Best Photos of December 31: From Sydney swimmers to new year preparations in Hanoi

  • Swimmers take part in the daily 1.5km journey from Manly Beach to Shelly Beach in Sydney, Australia, an event that began in 2008. Getty Images
    Swimmers take part in the daily 1.5km journey from Manly Beach to Shelly Beach in Sydney, Australia, an event that began in 2008. Getty Images
  • Cambodians gather in Phnom Penh to welcome soldiers released by Thailand, after the countries agreed to a fragile ceasefire in deadly border clashes. AFP
    Cambodians gather in Phnom Penh to welcome soldiers released by Thailand, after the countries agreed to a fragile ceasefire in deadly border clashes. AFP
  • Cannon are fired during the 211th ceremony of the Restoration of Geneva, which marks the withdrawal of Napoleon's troops in 1813. EPA
    Cannon are fired during the 211th ceremony of the Restoration of Geneva, which marks the withdrawal of Napoleon's troops in 1813. EPA
  • Palestinians play football at the Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus in the occupied West Bank. AFP
    Palestinians play football at the Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus in the occupied West Bank. AFP
  • A train bears the scars of a deadly head-on collision with another engine, on a track leading to Machu Picchu in south-eastern Peru. AFP
    A train bears the scars of a deadly head-on collision with another engine, on a track leading to Machu Picchu in south-eastern Peru. AFP
  • A yacht sails along the eastern coast of Tasmania, during the annual race between Sydney and Hobart. AFP
    A yacht sails along the eastern coast of Tasmania, during the annual race between Sydney and Hobart. AFP
  • Bangladeshi security forces escort the body of former prime minister Khaleda Zia during her funeral in Dhaka. Reuters
    Bangladeshi security forces escort the body of former prime minister Khaleda Zia during her funeral in Dhaka. Reuters
  • Workers tend to flowers next to New Year's Eve display in Hanoi, Vietnam. AFP
    Workers tend to flowers next to New Year's Eve display in Hanoi, Vietnam. AFP