India is celebrating Baisakhi, the vibrant harvest festival that also marks the Sikh New Year. From holy dips in Haridwar to mass gatherings at the Golden Temple and Anandpur Sahib, devotees offered prayers and participated in celebrations full of color, culture, and gratitude.

Amritsar Fields Turn Golden | Seasonal Shift Transforms Punjab Landscapes

In central Georgia, villagers have set decorative Christmas trees ablaze in a traditional ritual to mark the start of the new year. The custom symbolises letting go of the old and welcoming fresh hopes and new beginnings, as families gather in the snow to take part in the centuries old celebration.


Georgians Burn Decorative Trees to Welcome Hope in the New Year 

The FBI said Friday it had thwarted a potential ISIS-inspired terrorist attack on New Year’s Eve in North Carolina.


FBI: Thwarted ISIS-inspired threat on New Year's eve

Protests in Iran have entered the sixth day, and tensions are rising. Crowds continue to swell, louder and more defiant. The violence has now claimed lives, including a 21-year-old from the Basij, a paramilitary force tied to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards. Will the Iranian government manage to quell these protests? Or is this the start of something more? 

Iran's Cost-Of-Living Crisis Deepens: Unrest Spills Into The New Year

A historic 150-year-old Vondelkerk Church, in Amsterdam was engulfed in flames on New Year’s Day, shocking the local community. Firefighters rushed to the scene, but the blaze quickly spread through the centuries-old structure. Authorities are investigating the cause, though no official statement has yet been released. The fire has raised concerns about the preservation of heritage buildings and safety during public celebrations.

Vondelkerk Fire in Amsterdam: Monumental Church Ravaged on New Year’s Day 

Protests in Iran have entered a fifth day, and tensions are rising. Crowds continue to swell, louder and more defiant. The violence has now claimed lives, including a 21-year-old from the Basij, a paramilitary force tied to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards. Will the Iranian government manage to quell these protests? Or is this the start of something more? Tune into #Gravitas at 9 pm IST to find out more. 

Fresh snowfall in Gulmarg has proved to be a game-changer in the revival of Kashmir’s tourism on the eve of the New Year. Hotels in Gulmarg, Pahalgam, and Sonamarg have reported 100 per cent occupancy, while Srinagar is witnessing around 60 per cent occupancy.


New Year travel surge as snowfall boosts Kashmir's tourism

Bengaluru welcomed 2026 with vibrant celebrations as lakhs of people thronged the Central Business District (CBD), Indiranagar, Electronics City and Koramangala to mark the big hour. The city wore a festive look with music, countdown events and private parties adding to the cheer. A loud roar of celebration echoed across neighbourhoods as the clock struck midnight, accompanied by firecrackers and warm New Year wishes.


New Year 2026: Bengaluru rings in New Year with heightened security arrangements

<p>US President Donald Trump hosted a New Year's Eve party at his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, on December 31, 2025. In the event, artist Vanessa Horabuena created a “speed painting” of Jesus of Nazareth. Trump, 79, a former TV Show host, is very familiar with entertaining a crowd. He stood next to Vanessa as he was seen humouring the crowd. The painting was reportedly sold at $2.75 mn, and half the proceeds from the painting will go to St. Jude's Children Research Hospital, while the other half will go to the local sheriff's office.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🚨 NOW: President Trump just had an artist paint Jesus Christ at Mar-a-Lago on New Year&#39;s Eve<br><br>America is a CHRISTIAN nation. 🇺🇸🙏🏻<br><br>TRUMP: &quot;Was that AMAZING!&quot; <a href="https://t.co/WDUIvwTDrD">pic.twitter.com/WDUIvwTDrD</a></p>&mdash; Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) <a href="https://twitter.com/EricLDaugh/status/2006546347109871798?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 1, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🚨 JUST IN: AUCTIONEER President Trump at Mar-a-Lago for the painting of Jesus Christ, for charity and the sheriff<br><br>&quot;$2 million, whoa! $2 million. I&#39;ll sign it, if you&#39;ll give MORE!&quot; 🤣<br><br>&quot;Any other bids? $2.5 million! Going once? $2.75 million!&quot;<br><br>&quot;$2.75M. Do I hear a $3M?&quot;<br><br>&quot;Yes?… <a href="https://t.co/uCMYKjV5fi">pic.twitter.com/uCMYKjV5fi</a></p>&mdash; Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) <a href="https://twitter.com/EricLDaugh/status/2006548985033433517?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 1, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<p>Trump reportedly began the bidding at “one million dollars” and then encouraged attendees to go higher. Soon enough, another attendee raised it to “two million dollars”.“You see what I mean when I tell you these people? And yet that’s peanuts,” Encouraging further bids, he added, “Anybody, I’ll sign it if you give more. Okay? Any other bids?” said Trump. Then someone bid two million, five hundred thousand dollars; Trump joked it was "five million".&nbsp;</p><p>"Uh, Eddie, we have two million, five. Two million, five. Anybody up here? You see what happens here, John? How about that for entertainment? How is that as entertainment? We can have great musicians, everything else.’” The bidding continued, and Trump heaped praises on the artist, &nbsp;“She did something for us last night. She created a work of art. It was so incredible. I said, 'Could you come and do it again?' Right, John? And she was a hit. Do you notice? I said, 'No, let him stand on the floor.' Not one person left the floor.”&nbsp;</p><p>He then invited the artist Vabessa to stay and joked that these attendees have a lot of cash. The painting was then sold for $2.75 mn. He then invited the winning bidder to come up to the stage. Trump then spoke to the reporter with First Lady Melania Trump by his side. When asked about what his New Year's resolution is, he replied, “Peace on earth.”</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

