Sydney, one of the world's first major cities to welcome each New Year with a public countdown featuring a fireworks display over its well-known Opera House, banned large gatherings that night amid an outbreak of the coronavirus, officials said on on Monday (December 28).

Sydney told to watch its famous New Year's Eve fireworks from home

In a remote valley in northern Pakistan, hemmed in by sheer rock walls and high pastures, members of a tiny community gathered.

The Kalash are a group of about 4,000 people who live in the mountains of the Hindu Kush, where they practice an ancient polytheistic faith. Each year, they come together for Chawmos, a New Year festival that coincides with the winter solstice and is marked by dance, animal sacrifice and highly prescribed roles for men and women.

The two-week festival is a portrait in contrasts: snow and fire, solemn ritual and frenzied activity, gender segregation and public flirtation, community and isolation.

While the coronavirus has forced the world to adopt social distancing, the Kalash have practiced being a community in isolation for millennia.

The Kalash, whose wooden houses cling to the craggy hillsides of three valleys in Pakistan’s often unruly northwest, are the country’s smallest minority group. The overwhelming majority of Pakistan’s more than 200 million people practice Islam.
<img alt="New Year celebration in Pakistan" data-caption="**EMBARGO: No electronic distribution, Web posting or street sales before SUNDAY 3:00 a.m. ET DEC. 27, 2020. No exceptions for any reasons. EMBARGO set by source.**FILE - Members of the Kalash, a polytheist community of 4,000, carry torches during Chawmos, a New Year festival, in Balanguru, a village in Pakistan’s Rumbur Valley, Dec. 17, 2019. Chawmos is a portrait in contrasts: solemn ritual and joyous dancing, gender segregation and public flirtation, togetherness and isolation. (Rebecca Conway&amp;nbsp;© 2020 The New York Times)" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="57d9b7f6-cce8-4cf6-828b-38c2630250aa" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/New%20Year%20tradition%20in%20Pakistan%20%281%29.jpg" />
Despite the seclusion of the Kalash, the outside world has crept closer, bringing changes to their way of life.

Their faith is often compared to an ancient form of Hinduism, but the origins of the Kalash are a mystery. Some believe they are descended from the forces of Alexander the Great; other anthropologists contend they are migrants from nearby Afghanistan.

Their religion incorporates animistic traditions of worshipping nature as well as a pantheon of gods, whose members in some instances bear resemblances to the Vedic gods of ancient India. Chief among the Kalash gods is Balumain, the lord of heaven, to whom the festival is dedicated.

For the Kalash, cleanliness and holiness are inextricably linked. Areas of the villages and valleys where they live are designated “pure,” and access to them is sometimes restricted by gender or may first require a ritual bath. The Kalash believe places and people are most likely to be visited by Balumain only after they have been cleaned and sanctified.

During the year, Kalash women must bathe and wash their clothes and dishes away from their homes. During their periods and when they give birth, they stay in menstruation huts. These are community spaces that are the exclusive domain of women, unlike the huts found elsewhere in the region, including in Nepal, where women are left alone and die from exposure and other causes every year.
<img alt="New Year celebration in Pakistan" data-caption="**EMBARGO: No electronic distribution, Web posting or street sales before SUNDAY 3:00 a.m. ET DEC. 27, 2020. No exceptions for any reasons. EMBARGO set by source.**FILE - Members of the Kalash, a polytheist community of 4,000, dance and sing during Chawmos, a New Year festival, in Balanguru, a village in Pakistan’s Rumbur Valley, Dec. 17, 2019. (Rebecca Conway © 2020 The New York Times" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5ff4630a-3792-4665-9e3f-e55d3afe491a" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/New%20Year%20tradition%20in%20Pakistan%20%282%29.jpg" />
As the Chawmos festival begins each December, the women take part in a purification ritual. Held in a temple, known as a jestekan, or in an open space away from their homes, women and girls hold bread that has been baked for them by male family members.

A male relative then showers them with water and waves burning juniper branches over their heads. Only then can women pass freely between the valley’s villages and homes to take part in the festivities.

What follows is 14 days of song, dance and ceremony. A group of women, often from the same family or clan, will form a circle and begin singing and dancing, their arms intertwined and their eyes half-closed in prayer. As the women sing, other women and men join the ring, and the circle grows larger and louder.

When moved, a young woman will break from the group and dance in the middle of the circle. Sometimes, a woman or a man from her family will join her. But often, a young man will enter the ring to dance with her. Their dance is different: The couple face one another, their eyes locked. They are courting.

