The year 2022 is here in some countries, with the inhabitants of the South Pacific islands of Samoa and Kiribati the first to start the new year at 10:00 GMT, and New Zealand following an hour later.
In Australia, Sydney kicked off 2022 with six tonnes of colourful fireworks against the imposing backdrop of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House.
It will take 26 hours, up to 12:00 GMT on Saturday, for the entire globe to ring in the new year.
Many large parties and fireworks displays have been cancelled or scaled down due to a rise in coronavirus infections across the world.
Here are the latest updates:
Celebrations scaled back in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
In Rio de Janeiro, Brazil celebrations on Copacabana Beach will go ahead in a scaled back format – though crowds of revellers are still expected at the traditional party spot.
“People have only one desire, to leave their homes, to celebrate life,” 45-year-old Copacabana beach waiter Francisco Rodrigues told AFP.
Swimmers dip into cold Baikal lake in Russia
Freezing temperatures didn’t prevent dozens of Russian swimmers from a traditional annual dip into the waters of the Lake Baikal on New Year’s Eve.
This year it was warmer in the water – around 2.5 degrees Celsius, 36 degrees Fahrenheit – than on dry land where the temperature was minus 15 degrees Celsius (5 degrees Fahrenheit).
“It’s awesome,” said first-time ice swimmer Olga Sundareva. “I’ve been dreaming of getting here for a long time and I’ve found this club this year.”
Revellers return to NYC’s Times Square
New York City is preparing to revive its annual New Year’s Eve celebration in Times Square, even as public health officials cautioned against unbridled celebrations.
The city said it would limit the number of people it lets into Times Square to witness a 6-ton ball, encrusted with nearly 2,700 Waterford crystals, descend above a crowd of about 15,000 in-person spectators – far fewer than the many tens of thousands of revellers who usually descend on the world-famous square during the nation’s marquee New Year’s Eve event.
“We are very excited to welcome back visitors to Times Square this New Year’s Eve,” said Tom Harris, the president of the Times Square Alliance. “Our goal is to have a safe and responsible event for the world to see.”
People gather at the security entrance at Times Square ahead of celebrations in New York City, US [Stefan Jeremiah/Reuters]
India welcomes New Year with restrictions
In India, fearing a repeat of a devastating virus surge that overwhelmed the country in April and May, cities and states have imposed restrictions on gatherings. Delhi implemented a 10:00pm curfew.
Mumbai police on Friday issued evening bans on people visiting public places such as the city’s beaches and seafront promenades, normally popular sites for seeing in the New Year – with the restrictions set to last two weeks.
Workers of a political party and others cheer in front of a huge kite to welcome 2022 on New Year’s Eve in Ahmedabad, India [Ajit Solanki/AP Photo]
Fireworks bring in New Year in North Korea
A light show and fireworks display has brought in the New Year in North Korea, as leader Kim Jong-un marks 10 years in power.
The spectacle took place against the backdrop of Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang.
In neighbouring South Korea, the annual New Year’s Eve bell-ringing ceremony in Seoul was cancelled due to a surge in omicron cases.
Serbia prepares for New Year’s concert
Tens of thousands of visitors from around Eastern Europe and further afield are expected to attend a large music event and a fireworks show in downtown Belgrade.
“We love large public celebrations. We came here from Vienna specifically because here [it feels as if] there is no COVID-19,” one woman told The Associated Press.
Many Belgrade residents appeared to share her sentiment and voiced happiness that their city was the only Balkan capital holding a big celebration to ring in the New Year.
“Why would I be afraid?” one person asked. “We must live our lives.”
People dance on Belgrade’s main pedestrian street during New Year’s Eve in Serbia [Darko Vojinovic/AP Photo]
Year-end cheer for South Africans as midnight curfew lifted
South Africans cheered the government’s decision to lift its midnight curfew after nearly two years of COVID-19 restrictions, a relief for businesses and citizens just ahead of New Year celebrations.
“[The past two years] have been hard on us, if you look at our neighbours most guys have closed down, that’s how bad it was,” said 32 year-old Michael Mchende, a manager at Hard Rock Cafe in Cape Town.
“For this brand we are all about having a good time, so now that we have been allowed to actually have a good time, these doors are just going to be here for display. We are not going to shut down no more, we are all in.”
An undercover police officer is seen as customers queue to buy fireworks outside the St Mary Cathedral in Johannesburg, South Africa ahead of New Year’s Eve celebrations [Marco Longari/AFP]
Samoa celebrates the New Year
Unlike last year, when public fireworks were cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, they were allowed to be shot into the sky again in the South Pacific island of Samoa.
According to the tourism authority, the island state had flown in five pyrotechnics experts from New Zealand to install the fireworks.
Fireworks welcome New Year in Sydney
Sydney kicked off 2022 with six tons of colourful fireworks against the imposing backdrop of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House.
Unlike last year, tens of thousands of spectators were again admitted this time to watch the spectacle live, despite a sharp rise in coronavirus numbers in the region. However, all participants had to buy a ticket for one of about 30 viewing points.
Citizens without a reservation or vaccination should avoid the city centre if possible, organisers had advised.
The Sydney Opera House is seen as fireworks explode over Sydney Harbour during New Year’s Eve celebrations in Sydney, Australia [Jaimi Joy/Reuters]Tonga welcomes 2022
In the archipelago of Tonga, the forces of nature did not take a break on New Year’s Eve.
Since Christmas, the authorities have been warning against approaching the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcano, which last erupted in 2014, but which is active again and spewing ash and gas into the air.
https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiYWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmFsamF6ZWVyYS5jb20vbmV3cy8yMDIxLzEyLzMxL25ldy15ZWFyLTIwMjItY2VsZWJyYXRpb25zLWFyb3VuZC13b3JsZC1jb3ZpZC1saXZlLW5ld3PSAQA?oc=5
2021-12-31 14:38:51Z
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