#fireworks

#fireworks

New Year's Eve celebrations are unfolding across the world as countries move into 2026 one time zone at a time. The first major cities to mark the new year welcomed midnight with fireworks over their waterfronts and large crowds gathered at public viewing points. As the night continues, countries across the Americas will close out the global transition with events stretching from Rio de Janeiro's beaches to Times Square in New York City and beyond.

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

The whole world looks to New York City to usher in the new year each year at Times Square. But if you ask any native New Yorker, Times Square is not where we'll be on New Year's Eve, at least not out in the freezing cold. Between the never-ending crowds and being packed into metal pens for hours at a time, it's probably not the first place you'll want to take the kids.

PA Media A fire that destroyed a warehouse in west London has been brought under control overnight, London Fire Brigade (LFB) says. The two-storey building on Bridge Road, Southall, caught fire shortly before 09:00 GMT on Tuesday and was later declared a major incident as it was believed fireworks may have been stored inside. A residential block and three nearby schools were evacuated as a precaution, although residents were able to return home on Tuesday evening and the schools are due to reopen.

Getty The final batch of tickets for the official viewing area for London's New Year's Eve firework display have been released for sale on Monday. City Hall closes off an area on the bank of the River Thames from Lambeth Bridge to Blackfriars Bridge which will be ticketed to watch the fireworks on New Year's Eve.

A four-year-old boy is fighting for his life after being hit by a firework. Lancashire Police are now appealing for a man to come forward in connection with the incident, warning this year has gone too far. The force said officers attended a number of incidents involving the anti-social use of fireworks in Burnley on Wednesday. During these incidents on Guy Fawkes Night in the Elm Street area, a four-year-old child was severely injured. He remains in hospital in a critical condition.

In September, a firework display on the ecologically delicate Tibetan Plateau was widely criticized for the pollution and environmental damage that might result.

Derry Halloween is a four-day festival at the end of October each year that celebrates the ancient Irish festival of Samhain,

When Guy Fawkes was preparing to blow up the Houses of Parliament all those centuries ago, he probably didn't foresee that 420 years later, thousands of Londoners would gather on a hill, serenaded by a Dolly Parton tribute act, watching hundreds of drones make cool neon shapes in the air to celebrate the failure of his plot. That's exactly what'll be happening in a few months time, though.

I don't know what to expect. It was fantastic," said one spectator. "I loved the show. I thought it was amazing." said another. "Very, very good. I'm happy it was here."

"The Fourth of July is one of the scariest days for pets," San Jose Animal Care and Services field operations supervisor Jaysen Jenkins said. "They just want to get away from the noise - which means they'll jump fences, we've even had reports of dogs breaking through plane glass windows."

Incline Village's fireworks show is canceled due to storm damage that affected the fireworks barge, as confirmed by the Washoe County Sheriff's Office. The cancellation is part of several shows being called off this year.

July 4th is the day when more dogs get lost than on any other day of the year. They also get injured. It is a time to be super vigilant about your pet's safety.