<p>More than 371,500 babies were born worldwide on New Year's Day and India is estimated to have recorded the highest number of births at around 60,000, according to the UN's children's agency.</p>

<p>UNICEF said that an estimated 371,504 babies were born around the world on New Year's Day.</p>

<p>Fiji in the Pacific was projected to have welcomed 2021's first baby while the United States would welcome its last.</p>

<p>Globally, over half of these births are estimated to have taken place in 10 countries: India (59,995), China (35,615), Nigeria (21,439), Pakistan (14,161), Indonesia (12,336), Ethiopia (12,006), the United States (10,312), Egypt (9,455), Bangladesh (9,236) and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (8,640), it said.</p>

<p>In total, an estimated 140 million children will be born in 2021 and their average life expectancy is expected to be 84 years, the UN agency said.</p>

<p>"The children born today enter a world far different than even a year ago, and a New Year brings a new opportunity to reimagine it," UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore said, calling on nations to make 2021 the year they start to build a fairer, safer, healthier world for children.</p>

<p>The year 2021 will also mark the 75th anniversary of UNICEF.</p>

<p>Over the course of the year, UNICEF and its partners will be commemorating the anniversary with events and announcements celebrating three-quarters of a century of protecting children from conflict, disease and exclusion and championing their right to survival, health and education.</p>

<p>"Today, as the world faces a global pandemic, economic slowdown, rising poverty and deepening inequality, the need for UNICEF's work is as great as ever," said Fore.</p>

<p>"For the last 75 years, throughout conflicts, displacements, natural disasters and crises, UNICEF has been there for the world's children.</p>

<p>As a New Year dawns, we renew our commitment to protect children, to speak up for their rights, and to make sure their voices are heard, no matter where they live," Fore said.</p>

<p>In response to the global pandemic, UNICEF launched the Reimagine campaign, a global effort to prevent the COVID-19 pandemic from becoming a lasting crisis for children.</p>

<p>Through the campaign, UNICEF is issuing an urgent appeal to governments, the public, donors and the private sector to join UNICEF as it seeks to respond, recover and reimagine a better, post-pandemic world.</p>

<p>For the estimates, UNICEF used vital registration and nationally representative household survey data to estimate the monthly and daily fractions of births in countries.</p>

<p>UNICEF used the annual live births numbers and period life expectancy from the latest revision of the UN's World Population Prospects (2019) to estimate the babies born on January 1, 2021 and their cohort life expectancy.</p>


More than 371,500 babies were born worldwide on New Year's Day and India is estimated to have recorded the highest number of births at around 60,000, according to the UN's children's agency.

More than 371,500 babies were born worldwide on New Year's Day and India is estimated to have recorded the highest number of births at around 60,000, according to the UN's children's agency. UNICEF said that an estimated 371,504 babies were born around the world on New Year's Day. Fiji in the Pacific was projected to have welcomed 2021's first baby while the United States would welcome its last. Globally, over half of these births are estimated to have taken place in 10 countries: India (59,995), China (35,615), Nigeria (21,439), Pakistan (14,161), Indonesia (12,336), Ethiopia (12,006), the United States (10,312), Egypt (9,455), Bangladesh (9,236) and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (8,640), it said. In total, an estimated 140 million children will be born in 2021 and their average life expectancy is expected to be 84 years, the UN agency said. "The children born today enter a world far different than even a year ago, and a New Year brings a new opportunity to reimagine it," UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore said, calling on nations to make 2021 the year they start to build a fairer, safer, healthier world for children. The year 2021 will also mark the 75th anniversary of UNICEF. Over the course of the year, UNICEF and its partners will be commemorating the anniversary with events and announcements celebrating three-quarters of a century of protecting children from conflict, disease and exclusion and championing their right to survival, health and education. "Today, as the world faces a global pandemic, economic slowdown, rising poverty and deepening inequality, the need for UNICEF's work is as great as ever," said Fore. "For the last 75 years, throughout conflicts, displacements, natural disasters and crises, UNICEF has been there for the world's children. As a New Year dawns, we renew our commitment to protect children, to speak up for their rights, and to make sure their voices are heard, no matter where they live," Fore said. In response to the global pandemic, UNICEF launched the Reimagine campaign, a global effort to prevent the COVID-19 pandemic from becoming a lasting crisis for children. Through the campaign, UNICEF is issuing an urgent appeal to governments, the public, donors and the private sector to join UNICEF as it seeks to respond, recover and reimagine a better, post-pandemic world. For the estimates, UNICEF used vital registration and nationally representative household survey data to estimate the monthly and daily fractions of births in countries. UNICEF used the annual live births numbers and period life expectancy from the latest revision of the UN's World Population Prospects (2019) to estimate the babies born on January 1, 2021 and their cohort life expectancy.

