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THERE was carnage at London’s New Year’s Eve fireworks display as thugs stormed the barriers last night.
Revellers then experienced travel chaos as crowds packed into the likes of Waterloo Station – and Oxford Street was locked down after a machete fight left a man with catastrophic injuries.
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Crowds of revellers were also tricked into flocking to Centenary Square in Birmingham after social media fraudsters posted about a fake display.
Chaotic footage sent to the Sun showed groups of yobs shoving their way through security on Victoria Street just an hour before the iconic fireworks display took place at Embankment.
People across the country battled travel chaos and braved 75mph winds and torrential rain as they ushered in 2025 with a bang.
The London Eye and Big Ben acted as the perfect backdrop for the annual festivities with the skyline lit up as joyous crowds cheered along.
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However, some celebrations across Britain were cancelled because of the weather.
Events in Blackpool, Newcastle, the Isle of Wight and Ripon and North Yorkshire were all axed.
And they continue today, with London’s New Year’s Day Parade delayed due to high winds forecast, a spokesperson for the event said.
The parade was due to begin at midday, but is set to start 30 minutes later than planned, and inflatable cartoon characters will not be inflated after advice from the Met Office, spokesman Dan Kirkby added.
Earlier, the tiny Pacific island of Kiritimati, part of a former British colony called Kiribati, was the first to see the new year.
New Zealand followed soon after with a fireworks display over the 1,076ft Sky Tower – the tallest building in Auckland – as they were the first major city to cheer in 2025.
In Australia, a million revellers flocked to Sydney Harbour to watch a 12-minute explosion of colour as 53,500 pyrotechnics erupted over the famous Opera House.
Pop superstar Robbie Williams led the crowds there in a mass singalong before the clock struck 12.
German backpacker Hanna Kronziel, 20, and her pals bagged their spots 20 hours before the fireworks began.
She said: “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
In Jakarta, Indonesia, a show featuring 800 drones wowed crowds as they lit up the night sky.
But most of the celebrations in South Korea were cancelled or cut back as the country continues to mourn the 179 killed in Sunday’s plane crash.
Paris, Berlin, Taiwan, Thailand, Singapore and Dubai all had spectacular light shows of their own.
BRITAIN’S WEATHER WOES
Here in the UK, bad weather forced cancellations across the country with revellers being left unimpressed.
Michael Ellis, 31, railed at Newcastle council for cancelling the event on the banks of the Tyne.
He said: “Did any of the dingbats working for this wretched council bother to check the weather forecast? Winds due to drop dramatically by 9pm.”
Catherine Hutchinson, of Gateshead, added: “How hard can it be to light a firework fuse?”
Peter McVay said: “It’s a bit of wind and rain — we’re even woke about the weather now.”
And 50,000 were disappointed as events at Edinburgh’s Hogmanay party were cancelled.
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American Richard Newton had travelled more than 4,000 miles from Atlanta with his wife and children only to find the Edinburgh bash scrapped.
He said: “We’ve been planning for this for five years. It’s heartbreaking.”
But the display in London did go ahead despite concern beforehand about high winds.
A crowd of 100,000 people who braved the weather cheered fromthe banks of the Thames as Big Ben brought in the new year with its 12 bongs.
More than 12,000 fireworks were set off on river barges and from the foot of the London Eye as millions more watched on television.
However, hoards of thugs stormed through security barriers an hour before at Embankment.
A witness told The Sun: “It was dangerous. They were pushing people, being violent and jumping around.”
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Meanwhile, a fireworks display to mark 1,500 years since the founding of Wales’s oldest city Bangor was also among those cancelled.
You can follow our live blog below for all the latest updates …
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More Brits head out to celebrate in the rain
Revellers in Leeds have kicked off their celebrations as they hide under coatsCredit: NB PRESS LTD 
The weather in Leeds hasn’t dampened any spirits as people are continuing to flock to eventsCredit: NB PRESS LTD 
Pals in Liverpool city centre get ready for an action packed night outCredit: LNP -
Who celebrates the New Year last?
The last ones to ring in the New Year will be Baker Island and Howland Island. The islands will see 2025 at 12pm GMT on January 1.
Baker and Howland Islands are almost halfway between Hawaii and Australia.
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Why do we sing Auld Lang Syne at New Year?
Auld Lang Syne has been sung on New Year’s Eve for generations it almost seems impossible to picture a time before the anthem.
The song originated in Scotland but became popular through Hollywood films.
