New Year’s Eve 2019 – live: Revellers descend on London to welcome new decade, as Sydney fireworks display prompts fury amid wildfires

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New Year celebrations around the world for 2020

The world is set to mark the end of the year, and the decade, as 2019 comes to a close – and while spectacular firework displays are expected to herald in the 2020s across the globe, some threaten to be overshadowed by ongoing events.

In Australia, New Year’s Eve celebrations have been marred by wildfires which have threatened to cause mass evacuations in population hubs including Victoria in the east of the country.

Meanwhile Hong Kong has braced for fresh protests over Chinese influence in the region to interrupt festivities.

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Key Points

• Hong Kong rings in new year amid mass protests
• Sydney faces controversy over fireworks display
• Should auld lyrics be forgot - the full lyrics to Auld Lang Syne

[31 December 2019 22:33 · Andrew Griffin]

Boris Johnson claims he will bring nation together in New Year address

Boris Johnson has claimed he will bring the nation back together as prime minister, telling Britons they were set for a "fantastic year and a remarkable decade" when Britain leaves the European Union.

Fresh from winning a large parliamentary majority in an election just over two weeks ago, Johnson said in a New Year's message that his first job was to ensure Brexit was delivered, more than three years after Britain voted to leave the EU, and then to heal the wounds the vote had opened.

"As we say goodbye to 2019, we can also turn the page on the division, rancour and uncertainty which has dominated public life and held us back for far too long," he said.

"Now we have a new parliament, elected by the people to deliver the peopleâs priorities, which will finally respect the referendum and deliver Brexit. So weâll get Brexit done before the end of this month," he added.

Johnson has already won initial approval for his EU divorce deal and the final stages of ratification will begin when lawmakers return after Christmas in time for a Jan. 31 exit.

He will then begin talks on forging a new trading relationship with the bloc, having said those negotiations would not be extended beyond the end of 2020.

With an eye on voters in northern and central England who broke their long tradition of backing the opposition Labour Party to support him in the election, Johnson also said the state-run NHS health service would be his top priority while vowing that extra funding for education and infrastructure would be spread "more fairly".

"We will do all of this while keeping your taxes low," he said.

[31 December 2019 23:17 · Andrew Griffin]

Parisians make their way to New Year's celebrations amid public transport strikes

A joyful crowd of Parisians and tourists walked, biked and used scooters to reach the Champs-Elysees for the new year celebrations, in a city with almost no public transport amid massive strikes.

Revelers were converging toward the famous avenue to watch a light show at the Arc de Triomphe, followed by a fireworks display at midnight.

Paris police set up a security perimeter around the Champs-Elysees area with a ban on alcohol and traffic restrictions.

All metro lines in the French capital were closed except for two automatic lines, and only a few night buses were running, as Tuesday marked the 27th consecutive day of transport strikes against President Emmanuel Macron's plans to overhaul the French pension system.

[31 December 2019 23:17 · Andrew Griffin]

New York looks forward to six-hour celebration

A Chinese dance performance, punctuated with red and gold pyrotechnics, will usher in a host of stars at Times Square's six-hour New Year's Eve extravaganza.

The throng of revelers in the heart of Manhattan will get to see rap-pop star Post Malone, K-pop group BTS, country singer Sam Hunt and singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette during the big street party.

While giddiness will likely prevail at the televised event, some important global issues will be driven home, as well.

High school science teachers and students, spotlighting efforts to combat climate change, will press the button that begins the famous 60-second ball drop and countdown to next year.

Then comes the 3,000 pounds (1,360 kilograms) of confetti, accompanied by more pyrotechnics.

[31 December 2019 23:57 · Jon Sharman]

In London, spectators are awaiting the 2,000 fireworks on the London Eye to be ignited.

Mayor Sadiq Khan has promised they will be the best ever. Surely a subjective judgement, though?

[31 December 2019 23:59 · Jon Sharman]

The giant numbers are counting down, projected onto a nearby tower block...

[1 January 2020 00:01 · Jon Sharman]

Yeah, pretty good, to be fair. Happy New Decade.