United News of Bangladesh

As people in much of the US. pack away holiday decorations and settle back into normal routines after New Year’s, Louisiana is doing the opposite  gearing up for its most anticipated season of the year. Across the state, preparations are underway for Carnival, a festive, weeks-long celebration held before Lent. The season is marked by rich food, lavish balls and an ongoing lineup of large parades that take over city streets. Carnival is known for excess and spectacle: elaborate costumes, nonstop celebrations and countless strings of colorful plastic beads draped around revelers’ necks. It’s a time devoted to enjoyment before the more reflective period of Lent begins. Origins of CarnivalCarnival has deep roots in Christian, particularly Roman Catholic, traditions. It represents a time of eating, drinking and celebration leading up to Ash Wednesday, which signals the start of Lent  a season of fasting and spiritual preparation for Easter. Every year, more than a million visitors join Louisiana locals in New Orleans for the world-famous festivities. But Carnival isn’t confined to the city. Celebrations take place throughout Louisiana and across the Gulf Coast, including in Mobile, Alabama, home to what is considered the oldest Mardi Gras celebration in the U.S. Similar events are also held internationally, especially in parts of Europe and Brazil. Carnival vs. Mardi GrasWhile the terms are often used interchangeably, Carnival and Mardi Gras are not the same. Carnival refers to the entire season leading up to Lent. Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday is a single day that marks the final celebration before Lent begins. Mardi Gras always falls on the day before Ash Wednesday and serves as the grand finale of Carnival, offering one last chance for indulgence. Length of the SeasonCarnival officially begins on Jan. 6, known as Epiphany or Twelfth Night in the Catholic calendar. The season concludes on Mardi Gras, but the date changes each year because it depends on when Easter occurs. Mardi Gras can fall anytime between early February and early March. This year, Fat Tuesday lands on Feb. 17, making the Carnival season last 43 days. King Cake TraditionThe start of Carnival also signals the return of king cake, a beloved seasonal dessert. Bakeries known for their king cakes often draw long lines as people eagerly await the treat. The cake, typically made from sweet, brioche-style dough, is shaped like a ring and flavored with cinnamon. It’s decorated with purple, green and gold icing — the traditional Mardi Gras colors — and may be filled with fruit, nuts or cream cheese. Hidden inside is a small plastic baby figurine. Tradition holds that whoever finds it in their slice is responsible for buying the next cake or hosting the next party, keeping the celebrations going. Over time, king cake has evolved beyond tradition. Creative versions now include unconventional fillings such as boudin sausage or even sushi-inspired designs. Parades and “Throws”Carnival is perhaps best known for its spectacular parades. More than 80 parades are scheduled in and around New Orleans this season, many lasting several hours. These parades feature lively marching bands, dancers in costume and towering floats adorned with imaginative, handcrafted designs. Each parade has its own theme and personality — from all-women krewes and political satire to sci-fi themes featuring costumed characters. Some parades boast thousands of riders and dozens of floats, while others are charmingly small, with floats built from shoeboxes. Members of krewes the social organizations that organize parades — invest significant time and money preparing for the season. Their efforts are rewarded as crowds line the streets, often dressed in costumes themselves. Spectators eagerly reach for “throws,” the trinkets tossed from floats. These include beads, candy, cups and toys, along with prized items like decorated coconuts, hand-painted shoes and even glitter-covered plungers. One of the largest krewes, Endymion, estimates it distributes more than 15 million throws each year, living by its motto: “Throw ’til it Hurts.” Other Carnival TraditionsWhile parades and formal balls dominate popular images of Carnival, many communities observe unique traditions. In rural central Louisiana, people participate in the Courir de Mardi Gras, a Cajun French custom where masked revelers travel through the countryside singing, performing and asking for ingredients. They may even chase live chickens, all to gather supplies for a communal gumbo at the day’s end. Chinese Embassy holds ‘Happy Chinese New Year Festival’ Temple Fair at Gulshan Society Lake Park In New Orleans, another powerful tradition is practiced by Mardi Gras Indians — African Americans who create intricate suits adorned with beads and feathers. They parade through neighborhoods singing, dancing and drumming. This tradition dates back to at least the late 19th century and honors Native Americans who aided Black communities and escaped slaves. It also emerged during an era when segregation excluded Black residents from white-only parades.  

