By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
DOHA (Worthy News) – At Qatar’s main international airport in Doha, waiters hurried to open champagne bottles for passengers stranded in a lounge. A Worthy News reporter noticed migrants from many nations and tourists celebrating what they hope will be a more peaceful 2025.
Elsewhere in the world, grand light shows, embraces, and ice plunges were some ways to ring in the New Year.
Auckland became the first major city to welcome 2025, with thousands of revelers counting down to the New Year and cheering at colorful fireworks launched from New Zealand’s tallest structure, Sky Tower, and a spectacular downtown light show.
Thousands also celebrated downtown or climbed the city’s ring of volcanic peaks for a fireworks vantage point and a light display recognizing Auckland’s Indigenous tribes. It follows a year marked by protests over Māori rights in the nation of 5 million.
Countries in the South Pacific Ocean are the first to ring in the New Year, with midnight in New Zealand striking 18 hours before the ball drop in Times Square in New York.
More than 1 million people in Australia visited Sydney Harbor to see the traditional fireworks. British pop star Robbie Williams led a singalong, and Indigenous ceremonies and performances were planned to acknowledge the land’s first people.
Much of Japan had shut down ahead of the nation’s biggest holiday, as temples and homes were thoroughly cleaned, including swatting floor mats called “tatami” with big sticks.
YEAR OF SNAKE
The new Year of the Snake in the Asian zodiac is heralded “as one of rebirth” — alluding to the reptile’s shedding skin.
Stores in Japan, which observes the zodiac cycle from Jan. 1, have been selling tiny figures of smiling snakes and other snake-themed products.
Other places in Asia will start marking the Year of the Snake later, with the Lunar New Year.
In Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim nation, Christians told Worthy News they have been praying for the country before the New Year.
Jakarta’s New Year celebrations featured a massive fireworks display, including an 800-drone drone show, followed by countdowns to midnight at the city’s iconic Hotel Indonesia Roundabout.
Elsewhere in Europe, residents spend millions on fireworks despite economic difficulties, such as high energy prices caused by the war in Ukraine.
A key natural gas delivery contract between Moscow and Kyiv ended at midnight, adding to uncertainty in the energy market.
Yet for a moment, revelers in Ukraine briefly forgot the nation’s war against Russia, which experts believe killed and injured some 1 million people.
BIG GOALS
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for Ukrainians “who’ve been fighting” there since the war with Russia began in February 2022.
In his address to the nation, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia has “set big goals for ourselves and achieved them, and we overcame difficulties more than once because we were together.”
China has maintained ties and robust trade with Russia since the latter invaded Ukraine in 2022, helping to offset Western sanctions and attempts to isolate Putin.
New Year’s celebrations are likely to be subdued in Israel as its war with Hamas in Gaza grinds through a 15th month and scores of hostages remain in captivity. In his address to the nation, Putin said Russia has “set big goals for ourselves and achieved them, and we overcame difficulties more than once because we were together.”
China has maintained ties and robust trade with Russia since Moscow invaded Ukraine in 2022, helping to offset Western sanctions and attempts to isolate Putin.
New Year’s celebrations were subdued in Israel as its war with Hamas in Gaza grinds through a 15th month, and scores of hostages remain in captivity.
In the United States, New York State Governor Kathy Hochul on Monday announced increased security measures statewide to ensure public safety during holiday celebrations.
New York always attracts thousands eager to usher in the New Year.
Copyright 1999-2026 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
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