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Jamaicans across the island ushered in the New Year at the annual national fireworks celebration, hosted by the Urban Development Corporation (UDC).
The free event began in the afternoon and culminated with firework displays at midnight, with activities taking place simultaneously at the Kingston Waterfront, Ocho Rios Bay Beach, Harmony Beach Park in Montego Bay, and new locations at the Long Bay Football Field in Negril and the Black River Courthouse in St. Elizabeth.
Marketing Manager at the UDC, Latoya Chambers, said the initiative aligned with the organisation’s mandate to revitalise public spaces, while promoting inclusivity and economic activity.
Ms. Chambers informed that the activities were designed for the entire family, with kiddies’ villages operating from midday.
Meanwhile, As Wednesday turned to Thursday, people around the world said goodbye to a sometimes challenging 2025 and expressed hopes for the New Year to come.
Midnight arrived first on the islands closest to the International Date Line in the Pacific Ocean, including Kiritimati (Christmas Island), Tonga and New Zealand.
One of the last centres to greet the New Year was New York, where revellers celebrated in subzero temperatures and those in Times Square watched the traditional ball drop at midnight.
In Australia, Sydney began 2026 with a spectacular fireworks display, as per tradition. Some 40,000 pyrotechnic effects stretched 7 km (over 4 miles) across buildings and barges in its harbour and featured a waterfall effect from the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
This year, it was held under an enhanced police presence, weeks after gunmen killed 15 people at a Jewish event in the city.
In Seoul, thousands gathered at the Bosingak bell pavilion, where a bronze bell was struck 33 times at midnight - a tradition rooted in Buddhist cosmology, symbolizing the 33 heavens.
In Rio de Janeiro, crowds packed more than 4 kilometers (2 1/2 miles) of the city’s Copacabana Beach for concerts and a 12-minute fireworks show, despite high tides and large waves that rocked barges carrying fireworks.
Indonesia scaled back festivities in solidarity with communities devastated by floods and landslides in parts of Sumatra a month ago that killed over 1,100. Fireworks on the tourist island of Bali were replaced with traditional dances.
Hong Kong rang in 2026 without fireworks over Victoria Harbor after the massive fire in November. Facades of landmarks were turned into countdown clocks and a light show at midnight.
And in Gaza, Palestinians said they hope the new year brings an end to the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