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has greeted Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on the ocassion of New Year-2025. "Best wishes for the New Year," Prime Minister Modi wrote to Prof Yunus. Chief Adviser's Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder confirmed it on Monday, noting that it came through diplomatic channel.  

The Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) witnessed sluggish trading activity, leading to a decline in the benchmark index in the first week of the new year. Market sentiment has yet to rebound from its prolonged depressed state in the absence of any strong positive catalyst to revive investor confidence. Despite a cautious sense of optimism among investors surrounding the finance adviser's meeting with capital market stakeholders, such optimism failed to sustain due to a lack of any concrete commitments that can restore the market's waning momentum. Moreover, concerns over higher inflation following the potential increase of VAT on certain goods and services also triggered further caution over the market's momentum. DSEX index gains 4.7 points in early trading Investors remained largely reluctant to make new investments in stocks due to the bleak market outlook amid the confidence crisis, said a leading stockbroker. Consequently, the market witnessed a dominant sell pressure and three trading days ended lower while two sessions managed to close positive. DSEX, the broad index of the Dhaka Stock Exchange, lost 5.2 points, or 0.1%, to settle at 5,194 points. Investor participation in the market also declined by 0.4% to Tk 3,466 million as compared to Tk 3,481 million in the previous week.It gained 15 points in the week before. DSEX index down by 5.77 points, prices of 214 stocks drop  The blue-chip DS30 index, a group of 30 prominent companies, also fell nearly 7 points to 1,924. However, the DSES index, which represents Shariah-based companies, rose almost 7 points to close at 1,162. Investors were mostly active in the Bank sector (17.9%), followed by the Pharma sector (13.7%) and the Engineering sector (9.1%). Sectors ended in mixed with the IT sector (4.3%) being the highest gainer and the Ceramic sector (2.8%) being the biggest loser. This week, the blue-chip stocks having significant influence on the DSE broad index experienced correction. Price erosion of selective stocks such as Islami Bank, Al-arafah Islami bank, BAT Bangladesh, BRAC bank and LafargeHolcim jointly accounted for a 22-point fall in the key index. Islami Bank, which plunged 3.54 percent this week, contributed a 12.9-point fall to the key index alone. The bank's stock closed at Tk 49.10 on Thursday. Al-Arafah Islami Bank, another blue chip stock, also accounted for 3.10 point fall of the prime index while BAT Bangladesh and Brac Bank accounted for 3.1 points and 2.5 points respectively to the key index. Turnover, a crucial indicator of the market, stood at Tk 1733 crores this week, up from Tk 1392 crores the previous week, as this week saw five trading days instead of previous week's four. Consequently, the average daily turnover dropped by 0.44 percent to Tk 346 crores, down from Tk 348 crores in the previous week Saiful Islam, president of DSE Brokers Association of Bangladesh (DBA), told UNB that the regulator has to take effective initiatives to boost investors’ trust. He said the general investors lost the trust in the market due to the long negligence of building a sustainable stock market.      

From Sydney to Vladivostok, communities around the world have begun welcoming 2025 with spectacular light shows, embraces and ice plunges. Auckland became the first major city to celebrate, as thousands thronged downtown or climbed the city’s ring of volcanic peaks for a fireworks vantage point. A light display recognized Indigenous people. Countries in the South Pacific Ocean are the first to ring in the New Year, with midnight in New Zealand striking 18 hours before the ball drop in Times Square in New York. Conflict muted acknowledgements of the new year in places like the Middle East, Sudan and Ukraine. Fireworks in Sydney Fireworks blasted off the Sydney Harbor Bridge and across the bay. More than a million Australians and others gathered at iconic Sydney Harbor for the celebration. British pop star Robbie Williams led a singalong with the crowd. The celebration also featured Indigenous ceremonies and performances that acknowledged the land’s first people. Asia prepares for Year of the Snake 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. Stores in Japan, which observes the zodiac cycle from Jan. 1, have been selling snake-themed products. 