The world welcomes the new year with fireworks, praying for peace

Shortly after, the Australian city of Sydney also rang in 2024. As the clock struck midnight in Australia, a 12-minute fireworks display took place over the Sydney Harbour Bridge. More than 1 million people - a figure equivalent to a fifth of the city's residents - watched from the shore and from boats in the harbour.

Fireworks over the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge during New Year's Eve 2024 celebrations in Sydney, Australia on January 1, 2024. Photo: AP

In Auckland, light rain that had been forecast all day cleared as expected around midnight over the city of 1.7 million people before a countdown began on an illuminated digital screen near the top of the 328-metre-high observation and communications tower.

However, more police than ever have been deployed across Sydney to ensure the city's security amid the risk of increased violence caused by the impact of the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

At the Vatican, Pope Francis recalled 2023 as a year marked by the suffering of war. During his traditional blessing from a window overlooking St. Peter’s Square, he offered prayers for “the suffering people of Ukraine, the Palestinians and Israelis, the Sudanese and many others.”

Japanese people pray at Tsukiji Temple, Tokyo on New Year's Eve 2024. Photo: AP

In Japan, temple bells ring across the country as people gather at shrines and temples to welcome the new year. At Tokyo's Tsukiji Temple, visitors are served free hot milk and corn soup as they line up to ring a large bell.

In New York City, organizers of the 2024 New Year's Eve celebrations say they are prepared to ensure the safety of the tens of thousands of revelers who will fill Times Square in midtown Manhattan.

Mayor Eric Adams said there was “no specific threat” to the 2024 New Year’s Eve party, which is scheduled to feature live performances from major artists and bands such as Flo Rida, Megan Thee Stallion, LL Cool J, Cardi B and others.

Organizers say in-person attendance is expected to return to pre-COVID levels, even as foot traffic around Times Square remains slightly down since the pandemic.

A girl takes a photo in front of a 2024 New Year sign on New Year's Eve in Seoul, South Korea. Photo: Reuters

In France, 90,000 law enforcement officers will be deployed, domestic intelligence chief Céline Berthon said Friday. Of those, 6,000 will be in Paris, where French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said more than 1.5 million people are expected to attend the celebrations on the Champs-Elysees.

Darmanin said there was a “very high terrorist threat” partly due to the Israel-Hamas war. He said police would be able to use drones for the first time as part of security, and that tens of thousands of firefighters and 5,000 soldiers would also be deployed.

In Berlin, some 4,500 police officers are expected to maintain order and avoid riots like a year ago. Police in the German capital have banned the use of traditional fireworks on some streets in the city. They also banned a pro-Palestinian protest in the Neukoelln neighborhood.

In Russia, military action in Ukraine has continued to affect New Year's Eve celebrations in 2024, with the usual fireworks and concerts on Moscow's Red Square canceled, as they were last year. Millions across Russia are expected to tune in to Russian President Vladimir Putin's New Year's address.

Meanwhile, in China, President Xi Jinping said on Sunday in a televised New Year's address that the country will consolidate and restore its economy by 2024, while maintaining sustainable economic development with deeper reforms.

Hoang Anh (according to AP, Reuters, CNN)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/the-gioi-chao-don-nam-moi-2024-bang-phao-hoa-va-loi-cau-nguyen-cho-hoa-binh-post279259.html