Donald Trump auctioned a live painting of Jesus at his Mar-a-Lago New Year’s Eve party, raising $2.75 million for charity, including St. Jude’s.

US President Donald Trump hosted a New Year's Eve party at his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, on December 31, 2025. In the event, artist Vanessa Horabuena created a “speed painting” of Jesus of Nazareth. Trump, 79, a former TV Show host, is very familiar with entertaining a crowd. He stood next to Vanessa as he was seen humouring the crowd. The painting was reportedly sold at $2.75 mn, and half the proceeds from the painting will go to St. Jude's Children Research Hospital, while the other half will go to the local sheriff's office.

<p>Donald Trump auctioned a live painting of Jesus at his Mar-a-Lago New Year’s Eve party, raising $2.75 million for charity, including St. Jude’s.</p>

Trump auctions painting of Jesus at Mar-a-Lago New Year’s Eve party, raises millions for charity

<p>US President Donald Trump spent the final hours of 2025 in a hateful spiral, airing grievances rather than ringing in a 'happy' new year. From Mar-a-Lago, where he's spending the holiday, Trump used Truth Social to lash out at political opponents, telling a Republican district attorney and Colorado's Democratic governor that they could both "rot in hell". He wrote: “I wish them only the worst,” he wrote. “May they rot in Hell.”</p><h2><strong>Who does Trump hate now?</strong></h2><p>The bizarre post slamming Colorado Gov. Jared Polis and Mesa County District Attorney Dan Rubinstein was centred on Tina Peters. The 70-year-old MAGA superfan, a former Colorado county clerk, is serving a nine-year prison sentence for allowing unauthorised access to election systems after an attempt to overturn Joe Biden's 2020 win. Peters was convicted for letting a man linked to MyPillow founder Mike Lindell view confidential election data. Trump has been pushing for her release. But his post was riddled with basic errors.</p><p>He claimed Peters was 73, said she was being held in a maximum-security prison, and suggested she had already served two years. In reality, she is 15 months into her sentence at a medium-security women’s facility.</p>

<p>Polis and Rubinstein both responded sharply to Trump's hate. In a statement to Daily Beast, Polis said he hoped Trump’s new year resolution would be to "to spend less time online talking about me and more on making America more affordable by stopping his disastrous tariffs and fixing rising health care costs".</p><p>Rubinstein was more blunt, saying Trump had "no facts and no law" on his side, leaving him with little more than anger. "There’s a saying in the law: If the facts are on your side, pound the facts; if the law is on your side, pound the law; if neither is on your side, pound the table. President Trump has no facts and no law here. After trying and failing to invent both, he’s left with nothing but pounding the table."</p><p><strong>Also read | </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/no-nobel-benjamin-netanyahu-creates-israel-peace-prize-just-for-donald-trump-1767076085565"><strong>No Nobel? Benjamin Netanyahu creates Israel Peace Prize just for Donald Trump</strong></a></p><h2><i><strong>Trump's hateful tirade BELOW</strong></i></h2><h2><strong>'Worst political prognosticators of all time' George and Amal Clooney</strong></h2><p>The attacks did not stop there. Trump also turned his attention to actor George Clooney and human rights lawyer Amal Clooney, claiming they had become citizens of France and mocking Clooney's political views and film career. His post wandered through immigration, crime in France, and a string of insults aimed at Democratic leaders.</p>

