Imogen James
Live reporter

Last year was a big year for us on the live team.

We covered the UK and US elections, and have closely followed news about global conflicts and disasters from our newsroom in London.

But we had some fun, too, covering events like Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, Glastonbury and many (so many!) awards shows.

There were some stand-out moments for our team. Who could forget when military horses went on the loose in London? We went viral for a post in our live page about what we knew about the incident, because we didn’t know much.

We are already planning for next year - and it seems to be shaping up as another busy one. So from us, thank you for following our pages. It’s been a pleasure to bring you the news.

Happy new year.

We're pausing our coverage of new year celebrations around the globe. Thanks for sticking with us as we welcomed in 2025.

And just like that it’s all over as Baker Island, in the central Pacific Island, leaves 2024.

It’s now already 2 January, 2025 in Kiribati.

Image source, EPA

We're now nearly 12 hours into 2025 in the UK, and some of you might just be waking up (or for the late-night partygoers, hanging up your feather boas to hit the hay for the first time this year).

In any case, if you missed the big moment on the River Thames last night - where iconic London landmarks like Big Ben and the London Eye were illuminated by a stunning display of light - you can look back at all of the highlights here:

The second-to-last New Year’s Eve celebration is happening in Niue Island in the South Pacific, as they finally bring in the new year.

The country sits inside a triangle between Tonga, Samoa and the Cook Islands.

Image source, Getty Images

Leaders from the across the globe have have ushered in 2025 with messages to their citizens.

Here’s a quick look at what some world leaders have said:

• China’s President Xi Jinping: Xi used his address to the nation to issue a warning to pro-independence forces in self-governed Taiwan, saying no one can stop China’s “reunification” with the island
• Russia’s President Vladimir Putin: The Kremlin leader paid tribute to the soldiers fighting the war in Ukraine and told Russians "everything will be fine" in 2025. Putin made no specific comments on the possibility for an end to the war
• India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi: In a message on X, Modi wrote: “May this year bring everyone new opportunities, success and endless joy. May everybody be blessed with wonderful health and prosperity"
• Ukraine’s President Volodymr Zelensky: As the war in Ukraine continues, the country’s president thanked its citizens for proving “no cruise missile can defeat a nation that has wings”. Zelensky said had no doubt incoming US president Donald Trump could achieve peace
• South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa: The war in Gaza was addressed in Ramaphosa’s New Year message where he called for the end of hostilities and the release of Israeli hostages. He said South Africa is focused on “unity and development” as it looks forward to hosting the G20 summit in 2025
• UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer: The Labour leader vowed to rebuild Britain and said the government would introduce a plan to ensure people have “more cash in your pocket” in 2025
• France’s President Emannuel Macron: After a tumultuous year, Macron admitted his decision to call early elections in June had created more political instability. He also addressed conflicts across the globe and said Europe cannot delegate its security to other powers

Image source, Reuters

Meghan Owen
Reporting from London

London’s New Year’s Day parade has been delayed due to adverse weather.

Organisers say the decision to delay the 12:00 GMT start by 30 minutes has been taken "in the interest of public safety" to avoid a squall line expected in London around midday.

Inflatable parade floats have also been dropped due to strong winds.

Organisers are urging spectators to come prepared and to dress appropriately for the weather.

Approximately 8,000 performers from 26 countries are expected to take part.

A yellow warning of wind is in place until 15:00 GMT.

Image source, Reuters

Hawaii and the Alaskan Aleutian islands join the rest of the US to complete the country’s transition into 2025.

Not long ago, all of the west coast of the US, Canada and parts of Mexico welcomed the new year and joined most of the world in 2025.

In the next few hours, the below regions will also cross that dateline:

• Hawaii and the rest of the US - 10:00 GMT
• Nieu Island in the South Pacific - 11:00 GMT
• Baker Island in the central Pacific Island - 12:00 GMT

Here's a look back at how cities across the Americas lit up the night skies with ornate fireworks displays.

Image source, EPA

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, EPA

At least four people have died across Germany from accidents linked to powerful fireworks set off to celebrate the new year, according to reports from local media and AFP news agency.

