• Fancy dress for the annual New Year's Day Dip in Ramsgate, south-east England. AFP
    Fancy dress for the annual New Year's Day Dip in Ramsgate, south-east England. AFP
  • A spectacular 17-metre dive into the Tiber river as part of traditional New Year celebrations on January 1. AFP
    A spectacular 17-metre dive into the Tiber river as part of traditional New Year celebrations on January 1. AFP
  • The first sunrise of the year at a park in Seoul. Reuters
    The first sunrise of the year at a park in Seoul. Reuters
  • People pray in Jing'an Buddhist Temple for good luck at the beginning of 2024 in Shanghai. EPA
    People pray in Jing'an Buddhist Temple for good luck at the beginning of 2024 in Shanghai. EPA
  • Fishermen sit on a pier next to their boats in Surabaya, Indonesia, on New Year's Day. AFP
    Fishermen sit on a pier next to their boats in Surabaya, Indonesia, on New Year's Day. AFP
  • Flag-waving in Istanbul to show solidarity with Palestinians amid the continuing war in Gaza. AP
    Flag-waving in Istanbul to show solidarity with Palestinians amid the continuing war in Gaza. AP
  • Participants perform a "Surya Namaskar" or sun salutation to welcome the new year at the Sun Temple in Modhera village near Ahmedabad. Reuters
    Participants perform a "Surya Namaskar" or sun salutation to welcome the new year at the Sun Temple in Modhera village near Ahmedabad. Reuters
  • A woman walks her dog in front of a poster depicting the Year of the Dragon on the Chinese calendar in Beijing. AP
    A woman walks her dog in front of a poster depicting the Year of the Dragon on the Chinese calendar in Beijing. AP
  • Pope Francis leads the Holy Mass for the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God in St Peter's Basilica, Vatican City. EPA
    Pope Francis leads the Holy Mass for the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God in St Peter's Basilica, Vatican City. EPA
  • A child jumps at a staircases at a shopping mall displaying dragons in Beijing, Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. 2024, is the Year of the Dragon on the Chinese calendar. (AP Photo / Andy Wong)
    A child jumps at a staircases at a shopping mall displaying dragons in Beijing, Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. 2024, is the Year of the Dragon on the Chinese calendar. (AP Photo / Andy Wong)
  • Workers clean up central Berlin after New Year's Eve celebrations. Reuters
    Workers clean up central Berlin after New Year's Eve celebrations. Reuters
  • Thai people lie down inside coffins as they offer prayers during a ritual believed to rid them of bad fortune at the Wat Bang Na Nai temple in Bangkok. EPA
    Thai people lie down inside coffins as they offer prayers during a ritual believed to rid them of bad fortune at the Wat Bang Na Nai temple in Bangkok. EPA
  • A devotee offers prayers on the first day of the year at a Hindu temple in Colombo. AFP
    A devotee offers prayers on the first day of the year at a Hindu temple in Colombo. AFP
  • Christians release balloons during New Year celebrations at a church in Ahmedabad. AFP
    Christians release balloons during New Year celebrations at a church in Ahmedabad. AFP
  • Bringing in 2024 in style in Coin, near Malaga, southern Spain. Reuters
    Bringing in 2024 in style in Coin, near Malaga, southern Spain. Reuters
  • Devotees gather to pay their respects at the Golden Temple on New Year's Day in Amritsar. AFP
    Devotees gather to pay their respects at the Golden Temple on New Year's Day in Amritsar. AFP
  • Thai Buddhist monks chant at Wat Phra Dhammakaya Temple in Pathum Thani province on the first day of the new year. EPA
    Thai Buddhist monks chant at Wat Phra Dhammakaya Temple in Pathum Thani province on the first day of the new year. EPA
  • A girl 2024 written on her forehead with sandalwood paste as Hindu devotees bathe and perform morning rituals at Sangam in Prayagraj, India. AP
    A girl 2024 written on her forehead with sandalwood paste as Hindu devotees bathe and perform morning rituals at Sangam in Prayagraj, India. AP
  • A father and son enjoying themselves on New Year's Day at The Palm in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    A father and son enjoying themselves on New Year's Day at The Palm in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Sunset on January 1 at The Palm. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Sunset on January 1 at The Palm. Chris Whiteoak / The National

World spends first day of 2024 with cleanup and rituals - in pictures


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Updated: January 01, 2024, 11:10 AM