In the first days of the celebration, young people often find a spouse; the women often make the first move.

“The girl goes to the boy’s family maybe for a few weeks or a month, and then when she comes back home, they will get married,” said Bibi Jan, a woman of about 80. “No one else decides; it is up to them what they choose.”

The dancing, as well as the flirting, is fueled by locally brewed mulberry wine. The role of women and the consumption of wine in the community contrast with the mores of their Muslim neighbors, who sometimes attend the festivals as tourists.

“The way they worship and the way men and women marry — and just interact generally — is very different from surrounding communities,” said Wynne Maggi, an anthropologist who has studied the Kalash.

The festival, the most important of the year, is also a time for the Kalash’s local leadership to deliberate over the serious challenges facing the culture.

The Kalash find themselves increasingly squeezed by outsiders buying up land and moving in. And for many years, the Kalash have been wary about the threat from Islamic militants who see their faith as sacrilege.

They face environmental threats as well. The trees that protected the valleys from floods caused by rain and glacial melt are being removed, sometimes illegally, at an alarming rate. The dearth of trees and changes to weather patterns resulting from global warming has resulted in recent years in devastating flash floods that destroy homes, bridges and crops.

Younger members are leaving the area for greater educational and employment opportunities. Government schools all teach about Islam, and each year some young Kalash decide to convert, locals say. A new road has made access to the area easier, and tourists are increasingly visiting the Kalash valleys, where most people exist largely on a mixture of subsistence farming and livestock husbandry.

But during the Chawmos celebrations, many of these problems are momentarily forgotten.

The festival culminates with a late-night torch procession through the tiny villages in the Kalash valleys; flickering lights weave down through forests, heralding the start of a final evening of dancing. The hillsides echo with song.

The Kalash dance around a bonfire, linking arms and chanting prayers for the year ahead.

In a remote valley in northern Pakistan, hemmed in by sheer rock walls and high pastures, members of a tiny community gathered. The Kalash are a group of about 4,000 people who live in the mountains of the Hindu Kush, where they practice an ancient polytheistic faith.

In a remote valley in northern Pakistan, hemmed in by sheer rock walls and high pastures, members of a tiny community gathered. The Kalash are a group of about 4,000 people who live in the mountains of the Hindu Kush, where they practice an ancient polytheistic faith. Each year, they come together for Chawmos, a New Year festival that coincides with the winter solstice and is marked by dance, animal sacrifice and highly prescribed roles for men and women. The two-week festival is a portrait in contrasts: snow and fire, solemn ritual and frenzied activity, gender segregation and public flirtation, community and isolation. While the coronavirus has forced the world to adopt social distancing, the Kalash have practiced being a community in isolation for millennia. The Kalash, whose wooden houses cling to the craggy hillsides of three valleys in Pakistan’s often unruly northwest, are the country’s smallest minority group. The overwhelming majority of Pakistan’s more than 200 million people practice Islam. Despite the seclusion of the Kalash, the outside world has crept closer, bringing changes to their way of life. Their faith is often compared to an ancient form of Hinduism, but the origins of the Kalash are a mystery. Some believe they are descended from the forces of Alexander the Great; other anthropologists contend they are migrants from nearby Afghanistan. Their religion incorporates animistic traditions of worshipping nature as well as a pantheon of gods, whose members in some instances bear resemblances to the Vedic gods of ancient India. Chief among the Kalash gods is Balumain, the lord of heaven, to whom the festival is dedicated. For the Kalash, cleanliness and holiness are inextricably linked. Areas of the villages and valleys where they live are designated “pure,” and access to them is sometimes restricted by gender or may first require a ritual bath. The Kalash believe places and people are most likely to be visited by Balumain only after they have been cleaned and sanctified. During the year, Kalash women must bathe and wash their clothes and dishes away from their homes. During their periods and when they give birth, they stay in menstruation huts. These are community spaces that are the exclusive domain of women, unlike the huts found elsewhere in the region, including in Nepal, where women are left alone and die from exposure and other causes every year. As the Chawmos festival begins each December, the women take part in a purification ritual. Held in a temple, known as a jestekan, or in an open space away from their homes, women and girls hold bread that has been baked for them by male family members. A male relative then showers them with water and waves burning juniper branches over their heads. Only then can women pass freely between the valley’s villages and homes to take part in the festivities. What follows is 14 days of song, dance and ceremony. A group of women, often from the same family or clan, will form a circle and begin singing and dancing, their arms intertwined and their eyes half-closed in prayer. As the women sing, other women and men join the ring, and the circle grows larger and louder. When moved, a young woman will break from the group and dance in the middle of the circle. Sometimes, a woman or a man from her family will join her. But often, a young man will enter the ring to dance with her. Their dance is different: The couple face one another, their eyes locked. They are courting. In the first days of the celebration, young people often find a spouse; the women often make the first move. “The girl goes to the boy’s family maybe for a few weeks or a month, and then when she comes back home, they will get married,” said Bibi Jan, a woman of about 80. “No one else decides; it is up to them what they choose.” The dancing, as well as the flirting, is fueled by locally brewed mulberry wine. The role of women and the consumption of wine in the community contrast with the mores of their Muslim neighbors, who sometimes attend the festivals as tourists. “The way they worship and the way men and women marry — and just interact generally — is very different from surrounding communities,” said Wynne Maggi, an anthropologist who has studied the Kalash. The festival, the most important of the year, is also a time for the Kalash’s local leadership to deliberate over the serious challenges facing the culture. The Kalash find themselves increasingly squeezed by outsiders buying up land and moving in. And for many years, the Kalash have been wary about the threat from Islamic militants who see their faith as sacrilege. They face environmental threats as well. The trees that protected the valleys from floods caused by rain and glacial melt are being removed, sometimes illegally, at an alarming rate. The dearth of trees and changes to weather patterns resulting from global warming has resulted in recent years in devastating flash floods that destroy homes, bridges and crops. Younger members are leaving the area for greater educational and employment opportunities. Government schools all teach about Islam, and each year some young Kalash decide to convert, locals say. A new road has made access to the area easier, and tourists are increasingly visiting the Kalash valleys, where most people exist largely on a mixture of subsistence farming and livestock husbandry. But during the Chawmos celebrations, many of these problems are momentarily forgotten. The festival culminates with a late-night torch procession through the tiny villages in the Kalash valleys; flickering lights weave down through forests, heralding the start of a final evening of dancing. The hillsides echo with song. The Kalash dance around a bonfire, linking arms and chanting prayers for the year ahead.