Guy Lombardo and his band played the song at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City on New Year’s Eve 1929.
The song was later featured on the radio and soon became a New Year’s tradition.
Credit: ITV
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Queues beginning to form across London
There are now less than four hours to go until the UK celebrates the New Year with thousands of revellers already queuing up for various events being put on across London.
It comes as pubs and bars across major cities in Britain have already started to fill up in anticipation of a joyous evening.
The main traditional fireworks display will come in London as Big Ben strikes midnight and welcomes in 2025.
Revellers queue up on Whitehall before the New Yearâs Eve fireworksCredit: LNP 
Thousands have already started to celebrateCredit: LNP 
Families head towards the London Eye ahead of the celebrationsCredit: LNP -
Dubai celebrates 2025 in style
The glitzy city of Dubai has wowed onlookers with a mega pyrotechnic display at the world’s tallest building – the Burj Khalifa.
Fireworks and synchronised water jets all shot into the night sky as the clock hit midnight across the United Arab Emirates.
The mesmerising display saw fireworks shoot out from the Burj Khalifa as the tower was lit up in spectacular colours.
The words “Happy New Year” were also projected onto the building in various languages.
Dubai has ushered in 2025 with a spectacular fireworks display from the world’s tallest building – the Burj KhalifaCredit: AP 
The Burj Khalifa had been lit up with a dazzling displayCredit: AP 
Fireworks rang out across DubaiCredit: Reuters 
A light show and fireworks illuminated the Burj KhalifaCredit: AFP 
The Burj Khalifa was the centrepiece for the UAE’s joyous celebrationsCredit: Reuters -
Brits brave torrid weather to celebrate New Year
Partygoers are already heading out across the UK as midnight draws closer.
Weather warnings of high winds and rainy conditions later on this evening have done little to damper the spirits of Brits.
With thousands already taking over the cities of Leeds, Birmingham and Liverpool ahead of New Year.
New Year revellers are braving the weather in Leeds as they prepare for a night of celebrationsCredit: NB PRESS LTD 
Celebrations are also underway in a rainy LiverpoolCredit: London News Pictures 
Partygoers in Birmingham have dressed up for the exciting evening aheadCredit: SWNS -
In pictures: joyous displays across India
The streets of Bangalore, India were packed out with peopleCredit: EPA 
People flash lights from their phones at a New Year’s Eve celebration in MumbaiCredit: Reuters 
A giant light show flashed up the words ‘Happy New Year 2025’Credit: Reuters 
A couple celebrate the New Year with a romantic gestureCredit: Reuters -
Pakistan officially welcomes New Year at 7pm – who’s next?
Below is a list of when different parts of the world will welcome 2025 using London time.
December 31
- 8pm – Azerbaijan
- 8.30pm – Iran
- 9pm – Turkey, Iraq, Kenya and Western Russia
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Birmingham revellers prepare for a big night of New Year celebrations
Birmingham city centre is starting to fill out with joyous locals who are starting their nights early before 2024 comes to a close in just hours.
Celebrations across the UK are due to get underway as people flock to bars, pubs and huge events being out on throughout the evening.
Three ladies pose for a picture in Birmingham city centreCredit: Alamy 
Two of the woman are donning celebratory glasses welcoming in 2025
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London’s firework extravaganza will go ahead
The iconic New Year’s Eve fireworks in the capital is set to go ahead as planned at midnight tonight despite serious concerns over the weather.
A London mayor spokesperson confirmed the event will continue with revellers already preparing for the shift into 2025.
Ticketholders for the event and the “many millions watching around the world” should be set for “a spectacular night of fireworks from the banks of the Thames to welcome in the new year,” the spokesperson added.
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Hong Kong officially enters 2025 with largest ever celebrations in the city
The dazzling city of Hong Kong has celebrated going into the New Year with a huge firework display.
The Hong Kong Tourism Board called the countdown event on the Victoria Harbour the largest ever in the city.
A star-studded concert and dance performances also took place as joyous revellers welcomed in 2025.
Fireworks explode over Victoria Harbour to mark the arrival of the new year in Hong KongCredit: AFP 
People react to the fireworks in Hong Kong as 2025 gets underwayCredit: Reuters 
The show went on for some time with many coming out to celebrateCredit: AFP -
In pictures: dazzling display in Sydney
Here are some images from Sydney, taken shortly after revellers welcomed in 2025.
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Thailand, Cambodia and Indonesia officially welcome New Year – who’s next?
