The New Zealanders were among the first people in the world to celebrate the arrival of 2024 with a fireworks display in Auckland on Monday. The fireworks lit up the cloudy night sky and were accompanied by a laser light and animation show.
Sydney
Sydney celebrated the arrival of 2024 with a stunning fireworks display featuring silver and gold fireworks to mark the 50th anniversary of the city’s famous opera house.
Gaza
People in Gaza had little hope that 2024 would bring much relief after 12 weeks of Israel’s war to eliminate Hamas. In Rafah on the border between Gaza and Egypt, which has become the largest focus point for Palestinians fleeing from other parts of the enclave, people were more busy on Sunday searching for shelter, food, and water rather than thinking about the new year.
Queen Margrethe
The Queen of Denmark, Margrethe II, used her annual New Year’s speech on Sunday to announce her abdication from the throne on January 14 after 52 years on the throne, and she will be succeeded by her eldest son, Crown Prince Frederik.
Vladimir Putin
In his New Year’s address, Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is facing elections in March, briefly mentioned his war in Ukraine, praising his soldiers as heroes and emphasizing unity and collective determination.
Xi Jinping
In his televised New Year’s speech, Chinese President Xi Jinping stated that the country will enhance the positive trend of economic recovery in 2024 and achieve long-term economic development through deeper reform measures.
Kim Jong Un
North Korea pledged to launch three new spy satellites, build military drones, and enhance its nuclear arsenal in 2024, with leader Kim Jong Un stating that U.S. policy makes war inevitable, according to state media on Sunday.
Pope Francis
In his prayers on Sunday at the Vatican, Pope Francis said: “I wish everyone a peaceful end of the year, and please do not forget to pray for me.”
France
French President Emmanuel Macron, in his televised address before New Year celebrations, stated that 2024 will be the “Year of French Pride” and will feature the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics and the reopening of Notre-Dame Cathedral after a devastating fire.
Germany
Police on Sunday arrested three more suspects in a radical plot to attack the famous Cologne Cathedral on New Year’s Eve.
The alleged attackers were planning to use a car to assault the 800-year-old Gothic cathedral, according to Cologne police.
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