Countries around the world are ringing in the New Year Tuesday, with celebrations briefly outshining conflict in some parts of the globe.

Nations in the South Pacific Ocean were the first to wave goodbye to 2024. Midnight in New Zealand is 18 hours ahead of Eastern Time.

Across Asia, millions readied for the Year of the Snake, seen as the year of rebirth in the Asian zodiac.

In Japan, which observes the zodiac cycle from Jan. 1, stores were seen selling snake-themed products while temples and…