New Year's Day

Swiss Bar where fire on New Year killed 40 had last inspection in 2019

Fire safety inspections hadn't been carried out for several years at the bar where a fire that broke out at a New Year's party left 40 people dead, and over 100 injured, local authorities said on Tuesday. Investigators have said they believe festive sparkling candles atop Champagne bottles ignited the fire at Le Constellation in the resort town of Crans-Montana when they came too close to the ceiling. Authorities are looking into whether soundproofing material on the ceiling conformed with regulations and whether the candles were permitted for use in the bar. Swiss authorities have opened a criminal investigation into the bar managers. The two are suspected of involuntary homicide, involuntary bodily harm, and involuntarily causing a fire, according to the Valais region's chief prosecutor. Regional authorities have said that safety inspections were the responsibility of the municipality. On Tuesday, the head of Crans-Montana's municipal government, Nicolas Feraud, said that there ha

Cities around world welcome 2026 with fireworks, heightened security

From Sydney to Paris to New York City, crowds rang in the new year with exuberant celebrations filled with thunderous fireworks or light shows, while others took a more subdued approach. As the clock struck midnight in Japan, temple bells rang, and some climbed mountains to see the year's first sunrise, while a light show with somersaulting jet skis twinkled in Dubai. The countdown to 2026 was projected onto the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, while in Moscow, people celebrated in the snow. In New York City's Times Square, revellers braved frigid temperatures to celebrate with the famed New Year's Eve ball drop. In Rio de Janeiro, revellers packed more than 4 kilometres (2 1/2 miles) of the city's Copacabana Beach for concerts and a 12-minute fireworks show, despite high tides that had both organisers and tourists worried and large waves that rocked barges carrying fireworks. Other events were more subdued. Hong Kong held limited celebrations following a recent fire at an apartment compl

PM Modi extends greetings to nation on New Year, calls for harmony in 2026

The Prime Minister also prayed for peace and happiness in society, extending his best wishes for harmony and well-being as the country enters the new year

Happy New Year 2026 wishes: Messages & greetings to share with loved ones

Hope, happiness, and new beginnings await us in the year 2026. To celebrate love and positivity, send warm greetings, motivational words, and best wishes to loved ones

Best films to watch on New Year's Eve 2025 to kick off a perfect 2026

From timeless classics to festive rom-coms and thrilling New Year-set adventures - here's a list of top movies to stream on New Year's Eve 2025, as recommended by Rotten Tomatoes

Hong Kong rings in 2026 without fireworks after deadliest blaze in decades

Fireworks are typically a celebratory centrepiece of Hong Kong's New Year celebrations. Not this year. The territory will ring in 2026 without spectacular and colourful explosions in the sky over its iconic Victoria Harbor after a massive fire in November that killed at least 161 people. The city's tourism board will instead host a music show Wednesday night featuring soft rock duo Air Supply and other singers in Central, a business district that also is home to the famous nightlife hub Lan Kwai Fong. The facades of eight landmarks will turn into giant countdown clocks presenting a three-minute light show at midnight. Fireworks have long been part of the city's celebrations for the New Year, Lunar New Year and National Day. The pyrotechnic displays against Hong Kong's world-famous skyline of skyscrapers typically draw hundreds of thousands of people including many tourists to both sides of the promenade. Rosanna Law, the territory's secretary for culture, sports and tourism, ...

Google Doodle today: Google celebrates festive countdown to 2026 in style

Today, Google Doodle features a joyous piece of art to celebrate the New Year 2026. Google Doodles have developed into an art form over time, representing global cultural moments and events

Why New Year's resolutions fail, and how to make them actually stick

Most New Year resolutions fail not because of weak willpower, but because they ignore how the brain builds habits. Mental health experts explain what actually works

Are banks open or closed on New Year's Day, Jan 1? Here's state-wise update

January 1, 2026, a Thursday, is New Year's Day in 2026. In the US, January 1st is a federal holiday; in India, it is a restricted holiday. However, in some states, banks are closed, as per the RBI

April 2025: A festival of New Years unites India's diverse cultures

Indians will celebrate the new year between April 13 and 15 as per their solar calendars. Punjab celebrates Baisakhi, Bengal as Pohela Baisakh, Puthandu in Tamil Nadu, Vishu in Kerala and so on

Happy Nowruz 2025: Date, importance, history, significance and more

Nowruz lasts for 13 days, beginning on the first day of the Persian calendar. Rooted in the ancient faith of Zoroastrianism, this festival marks the Parsi New Year and is celebrated on March 20

New updates: 98.12% of Rs 2,000 banknotes in circulation on May 19, 2023 has been returned, says RBI

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Mumbai Police penalise 23,470 motorists for violating norms on New Year eve

