A million people crammed into New York’s Times Square on Tuesday to greet the New Year in a global party that kicked off in Australia before rolling around the world in a non-stop chain of firework displays.

But tragedy struck in the Ivory Coast when around 60 people died and at least dozens were injured as a crowd stampeded during New Year’s fireworks in the economic capital Abidjan, rescue workers there said.

An estimated one billion television viewers around the world also watched the Big Apple extravaganza, which climaxed when the mayor, aided by a bevy of Rockettes dancers, sent the traditional glittering crystal ball down a pole at one minute to midnight.

Kissing and dancing erupted in the thronged streets as fireworks erupted over Manhattan.“It’s something you need to do in your life. It’s New York and New Year’s Eve,” said an excited Juli, 18, visiting from Austria.Worldwide celebrations got started on a balmy summer’s night in Sydney with a $6.9 million pyrotechnics display overseen by pop star Kylie Minogue.

From there, the endless party shifted to a kaleidoscopic eight-minute jamboree in Hong Kong, with the city’s famed Victoria Harbor lit up in spectacular fashion, and fireworks across other Asian cities, including for the first time Yangon, in long-isolated Myanmar.As midnight moved westward through time zones, the world’s tallest building, Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, was the centrepiece of festivities in the huge expatriate and tourist hub.

In Britain, tens of thousands braved rain on the banks of the Thames to see fireworks and the London Eye wheel lit up in changing colours.“What an amazing end to an incredible year,” said the British capital’s Mayor Boris Johnson, alluding to the Olympic and royal spectaculars of 2012.InWashington, the White House and top Republicans rang in 2013 by striking a last-minute budget deal to avoid the “fiscal cliff” tax hikes and spending cuts. The US Senate in the wee hours of the New Year, held a vote passing the measure, with the House possibly following suit later Tuesday.

It was New York that led the US party scene however, with South Korean pop sensation Psy and country star Taylor Swift in the line-up and the Empire State Building blazing in an unusual pulsating light display.Frederick Martineau, a sales rep from Quebec, Canada, made the trip to Times Square as a Christmas present for his girlfriend, Sonia Lapointe.

Asked about his 2013 resolution, Martineau, 38, patted his substantial midriff and grinned: “Guess what?”Another Canadian couple, who were kitted out with tinsel and small golden trumpets, said coming to the Big Apple New Year’s bash was a dream come true. “I’ve always wanted to be here. I’ve watched it on TV for so many years,” Sherry, 49, said.2012 was a hard year. I survived pancreatic cancer this year. I lost my brother this year. So we have come here with a lot of hope for next year.”

The merrymaking turned deadly in Sacramento, California, however when shots rang out during a suspected altercation as crowds head gathered to watch New Year’s Eve fireworks, killing two people and leaving at least four others wounded, KTXL television reported.The New Year also often turns lethal in parts of Latin America, where revellers sometimes celebrate by firing guns into the air, but there were no reports of deadly celebrations early Tuesday.

Many festivities were on hold in Venezuela however, out of respect for President Hugo Chavez, who has suffered a health setback following a return of his cancer.Meanwhile, in Russia, President Vladimir Putin used a traditional New Year’s address to call for unity following a year of protests against his return to the Kremlin for a third term.

In Rome, Pope Benedict XVI celebrated New Year’s Eve vespers in St Peter’s Basilica, voicing solidarity with the poor and calling on believers to pause to reflect from time to time despite busy lives.We have to know how to stop and think. This way our soul can find healing for the inevitable wounds of everyday life,” he said.

In Spain, revellers who gathered in Madrid’s Puerta del Sol square ahead of midnight - cowed by cold, rain and recession - sought to numb the pain of economic crisis with a glass of wine and plenty of cheer.Manuela Ibanez, 51, who came from Barcelona with her two daughters, said: “At times like this we forget the crisis.”In Paris, however, there was less cheer as authorities issued a reminder that all fireworks are officially banned for the night.