People across the world are celebrating the arrival of 2025 in various ways.
In Thailand, the Menam River in Bangkok hosted a fireworks show as the clock struck midnight that ushered in the first day of 2025. The fireworks illuminated a 1,400-meter canvas of the night sky, painting a vivid tapestry that spanned five kilometers along the river.
Approximately 100,000 locals and foreign visitors gathered there to greet the new year.
"The New Year's Day is a happy holiday. Thai people worked hard throughout the year, and this day is for us to take a rest and have family reunions," said a Thai.
"I wish my family and friends to stay healthy," said a Chinese tourist.
A bustling night market along the river attracted tourists eager to savor local delicacies.
In a commercial street near the Naritasan Temple in Narita, Japan, dozens of shops offer a variety of festival goods, including blessing ornaments and Daruma dolls that symbolize good fortune.
Tourists have crowded the area to pray for good luck and shop for the New Year.
Japanese consumers are expected to spend an average of 43,000 yen (about 274 U.S. dollars) per person on tourism during the 2025 New Year holiday, marking a record high, according to industry data.
At a coastal tourist destination in Cape Town, South Africa, tens of thousands of tourists gathered for grand celebrations for the New Year.
"We are from the Netherlands celebrating the start of 2025. Everybody happy New Year," said a Dutch tourist.
As night fell, the brightly lit streets, dynamic music and lively performances infuse the city with a festive atmosphere around the corner of every New Year, fascinating tourists from across the world.
In Paris, France, fireworks lit up the sky over the Arc de Triomphe to greet the New Year on the Champs-Elysees Avenue.
The celebrations started at 19:00 on the last day of 2024, featuring music performances, light shows and fireworks display at midnight.
New Year celebrated across world
The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.
In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.
"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.
Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."
Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.
President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.
Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.
Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests