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 canceled during a period of national mourning following the Sunday crash of a Jeju Air flight at Muan that killed 179 people. In Thailand's Bangkok, shopping malls competed for crowds with live musical acts and fireworks shows. A performance by popular rap singer Lisa, the Thai member of the South Korean girl group Blackpink, was scheduled just before midnight. A fireworks display in Indonesia's Jakarta featured 800 drones. China and Russia exchange goodwill Chinese state media covered an exchange of New Year’s greetings between leader Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin in a reminder of growing closeness between the leaders who face tensions with the West. Xi told Putin their countries will “always move forward hand in hand,” the official Xinhua News Agency said. Read: A new year dawns on a Middle East torn by conflict and change China has maintained ties and robust trade with Russia since the latter invaded Ukraine in 2022, helping to offset Western sanctions and attempts to isolate Putin. Xi also addressed Taiwan, the self-ruled island claimed by Beijing: “We Chinese on both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to one and the same family. No one can ever sever the bond of kinship between us." In his address to the nation, Putin said Russia has “set big goals for ourselves and achieved them, and we overcame difficulties more than once because we were together.” Conflicts cast a shadow in the Middle East New Year’s celebrations were likely to be subdued in Israel as its war with Hamas continues and scores of hostages remain in captivity. Meanwhile, the extent of starvation has been hard to assess in northern Gaza, where thousands have fled an intensified Israeli military crackdown that aid groups say has allowed barely any delivery of support since October. Many areas in Lebanon were heavily damaged during the war between Israel and Hezbollah, which ended with a shaky ceasefire. Syrians, meanwhile, expressed hope and uncertainty after the overthrow of leader Bashar Assad. In Dubai, thousands are were attending a fireworks show at the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest skyscraper. A Holy Year begins Rome’s traditional New Year’s Eve festivities have an additional draw: the start of Pope Francis’ Holy Year, the once-every-quarter-century celebration projected to bring some 32 million pilgrims to the Eternal City in 2025. On Tuesday, Francis will celebrate a vespers at St. Peter’s Basilica, followed by Mass on Wednesday, when he is expected to again appeal for peace amid wars in Ukraine and the Middle East. Jan. 1 is a day of obligation for Catholics, marking the Solemnity of Mary. German leader calls for solidarity German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called on residents to stick together despite the country’s ailing economy and a deadly Christmas market attack that shocked the nation. “We are a country of togetherness. And we can draw strength from this — especially in difficult times like these,” Scholz said in a prerecorded speech. Paris recaptures the Olympic spirit Paris will cap a momentous 2024 with its traditional countdown and fireworks extravaganza on the Champs-Elysées. Read more: HC orders strict measures to prevent fireworks, gatherings on new year’s eve The Summer Olympics and Paralympic Games hosted in the French capital from July to September transformed the city into a site of joy, fraternity and astonishing sporting achievements. It also marked a milestone in its recovery from deadly extremist attacks in 2015 by al-Qaida and the Islamic State group. Britons face wintry weather London is due to ring in the New Year with a pyrotechnic display along the River Thames and a parade through the city center on Wednesday featuring 10,000 performers. With a storm bringing bitter weather to other parts of the United Kingdom, festivities in Edinburgh, Scotland — including the Hogmanay Street party and castle pyrotechnics show — were canceled. But in Switzerland and some other places people embraced the cold, stripping and plunging into the water in freezing temperatures. Rio expects 2 million revelers Rio de Janeiro will throw Brazil’s main New Year’s Eve bash on Copacabana Beach, with ferries offshore bearing 12 straight minutes of fireworks. Thousands of tourists in cruise ships will witness the show up close. More than 2 million people were expected at the Copacabana, hoping to squeeze into concerts by superstar Brazilian artists such as pop singer Anitta and Grammy-award winner Caetano Veloso. American traditions old and new In New York City, the organization managing Times Square has tested its famous ball drop and inspected 2025 numerals, lights and thousands of crystals as part of a tradition going back to 1907. This year’s celebration will include musical performances by TLC, Jonas Brothers, Rita Ora and Sophie Ellis-Bextor. Meanwhile, Las Vegas' pyrotechnic show will be on the Strip, with 340,000 people anticipated as fireworks are launched from the rooftops of casinos. Nearby, the massive Sphere venue will display for the first time countdowns to midnight in different time zones. In Pasadena, enthusiastic Rose Parade spectators were camping out and hoping for prime spots. And some 200,000 people were flocking to a party in Nashville, Tennessee, featuring a show by some of country music’s biggest stars. American Samoa will be among the last to welcome 2025, a full 24 hours after New Zealand.

