New Year’s Celebrated Across World As Countdown Begins To London Fireworks Despite Bad Weather: Live
Fireworks highlights from around the world
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New Year’s is being celebrated across world – including in London, where the fireworks are set to go ahead despite bad weather forcing the cancellations of events across the UK.
Millions of Britons fear a New Year’s Eve washout as storms heading south look set to wreak havoc, with weather warnings issued for nearly every part of the country.
Heavy rain, snowstorms, 70 mph gales and even landslides are causing travel disruption, flooding and celebration cancellations, with Edinburgh’s Hogmanay outdoor events already scrapped.
However, while London’s City Hall has said it is “closely monitoring” the weather, Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan has confirmed the capital’s fireworks display will go ahead. Despite the 41mph gusts forecast, thousands are expected to flock to Big Ben and millions more to watch the live broadcast from around the world.
Network Rail Scotland said they were dealing with 15 flooding incidents on the Far North Line and a landslip near Brora on 31 December, while rising river levels have led to closures of the Dalguise viaduct lines and the Highland Main Line remains closed in Kingussie.
“Do not travel” warnings have been issued as rivers are feared to burst their banks in other areas of Scotland.
Three days of weather warnings are in place across the country, with heavy rain set to turn to blusters of snow showers on Wednesday, which is forecast to continue through the night in Scotland.
Warning issued as high winds and rain may cause floodingForecasters have warned the high winds and rain may also cause flooding, particularly in the Midlands and Pennines.
The Environment Agency is urging people to stay away from swollen rivers and avoid driving through floodwater.
In the Highlands, flooding has forced the closure of the A9 at Tomich.
The Far North Line was also shut down temporarily, while rail services between Dingwall and Inverness were halted due to flooding.
Tara Cobham31 December 2024 22:00
Watch: Sydney’s spectacular New Year’s Eve fireworks show rings in 2025Sydney’s spectacular New Year’s Eve fireworks show rings in 2025Tara Cobham31 December 2024 21:45
New Year’s Eve travel misery for millions due to stormy weather, strike action and engineering workTravel plans for millions are in disarray as a combination of bad weather, rail engineering work and a train managers’ strike disrupt public transport.
As around 300 RMT members walk out, most Avanti trains linking the capital with the West Midlands, northwest England, North Wales and southern Scotland are cancelled, with passengers urged to avoid travel.
The Independent’s travel correspondent Simon Calder reports:
Tara Cobham31 December 2024 21:30
In pictures: From India to Australia to Nepal – huge crowds turn out for New Year’s Eve celebrations
A crowd lines the street in Bangalore, India, for New Year’s Eve celebrations (EPA)
Revellers turned out in large numbers to witness Melbourne’s New Year fireworks in Australia (Getty)
Fireworks burst over Colombo’s port (AFP/Getty)Tara Cobham31 December 2024 21:15
Revellers seen gathering on London’s Embankment waiting for fireworks despite bad weather
People on London’s Embankment waiting for the start of the fireworks display to see in the New Year (Jonathan Brady/PA Wire)Tara Cobham31 December 2024 20:59
Robbie Williams kicks off new year celebrations with performance in AustraliaSinger Robbie Williams kicked off new year celebrations in Australia with a performance outside Sydney Opera House.
The 50-year-old headlined ABC’s New Year’s Eve Party in the city, where 2025 has already begun, playing his biggest hits to celebrate the release of his film Better Man.
Speaking after the show, Williams said: “I’ve always had a soft spot for Australia.
“Ever since I first arrived here on my solo tour in 2003, Australia accepts me for who I am and that’s the best feeling.
“So, it was truly an honour to entertain the nation in front of the iconic Sydney Harbour counting down to New Year’s Eve.”
Better Man is out now in UK cinemas and its soundtrack album has also been released digitally.
The album features remixed versions of songs such as Angels, She’s The One and Rock DJ, as well as new song Forbidden Road, which has been nominated in the Best Original Song (Motion Picture) category at next year’s Golden Globes.
The musical film is based on the story of the rise, fall and return of British musician Williams, who is portrayed by a CGI chimpanzee.
Robbie Wiliams as he headlines ABC’s New Year’s Eve Party outside Sydney Opera House in Australia (Leo Baron/PA Wire)Tara Cobham31 December 2024 20:58
Pakistan sees in New Year with dazzling fireworks display
People watch fireworks during the New Year celebrations in Karachi on 1 January (AFP/Getty)Tara Cobham31 December 2024 20:30
What New Year’s Eve fireworks have been cancelled amid bad weatherA number of fireworks displays have been cancelled across the UK amid the bad weather battering the country.
Edinburgh’s Hogmanay outdoor celebrations, which include a street party and fireworks, have been cancelled due to safety concerns.
Fireworks displays in Blackpool, Newcastle, Ripon in North Yorkshire, and the Isle of Wight have also all been axed.
However, Sir Sadiq Khan has confirmed that London’s New Year’s Eve fireworks event will still go ahead at midnight.
Only indoor Hogmanay celebrations will take place in Edinburgh this yearTara Cobham31 December 2024 20:17
What weather warnings have been issued by Met Office over New Year periodThe Met Office has issued numerous weather warnings across the UK, with almost every region affected between Monday and Wednesday.
Yellow warnings for wind have been issued for parts of central and southern Scotland, northern England and Northern Ireland, with gusts expected to reach up to 70mph.A yellow warning for snow and rain initially covered most of Scotland until midnight, which the Met Office said “may bring significant disruption in the build-up to New Year,” but it was later revised to cover the Highlands and Moray only, with the warning extended until 4am.The new year will be off to a turbulent start with weather warnings in place for wind, rain and snow on 1 January. Winds of up to 60mph are forecast across much of England and Wales all day on Wednesday, with gusts of 75mph likely around coastal areas and hills, according to the Met Office.Tara Cobham31 December 2024 20:00
London’s New Year’s Eve fireworks event to go ahead amid weather concernsLondon’s New Year’s Eve fireworks event will go ahead at midnight despite weather concerns across the UK, Sir Sadiq Khan confirmed.
With weather warnings in place, many planned 31 December events have been cancelled, but the capital’s fireworks display will proceed as scheduled to mark the start of 2025.
London Mayor Sir Sadiq said: “I’m really excited about the London New Year’s Eve fireworks, the biggest fireworks taking place anywhere across Europe.
“Hundreds of thousands of fireworks, great light display but also a great soundtrack tonight as well.”
London’s New Year’s Eve fireworks event will go ahead at midnight despite weather concerns across the UK, Sir Sadiq Khan confirms (PA Archive)Tara Cobham31 December 2024 19:40
