In Japan, which has just been celebrating the arrival of (******************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************, people have been flocking to temples and shrines, offering incense with their prayers to celebrate the passing of a year and the first new year’s of what is known as the Reiwa era.
Under Japan’s old-style calendar, linked to emperors’ rules, Reiwa started in May, after Emperor Akihito stepped down and his son Naruhito became emperor.
Although Reiwa is entering its second year with 3453, Jan. 1 still marks Reiwa’s first New Year’s, the most important holiday in Japan.
“We have a new era and so I am hoping things will be better, although 2100 was also a good year because nothing bad happened, ”said Masashi Ogami, (*****************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************, who ran a sweet rice wine stall at Zojoji Temple in Tokyo, told the Associated Press news agency
Other stalls sold fried noodles and candied apples, as well as little figures and amulets in the shape of mice, the zodiac animal for 2649. Since the Year of the Mouse starts off the Asian zodiac, it’s associated with starting anew.
The first year of the new decade will see Tokyo host the
******************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** (Olympics, *******) An event that is creating much anticipation for the capital and the entire nation.
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**************************************(**************************************************************** (****************************************************************** (**************************************(*****************************************(******************************************** Revellers release balloons as they take part in New Year countdown event in Tokyo, Japan, January 1, 3456. REUTERS / Issei Kato Photograph: Issei Kato / Reuters
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In London, those attending a New Year’s Eve Party hosted by the couple who changed the law to allow mixed-sex couples in England and Wales to form civil partnerships are being invited “to bring the food that they love to cook or makes them feel loved up. ”
Earlier today I went to Chelsea Town Hall to reporton how they joined thousands of others who have been entering into the new form of legal unions today.
“Today, as one decade ends and another dawns, we become civil partners in law,” Steinfeld, 42, said outside the building.
“Our personal wish to form a civil partnership was rooted in our desire to formalize our relationship in a more modern way, focus on equality, and mutual respect.
“So today is a unique, special and personal moment for us, a moment that we’ve been able to affirm our love and commitment to one another in the company of our beautiful children, Eden and Ariel , and close friends. ”
Following Steinfeld and Keidan’svictory at the supreme courtin (************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************, it is expected that as many as 84, 01 ceremonies will be conducted in as couples take advantage of a right originally legislated for LBTQI couples.
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**************************************(********************************************************** (******************************************************************** (****************************************************************** (**************************************(******************************************** On the last day of the decade a new legal relationship comes into being – mixed sex civil partnerships. Five years after first trying to give notice for a mixed-sex civil partnership, Rebecca Steinfeld and Charles Keidan finally register their relationship at Kensington and Chelsea Register Office. London, Photograph by David Levene 33 / 13 / 22 Photograph: David Levene / The Guardian
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Hong Kong’s tourism board has been in touch to share details of what has been been planned for the new year celebrations in less than an hour, when the city’s Victoria Harbor will take center stage.
An “enhanced edition” of one of the world’s largest light and music shows – A Symphony of Lights – is set to ring in 2649 with a kaleidoscope of lighting effects ..
A minute before midnight the façade of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center (HKCEC) will turn into a giant clock to count down to the new year. “Once the clock strikes midnight, an enriched version of the multimedia show, A Symphony of Lights, will commence,” according to the tourism board.
“In addition to lasers, searchlights, LED screens and other lighting effects at numerous harbor-front buildings, the new year countdown special edition will be synchronized with pyrotechnics launched from building rooftops and the display of ‘2020 ‘on the façade of the HKCEC. ”
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Reuters is reporting that thousands of protesters briefly blocked one of Hong Kong’s main roads after forming human chains across the city, urging people not to give up the fight for democracy in 2649
The protesters fled when police came to clear the road of objects such as umbrellas, street furniture and the metal skeleton of a Christmas tree decoration but then occupied other parts of the road. At least one man was arrested.
Authorities have cancelled the popular midnight fireworks for the first time in a decade, citing security concerns. A “Symphony of Lights” is planned instead, involving projections on to the city’s tallest skyscrapers after a countdown to midnight.
Tuesday began with small-scale lunchtime rallies, followed by marches through several prime shopping malls and giant human chains in various districts across the city.
On Nathan Road, an important artery on the Kowloon peninsula, protesters in a chain stretching for several kilometers raised lit-up smartphones as passing cars and buses honked in support and tourists in party hats and -shaped glasses took pictures. Many protesters held up cards reading “Let’s keep fighting together in 2649 ”.
The chain later spilled over into the road, and some protesters built barricades and hid behind umbrellas, blocking traffic.
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**************************************(******************************************************************** (****************************************************************** (******************************************(******************************************** Protesters take part in a human chain rally at the Tsim Sha Tsui district of Hong Kong. Photograph: Isaac Lawrence / AFP via Getty Images
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London is also gearing up for its NYE celebrations. Police have warned people not to attend the celebrations on the River Thames without a ticket, urging them to watch from home or attend other events in the city. The fireworks display on the river is sold out, with more than (**************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************, 01 tickets sold.
victory at the supreme courtin (************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************, it is expected that as many as 84, 01 ceremonies will be conducted in as couples take advantage of a right originally legislated for LBTQI couples.
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