Page 2 - New Year

President Murmu, PM Modi extend greetings to citizens on new year

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, too, extended his New Year greetings to fellow citizens, saying that he hoped 2024 would bring happiness to 'each and everyone'

Denmark's Queen Margrethe II announces abdication after 52-year reign

During her annual New Year's Eve address shown on Danish television, Margrethe, 83, announced that she would be handing over the crown to her son, Crown Prince Frederik

New Year's Eve celebrations roll across Asia, but wars cast shadow on 2024

Revellers across Asia celebrated the countdown to midnight on New Year's Eve with fireworks and brightly lit signs offering a hopeful start to 2024 for some, even as the globe's ongoing conflicts raised security concerns and let to muted or even cancelled festivities. As the clock struck midnight in Australia, more than 1 million people a number equivalent to one in five of the city's residents watched a 12-minute firework display focused on the Sydney Harbor Bridge from the shore and from boats in the harbour. It's total madness, said German tourist Janna Thomas, who had waited in line since 7.30 am to secure a prime waterfront location in the Sydney Botanic Garden. Organisers worldwide have readied for large-scale celebrations despite the ongoing wars in Gaza and Ukraine. In New York City, where there have been near-daily protests sparked by the Israel-Hamas war, officials and party organizers said they were prepared to ensure the safety of tens of thousands of revelers who wil

Business Standard wishes a safe and joyful New Year 2024 to all

Catch all the latest updates from across the globe here

Hoteliers cash in on New Year festivities, no impact of Covid-19 resurgence

Hospitality players are cashing in on the New Year festivities as the high spirits of celebrations are leading to a surge in dining out and bookings in resort destinations, with the news of the COVID-19 resurgence not denting the festive sentiment. Some players said they have witnessed room for revenue growth of 19 per cent in the year-end compared to the same period last year. "The news of COVID resurgence has not dented the festive sentiment, and besides, hospitality establishments adhere to stringent safety protocols. Overall, there is positivity and merriness in the air," Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI) president-elect Pradeep Shetty told PTI. He was responding to a query on whether the resurgence of COVID-19 has impacted year-end and New Year bookings. In fact, he said, "The festive fervour is ablaze across all major metropolitan cities, reflecting the high spirits of celebrations. Dining out experiences are witnessing a remarkable surge, ...

Xi declares Taiwan 'reunification' inevitable in China's future plans

China considers Taiwan to be its "sacred territory" and has never renounced the use of force to bring it under Chinese control

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

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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