SYDNEY, Dec 31, (V7N) -  As the clock ticks towards midnight, millions across the globe are gearing up to welcome 2025 with fireworks, music, and heartfelt resolutions. From Sydney's glittering harbour to snowy airports in Japan, the celebrations highlight a world eager to turn the page on a tumultuous year.

The past 12 months will be remembered for both exhilarating highs and sobering lows. The Paris Olympics in July brought moments of unity, with athletes competing beneath iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and Seine River. In sports, teen prodigy Lamine Yamal led Spain to Euro glory, while Taylor Swift's record-breaking Eras Tour brought fans together in a global pop culture phenomenon.

However, the Middle East and Ukraine bore the brunt of persistent crises. Syria witnessed the dramatic ousting of Bashar al-Assad by Islamist rebels, while Israel's conflicts with Hezbollah and the ongoing war in Gaza intensified humanitarian challenges. In Ukraine, as the war nears its third anniversary, uncertainty looms with President-elect Donald Trump’s pledge to scale back military aid.

Globally, 2024 was a year of electoral surprises. Russia's Vladimir Putin held onto power in an election criticized as fraudulent, while Bangladesh witnessed a historic student uprising that toppled its prime minister. Most notably, Donald Trump made a dramatic return to the White House, promising sweeping changes on the global stage, including tough measures against China and a bold claim to end the Ukraine war within 24 hours.

Despite lingering challenges, the new year promises much to celebrate. Football fans can anticipate the first-ever 32-team FIFA Club World Cup in the United States, while the Kumbh Mela in India is expected to draw nearly 400 million pilgrims. Music lovers are abuzz over Oasis' long-awaited reunion and BTS’s return to the stage post-military service.

The climate crisis remains a pressing concern, with 2024 likely to go down as the hottest year on record. Yet, with renewable energy adoption accelerating and electric vehicle sales surging, there’s cautious optimism for progress in 2025.

Sydney’s iconic New Year’s Eve fireworks, featuring nine tonnes of dazzling pyrotechnics, have kicked off the celebrations. For many like Ruth Rowse, a 71-year-old retired nurse, the event is a chance to “enjoy beautiful colors” and hope for a brighter future.

In Japan, however, heavy snow in Hokkaido has stranded travelers, leaving some to ring in the new year from airport departure lounges.

As champagne glasses clink and fireworks light up the skies, a shared hope resonates across continents: that 2025 will bring peace, progress, and solutions to the challenges that have tested humanity.

END/WSP/RH/