New Year's Eve
Confetti lies on the street after the Times Square New Year's Eve ball dropped in a nearly empty Times Square early Friday, Jan. 1, 2021, as the area normally packed with revelers was closed because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle)
Homebound viewers boost New Year's Eve ratings; a CNN high

By Lynn Elber Jan. 06, 2021 09:01 PM EST

Manchester City's Benjamin Mendy, left, challenges for the ball with Fulham's Mario Lemina during an English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Fulham at the Etihad stadium in Manchester, England, Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)
Guardiola rebukes Mendy but claims many break virus rules

By Rob Harris Jan. 03, 2021 06:45 AM EST

NYC deputy sheriffs shut down illegal New Year's Eve parties

Jan. 01, 2021 04:15 PM EST
NEW YORK (AP) — The New York City Sheriff's Department shut down a series of illegal New Year's Eve parties for violating coronavirus restrictions, operating...

Florida won't announce new COVID-19 cases on New Year's Day

Jan. 01, 2021 02:53 PM EST
TALLAHASSE, Fla. (AP) — Florida health officials said Friday they will not report new cases of coronavirus in observance of the New Year's Day holiday. ...

A combo image showing a general view of the Champs Elysees avenue in Paris very early on New Year's Day Friday, Jan. 1, 2021, and the bottom one the same location packed with revelers early on Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2020. As the world says goodbye to 2020, there will be countdowns and live performances, but no massed jubilant crowds in traditional gathering spots like the Champs Elysees in Paris and New York City's Times Square this New Year's Eve. The virus that ruined 2020 has led to cancelations of most fireworks displays and public events in favor of made-for-TV-only moments in party spots like London and Rio de Janeiro. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus, Christophe Ena)
AP PHOTOS: Then-and-now images show New Year's Eve contrast

Jan. 01, 2021 10:30 AM EST

Vermonters encouraged to start the new year with a hike

Jan. 01, 2021 10:11 AM EST
MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — The Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation is encouraging Vermonters to celebrate the new year with a first day hike. ...

First Day Hike tradition continues, with virus precautions

Jan. 01, 2021 09:56 AM EST
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — The First Day Hike tradition is continuing in Rhode Island for 2021, but with several changes because of the coronavirus pandemic,...

Muted by curfew, Key West revelers party on until 10 p.m.

Jan. 01, 2021 07:21 AM EST
KEY WEST, Fla. (AP) — A local curfew muted the New Year's celebration in Key West, forcing the festivities to end well before midnight. The...

Two people stand in an empty St.Peter's Square, at the Vatican, as Pope Francis recites the Angelus noon prayer in his studio Friday, Jan. 1, 2021. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Pope pushes through nerve pain to give New Year's blessing

Jan. 01, 2021 07:05 AM EST

A municipal worker uses his mobile phone in the Old City of Jerusalem, Monday, Dec. 28, 2020 during a third lockdown to curb the spread of the coronavirus. In the early days of the pandemic, a panicked Israel began using a mass surveillance tool on its own people, tracking civilians’ mobile phones to halt the spread of the coronavirus. But months later, the tool’s effectiveness is being called into question and critics say its use has come at an immeasurable cost to the country’s democratic principles. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo)
The Latest: S Korea extends distancing rules for 2 weeks

By The Associated Press Jan. 01, 2021 04:08 AM EST

Utah leader asks people to reconsider New Year's Eve plans

By Sophia Eppolito Dec. 31, 2020 05:13 PM EST
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Utah's incoming governor urged residents to not attend any large New Year's Eve gatherings Thursday as newly reported coronavirus cases...

FILE- IN this Jan. 1, 2020 file photo, fireworks for New Year's Eve erupt over the Strip as viewed from the VooDoo Rooftop Nightclub & Lounge at Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino on in Las Vegas. If ever a year's end seemed like cause for celebration, 2020 might be it. Yet the coronavirus scourge that dominated the year is also looming over New Year's festivities and forcing officials worldwide to tone them down. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP, File)
Despite virus, thousands celebrate New Year's Eve in Vegas

By Michelle L. Price Dec. 31, 2020 10:22 AM EST

Seventh Avenue is mostly empty during what would normally be a Times Square packed with people in New York, late Thursday, Dec. 31, 2020, as celebrations have been truncated this New Year's Eve due to the ongoing pandemic. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle)
Bomb-sniffing dogs? Check. Times Square crowd? Not this year

By Robert Bumsted And Jim Mustian Dec. 31, 2020 07:09 AM EST

Security officials wear masks at the entrance to the Viejas Casino and Resort as it reopens Monday, May 18, 2020, in Alpine, Calif. The casino is one of several on tribal lands in Southern California set to reopen this week. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Some California tribal casinos ring in 2021 as virus spreads

By Elliot Spagat Dec. 31, 2020 12:04 AM EST

"Welcome 2021" is projected onto the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin on Thursday, Dec. 31, 2020. The New Year's Eve party at the historic landmark has been cancelled due to coronavirus pandemic. (Christoph Soeder/dpa via AP)
New Year's revelries muted by virus as curtain draws on 2020

By Frank Jordans And Derek Gatopoulos Dec. 31, 2020 12:02 AM EST

Ellison files suit to halt Winnebago New Year's Eve event

Dec. 30, 2020 04:40 PM EST
WINNEBAGO, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison said Wednesday he wants to shut down a planned New Year's Eve party in Winnebago because it...

Nurse manager Rob Treiber receives a COVID-19 vaccine at Hebrew Rehabilitation Center, Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2020, in Boston. Waiting their turns are PCA Arlene Brade, housekeeper Jose Perla, and chief medical officer Dr. Helen Chen. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
State's death toll surpasses 12,000 as vaccinations continue

By Mark Pratt Dec. 30, 2020 10:18 AM EST

FILE - In this Dec. 31, 2011, file photo, David Greenham, of Readfield, Maine, reacts after taking a plunge with about 100 others participating in the annual Polar Bear Plunge at the East End Beach in Portland, Maine. The tradition of taking an icy plunge into the ocean to ring in 2021 is going virtual during the coronavirus pandemic. (John Patriquin/Portland Press Herald via AP)
Virtually shivering: Crowded Jan. 1 polar plunges put on ice

By David Sharp Dec. 30, 2020 08:18 AM EST

A promoter talks about the COVID-19 vaccine produced by Sinopharm subsidiary CNBG during a trade fair in Beijing on Sunday, Sept. 6, 2020. The Chinese drugmaker said Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2020 its coronavirus vaccine was found to be 79.3% effective at preventing infection in preliminary data from the final round of testing, moving Beijing closer to possibly being able to fulfill its pledge to supply other developing countries.(AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
Asia Today: Thailand reports 250 new coronavirus cases

Dec. 30, 2020 04:59 AM EST

FILE- IN this Jan. 1, 2020 file photo, fireworks for New Year's Eve erupt over the Strip as viewed from the VooDoo Rooftop Nightclub & Lounge at Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino on in Las Vegas. If ever a year's end seemed like cause for celebration, 2020 might be it. Yet the coronavirus scourge that dominated the year is also looming over New Year's festivities and forcing officials worldwide to tone them down. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP, File)
After a year like this, expect a strange New Year's Eve

By Jennifer Peltz Dec. 30, 2020 04:18 AM EST