the sky above the city [it up. there's also some the sky above the city lit up. there's also some live music, cultural performances that are taking place in the facility. let's just listen in very quickly, hoping to see some of those fire bricks which are expected to last only around five minutes. —— fireworks. we've seen some this evening of between ten and the highest, abu dhabi, at 53 minutes. and we are going to go to johannesburg. this is the central business district injohannesburg, business district in johannesburg, and business district injohannesburg, and of course south africa

celebrating bringing in 2025, and i know that throughout the day, many south africans have been enjoying parties and the equivalent of a barbecue in the build up to this moment, as south africa says goodbye to 2024 and hello, 2025. this, of course, isjust to 2024 and hello, 2025. this, of course, is just a series, to 2024 and hello, 2025. this, of course, isjust a series, one to 2024 and hello, 2025. this, of course, is just a series, one of many new year firework displays and drones shows that have been held around the world. cheering i bet you can recognise that! the burj khalifa, the tallest building in the world in dubai. more than 15,000 pyrotechnic limits were used for this particular fireworks display around the burj khalifa. and... this was abu dhabi! hopefully

setting a couple of world records, bringing in 2025 with the world's largest firework�*s this play, 6000 drones were used as part of this show, creating aerial arts for some 20 minutes. the entire fireworks display lasted between 50 and 53 minutes. much earlier in the day, of course, hong kong, one of the first nations to see in 2025 with their spectacular fireworks display and... that is, of course, harbour bridge, a 12 minute extravaganza from sydney. cheering

and this was new zealand with their spectacular fireworks display at the auckland sky tower. we have a few more of these new year's celebrations to bring to you here on bbc news. goodbye, 2024, and rather hello, 2025, and the devious is working over 26 hours to bring you those as we make our way around the world until we reach 2025. meanwhile... here in the uk, new year celebrations are being hampered by severe weather. fireworks displays in newcastle, blackpool and bangor are among those called off. it comes after edinburgh's outdoor hogmanay celebrations were cancelled for the first time in nearly 20 years because of strong winds and rain. from edinburgh, here's our scotland correspondent catriona renton. in the scottish highlands, heavy rain caused the river

to rage through carrbridge. flooding followed an amber weather warning for rain in the north of the country which expired late afternoon. network rail had to close the highland mainline as the level of water made it unsafe for trains. severe flood warnings had been issued overnight in the areas around aviemore. lifted as the rain was not as intense as anticipated. around the uk, weather warnings have led to cancellations of outdoor new year's eve parties from bangor to here in newcastle, which would have been the first new year fireworks display at the quayside since 2019, halted by forecast winds of over 50 mph. this morning, we woke up, and the wind direction has changed slightly. and now the debris would go towards the baltic, and despite everything that we've put in place, sadly we just can't fire the show safely. and here in edinburgh,

the world famous street party, live music and fireworks over the castle were cancelled on safety grounds yesterday. would—be revellers were looking forward to it. we're from chicago, in the states, and we were really looking forward to going to the festival, but unfortunately the weather had other plans. we don't know. we don't know because all the restaurants are busy, i always busy, but we don't know- what we'll do now on the hogmanay. i think it's a pity because the weather now seems to be quite good, but i appreciate they had to set all the stuff up, so these things happen, as they say, especially in scotland. disappointed. we wanted to do the torchlight parade, and that was cancelled, and even the castle is closed, so it's a real shame, but never mind.

and we're from wellington, which is actually known for its wind, and we're thinking this isn't quite as windy as even we know it! and spare a thought for michelle mason, her husband stephen and two dogs who travelled to edinburgh in their motor home from lancashire. they had tickets for the hogmanay celebrations. we're devastated. new year's a big year, isn't it? we've travelled from lancashire. we've planned it for months, and we're here now with- nothing to do on new year's eve. it's not your ideal situation. a sprinkling of snow in shetland ahead of more weather alerts. from midnight, snow and ice forecast for the north of scotland and wind and rain warnings for much of england and wales to kick off 2025. and you canjoin my colleague nicky schiller and also greg mckenzie to see in 2025 with full coverage