At nearly 60,000, India records highest number of babies born on New Year's Day: UNICEF

New Year 2021: Priyanka Chopra to Kareena Kapoor, B-town celebs extend warm wishes

<p>With a resolve to overcome personal health struggles that came their way in 2020, almost four in five people (80.5 per cent) of respondents in a new survey say they feel more inspired to make a health goal in 2021, such as weight loss (34.2 per cent), building muscle (22 per cent), emphasizing mental health (12.5 per cent).<br />
<br />
According to the Life Time survey, a majority of people have reported gaining weight, losing muscle and struggling with their mental health during the past year. Nearly 86 per cent said they missed their in-person workout communities.<br />
<br />
Six in ten people say they`re sitting more than they did pre-pandemic with 30.8 per cent saying they sit more than eight hours a day. For those who previously commuted to work, they`re "redeeming" their commute time in a variety of ways: catching up on sleep, spending more time with family, finding more time for exercise, and eating more thoughtful meals they`ve planned.<br />
<br />
Overall results point to the pandemic having a substantial negative impact on the health and fitness habits for most. Nearly 70 per cent of respondents said their personal health has been negatively impacted this year. Top reasons cited for the negative impact include overall stress from pandemic, the closure of gyms, and working from home leading to less motivation to exercise.<br />
<br />
Additionally, three-fourths believe that health clubs are essential businesses and should remain open during the pandemic.<br />
<br />
With the `new year, new me` attitude kicking in most people, it seems they are motivated to regain their health and fitness in the New Year.<br />
<br />
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With a resolve to overcome personal health struggles that came their way in 2020, almost four in five people (80.5 per cent) of respondents in a new survey say they feel more inspired to make a health goal in 2021, such as weight loss (34.

With a resolve to overcome personal health struggles that came their way in 2020, almost four in five people (80.5 per cent) of respondents in a new survey say they feel more inspired to make a health goal in 2021, such as weight loss (34.2 per cent), building muscle (22 per cent), emphasizing mental health (12.5 per cent). According to the Life Time survey, a majority of people have reported gaining weight, losing muscle and struggling with their mental health during the past year. Nearly 86 per cent said they missed their in-person workout communities. Six in ten people say they`re sitting more than they did pre-pandemic with 30.8 per cent saying they sit more than eight hours a day. For those who previously commuted to work, they`re "redeeming" their commute time in a variety of ways: catching up on sleep, spending more time with family, finding more time for exercise, and eating more thoughtful meals they`ve planned. Overall results point to the pandemic having a substantial negative impact on the health and fitness habits for most. Nearly 70 per cent of respondents said their personal health has been negatively impacted this year. Top reasons cited for the negative impact include overall stress from pandemic, the closure of gyms, and working from home leading to less motivation to exercise. Additionally, three-fourths believe that health clubs are essential businesses and should remain open during the pandemic. With the `new year, new me` attitude kicking in most people, it seems they are motivated to regain their health and fitness in the New Year.

