Fireworks erupt over Sydney Harbour to bring in 2025
More than one million people are watching a spectacular fireworks display over Sydney Harbour Bridge to see in the new year.
With clear skies and a balmy temperature of 22C, the famous celebrations got into full swing a few seconds ago as the clocks hit midnight in Australiaâs two most populated states of New South Wales and Victoria.
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Xi Jinping gives bullish message about Chinese prospects
On a slightly different note, Chinsâs president, Xi Jinping, has sent out a positive new year message about the countryâs sluggish economy.
Despite fears of growth well below the governmentâs targets, Xi claimed in a speech that the official growth targets of 5% for 2025 would be met.
His message rebutted concerns that Donald Trumpâs incoming US administration will harm Beijingâs prospects in the new year.
âThe current economic operation faces some new situations, challenges from the uncertainty of the external environment and pressure of transformation from old drivers of growth into new ones, but these can be overcome through hard work,â Xi said.
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And there are many events are taking place around the world ahead of the midnight celebrations.
There is already a massive crowd in Chongqing in western China ahead of midnight.
Here are some nice countdown clips of the Sydney show.
Fireworks erupt over Sydney Harbour to bring in 2025
More than one million people are watching a spectacular fireworks display over Sydney Harbour Bridge to see in the new year.
With clear skies and a balmy temperature of 22C, the famous celebrations got into full swing a few seconds ago as the clocks hit midnight in Australiaâs two most populated states of New South Wales and Victoria.
Itâs not quite such a lovely picture in the UK where high winds and heavy rain are forcing the cancellation of some New Yearâs Eve events.
Edinburgh called off its official street parties yesterday because of the prospect of some nasty weather and the curse has spread further south today.
Firework displays have been called off inBlackpool, Newcastle, the Isle of Wight and Ripon, North Yorkshire.
Hereâs the full story.
Sydney is the self-appointed âworld capital of new yearâs eveâ but there are also large crowds out in Melbourne to see in 2025.
Families and groups gathered early along the banks of Melbourneâs Yarra River, to secure a good view of the cityâs skyline in anticipation of the 14 tonnes of fireworks shot from 27 buildings along with 60 lasers.
Domenic Adami and a group of friends picked their spot in Alexandra Gardens near the Yarra and set up a picnic before settling in for the midnight light show.
âI heard, this year, theyâre going to be bigger than Sydney, but usually theyâre pretty good,â Adami told Australian Associated Press.
âEven when I sit and watch it at home or from somewhere else on TV, it looks amazing.
âEach year has just gotten better and better, and this year seems like itâs going to be the best.â
The family-friendly fireworks went off over Sydney Harbour earlier before the main display at midnight (1pm GMT).
Another visitor to Sydney is British tourist who used to watch the images of harbourside fireworks a sa child and vowed one day to visit the harbour city.
The 28-year-old has found a vantage point in Balmain with friends and looking forward to the show.
âIt is a bit of a bucket list thing for me,â she told AAP.
âAt home the Sydney fireworks is always all over the news, it is one of the first places that brings in the New Year.â
Auckland has become the first major city to welcome 2025 a short while ago, with thousands of people counting down to the new year and cheering at fireworks launched from New Zealandâs tallest structure, Sky Tower, and a spectacular light show.
Thousands also thronged to downtown or climbed the cityâs ring of volcanic peaks for a fireworks vantage point, and a light display recognizing Aucklandâs Indigenous tribes. It follows a year marked by protests over MÄori rights in the nation of 5 million.
Countries in the South Pacific are the first to ring in the New Year, with midnight in New Zealand striking two hours before midnight in Sydney, 13 hours ahead of London and 18 hours before the ball drop in New York.
The countdown is well and truly under way in Australia â at least in the countryâs eastern cities where it is less than a hour to go before midnight.
Hundreds of thousands of people have already packed themselves into the best vantage points around Sydney harbour to wait for the famous New Yearâs Eve fireworks show.
Many of those who will be bringing in the new year in Sydney are tourists such as Roman and Monica Gezernek from Germany who have been waiting for hours for the Sydney pyrotechnics.
âTheyâre world famous apparently so we have to see them,â Roman Gezernek told Australian Associated Press.
The pair will fly out to New Zealand on New Yearâs Day to continue the trip of a lifetime.
âWeâre pensioners so weâre just taking our time around the world,â he said.
People around the world ring in the new year
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of New Yearâs Eve celebrations from around the world as 2025 begins. We will bring you some of the best photos as people around the globe ring in the new year â well at least those parts of the world that use the Gregorian calendar. Other new years are available.