World welcomes 2020, but wildfires, protests, cast a pall over some celebrations

SYDNEY/HONG KONG/LONDON - The world celebrated the New Year on Wednesday with fireworks displays from Sydney to London, although celebrations were clouded by deadly wildfires in Australia, protests in Hong Kong and India and nuclear tensions with North Korea.

Thousands in Hong Kong welcomed 2020 on neon-lit promenades in the picturesque Victoria Harbour, breaking into pro-democracy chants shortly after the countdown to midnight. Some towns in eastern Australia canceled their New Year’s celebrations as naval vessels and military helicopters helped firefighters rescue people fleeing the fires, which have turned swathes of New South Wales into a raging furnace.

Fireworks exploded and confetti rained on revelers after the ball dropped in New York. High school science teachers and students pressed the button that started the ball on its 60-second descent to count down to the New Year in a gesture to highlight efforts to combat climate change. The protests began in response to a now-withdrawn bill that would have allowed extraditions to mainland China, where courts are controlled by the Communist Party, and have evolved into a broader pro-democracy movement.

VW can't afford to keep promises to deliver 'clean' diesellol, or deliver electric iD3lol on timelol, but they sure got the money to afford the Times Square sign in front of the ball on new years evelol! DasKapitalismBaby

HAPPY NEW YEAR!❤️

aaawali vzzz no mm

Yes, power of enthusiasm!

HAPPY VOLKSWAGEN EVERYONE!!!

20/20 Vision 💫 Make 2020 the year that you visualize and realize your hearts desire. 2020Vision Roaring20s happynewyear2020

boring

Bring on the fireworks

خلاص يا ناصر هانت اللى اويكم وبيصرف عليكم هتسود فى وشه من كل ناحية

Volkswagen? When you can't celebrate a New year without a sponsor something is wrong.

Sponsored by Volkswagen ?

Kinda of a let down just saying.

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