Below is a list of when different parts of the world will welcome 2025 using London time.
December 31
- 5.30pm – Myanmar and Cocos Islands
- 6pm – Bangladesh
- 6.15pm – Nepal
- 6.30pm – India and Sri Lanka
- 7pm – Pakistan
- 8pm – Azerbaijan
- 8.30pm – Iran
- 9pm – Turkey, Iraq, Kenya and Western Russia
- 10pm – Greece, Romania, South Africa, Hungary, and eastern European cities
- 11pm – Germany, France, Italy, Algeria, Belgium, Spain
- Midnight – UK, Ireland, Ghana, Iceland, Portugal
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Hong Kong and China officially welcome New Year – who’s next?
Below is a list of when different parts of the world will welcome 2025 using London time.
December 31
- 5pm – Thailand, Cambodia and Indonesia
- 5.30pm – Myanmar and Cocos Islands
- 6pm – Bangladesh
- 6.15pm – Nepal
- 6.30pm – India and Sri Lanka
- 7pm – Pakistan
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More events cancelled
Organisers in Blackpool, Ripon and Isle of Wight have followed Edinburgh and Newcastle in cancelling firework displays while London is “monitoring the weather”.
You can follow us here for all the latest updates.
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More bizarre NYE traditions
Kissing loved ones when the clock strikes twelve may be a little odd, but it is one of the most popular NYE traditions.
In Puerto Rico, some will dump a bucket of water out the window to drive away evil spirits or sprinkle sugar outside for good luck. Now that’s bizarre.
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Steve Lamacq receives MBE in New Year’s Honours list – but what is it?
The New Year Honours is a part of the British honours system, with New Year’s Day being marked by naming new members of orders of chivalry and recipients of other official honours.
Among those being honoured this year are Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London, Gareth Southgate, former manager of the England national football team, and broadcaster and former NME journalist Steve Lamacq, pictured below with Noel Gallagher.
Lamacq, who hosts a Monday afternoon music show on BBC Radio 6 Music, has been nominated with an MBE for his services to broadcasting and music venues.
Credit: BBC -
Crowds gather in Whitehall ahead of London’s fireworks display
Revellers have already begun gathering in Whitehall ahead of tonight’s fireworks display in London.
Here are some of the latest images from the capital.
Credit: ALAMY -
Hong Kong prepares for 2025
Here are some great pictures of children and families in Hong Kong at the weekend, attending the city’s Winter Carnival 2024.
The carnival celebrates the last weekend of the year.
Hong Kong will officially welcome in 2025 in 90 minutes.
Credit: GETTY -
Japan officially welcomes New Year at 3pm – who’s next?
Below is a list of when different parts of the world will welcome 2025 using London time.
December 31
- 3.15pm – Western Australia (Perth and Eucla)
- 4pm – China, Hong Kong, Philippines, Singapore
- 5pm – Thailand, Cambodia and Indonesia
- 5.30pm – Myanmar and Cocos Islands
- 6pm – Bangladesh
- 6.15pm – Nepal
- 6.30pm – India and Sri Lanka
- 7pm – Pakistan
- 8pm – Azerbaijan
- 8.30pm – Iran
- 9pm – Turkey, Iraq, Kenya and Western Russia
- 10pm – Greece, Romania, South Africa, Hungary, and eastern European cities
- 11pm – Germany, France, Italy, Algeria, Belgium, Spain
- Midnight – UK, Ireland, Ghana, Iceland, Portugal
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In pictures: dazzling display in Sydney
Here are some more images from Sydney, taken shortly after revellers welcomed in 2025.
Credit: GETTY 
Credit: GETTY
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In pictures: Sydney Harbour and Opera House in 2025
Here’s the latest image from Australia, taken at 00.02 local time.
Credit: GETTY -
G’day to New Year – Australia welcomes 2025
Australia has officially welcomed in New Year 2025.
We’ll have all the latest images from the dazzling fireworks display in Sydney but in the meantime, here are some from earlier at 9pm local time.
.Credit: REUTERS -
London prepares for New Year’s Eve celebrations
Here are the latest images coming in from central London ahead of tonight’s planned fireworks display.
Credit: george cracknell wright -
Brighton rocked
Waves have been photographed crashing onto Brighton seafront by the pier today as stormy weather has caused many New Year’s Eve firework displays to be cancelled across the country, including Newcastle (see post at 11.20) and Edinburgh (11.06).
Credit: ALAMy/simon dack 
