As the clock strikes midnight in beautiful Niue Island, located between Tonga, Samoa and the Cook Islands, the world's second-to-last New Year's Eve celebration is underway. The tiny island nation is finally ringing in the new year after countries across Australasia, Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas have already started their celebrations. Despite some events being cancelled for bad weather, the UK and the United Arab Emirates both put on dazzling fireworks displays to welcome 2025. Meanwhile, Syria celebrates its first new year since President Bashar al-Assad's removal with fireworks and DJ sets in the capital city of Damascus. Watch a compilation of the world's top new year celebrations here.
New Year's Eve 2025: Niue Island Welcomes the New Year Last
As the world bids farewell to 2024, Niue Island, a tiny island nation nestled between Tonga, Samoa, and the Cook Islands, becomes the second-to-last country to ring in the new year. Located in the South Pacific Ocean, Niue boasts a population of just over 1,600 people.
Despite its small size, Niue has a rich cultural heritage and a vibrant community. The island's New Year's Eve celebrations, while smaller in scale than those in larger cities, are filled with joy and festivities.
Celebrations Around the World
Before Niue welcomes 2025, countries across the globe have already ushered in the new year. From the dazzling fireworks displays in Sydney, Australia, to the traditional lantern festivals in China, each nation has its own unique way of marking this special occasion.
In the United Kingdom, despite some weather-related cancellations, London's iconic fireworks display over the River Thames still dazzled spectators. Similarly, the United Arab Emirates put on a spectacular fireworks show over the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building.
Meanwhile, in Damascus, Syria, the capital city celebrated its first New Year's Eve since the removal of President Bashar al-Assad. The festivities included fireworks and DJ sets, bringing a sense of hope and renewal to a city that has endured conflict for many years.
Top 5 FAQs and Answers
Q: Why is Niue the second-to-last country to celebrate New Year's Eve? A: Niue is located on the western side of the International Date Line, which means it is one of the last places on Earth to experience the end of the day.
Q: What are some of the unique traditions associated with New Year's Eve on Niue Island? A: Niue Islanders often gather on the beach to watch the sunset and welcome the new year with a bonfire. They also enjoy traditional feasts and dancing to celebrate this special occasion.
Q: How does Niue's New Year's Eve celebration compare to those in larger cities? A: While Niue's celebrations may be smaller in scale, they are equally vibrant and joyful. The island's community spirit and close-knit relationships create a warm and unique atmosphere.
Q: What was the significance of the New Year's Eve celebrations in Damascus this year? A: The celebrations in Damascus marked a new chapter for the city after years of conflict. They symbolized hope, renewal, and the beginning of a new era for the people of Syria.
Q: What are some tips for celebrating New Year's Eve in a meaningful and memorable way? A: Consider spending time with loved ones, reflecting on the past year, setting intentions for the future, and embracing the joy and excitement of the occasion.
Amidst a two-day visit to Argentina as part of his five-nation tour, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a productive meeting with President Javier Milei to strengthen bilateral relations between India and Argentina. The leaders discussed key areas such as defence, agriculture, mining, and renewable energy, as well as marking the milestone of 75 years of diplomatic relations. With both leaders expressing enthusiasm for the future of the relationship, the visit marks the first Indian bilateral visit at the Prime Ministerial level to Argentina in 57 years.
China has rebuked India's support for the Dalai Lama's choice to be the sole selector of his successor, stating that India should tread carefully on Tibet-related issues to avoid damaging relations with Beijing. This comes after Indian Union Minister Kiren Rijiju made comments supporting the Dalai Lama's decision to choose his own successor, saying it is a matter of religious belief and not politics. China insists on their 'Golden Urn' procedure for selecting the Dalai Lama's successor and has warned India to stay clear of any commitments to the Tibetan spiritual leader.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's foreign tour to Trinidad & Tobago has sparked interest in the upcoming Bihar assembly elections. During his visit, he praised the Indian community's contributions to the Caribbean country and made strategic remarks pointing towards the state's electorate. The cultural and spiritual ties between India and Trinidad & Tobago continue to deepen, with PM Modi presenting symbolic gifts to Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and other Indian-origin leaders.
The Madras High Court has rejected an appeal filed by a group of medical aspirants in Tamil Nadu, seeking a re-examination of NEET UG 2025. The court noted that allowing the request would have a significant impact on over two million students across the country, who have already taken the exam. The bench, comprising Justice J Nisha Banu and Justice M Jothiraman, upheld an earlier verdict and dismissed the petition, stating that there were no significant issues with the overall conduct of the exam. It was also noted that an expert committee's statistical analysis found no significant difference in the number of questions attempted by students at the concerned centres, confirming that the alleged power outage did not impact their performance.
With origins in India, the ancient practice of yoga has gained global recognition for its holistic benefits on physical, mental, and spiritual health. Designated by the United Nations, International Yoga Day is observed on June 21, and this year's theme is "Yoga for One Earth, One Health." As the day approaches, here are some wishes, quotes, and slogans to share with loved ones to celebrate the journey of the self through the practice of yoga. Let yoga lead you to inner peace and a healthier, happier you.
In a disturbing instance of language vigilantism, former MP Rajan Vichare and his supporters beat and coerced a group of non-local traders into apologising for not speaking Marathi. The incident took place in Thane, where Vichare had summoned the traders to his office after a Marathi-speaking youth was allegedly abused and assaulted at the railway station. This raises concerns over the safety of traders and the growing trend of forcing the use of regional languages. Such incidents must be dealt with strictly to prevent further cases of language vigilantism.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was greeted with a traditional Bhojpuri Chautaal performance upon his arrival in Trinidad and Tobago for his first official visit to the Caribbean nation. During his visit, PM Modi also met with members of the Indian community and praised their contributions to the country's development. This visit marks the first bilateral visit to Trinidad and Tobago by an Indian Prime Minister in 25 years and highlights the strong cultural and historical ties between the two nations. Stay updated on this historic visit and other breaking news from India and around the world on News24.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarks on a two-day visit to Trinidad and Tobago, a country with strong ties to India due to the large Indian-descended population. Modi is welcomed by Trinidadian Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and will have meetings with the country's leaders. He will also receive the nation's highest honor and address parliament. While celebrations are expected, some have raised concerns about Modi's human rights record.
The confirmation of a 19-month-old child as Pakistan's 14th polio case of 2025 highlights the continued struggle to eradicate the disease in the country. The distrust in vaccinations caused by a 2011 CIA operation using a fake vaccination campaign to locate Osama bin Laden has hindered the efforts of health workers. This setback serves as a reminder of the long road ahead in eradicating polio in Pakistan.
Pakistan's efforts to seek membership in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have hit a snag as Indonesia and Singapore are likely to join India in opposing Islamabad's bid. This move is part of Pakistan's recent strategy to internationalise its issues with India, which New Delhi has consistently opposed. However, China's influence over Cambodia may tip the scales in Pakistan's favor.