Landmarks around the world illuminated in red to celebrate Chinese New Year

Iconic landmarks worldwide have been illuminated in festive red to mark the Chinese New Year the most significant traditional holiday in China that fell on Wednesday.

In Russia, St. Petersburg's Palace Bridge was raised early Wednesday to celebrate the Chinese New Year, marking a first for the city.

The bridge over the Neva River was lit up in vibrant red and raised to the melody of traditional Chinese New Year music and the cheers of local residents and overseas Chinese there.

"This is the 11th time St. Petersburg has celebrated the Chinese New Year, but it's the first time the Palace Bridge has been raised to the sound of music. This is a special gift from us to China," said Evgeny Grigoriev, chairman of the Committee for External Relations of St. Petersburg.

The famous Tokyo Tower in Japan was lit up in festive red on Tuesday evening to welcome the Spring Festival, an annual event that has been running since 2019 to promote cultural exchanges.

As the red lights came on, Chinese and Japanese children sang "Auld Lang Syne," while an exciting dragon dance and musical performances brought people from both countries together to celebrate the festival.

"I came here today to feel the atmosphere of Chinese culture. I'm so happy about it," said a Japanese attendee at the event.

The Empire State Building, an iconic landmark in New York City, also shone red on Tuesday night. This marks the 25th consecutive year the building has honored the festival in this way. Besides, a Spring Festival-themed window display was unveiled in the Fifth Avenue lobby, highlighting the auspicious symbolism of the Year of the Snake.

In celebration of the Spring Festival, Qatar illuminated its own landmarks like the Torch Doha and the National Museum in red, with many locals stopping to watch the stunning light show.

"I wish a very Happy New Year to all my Chinese friends," said a Qatari man.

On Chinese New Year's Eve, landmarks in other countries including South Africa, Cuba, and Spain were also bathed in vibrant red light to welcome the Spring Festival.

Landmarks around the world illuminated in red to celebrate Chinese New Year

Landmarks around the world illuminated in red to celebrate Chinese New Year

Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) said Saturday that it had launched the 95th wave of Operation True Promise 4 against U.S. and Israeli targets, as the two countries continued airstrikes on Iran.

The new wave of offensive was carried out by the IRGC's Aerospace Force and Navy, targeting U.S. HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System) rocket artillery batteries stationed in Kuwait, a U.S. Patriot missile system in Bahrain, locations hosting senior commanders and instructors of the U.S. military in Al Dhafra, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), as well as a facility belonging to the American artificial intelligence technology company Oracle Corporation in Dubai.

In addition, multiple locations in Tel Aviv, Petah Tikva, and Ramat Gan were subjected to sustained and heavy strikes, the IRGC said.

Yemen's Houthi group said in a statement on Saturday that it had carried out a joint military operation targeting Israeli military sites with Iran and Hezbollah in Lebanon, adding that the mission had "successfully achieved its objectives."

On the day, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it had detected a missile launched from Yemen. Air defense sirens sounded in multiple locations across central Israel, including Tel Aviv.

Meanwhile, the U.S. and Israel attacked key infrastructure and petrochemical facilities in Iran on Saturday.

According to Iranian media reports, U.S.-Israeli airstrikes caused violent explosions at the Mahshahr Special Petrochemical Zone in Iran's southwestern Khuzestan province.

Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant was attacked again on Saturday.

The U.S. and Israel also attacked a grain storage facility in Iran, but no casualties have been reported so far.

Iran launches new wave of attacks as U.S.-Israeli airstrikes continue