In Damascus, the streets were buzzing with excitement Tuesday as Syrians welcomed in a new year that seemed to many to bring a promise of a brighter future after the unexpected fall of Bashar Assad’s government weeks earlier. While Syrians in the capital looked forward to a new beginning after the ousting of Assad, the mood was more somber along Beirut’s Mediterranean promenade, where residents shared cautious hopes for the new year, reflecting on a country still reeling from war and ongoing crises. War-weary Palestinians in Gaza who lost their homes and loved ones in 2024 saw little hope that 2025 would bring an end to their suffering. The last year was a dramatic one in the Middle East, bringing calamity to some and hope to others. Across the region, it felt foolish to many to attempt to predict what the next year might bring. In Damascus, Abir Homsi said she is optimistic about a future for her country that would include peace, security and freedom of expression and would bring Syrian communities previously divided by battle lines back together. “We will return to how we once were, when people loved each other, celebrated together whether it is Ramadan or Christmas or any other holiday — no restricted areas for anyone,” she said. But for many, the new year and new reality carried with it reminders of the painful years that came before. Abdulrahman al-Habib, from the eastern Syrian city of Deir el-Zour, had come to Damascus in hopes of finding relatives who disappeared after being arrested under Assad’s rule. He was at the capital’s Marjeh Square, where relatives of the missing have taken to posting photos of their loved ones in search of any clue to their whereabouts. “We hope that in the new year, our status will be better ... and peace will prevail in the whole Arab world,” he said. Read: Last functional hospital in Gaza torched In Lebanon, a tenuous ceasefire brought a halt to fighting between Israel and the Hezbollah militant group a little over a month ago. The country battered by years of economic collapse, political instability and a series of calamities since 2019, continues to grapple with uncertainty, but the truce has brought at least a temporary return to normal life. Some families flocked to the Mzaar Ski Resort in the mountains northeast of Beirut on Tuesday to enjoy the day in the snow even though the resort had not officially opened. “What happened and what’s still happening in the region, especially in Lebanon recently, has been very painful,” said Youssef Haddad, who came to ski with his family. “We have great hope that everything will get better.” On Beirut's seaside corniche, Mohammad Mohammad from the village of Marwahin in southern Lebanon was strolling with his three children. “I hope peace and love prevail next year, but it feels like more (challenges) await us,” he said. Mohammad was among the tens of thousands displaced during more than a year of conflict between Hezbollah and Israel. Now living in Jadra, a town that was also bombarded during the conflict, he awaits the end of a 60-day period, after which the Israeli army is required to withdraw under the conditions of a French and U.S.-brokered ceasefire. “Our village was completely destroyed,” Mohammad said. His family would spend a quiet evening at home, he said. This year "was very hard on us. I hope 2025 is better than all the years that passed.” In Gaza, where the war between Hamas and Israel has killed more than 45,500 Palestinians, brought massive destruction and displaced most of the enclave's population, few saw cause for optimism in the new year. Read more: US warns of a famine for north Gaza amid aid groups' concern “The year 2024 was one of the worst years for all Palestinian people. It was a year of hunger, displacement, suffering and poverty,” said Nour Abu Obaid, a displaced woman from northern Gaza. Obaid, whose 10-year-old child was killed in a strike in the so-called “humanitarian zone” in Muwasi, said she didn’t expect anything good in 2025. “The world is dead,” she said. “We do not expect anything, we expect the worst.” The war was sparked by the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack on southern Israel in which militants killed around 1,200 people and abducted some 250 others. Ismail Salih, who lost his home and livelihood, expressed hopes for an end to the war in 2025 so that Gaza's people can start rebuilding their lives. The year that passed “was all war and all destruction," he said. “Our homes are gone, our trees are gone, our livelihood is lost.” In the coming year, Salih said he hopes that Palestinians can “live like the rest of the people of the world, in security, reassurance and peace.”