Welcoming a new year at an ancient festival in Pakistan

#GravitasPlus | 2020 felt like a Shakespearean Catharsis. We all want to delete it from our lives. Palki Sharma Upadhyay says save it. Here's why.

Gravitas Plus: Don't delete 2020 from your lives

In a bid to contain coronavirus, Kazakhstan has banned corporate parties and sporting events over new year holidays and tightened quarantine measures. Restrictions on mass gatherings will come into force on December 25 and will remain in effect till January 5, said a statement released by the office of the prime minister.

Authorities said that restrictions at Tengiz oilfield will contine "until the epidemiological situation stabilises". Hundreds of employees have contracted coronavirus at Tengiz oilfield.

The government also said that it would introduce price controls to make medicines used to treat the virus 24 percent cheaper on average, the statement said.&nbsp;

Year-end corporate parties are an important source of income for Kazakh hospitality sector. The sector has taken a beating over the last year.

Kazakhstan's chief sanitary doctor warned in May that the Tengiz oil field where US oil giant Chevron has a 50 percent stake could face closure over rising cases. &nbsp;

Kazakhstan, a Central Asian country of around 19 million people, has registered 146,584 cases of the coronavirus with 130,766 recoveries and 2,147 deaths.&nbsp;

(With AFP inputs)

In a bid to contain coronavirus, Kazakhstan has banned corporate parties and sporting events over new year holidays and tightened quarantine measures. Restrictions on mass gatherings will come into force on December 25 and will remain in effect till January 5, said a statement released by the office of the prime minister.

In a bid to contain coronavirus, Kazakhstan has banned corporate parties and sporting events over new year holidays and tightened quarantine measures. Restrictions on mass gatherings will come into force on December 25 and will remain in effect till January 5, said a statement released by the office of the prime minister. Authorities said that restrictions at Tengiz oilfield will contine "until the epidemiological situation stabilises". Hundreds of employees have contracted coronavirus at Tengiz oilfield. The government also said that it would introduce price controls to make medicines used to treat the virus 24 percent cheaper on average, the statement said. Year-end corporate parties are an important source of income for Kazakh hospitality sector. The sector has taken a beating over the last year. Kazakhstan's chief sanitary doctor warned in May that the Tengiz oil field where US oil giant Chevron has a 50 percent stake could face closure over rising cases. Kazakhstan, a Central Asian country of around 19 million people, has registered 146,584 cases of the coronavirus with 130,766 recoveries and 2,147 deaths. (With AFP inputs)

Kazakhstan bans new year parties to contain coronavirus

Weeks before Christmas and New Year, Netherlands and Italy have said that they're going to follow Germany in imposing stricter lockdown during the holiday period.

