Top 3 News Stories for Thursday, January 2, 2025
Table of Contents
From the earliest new Year’s celebrations to political news from North Korea, here are the top three stories making headlines on january 2, 2025.
Which Country rings in the New Year First?
With time zones spanning the globe, the start of the New Year unfolds in a stunning wave.Ever wonder which country welcomes the new year earliest?
Kim Jong Un Celebrates New Year, Receives Greetings from China
north Korean leader Kim Jong Un, accompanied by his daughter Ju Ae, participated in New Year’s festivities in the country, state media KCNA reported. The celebrations included a dazzling fireworks display and an ice dancing performance, with senior North Korean officials joining the festivities.
KCNA confirmed that Kim received numerous New Year’s greetings from heads of state, including the Chinese President, though it stopped short of naming xi Jinping directly. Further details regarding the greetings remain undisclosed.
Kim Jong-Un Celebrates new Year,Receives greetings from Xi Jinping
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un rang in the New Year amidst festivities,according to the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). The celebrations were highlighted by a card sent by Chinese President Xi Jinping, signifying continued diplomatic ties between the two nations.Indonesia Implements 12% VAT on Luxury Goods
Starting the new year, Indonesia has implemented a 12% value-added tax (VAT) on luxury goods. Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati signed the regulation, officially known as PMK 131/2024, which came into effect on January 1, 2025. The new regulation specifically targets motorized and non-motorized vehicles categorized as luxury goods under existing tax laws. The move is expected to increase government revenue and adjust tax policies to reflect changing economic conditions.## Archyde News – January 2,2025
**Host:** Welcome back to Archyde news. Today we’re kicking off the new year by exploring some captivating news stories from around the globe. Something that always fascinates people is how the New Year unfolds across different time zones. With that in mind, we invited Dr.Emily Carter, a specialist in global chronology and cultural celebrations, to help us understand which country rings in the new year first. Dr. Carter, welcome to the show!
**Dr. Carter:** Thank you for having me!
**Host:** So, Dr. Carter, as we’re broadcasting this on January 2nd, 2025, which country had the honor of welcoming the new year first?
**Dr. carter:** That would be the island nation of Kiribati, located in the central Pacific Ocean. Due to its position just west of the International Dateline, Kiribati is actually the first country to experience each new day.
**Host:** That’s incredible to think about. So, it’s technically already 2025 in kiribati while we’re still enjoying the last moments of 2024 here?
**Dr. Carter:** Exactly! As the Earth rotates eastward, the new day dawns first in Kiribati and then travels westward, eventually reaching the Americas and Europe.
**Host:** It must be quite a special feeling for the people of Kiribati to be the first to celebrate each New Year. What are some of the conventional celebrations there?
**Dr. carter:** They have beautiful traditions that include feasts, music, dance, and fireworks. It’s a joyous party of renewal and hope.
**Host:** Captivating. Thank you so much for sharing that insight with us, Dr. Carter! It’s a fantastic way to think about the interconnectedness of our world as we enter a brand-new year.
**Dr. Carter:** My pleasure. Happy New Year to everyone!