<h2><strong>'Crooked' Walz</strong></h2><p>In another post, Trump misspelled Minnesota Governor Tim Walz's name in repeated posts and revived unproven claims about fraud in Minnesota, calling him "Tim Waltz of Minnesota is a Crooked Governor!!!". He also alleged without evidence that "90 per cent" of those involved were undocumented migrants from Somalia.</p>

<p><strong>Also read | </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/viral-maga-influencer-video-triggers-trump-funding-freeze-minnesota-somali-childcare-fraud-controversy-explained-1767169841087"><strong>Viral MAGA influencer video triggers Trump funding freeze: Minnesota 'Somali childcare fraud' controversy | EXPLAINED</strong></a></p><h2><strong>Ilhan Omar: 'Did she really marry her brother?'</strong></h2><p>He also repeated a long-debunked falsehood about Democratic Representative Ilhan Omar, suggesting she had married her brother, and called for Somali immigrants to be sent back.</p><p>Some posts were less targeted, casting Democrats broadly as "cheaters and thieves" and accusing them of opposing voter identification to rig elections.</p><p>It undoubtedly was a striking way to close out the year, Trump-style.</p>

Donald Trump bid farewell to 2025 not with cheer but with rage, unloading a late-night tirade against governors, prosecutors, celebrities and Democrats. From “rot in hell” posts to recycled falsehoods, this was the POTUS' New Year message.

US President Donald Trump spent the final hours of 2025 in a hateful spiral, airing grievances rather than ringing in a 'happy' new year. From Mar-a-Lago, where he's spending the holiday, Trump used Truth Social to lash out at political opponents, telling a Republican district attorney and Colorado's Democratic governor that they could both "rot in hell". He wrote: “I wish them only the worst,” he wrote. “May they rot in Hell.” Who does Trump hate now? The bizarre post slamming Colorado Gov. Jared Polis and Mesa County District Attorney Dan Rubinstein was centred on Tina Peters. The 70-year-old MAGA superfan, a former Colorado county clerk, is serving a nine-year prison sentence for allowing unauthorised access to election systems after an attempt to overturn Joe Biden's 2020 win. Peters was convicted for letting a man linked to MyPillow founder Mike Lindell view confidential election data. Trump has been pushing for her release. But his post was riddled with basic errors. He claimed Peters was 73, said she was being held in a maximum-security prison, and suggested she had already served two years. In reality, she is 15 months into her sentence at a medium-security women’s facility.

<p>Donald Trump bid farewell to 2025 not with cheer but with rage, unloading a late-night tirade against governors, prosecutors, celebrities and Democrats. From “rot in hell” posts to recycled falsehoods, this was the POTUS' New Year message.</p>

Donald Trump ends 2025 with hateful late night Truth Social tirade, tells rivals to 'rot in hell' in NY26

Nations around the world welcomed the New Year as midnight struck across different time zones. Across continents, New Year celebrations blended tradition and spectacle with fireworks, light shows, and music as people embraced the chance to start 2026 with hope and unity.