of the world—famous london fireworks along with the best of the new year celebrations from around the world right here on bbc news. the special programme starts at 11.30 gmt tonight. it's been announced that the former radio dj johnnie walker has died at the age of 79. he spent more than 25 years at radio 2 and presented his last show only two months ago, retiring because of ill health. his wife, tiggy, says she couldn't be more proud of how he kept broadcasting "almost to the end — with dignity and grace". david sillito looks back on his life. welcome along. i'm bob harris, i'm with you here on bbc radio 2. and to start the programme, i bring you some very sad news, because... bob harris, announcing the death of his friend and colleaguejohnnie walker, whose long career began as a pirate broadcaster in the �*60s. you're tuned to radio caroline on 199, england's first commercial

radio station and your all day music station. on swinging radio england and then radio caroline, he was part of a generation of djs who transformed british radio. at the age of 21, suddenly from selling cars and being a car mechanic in birmingham, out on the high seas, you know, 20 million listeners, it was fantastic. and paying tribute, anotherformer pirate, tony blackburn. people like johnnie and myself, we altered the whole of broadcasting in this country, and i'm really proud of that, because when we were out there, there was only the bbc and we were trying to break the bbc monopoly, which of course we did. a very sad loss because he was such a great broadcaster and a good friend as well. jingle: # johnnie - walker on radio 1... # by the early �*70s, he was, though, part of the broadcasting establishment on bbc radio 1, but he railed against being told what to play.

# bye, bye, baby, baby... # it all came to a head one day when he declared the bay city rollers to be garbage. # bye, bye, baby, - don't make me cry... # he left for america, and over the years, there were many ups and downs. when he returned to the bbc, his cocaine habit led to him being briefly suspended. sounds of the �*70s, johnnie walker with you till 5:00. but more than 50 years after the pirate days, he was still broadcasting with his final programme just a few weeks ago, as ill health brought to an end the career of one of the pioneers of pop radio. so, thank you for being with me all these years and take good care of yourself and those you love. god bless you and i'll end with this. johnnie walker, who has died at the age of 79.

among those welcoming in the new year this hour is syria. the country already had a momentous 2024, with the fall of the assad family after 50 years of dictatorship. bashar al—assad fled to moscow with his family after rebels from the north and south swept across the country and captured the capital damascus over the course of a week. now, syria is looking ahead to 2025 under a provisional government led by former hayat tahrir al—sham. but with armed troops still on the streets and elections potentially several years away, what can the future hold for the country? i've been speaking to marwan kabalan, a syrian academic at the arab centre for research and policy studies. well, i think, first of all, most syrians are thrilled, actually, to have finally succeeded in bringing down the regime of bashar al—assad. that was like a dream came true after many years,

actually, of struggle against that brutal regime. but the challenges ahead are great. we have so many issues that we need to deal with, starting with the the transitional period and the establishment of an inclusive government. of an inclusive government. reviving the economy and starting reviving the economy and starting the reconciliation — the reconciliation — the initial reconciliation between the initial reconciliation between the different syrian factions. the different syrian factions. we have also to start we have also to start the reconstruction of the country the reconstruction of the country because, as you probably know, because, as you probably know, are under the poverty line. we have something like 27% we have something like 27% of our housing destroyed, of our housing destroyed, either entirely or partially, either entirely or partially, by this conflict. by this conflict. we have over 2 million we have over 2 million housing units completely housing units completely destroyed by the conflict. destroyed by the conflict. we have 90% of syrians we have 90% of syrians

are under the poverty line. we have the challenges of dealing with the foreign interference in the internal affairs of syria. so we have so many issues that we need to deal with, actually, in the coming year.

