Fireworks illuminated skies over Paris, Rio and Sydney to celebrate the entry to 2024. Much of the world’s population – now more than eight billion – is hoping to shake off high living costs and global tumult in 2024. The year will also bring elections concerning half the world’s population and the Paris Olympics.
In New York City, thousands of visitors lined up to watch the annual dropping of a giant illuminated ball in Times Square as crooner Paul Anka saw out the final minutes of the year.
Hours earlier, more than a million party-goers had packed in around the harbour in Sydney, the self-proclaimed “New Year’s capital of the world”, to watch eight tonnes of fireworks.
India outgrew China as the world’s most populous country and then became the first nation to land an unmanned craft on the Moon’s south pole.
In Pakistan the best New Year’s celebration in the city, Bahria Town Karachi promises an extravagant and dazzling fireworks display for an unforgettable start to 2024.
Global consequences
Several pivotal elections are scheduled in 2024, with the political fate of more than four billion people to be decided in contests that will shape Russia, Britain, the European Union, India, Indonesia, Mexico, South Africa, Venezuela, Pakistan and a host of other nations.