New Year motivates majority of people to 'make a health goal'

<p>Singer Camila Cabello ringed in the new year with a lot of hope and a wish for a peaceful world. Taking to Instagram, the&nbsp;pop star extended New Year greetings to her fans along with a picture that features her snuggling with her pet dog.<br />
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&nbsp;</p>

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<p>The `Senorita` star wrote, "May we all be happy and peaceful. May we all be healthy and safe. May we all be free from suffering and fear. May we all be strong and feel like we belong."<br />
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<p><br />
<br />
Earlier, Cabello took the limelight on social media by sharing a picture with boyfriend and singer Shawn Mendes where they were seen canoodling with each other. The duo even&nbsp;dropped new music for fans ahead of the holiday season. The real-life couple released their version of the classic ‘The Christmas Song’ in December 2020.</p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZF2NHGrRyG0" width="560"></iframe></p>

<p>Sharing the same, Camila Cabello wrote, "This has been such a crazy year with so many challenges. This holiday season, it is more important than ever to spread love and kindness to everyone! Shawn and I wanted to send all our love to you amazing humans so we put together something special for you, our rendition of #TheChristmasSong.”</p>

<p>She added, "We love you all so much and hope you get to enjoy this song over a very safe and merry holiday! It would make our holidays if you went on their website and donated to one of their sectors and help out your community! They have sectors all over the nation. Let’s make our little corner of the world more beautiful today."</p>

<p>‘The Christmas Song’ is featured on the holiday deluxe edition of Shawn Mendes' new album, ‘Wonder’.&nbsp;</p>


Singer Camila Cabello ringed in the new year with a lot of hope and a wish for a peaceful world. Taking to Instagram, the pop star extended New Year greetings to her fans along with a picture that features her snuggling with her pet dog.

Singer Camila Cabello ringed in the new year with a lot of hope and a wish for a peaceful world. Taking to Instagram, the pop star extended New Year greetings to her fans along with a picture that features her snuggling with her pet dog. View this post on Instagram A post shared by camila (@camila_cabello) × The `Senorita` star wrote, "May we all be happy and peaceful. May we all be healthy and safe. May we all be free from suffering and fear. May we all be strong and feel like we belong." View this post on Instagram A post shared by camila (@camila_cabello) × Earlier, Cabello took the limelight on social media by sharing a picture with boyfriend and singer Shawn Mendes where they were seen canoodling with each other. The duo even dropped new music for fans ahead of the holiday season. The real-life couple released their version of the classic ‘The Christmas Song’ in December 2020. Sharing the same, Camila Cabello wrote, "This has been such a crazy year with so many challenges. This holiday season, it is more important than ever to spread love and kindness to everyone! Shawn and I wanted to send all our love to you amazing humans so we put together something special for you, our rendition of #TheChristmasSong.” She added, "We love you all so much and hope you get to enjoy this song over a very safe and merry holiday! It would make our holidays if you went on their website and donated to one of their sectors and help out your community! They have sectors all over the nation. Let’s make our little corner of the world more beautiful today." ‘The Christmas Song’ is featured on the holiday deluxe edition of Shawn Mendes' new album, ‘Wonder’.

Camila Cabello wishes 'peace for everyone' in the new year

<p>Hollywood star Isla Fisher says she likes her life to be an open book, and not pin hopes on anything.<br />
<br />
"I try to sort of keep life as an open book and not really pin my hopes on anything. I don`t know if that`s healthy or not. I`ve just been like that since I was a kid," Fisher said.<br />
<br />
"So, I`ve always been incredibly surprised that I`m employed, married, have a wonderful family. Everything feels like a bonus for me. It is nice to have goals and equally nice to let life and situations in life guide you into new beginnings or openings that you might not have envisioned for yourself, and push you out of your comfort zone by being open to doing something potentially that wasn`t necessarily in your wheelhouse," added the actress.<br />
<br />
Fisher currently stars the fantasy comedy "Godmothered", a film that tries giving a spin to several fairytale cliches. She is seen as a single mother whose life takes an unexpected turn with the entry of a young and fairly inexperienced fairy godmother played by Jillian Bell.<br />
<br />
"Godmothered" also stars Santiago Cabrera, Mary Elizabeth Ellis, Jane Curtin, June Squibb, Jillian Shea Spaeder, Willa Skye, Artemis Pebdani, and Utkarsh Ambudkar. The film streams on Disney+ Hotstar Premium in India.<br />
<br />
&nbsp;</p>


Hollywood star Isla Fisher says she likes her life to be an open book, and not pin hopes on anything. "I try to sort of keep life as an open book and not really pin my hopes on anything.

