© Reuters. Fireworks explode over Victoria Harbor to celebrate the New Year in Hong Kong, China on January 1, 2024. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu
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(Reuters) – New Zealanders were among the first in the world to celebrate the arrival of 2024 with a fireworks display in Auckland on Monday. Fireworks lit up the cloudy night sky and were accompanied by a laser light and animation show.
Here's how some places and people around the world were bidding farewell to 2023 and welcoming the new year.
SYDNEY – Sydney welcomed 2024 with a dazzling fireworks display featuring silver and gold fireworks to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the iconic Opera House (NASDAQ:).
GAZA – People in Gaza had little hope that 2024 would bring much relief after 12 weeks of war launched by Israel to eliminate Hamas. In Rafah on Gaza's border with Egypt, which has become the largest focal point for Palestinians fleeing other parts of the Strip, people were more busy Sunday trying to find shelter, food and water than thinking about the new year.
“In 2024, I would like to return to the ruins of my house, set up a tent and live there,” said Abu Abdullah Al-Agha, a middle-aged Palestinian man whose home in Khan Yunis was destroyed and who lost his young niece. His nephew in an Israeli air strike.
Queen Margaret (Reuters) – Queen Margaret II of Denmark used her annual New Year's speech on Sunday to announce that she will abdicate on January 14 after 52 years on the throne, and will be succeeded by her eldest son, Crown Prince Frederik.
VLADIMIR PUTIN – Russian President Vladimir Putin, facing elections in March, made only a passing reference in his New Year's address on Sunday to his war in Ukraine, praising his soldiers as heroes but mostly emphasizing unity and common determination.
Xi Jinping 2020 (Xinhua) In a televised New Year's speech on Sunday, Chinese President Xi Jinping said that the country will consolidate and consolidate the positive trend of economic recovery in 2024, and maintain long-term economic development through deeper reforms.
Kim Jong Un – North Korea has pledged to launch three new spy satellites, build military drones and bolster its nuclear arsenal in 2024, with leader Kim Jong Un saying US policy makes war inevitable, state media reported Sunday.
Pope Francis – “I wish everyone a peaceful end to this year, and please don’t forget to pray for me,” Pope Francis said at Sunday prayers at the Vatican.
