Queen honoured in London New Year's fireworks before turning into King Charles

Illuminated ball drops and confetti rains down in New York

Two cops stabbed during New York celebrations

A New York police officer on his first day on the job was one of two cops stabbed in New Year’s celebrations close to Times Square.

Emergency services rushed to an incident just a few blocks from where thousands were celebrating the end of the year, after witnesses heard gunshots, it is reported.

A suspect is believed to have swung a knife at a group of police officers causing two injuries.

The knifeman is then believed to have been shot in the shoulder, reported NBC New York.

Blackout in Buenos Aires for New Year

A power cut in Argentinian capital Buenos Aires has meant many revellers have welcomed the New Year in darkness.

Images across the city show a blackout compared to the bright lights around the rest of the world for the start of 2023.

It is also a stark difference to the wild celebrations in December as millions took to the streets to welcome home the Argentina side after winning the World Cup.

Green comet last seen by Neanderthals 50,000 years ago to fly past earth tonight

There has been record high usage of electricity in Argentina over recent weeks with the country going through a heatwave and it has led to power cuts.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky makes wish for victory over Russia

Volodymyr Zelensky said his “one wish” for 2023 was victory over Russia.

Standing next to his wife Olena Zelenska, the Ukrainian president gave a New Year’s message to the war torn country.

“I want to wish all of us one thing - victory. And that’s the main thing. One wish for all Ukrainians,” he said.

“Let this year be the year of return. The return of our people. Soldiers to their families. Prisoners to their homes.

“Emigrants to their Ukraine. Return of our lands,”

(AFP via Getty Images)

New York prepares for iconic Times Square celebrations

New York City is preparing to bring in the New Year with a dazzling Saturday night spectacle in iconic Times Square, anchoring celebrations across the United States.

The night is due to culminate with a countdown as a glowing geodesic sphere 12 feet in diameter and weighing almost six tonnes descends from its lofty perch atop One Times Square.

Its surface is comprised of nearly 2,700 Waterford crystals that will be illuminated, officials said, by a palette of more than 16 million colours.

At the stroke of midnight, a ton of confetti is expected to rain down on soggy revellers, glittering amid the jumbo screens, neon and pulsing lights.

(Stefan Jeremiah/AP/REX/Shutterstock)

Tributes to late Queen in London display

A light display of the crown and the late monarch’s portrait on a coin were among the tributes to the Queen during the New Year’s Day celebrations in London.

The imagery was then transformed into a portrait of King Charles.

London welcomed in the New Year with a 12-minute firework display set to music - which the city's mayor Sadiq Khan said was the biggest in Europe.

(Getty Images)

'Love and unity' message at London celebrations

London's fireworks display had a message of "love and unity" including drones spelling out "2023 with love from London".

The Lionesses' history-making Euro win at Wembley was highlighted, 50 years of London's Pride was marked with a message from Peter Tatchell from the Gay Liberation Front, and there was also a message of support to Ukraine.

The display paid tribute to the late Queen before honouring the King, together with a message from Charles about the need to preserve our planet's future.

Music that included Neil Diamond's Sweet Caroline, Ukrainian Eurovision winner Kalush Orchestra, and hits from Stormzy, Dua Lipa, Cher, Dave, Rihanna and Calvin Harris, the show concluded with the traditional Auld Lang Syne.

(PA)

Revellers enjoy 'first full Hogmanay celebrations in three years' in Edinburgh

People in Edinburgh enjoyed what First Minister Nicola Sturgeon called the "first full Hogmanay celebrations in three years".

"Thinking back to Hogmanay last year and indeed the year before that, we're reminded of just how far we have come from the very darkest days of the pandemic," she said in a New Year's Eve message on Twitter.

People queued in the rain to enter the party in Princes Street.

Fireworks lit up the sky behind the city's castle and 80s duo The Pet Shop Boys sang the city into 2023.

(PA)

Happy New Year!

Celebrations start up and down the country with fireworks displays to bring in the New Year.

