Dubai, United Arab Emirates - January 01, 2025 Storyline: Welcoming 2025 in the UAE, locals and visitors from around the world came together to celebrate the New Year with dazzling light displays, laser shows, and fireworks at the world’s tallest building in Dubai, as well as breathtaking fireworks and a captivating drone performance in Ras Al Khaimah, the UAE's northernmost emirate. As the clock struck midnight in Dubai, a spectacular nine-minute performance themed 'Beyond Dreams' officially began at the world’s tallest building -- the Burj Khalifa. The show featured a mesmerizing blend of light displays, lasers, and fireworks. Over 15,600 firework elements and more than 200 laser beams lit up the city, infusing vibrant colors and electrifying energy into the New Year celebrations. Another 36 fireworks display sites across Dubai also lit up simultaneously, brightening the Dubai skyline. Thousands of tourists from around the globe gathered near the iconic building to revel in the spectacular night and make their New Year wishes. At the same time, Ras Al Khaimah bid farewell to 2024 and welcomed the New Year with a dazzling spectacle of drones and fireworks. Set against the stunning 4.5-kilometer seafront, vibrant fireworks and a fleet of 1,400 drones illuminated the night sky. The drones artistically formed shapes such as the UAE's national treasure -- the falcon -- and iconic palm trees, among others. Tourism officials emphasized that no effort had been spared in preparing for the grand show. The performance drew over 100,000 on-site spectators, many of whom expressed their admiration. Shotlist: Dubai, UAE - Dec 31, 2024 - Jan 1, 2025: 1. Various of fireworks display, light show at Burj Khalifa, fountain lightshow, people filming, taking photos; 2. SOUNDBITE (English) Carlos Fong, American tourist: "For me, lose a couple of pounds. That's the usual thing. And to travel more. Travel more and see the world."; 3. SOUNDBITE (English) Maryam, Australian tourist (full name not given): "Obviously doing our best, being the greatest that we can be, and looking forward to another year." 4. SOUNDBITE (English) Elias Manjui, German tourist: "Work, good work, make money. That's my goals for the year 2025." 5. SOUNDBITE (English) Zeeshaan, British tourist (full name not given): "For everyone, have a good year, stay happy, keep smiling." 6. SOUNDBITE (English) Slovak tourist (name not given): "We wish for all people health, this is very important, and everybody must be happy together." Ras Al Khaimah, UAE - Dec 31, 2024 - Jan 1, 2025: 7. Various of fireworks display, people filming, taking photos; 8. SOUNDBITE (English) Raki Phillips, CEO, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA): "We have been preparing for the fireworks in Ras Al Khaimah for years. This is something that continues, and usually, when we finish the last firework, we start automatically preparing for the next year because this is one of our biggest shows of the year." 9. SOUNDBITE (English) Myra Jacques, Fijian tourist: "I've traveled over, probably easily over 18 countries, and I had New Year's in so many countries. And I've seen fireworks, a lot of it. This was probably one of the best ones I've seen."; 10. Various of drone show. [Restrictions : No access Chinese mainland]