to deal with, actually, the uk. certainly south to deal with, actually, the uk. certainlysouth scotland. to deal with, actually, the uk. certainly south scotland. central certainly south of scotland. central london is going to be having their new year's celebrations. the fireworks displays centred along the river thames and our correspondent greg mckenzie is there. ragged, how are you? you're wrapped up warm, but the weather is looking good. the weather is _ the weather is looking good. tie: weather is pretty mild down here in the south, so we are very lucky, and there was some talk of some rain. we've only seen a few drops also as for the 100,000 people who have now gathered here along the river thames to either side of me, just behind this camera, they are gathered, in prime position, because at midnight, that london i will light up with 4000 fireworks. it is the biggest fireworks display in europe, a 12 minute spectacular, and also synchronised music, music tracks and speeches will play. —— the london

eye, 12,000 euros. we heard from king charles, and commanded the nhs, the police, the fire service. we are expecting more that this year although we don't until midnight, but ultimately, 100,000 people got tickets to be here and they sold out in a matter of minutes. the music started and people are just poised for the next few hours, literally, under two hours' time, the london lights will come alive and big ben, those times, you will hear them paying on midnight and that is when we are officially in 2025. happy new year! we are officially in 2025. happy new ear! , ., , ., . , year! greg, that is fantastic. it is - re year! greg, that is fantastic. it is pretty exciting. _ year! greg, that is fantastic. it is pretty exciting, and _ year! greg, that is fantastic. it is pretty exciting, and i _ year! greg, that is fantastic. it is pretty exciting, and i have - year! greg, that is fantastic. it is pretty exciting, and i have to - year! greg, that is fantastic. it is | pretty exciting, and i have to say, london's fireworks have got better and better over the years. apart from the fireworks, but is also going on around the area? around the area, it's going on around the area? around the area. it's busy- _ going on around the area? around the area, it's busy. this _ going on around the area? around the area, it's busy. this area _ going on around the area? around the area, it's busy. this area is _ going on around the area? around the area, it's busy. this area is gated, - area, it's busy. this area is gated, so you have to have a ticket to get in, but around so you have to have a ticket to get in, butaround it, he

—— people out, the bars and restau ra nts. .. —— people out, the bars and restaurants... you cannot get a table unless you put it around here. ultimately, new year in london is a destination to be. i was here last year, men people saying to actually witness this is a once—in—a—lifetime opportunity. to actually get hold of those tickets. there weren't wedding proposals last year. here, this year, in front of me, you cannot see them now but there are tens of thousands of people either side of me, and all waiting for that spectacular fireworks show. 30 crewmembers are there now doing the final preparations and ultimately it is the biggest fireworks display in europe. is the biggest fireworks display in euro e. ~ . . ~ is the biggest fireworks display in euroe. a ., ~ europe. 0k, reg mckenzie, thank you very much. — europe. 0k, reg mckenzie, thank you very much. and _ europe. 0k, reg mckenzie, thank you very much, and greg _ europe. 0k, reg mckenzie, thank you very much, and greg will _ europe. 0k, reg mckenzie, thank you very much, and greg will be - europe. 0k, reg mckenzie, thank you very much, and greg will be there - very much, and greg will be there just before midnight. he is there over the last few hours, but he will be there just before midnight with our colleague nicky schiller bringing in 2025 here in london. in his new year address, president putin has told russians that the country will move forward

with confidence in 2025 and that he's proud of his achievements. vladimir putin, who's been in charge for 25 years, paid tribute to the soldiers fighting in the war in ukraine, calling them true heroes. but as steve rosenberg reports, many people inside russia are struggling economically and want to see an end to the conflict. this festive season, moscow feels very surreal. it's "happy holidays" and "joy to the world" from a country that is waging war on its neighbour. when i ask russians what they're hoping for most from the new year, everyone replies, "for the war in ukraine to be over". "peace is what i want," she says. "for the war to end and for us to win it." this man wants talks, a negotiated settlement.

weapons, he says, won't solve anything. the festive lights are bright, but patriotic fervour? that's fading. well, this is gorky park. one difference i've noticed from a couple of years back. in december 2022, along with the traditional tree, there were giant letter zs, the symbol of the so—called special military operation. this year, no zs, no slogans. it's all very traditional. i think that after three years of war, russians don't want to be reminded of this war. and i think the authorities sense that, which is why this new year, it's more snowmen than soldiers. but you cannot simply tinsel over a war or its consequences. "i want the military operation to be over," she says, "so that we can forget all about it. "everyone becomes friends again and no—one dies. "my nerves are on edge."