People have braved the wind and rain with more than 100,000 people out in London for the display.

Big Ben bonged in England's capital as a crowd gathered along the Thames Embankment to watch 12,000 fireworks streak across the sky.

The sold-out show was designed to send a message of "love and unity", as it highlighted the Lionesses' history-making Euro win at Wembley, marked 50 years of London's Pride with a message from Peter Tatchell from the Gay Liberation Front, and sent a message of support to Ukraine.

The display also paid tribute to the late Queen, featuring a voice recording from her and words from Dame Judi Dench, before honouring the King, together with a message from Charles about the need to preserve our planet's future.

(Getty Images)

Scots brave wet weather for Hogmanay

Scots queued for hours in Edinburgh's Princes Street ahead of tonight's Hogmanay celebrations.

It is the first time in three years the full celebrations have been put on after the pandemic.

Celebrations kicked off on Friday evening with the night afore party, headlined by pop superstar Sophie Ellis-Bextor with special guests Altered Images.

Revellers on Princes Street, during the Hogmanay New Year celebrations in Edinburgh (PA)

Skies lights up over UAE

The UAE held another elaborate New Year's fireworks display at the world's tallest skyscraper, the iconic Burj Khalifa, to ring in 2023.

Fireworks go off as part of new year celebrations in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates (Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

PM's New Year message

Rishi Sunak delivered a New Year message to the country, saying 2023 would have its "challenges" , before claiming "the government I lead will always put your priorities first".

It comes amid an onoing dispute with striking public sector workers over pay dispute.

They claim their concerns are being ignored, with union leaders accusing the government of refusing to negotiate over much-needed pay increases.

2023 will have its challenges, but the government I lead will always put your priorities first.

My New Year message pic.twitter.com/KatjfHHjty

— Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) December 31, 2022

Revellers hit the town across UK

Partygoers were ready to see in the New Year as they hot the town in Nottingham.

Dressed in their finest fancy dress, complete with immaculate makeup and wigs, the group were certainly ready for a night of celebrations.

Party goers see in the New Year in Nottingham (Tom Maddick SWNS)

Sadiq Khan says London display "biggest in Europe"

London Mayor Sadiq Khan said the city's fireworks will be the "biggest in Europe", adding they could be "the best in the world".

He told Sky News there are "at least three massive surprises" lined up for the show.

Mr Khan added: "It’s a really important way to bring in the new year.

"It will be a message from London of love sent to our friends across Europe and around the world.

"It’s really important that we have a full recovery after the awful two, three years we’ve had because of the pandemic."

"These are the biggest fireworks in Europe and I think they're the best fireworks in the world".

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan tells Sky News there are "at least three massive surprises" coming up tonight.https://t.co/4aGSmZkpCv

Sky 501, Virgin 602, Freeview 233 and YouTube pic.twitter.com/SxdBFMKarn

— Sky News (@SkyNews) December 31, 2022

Royal Family shares King's piper's New Year tribute

The Royal Family a clip of the King's piper playing 'Auld Lang Syne' at Buckingham Palace to mark the new year.

In a message posted on Twitter, the foyal family said: "As we say goodbye to 2022, The King’s Piper plays ‘Auld Lang Syne’ at Buckingham Palace.

"Wishing all our followers a very happy and healthy 2023."

As we say goodbye to 2022, The King's Piper plays Lang Syne at Buckingham Palace.

Wishing all our followers a very happy and healthy 2023.#HappyNewYear pic.twitter.com/SxX74g1OU5

— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) December 31, 2022

Crowds gather for Hogmanay in Scotland

Hundreds have been queuing for entry at Princes Street in Edinburgh for the city's Hogmanay New Year celebrations.

About 30,000 people are expected to attend the party, in a scaled back event from the 60,000 of past years.

Alongside the capital's street party the Pet Shop Boys will headline the Hogmanay concert in Princes Street Gardens.

