrests or disruptions to nearby festivities.