Hollywood star Isla Fisher says she likes her life to be an open book, and not pin hopes on anything. "I try to sort of keep life as an open book and not really pin my hopes on anything. I don`t know if that`s healthy or not. I`ve just been like that since I was a kid," Fisher said. "So, I`ve always been incredibly surprised that I`m employed, married, have a wonderful family. Everything feels like a bonus for me. It is nice to have goals and equally nice to let life and situations in life guide you into new beginnings or openings that you might not have envisioned for yourself, and push you out of your comfort zone by being open to doing something potentially that wasn`t necessarily in your wheelhouse," added the actress. Fisher currently stars the fantasy comedy "Godmothered", a film that tries giving a spin to several fairytale cliches. She is seen as a single mother whose life takes an unexpected turn with the entry of a young and fairly inexperienced fairy godmother played by Jillian Bell. "Godmothered" also stars Santiago Cabrera, Mary Elizabeth Ellis, Jane Curtin, June Squibb, Jillian Shea Spaeder, Willa Skye, Artemis Pebdani, and Utkarsh Ambudkar. The film streams on Disney+ Hotstar Premium in India.

Isla Fisher says she doesn't pin her hopes on anything

<p>A massive rave party taking place since the New Year's Eve near Rennes in France was finally shut down by several hundred French police officials on Saturday. The party was attended by about 2500 revellers from across France and even from abroad. The party had caused huge concerns since social distancing and other coronavirus measures went for a toss. Local police tried stopping the party on January 1 but were forced to wait for reinforcements as revellers clashed with the officials injuring some and damaged police cars.</p>

<p>French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said on Twitter that more than 1,200 party-goers had been issued with penalty notices as they left the site, adding that the event's organisers were being identified and would be prosecuted.</p>

<p>About 800 of the revellers were sanctioned for attending an illegal party, breaking curfew and not wearing masks, and the rest were mostly issued notices for using illegal drugs, Berthier said.</p>

<p>Prosecutors in Rennes have opened a probe into the illegal organisation of a musical event and violence against persons of authority, the prefecture said, while local health authorities urged party-goers to self-isolate for seven days.</p>

<p>France has highest number of COVID-19 cases in Western Europe. The country is stepping up coronavirus restriction imposing curfew in many states starting at 6 pm. The rave party had thus become a matter of concern as it had the potential of becoming a superspreader event.</p>

<p>In neighbouring Spain, police broke up a smaller warehouse rave near Barcelona that had also been going for more than 40 hours.</p>

<p>About 200 people attended the New Year's Eve rave in the village of Llinars del Valles, and dozens continued to party on Saturday - some refusing to leave and shouting abuse when police arrived at the scene.</p>

<p>The event's three organisers were arrested, Catalan's Mossos d'Esquadra police force said on Twitter, adding that the three and those who attended the party would be charged and faced fines of between 3,000 and 600,000 euros.</p>

<p><strong>(With AFP inputs)</strong></p>


A massive rave party taking place since the New Year's Eve near Rennes in France was finally shut down by several hundred French police officials on Saturday. The party was attended by about 2500 revellers from across France and even from abroad.

A massive rave party taking place since the New Year's Eve near Rennes in France was finally shut down by several hundred French police officials on Saturday. The party was attended by about 2500 revellers from across France and even from abroad. The party had caused huge concerns since social distancing and other coronavirus measures went for a toss. Local police tried stopping the party on January 1 but were forced to wait for reinforcements as revellers clashed with the officials injuring some and damaged police cars. French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said on Twitter that more than 1,200 party-goers had been issued with penalty notices as they left the site, adding that the event's organisers were being identified and would be prosecuted. About 800 of the revellers were sanctioned for attending an illegal party, breaking curfew and not wearing masks, and the rest were mostly issued notices for using illegal drugs, Berthier said. Prosecutors in Rennes have opened a probe into the illegal organisation of a musical event and violence against persons of authority, the prefecture said, while local health authorities urged party-goers to self-isolate for seven days. France has highest number of COVID-19 cases in Western Europe. The country is stepping up coronavirus restriction imposing curfew in many states starting at 6 pm. The rave party had thus become a matter of concern as it had the potential of becoming a superspreader event. In neighbouring Spain, police broke up a smaller warehouse rave near Barcelona that had also been going for more than 40 hours. About 200 people attended the New Year's Eve rave in the village of Llinars del Valles, and dozens continued to party on Saturday - some refusing to leave and shouting abuse when police arrived at the scene. The event's three organisers were arrested, Catalan's Mossos d'Esquadra police force said on Twitter, adding that the three and those who attended the party would be charged and faced fines of between 3,000 and 600,000 euros. (With AFP inputs)

