NewsNew Year turmoil: Protests, fireworks chaos, and a notable passing

New Year turmoil: Protests, fireworks chaos, and a notable passing

It happened while you were sleeping. Here's what international agencies reported overnight from Tuesday to Wednesday.

Protesters in Tbilisi welcomed the new year at a shared table
Protesters in Tbilisi welcomed the new year at a shared table
Images source: © Getty Images | Anadolu

  • On New Year's Eve, thousands of people gathered on a table stretching several hundred yards on the main artery of Tbilisi, Rustaveli Avenue, to demonstrate their opposition to the ruling party, Georgian Dream, and its policies. Tuesday marked the 33rd day of the ongoing protest, which was triggered by the government's decision to suspend negotiations for Georgia's entry into the EU until 2028.
  • About 100,000 people welcomed the New Year in Prague. Paramedics attended to several individuals who suffered minor injuries caused by exploding firecrackers and fireworks. Their use is prohibited in the historic center of the Czech capital, so the police have initiated several investigations.
  • On Tuesday, Panama celebrated the 25th anniversary of the United States' handover of the Panama Canal. During the ceremony, a minute of silence was observed in memory of the late U.S. President Jimmy Carter, who passed away on Wednesday. Carter had, in 1977, signed the canal agreement with then-Panamanian leader Omar Torrijos.
  • A few minutes after midnight, Slovaks heard a new version of the national anthem ordered by the Minister of Culture, Martina Šimkovičová. The composition features several significant changes in instrumentation, vocal arrangement, and tempo. The Ministry of Culture assures that there is no obligation to perform the new version during official events. It was created after thirty years. Šimkovičová's department hired one of Slovakia's most renowned directors and composers, Oskar Rózsa, to create the new arrangement.
  • A tragic New Year’s Eve night in Germany: three people died, and many were injured due to careless handling of fireworks. The Berlin police intervened over 300 times, and riots broke out in the city center, including Alexanderplatz. Thirteen officers were injured. German media emphasized that the situation was exceptionally tense and dangerous.
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