New year celebrations around the world as UK rings in 2023

Summary

Cities across the globe are welcoming 2023 with large crowds gathering for fireworks and light displays
In London, Big Ben fired the starting gun for a spectacular display that included a tribute to the late Queen
In Edinburgh, huge crowds filled the streets for the city's world famous Hogmanay party - back for the first time in three years
11 hours earlier, Sydney put on a spectacular display as ever, with fireworks launched from its Harbour Bridge and Opera House
Revellers in China made the most of recently lifted Covid restrictions and were able to gather in large crowds
Russia and Ukraine have marked the start of 2023 - Putin by raising a glass surrounded by soldiers, and Zelensky by thanking Ukrainians for the war effort
The traditional Times Square event in New York returned after two years of reduced festivities, ringing in the new year to the sound of Frank Sinatra

Live Reporting

Edited by Alexandra Fouché and Gem O'Reilly

Ukraine will keep fighting in 2023 - Zelenskypublished at 22:21 Greenwich Mean Time 31 December 2022
Ukraine will continue to fight in 2023 and is "ready for anything", President Zelensky has said.
This will be the "year of return", he said in a New Year's Eve address.
"The return of our people. Soldiers – to their families. Prisoners – to their homes. Immigrants – to their Ukraine," he said.
Zelensky said he wished for victory against Russia, and a normal life for Ukrainians without curfews or air alerts.
"The return of what has been stolen from us. The childhood of our children, the peaceful old age of our parents," he said.
Image source, Getty Images
Deserted streets in Kyiv as new year beginspublished at 22:08 Greenwich Mean Time 31 December 2022
Image source, Reuters
It's just past midnight in Kyiv now, and the streets are quiet as the city is still under an 11pm curfew.
The capital was hit by missile strikes on Saturday, with at least one person dead, the mayor said.
In a New Year's Eve address, President Volodymyr Zelensky wished for victory in 2023, saying it would be the year Ukraine returned to normal life.
Striking photos from around the world this yearpublished at 21:48 Greenwich Mean Time 31 December 2022
As we slip into the new year, here's a look at few powerful pictures captured by news agency photographers in 2022.
Image source, Shaun Botterill / FIFA / Getty Images
Image caption,
Lionel Messi finally got his hands on the World Cup, lifting the trophy for Argentina for the first time since the late Diego Maradona captained the team to victory in 1986
Image source, ROMAN PILIPEY/EPA-EFE
Image caption,
Russian forces launched a full-scale invasion of neighbouring Ukraine at the end of February, attacking locations across the country. Here, civilians cross the river using a makeshift bridge, as they flee fighting in the frontline town of Irpin
Image source, BRIAN SNYDER / Reuters
Image caption,
Will Smith slapped Chris Rock in the face on stage at the Oscars in Hollywood, Los Angeles, after the comedian made a joke about the actor's wife, Jada Pinkett Smith
Image source, JIM URQUHART / REUTERS
Image caption,
Abortion rights protesters gathered at the Utah State Capitol in Salt Lake City, after the United States Supreme Court overturned the landmark 1973 Roe v Wade ruling, which saw abortion made legal across the US
See many more striking images here: 2022 in pictures
Moscow ushers in a muted 2023published at 21:23 Greenwich Mean Time 31 December 2022
The Russian capital has welcomed in the new year with crowds gathering in streets around the city's famous Red Square.
Authorities had earlier closed off the famous site, citing Covid-19 restrictions while increasing the police presence in the area.
Putin clinks glasses with troops as Russian east sees 2023published at 20:49 Greenwich Mean Time 31 December 2022
Image source, AFP
Vladimir Putin's has delivered a new year address as eastern Russian regions ring in the new year.
State TV showed him raising a glass of champagne surrounded by soldiers, and telling Russians that "moral, historical rightness" was on their side.
The year had seen "truly pivotal, fateful events", he said, paving the way to "our true independence".
Meanwhile, Ukraine was struck by several blasts today, according to officials, and at least one person is dead.
Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba tweeted the "war criminal" Putin had been celebrating the new year by "killing people".
Burj Khalifa lights uppublished at 20:25 Greenwich Mean Time 31 December 2022
A stunning display at Dubai’s Burj Khalifa greeted 2023.
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Dubai welcomes new yearpublished at 20:00 Greenwich Mean Time 31 December 2022
Dubai has just moved into the new year and is celebrating with a dramatic fireworks display at the world's tallest skyscraper, the Burj Khalifa.
Media caption,
Watch: Fireworks ring in 2023 in Dubai
WATCH: 14 Headlines that made 2022...in 74 secondspublished at 19:48 Greenwich Mean Time 31 December 2022
From the Queen's death to Iran's longest running protests in decades, here's a snapshot of how BBC News covered this year's big stories.
'Tough' new year message in Chinapublished at 19:26 Greenwich Mean Time 31 December 2022
