Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has posted on social media wishing Australians a Happy New Year. “I hope you've had the chance to celebrate with friends and loved ones,” Mr Albanese said on X. The PM said there is “no doubt” 2023 was a challenging year. “Yet, right around our country, Australians rose to meet those challenges – as they always do. “We have so much to cherish. “Let that guide us in 2024 as we make the greatest country on Earth even better.”

Millions of people have gathered around Australia to ring in the new year. In Melbourne, revellers arrived early to secure prime viewing spots along the Yarra River. Around half a million people turned out to catch a glimpse of the colourful display which was spread amongst 27 rooftops across the city. Half an hour later, it was South Australia's turn to celebrate the end of 2023 as thousands gathered at Adelaide's Elder Park for the first firework display there since the COVID pandemic. In Brisbane, around 85,000 people packed the city's river foreshore. More than 100 public firework displays exploded into life across Queensland.

Over a million people gathered around the shores of Sydney Harbour last night to witness one of the world's greatest firework displays. Millions of dollars' worth of fireworks coloured the city's skies on New Year's Eve, celebrating the start of 2024. All corners of the harbour city sparkled for 12 colourful minutes, putting on display one of the greatest shows on Earth. Around the world, 425 million people tuned in to watch from afar. 58,000 individual fireworks were set off from the Harbour Bridge, the Opera House and city rooftops.

Pakistan has rejected former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s nomination to contest in the country’s 2024 elections. Mr Khan is serving a three-year jail sentence for corruption during his time in office from 2018 to 2022. The sentence disqualifies Mr Khan from entering the race. The country’s election officials have also rejected nominations from other senior members of Imran Khan’s PTI party. Mr Khan has not been seen publicly since his incarceration.

New Zealand has welcomed in the new year, being the first to farewell 2023. The fireworks display marks the start of 2024 as celebrations are underway. The five-minute display is the highest in the Southern Hemisphere. Planning for the event has taken place over the last six months. New Zealand is one of the first nations in the world to welcome in the new year.

Psychologist, Nutritionist and Health Expert Leanne Hall says the problem with fad diets is they are “just not sustainable". Ms Hall’s comments come as people prepare for the New Year and have started to create their resolutions. “The vast majority of people that lose weight and succeed off these fad diets end up just back where they started and sometimes, they even just gain weight,” Ms Hall told Sky News Australia. She says it has to be something that fits within people’s lifestyles. “Urging away from those big grand goals of huge things that are a bit unattainable – to start by just creating those small healthy habits.”

Aussies are being urged to rethink their resolutions as many are about set unattainable goals they may struggle to maintain in 2024. Psychologist, Nutritionist and Health Expert Leanne Hall joined Sky News Australia to discuss New Year goals. “Over half find it really, really difficult to stick to these new habits,” Ms Hall told Sky News Australia. “Only around 11 per cent manage to stick to it for the whole year. “Not many of us are sticking to them.”

Two train drivers have died after a crash between a huge freight train and a truck. The incident was near the New South Wales-South Australian border. The crash occurred late morning at Bindarrah about 30 kilometers west of the border on the Barrier Highway. The highway is now closed in both directions. Police and emergency services encountered a shocking scene of damage with the double Decker freight carriages in ruins.

Motorists warned to expect heavy New Year's Eve traffic across the country, final preparations underway for NYE festivities in South Australia and Western Australia, 2023 is reportedly the worst year for road deaths since 2008, the NSW government will review the 1987 Discrimination Act, Boxing Day sales slower than expected, and a woman has given birth to a 7.1kg baby in Chile. See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.

Former President Donald Trump maintains a commanding lead among Republican candidates with the countdown well and truly on until the Iowa caucuses. US Studies Centre Director of Research Jared Mondschein says it would be “unprecedented” for Donald Trump to end up not winning the Republican nomination. “No one has gone on to lose the nomination given the lead that he has,” Mr Mondschein told Sky News Australia. “At this point, it is all but a surefire thing that he will win the nomination.” Mr Mondschein said there is a lot of “intrigue” surrounding who the former president will select as his vice president.

Motorists are being warned it will be challenging to drive and park around capital cities today. In Sydney, the Cahill Expressway has now shut with rolling road closures in and around the city beginning mid-afternoon. Additionally, there are two closures of the Anzac Bridge and the Sydney Harbour Bridge will close at 11pm for the midnight fireworks. Meanwhile, in Melbourne, critical roads like Flinders Street, Collins and Swanston Street will all begin closing from 5pm. While in Brisbane, there are several road closures impacting South Bank, Kangaroo Point and the city. Authorities say traffic will be most affected after the celebrations.

