Page 4 - New Year

Putin lauds Russian unity in New Year's address as war shadows celebration

Russian President Vladimir Putin praised Russia's united society in his prerecorded New Year's address to the nation, the country's state news agencies reported Sunday. Putin addressed Russians in a video that ran under four minutes long, significantly shorter than the New Year's speech he gave last year, according to state news agency RIA Novosti. Millions of people were expected to watch the new address when it airs on TV as each Russian time zone region counts down the final minutes of 2023 on Sunday. The first to see it were residents of the Kamchatka Peninsula and the Chukotka region in Russia's Far East, some nine hours ahead of Moscow. Returning to tradition after speaking flanked by soldiers last year, Putin delivered his address to the nation against the backdrop of a snowy Kremlin. In remarks carried by RIA Novosti, he described 2023 as a year marked by high levels of unity in Russian society. What united us and unites us is the fate of the Fatherland, a deep understandin

This new year, let us pledge to build prosperous nation: President Murmu

President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday greeted citizens on the eve of the new year and asked them to take a pledge to build a prosperous society and nation. The arrival of the new year is an occasion to move forward with new resolutions and goals, she said in a message. The president has sent her greetings to all fellow citizens on the eve of new year, according to a statement issued by the Rashtrapati Bhavan. "May the year 2024 bring happiness, peace and prosperity for all. May we continue to contribute to the progress of our country. Let us welcome the new year and take a pledge to build a prosperous society and nation," Murmu said. On the joyous occasion of new year, I extend my warm greetings and best wishes to all Indians living in India and abroad," Murmu said.

New Zealand's Auckland first major city to celebrate New Year 2024

Auckland has become the first major city to ring in 2024, with thousands cheering a fireworks display sprouting from New Zealand's tallest structure, Sky Tower, and a downtown light show. This year's New Year's Eve celebrations are overshadowed by the ongoing wars in Ukraine and Gaza, which have cast a pall over festivities and heightened tensions across parts of the world. Many cities are deploying extra security and some places have canceled New Year's Eve events altogether. In Auckland, light rain throughout Sunday had cleared as forecast by midnight over the city of 1.7 million people before the countdown began on an illuminated digital display near the top of the 328-metre communications and observation tower. Two hours later in neighbouring Australia, the Sydney Harbor Bridge will become the focal point of a renowned midnight fireworks display and light show viewed annually by around 425 million people worldwide, according to city authorities. More police than ever have been

British Sikh medic knighted in King Charles III's 2024 New Year Honours

A British Sikh senior medical professional with over 30 years of general practice (GP) experience has been knighted by King Charles III in the 2024 New Year Honours list released in London on Friday night. Dr Amritpal Singh Hungin, Emeritus Professor of General Practice at Newcastle University, receives a Knighthood for services to medicine on a list including nearly 30 Indian-origin healthcare professionals, philanthropists and community activists honoured for their selfless service to society. Professor Pali Hungin, as he is known, was the founding Dean of Medicine at Durham University and a former president of the British Medical Association (BMA). The New Year's Honours List recognises the exceptional achievements of people across the country and those who have shown the highest commitment to selflessness and compassion, said British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. To all honourees, you are the pride of this country and an inspiration to us all, he said. The list, released annually

New Year 2024: Make your resolutions according to your zodiac signs

Do you make resolutions toward the start of every year? As per your sign, astrology has cleared your confusion about how to make fresh New Year's resolutions and begin your life journey in 2024

New Year 2024: Delhi Police issues traffic advisory; check details here

Delhi Traffic Police will deploy around 2,500 personnel for the smooth movement of vehicles and 250 teams to regulate drunk driving

Fog, haze in China as New Year travellers brace for potential disruptions

Central Meteorological Observatory issued first red alert for fog since 2017. Conditions were expected to improve from Saturday evening, when a cold wave of air is expected to blow over the country

Year Ender 2023: Shiv Nadar, Savitri Jindal make the biggest leap in wealth

Following is the list of top Indian Business Personalities whose net worth surged the most in 2023

LIVE news: Former cricketer Ambati Rayudu joins YSR Congress

Catch all the latest news updates LIVE from across the world

Rajasthan tourism on rise as New Year nears, hotel tariffs skyrocket

Even budget hotels may go out of tourists' reach between December 30, 2023 and January 2, 2024, hoteliers said