Massive rave party in France finally shut down by hundreds of police officials

<p>As the world entered a new year, the US topped 20 million COVID-19 cases, even though the celebrations this year were highly muted due to the widespread of the novel coronavirus.</p>

<p>The death toll of the US crossed 346,000 on the first day of the new year in the country, making the US the worst-hit country by the coronavirus pandemic.</p>

<p><strong>Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/does-new-covid-19-strain-affect-young-people-more-353928" hreflang="en">Does new Covid-19 strain affect young people more?</a></strong></p>

<p>This new high in the coronavirus cases has come a few days after the US started its mass vaccination programme after Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines were given a go-ahead by the US'&nbsp;Food and Drug Administration (FDA).</p>

<p>Since the approval, nearly 2.8 million people have already been administered with a shot of the coronavirus vaccine, including some the outgoing Vie President Mike Pence, incoming VP Kamala Harris and incoming President Joe Biden.</p>

<p>The rise in the figure has come a day after several locals flocked out on the streets to celebrate the new year, giving rise to many new infections.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-china-attempts-to-rewrite-the-story-of-wuhan-with-a-party-353936"><strong>WATCH|</strong></a></p>

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<p>"The current situation is not rosy, there's a hole because there's an absence of other approved vaccines and we have to fill this gap," BioNTech co-founder Ugur Sahin said in an interaction with local media.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, the outgoing US President Donald Trump has hailed the vaccine rollout, urging people to give him the 'due credit'. He has assured people that everyone will soon be receiving the vaccine very soon — which he earlier promised to would be the end of 2020. "Our most vulnerable citizens are already receiving the vaccine, and millions of doses are quickly being shipped all across our country," he said.</p>


As the world entered a new year, the US topped 20 million COVID-19 cases, even though the celebrations this year were highly muted due to the widespread of the novel coronavirus.

As the world entered a new year, the US topped 20 million COVID-19 cases, even though the celebrations this year were highly muted due to the widespread of the novel coronavirus. The death toll of the US crossed 346,000 on the first day of the new year in the country, making the US the worst-hit country by the coronavirus pandemic. Also read| Does new Covid-19 strain affect young people more? This new high in the coronavirus cases has come a few days after the US started its mass vaccination programme after Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines were given a go-ahead by the US' Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Since the approval, nearly 2.8 million people have already been administered with a shot of the coronavirus vaccine, including some the outgoing Vie President Mike Pence, incoming VP Kamala Harris and incoming President Joe Biden. The rise in the figure has come a day after several locals flocked out on the streets to celebrate the new year, giving rise to many new infections. WATCH| × "The current situation is not rosy, there's a hole because there's an absence of other approved vaccines and we have to fill this gap," BioNTech co-founder Ugur Sahin said in an interaction with local media. Meanwhile, the outgoing US President Donald Trump has hailed the vaccine rollout, urging people to give him the 'due credit'. He has assured people that everyone will soon be receiving the vaccine very soon — which he earlier promised to would be the end of 2020. "Our most vulnerable citizens are already receiving the vaccine, and millions of doses are quickly being shipped all across our country," he said.

