New Year's celebrations: World welcomes 2024 with hope

Fireworks explode around the London Eye and the Elizabeth Tower, commonly known by the name of the clock's bell, "Big Ben," at the Palace of Westminster, home to the Houses of Parliament, in central London, just after midnight, Britain, Jan. 1, 2024.

A reveler wears 2024 glasses during the New Year's Eve firework celebrations on the River Thames in London, Britain, Dec. 31, 2023.

Drones illuminate the sky during the New Year's Eve celebrations on the River Thames in London, Britain, Jan. 1, 2024.

People walk past a historical tramway under Christmas light decorations on Istiklal Street during preparations to celebrate the new year, Istanbul, Türkiye, Dec. 31, 2023.

New Year's Mass is celebrated at Saint Sarkis Armenian Church in Tehran, Iran, early on Jan. 1, 2024.

Iranian Christians attend the New Year's Mass at Saint Sarkis Armenian Church in Tehran, Iran, early on Jan. 1, 2024.

Fireworks explode over the city skyline during the New Year's Eve celebrations in Nairobi, Kenya, Jan. 1, 2024.

A traditional fire dragon dance was held as part of the New Year's celebrations in Foshan, Guangdong province, China, Dec. 31, 2023.

Entertainers perform during a Near Year's Eve countdown event at Shougang Industrial Park in Beijing, China, Dec. 31 2023.

Christians release balloons during New Year's celebrations at a church in Ahmedabad, India, Jan. 1, 2024.

A crowd gathered for New Year's celebrations in Madrid, Spain, Jan. 1, 2024.

Members of the indigenous Gurung community wearing traditional attire dance on the occasion of the "Tamu Lhosar" festival marking the commencement of the Gurung new year in Kathmandu, Nepal, Dec. 31, 2023.

Fireworks explode behind the quadriga of Berlin's landmark Brandenburg Gate to usher in the New Year, Germany, Jan. 1, 2024.

Youth and students take part in celebrations to welcome the new year at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, North Korea, Dec. 31, 2023.

A woman applies colored powder to a "rangoli" design to usher in the new year in front of a home in Hyderabad, India, Jan. 1, 2024.

Devotees offer prayers on New Year's Day at a Buddhist temple in Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, Jan. 1, 2024.

A devotee offers prayers during New Year's Day at a Hindu temple in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Jan. 1, 2024.

A devotee lights oil lamps while offering prayers on New Year's Day at a Hindu temple in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Jan. 1, 2024.

People gather to celebrate New Year's Eve in Times Square in New York City, New York, U.S., Dec. 31, 2023. Thousands gather in the area each year to watch the New Year’s Eve Ball drop, a tradition that dates back to 1907.

Fireworks explode over the Acropolis during New Year's celebrations in Athens, Greece, early on Jan. 1, 2024.

Participants take part in the annual New Year's Day Parade in central London, Britain, Jan. 1, 2024.

This combination of pictures created on Jan. 1, 2024, shows the Arc de Triomphe illuminated for the New Year's celebrations in Paris, France, Dec. 31, 2023.

People pose for a photo during the New Year's traditional swim in Lake of Geneva, at the Bains des Paquis, in Geneva, Switzerland, Jan. 1, 2024.

The landmark Burj Khalifa skyscraper, the world’s tallest building, is lit up at midnight on New Year's Eve, Dubai, UAE, Jan. 1, 2024.

A guard of the Mainz Prinzengarde welcomes the new year on Ludwigstra'e with a laugh, in Mainz, Germany, Jan. 1, 2024. The traditional New Year's parade of the carnival guards and clubs is the prelude to the 2024 carnival campaign. According to the organizers, around 1,700 participants and many thousands of spectators will be present in the city center.

Participants take part in the annual New Year's Day Parade in central London, Britain, Jan. 1, 2024.

Fireworks explode during the New Year's Eve celebrations on the River Thames in London, Britain, Dec. 31, 2023.

Fireworks illuminate the sky over the Quadriga statue of the Brandenburg Gate during New Year's Eve celebrations in Berlin, Germany, Jan. 1, 2024.

Fireworks explode after midnight over Kuta Beach during New Year's celebrations in Bali, Indonesia, Jan. 1, 2024.