Netherlands, Italy to follow Germany for COVID-19 lockdown during upcoming holidays

As COVID-19 continues to peak again in countries across the globe, a country has banned all year-end parties to control the number of new infections. On Sunday, South Korean authorities announced the ban on all new year parties. Additionally, music lessons across the country remain halted.

The country’s officials have also set in motion a plan to shut some public saunas and cafes.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/south-korea-to-close-bars-restrict-restaurants-amid-coronavirus-spike-344897/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Currently, South Korea is witnessing COVID-19 infections at the pastiest pace so far since the pandemic began. The country has been hailed as a COVID-19 success story, in the league of Taiwan and New Zealand. But new cases have stoked fears of a spike in Asia’s fourth-largest economy.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/south-korea-confirms-this-years-first-case-of-bird-flu-among-poultry-346131" hreflang="en">South Korea confirms this year's first case of bird flu among poultry</a>

On Sunday, after reporting 500 new cases for three consecutive days, 450 new cases were reported by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency.

Experts are calling it the “third wave” of COVID-19 in the country. Recently, fresh outbreaks appeared at military facilities, a sauna, churches, and schools.

The country’s Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun on Sunday said that restrictions on gatherings would be tightened given the situation. Sye-kyun added that activities that are seen as prone to virus transmission will also stand suspended.

This is true especially for the capital Seoul and adjoining areas. "Year-end events and parties hosted by hotels, party rooms, guest houses and other accommodation facilities will be banned outright," Chung said during a briefing.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/south-korea-says-it-foiled-the-norths-attempt-to-hack-covid-19-vaccine-makers-345752" hreflang="en">South Korea says it foiled the North's attempt to hack COVID-19 vaccine makers</a>

Steam and sauna bath rooms will remain suspended along with the coaching for musical instruments and singing.

The PM added that social distancing norms across the country will also be retightened.

Additionally, the PM said the government is looking at getting more funds from the parliament to help the economy.

"Our assessment is that we need the third crisis support fund ... The government will come up with a conclusion on this after discussing with both the ruling and opposition parties," he said.

As COVID-19 continues to peak again in countries across the globe, a country has banned all year-end parties to control the number of new infections. On Sunday, South Korean authorities announced the ban on all new year parties.

As COVID-19 continues to peak again in countries across the globe, a country has banned all year-end parties to control the number of new infections. On Sunday, South Korean authorities announced the ban on all new year parties. Additionally, music lessons across the country remain halted. The country’s officials have also set in motion a plan to shut some public saunas and cafes. Currently, South Korea is witnessing COVID-19 infections at the pastiest pace so far since the pandemic began. The country has been hailed as a COVID-19 success story, in the league of Taiwan and New Zealand. But new cases have stoked fears of a spike in Asia’s fourth-largest economy. Also read: South Korea confirms this year's first case of bird flu among poultry On Sunday, after reporting 500 new cases for three consecutive days, 450 new cases were reported by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. Experts are calling it the “third wave” of COVID-19 in the country. Recently, fresh outbreaks appeared at military facilities, a sauna, churches, and schools. The country’s Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun on Sunday said that restrictions on gatherings would be tightened given the situation. Sye-kyun added that activities that are seen as prone to virus transmission will also stand suspended. This is true especially for the capital Seoul and adjoining areas. "Year-end events and parties hosted by hotels, party rooms, guest houses and other accommodation facilities will be banned outright," Chung said during a briefing. Also read: South Korea says it foiled the North's attempt to hack COVID-19 vaccine makers Steam and sauna bath rooms will remain suspended along with the coaching for musical instruments and singing. The PM added that social distancing norms across the country will also be retightened. Additionally, the PM said the government is looking at getting more funds from the parliament to help the economy. "Our assessment is that we need the third crisis support fund ... The government will come up with a conclusion on this after discussing with both the ruling and opposition parties," he said.

This country has banned all new year parties to control COVID-19 infections

Australia's New Year fireworks show over Sydney Harbour will go ahead, but the number of people at popular viewing spots will be limited to avoid the spread of COVID-19, the country's most populous state declared on Monday (November 9).

Australia gives go-ahead to scale down New Year's Eve celebrations

Millions of kids will attend schools in new academic year from September as countries like France, Spain & US are looking at reopening amid Coronavirus pandemic. Several months long closure has widened educational gap.