Happy New Year! World rings in 2026 with celebrations, stunning moments

Fireworks Adorn the Sky of Singapore as the Country Celebrates New Year 2026

<p>The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board suspended the registration for the Vaishno Devi pilgrimage on Wednesday following a heavy rush and overwhelming surge of devotees on the occasion of New Year. According to officials, the registration counters have been closed until Thursday morning, as the crowd hit its peak at the Katra base camp and along the trekking route to the Bhawan.&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The Mata Vaishno Devi shrine has been witnessing exceptionally high footfall since Monday night as thousands of pilgrims arrived to offer prayers and seek blessings for the New Year. Despite dense fog and chilly conditions, pilgrims were seen undertaking the yatra with enthusiasm.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Also Read: </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/xi-jinping-vows-to-reunify-china-and-taiwan-urges-for-growth-in-new-year-s-eve-speech-1767193882182"><strong>Xi Jinping vows to reunify China and Taiwan, urges for growth in New Year’s Eve speech</strong></a></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The shrine board authorities decided to stop new registrations to ensure smooth crowd management, safety of visitors, and uninterrupted arrangements at the holy site.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Officials also appealed to pilgrims travelling with children and the elderly to delay their journey, as long wait times and extended walking duration on the route may cause inconvenience.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Also Read: </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mali-and-burkina-faso-retaliate-to-trump-s-action-ban-entry-for-us-citizens-1767187487091"><strong>Mali and Burkina Faso retaliate to Trump’s action, ban entry for US citizens</strong></a></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The shrine board has also increased deployment of security, health staff, and sanitation teams to handle the massive influx. They have also installed barricades at key points along the track and stepped up monitoring at the Bhawan, Ardhkuwari, and Sanjichhat areas. Arrangements for medical assistance have been made for emergency cases.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The Vaishno Devi shrine attracts lakhs of devotees every year and is among the most visited pilgrimages in the country. Like other shrines, it also records one of the highest annual rushes in the New Year period.</p><p>The Shrine Board emphasized that the temporary halt is a precautionary step to maintain safety and an orderly ‘darshan’ and spiritual experience for the pilgrims.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Also Read: </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/drdo-successfully-conducts-salvo-launch-of-indigenously-developed-pralay-missiles-off-odisha-coast-1767182736639"><strong>DRDO successfully conducts salvo launch of indigenously developed Pralay missiles off Odisha coast</strong></a></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Authorities said the registrations will start after Thursday morning, subject to crowd conditions. They said a formal announcement will be made online once the situation normalises.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Meanwhile, devotees thronged prominent temples across the country on the last day of the year, offering prayers and seeking divine blessings as part of year-end religious observances.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Also Read: </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/yearender-2025-the-year-of-wars-tariff-turmoil-and-climate-disasters-1766568207775"><strong>Yearender 2025: The year of wars, tariff turmoil, and climate disasters</strong></a></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>In Ayodhya, devotees gathered in large numbers at the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple to offer prayers on the occasion of Pratishtha Dwadashi and the second anniversary of the Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha, coinciding with the last day of the year. The temple witnessed a heavy influx of devotees since morning.</p><p>The Banke Bihari Temple in Vrindavan, Mathura, also witnessed an overwhelming surge of devotees coming to seek blessings.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Also Read: </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/yearender-2025-pm-modi-s-foreign-visits-redefine-india-s-global-outreach-and-influence-1766919586333"><strong>Yearender 2025: PM Modi’s foreign visits redefine India’s global outreach and influence</strong></a></p>

The Mata Vaishno Devi shrine has been witnessing exceptionally high footfall since Monday night despite dense fog and chilly conditions as thousands of pilgrims arrived to offer prayers and seek blessings for the New Year.

The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board suspended the registration for the Vaishno Devi pilgrimage on Wednesday following a heavy rush and overwhelming surge of devotees on the occasion of New Year. According to officials, the registration counters have been closed until Thursday morning, as the crowd hit its peak at the Katra base camp and along the trekking route to the Bhawan. The Mata Vaishno Devi shrine has been witnessing exceptionally high footfall since Monday night as thousands of pilgrims arrived to offer prayers and seek blessings for the New Year. Despite dense fog and chilly conditions, pilgrims were seen undertaking the yatra with enthusiasm. Also Read: Xi Jinping vows to reunify China and Taiwan, urges for growth in New Year’s Eve speech The shrine board authorities decided to stop new registrations to ensure smooth crowd management, safety of visitors, and uninterrupted arrangements at the holy site. Officials also appealed to pilgrims travelling with children and the elderly to delay their journey, as long wait times and extended walking duration on the route may cause inconvenience. Also Read: Mali and Burkina Faso retaliate to Trump’s action, ban entry for US citizens The shrine board has also increased deployment of security, health staff, and sanitation teams to handle the massive influx. They have also installed barricades at key points along the track and stepped up monitoring at the Bhawan, Ardhkuwari, and Sanjichhat areas. Arrangements for medical assistance have been made for emergency cases. The Vaishno Devi shrine attracts lakhs of devotees every year and is among the most visited pilgrimages in the country. Like other shrines, it also records one of the highest annual rushes in the New Year period. The Shrine Board emphasized that the temporary halt is a precautionary step to maintain safety and an orderly ‘darshan’ and spiritual experience for the pilgrims. Also Read: DRDO successfully conducts salvo launch of indigenously developed Pralay missiles off Odisha coast Authorities said the registrations will start after Thursday morning, subject to crowd conditions. They said a formal announcement will be made online once the situation normalises. Meanwhile, devotees thronged prominent temples across the country on the last day of the year, offering prayers and seeking divine blessings as part of year-end religious observances. Also Read: Yearender 2025: The year of wars, tariff turmoil, and climate disasters In Ayodhya, devotees gathered in large numbers at the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple to offer prayers on the occasion of Pratishtha Dwadashi and the second anniversary of the Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha, coinciding with the last day of the year. The temple witnessed a heavy influx of devotees since morning. The Banke Bihari Temple in Vrindavan, Mathura, also witnessed an overwhelming surge of devotees coming to seek blessings. Also Read: Yearender 2025: PM Modi’s foreign visits redefine India’s global outreach and influence

