Crowds gather in London for first time since Covid to watch New Years fireworks
Despite the wind, the rain and the cold temperatures, people are beginning to take their places at London's Embankment to watch the capital's spectacular New Years Eve display.
London celebrates the New Year with a bang
Thailand, New Zealand and Australia are among the countries to have already rang in the new year - and in the UK the wait is almost over. While some will remain at home, others have flocked to London's Embankment to get an unrivalled view of the spectacular fireworks which will burst into action when Big Ben strikes midnight. Pictures show the area becoming more and more busy, and, with a drizzly night in the capital, umbrellas are up and raincoats are fastened.
It is the first time since 2019 spectators have been allowed to attend the display, with coronavirus putting a stop to the annual tradition in 2020, and forcing cancellation of it again in 2021 due to a feared resurgence of cases. While the fireworks still actually went ahead, and were televised like normal, people were not allowed to stand and watch through fear of spreading infection.
Hundreds of thousands of Brits are expected to hit the town tonight to see in 2023 - but last night saw an early start to the celebrations as party goers were pictured out on the town. Revellers in Leeds were seen battling the cold and rain in fancy dress as they embarked on the famous Otley Run pub crawl. In Newcastle, some drinkers looked worse for wear as they were helped off the floor by police officers. Ladies were seen donning sparly hats and short skirts - despite temperatures dropping and blustery showers expected in some parts of the UK. As the night continued, some whipped off their high heels and walked bare foot to takeaways for post nightclub grub.
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New York celebrates the start of 2023
Residents across the pond rang in the new year as the ball dropped in Times Square.
‘Thor’ the walrus found resting on UK beach forcing council to limit New Year fireworks
A walrus was spotted at a UK coastal town forcing a council to cancel New Year's Eve fireworks over concerns that it could scare the animal, a news report has stated.
The large walrus nicknamed ‘Thor’ was found resting on a harbour in a rare sighting in Scarborough on December 30.
The marine mammal was discovered along the shoreline of the Solent on the south coast having travelled from Europe.
Experts believed that the young walrus could have come from as far as Canada, and is likely to be “wandering” before making his way back to his Arctic habitat.
The animal has been identified as Thor, an adolescent male that was seen on beaches in Hampshire earlier this month.
It was also spotted in Holland and France.
Marine experts have now suggested the town council to cancel the New Year firework display over concerns about their emotional effects on the animal.
Eight arrested amid New Year's celebrations, police say
The Met has announced that eight people have been arrested on the first day of 2023 in central London.
The events in central London have now finished.
\u2014 Metropolitan Police Events (@MetPoliceEvents) January 1, 2023
Over the course of the evening eight people were arrested for offences including assault on police, drunk and disorderly, and possession of an offensive weapon.
Germany rings in the new year
Revellers rang in the new year in Cologne with a brilliant firework display.
Thousands gather in Milan to ring in the new year
Milan's iconic cathedral was lit up with dazzling colours as fireworks exploaded overhead.
London pays tribute to Ukraine war in stunning display of fireworks
London fireworks payed tribute to the Ukrainian war in its stunning display.
A huge moment - Ukraine\u2019s winning song Stefania featured in the London firework display. \ud83d\udc4f \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6 pic.twitter.com/Q5L2qRSFuj
\u2014 ESC Conor \u2618\ufe0f (@ESCConor) January 1, 2023
Tributes to Queen pour in as clocks strike midnight
Tributes to the late Queen poured in as the long-awaited London fireworks graced the sky.
Britain truly has the best firework display in the world and that tribute to the Queen had me in tears \ud83c\udf86 pic.twitter.com/icA31UnSsK
\u2014 Charlie Watts (@knowlewester) January 1, 2023
Thousands gather in Edinburgh
Edinburgh rings in the new year
Happy New Year in London as clocks strike midnight
It is midnight in the UK as celebrations begin in Britain
The King’s Piper plays ‘Auld Lang Syne’ at Buckingham Palace
The Royal Family says 'goodbye' to 2022 wishing people happiness and health for the New Year.
A video posted on social media shows the King’s Piper playing ‘Auld Lang Syne’ at Buckingham Palace.
As we say goodbye to 2022, The King\u2019s Piper plays \u2018Auld Lang Syne\u2019 at Buckingham Palace.
\u2014 The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) December 31, 2022
Wishing all our followers a very happy and healthy 2023.#HappyNewYear pic.twitter.com/SxX74g1OU5
Hogmanay New Year celebrations in Edinburgh
Revellers watch fireworks at Edinburgh Castle during the Hogmanay New Year celebrations in Edinburgh.