Back to school in times of pandemic, France, Spain & US look at reopening

Members of Nepal's ethnic Tharu community in capital city Kathmandu marked their new year on Wednesday (January 15) with dance and music as they visited a fair to celebrate the special occasion.

Ethnic group in Nepal marks New Year with merriment

Local people held week-long traditional folk activities to celebrate the 13th day of the 12th month of the Tibetan calender that fell on Jan. 8 this year in Xinlong County of Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in southwest China's Sichuan Province.

Villagers hold celebrations to warm up Tibetan New Year in southwest China

As a new year begins, here is a look at the opportunities & challenges in front of humanity in 2020. #NewYear #Year2020

Gravitas: What to expect from 2020

While the world welcomed 2020 with gaiety, Himalayan nation <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nepal-two-chinese-national-arrested-for-being-involved-in-illegal-activities-271039">Nepal</a> chose to welcome it in its own way, announcing the end of the decade to be celebrated as "Visit Nepal Year 2020". 
 
The tourism campaign aims at bringing two million tourists by the end of decade kick-started in all seven provinces of Nepal. 
 
Nepal's President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nepal-likely-to-appoint-new-governors-at-cabinet-meeting-on-november-4-259745">Bidhya Devi Bhandari</a> torched up Unity Lamp at Dasaratha Stadium formally inaugurating the campaign which will run on for a year. 
 
"I firmly believe that this campaign which started from today (Wednesday) would take the form of a great campaign through support and participation of all. Nepal is one of the World's fascinating tourist destination; we not only have been consoling our resources and possibilities but also working hard to tap them up," said Nepal President Bidhya Devi Bhandari, while addressing the inauguration ceremony in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/for-students-in-nepal-solar-eclipse-was-hands-on-experience-270389">Kathmandu</a>. 
 
The Government has claimed that the latest ploy is essential to make tourism one of the supporting pedestals of the economy. 
 
"Tourism has a key role in Nepal's economic development. Nepal was opened for foreign tourists only after 1951. In the last six decades, big changes have taken place in Nepal's tourism sector. As the country is moving forward towards permanent peace, stability and prosperity, the government has a goal of making tourism one of the key pillars of the Nepali economy. This is the reason the Government of Nepal has declared 2020 as Visit Nepal Year," Yogesh Bhattarai, Minister of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation of the Himalayan Nation. 
 
Mythical creature Yeti has been selected as mascot of the yearlong campaign as well as stickers targeting ambitious drive also was launched over the Viber. 
 
Tourism Sector has been contributing around 3 per cent of the total of Nepal's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). With the 15th Five-year plan marching towards completion, the Government has aimed to increase the figure to 10 per cent. 
 
Apart from increasing GDP contribution, Nepal government also is aiming to increase the daily expenditure of foreign tourists on a daily basis. 
Currently, foreign nationals on a visit to Nepal has been expending 44 Dollars each day and the government has planned to increase it to 80 Dollars each day and host 3.5 million tourists each year. For which the government has claimed this tourism action to pave the way to mark 2020-2030 a tourism decade. 
 
Tourists from India always have been topping the list of Foreigners on a visit to the Himalayan Nation. As per data till October of 2019, a total of 169,952 Indian tourists visited Nepal followed by 134, 28 Chinese Tourists. 
 
A total of 77,798 tourists came into Nepal from the USA in early 10 months of 2019 while Sri Lanka trailed behind with 57, 240 tourists in the same period. 
 
Indian Tourism Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/centre-to-launch-e-portal-youtube-channel-to-promote-indian-culture-257130">Prahlad Singh Patel</a>, who was also present during the launch of VNY 2020 said, "A large number of people will come during Visit (Nepal) 2020. I think model work of Janakpur would start very soon which would further boost the interest of people as there is Ramayan Circuit, Buddhist Circuit. Another thing I must say is that Nepal's people have own heart of Indians; reliability which is towards them (Nepali) is unmatchable along with I think the cultural relation which we have should be more profound and the flow should always be there, India wants that," Prahlad Singh Patel, Minister of Tourism, India told media.

While the world welcomed 2020 with gaiety, Himalayan nation Nepal chose to welcome it in its own way, announcing the end of the decade to be celebrated as "Visit Nepal Year 2020".

