Spectacular Dubai fireworks at the Burj Khalifa as New Year arrives in the Middle East Sydney puts on a spectacular display along with Hong Kong and Thailand LONDON: New Year celebrations to mark the arrival of 2019 have begun. From Sydney to Riyadh, Dubai to London, keep track of events, images and parties as the clock strikes "12" around the world. (All times in GMT) ****** 9.00pm: As the region enters 2019, we look at what’s in store for the Middle East in the year to come. With key Afghan peace talks in Saudi Arabia in January, a papal visit to UAE and the ongoing global economic uncertainty, Jennifer Bell looks at what are likely to be some of this year’s important talking points. ​ 8.19pm: And here"s the video and more pictures of the Dubai extravaganza7.45pm: In France, nearly 150,000 police are on duty around France on New Year"s Eve with "yellow vest" protesters calling for another round of anti-government demonstrations. In his New Year"s Eve address, President Emmanuel Macron said the French state "can do better" at improving ordinary citizens" lives, while urging the French to "accept the reality" that increased public spending is not the answer to the country"s economic woes. 6.10pm: Some images from Taipei and Bangkok as the Asian cities welcome in 2019...5.32pm: Final preparations are underway in Dubai for the emirate"s spectacular fire work displays. Several of the city"s main roads are now shut and the government is advising motorists on alternative routes. 5.25pm: Earlier in the day UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres issued a bleak New Year"s message that called climate change an existential threat and warned that "it"s time to seize our last best chance." He also lamented growing intolerance, geo-political divisions and inequality, resulting in people "questioning a world in which a handful of people hold the same wealth as half of humanity."5.00pm: Thailand welcomes in the New Year with yet more fireworks. 4.00pm: But in Singapore and Hong Kong, it was a spectacular sight...3.00pm: Tokyo"s celebrations were slightly more muted than usual this year... 2.41pm: For a breakdown of where to celebrate New Year"s Eve in Saudi Arabia, Arab News has put together a guide to the key events and best locations. 1pm: Sydney put on its biggest-ever fireworks display in a spectacular welcome to the New Year.A record amount of pyrotechnics as well as new fireworks effects and colours lit up the city"s skyline for 12 minutes and dazzled the more than 1.5 million spectators who packed the harbour front and parks.Earlier the New Year arrived in the South PAcific in Samoa before celebrations started in New Zealand. Here fireworks explode over Aukland"s Sky Tower.