Happy New Year 2025; Kiribati, New Zealand and Australia start celebrations; world welcomes new year with good hope

WELLINGTON: The world has entered the New Year 2025 with good hopes. The New Year came first in the Pacific island nation of Kiribati. Then the New Year arrived in the Chatham Islands, east of New Zealand, followed by Tonga. Later, people in New Zealand and Australia celebrated New Year's Eve with gusto.

Australia welcomed the New Year with spectacular fireworks at Sydney's famous Opera House and Sydney Harbor Bridge. Kiribati is eight and a half hours ahead of Indian time. The Chatham Islands are seven hours and 15 minutes ahead. New Zealand is 7 hours 30 minutes ahead. Australia celebrated New Year five and a half hours ahead of Indian time.

The New Year celebration in the state of Kerala comes with tight security arrangements. The police have advised not to overdo the New Year celebrations. Inspection will be strict. There will be police presence in the streets at night. A special team has also been appointed to prevent drug use. There are special checks at all station limits to detect drunk drivers. Action will be taken against speeding and careless drivers.

Bars and other liquor outlets are not allowed to sell liquor after the time limit. There will be a special team to detect illegal manufacture of liquor, hooch making, sale of seconds liquor etc. The patrols will be concentrated in places like bus stands, railway stations and markets.