While the world welcomed 2020 with gaiety, Himalayan nation Nepal chose to welcome it in its own way, announcing the end of the decade to be celebrated as "Visit Nepal Year 2020". The tourism campaign aims at bringing two million tourists by the end of decade kick-started in all seven provinces of Nepal. Nepal's President Bidhya Devi Bhandari torched up Unity Lamp at Dasaratha Stadium formally inaugurating the campaign which will run on for a year. "I firmly believe that this campaign which started from today (Wednesday) would take the form of a great campaign through support and participation of all. Nepal is one of the World's fascinating tourist destination; we not only have been consoling our resources and possibilities but also working hard to tap them up," said Nepal President Bidhya Devi Bhandari, while addressing the inauguration ceremony in Kathmandu. The Government has claimed that the latest ploy is essential to make tourism one of the supporting pedestals of the economy. "Tourism has a key role in Nepal's economic development. Nepal was opened for foreign tourists only after 1951. In the last six decades, big changes have taken place in Nepal's tourism sector. As the country is moving forward towards permanent peace, stability and prosperity, the government has a goal of making tourism one of the key pillars of the Nepali economy. This is the reason the Government of Nepal has declared 2020 as Visit Nepal Year," Yogesh Bhattarai, Minister of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation of the Himalayan Nation. Mythical creature Yeti has been selected as mascot of the yearlong campaign as well as stickers targeting ambitious drive also was launched over the Viber. Tourism Sector has been contributing around 3 per cent of the total of Nepal's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). With the 15th Five-year plan marching towards completion, the Government has aimed to increase the figure to 10 per cent. Apart from increasing GDP contribution, Nepal government also is aiming to increase the daily expenditure of foreign tourists on a daily basis. Currently, foreign nationals on a visit to Nepal has been expending 44 Dollars each day and the government has planned to increase it to 80 Dollars each day and host 3.5 million tourists each year. For which the government has claimed this tourism action to pave the way to mark 2020-2030 a tourism decade. Tourists from India always have been topping the list of Foreigners on a visit to the Himalayan Nation. As per data till October of 2019, a total of 169,952 Indian tourists visited Nepal followed by 134, 28 Chinese Tourists. A total of 77,798 tourists came into Nepal from the USA in early 10 months of 2019 while Sri Lanka trailed behind with 57, 240 tourists in the same period. Indian Tourism Minister Prahlad Singh Patel, who was also present during the launch of VNY 2020 said, "A large number of people will come during Visit (Nepal) 2020. I think model work of Janakpur would start very soon which would further boost the interest of people as there is Ramayan Circuit, Buddhist Circuit. Another thing I must say is that Nepal's people have own heart of Indians; reliability which is towards them (Nepali) is unmatchable along with I think the cultural relation which we have should be more profound and the flow should always be there, India wants that," Prahlad Singh Patel, Minister of Tourism, India told media.

Tourism campaign 'Visit Nepal Year 2020' kicks off

Did 2020 usher in a New Decade? #NewDecade #NewYear #SocialMedia #SocialMediaBattle

Gravitas: Social media battle:  Are we in a New Year or a New Decade?

Japan's new Emperor Naruhito said Thursday he hoped for a year without natural disasters, delivering his first New Year speech since ascending <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japans-new-emperor-naruhito-officially-takes-up-post-214938">the Chrysanthemum Throne</a> to tens of thousands of well-wishers.

"I'm glad to celebrate the New Year together with you," <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/japanese-emperor-naruhito-formally-proclaims-his-enthronement-in-sokui-no-rei-257452">Naruhito</a> told the crowd, many waving Japanese flags and shouting "Banzai", meaning "long life".

"On the other hand, I'm worried about many people still living difficult lives because of typhoons and heavy rain last year," said the 59-year-old emperor, accompanied by Empress <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japan-imperial-couple-rides-through-tokyo-in-grand-enthronement-parade-261155">Masako</a>.

"I hope this year will be a good and peaceful year without any natural disasters," he said.

Last month the royal couple visited people in Japan's northeastern region hit by powerful typhoon Hagibis in October, which killed more than 80 people and caused huge damage to local infrastructure.

Also attending the traditional New year celebration was Naruhito's father <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/end-of-an-era-as-japans-emperor-akihito-abdicates-214724">Akihito</a>, who became the first Japanese monarch to abdicate in around two centuries when he stepped down from the throne on April 30, ending his three-decade reign.

The central Tokyo palace, surrounded by stone walls and moats, is opened to the public twice a year, on the emperor's birthday and the second day of New Year,&nbsp;for the royal family to greet well-wishers.

The emperor will appear four more times at the balcony later in the day.