Flamborough Fire Festival in Yorkshire
Viking reenactors use flaming torches to write 2023 during the Flamborough Fire Festival, a Viking-themed parade in aid of charities and local community groups, held on New Year's Eve in Flamborough near Bridlington, Yorkshire.
Crowds gather in central London
People gather on the Embankment opposite the London Eye in central London ahead of the New Year celebrations.
'Dare to dream!' Boris Johnson shares new year optimism
Boris Johnson issued a bombastic video message for New Year's Eve.
While he did not address his time as PM, Mr Johnson said he is confident "things will get better" in 2023 after a "pretty tumultuous" past year.
He finished the message saying: "Our post-COVID, post-pandemic UK will finally start to take advantage of all our new freedoms, lengthening our lead as the best place on earth to invest, to start a business, raise a family or to just hang out in the pub which is what I propose to do this New Year's Eve."
Here are my New Year predictions! Inflation will continue to turn down. China will recover from omicron. Putin will lose in Ukraine. And, all in all, 2023 will be a considerable improvement on 2022. Dare to dream. Happy New Year! pic.twitter.com/qjpR4ropGA
\u2014 Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) December 31, 2022
President Xi Jinping addresses Covid U-turn
Chinese President Xi Jinping used his new year speech to address the decision to drop the country's zero-Covid strategy.
He admitted that the country was facing "tough challenges" as Covid cases go up.
These are the first remarks from the Chinese leader on Covid since the policy was relaxed earlier this month.
Vladimir Putin issues New Year's Eve message
Vladimir Putin issued a furious and rambling New Year's Eve message to Russians today.
The Kremlin chief appeared fatigued and was suffering from a cough as he addressed Russians in each of the country's 11 time zones before midnight.
In a break with his own tradition, President Putin used a backdrop of military troops instead of the snowy Kremlin for the first time in his reign.
READ MORE: Putin's rambling New Year's Eve message filled with coughs sparks more health questions
Manila celebrates NYE with incredible display
Colourful firework celebrations over buildings during New Year's celebrations in Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines.
Crowds begin to gather in London
It may be more than six hours until midnight but crowds are beginning to gather in London ahead of the New Year's Eve celebrations.
People have been seen arriving at the Thames embankment, opposite the London Eye - the focal point of the midnight firework display.
Many revellers brought along umbrellas as they braved the downpours and unsettled weather.
Spectacular fireworks in Taipei
Spectacular photos from Taipei earlier show a firework and light display on the city's tallest high-rise, Taipei 101.
Thailand, Cambodia and Indonesia become the next major countries to celebrate
Spectacular firework displays erupted across Thailand, Cambodia and Indonesia as the three Southeast Asian countries welcomed in the New Year at 5pm GMT.
In Thailand's capital, Bangkok, fireworks exploded over the Chao Phraya River.
Pope Francis appears following death of former pope Benedict VXI
Pope Francis has appeared publicly for the first time since the death of former pope Benedict XVI at the age of 95 earlier today.
He led the Vespers and Te Deum prayer on New Year's Eve in St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican.
Chinese capital marks the arrival of 2023 after Covid U-turn
Celebrations in Beijing were seen at the Great Wall and other major landmarks, after the country relaxed its Covid restrictions this month in a dramatic U-turn.
Despite the easing of rules, police were seen guarding an area in Wuhan to avoid mass gatherings during celebrations amid a fresh COVID outbreak in the city.
Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Shanghai, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taipei and Perth also rang in the New Year at 4pm GMT.
NYE: Fireworks ring in New Year in Hong Kong
Seoul and Tokyo join 2023
Thousands in Tokyo and Seoul have welcomed the New Year with a brilliant firework display.
This follows intense Covid restrictions that hampered celebrations in Japan and South Korea last year.
Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea also rang in the new year at 3pm GMT.
Partygoers begin welcoming in the New Year in New Zealand and Australia
The end of 2022 is underway as revellers on the other side of the world begin ringing in the New Year.
New Zealand was among the first countries to enter 2023 with a stunning light show and fireworks display over the Auckland Harbour Bridge and Sky Tower respectively.
The country, led by Jacinda Ardern, was forced to cancel much of its celebrations last year due to its tough Covid-19 restrictions. It welcomed the new year with a five-minute fireworks display starting at the stroke of midnight.
NYE revellers are told 'don't drink too much' amid fears over-stretched hospitals will struggle
The chief medical officer for Wales has told New Year's Eve revellers "don't drink too much" to help reduce pressure on the over-stretched health service.
