"New Year's Eve marks the end of a turbulent 2025 shaped by US trade tariffs, a shaky Gaza truce, and stalled hopes for peace in Ukraine 2025 was among the warmest years on record, fueling wildfires in Europe, droughts in Africa, and deadly floods in Southeast Asia Celebrations in Sydney take on a somber tone after a mass shooting at a Jewish festival in Bondi Beach killed 15 people Hong Kong has canceled its New Year fireworks to honor victims of a fatal housing estate fire"
"Australia's east coast welcomes 2026 two hours after New Zealand, but celebrations in Sydney are unfolding under the shadow of the country's worst mass shooting in nearly 30 years. Two gunmen attacked a Hanukkah gathering at Bondi Beach on December 14, killing 15 people and wounding 40. An hour before midnight, the victims were commemorated with a minute of silence. Images of a menorah were projected onto the pylons of the Harbour Bridge, while crowds were invited to show solidarity with Australia's Jewish community by lighting up the harbor with their phone lights."
"Chris Minns, the premier of New South Wales, urged residents not to stay away out of fear, warning that extremists would see smaller New Year's Eve crowds as a victory."
Cities across the Pacific region welcomed 2026 as 2025 closed, with New Year's events reflecting recent global crises. Economic tension from US trade tariffs, a fragile Gaza truce, and stalled hopes for peace in Ukraine marked the year. Record warmth in 2025 drove wildfires in Europe, droughts in Africa, and deadly floods in Southeast Asia. Sydney's New Year celebrations took on a somber tone after a mass shooting at a Hanukkah gathering in Bondi Beach killed 15 and wounded 40. Public commemorations included a minute of silence, menorah projections on the Harbour Bridge, and calls to show defiance rather than fear.
Read at www.dw.com
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