Wednesday is turning to Thursday, and 2025 is turning to 2026 for much of the world.
Celebrations are underway around the globe to ring in the new year with fireworks, drum performances, drone shows, a world-renowned ball drop, and more.
The new year arrived first for the islands in the Pacific Ocean closest to the International Date Line, including Kiritimati (Christmas Island), Tonga, and New Zealand.
Sydney put on a massive fireworks display, which stretched more than four miles. In Seoul, South Korea, thousands gathered for a Buddhist tradition of ringing a bell 33 times, meant to protect against misfortune and welcome peace and prosperity. At the Great Wall of China outside Beijing, a drum performance and light show celebrated the arrival of the new year….