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ICYMI – The world rings in the New Year in the shadow of a rising number of COVID-19 cases.
People in New Zealand were amongst the first in the world to celebrate the arrival of 2022 with a light show in Auckland.
People around the world rang in the New Year this weekend, although the ongoing threat of the COVID-19 Omicron variant undoubtedly dampened the mood. Among the first to hear the clock strike midnight were the onlookers of a spectactular light show in Auckland, New Zealand, where lockdown rules have recently eased. The celebration marked the first time since August that crowds could meet publicly in the island nation’s capital.
On the otherhand, midnight passed in Paris without its usual planned fireworks display or DJ sets, as city officials cancelled events planned on the Champs-Elysees. Traditionally, the city would be lit by colorful displays centred on the Arc de Triomphe along the famous Parisian boulevard. “It’s understandable,” said Jonas Berstein, a German tourist who had come to Paris for the celebrations.
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Auckland light show ushers in New Zealand’s New Year
The show featured 90,000 LED lights illuminating over Auckland’s 328-meter tall Sky Tower and Harbour Bridge that dazzled some of the first to ring in the New Year.
Parisians step into 2022 with tame celebrations due to COVID-19
In his New Year’s Eve address, President Macron said the next few weeks would be difficult due to new registered COVID-19 cases reaching a record high.
Colorado grass fire destroys hundreds of homes, displaces thousands
The sheriff said gale-force winds made it impossible to halt the fire’s rapid advance, adding that fire and emergency personnel were “essentially running ahead of this just trying to get people out of the way.”
Ronaldo statue unveiled in India to inspire youth
A statue unveiled in Goa on Tuesday joins a collection of tributes to the Manchester United forward, including one in his hometown of Funchal, Madeira. In 2017, Madeira renamed its airport after him.