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.
Hundreds of people in Taiwan marched to honor the 66th anniversary of Tibetan Uprising Day, protesting against China's cultural and ethnic genocide in Tibet. This year's march, attended by members of Taiwan's National Human Rights Commission for the first time, emphasized that Tibet has never been a part of China and called for attention to the ongoing human rights violations. Representative of the Tibetan government in exile to Taiwan, Kelsang Gyaltsen Bawa, highlighted that the Seventeen-Point Agreement signed by Tibet in 1951 was a deceptive tactic used by the Chinese Communist Party, leading to the deaths of over 1.2 million Tibetans.
Amid the commemoration of the 66th anniversary of the Tibetan Uprising Day, Prime Minister-in-exile Penpa Tsering has warned of China's deliberate and dangerous attempts to erase the unique Tibetan identity through extensive sinicisation policies. He also highlighted the suppression of religious freedom, forced enrolment of Tibetan children in colonial-style schools, and environment damage caused by Chinese projects. With talks between the Dalai Lama and Chinese authorities breaking down in 2010, the situation for Tibetans remains critical.
The annual Taiwanese event, attended for the first time by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), saw hundreds of protesters march in Taipei to honor the 66th anniversary of Tibetan Uprising Day and remember the millions who died at the hands of the Chinese Communist Party. Taiwan's Vice Chairperson of the NHRC, Wang Yu-ling Wang, emphasized the universal value of human rights and Taiwan's potential fate at the hands of China. Tibetan government representative Kelsang Gyaltsen Bawa spoke out against China's occupation and control of Tibet, while also highlighting the event's significance in uniting against China's oppression and preserving cultural heritage.
Following Trudeau's rocky relationship with India, Mark Carney, the newly elected leader of Canada's Liberal Party, promises to rebuild the strained ties between the two nations if he becomes prime minister. Carney, who has previously served as the governor of the Bank of Canada and Bank of England, expressed his desire to diversify Canada's trade relationships with like-minded countries, including India. With his win, Carney now faces the challenge of repairing the damaged relations with India while also navigating Canada's trade tensions with the US under President Trump.
The rights group Ain O Salish Kendra has expressed grave concern over the forced closures of food shops during the holy month of Ramadan in Bangladesh. According to media reports, certain groups have been imposing restrictions on food shops, demanding their closure during the daytime. These actions not only create divisions in society but also infringe upon people's basic rights, leaving vulnerable groups without access to essential food services. The ASK has called for the government and all concerned parties to take immediate steps to address this issue and ensure that no one is deprived of their fundamental rights.
During his presidency, Donald Trump withdrew the US from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, claiming it was a bad deal for the US. However, in a recent interview, Trump stated that he has written a letter to Iran's Supreme Leader, expressing his hope to renegotiate the deal. The Obama-era deal, which aimed to limit Iran's nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief, has been gradually weakening due to European and American actions. Despite the Biden administration's efforts to negotiate a US re-entry, the deal's future remains uncertain.
The bodies of three Indian civilians, including a teenager, who went missing while on their way to attend a wedding, were found in the Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir. The bodies were spotted by security forces using drones at a waterfall, and efforts are being made to retrieve them. The cause of death will only be confirmed after a postmortem. The civilians had been missing since Thursday night and a search operation was launched by the Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police. The missing individuals have been identified as Jogesh Singh, Darshan Singh, and Baroon Singh from the Billawar Tehsil.
On the occasion of International Women's Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that his social media accounts would be taken over by women from diverse fields, while veteran actor Anupam Kher reflected on the critical role of women in society and wished everyone a happy Women's Day. As the world marks this day to recognize and empower women, voices like Kher's and the government's efforts to showcase women's contributions across sectors continue to strengthen the call for gender equality and equal recognition.
Dozens of people have been killed in Syria as government forces retaliated against attacks by loyalists of ousted President Assad. The violence, which has been ongoing since the fall of Assad's regime in December, reached a peak with nearly 200 deaths reported in clashes between government fighters and loyalists in three villages near the coast. The ongoing conflict highlights the ongoing struggle for power in Syria and the tenuous political situation in the aftermath of Assad's ouster.
As we celebrate International Women's Day on March 8, 2025, let's honor the spirit of the day by recognizing and encouraging the women in our lives. From its humble beginnings in 1909, Women's Day has now become a global celebration of women's strength and the fight for gender equality. This year's theme, 'Accelerate Action', highlights the importance of working towards gender equality. In this article, we share meaningful messages and greetings to show our appreciation for the amazing women in our lives.