Neil Tennant, of the Pet Shop Boys, told BBC Scotland: "It's a really exciting show to play, when you get here you realise Hogmanay is a big deal in Edinburgh.

"We played it first nine years ago and it was just a fantastic audience, it's an amazing site with the castle above you and everyone's there to have a good time."

Crowds queue for entry at Princes Street, before the Hogmanay New Year celebrations in Edinburgh (PA)

Murderous Vladimir Putin marks New Year with champagne

Murderous Vladimir Putin lifted a glass of champagne with troops as Russia saw the new year in.

Earlier Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba tweeted that the "war criminal" Russian President had seen in the new year by "killing people".

Celebrations in Moscow were muted, with the famous Red Square having earlier been closed because of Covid restrictions.

Vladimir Putin was branded a 'war criminal' by Ukrainian officials (Rossiya 1 / east2west news)

Council cancels fireworks over walrus concers

A walrus who turned up at a coastal town in December is causing havoc this New Year as the council has taken the decision to cancel this evening's firworks over concerns it could scare the animal.

A spokesman for Scarborough Borough Council said: "We have taken the decision to cancel tonight’s New Year’s Eve fireworks display on the advice of British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR), because of the arrival of the walrus ‘Thor’ in the harbour.

“There are concerns that the display could cause distress to the mammal.”

Councillor Steve Siddons, leader of the council, said: "We are really disappointed that we’ve had to cancel the fireworks but the welfare of the walrus has to take precedence.

“Our decision is based on expert advice from the BDMLR charity.”

'Thor' the Walrus was spotted on a beach in Southampton (Luke Mckell/Solent News)

Hong Kong's impressive display

Hong Kong put on a stunning firework display to ring in the New Year.

The skies over the Victoria Harbour lit up at midnight as thousands watched the 'Symphony of Lights’ display with pyrotechnic effects set off from prime buildings on Hong Kong Island.

Revellers watch a fireworks and laser show as they celebrate the New Year next to Victoria Harbour (AFP via Getty Images)

Crowds gather for famous New York ball drop

Crowds are gathering in New York's Time Square ahead of the famous New Year ball drop at midnight.

The ball drop has been a tradition for over 100 years, with celebrations starting shortly before 6pm when the New Year's Eve ball is raised to the top of the pole at One Times Square.

The 60 second descent down the flagbole starts at exactly 11:59pm.

Revelers wait in the rain at Times Square for the midnight ball drop for the New Year's Eve celebration (Getty Images)

Sweet scenes of balloon release in Wuhan

In China's Wuhan, thousands gathered for a balloon release in the street to ring in the New Year.

They held red heart shaped balloons that were released into the air to welcome 2023.

Aerial photos also showed pedestrians visiting a business area ahead of the new year in Nanning, in China's southern Guangxi region.

People gather for new year in Nanning, in China's southern Guangxi region (AFP via Getty Images)

Thailand enters 2023

Thailand entered 2023 around an hour and 40 minutes ago, with stunning displays to mark the new year.

In Bangkok , fireworks lit up the skies over the Wat Arun Buddhist temple on the Chao Phraya River.

Fireworks show over Wat Arun Buddhist temple (AFP via Getty Images)

Scenes of celebration across China

Scenes of celebration are playing out across China as crowds gather to watch firework and light displays.

In northeastern Liaoning provice, crowds gathered to watch a lantern display while in eastern Jiangsu province, a stunning firework display lit up the sky over the Xiyou World theme park in Huaian.

Bystanders watching lanterns ahead of the New Year in Shenyang (AFP via Getty Images)

Stunning scenes as Taiwan enters 2023

Crowds gathered to watch a stunning firework display from the tallest skyscraper in Taipei, Taiwan.

The building, named Taipei 101 comprises of 101 floors above ground, as well as five basement levels.

It was the first building to break the half-kilometer mark in height, and it was the world's tallest in 2004, until the completion of Dubai's Burj Khalifa in 2009.