Japan's new Emperor Naruhito said Thursday he hoped for a year without natural disasters, delivering his first New Year speech since ascending the Chrysanthemum Throne to tens of thousands of well-wishers.

Japan's new Emperor Naruhito said Thursday he hoped for a year without natural disasters, delivering his first New Year speech since ascending the Chrysanthemum Throne to tens of thousands of well-wishers. "I'm glad to celebrate the New Year together with you," Naruhito told the crowd, many waving Japanese flags and shouting "Banzai", meaning "long life". "On the other hand, I'm worried about many people still living difficult lives because of typhoons and heavy rain last year," said the 59-year-old emperor, accompanied by Empress Masako. "I hope this year will be a good and peaceful year without any natural disasters," he said. Last month the royal couple visited people in Japan's northeastern region hit by powerful typhoon Hagibis in October, which killed more than 80 people and caused huge damage to local infrastructure. Also attending the traditional New year celebration was Naruhito's father Akihito, who became the first Japanese monarch to abdicate in around two centuries when he stepped down from the throne on April 30, ending his three-decade reign. The central Tokyo palace, surrounded by stone walls and moats, is opened to the public twice a year, on the emperor's birthday and the second day of New Year, for the royal family to greet well-wishers. The emperor will appear four more times at the balcony later in the day.

Hope this year will be peaceful without natural disasters: Japan emperor Naruhito

From Fawkes masks to tear gases, this is how Hong Kongers welcomed New Year

Taiwan's top military chief Shen was killed in a helicopter crash on January 2, the defence ministry said, just days before the island goes to polls to elect a new president.

Taiwan's top military chief Shen was killed in a helicopter crash on January 2, the defence ministry said, just days before the island goes to polls to elect a new president.

Taiwan's Top Military Chief Shen Yi-ming

The New Year is here and the whole world welcomed the year 2020. Thousands of people cheered at Times Square in New York. Watch final seconds were people in New York are going to bid adieu to the year 2019 and will bring in the year 2020.

Watch: Times Square ushers in New Year with 'Ball Drop'

New Year 2020:  From Trump to Trudeau - Wishes pour in from world leaders

New year resolution for India: Care for the earth like Bhutan. #Bhutan #India #NewYear

Bhutan's green push is a glittering example for India

New year resolutions for India: Lessons from New Zealand for India. #India #NewZealand #NewYear

Gravitas: Talk of inclusive India needs to be actualised

Hong Kong police said they had arrested "around 400" people on Wednesday after a massive New Year's Day <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-protests-severely-challenged-one-country-two-systems-principle-xi-in-his-new-year-address-271325">pro-democracy</a> rally saw clashes between police and hardcore protesters.

The arrests were made for offences including "unlawful assembly and possession of offensive weapons", senior superintendent Jim Ng said at a press conference, adding that police had asked for the rally to be terminated earlier than planned because of unrest.

Organisers claimed more than a million people participated in the rally.

A <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/taiwan-leader-rejects-chinas-offer-to-unify-under-hong-kong-model-271327">peaceful march</a> drawing tens of thousands of anti-government protesters on New Year's Day spiralled into chaotic scenes as police fired several rounds of tear gas at crowds including families and some protesters threw several petrol bombs.

Watch: Hong Kong kicks off 2020 with fresh protests

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-dispatch-hong-kong-kicks-off-2020-fresh-protests-271450/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The violence broke out during a largely peaceful march as masses of regular citizens pressed authorities for further concessions in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-readies-for-new-year-democracy-rally-271378">Chinese-ruled city</a>.

In the Wanchai bar district, some protesters had spray-painted graffiti and smashed cash machines in an HSBC bank branch when plainclothes police moved in, pepper-spraying crowds in a tense face-off, after which several rounds of tear gas were fired.

The protesters, many masked and clad in black, regrouped and formed their own line, hurling several petrol bombs and unfurling umbrellas.

Protesters have directed their ire at the global banking group HSBC saying that it had closed an account that had been a fund-raising platform for the protest movement, a claim the bank has strongly denied.

Earlier in the day, under grey clouds, citizens young and old, many dressed in black and some masked, carried signs such as "Freedom is not free" before setting off.

Hong Kong police said they had arrested "around 400" people on Wednesday after a massive New Year's Day pro-democracy rally saw clashes between police and hardcore protesters.