More than 300 were arrested in the capital Berlin overnight but, unlike previous years, "there were no major violence or incidents" according to police.

In recent years, the use of fireworks and firecrackers on New Year's Eve has come under increased scrutiny, with some calling for a nationwide ban after riots and attacks on emergency services last year.

Most of Alaska, and French Polynesia’s Gambier Islands are now entering the New Year.

As the US enters 2025, dozens of American artworks, books and films will enter the public domain. That means the works' copyright has expired and it can be adapted without permission.

Music from 1924 and other works from 1929 will enter the public domain this year. Among them are:

• The original comic strip iteration of Popeye
• A dozen Mickey Mouse animations, including the mouse's first speaking appearance
• William Faulkner's novel The Sound and the Fury
• The song Singin' in the Rain

As a note, copyright laws vary from country to country, so this list is representative only of works that are leaving copyright in the US.

Image source, Getty Images

New York City's iconic ball drop in Times Square is watched the world over.

Less attention is paid to the clean up after the fact, when sanitation workers descend on the square to clean up the roughly 1 tonne of confetti that is released during the celebration.

We're seeing some images now of workers in New York City preparing to sweep away the festivities. Last year, about 200 workers, external were deployed for the clean up.

Image source, Reuters

Image source, Reuters

Image source, Getty Images

California, including Los Angeles, has officially rung in 2025, along with Washington, part of Nevada, Oregon, and Idaho.

So has most of British Columbia in Canada.

That completes all of Canada and the contiguous US. Hawaii and Alaska, the last two remaining US states, will ring in the new year in the next couple of hours.

While some regions of the world are still waiting to ring in the new year - including parts of the US and Canada and island nations in the South Pacific - others have already begun taking part in their traditional New Year's Day celebrations.

Here's a look at some of the ceremonies that are already under way:

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Emergency services in Amsterdam are responding to small fires caused by fireworks. Fireworks are banned in some Dutch cities, including Amsterdam, but are allowed on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.

No injuries are reported in relation to the fires.

In a separate incident earlier on New Year's Eve, a 14-year-old boy died in a firework-related accident in Rotterdam, according to local reports.

In 2023, a riot broke out in Berlin, Germany on New Year's Eve with people launching fireworks towards police, prompting calls for a ban on the pyrotechnics.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

In the United States, the states of New Mexico, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, and Montana are celebrating the new year.

Parts of Idaho, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Texas, Kansas, and Nevada have just seen the clock strike midnight.

Also welcoming 2025 is Alberta in Canada, and parts of Mexico, which in addition to parts of the US, are all in the Mountain Time Zone.

Image source, Reuters

If you're just joining us, here's a reminder of when different parts of the globe will enter the new year.

The island nation of Kiribati in Oceania was the first to welcome the new year - at 10:00 GMT (Tuesday), shortly followed by New Zealand at 11:00 GMT (Tuesday).

Here are some of the other times around the world:

• Most of Australia’s east coast - 13:00 GMT (Tuesday)
• Japan and South Korea - 15:00 GMT (Tuesday)
• India and Sri Lanka - 18:30 GMT (Tuesday)
• The UK - 00:00 GMT
• Parts of Brazil and Argentina - 03:00 GMT
• The east coast of the US - 05:00 GMT

Still to come later this morning are:

• Parts of the US and Canada, as well as parts of Mexico - 07:00 GMT
• The west coast of the US and Canada - 08:00 GMT
• Most of Alaska and French Polynesia's Gambier Islands - 09:00 GMT
• Hawaii and the rest of the US - 10:00 GMT
• Nieu Island in the South Pacific - 11:00 GMT
• Baker Island in the central Pacific Island - 12:00 GMT

The clock has struck midnight in Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma and Wisconsin.

Those states are all located in the Central Time Zone.

In South America, 2025 has reached Guatemala, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, Belize and El Salvador.

Here's the moment New York City's Times Square burst into a cloud of confetti as the new year started.

Thousands had gathered to mark the moment.