Christmas and New Year's Eve mark a time of joy, celebration, and togetherness. This season invites opportunities for picnics, travel, and cherishing moments with family and friends. Around Dhaka, numerous picturesque spots offer ideal settings for day trips and vacation celebrations close to home. Discover the best places near Dhaka for day tours and staycations to make your festive season memorable. Top Locations Around Dhaka for Christmas & New Year Vacations . The Cottage House Nestled in the rustic area of Savar, Cottage House is a stunning guesthouse spanning an impressive 28,800 square feet. This state-of-the-art villa, located just an hour from Dhaka, boasts a 1,300-square-foot swimming pool, perfect for relaxation. Guests can unwind in two spacious air-conditioned rooms and enjoy amenities like barbecue facilities, open dining, and a badminton court. The lush green lawn, thoughtfully designed garden, and an artistic swing at its center elevate the aesthetic charm of this retreat. For those seeking luxury blended with tranquility, the Cottage House offers an ideal escape. The resort’s address is Plot 93B, Badda Bhatpara Road, Savar, Dhaka. The place is reachable through Savar's Bazar Road. Read more: Exploring Sreemangal: Top Destinations for an Unforgettable Travel Experience Mawa Thanks to the operational Bhanga Expressway, this busiest area has become a tourist hotspot. Known for its vibrant ferry ghat and the iconic Padma Bridge, the locality is ideal for day trips.  Visitors can savor freshly cooked Hilsa, enjoy boat rides on the Padma River, and return to Dhaka by evening. Sunset seekers are drawn to the captivating views of the mesmerizing and mighty Padma River, which add a touch of magic to the experience. One standout destination in Mawa is Project Hilsha at Louhajang, Munshiganj. This architectural marvel shaped like a Hilsa fish is more than a restaurant. It’s an attraction offering local and international cuisine alongside child-friendly rides. Read more: How to Visit Dinajpur's Kantajew Temple Shilbarir Heshel Located in the idyllic village of Nandankana, Sirajdikhan, Heshel of Shilbari is a unique venue that embodies rural elegance. Spread across 105 katha, this property features a charming courtyard surrounded by trees, a traditional wooden house inspired by Bikrampur's architectural style, and a serene pond. Dining here is an extraordinary experience, with food served on banana leaves placed over copper plates. All ingredients are locally sourced, and the meals are prepared by village women using clay stoves, giving guests an authentic taste of rural life. This resort remains open from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM. The trip to this place requires booking in advance for groups of 10 or more. The journey involves taking the Mawa-Bhanga Expressway, exiting at Abdullahpur, and continuing through Nimtala Bazar and Birtara Road. Boat Trip on Shitalakshya  For those who enjoy the serenity of rivers, a day-long tour over the Shitalakshya River and adjacent tourist spots can be an idyllic escape. Departures from Shimulia Ghat or Brahmankhali Ghat in Purbachal Sector-4 include trawlers and cruises for hourly rentals. Nearby attractions include Noapara BSCIC Jamdani Palli, renowned for exquisite handwoven sarees, and Murapara Zamindar Bari, a historic mansion in Rupganj of Narayanganj. Read more: How to Visit Kotka Beach at Sundarbans Visitors can also explore the Kanchan Marina and Ostrich Harbor, home to the vintage paddle steamer PS Ostrich, a relic of Bangladesh's maritime history. Jal Kachari Resort Located at Hazratpur in Keraniganj upazila, this blissful hideout offers an unparalleled riverside retreat. Its most enchanting feature is the sweeping view of the Dhaleshwari River.  This resort boasts vibrantly painted red-and-white tin-roofed Praneshwari Cottage and two elegantly designed sunrooms. The Gangchil platform, a floating structure right on the river, provides an intimate space to experience the tranquil surroundings. Read more: Essential Snake Safety Tips for Hiking, Trekking, Camping, and Traveling Guests can indulge in local cuisine enriched with authentic techniques on earthen stoves, savoring traditional flavors amidst the pristine greenery. What’s more? The boat rides allow visitors to enjoy the river's magnificent beauty more joyously. Jal Kachari Resort is just an hour’s drive from Mohammadpur via Kalatia Road. This place is perfect for those seeking a peaceful yet culturally rich getaway.