Hong Kong police said they had arrested "around 400" people on Wednesday after a massive New Year's Day pro-democracy rally saw clashes between police and hardcore protesters. The arrests were made for offences including "unlawful assembly and possession of offensive weapons", senior superintendent Jim Ng said at a press conference, adding that police had asked for the rally to be terminated earlier than planned because of unrest. Organisers claimed more than a million people participated in the rally. A peaceful march drawing tens of thousands of anti-government protesters on New Year's Day spiralled into chaotic scenes as police fired several rounds of tear gas at crowds including families and some protesters threw several petrol bombs. Watch: Hong Kong kicks off 2020 with fresh protests The violence broke out during a largely peaceful march as masses of regular citizens pressed authorities for further concessions in the Chinese-ruled city. In the Wanchai bar district, some protesters had spray-painted graffiti and smashed cash machines in an HSBC bank branch when plainclothes police moved in, pepper-spraying crowds in a tense face-off, after which several rounds of tear gas were fired. The protesters, many masked and clad in black, regrouped and formed their own line, hurling several petrol bombs and unfurling umbrellas. Protesters have directed their ire at the global banking group HSBC saying that it had closed an account that had been a fund-raising platform for the protest movement, a claim the bank has strongly denied. Earlier in the day, under grey clouds, citizens young and old, many dressed in black and some masked, carried signs such as "Freedom is not free" before setting off.

Hong Kong: Around 400 arrested in New Year's Day unrest

People across India rang in the New Year 2020 with fireworks, dance, music, and prayers as the clock struck midnight on Wednesday (January 01).

India rings in 2020 with fireworks, revelry, and prayers

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/watch-pope-francis-gets-pulled-by-woman-frees-himself-from-her-grasp-271404">Pope Francis</a>, in his first message of the new year, denounced on Wednesday the use and abuse of women in modern society and called for an end to the exploitation of the female body.

Speaking in a packed St&nbsp;Peter's Basilica, the pope also defended women's rights to migrate in search of a better future for their children and condemned those who only thought about economic growth rather than the well-being of others.

"All violence inflicted on women is a desecration of God," the pope said in his homily.

"How often is a woman's body sacrificed on the profane altar of advertising, profit, pornography, exploited as a surface to be used," he said, adding that the female body "must be freed from consumerism, it must be respected and honoured."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/watch-pope-francis-gets-pulled-by-woman-frees-himself-from-her-grasp-271404">Watch: Furious Pope Francis frees himself from woman's grasp after being pulled abruptly</a>

The pope has regularly sought to defend women's rights during his pontificate and in April told the Roman Catholic Church it had to acknowledge a history of male domination and sexual abuse of women.

"We can understand our level of humanity by the way we treat a woman's body," he said on Wednesday.

He also used his homily to address another theme close to his heart, immigration, saying women who moved abroad to provide for their children should be honoured and not scorned.

"Today even motherhood is humiliated because the only growth that interests us is economic growth," he said.

"There are mothers, who risk perilous journeys to desperately try to give the fruit of the womb a better future and are judged to be redundant by people whose bellies are full of things, but whose hearts are empty of love."

Pope Francis, in his first message of the new year, denounced on Wednesday the use and abuse of women in modern society and called for an end to the exploitation of the female body.

Pope Francis, in his first message of the new year, denounced on Wednesday the use and abuse of women in modern society and called for an end to the exploitation of the female body. Speaking in a packed St Peter's Basilica, the pope also defended women's rights to migrate in search of a better future for their children and condemned those who only thought about economic growth rather than the well-being of others. "All violence inflicted on women is a desecration of God," the pope said in his homily. "How often is a woman's body sacrificed on the profane altar of advertising, profit, pornography, exploited as a surface to be used," he said, adding that the female body "must be freed from consumerism, it must be respected and honoured." Watch: Furious Pope Francis frees himself from woman's grasp after being pulled abruptly The pope has regularly sought to defend women's rights during his pontificate and in April told the Roman Catholic Church it had to acknowledge a history of male domination and sexual abuse of women. "We can understand our level of humanity by the way we treat a woman's body," he said on Wednesday. He also used his homily to address another theme close to his heart, immigration, saying women who moved abroad to provide for their children should be honoured and not scorned. "Today even motherhood is humiliated because the only growth that interests us is economic growth," he said. "There are mothers, who risk perilous journeys to desperately try to give the fruit of the womb a better future and are judged to be redundant by people whose bellies are full of things, but whose hearts are empty of love."

Pope Francis decries violence against women in New Year speech

Hundreds of thousands of people celebrated New Year's Eve in Berlin where some 6,000 fireworks lit up the sky above the iconic Brandenburg Gate at Germany's largest such bash, according to the organisers.

Hundreds of thousands celebrate New Year's Eve in Berlin

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