People around the world ring in 2024 as war shadows some celebrations

Revellers around the world counted down to midnight on New Year's Eve as fireworks and festive lights offered  a hopeful start to 2024 for some — even as the globe's ongoing conflicts raised security concerns and led to muted or even cancelled festivities.

As the clock struck midnight in Australia, more than one million people — a number equivalent to one in five of the city's residents — watched a 12-minute fireworks display focused on the Sydney Harbour Bridge from the shore and from boats in the harbour.

"It's total madness," said German tourist Janna Thomas, who had waited in line since 7:30 a.m. local time to secure a prime waterfront location in the Sydney Botanic Gardens.

In Auckland, the light rain that fell all day had cleared as forecast by midnight over the city of 1.7 million people before the countdown began on an illuminated digital display near the top of the 328-metre communications and observation tower.

The ongoing wars in Ukraine and Gaza, as well as heightened tensions in parts of the world, were affecting this year's New Year's Eve celebrations in many ways. Many cities were deploying extra security, and some places cancelled New Year's Eve events altogether.

More police than ever were deployed throughout Sydney. The waterfront has been the scene of heated pro-Palestinian protests after the sails of the Sydney Opera House were illuminated in the colours of the Israeli flag in response to the Oct. 7 attack by Palestinian militant group Hamas that triggered the war.

At the Vatican, Pope Francis recalled 2023 as a year marked by wartime suffering. During his traditional Sunday blessing from a window overlooking St. Peter's Square, he offered prayers for "the tormented Ukrainian people and the Palestinian and Israeli populations, the Sudanese people and many others."

"At the end of the year, we will have the courage to ask ourselves how many human lives have been shattered by armed conflict, how many dead and how much destruction, how much suffering, how much poverty," the pontiff said. "Whoever has interest in these conflicts, listen to the voice of conscience."

China celebrated the new calendar year relatively quietly, with most major cities banning fireworks over safety and pollution concerns. Chinese President Xi Jinping said during an address that the country would focus on building momentum for economic recovery in 2024 and pledged that China would "surely be reunified" with Taiwan.

In Taipei, Taiwan's capital, the mood appeared upbeat as revellers gathered for a fireworks show at the bamboo-shaped Taipei 101 skyscraper, as well as at concerts and other events held throughout the city.

In Japan, temple bells rang out across the country as people gathered at shrines and temples to welcome in the new year. At the Tsukiji Temple in Tokyo, visitors were given free hot milk and corn soup as they stood in line to strike a big bell, and a pipe-organ concert was held before a majestic altar.

In India, thousands of revellers from the financial hub of Mumbai flocked to a bustling promenade to watch the sun set over the Arabian Sea. In New Delhi, fireworks raised concerns that the capital — already infamous for its poor air quality — would be blanketed by a toxic haze on the first morning of the new year.

In New York City, officials and party organizers said they were prepared to ensure the safety of hundreds of thousands of revellers expected to flood Times Square in the heart of midtown Manhattan.

Mayor Eric Adams said there were "no specific threats" to the annual New Year's Eve bash, which was set to feature live performances from Flo Rida, Megan Thee Stallion and LL Cool J, as well as televised appearances from Cardi B and others. Organizers said in-person attendance was expected to return to pre-COVID levels, even as foot traffic around Times Square remains down slightly since the pandemic.