Highlights and shadows in global New Year's revelry

As the world transitioned into the new year, a kaleidoscope of celebrations unfolded across the globe.

As ITV reports, in Kiribati, the first to embrace 2024, festivities set the stage for an international wave of joy.

However, the echoes of conflict in Ukraine and Gaza added a layer of solemnity, prompting heightened security measures and event cancellations in some cities.

Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Zayed Festival marked the beginning of New Year 2024 with an impressive showcase, setting four world records.

Held in the Al Wathba area, the event featured a 40-minute fireworks display that broke three Guinness World Records and a 60-minute drone show with over 5,000 drones, establishing a record for the largest aerial logo.

The festival drew a diverse international crowd, offering a vibrant celebration complete with performances, programs, and activities, creating a memorable start to the new year.

London's iconic skyline was painted with bursts of color as fireworks danced over the Thames, while Munich's Bavarian capital sparkled in a cascade of lights on New Year's Eve.

In Paris, a breathtaking light show adorned the Arc de Triomphe, guarded by a deployment of 90,000 police officers ensuring safety on the Champs Elysees.

The ancient Parthenon temple at the Acropolis hill became a canvas for fireworks during Athens' New Year's Eve celebrations, and the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, bathed Dubai in a radiant glow.

In Mumbai, a seaside promenade hosted revelers welcoming the new year, and Bangkok's Chao Phraya River became a canvas for an explosive display of lights.

In Japan, the tradition of hatsumode brought people to shrines and temples, reflecting on the past year and praying for the future.

Sydney's Opera House witnessed a spectacular display as the clock struck midnight, drawing over a million spectators along the harbor.

New Zealand's Auckland, the first major city to enter 2024, gathered thousands at the city's Sky Tower, where fireworks erupted into the night sky, symbolizing hope and new beginnings.

The global tapestry of New Year's Eve showcased both the resilience of celebrations and the sobering realities that shape our shared world.

[With information sourced from ITV]