Image source, Reuters
Over in China, President Xi Jinping has been talking about "tough challenges" with the country now battling surging Covid infections.
In a new year speech, he said Beijing's zero-Covid strategy had been dropped because of what he called an "evolving situation".
These are the first comments from the Chinese leader on Covid since the government decided to relax most of its controls earlier this month.
A spike in cases followed that decision, with China now reporting 5,000 cases a day – but analysts say such numbers are vastly undercounted.
2023 arrives in Pakistanpublished at 19:07 Greenwich Mean Time 31 December 2022
Celebrations are now taking place in Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi as 2023 arrives in Pakistan.
Happy New Year!
Edinburgh prepares for first street party since pandemicpublished at 18:49 Greenwich Mean Time 31 December 2022
Alexandra Mackenzie
BBC Scotland news
Image source, PA Media
Image caption,
The last Hogmanay street party in Edinburgh saw the arrival of 2020
Edinburgh is gearing up for its first Hogmanay street party in three years.
Thirty thousand people are expected to bring in the new year on the city’s Princes Street with a further ten thousand in the garden below.
There will be music from the Pet Shop Boys and Edinburgh Castle will be the backdrop for a firework display, which will welcome in 2023.
India greets new yearpublished at 18:30 Greenwich Mean Time 31 December 2022
The clock keeps ticking and now the new year has arrived in parts of South Asia.
India has just welcomed 2023.
Happy New Year!
WATCH: Will you need an umbrella at midnight?published at 18:11 Greenwich Mean Time 31 December 2022
Media caption,
New Year's Eve weather forecast in the UK
Planning to go out to see in the New Year?
The UK is set to see heavy rain in some parts, causing some flooding in England and Wales potentially, while there will be sleet in Scotland.
Matt Taylor has the all-important forecast for Saturday evening.
London's New Year's Eve firework display opens to the publicpublished at 17:48 Greenwich Mean Time 31 December 2022
Image source, PA Media
Image caption,
Crowds have started gathering by the Thames more than six hours before the display
London's New Year's Eve fireworks celebrations will be open again to the public for the first time since before the Covid pandemic.
More than 100,000 ticket holders will be able to watch the display on the banks of the River Thames.
The event will also be broadcast live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
It marks the return of a more normal New Year’s Eve festivities in London after the 2020 and 2021 displays were modified over Covid concerns and restrictions on mass gatherings.
An event intended to replace London’s famous firework display was set to take place at Trafalgar Square last year, but it was cancelled due to a surge in Omicron variant cases.
London’s Mayor Sadiq Khan said this year’s event "will be the best ever".
"The celebrations are one of the biggest nights of the year for our capital's hospitality industry and an unforgettable moment when the eyes of the world turn to our city. This year will be the best ever!” he said.
WATCH: Hong Kong sees in 2023published at 17:30 Greenwich Mean Time 31 December 2022
The city's famous harbour provided a stunning backdrop to new year celebrations, as Hong Kong welcomed 2023 with a spectacular music and light show.
Media caption,
New year celebrations in Hong Kong
Happy New Year Bangkok, Hanoi and Jakartapublished at 17:15 Greenwich Mean Time 31 December 2022
Image source, Reuters
Image caption,
Fireworks light up Bangkok's Chao Phraya River as the new year arrives
More cities in Asia have just welcomed 2023.
2023 to welcome Year of the Rabbitpublished at 16:43 Greenwich Mean Time 31 December 2022
Image source, EPA
The rabbit has featured in celebrations across Asia.
That's because much of the region will mark the Lunar Year of the Rabbit later in January.
WATCH: Taipei welcomes 2023published at 16:34 Greenwich Mean Time 31 December 2022
Taipei has celebrated the arrival of 2023 with a firework and light display on its tallest high-rise, Taipei 101.
Media caption,
Taiwan welcomes 2023
Bunch of cities welcome 2023published at 16:00 Greenwich Mean Time 31 December 2022
Image source, Reuters
Image caption,
Hong Kong's famous skyline provides the backdrop to celebrations
It's mid-afternoon here in London and the champagne is still on ice, but for a host of cities 2023 has just arrived.
Happy New Year to Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Shanghai, Singapore, Beijing, Hong Kong, Taipei and Perth!
Hong Kong convention hall to transform into 'giant countdown clock'published at 15:51 Greenwich Mean Time 31 December 2022
Image source, Poca Wander
In less than 10 minutes Hong Kong will welcome 2023.
Authorities there are promising a "dazzling" night with performances and a firework and light show set against the city's iconic skyline.
Half a minute before midnight the facade of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre will transform into a giant clock face, counting down the seconds.
The show - with lights projected from different locations on Victoria Harbour, including ferries - is set to last for 10 minutes.