for russians, there are economic consequences, too, of this war. so even after three years of sanctions, as you can see, there's still a lot of food on the shelves. but it's the prices that are the problem. inflation's a problem. so, for example, this year in russia, the price of potatoes has gone up by 88%, the price of butter by 35%. and there in fact have been lots of reports of people stealing butter from shops, which is probably why in this supermarket, they're selling some butter in special security anti—theft boxes. few here believe they can change what is happening. "the russian people are patient," alexander says. "they stay silent." some trust their government. but there is also fear and resignation here ahead of the new year. steve rosenberg, bbc news, moscow.

in his new year address, the ukrainian leader volodymyr zelensky says his country will do all it can to end the war with moscow in 2025 and halt what he called russian aggression. standing in front of the iconic mother ukraine monument in kyiv, he also said that ukraine would need to fight next year to bolster its position both militarily and ahead of any talks to end russia's three—year invasion. the new year will be different for those in ukraine as the country prepares to enter its third year of war. let's speak to ukrainian mp maria mezentseva. maria, hello, welcome to the programme. so, what did you make of what mr zelensky had to say in his address? we what mr zelensky had to say in his address? ~ ., , , ., address? we heard president 'ust now at his new year — address? we heard president 'ust now at his new year address h address? we heard president 'ust now at his new year address to _ address? we heard presidentjust now at his new year address to the - at his new year address to the nation, to everyone who is currently in ukraine, who is either

temporarily occupation, all the soldiers, to every person who is still in captivity and millions of ukrainians who are living across the globe as diaspora and temporarily relocated because of russian aggression. i have heard the very powerful message addressing also to international partners and everyone who, shoulder to shoulder, supports ukraine today, weaponry, militarily, humanitarian, in every way, to end this brutal war. he mentioned to several financial packages of support coming from g7 partners, eu, us, uk, of course, an effect that we are fighting already for 11 years for many families, this is the 11th new year which we are sort of celebrating, having some new year treats but having no husbands, cousins, as in my case, next to us

because they are standing up for ukraine as of now. i want to say that this new year is very emotional, because there are also, apart from challenges, there were also many achievements. we are on the way on our european path, euro atlantic path, and still ukraine stands. it did not fall, neither capital nor sage like my own second largest city of ukraine, kharkiv, where i am addressing you from now. this was not fought in 72 hours as putin expected it, and we cannot compare rising prices forfood in russia with the losses and manpower we have in more than 500 killed children by the rockets of putin, even though our air defence with the help of international partners and air support of the defence of the sky managed to defeat more than 100,

1300 ballistic rockets and more than 7000... $5 1300 ballistic rockets and more than 7000. .. �* , ., ., , 1300 ballistic rockets and more than 7000... �* , ., ., , ., 7000. .. as we head into, i 'ust want to look ahead — 7000. .. as we head into, i 'ust want to look ahead to h 7000. .. as we head into, i 'ust want to look ahead to 2025 _ 7000. .. as we head into, i 'ust want to look ahead to 2025 very _ 7000. .. as we head into, i just want to look ahead to 2025 very quickly, l to look ahead to 2025 very quickly, please, as we had to do 2025, we have got donald trump who will be coming into the power. he has already said he will limit aid to ukraine. how are ukrainians feeling going into the new year and also with the very real chance that they are going to have to be concessions in some way, possibly territory, that will be made as a way of bringing this conflict to an end? what's he feeling there in ukraine? we are prepared for more homework to be done, but no concessions, of course. it is very obvious that our international recognised borders have to be renewed. of course we understand the challenges in various countries, not only in the us but we

