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Light shows, balloons and prayers: how the world ushered in 2025

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People release balloons into the air to celebrate the new year in Wuhan.

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People release balloons into the air to celebrate the new year in Wuhan.Credit:Getty Images

Performers preparing to ring in the new year during a count-down event held in Beijing.

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Performers preparing to ring in the new year during a count-down event held in Beijing.Credit:AP

Revellers ring in the new year during a count-down event held in Beijing.

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Revellers ring in the new year during a count-down event held in Beijing.Credit:AP

People wait in line before praying, on their traditional New Year’s pilgrimage at the main hall of Sensoji Buddhist temple in Tokyo.

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People wait in line before praying, on their traditional New Year’s pilgrimage at the main hall of Sensoji Buddhist temple in Tokyo.Credit:AP

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People praying on their traditional New Year’s pilgrimage at the main hall of Sensoji Buddhist temple in Tokyo.

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People praying on their traditional New Year’s pilgrimage at the main hall of Sensoji Buddhist temple in Tokyo.Credit:AP

People watch the panda-themed drone show at the waterfront of the Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong.

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People watch the panda-themed drone show at the waterfront of the Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong.Credit:AP

Fireworks explode over Victoria Harbour to celebrate the start of 2025 at Tsim Sha Tsui in Hong Kong.

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Fireworks explode over Victoria Harbour to celebrate the start of 2025 at Tsim Sha Tsui in Hong Kong.Credit:AP

Fireworks explode over Victoria Harbour to celebrate the start of 2025 at Tsim Sha Tsui in Hong Kong.

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Fireworks explode over Victoria Harbour to celebrate the start of 2025 at Tsim Sha Tsui in Hong Kong.Credit:AP

People gather in the centre of the Russian far east port of Vladivostok to celebrate the new year 2025.

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People gather in the centre of the Russian far east port of Vladivostok to celebrate the new year 2025.Credit:AP

People walk near the Red Square prior to its closure for celebrations on the New Year’s Eve in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Pavel Bednyakov)

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People walk near the Red Square prior to its closure for celebrations on the New Year’s Eve in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Pavel Bednyakov)Credit:AP

Fireworks explode over the Chaoprayah River during the new year celebration in Bangkok, Thailand.

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Fireworks explode over the Chaoprayah River during the new year celebration in Bangkok, Thailand.Credit:Getty Images

Pope Francis waves faithfuls after celebrating over New Year’s Eve Vespers and Te Deum, in St Peter’s Square at the Vatican.

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Pope Francis waves faithfuls after celebrating over New Year’s Eve Vespers and Te Deum, in St Peter’s Square at the Vatican.Credit:AP

Pope Francis stops for a moment of prayer in front of the nativity scene that adorns St Peter’s Square at the Vatican.

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Pope Francis stops for a moment of prayer in front of the nativity scene that adorns St Peter’s Square at the Vatican.Credit:AP

Thais took to the shore of the Chao Phraya river in Bangkok in large numbers to ring in the new year.

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Thais took to the shore of the Chao Phraya river in Bangkok in large numbers to ring in the new year. Credit:Getty Images

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Fireworks explode as thousands of people gather to watch, in the main business district on New Year’s Eve in Jakarta, Indonesia.

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Fireworks explode as thousands of people gather to watch, in the main business district on New Year’s Eve in Jakarta, Indonesia.Credit:AP

A Christian women prepares a Rangoli, a traditional art work of colored powder, on the eve of New Year at Our Lady of Light Shrine (Luz Church) in Chennai, India.

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A Christian women prepares a Rangoli, a traditional art work of colored powder, on the eve of New Year at Our Lady of Light Shrine (Luz Church) in Chennai, India.Credit:AP

People light fireworks as they celebrate New Year’s Eve near the iconic Gate way of India, in Mumbai.

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People light fireworks as they celebrate New Year’s Eve near the iconic Gate way of India, in Mumbai.Credit:AP

Revellers gather near the Petronas Twin Towers to watch the fireworks for the New Year’s celebrations in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

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Revellers gather near the Petronas Twin Towers to watch the fireworks for the New Year’s celebrations in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.Credit:AP

A view of Edinburgh Castle after all outdoor events including the street party and fireworks display planned for Edinburgh’s New Year were cancelled due to bad weather.

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A view of Edinburgh Castle after all outdoor events including the street party and fireworks display planned for Edinburgh’s New Year were cancelled due to bad weather.Credit:AP

A woman walks near an illuminated decoration on New Year’s Eve in Seoul, South Korea.

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A woman walks near an illuminated decoration on New Year’s Eve in Seoul, South Korea.Credit:AP