Health experts say there are many benefits to abstaining from alcohol as many people consider ditching the bottle and committing to a ‘dry January’. Abstaining from alcohol for the first month of the new year is said to have benefits for health such as an increase in energy levels. People can also see an improvement in mood and sleep. Doctors say the improvement in sleep quality is particularly beneficial. Non-alcoholic bars are popping up around the United States. New drink options are also hitting the market offering complex flavours just like cocktails that contain alcohol.

Authorities across the United States are working to ensure New Year’s revellers’ security this weekend, particularly in New York. The NYPD has prepared for a crowd in the hundreds of thousands. The New York City Mayor and NYPD officials have both said there are no credible threats to the city’s iconic bash in Times Square. They do anticipate pro-Palestinian demonstrators who’ve taken to the city streets the entire holiday season. The police presence has also been expanded in Chicago as they prepare for their celebrations.

Road fatalities have seen an increase this year and the government is yet to release data as to why. This year has seen the New South Wales road toll climb to 351 – a 26 per cent increase from last year. Victoria has reported a 24 per cent increase, leading to a national increase of 6.3 per cent. Over 1,250 people have been killed in crashes nationally — the highest number since 2016. Transport Accident Commission acting CEO Samantha Cockfield has said intoxication, fatigue and seatbelts are the main cause for the tolls. Australian Automobile Association Managing Director Michael Bradley says the main cause or solution to the problem won't be known until the government releases its data on what causes the accidents.

Image Matrix Tech Editor Djuro Sen has discussed the best smartphones released in 2023 from the Google Pixel 8, iPhone 15, Samsung Galaxy S23 and many more. Mr Sen said the best smartphone for 2023 was the iPhone 15 Pro Max with satellite SOS service. “I just think the camera is sensational – I use it all the time for those sorts of things, so overall that package from Apple is the winner for me,” he told Sky News Australia. “But a very close second is the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra to me this does the best selfies reliably that you can get in any phone. “So if you're into selfies … then you might want to have a go at this one.”

Locals and tourists have already started camping out across Sydney Harbour ahead of the city's iconic New Year's Eve fireworks. People have been camping out since midday yesterday all in a bid to secure their perfect spot to watch the display. Unlike previous years, many of the official vantage points across the city are free instead of ticketed. More than a million people are expected to line Sydney’s Harbour to watch the fireworks. People are being advised to leave their cars at home and take public transport if they are entering the city tonight.

The Lord Mayor of Sydney Clover Moore says the "eyes of the world" are on Sydney ahead of the 2024 New Year’s Eve fireworks display. “The eyes of the world will be watching Sydney as we optimistically ring in the New Year with our iconic New Year’s Eve fireworks,” the Lord Mayor told a press conference Sunday ahead of the event. Ms Clover also revealed her hopes for Australians and the wider world going into 2024. “Hoping that 2024 will be a much better year than 2023 with an end to the devastation of communities in the Gaza – Israel, and Ukraine conflicts, and an end to the approval of coal mines and gas projects, and real support for our First Nations people after the pressing No Vote. “I also hope that in 2024, the people that are most hurting in our community from the cost of living crisis will get adequate support.” One million people will descend on Sydney Harbour to watch the 58,000-firework display. A further 425 million are expected to tune in from around the world.

One of Australia’s most deadly snakes has interrupted a tennis match in Brisbane. Former US Open champion Dominic Thiem was facing Australia's James McCabe during a first-round qualifier at the Brisbane International when a snake slithered on to the court. The umpire stopped play after the reptile was spotted by fans. The match was subsequently suspended for 40 minutes until snake catchers arrived. The 50-centimetre snake was identified as an eastern brown.

2023 is close to its big finish, but New Year’s Eve is looking wet and stormy across parts of Queensland. Centre Queensland can expect the worst of the blustery weather. In Brisbane showers are forecast with a chance of a severe storm. Sydney and Canberra will be cloudy with a small bit of drizzle throughout the evening. The sun will be shining in Adelaide and Perth however with the latter expected to hit a high of 31 degrees.

From January 1, some of the world's toughest rules around vapes will become law in Australia. The importation of all disposable vapes containing nicotine will be officially banned. Doctors and nurses will still have the power to prescribe them as a method to help patients recover from addiction. Health Minister Mark Butler has warned that one in four Australians aged 18 to 24 were already addicted to vapes. One in seven 14 to 17-year-olds also use disposable vapes.