still rely on victory plan which president zelensky has presented to the world in many instances, like justice, frozen russian assets, real building ukraine, and of course joint military operations and weaponry productions, we are progressing for sure. let's wait for what policies are there for us. we have seen victorious scenario in syria. i am sure that there will be more to come, not only in the middle east but europe. let's hope for the best and let's hope that this new year and this new year's eve will be very calm and peaceful in ukraine. 0k, hopefully so, particularly after the christmas that ukraine has had. a happy new year to you. it all seems very sad saying that at this time, but that is maria mezentseva there, an mp from ukraine for joining us from

kharkiv today. let's just show you some of the shots from around the world. why don't we go to greece? the acropolis. iconic site there, and this was the location of greece's main international, the international presentation when it came to fireworks displays, welcoming and 2025. plenty more coming, of course. london's firework display coming up in the coming hours. stay with us here on the bbc. hello there. good evening. well, it's been a blustery and a wet end to 2024 for many of us, and there's more severe weather to come in the forecast as we head into the new year, too, with more heavy rain. it stays windy on new year's day. it is going to be turning colder, but for the rest of tonight, well, it's certainly mild out there for the vast majority.

more rain across the central swathe of the uk, these fronts pushing further southwards. and if we just zoom in as the clock chimes midnight, you can see wintry showers and now colder air across the far north of scotland. still some more showers across these flood—affected areas. it's windy across the central belt. strong gusts still across northern england, southern scotland, and this is where we're likely to see the heaviest of the rain, too, across the north midlands and into north wales. further south, it is largely dry for the rest of the night, but some squally gusts of wind just ahead of this cold front as it continues to push further southwards as we head through the rest of the night. so turning wet into tomorrow morning across the south of england and into south wales. some sunshine a little further north, squally gusts of wind as that front goes through, and on the second front, then, there will be some wintry showers over the higher ground of the pennines and the cumbrian fells. and this is where that colder arctic air is starting to dig in. temperatures even in the south dropping as we head throughout the day with that colder—feeling air and that northerly wind starting to take hold across the whole of the uk as we head through wednesday night

and into thursday morning. so, on thursday, then, watch out for some icy stretches, and there will be quite a widespread frost to start the day as well. many of our temperatures already below freezing. let's take a look at thursday morning, then, more wintry showers just piling into the far north of scotland on that northerly wind. also into the far north of northern ireland and down through these north sea—facing coasts. watch out for the icy patches in places. the winds lightening a little inland, but temperatures won't get much past low single figures. it will be largely dry. there'll be some sunshine, but it will be feeling cold, particularly in exposure to that northerly wind. and for some of us, it will feel as if it's below freezing for much of the day. let's take a look at the pressure chart for friday. high pressure out towards the west, a slight switch in wind direction to more of a north—westerly, and that will help to drive some of these wintry showers further inland across north—west scotland, northern ireland, the midlands and into north wales. still feeling very cold. bye for now.

this is bbc news, the headlines. from abu dhabi to hong kong and delhi, the clock has already struck midnight in some cities around the world. stay with bbc news for all the key new year

celebrations, as they happen. but there's disappointment in some parts of the uk as yellow storm warnings put paid to many of the outdoor celebrations. and tributes are paid to the veteran bbc radio dj johnnie walker who has died at the age of 79. now on bbc news — a look at the famous faces we lost this year in we remember. music: soul bossa nova by quinchones ladies and gentlemen, mr quinchones! - this is where the movie gets its mojo, baby. mwah! groovy!

i feel like the most blessed person on the planet. starting with ray charles at 14, billie holiday, louis armstrong, all the way to 50 cent. # cos this is thriller # thriller night # you're fighting for your life inside a killer, thriller- # 0h! applause quinchones- is a wonderful person, not only is he an incredible producer, and we have - made history together. # i'm gonna wash that man right outta my hair # i'm gonna wash that man right outta my hair that man right outta my hair # and send him on his way... we were rehearsing, and the shampoo gets in my eye. isaid... tearful: .."i got some..." so, there was a little store, and in the window was a little tiny bottle ofjohnson and johnson baby shampoo. so, we sent a driver back... she blows we did it in one take. # um diddle, diddle diddle, um diddle ay # um diddle, diddle diddle, um diddle ay...

we came up with this nonsense word. "super—something".