Happy New Year live updates: New York Times Square rings in 2025 with its ball drop

Sensex and Nifty started the New Year on a high note with the key indices closing higher in a see-saw trade on Wednesday on buying in blue-chip stocks.

Snapping its two-day falling streak, the 30-share BSE Sensex rose by 368.40 points or 0.47 percent to settle at 78,507.41 on the first trading session of 2025. During the day, it surged 617.48 points or 0.79 percent to 78,756.49.

The NSE Nifty climbed 98.10 points or 0.41 percent to 23,742.90 with 37 of its constituents ending higher and 17 closing lower.

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis distributed sweets among the CRPF personnel on the occasion of the New Year in Gadchiroli.

Pope Francis has ushered in the New Year with a renewed appeal for the faithful to reject abortion, calling for a “firm commitment” to protect and respect life from conception to natural death.

Francis, 88, celebrated a New Year’s Day Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday that was dedicated to Mary, the mother of Jesus.

He prayed that everyone learns to care for “every child born of a woman” and to protect “the precious gift of life: life in the womb, the lives of children, the lives of the suffering, the poor, the elderly, the lonely and the dying.”

“I ask for a firm commitment to respect the dignity of human life from conception to natural death, so that each person may cherish his or her own life and all may look with hope to the future,” he said, using the terminology of the church’s opposition to abortion and assisted suicide.

Vice President and Rajya Sabha chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar said 2025 marks the entry into final quarter of our Constitution’s centenary in his New Year greetings to the nation.

“Warm greetings to all citizens as we enter 2025 – a momentous juncture in our republic’s journey. This year marks our entry into the final quarter of our Constitution’s centenary. Time for us to rededicate ourselves towards realizing the vision of our #Constitution makers while advancing towards #ViksitBharat at 2047. Let us move forward with determination, nurturing democratic values with resolve to keep nation first. Wishing all a happy and purposeful #NewYear2025!,” he posted on X.

Himachal Pradesh’s opular winter destination Solang Valley is seeing many tourists after the area received fresh snowfall on New year’s Day

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha visited Tirumala Sri Venkateswara Temple in Andhra Pradesh on the first day of the year 2025.

Wind, rain and snow warnings are in force across parts of the UK, with the threat of flooding and disruption to New Year’s Day travel. Large parts of England and Wales will be hit by strong winds until 3 pm on Wednesday, while north-west England and Wales are forecast to see heavy rain for much of the morning.

More than 130 flood warnings, meaning flooding is expected, are in place for England, 10 for Wales and 32 for Scotland.

Haryana CM Nayab Saini launched the state government’s official calendar for 2025 on New Year’s Day in Chandigarh.

Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha, on the occasion of New Year, extended his greetings to the people of the state and the nation from Agartala, emphasizing the government’s commitment to the vision of “Ek Tripura, Shreshtha Tripura” and “Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat” while urging youth and women to utilize government schemes for self-reliance and empowerment.

Haryana Governor Bandaru Dattatreya offered prayers at the Mansa Devi temple in Panchkula on the first day of the year 2025, ANI reported.

Mumbai traffic police penalised 17,800 motorists and collected ₹89.19 lakh as fine for the violation of road rules during the New Year celebrations in the city, PTI reported.

The police conducted the drive from the New Year’s eve till the early hours of Wednesday. Action was taken against people indulging in drunk driving, causing obstruction to the free flow of traffic, riding motorbikes without wearing helmet, jumping signals and entering one-way roads.

Motorists were also fined for speed violations, driving four-wheelers without wearing seat belt and using mobile phone while driving.

Much of Japan shut down ahead of the nation’s biggest holiday, as temples and homes underwent a thorough cleaning.

The upcoming Year of the Snake in the Asian zodiac is heralded as one of rebirth — alluding to the reptile’s shedding skin. Other places in Asia will mark the Year of the Snake later, with the Lunar New Year.

In South Korea, celebrations were cut back or cancelled during a period of national mourning following Sunday’s crash of a Jeju Air flight in Muan that killed 179 people.

From Sydney to Mumbai to Paris to Rio de Janeiro, communities around the world welcomed 2025 with spectacular light shows, embraces and ice plunges.

Happy New Year 2025: In a post on X, PM Trudeau wished the people of Canada a happy new year and said, “The countdown is on across the country. Whether you’re home or homesick overseas, 2025 will bring new challenges and opportunities. But one thing we know: this nation is strong and free — and we’re proud to call it home. Happy New Year, Canada.”

Happy New Year 2025: In a greeting posted on X, Andhra CM Chandrababu Naidu wished Telugu people a happy new year and stated that 2025 would be a year for welfare and development under his government.

“Your good government, formed with the historic verdict you gave in 2024, is working tirelessly to fulfill everyone’s hopes. In just six months, we have introduced welfare, development and good governance,” he said.

He added, “The year 2025 is going to be a platform for new welfare schemes and more development programs. With the aim of realizing the ‘Swarnandhra-2047’ vision, we will implement the ten-point plan and demonstrate both public welfare and state development with the cooperation of all of you.”

Amsterdam’s emergency services are currently addressing several small fires ignited by fireworks, despite a ban on fireworks in the city. However, an exception is made for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported in connection with these incidents.

London’s New Year’s Eve fireworks event was held at midnight despite weather concerns across the UK. Much of the country faces heavy rain and strong winds, and even snow in some parts, leading to widespread disruption. With weather warnings in place, many planned December 31 events were cancelled, but the capital’s fireworks display were held as scheduled to mark the start of 2025.

Happy New Year 2025: In a post on X, union minister Sarbananda Sonowal extended wishes for the new year and also praised the leadership of PM Modi.

He said, “On the auspicious occasion of new year 2025, I extend my heartfelt greetings to all the people of the country, and I do firmly believe under the visionary leadership of PM Modi ji, our nation, Bharat is going to become one of the most powerful, and developed nation in the next 25 years.”

He attributed the success of the country to the promise of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’.

He added, “I wish everyone will stay in peace, happiness, fitness, and achieve all kinds of success in life. I also seek their blessings for rendering selfless service to the nation.”

Happy New Year 2025: Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Dhami gave his best wishes for the new year to the residents of his state in a post as well as video on X.

“Hearty congratulations and best wishes for the New Year to all the residents of the state. May this New Year bring happiness, prosperity, well-being and new energy in the lives of all of you. Last year we touched the heights of progress and all this has been possible only with the cooperation, trust and support of all of you. Come, on this new year, let us all together take a pledge to ensure participation in the all-round development of Uttarakhand,” he said.

Happy New Year 2025: In a post on X, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor reflected on the past year and said, “There was some happiness, some sadness – But, ’24 was a good year too! Happy New Year to all.”

Happy New Year 2025: In a post on X, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge wished everyone a happy new year and called for “peace and amity”.

“My dear fellow citizens, as we enter 2025, let us reaffirm our commitment for inclusive progress, unity in diversity, social justice, equality and the protection of our Constitution with unwavering resolve,” he said.

Happy New Year 2025: In a post on X, to celebrate the new year, Rahul Gandhi wrote, “Happy New Year to all of you. I hope this year brings new enthusiasm, new joy and happiness in your life.”