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BREAKING
Syrian Foreign Ministry: Trump expressed his country's support for reconstruction and investment efforts in Syria, affirming his commitment to proceeding with lifting the Caesar Act sanctions
Syrian Foreign Ministry: The American side affirmed its support for reaching a security agreement with "Israel" aimed at strengthening regional stability
Syrian Foreign Ministry: The two sides agreed to proceed with implementing the March 10 agreement, including integrating the SDF forces into the Syrian army
The Syrian Foreign Ministry: The meeting aimed to follow up on the agreements reached between Presidents Trump and al-Sharaa and to establish clear implementation mechanisms
Syrian Foreign Ministry: At Trump's direction, a working meeting that included Al-Shaibani, Rubio, and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan was held
Syrian Foreign Ministry: President Ahmad al-Sharaa's historic official visit to the White House is the first of its kind
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Washington: Al-Sharaa leaves the White House after meeting Trump without making any statement
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Washington: Receiving al-Sharaa at the White House and keeping journalists away from him is not the protocol for receiving guests
Washington suspended the imposition of Caesar Act sanctions on Syria in part for 180 days: Treasury Department
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Washington: The way al-Sharaa entered the White House through a side door is part of the pressure on him to proceed with normalization

How did countries around the world celebrate New Year's?

  • By Al Mayadeen Net
  • Source: Agencies
  • 1 Jan 2022 11:19
2 Min Read

Despite fears of the spread of the new Coronavirus variant, countries around the world decided to celebrate the coming of 2022 with joy and optimism.

  • x
  • Australians lighting fireworks in celebration of the new year
    Australians lighting fireworks in celebration of the new year

Amid the spread of the Omicron variant, a number of countries preferred to cancel their New Year's celebrations, or keep them at a minimum, while others preferred to leave them as is. 

New Zealand was the first country in the world to welcome 2022. The country did have some celebrations, despite fears of the new Omicron variant. The Daily Mail said that New Zealand had a light show in Auckland.

Auckland, the country's largest city, lightened some of its restrictions this week in order to allow people to enjoy some singing and dancing.

LIVE: New Zealand welcomes in the New Year with a lightshow https://t.co/8PppgS9fnT

— Reuters (@Reuters) December 31, 2021

As for Australia, the second country to celebrate the new year, its capital Sydney hosted an impressive fireworks display, and the famous Sydney Harbor Bridge was decorated with laser lights, mixed with tens of thousands of fireworks, dazzling people the world over.

Happy New Year Australia! 🎉#Sydney pic.twitter.com/WKoC892BV0

— Buitengebieden (@buitengebieden_) December 31, 2021

Thailand also celebrated with an eco-friendly rice-based fireworks display.

One more from Pattaya, Thailand. Happy New Year 🎆 #NewYear2022 #Pattaya #Thailand thanks More for sharing 💥💥💥💥💥💥 pic.twitter.com/wfZL0OpyYu

— Juan Fernandez (@NewsJuan) December 31, 2021

As for Russia, people living on its eastern borders celebrated the new year nine hours before Moscow did. In his New Year's address, Russian President Vladimir Putin said the country has indeed faced challenges, but Russia's citizens learned how to deal with them.

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Japan Earthquake: Death toll exceeds 200

Gaza marks New Year with a barrage of rockets fired at 'Tel Aviv'

🕰 Only a few hours separate 2021 and 2022! The time is nigh!

🎄 By long-standing tradition Russians celebrate the #NewYear clinched in an eating marathon - but why sit inside?

A taste of the festive spirit in #Moscow 👇

📹 @mossobyanin pic.twitter.com/fMTA7sR898

— Russia 🇷🇺 (@Russia) December 31, 2021

In the Arab world, the Emirates and Egypt celebrated 2022 with fireworks. Many UAE citizens also visited Dubai's water fountain display, where jets of water danced to the tune of classical and modern music.

Christmas Atmosphere In Cairo
🎄🎅🇪🇬🎁🎊🎉#Egypt #Cairo #ThisIsEgypt#بلادي_الجميلة ♥️ 🤍 🖤 #مصر pic.twitter.com/hv0AUVODnz

— Mo Ha Med (@MoHaMed_Rabie_M) December 29, 2021

#abcnews #Dubai rings in the New Year pic.twitter.com/eJresShmHx

— Pitbull (@Willian87420216) December 31, 2021

Meanwhile, Iraq celebrated in its own fashion.

اجواء احتفالات رأس السنة من نينوى
. pic.twitter.com/tS7WsStxER

— 𝒉𝒂𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒓 (@hyd_61) December 31, 2021

#العراق يحتفل بدخوله العام الجديد بطريقته الخاصة..
كل عام وبلدنا الحبيب بألف خير والعراقيين بألف ألف خير..
من احتفالات #شارع_المتنبي قبل قليل pic.twitter.com/qvZyZmETal

— رسل الخفاجي (@rusulalkhafajy) December 31, 2021

Lebanon, Syria and Palestine also had New Year's celebrations.

#صور | من احتفالات أعياد الميلاد في مدينة حيفا المحتلة، مساء اليوم. pic.twitter.com/oeZmQjVOEL

— فلسطين بوست (@plespost) December 23, 2021

With Palestinians largely being deprived of joy by the Israeli occupation, Gazans took it into their hands and crafted a bit of joy for themselves on the last day of 2021.

  • New Year
  • Gaza
  • new year's eve
  • celebrations
  • New Zealand
  • Australia
  • thailand
  • Russia
  • Egypt
  • UAE
  • Iraq

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