London Eye lights up while Sydney Opera House stages gala to mark Chinese New Year

Britain's iconic London Eye shone in radiant gold and red on Tuesday evening, the eve of the Spring Festival or the Chinese New Year while Australia's famous Sydney Opera House put up a grand gala to welcome the arrival of the Year of the Snake.

The 2025 Spring Festival fell on Wednesday, marking the first day of the Year of the Snake, the 6th in the cycle of 12 zodiac animals on the Chinese calendar.

The dazzling display lit up London's skyline, drawing a large crowd of locals and tourists to the South Bank of the River Thames, under a signature London drizzle.

The annual lighting-up ceremony, jointly organized by the London Chinatown Chinese Association and the London Eye, has become a highlight of the city's Chinese New Year celebrations, showcasing a blend of tradition and modernity.

Adding to the festive atmosphere, a traditional dragon and lion dance performance graced the iconic Ferris wheel, captivating audiences with its energy and vibrancy.

"I know that this is the Year of the Snake. I know that is based on zodiac symbols. I am a Dog. I know that the red and the gold are very important, which is why the London Eye is lit up," said a Londoner.

At the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall, a spectacular Chinese New Year's Eve Gala gathered nearly 100 performers and artists from China and Australia to present a vibrant showcase of singing, dancing, orchestral music, and opera to usher in the Year of the Snake. With enthralling cross-cultural collaborations, the night celebrates unity, artistry, and the universal joy of the Chinese New Year.

A promotional video for the Spring Festival Gala, an hours-long television variety show produced by China Media Group and broadcast live Tuesday evening, was screened at the Sydney Opera House for the first time, adding to the evening's allure.

London Eye lights up while Sydney Opera House stages gala to mark Chinese New Year

Multiple states across Brazil have been gripped by an intense heatwave in recent days, prompting local authorities to issue weather alerts and urging residents to take precautions, with the high temperatures forecast to continue.

Southeastern states including Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Minas Gerais have been experiencing the most extreme heat, with temperatures climbing to a sweltering high of 40.8 degrees Celsius in Rio de Janeiro on Monday.

Authorities across the country have been sending out weather warnings, with residents being advised to avoid prolonged outdoor activities and medics reminding people to take measures to ensure they stay hydrated.

"[You have to] drink plenty of water, use a fan. There is not much you can do to escape it, really. It is absurdly hot," said Ana Flavia, a local resident in Sao Paulo.

"With this change in temperature and the excessive heat, we see a lot of cases of dehydration," said Tiago Foliate Pitirilo, a doctor from the city's Hospital Sao Camilo.

The sweltering heat may be around for a while more, according to experts, who say higher water temperatures in the Pacific Ocean mean Brazil is likely to face more frequent heatwaves this year.

"The ocean forecast indicates that in the second half of the year we will have a warmer Pacific Ocean. This allows us to infer that the number of heat waves in 2026 may be higher than last year, when the Pacific Ocean was cooler," said Marecelo Seluchi, a meteorologist from Brazil's National Center for Monitoring and Alerts for Natural Disasters (CEMADEN).

Brazil in midst of heatwave with more extreme temperatures expected