Happy New Year 2024: Here's how to wish New Year in 12 different languages

Happy New Year 2024: The year is about to end and people across the world have started preparing to welcome 2024. Here are the 12 different languages to say Happy New Year

New Year 2024: First and last countries on earth to welcome New Year 2024

People in different parts of the world will celebrate the New Year 2024 at different times. While we as a whole celebrated the start of 2023, a few nations celebrated the New Year sooner than others

Kolkata restaurants see surge in footfall during Christmas-New Year week

City-based restaurants are experiencing a surge in customer footfall during the Christmas-New Year week from December 24-27, according to an official of the Hostel and Restaurant Association of Eastern India (HRAEI). HRAEI president Sudesh Poddar said crowd turnout is expected to improve further leading up to the New Year. The association reported a 15% increase in food consumption, with customers patiently waiting for three to four hours to savour their favourite dishes. Poddar mentioned that his own fine dining restaurants, Manthan and Manthan Songhai, continue to have full house with customers waiting patiently for hours. Bar-cum-restaurant owners have requested the government to extend the closing time till 2 am until January 1 and urged patrons not to drive their vehicles to comply with the administration's road safety request. Nitin Kothari, owner of Peter Cat, Mocambo, and Peter Hu?, said after Durga puja, there was brief slump, but customer response has been exceptionally

N Korea's Kim Jong Un pledges to advance his atomic ambitions in New Year

That's according to an address he gave at a major policy-setting meeting attended by top cadres from his ruling party

Nearly 100,000 tourists expected in Shimla for New Year, says Police

The Shimla SP further informed that the department is monitoring the traffic with CCTV and drone

Happy New Year 2024: Here are the 5 Unique ways to celebrate New Year

The preparation began across the world to celebrate New Year 2024. If you are struggling with New Year ideas, here are the 5 unique ways to celebrate New Year

Boxing Day 2023: History, importance, why do we celebrate, and wishes

Boxing Day is all about celebrating the grand festival of Christmas and basking in the festivities of the season by engaging in acts of charity and caring for people

HP revives after disastrous floods, tourists visit for Christmas, New Year

He asserted that Himachal will soon stand up from the aftermath of the disaster and as a testimony of fact, today the state is all ready to welcome the tourists

Liquor shops to be open till 11 pm on eve of Christmas, New Year in Noida

Liquor shops will remain open till 11 pm on December 24 and 31 across Noida and Greater Noida on account of Christmas and New Year festivities, officials said on Saturday. The move follows an order of Uttar Pradesh Excise Commissioner Senthil Pandian C, who issued similar directions regarding extending the period of sale of liquor from all retail shops on the eve of Christmas and New Year. "In compliance with the order, authorised liquor outlets in Noida and Greater Noida will remain open from 10 am to 11 pm on December 24 and 31," Gautam Buddh Nagar District Excise Officer Subodh Kumar Srivastava told PTI. Usually, authorised liquor outlets in the region close at 10 pm. Earlier this week, the excise department asked Noida and Greater Noida residents to apply for an occasional bar licence if they are considering hosting parties, whether at homes or at the community level, where liquor would be served. Not having a valid licence for serving liquor is illegal and can attract legal .

Centre issues Rs 5,488 cr additional instalment of tax devolution to Bengal

West Bengal has received Rs 5,488.88 crore as additional instalment of tax devolution by the Centre. On Friday, the Centre had disbursed Rs 72,961.21 crore to all states as tax devolution for funding various social welfare measures and infrastructure development schemes. This comes in addition to the tax devolution instalment due to states on January 10, 2024, the government said. The Centre disburses tax devolution funds in 14 yearly instalments. In the latest allocation, Uttar Pradesh received the largest share at Rs 13,088.51 crore. This was followed by Bihar (Rs 7,338 crore), Madhya Pradesh (Rs 5,727.44 crore), West Bengal (Rs 5,488.88 crore), Maharashtra (Rs 4,608.96 crore), Rajasthan (Rs 4,396.64 crore) and Odisha ( Rs 3,303.69 crore).