Sir Frank Atherton told BBC One's Breakfast programme: "I agree people generally behave very sensibly.
"Sadly, when alcohol gets thrown into the mix, and it gets thrown in a big way in new year, that can sometimes go out of the window, and so we are asking people to behave sensibly, don't put themselves at risk, don't put others at risk, look after each other when you're out and about, don't drink too much and don't get into trouble."
GMP issue warning for drink spiking ahead of New Year celebrations - 'Be Drink Aware'
Greater Manchester Police has issued a warning ahead of celebrations as forces receive a number of drink spiking reports.
National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for Violence Against Women and Girls, Deputy Chief Constable Maggie Blyth said: "In order to have the best chance of identifying drugs and bringing offenders to justice, our message to anyone who thinks they have been spiked is to report early and be tested by the police.
"Don’t let the fact that you might have knowingly taken illegal drugs, stop you from reporting. It’s really important that if you do think you have been spiked and you have taken drugs that you let the officer know so that they have the full picture. Report drink spiking immediately."
Sandringham, Berkshire, California: Where and how the royals will celebrate New Year's Eve
The Royal Family celebrated their first Christmas without Queen Elizabeth II last week, and in honour of his late mother, King Charles III invited his family to spend the festive period at Sandringham.
Queen Elizabeth was known to cherish the annual gathering at her beloved Norfolk estate, an event which saw the royals exchange humorous gifts, attend a Christmas morning church service and sit down to a festive feast.
Her Majesty would often stay at Sandringham until February 6 — the anniversary of her father’s death and her accession to the throne — and therefore ring in the New Year at the country home.
The shocking long-lasting effects of New Year’s Eve fireworks on wildlife
Fireworks set off on New Year’s Eve aren’t just upsetting to pet cats and dogs — they also have negative and long-lasting effects on the behaviour of wild birds.
This is the conclusion of researchers who tracked the movements of migratory geese in Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands in the days before and after December 31.
They found that the use of fireworks to celebrate the turn of the year causes the birds to abandon their sleeping sites and fly to new areas further away from human settlements.
And, in the days following, not only did the birds not return to their original sleeping sites but they also flew less and foraged more.
Stylist shares number 1 tip to 'look rejuvenated' this New Year's Eve - a 'secret weapon'
Style experts at Nasty Gal shared the top tips to look your best on New Year's Eve, whether "you’re opting for sequins or the sofa" with the help of shapewear.
They said: "If you’ve got a big Christmas bash this season and want to feel your best, these tips can help you look and feel rejuvenated as you sashay into the holidays."
The stylists explained that women tend to take fewer fashion risks as they get older because of a lack of confidence or because they are afraid of dressing age-inappropriately.
This often means most women opt for more conservative cuts, shapes and colours over Christmas and New Year.
However, the experts explained that this restrictive take on dressing can make people feel older, and advised them to forget about the rulebook.
Revellers enjoyed a night out in Newcastle and Leeds
Brits were snapped enjoying their nights out on Friday.
NYE plans halted amid rail strikes and cost of living crisis
As the UK gears up for New Year's Eve celebrations, there are concerns more reservations could be cancelled as a result of rail strikes and the cost of living crisis.
The cost of living crisis has forced Brits to look at their NYE plans as industry experts say bar and restaurant bookings are down.
There is "huge" concern that strikes will further hit New Year bookings and result in job losses in January, the Night Time Industries Association said.
The government says it is doing all it can to mitigate the impact of strikes. Train services continue to be hit by cancellations and delays as rail workers stage a series of national strikes in a dispute over pay, job security and working conditions.
Kate Nichols, chief executive of industry organisation UK Hospitality told BBC Breakfast losses in December were worse than expected due to rail worker walk outs. "We know that when the train strikes were announced... you saw cancellation rates as high as 50-60% in the centre of London and 20-30% around the rest of the country directly attributable to those strike days."
Police in urgent warning ahead of New Years Eve as number of spiked young women surges
They are urging potential victims who fear they have had their drinks laced with drugs or have been injected to report the offence as soon as possible.
Sexual predators intent on incapacitating young women will be on the prowl in clubs and pubs hosting New Year parties, say police.
The 5,000 reported incidents across England and Wales in the 12 months to September this year came as police step up operations to tackle the menace.
Deputy Chief Constable Maggie Blyth, of the National Police Chiefs’ Council, said: “Behind each of these reports is a frightened victim whose night out has turned into a nightmare. I know from talking to victims of spiking how utterly terrifying it can be."