The first to welcome 2026 were Oceania and Asia, where celebrations are accompanied by pyrotechnic shows and traditional rituals. New Zealand greeted the year with a five-minute fireworks display over Sky Tower, while Sydney honored the victims of the terrorist attack with a minute of silence and projections on the Harbour Bridge.
Japan, South and North Korea officially entered the New Year. Traditional ceremonies were held in Seoul and Japan, and a large-scale fireworks display in Pyongyang.
Residents of Australia and New Zealand welcomed the New Year 2026, thousands of people took to the streets of cities, including Canberra and Wellington. In Sydney, where a terrorist attack previously occurred, about 1 million people watched the fireworks under close police supervision.
Since PURL was launched in August, 24 countries have joined it, and the total amount of contributions is $4. 3 billion. This allows for the purchase of American weapons, including missiles for Patriots, and strengthening Ukraine's defense.
New Year on the planet lasts almost a day, starting from the Line Islands in the Pacific Ocean and ending in Samoa. Find out the exact time of the 2026 New Year celebration in different countries of the world according to Kyiv time.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed decrees on synchronizing sanctions with Great Britain against 8 individuals and 40 legal entities involved in the deportation of children and the supply of components for Russian weapons. Ukraine also imposed sanctions against 8 military leaders of South Sudan in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions.
Santa Claus and his reindeer have embarked on a round-the-world journey to deliver gifts, having already made stops in New Zealand and Australia. The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) is tracking his route.
The US dollar weakened on Wednesday, poised for its biggest annual drop since 2017, as investors anticipate further Fed rate cuts. The euro and pound sterling strengthened, reaching new three-month highs.
The "Ramstein-32" meeting brought Ukraine record financial commitments for 2026, including 11. 5 billion euros from Germany and 7 billion dollars from Norway. Partner countries also transferred new Patriot and IRIS-T air defense systems, and allocated funds for drones, artillery, and ammunition.
The Russian Federation has been recognized as the least peaceful country on the planet, taking last place in the annual Global Peace Index (GPI) report. Ukraine and Sudan also made it into the top three most dangerous states.
A shooting occurred on Bondi Beach in Sydney during a Jewish Hanukkah holiday event. At least 11 people were killed and dozens were injured, prompting shock and condolences from world leaders.
Around 600 artifacts were stolen from the British Empire and Commonwealth Collection of the Bristol Museum on September 25. Avon and Somerset Police appealed to the public for help, releasing photographs of four suspects in the theft.
New Zealand is allocating $15 million to a program for the procurement of American weapons for Ukraine. This contribution is part of Ukraine's Priority Urgent Requirements List (PURL) and will only be used to purchase weapons or equipment that comply with the country's international obligations.
In New Zealand, a man swallowed a Fabergé pendant worth 33,000 New Zealand dollars in a store. Police are waiting for the jewelry to pass naturally, and the suspect will appear in court on December 8.
Airlines worldwide have canceled hundreds of flights due to a serious software glitch in Airbus SE, threatening to disrupt the holiday travel season. The European aviation safety regulator is demanding a software update for over 6,500 A320 aircraft, some of which will require grounding for repairs.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be held simultaneously in Canada, Mexico, and the USA for the first time, across 16 stadiums, with 48 teams participating. The final will be hosted at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, and Ukraine will play in the qualification playoffs.
Switzerland has allocated almost $12 million to the World Bank fund to support the restoration of the Ukrainian healthcare system. The funds will be directed to a project to expand access to medical services, restore and modernize hospitals, and provide them with modern equipment.
OpenAI has begun a global rollout of group chats in ChatGPT, allowing up to 20 participants to collaboratively formulate queries and respond to messages. This feature is available to all users, regardless of their subscription plan, after a week of testing in four countries.
Gaming giant Roblox Corp. will introduce mandatory facial recognition or ID verification next month for players who wish to access chat features. This innovation aims to prevent children under nine from chatting without parental consent and to limit communication between adults and minors online.
UNN offers a selection of five iconic films from the early 2000s, including "Gladiator," "The Departed," and "The Dark Knight. " These films shaped modern cinema and remain captivating to watch.
US Treasurer Brandon Beach minted the last five one-cent coins, ending 232 years of penny production. This decision was made due to rising production costs and changing consumer habits.
A forest fire broke out in Tongariro National Park in New Zealand, covering 1600 hectares. 49 tourists have been evacuated, and rescuers are working to contain the fire.
President Zelenskyy accepted credentials from the newly appointed ambassadors of Great Britain, New Zealand, Chile, and Somalia. Support for Ukraine, strengthening sanctions against Russia, and the development of bilateral relations were discussed.
The Philippines and Canada have signed a visiting forces agreement to enhance security cooperation and counter China's activities in the South China Sea. This pact allows for joint exercises, military presence, and expanded defense cooperation.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Russia's shadow fleet numbers more than 1,500 vessels, of which 340 are key, and 65 require immediate sanctions. Canada, Britain, Australia, Japan, and the EU are helping with this by reducing imports from the Russian Federation.
New Zealand imposes sanctions on 65 more shadow fleet vessels and entities from Belarus, Iran, and North Korea.
In New Zealand, a 13-year-old boy underwent complex surgery after swallowing up to 100 neodymium magnets purchased online. The magnets clumped together inside his intestines, forming four metallic chains that caused tissue damage.
Mosquitoes, specifically the species Culiseta annulata, have been recorded in Iceland for the first time, a phenomenon linked to global warming. Three specimens were discovered in the Kjós region, which may indicate the species' establishment in the country.
Tropical Storm Melissa, the 13th Atlantic storm of 2025, threatens severe flooding and landslides in Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, and Aruba. Melissa's wind speeds reach 80 km/h, and meteorologists warn of dangerous weather throughout the weekend.
A hurricane has hit New Zealand, causing transport and power disruptions. In the country's capital, a man died due to a broken branch, and over 10,000 homes were left without electricity.
