As the world prepared to step into 2026, New Zealand once again emerged among the earliest countries to welcome the New Year, marked by a grand fireworks display in Auckland.

The celebrations centred around the iconic Sky Tower, which lit up the city’s skyline shortly after midnight local time. Locals and tourists gathered in large numbers to witness one of the first major New Year countdowns globally.

The Sky Tower, standing at 240 metres, remained the focal point of the event. A five-minute fireworks show featured around 3,500 fireworks launched from multiple levels of the structure, making it the tallest fireworks display in the country.

While Auckland hosted the headline event, forecasts of rain and possible thunderstorms forced the cancellation of several smaller community celebrations across parts of New Zealand’s North Island. Authorities took precautionary steps to avoid safety risks amid unstable weather conditions.

Although Auckland’s celebration gained global attention, New Zealand’s Chatham Islands were technically among the earliest places in the country to enter 2026 due to their unique time zone.

Which country celebrates New Year first

Kiritimati Island in Kiribati, located in the Pacific Ocean, is the first place in the world to welcome the New Year. Also known as Christmas Island, it falls under the UTC+14 time zone, making it nearly a full day ahead of the last regions to celebrate.

New Year arrival times across major countries (IST)

• Kiribati: 3:30 PM, December 31
• New Zealand: 4:30 PM, December 31
• Australia (east coast): 6:30 PM, December 31
• Japan, South Korea and North Korea: 8:30 PM, December 31
• China, Hong Kong and Taiwan: 9:30 PM, December 31
• Thailand: 10:30 PM, December 31
• India and Sri Lanka: 12:00 AM, January 1
• Russia (Moscow): 2:30 AM, January 1
• Ukraine: 3:30 AM, January 1
• Germany, France, Spain, Italy and Switzerland: 4:30 AM, January 1
• UK, Portugal and Ghana: 5:30 AM, January 1
• Brazil and Argentina: 8:30 AM, January 1
• United States (east coast): 10:30 AM, January 1
  

The final places to welcome 2026 are American Samoa and the Baker and Howland Islands, located in the UTC-12 time zone, where midnight arrives nearly 24 hours after Kiribati.

India has firmly rejected China’s claim that it played a mediating role in ending the military conflict between India and Pakistan earlier this year, reiterating that the ceasefire was the result of direct military-level communication between the two countries, with no third-party involvement.

The clarification comes after China echoed similar assertions made earlier by US President Donald Trump, projecting itself as a peace broker during the May conflict between New Delhi and Islamabad. Indian government sources, however, stressed that Pakistan had itself reached out for a ceasefire following Operation Sindoor.

According to sources, Islamabad requested a truce through established military channels, and there was no external mediation at any stage. They underlined that India’s long-standing position against third-party intervention in matters concerning India and Pakistan remains unchanged.

India’s position on the ceasefire

New Delhi has consistently maintained that the hostilities, which began on May 7, were resolved through direct talks between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of the two countries.

At a press briefing on May 13, the Ministry of External Affairs had clarified that the understanding on the ceasefire, including its timing and wording, was finalised during a phone call between the two DGMOs on May 10 at 15:35 hours. The government reiterated that no other country played any role in facilitating the agreement.

Indian officials have repeatedly emphasised that all issues related to India and Pakistan are to be addressed bilaterally, without any external involvement.

China reiterates mediation claims

China’s assertion came through remarks by its foreign minister, who claimed that Beijing had mediated peace in several conflict zones, including between India and Pakistan, during a period marked by heightened global instability.

While outlining China’s foreign policy approach at a symposium in Beijing, he said China had taken what he described as an objective stance to address both immediate conflicts and their root causes, citing its role in easing tensions in multiple regions.

India has not accepted these claims, making it clear that the India-Pakistan ceasefire followed established military protocols and bilateral engagement alone.

China’s role during the conflict under scrutiny

China’s involvement during the May conflict has also come under international scrutiny. A recent report by a bipartisan US commission stated that Beijing used the four-day confrontation between India and Pakistan as an opportunity to test and showcase its modern defence systems.

The report noted that several Chinese-made weapons were used in active combat for the first time during the conflict, providing real-world operational data. It further claimed that China later explored the possibility of offering advanced military platforms to Pakistan in the weeks following the hostilities.

Chinese diplomatic missions reportedly highlighted the performance of these systems after the conflict, which the report suggested was aimed at boosting defence exports. Beijing, however, downplayed allegations that it treated the conflict as a “live laboratory” for its weapons, avoiding direct responses to remarks made by senior Indian military officials on the issue.

Indian defence leadership has stated that China extended extensive support to Pakistan during Operation Sindoor, describing Beijing’s approach as indirect and strategic, aimed at exerting pressure on India without direct involvement.

Bangladesh’s former prime minister Khaleda Zia will be laid to rest on Wednesday with full state honours, the interim government announced. The funeral will take place in Dhaka, with several foreign dignitaries expected to attend, including India’s external affairs minister S Jaishankar and Pakistan’s deputy prime minister and foreign minister Ishaq Dar.

Khaleda Zia, a three-time prime minister and longtime chief of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, died in Dhaka on Tuesday after a prolonged illness. She was 80.

Funeral prayers to be held after Zohr prayers

According to the interim government, Zia’s Namaz-e-Janaza will be held on Wednesday after Zohr prayers at the South Plaza of Parliament and the adjoining Manik Mia Avenue. Following the funeral prayers, she will be buried beside her husband, former president and BNP founder Ziaur Rahman, at Zia Udyan in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar.

The decision was taken at a special meeting of the interim government’s advisory council. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party was represented at the meeting by its secretary general, who attended as a special invitee.

Foreign leaders to attend funeral in Dhaka

Several foreign dignitaries are expected to attend the funeral ceremony. India’s external affairs minister S Jaishankar will travel to Dhaka on Wednesday to represent the government and people of India at the funeral.

Pakistan’s deputy prime minister and foreign minister Ishaq Dar is also scheduled to attend the Janaza, according to officials.

Bangladesh announces state mourning

Earlier, Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus announced three days of state mourning following the death of Khaleda Zia. A one-day general holiday has been declared on Wednesday, the day of her funeral prayers.

During the mourning period, the national flag will be flown at half-mast on all government, semi-government and autonomous institutions, educational institutions, and on government and private buildings across the country, as well as at Bangladesh missions abroad.

Special prayers will be organised in mosques nationwide for the eternal peace of Khaleda Zia, with similar prayers to be held at places of worship of other faiths. Condolence books will also be opened at Bangladesh missions abroad.

The government has assured full cooperation for all arrangements related to Zia’s funeral and burial.