Dream Wheel in New Jersey glows red, Brussels stages Chinese New Year concert

A landmark shopping and entertainment complex in New Jersey illuminated its signature Dream Wheel in red to celebrate the Chinese New Year, while a folk music concert in Brussels offered European audiences a festive showcase of Chinese culture over the weekend.

Hundreds of invited guests gathered at the American Dream Meadowlands Mall, the largest shopping and entertainment center in the eastern United States, as the countdown began. Known as the "Eye of New York," the towering observation wheel lit up in bright red, casting a festive glow across the complex.

The ceremony at the shopping and entertainment complex in New Jersey was held on Sunday as communities welcomed the Chinese New Year, creating a vibrant holiday atmosphere and highlighting growing people-to-people exchanges between China and the U.S.

"I've been to China myself more than 20 times. And I love Chinese people, respect the Chinese people very much. Happy New Year to all the Chinese people," said Nader Ghermezian, chairman of the Triple Five Group, a family-run real estate conglomerate that owns the American Dream Meadowlands Mall, who joined other guests on stage in activating the lighting ceremony.

As Chinese New Year festivities unfolded, the 2026 "Spring of Chinese Music" concert was staged on Saturday at the Center for Fine Arts in Brussels, known as Bozar, one of the Belgian capital's most prominent cultural venues.

Musicians from the Wuxi Chinese Orchestra presented a program blending tradition and innovation, introducing European audiences to the depth and vitality of Chinese folk music.

The concert opened with the lively "Spring Festival Overture" and featured works combining Chinese and Western musical elements. A joint performance of "Horse Racing" by Chinese and Belgian musicians brought the evening to a rousing finale, drawing sustained applause.

"It's a wonderful discovery for people who don't know much about Chinese music. Happy New Year to all the Chinese people in China and abroad," said Christ, a member of the audience.

The Spring Festival, also known as the Chinese New Year, falls on Tuesday this year, and the official holiday season lasts nine days from February 15 to 23. The 2026 Chinese New Year is a Year of the Horse -- the seventh of the 12 zodiac animals in the Chinese zodiac.

Dream Wheel in New Jersey glows red, Brussels stages Chinese New Year concert

Due to the pressure on essential services caused by prolonged power shortages, Gaza residents are facing limited access to water, healthcare and sanitation, further deteriorating the already fragile humanitarian situation.

In Gaza, power cuts have become a daily reality. With electricity available only intermittently, many civilians are struggling to carry out even the most basic tasks.

The consequences are widespread, affecting everything from water supply systems to critical infrastructure. As outages persist, maintaining essential services is becoming increasingly unsustainable.

"I carry water in small containers. We don't have a large water tank, not even 500 liters, so we have to keep going back and forth, and water is not always available. Sometimes my son returns without being able to fill it," Mohammad Habib, a displaced Palestinian, told China Global Television Network (CGTN).

This ongoing energy crisis has also had a severe impact on critical hospitals, which rely heavily on generators to continue operating.

"If the generators stop, it will be a catastrophe and a real danger to everyone in the hospital, especially premature babies, dialysis patients and those in intensive care, as well as blood banks. Most departments would shut down. We are sounding the alarm that hospitals will stop functioning if fuel and oil are not allowed in as soon as possible," said Mohammad Abu Salmiya, director of Al-Shifa Hospital.

International humanitarian organizations have warned of a potential collapse of essential services in Gaza if electricity supplies are disrupted. "Hospitals and medical centers in Gaza that are still able to function work under immense pressure and at risk of collapse. These hospitals work with shortages in energy, medical supplies and equipment," said Amani Al-Naouq, spokesperson for International Committee of Red Cross in Gaza.

According to Gaza's municipality, about 75 water wells rely on electricity and are at risk of shutting down, which would worsen conditions for displaced families whose homes have been destroyed.

Power shortages intensify humanitarian crisis in Gaza