<p>The Mata Vaishno Devi shrine has been witnessing exceptionally high footfall since Monday night despite dense fog and chilly conditions as thousands of pilgrims arrived to offer prayers and seek blessings for the New Year.</p>

Registration suspended at Vaishno Devi shrine amid heavy New Year rush

Devotees across India are thronging temples to offer prayers ahead of New Year celebrations. Authorities have beefed up security at major religious sites to ensure safety and smooth management during the festive rush. The surge highlights the country’s vibrant religious traditions and public devotion.

India’s New Year Temple Rush: Devotees Flock to Temples Ahead of Celebrations

The crackdown was carried out with over 600 police personnel deployed across the district. The police said the operation was aimed at preventing any untoward incident during New Year celebrations, particularly in residential areas and jhuggi clusters, and to deter organised crime networks and habitual offenders.

Major Crackdown by Delhi Police, 600 Arrested Ahead of New Year 

More than a quarter of Israeli families, including every third child, struggle to access enough food as the country’s two-year war against the Hamas terror group and a rising cost of living deepen economic hardship, according to a survey released Monday, on the eve of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year.

Israel's Battle Against Food Insecurity

#GRAVITAS | In Tehran, Iranians celebrate 21st March as Nowruz. People gather over food, frolic and festivities. They enjoy festival of fire ahead of the new year by lighting fireworks and dancing around fire.  Watch this video to find out more.

People light bonfires, float lanterns to usher in the Persian New Year

China celebrates Lantern Festival, also known as the Yuanxiao Festival. It is celebrated on the fifteenth day of the first month in the traditional Chinese lunar calendar and signifies the end of the Chinese New Year celebrations.

Beijing glows: A phoenix rises for lantern fest

China celebrates lantern festival

China’s start to the Lunar New Year is marked by a tourism boom, defying the country’s broader economic slowdown. China has recorded a 203% surge in inbound travel bookings for the 2025 Lunar New Year, compared to 2024. This spike is largely attributed to China’s expanded visa-waiver scheme, offering 30-day visa-free entry to citizens of 38 countries.

China sees 203% surge in Lunar New Year travel

While China leads the celebrations, several other countries also join in the festivities of the Chinese New Year, embracing the traditions and cultural significance of the Spring Festival.

Chinese New Year 2025: Celebrating the spring festival beyond China

China begins vibrant celebrations for the Lunar New Year, marking the start of a festive season filled with traditions, parades, and family reunions. This year, the country embraces cultural events and joyful festivities to welcome the new year.

Celebrations kick off in China for Lunar New Year

The lantern festival lights up the Chinese New Year celebration.

Chinese new year celebrations kick off

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Amritsar Fields Turn Golden | Seasonal Shift Transforms Punjab Landscapes

Georgians Burn Decorative Trees to Welcome Hope in the New Year

FBI: Thwarted ISIS-inspired threat on New Year's eve

Iran's Cost-Of-Living Crisis Deepens: Unrest Spills Into The New Year

Iran's Cost-Of-Living Crisis Deepens: Unrest Spills Into The New Year

Vondelkerk Fire in Amsterdam: Monumental Church Ravaged on New Year’s Day

Iran's Cost-Of-Living Crisis Deepens: Unrest Spills Into The New Year

New Year travel surge as snowfall boosts Kashmir's tourism

New Year 2026: Bengaluru rings in New Year with heightened security arrangements

Trump auctions painting of Jesus at Mar-a-Lago New Year’s Eve party

Trump ends 2025 with hateful Truth Social tirade, tells rivals to 'rot in hell'

Happy New Year! World rings in 2026 with celebrations, stunning moments

Fireworks Adorn the Sky of Singapore as the Country Celebrates New Year 2026

Registration suspended at Vaishno Devi shrine amid heavy New Year rush

India’s New Year Temple Rush: Devotees Flock to Temples Ahead of Celebrations

Major Crackdown by Delhi Police, 600 Arrested Ahead of New Year

Israel's Battle Against Food Insecurity

People light bonfires, float lanterns to usher in the Persian New Year

Beijing glows: A phoenix rises for lantern fest

China celebrates lantern festival

China sees 203% surge in Lunar New Year travel

Chinese New Year 2025: Celebrating the spring festival beyond China

Celebrations kick off in China for Lunar New Year

Chinese new year celebrations kick off