Police penalised more than 23,000 motorists for violating rules, driving drunk, and obstructing traffic, during the New Year celebrations in Mumbai, officials said on Wednesday. While traffic police penalised 17,800 vehicles and collected Rs 89,19,750 fine via e-challans, city police fined 5,670 motorists. Overall, police checked 46,143 vehicles on New Year's eve at 107 places across Mumbai and caught 333 motorists who were driving under the influence of alcohol. The action was taken for drunk driving, obstructing traffic, riding motorbikes without helmets, jumping signals, and entering one-way roads, a traffic police official said. Motorists were also fined for speed violations, driving four-wheelers without wearing the seat belt and using mobile phones while driving, he said. A large number of people assembled at prominent places in Mumbai, including the Gateway of India, Marine Drive, Bandra Bandstand, and Juhu Chowpatty, to ring in the New Year. Security was tightened at key

Ayodhya Ram temple witnesses unprecedented rush of devotees on New Year Day

Ayodhya on Wednesday witnessed an unprecedented rush of devotees on the first day of the New Year as the temple town saw an overwhelming turnout of pilgrims, particularly at the newly constructed Ram Mandir. The temple was consecrated on January 22 last year. According to local administration estimates, over two lakh devotees had already set up camps in Ayodhya on New Year Eve. On Wednesday morning, approximately three lakh more people arrived to pay homage to the deity of Ram Lalla. The eagerness of devotees was palpable as they lined up for 'darshan' of the idol which was unveiled at sunrise on the first day of the year. In a statement, Ram Temple Trust general secretary Champat Rai said the entire world is celebrating the New Year according to the Gregorian calendar. The winter season coupled with a holiday break contributed to the high number of visitors, he explained. With schools, courts and agricultural work closed for the season, he said, "People often take vacations durin

Delhi witnesses traffic jams on New Year's Day as people flock to markets

Several roads in Delhi were jam-packed and long queues formed at key metro stations as huge crowds thronged to India Gate, Connaught Place and religious places across the national capital on New Year's Day. The C-Hexagon at India Gate saw a massive crowd gathering on Kartavya Path, leading to traffic congestion in the area. Other key spots attracting large crowds included Bangla Sahib Gurdwara, Prachin Hanuman Mandir at Connaught Place, Akshardham Mandir, Jhandewalan Mandir, Khatu Shyam Mandir on GT Road and the Jagannath Temple in South Delhi. Deepali Verma, a resident of north Delhi, said she came to Hanuman Mandir to seek blessings. "I wish everyone a very happy New Year filled with peace and prosperity. I have come here along with my husband and son to offer prayers at the temple and seek Lord Hanuman's blessings," Verma said. According to a police officer, their main focus was on India Gate, Ashoka Road, Hanuman Mandir and Connaught Place. "We have deployed personnel across

Prez Murmu, V-P Dhankar, PM Modi extend New Year greetings to people

President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several Union ministers on Wednesday extended New Year greetings to the people and wished for prosperity, success and harmony. Dhankhar and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla also invoked the Constitution in their new year wishes urging everyone to remain loyal to it and nurture democratic values with resolve to keep nation first. Modi hoped the new year brings "new opportunities, success and endless joy". "Happy 2025! May this year bring everyone new opportunities, success and endless joy. May everybody be blessed with wonderful health and prosperity," he said on X. President Murmu asked the people to renew commitment to work together for creating a brighter, more inclusive and sustainable future for India and the world. "Wishing everyone a very Happy New Year! May the year 2025 bring joy, harmony and prosperity to all! On this occasion, let us renew our commitment to work together for creating a

Happy New Year 2025: Google Doodle rings in 2025 with silvery sparkle

Google's doodle 2025 has a heavenly theme, with a glowing star in place of the letter "O," signifying fresh starts and symbolizing a beacon of hope

Thousands in Serbia turn New Year celebrations into anti-govt protests

Instead of the traditional boisterous street partying on New Year's Eve, tens of thousands of protesters led by university students gathered overnight in Belgrade and other Serbian cities to demand political reforms and justice in the Balkan country. The protesters have been actively demonstrating following the tragic collapse of a concrete canopy in the northern city of Novi Sad's central train station on November 1, which resulted in 15 fatalities. The tragedy has been attributed to corruption and substandard construction practices by the populist Serbian leadership, leading to a widespread public outcry and demands for accountability. Students from various Belgrade universities have organized the protest under the slogan There is No New Year You Still Owe Us for the Old One. The loud crowd, chanting We Want Justice, went silent at 11.52 pm with 15 minutes to honour the victims of the Novi Sad tragedy. Many were holding banners with a red handprint, which has become a symbol of

Delhi's air quality remains poor; AQI dips marginally on New Year's Day

In 2024, Delhi witnessed a continued deterioration in air quality, enduring the highest number of 'severe' AQI days since 2022

India welcomes 2025 with temple visits and celebrations across cities

President Droupadi Murmu also extended her greetings to the nation on the eve of the New Year