As 2024 winds down, the arrival of 2025 offers a fresh slate to set new goals, embrace change, and build momentum in both personal and professional endeavors. Whether you’re planning to level up your career, focus on health, or strengthen relationships, the new year is a perfect opportunity to realign and recharge. Here are actionable tips to help you start 2025 with clarity, motivation, and a renewed sense of purpose. Ways to Prepare for the New Year . Reflect on Successes Before preparing for the new year, look back on the small to big accomplishments in the passing year of 2024. Feeling content for successes in your personal life, academic, or professional career will boost your confidence and encourage you to start 2025 with determination. Review Unfulfilled Goals and Challenges Take time to look at the resolutions and goals of 2024. It is quite normal to have unfulfilled dreams and uncherished desires this year. Try to recognize shortcomings in efforts and identify challenges. This can prevent you from making similar mistakes. Thus, you can overcome the passing year’s challenges and set attainable goals for the year ahead. Read Social Media Addiction: How to detach yourself from the cycle Start Gratitude Journaling  In the coming year, you can start the habit of journaling. Nowadays, many free Android and iOS apps are available for online journaling. Those are simple to use. You can also maintain a paper diary for this purpose. You can write down moments of happiness and gratitude due to achievements in your personal life, academics, or professional career. Any memorable incident, such as an exciting traveling experience, that occurred in the passing year can also be mentioned in the journal. A grateful mind will help you start the new year with an optimistic mindset. Set Attainable Goals New Year's resolutions often remain unfulfilled because people tend to set big, hard-to-achieve, overwhelming, and sometimes unrealistic goals. To avoid this, consider what you want to accomplish in your personal, academic, and professional life in 2025. Now, break down big goals into smaller, achievable steps or objectives. Focus on mental health, physical health, career, relationships, learning, etc. Read How to let go of a lifelong dream and embrace a new one? Depending on specific goals, the objectives may involve actions like yoga, meditation, seeking therapy, reducing stress, joining a gym, fostering better work-life balance, learning new skills, aiming for a promotion or scholarship, pursuing new opportunities, etc. Declutter Physical and Digital Spaces A clean and tidy environment in your living and workspace can help you create a fresh start for the New Year.  You can schedule time to clean different rooms and areas of your home. The free spaces, empty walls, and cleaned areas can be used for diverse purposes, like adding handy furniture or simply doing artistic decoration. Decluttering your wardrobe is also necessary to separate old and unused clothes and accessories. You can send those for donations or resell. Read IKIGAI: The Japanese Secret to a Long Healthy life Removing unwanted gadgets and documents can give you scope to decorate your office or workspace smartly. Furthermore, digital decluttering like cleaning up your email inbox, updating old software, and backing up necessary files can make the screens and interfaces of your smartphone, laptop, and computer safer, more user-friendly, and more organized. Set Financial Plan Skillfully Review your finances for the passing year of 2024. Check the inventories of your earnings, expenditures, and savings. Try to find the sectors of overspending so that you can avoid wasting money on the same things in 2025. It would be wise to set a budget and plan for any upcoming expenses. Nowadays, many financial management apps are available on Google Play and iOS platforms that can help you manage finances in everyday life. Moreover, look for new possibilities of additional income opportunities and more savings in the coming year. Setting achievable and organised financial goals can help you increase your bank credits at the end of the year. Read How to find your passion for a more fulfilling career?

At the dawn of another year, setting financial resolutions becomes crucial for a stable future. It can serve as a roadmap towards economic well-being, empowering individuals to manage money more effectively. Proper management of expenses aids in reducing debt, making savings, and creating new investment windows. Prioritising financial goals ensures a more organised and secure financial journey. Overall, it fosters the path towards achieving long-term aspirations. Let’s take a look at some practical resolutions to manage your finances in 2024. Top 10 Financial New Year’s Resolutions and Ways to Fulfil Them Creating a Budget and Sticking to It Creating a proper budget is key to managing money smartly. Try using apps or spreadsheets to split your money between what you need, what you want to save, and what you can spend on non-essential or luxury things.  By keeping a close eye on your spending and sticking to your budget, you can avoid spending money on things you do not need. It helps you keep your expenses within your budget. Read more: 10 Foods to Eat for Good Luck in New Year Practising Mindful Spending Being mindful about spending means making choices that align with your goals and it leads to a more stable financial future. It is very important to take a mindful approach to spending by thinking before you buy. Try to focus on what you truly need rather than what you want right now. You may consider if your purchase brings long-term benefits. This way of spending helps you control your money better and keeps you on track to reach your financial aims.  Paying off Debts and Loans One should make it a priority to clear off debts with high interest rates as they can weigh one down financially. For instance, credit card debt needs to be paid in due time to avoid fines. To repay big debts arranging money from savings or low-interest loans can be considered depending on the situation.  In the new year, one can prepare a repayment plan to settle all debts and get financial freedom. Read more: 5 New Year Resolutions that are actually achievable Building an Emergency Fund Life can surprise us, so it is wise to have a safety net for unexpected costs. Try to stash away money for an emergency fund that can cover living expenses for three to six months if needed. You may look into FD or DPS packages offered by different banks or financial institutions. This practice can help you save more money while making sure you can access them easily.  Whenever you hit a milestone on your savings journey, take a moment to celebrate your progress towards your financial safety net.