US crosses 20 million coronavirus cases on new year

Times Square's famous new year countdown goes socially distanced with a touch of glamour

<p>Cristiano Ronaldo on Friday greeted his fans on the occasion of New Year as the Juventus megastar motivated people to bounce back in the year 2021 and make a difference while adding that everyone can still become better versions of themselves.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Portuguese further wished that the year 2021 will be remembered for the best reasons as he took to social media platform Twitter to post a photograph with his family.&nbsp;<br />
"2020 was not an easy year, there's no doubt about it. No one can be indifferent to the pain and suffering that COVID-19 brought upon the world. But now it's time to bounce back and show that, together, we can make a difference. Because no matter how hard is the fall, what really defines us is the way we get back on our feet and how fast we are ready to face new obstacles," Ronaldo said in a while sharing a picture with his girlfriend, Georgina Rodriguez, and all four kids.</p>

<p>"So let's try to turn 2021 into a turning point, a new beginning, a fresh start. Because all us - and I do mean all of us - can still become better versions of ourselves. And if we do it all together, that might actually be the secret to turn things around for the better. Happy New Year! And may 2021 be a year to always remember for the best reasons!" he added on Facebook.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-hamilton-to-ronaldo-athletes-who-tested-positive-for-covid-19-in-2020-352776" hreflang="en">From Hamilton to Ronaldo: Athletes who tested positive for COVID-19 in 2020</a></strong></p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">2020 was not an easy year, there’s no doubt about it. No one can be indifferent to the pain and suffering that COVID-19 brought upon the world.<br />
But now it’s time to bounce back and show that, together, we can make a difference.<br />
Happy New Year!🙏🏽❤️ <a href="https://t.co/7n1i0ARjiK">pic.twitter.com/7n1i0ARjiK</a></p>
— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) <a href="https://twitter.com/Cristiano/status/1344769621199564800?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 31, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>Recently, Ronaldo was honoured with ‘Player of the Century’ award at the Globe Soccer Awards. The former Real Madrid star enjoyed phenomenal success in the last decade as he along with Lionel Messi set the bar higher with their hunger to achieve more laurels.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Meanwhile, Ronaldo also ended the year 2020 as the highest scorer in the top five European leagues in the world with a total of 33 goals, just ahead of Robert Lewandowski (32) and Ciro Immobile (27).&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/armand-mondo-duplantis-i-want-to-be-the-best-pole-vaulter-to-ever-live-exclusive-interview-353813" hreflang="en">Armand 'Mondo' Duplantis: I want to be the best pole vaulter to ever live | Exclusive Interview</a></strong></p>

<p>Ronaldo would be looking to help his club Juventus get back to the top of Serie A after a torrid start to the season and also aim to win the UEFA Champions League title with the Old Lady.<br />
&nbsp;</p>


Cristiano Ronaldo on Friday greeted his fans on the occasion of New Year as the Juventus megastar motivated people to bounce back in the year 2021 and make a difference while adding that everyone can still become better versions of themselves.

Cristiano Ronaldo on Friday greeted his fans on the occasion of New Year as the Juventus megastar motivated people to bounce back in the year 2021 and make a difference while adding that everyone can still become better versions of themselves. The Portuguese further wished that the year 2021 will be remembered for the best reasons as he took to social media platform Twitter to post a photograph with his family. "2020 was not an easy year, there's no doubt about it. No one can be indifferent to the pain and suffering that COVID-19 brought upon the world. But now it's time to bounce back and show that, together, we can make a difference. Because no matter how hard is the fall, what really defines us is the way we get back on our feet and how fast we are ready to face new obstacles," Ronaldo said in a while sharing a picture with his girlfriend, Georgina Rodriguez, and all four kids. "So let's try to turn 2021 into a turning point, a new beginning, a fresh start. Because all us - and I do mean all of us - can still become better versions of ourselves. And if we do it all together, that might actually be the secret to turn things around for the better. Happy New Year! And may 2021 be a year to always remember for the best reasons!" he added on Facebook. ALSO READ: From Hamilton to Ronaldo: Athletes who tested positive for COVID-19 in 2020 2020 was not an easy year, there’s no doubt about it. No one can be indifferent to the pain and suffering that COVID-19 brought upon the world. But now it’s time to bounce back and show that, together, we can make a difference. Happy New Year!🙏🏽❤️ pic.twitter.com/7n1i0ARjiK — Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) December 31, 2020 × Recently, Ronaldo was honoured with ‘Player of the Century’ award at the Globe Soccer Awards. The former Real Madrid star enjoyed phenomenal success in the last decade as he along with Lionel Messi set the bar higher with their hunger to achieve more laurels. Meanwhile, Ronaldo also ended the year 2020 as the highest scorer in the top five European leagues in the world with a total of 33 goals, just ahead of Robert Lewandowski (32) and Ciro Immobile (27). ALSO READ: Armand 'Mondo' Duplantis: I want to be the best pole vaulter to ever live | Exclusive Interview Ronaldo would be looking to help his club Juventus get back to the top of Serie A after a torrid start to the season and also aim to win the UEFA Champions League title with the Old Lady.

