Several Asian nations welcomed 2026 with large public celebrations marked by lights, music and fireworks. In China, crowds gathered in Beijing as drums and light displays were held near major landmarks. Thailand staged a major drone and fireworks show over Bangkok’s skyline before midnight. The Philippines and Malaysia also marked the new year with street events and bright displays. Vietnam’s capital Hanoi lit up with colourful fireworks, while parts of Indonesia, including Jakarta, entered the new year with public shows. Earlier, Kiribati was the first country to reach 2026. The celebrations moved west through Asia as clocks struck midnight in each time zone. (PC: BBC)

Sydney marked the New Year with a public message of peace weeks after a deadly shooting at Bondi Beach. The words “peace” and “unity” were projected on the Sydney Harbour Bridge. A white light and a Jewish menorah were also displayed. Police said more than 2,500 officers were on duty across the city, with some allowed to carry high-grade weapons. Official events paused at 11 pm for a minute’s silence to honour the 15 people killed on December 14. Crowds then watched the midnight fireworks as boats gathered on the harbour and mobile phone lights filled the air. (PC: BBC)

Russia’s defence ministry released night-time footage of a downed drone it claims was launched by Ukraine toward President Vladimir Putin’s Novgorod residence, calling the incident a “terrorist” and “personal attack” amid the Russia-Ukraine war. Moscow alleges Ukraine sent as many as 91 long-range drones, all of which were shot down with no casualties or damage reported. Kyiv has firmly denied involvement, calling the claim a fabrication aimed at undermining peace talks and diplomatic efforts. Independent analysts and Western officials note no verifiable evidence proves the alleged strike occurred, heightening tensions and complicating ongoing negotiations. 

New Zealand has become the second country to welcome 2026 after Kiribati’s Kiritimati atoll. Large crowds gathered in Auckland as fireworks lit up the Sky Tower, the city’s tallest building. About 3,500 fireworks were launched in a five minute show from several levels of the 240 metre tower. The Sky Tower again served as the main site for the national countdown. In New Zealand, the Chatham Islands are the first within the country to enter the new year. Weather forecasts and a risk of thunderstorms led to the cancellation of some small community events across parts of the North Island.

Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia was laid to rest in Dhaka on Wednesday with full state honours. The 80 year old BNP leader was buried beside her husband, former President Ziaur Rahman, at Manik Mia Avenue near parliament. Thousands of supporters and foreign guests attended the funeral. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar represented India and met Zia’s son and acting BNP chief Tarique Rahman before the ceremony. He handed over a condolence letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Jaishankar also met Pakistan National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq. Leaders from Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and Maldives were also present. (PC: India Today)

Russia has released a night video showing a damaged drone in a snowy forest area. The defence ministry said the drone was launched by Ukraine towards President Vladimir Putin’s residence in the Novgorod region. Moscow earlier claimed that 91 long range drones were used in the attack and that all were shot down. The Kremlin called it a “terrorist act” and a personal attack on Putin. Ukraine has denied the charge and said there is no proof it carried out such a strike. President Volodymyr Zelensky described the claim as fake and urged allies to verify Russia’s account.

The small atoll of Kiritimati in the Pacific nation of Kiribati has become the first place in the world to welcome 2026. The island, also called Christmas Island, lies south of Hawaii and north east of Australia. Kiribati is made up of many coral atolls spread across almost 4,000 kilometres of ocean. The country gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1979 and has a population of about 116,000. Many islands are very low lying and face rising sea levels. New Year events will reach other parts of Kiribati and then move west across the globe. (PC: BBC)

In the high-profile murder of student leader Sharif Osman Hadi, prime accused Faisal Karim Masud has publicly denied any involvement, claiming in a viral video message that he is in Dubai, not India as alleged by Bangladeshi police, and was wrongly accused. He said his ties with Hadi were business-related and blamed a radical political group for the killing. Masud insists his family is being harassed and released evidence of his UAE visa on social media. Bangladesh authorities maintain suspects fled via the Meghalaya border; India has rejected those claims. Hadi was shot in Dhaka on Dec 12 and died later abroad. (PC: X)

Police in Rajasthan’s Tonk district arrested two men and seized about 150 kg of explosive material from their car on New Year’s Eve. The action followed a tip-off received by the District Special Team. The suspects were stopped in the Baroni police station area. Officers found ammonium nitrate hidden in sacks marked as urea fertiliser. Police also recovered 200 cartridges and around 1,100 metres of safety fuse wire. The car used to carry the material was seized. The accused, both from Bundi district, were allegedly taking the consignment to Tonk for supply. Police are questioning them to find the source and purpose of the material.

A US District Court has upheld the Trump administration’s $100,000 fee on new H-1B visa applications. The US Chamber of Commerce has filed an appeal against the ruling. The fee was announced in September through a presidential order and aims to limit misuse of the visa system. The H-1B programme allows US firms to hire skilled foreign workers. Judge Beryl Howell of the District of Columbia court ruled on December 23 that the president acted within legal authority. The Chamber says the sharp hike breaks immigration law. Similar lawsuits have been filed by states, unions, and staffing firms. The case may reach the US Supreme Court. (PC: India Today)