New Year: How the world brought in 2018 with lights, colours and laughter
Saying goodbye to 2017, people all around the globe gathered in an array of colours and fireworks.
The Indian government tweeted out wishes of a prosperous new year on Monday. “Wishing you all a happy 2018! I pray that this year brings joy, prosperity and good health in everyone's lives,” said PM Narendra Modi.
Tons of messages floated on social media greeting one another a 'Happy New Year'. Technical difficulties were faced by messaging platform - WhatsApp that witnessed downtime on a global scale and only resumed services this morning.
As the dawn broke over Australia, the country ushered in the new year with fireworks and a rainbow waterfall. The display of fireworks in Sydney was labelled as the ‘most technologically advanced’.
Fireworks over the Harbour Bridge during New Year's celebrations in Sydney, Australia. Image Source: IANS
In New Zealand, nearly 1.5 million people celebrated at the seafront and watched the pyrotechnics light up the sky.
A spectacular style of fireworks took the sky in Hong Kong. The beautiful spectacle was displayed over the city’s famous Victoria Harbour.
Thousands thronged the harbour side to see the show illuminate the famous skyline as revellers danced to Auld Lang Syne.
In Beijing, a 7.8 km-long stretch known as ‘Beijing’s backbone’, brightly lit up all the way from Yongding Gate in the south all the way through the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square.
People performed a fire dragon dance in a shower of molten iron sparkling like fireworks to welcome the new year in Taierzhuang ancient town in Zaozhuang.
In Paris, a light show at the side of fireworks at the Arc de Triomphe ushered in the new year.
While in Rio, Brazil millions gathered on Copacabana beach to watch the fireworks. Many citizens wore white, the traditional colour, to usher in the new year.
On the frigid winter morning at the Times Square saw people covered in mufflers, protected face masks and winter gear to watch the ball drop.
A report by Reuters said the temperature dropped to a freezing -15C on December 31, 2017.
US President Donald Trump ended the year with a video self-tribute that entailed what he sees as the high points of his achievements during his first year in office.
“What a year it’s been, and we're just getting started. Together, we are MAKING AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! Happy New Year!!,” he tweeted.
(With inputs from PTI)
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