Ahead of the New Year celebrations, the Taiwan Railways Administration (TRA) received messages threatening to bomb stations around the city on New Year's Eve, reports the Taiwan News.

The TRA said it received three messages that were signed with the sender’s phone number and email address through its customer inquiry system late at night on Friday with the sender threatening to place bombs on platforms.

It is not believed any bombing incidents occured.

Firework display explodes off Taiwan's tallest skyscraper (ChiangYing-ying/AP/REX/Shutterstock)

People begin to gather in London

Crowds are beginning to grow along the Thames embankmet in London as revellers eagerly await the annual epic firework display.

Many stood with umbrellas as they braved the downpours, their excitement for the evening celebrations growing despite the damp weather.

However, the Met Office has warned of an “unsettled” New Year weekend for much of the UK.

It has been a grim year with the continuing war in Ukraine, global warming issues and increased cost of living, but despite Covidebing on the rise again, the UK is at last able to enjoy New Year parties without the tight restrictions of before.

People stand in the rain as they wait for NYE fireworks over the Thames (PA)

Russia launches missile strikes amid Kyiv's NYE celebrations

At least one person was killed and 14 others hospitalised as multiple blasts rocked Kyiv and other areas of Ukraine on Saturday.

Some Ukrainians defied the danger, however, to return to the country to reunite with families for the New Year's holiday.

Ukrainian officials claimed Russia was deliberately targeting civilians, seeking to create a climate of fear to see out a grim 2022 and usher in a bloody new year.

First Lady Olena Zelenska expressed outrage that such massive missile attacks could come just before New Year's Eve celebrations. "Ruining lives of others is a disgusting habit of our neighbours," she said.

People shelter inside a subway station during missile strikes in Kyiv (AFP via Getty Images)

Festive fun at the Pyramids

A camel dressed in christmas themed clothing is pictured near the Giza Pyramids Necropolis on the southwestern outskirts of the Egyptian capital on December 31, 2022.

While Egypt marks the New Year in around six hours time, Christmas Day isn't celebrated on the 25th December but on 7th January (like in Ethiopia and by some Orthodox Christians in Russia and Serbia).

The Coptic month leading to Christmas is called Kiahk. People sing special praise songs on Saturday nights before the Sunday Service.

A camel dressed in Christmas themed clothing (AFP via Getty Images)

Crowds see in New Year in South Korea

People light up their smartphones as they celebrate the New Year's eve in front of the Bosingak pavilion where its annual New Year's bell-ringing ceremony is held in Seoul, South Korea.

People hold smartphones in the air as they ring in the New Year (AFP via Getty Images)

Beijing rings in New Year after lifting Covid restrictions

Beijing rings in New Year after lifting Covid restrictions

In Beijing, New Year celebrations were seen at the Great Wall.

It comes after the government made a u-turn on their Covid restrictions, leading to an explosion of cases.

Celebrations also took place in Shanghai where authorities said traffic will be stopped along the waterfront Bund to allow pedestrians to gather on New Year's Eve.

Shanghai Disneyland also held a special fireworks show to welcome 2023.

Perth, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore also rang in the New Year at 4pm GMT.

Putin's New Year address

President Vladimir Putin used his New Year's address to claim to be fighting for "true independence" and said Moscow would never yield to the West's using of Ukraine as a tool to destroy the "motherland".

Putin made the video address, shown on state television on Saturday in each of Russia's 11 time zones, from a military headquarters with soldiers in the background, a sharp departure from his previous practice of recording the message against the backdrop of the snowy Kremlin.

He said: "It was a year of difficult, necessary decisions, the most important steps toward gaining full sovereignty of Russia and powerful consolidation of our society.

"The West lied about peace, but was preparing for aggression, and today it admits it openly, no longer embarrassed. And they cynically use Ukraine and its people to weaken and split Russia.

"We have never allowed anyone and will not allow anyone to do this."

Vladimir Putin's New Year 2023 address to Russia (Rossiya 1 / east2west news)