The advent of a new year is celebrated around the world expecting a healthy and prosperous future ahead. In this celebration, people love to enjoy some quality time with family and friends in a joyous ambiance. Centering this event hotels and restaurants are offering lucrative offers for dinners and staycation. Let’s take a look at some events and parties in Dhaka on New Year’s Eve. New Year Festivities and Parties in Dhaka on December 31st Night Revibe Parties by Radisson Blu Dhaka’s Radisson Blu Water Garden has arranged the "Revibe Gala Dinner 31st Party'' in Utshab Hall and the "Winter Revibe Party" in the Ballroom, hosted by ReConnect Multimedia.  On offer is live music, and a dazzling array of entertainment, including fashion shows, celebrity dances, salsa, hip hop, laser shows, and belly dance. The Grand Ballroom and Utshab Hall present distinct celebrations, each offering a unique experience.  Tickets range from 3500 BDT to 10000 BDT. The minimum age requirement is 18, and the dress code mandates chic and sassy for ladies and a jacket or suit for gentlemen. Read more: 10 Foods to Eat for Good Luck in New Year Pankouri New Year Fiesta 2024 If you are looking for a family-centric celebration for an unforgettable evening, check out ‘The Pankouri New Year Fiesta 2024’. Organised by Pankouri An Indigenous Dine Out, the event aims to create meaningful moments for families.  Scheduled for December 31, 2023, starting at 8 PM at Pankouri Restaurant, the fiesta offers an exclusive experience with live music, DJ Vicky spinning 80s beats, a delectable buffet and live BBQ —all within a smoke and alcohol-free environment.  The event emphasises a joyous celebration for singles, couples and families with kids.  Tickets are available for those eager to welcome the New Year surrounded by family warmth. The ticket price for singles and couples is BDT 3000 and 6000 respectively. For a family with two children the ticket price is BDT 8000.  Read more: The Enduring Lessons of Christmas: Embracing Kindness, Hope and Renewal Galactic Night by Le Méridien  Do you want to welcome the new year in a cosmic environment with stellar vibes? Hosted by AllEvents.in, Le Méridien Dhaka’s Galactic Night event is set to entertain the guests with music under a celestial sky. 

The world population grew by 75 million people over the past year and on New Year's Day it will stand at more than 8 billion people, according to figures released by the U.S. Census Bureau on Thursday. The worldwide growth rate in the past year was just under 1%. At the start of 2024, 4.3 births and two deaths are expected worldwide every second, according to the Census Bureau figures. Trump is blocked from the GOP primary ballot in two states. Can he still run for president? The growth rate for the United States in the past year was 0.53%, about half the worldwide figure. The U.S. added 1.7 million people and will have a population on New Year's Day of 335.8 million people. If the current pace continues through the end of the decade, the 2020s could be the slowest-growing decade in U.S. history, yielding a growth rate of less than 4% over the 10-year-period from 2020 to 2030, said William Frey, a demographer at The Brookings Institution. Israeli strikes across Gaza kill dozens of Palestinians, even in largely emptied north The slowest-growing decade currently was in the aftermath of the Great Depression in the 1930s, when the growth rate was 7.3%. "Of course growth may tick up a bit as we leave the pandemic years. But it would still be difficult to get to 7.3%," Frey said. Maine bars Trump from ballot as US Supreme Court weighs states' authority to block former president At the start of 2024, the United States is expected to experience one birth every nine seconds and one death every 9.5 seconds. However, immigration will keep the population from dropping. Net international migration is expected to add one person to the U.S. population every 28.3 seconds. This combination of births, deaths and net international migration will increase the U.S. population by one person every 24.2 seconds.