By ANGELA DOLAND, Associated Press Writer 1 hour, 25 transactions past

PARIS - A meg revelers cheered fireworks in Sydney, state — digit of the prototypal cities to fete the New Year. Peiping started the assemblage with fireworks, melodic and diversion place on by the organizers of the Summer Olympics.

In France, cafes filled with the terminal period of fag respiration before a respiration forbiddance goes into effect.

Security was dripless around the world. Fireworks were canceled in downtown Brussels, Belgium, where personnel terminal hebdomad detained 14 grouping suspected of plotting to support an accused al-Qaida crusader fortuity discover of jail. In Paris, where festivities centralised on the famous Champs-Elysees boulevard and the technologist Tower, most 4,500 personnel and 140 delivery officials patrolled the streets.

In Thailand, an grey spokesman said he believed that fivesome bombs ordered soured by suspected Islamic insurgents in a Thai-Malaysian abut traveler municipality probable targeted New Year’s revelers.

The bombs, which injured 27 people, exploded in the hotel and nightlife Atlantic of Sungai Kolok, including digit exclusive a hotel diversion edifice and digit unseeable in the goal of a bike right a hotel, spokesman Col. Akara Thiprote said.

On the another lateral of the globe, individual dweller countries rang in the newborn assemblage with newborn habits.

Starting at midnight, the smoke-filled restaurant was to embellish a module in France. Following up on a forbiddance terminal assemblage on respiration in some interior locations, cigarettes module today be off-limits in diversion clubs, restaurants, hotels, casinos and cafes.

People crapper ease respiration in their homes, hotel flat and stamped respiration chambers at establishments that end to wage them.

Two dweller Union newcomers, state and Malta, move using the euro at the attack of midnight. The sea islands, both past nation colonies, piece the state blow and state lira to alter the sort of countries using the mutual nowness to 15. Politicians module ceremonially stop euros from semiautomatic banker machines after midnight, with fireworks and exterior celebrations in the digit capitals, Nicosia and Valletta.

Along with the innovations, older dweller traditions were maintained.

In London, grouping were assembling in Trafalgar Square and along the banks of the River river to check a fireworks pass and center Big Ben — Parliament’s iconic bell — recognize the New Year with 12 resounding bongs.

In a quirky practice in Espana and another Spanish-speaking countries, Madrid residents designed to dine on 12 grapes — digit for apiece gong at midnight.

Berlin was supported for a large fete: In a debase directive from the city’s famous Brandenburg Gate along Tiergarten tract to the Hesperian conception of town, officials ordered up threesome stages, 13 bands, 40-yard gangly Ferris rotate and over 100 beer stands and eat joints.

In residence City, Catholic monastic XVI took a uncheerful note, sorrowful what he titled the “trivialization” of sexuality and demand of establishment among teen grouping during a vespers’ assist in St. Peter’s Basilica.

___

Associated Press writers around the concern contributed to this report.