#@2017

The world wanted to bid a final goodbye to 2016 described by many as tumultuous and traumatic and to welcome 2017 with better wishes and bigger hopes. New Year celebrations all over the world were marked with the conventional merrymaking like fireworks, parties and festivities. A terror attack dampened the New Year celebrations in one country, however; while technical glitches marred an otherwise high-spirited performance and festivities in one of the world's most watched celebrations; while messages from world top leaders indicated that 2017 will definitely have its own share of controversies.

Annual fireworks in Sydney, Australia drew a strong crowd of more than one million people who lined up the waterfront to witness a show dedicated to the late entertainers David Bowie and Gene Wilder- two of the many celebrities who passed on in 2016.

Big Ben chimed as fireworks exploded around the London Eye to signal the beginning of 2017.

Japan honored the New Year celebrations with temple bells sounding at midnight as families flocked to shrines for the nation's biggest holiday.

Beijing and Shanghai in China marked their celebrations in practically a state of security lockdown in an effort to avoid a similar tragic stampede that happened two years ago.

Russia ushered in the New Year with a stunning fireworks and light show.

New York again welcomed more than a million revelers in iconic tourist attraction Times Square to witness the famous crystal ball drop to signal the New Year. Unexpectedly, however, Mariah Carey suffered through a performance train wreck due to technical malfunctions that saw one of the top-selling recording artists of all time prematurely ending her number with a rare meltdown on national TV.