It's time to bounce back in 2021: Cristiano Ronaldo greets fans with a heartfelt post on New Year

Visitors and residents gathered on Thursday night (December 31) at Dubai’s iconic Burj Khalifa to celebrate the beginning of 2021, as a rocky, uncertain 2020 comes to an end.

Dubai welcomes 2021 with fireworks from landmark building

<p>Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan has no resolve or resolution for the new year 2021, however, expresses that the new year does have a ring to it.&nbsp;The 78-year-old wished "Peace love and harmony"&nbsp;for his fans and followers on his Instagram and shared a detailed experience of 2020 on his personal blog.<br />
<br />
"Seems odd to be writing this after the entire year of 2020.. it was an odd year .. 2020 .. and the next could be odd too .. but in the better sense than the previous .. and just the feel of 1.1.`21 .. has a certain ring about it .. a ring that provokes attention and perhaps tidings of the refreshed year," the actor blogged.<br />
<br />
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"No resolve or resolution .. what needs to be done is to be done .. and done with conviction and well .. routines shall not change, they are now guided by other external forces .. compassionate one hopes .. and in the throes of happiness and great care," he added.<br />
<br />
The actor suffered from COVID-19 along with son Abhishek, daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai and grand-daughter Aaradhya Bachchan and was even hospitalised. His much-awaited film with Ayushmann Khurana, 'Gulabo Sitabo' was one of the earliest films to make the jump to OTT platforms, citing the uncertainties surrounding the opening of theaters.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
On the work from Amitabh has his year full with films like 'Chehre', Nagraj Manjule`s 'Jhund', Ayan Mukerji`s 'Brahmastra', Ajay Devgn`s 'Mayday'&nbsp;and a yet-untitled film co-starring Prabhas and Deepika Padukone.<br />
&nbsp;</p>


Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan has no resolve or resolution for the new year 2021, however, expresses that the new year does have a ring to it. The 78-year-old wished "Peace love and harmony" for his fans and followers on his Instagram and shared a detailed experience of 2020 on his personal blog.

Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan has no resolve or resolution for the new year 2021, however, expresses that the new year does have a ring to it. The 78-year-old wished "Peace love and harmony" for his fans and followers on his Instagram and shared a detailed experience of 2020 on his personal blog. "Seems odd to be writing this after the entire year of 2020.. it was an odd year .. 2020 .. and the next could be odd too .. but in the better sense than the previous .. and just the feel of 1.1.`21 .. has a certain ring about it .. a ring that provokes attention and perhaps tidings of the refreshed year," the actor blogged. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Amitabh Bachchan (@amitabhbachchan) × "No resolve or resolution .. what needs to be done is to be done .. and done with conviction and well .. routines shall not change, they are now guided by other external forces .. compassionate one hopes .. and in the throes of happiness and great care," he added. The actor suffered from COVID-19 along with son Abhishek, daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai and grand-daughter Aaradhya Bachchan and was even hospitalised. His much-awaited film with Ayushmann Khurana, 'Gulabo Sitabo' was one of the earliest films to make the jump to OTT platforms, citing the uncertainties surrounding the opening of theaters. On the work from Amitabh has his year full with films like 'Chehre', Nagraj Manjule`s 'Jhund', Ayan Mukerji`s 'Brahmastra', Ajay Devgn`s 'Mayday' and a yet-untitled film co-starring Prabhas and Deepika Padukone.

