December 31, 2021

New Year celebrations have been called off in many locations around the world as coronavirus casts gloom over festivities for a second year, but Australia and New Zealand were determined to enjoy the night and there were even signs North Korea was preparing fireworks.

New Zealand began the celebrations after easing its crowd limits on public gatherings just in time for New Year's Eve, holding a light display in Auckland.

Festivities are rippling across the globe in line with time zones, with many countries including Britain facing a patchwork of restrictions which threaten to dampen spirits.

Revellers in England have been given the green light to party "cautiously", but the three devolved nations face nightclub closures and limits on gatherings