Amitabh Bachchan has no resolution for 2021, feels 2020 was an odd year

<p>Justin Bieber's New Year's Eve performance preparations irked the neighbors of his arena. According to Page Six, the singer's set to take the stage for his 'NYE Live' gig at the Beverly Hills hotel,&nbsp; upset the neighbors with his&nbsp;outdoor soundcheck.</p>

<p>"It was like a car was parked outside of my house blasting music at 1 million decibels," a source told the site. "Many people in the neighborhood called the hotel [to complain], and the hotel referred them to the Beverly Hills police, and permit department."</p>

<p>Although the site of Bieber's set was supposed to be top secret, multiple reports claimed it to be&nbsp;at the iconic 90210 hotel. The location was all but confirmed with Justin's soundcheck and the fact that a giant scaffolding, sound equipment, and lighting gear were erected.&nbsp;</p>

<p>When asked about noise complaints from Justin's first live stage show since 2017, a Beverly Hills police spokesperson said, "There were no calls for service from residents to the Beverly Hills Police Department. Any noise complaints are being referred to the film/permit office. This is an independent production that has obtained proper permitting. It is not City-sponsored so we don't have any additional detail to provide."</p>

<p>Many celebrities ringed in the New Year with live gigs that were streamed to the fans across. Bieber also dropped the track and accompanying video at midnight, January 1, after premiering it during his T-Mobile Presents New Year’s Eve Live With Justin Bieber on Thursday night. “Oh yeah I’m performing my new single #ANYONE during #BieberNYE, tomorrow night“ he tweeted Wednesday.<br />
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KIK3azN4w34" width="560"></iframe><br />
“I can’t think of a better way to close out 2020 and kick off 2021 than celebrating with my fans all over the world and sharing this new music with them,” Bieber said in a news release posted by Billboard. “Music has gotten us all through so much this year, and for me personally it’s been healing and transformative.”&nbsp;</p>


Justin Bieber's New Year's Eve performance preparations irked the neighbors of his arena. According to Page Six, the singer's set to take the stage for his 'NYE Live' gig at the Beverly Hills hotel, upset the neighbors with his outdoor soundcheck.

Justin Bieber's New Year's Eve performance preparations irked the neighbors of his arena. According to Page Six, the singer's set to take the stage for his 'NYE Live' gig at the Beverly Hills hotel, upset the neighbors with his outdoor soundcheck. "It was like a car was parked outside of my house blasting music at 1 million decibels," a source told the site. "Many people in the neighborhood called the hotel [to complain], and the hotel referred them to the Beverly Hills police, and permit department." Although the site of Bieber's set was supposed to be top secret, multiple reports claimed it to be at the iconic 90210 hotel. The location was all but confirmed with Justin's soundcheck and the fact that a giant scaffolding, sound equipment, and lighting gear were erected. When asked about noise complaints from Justin's first live stage show since 2017, a Beverly Hills police spokesperson said, "There were no calls for service from residents to the Beverly Hills Police Department. Any noise complaints are being referred to the film/permit office. This is an independent production that has obtained proper permitting. It is not City-sponsored so we don't have any additional detail to provide." Many celebrities ringed in the New Year with live gigs that were streamed to the fans across. Bieber also dropped the track and accompanying video at midnight, January 1, after premiering it during his T-Mobile Presents New Year’s Eve Live With Justin Bieber on Thursday night. “Oh yeah I’m performing my new single #ANYONE during #BieberNYE, tomorrow night“ he tweeted Wednesday. “I can’t think of a better way to close out 2020 and kick off 2021 than celebrating with my fans all over the world and sharing this new music with them,” Bieber said in a news release posted by Billboard. “Music has gotten us all through so much this year, and for me personally it’s been healing and transformative.”

Justin Bieber's New Year Eve's performance soundcheck upsets neighbours as they complain about the noise

<p>People in New Zealand were amongst the first globally to welcome 2021 as fireworks light up Auckland's 328-metre tall Sky Tower.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Revellers on the waterfront viewed the five-minute show which comprised fireworks and laser lighting colouring the night sky over the city's harbour.</p>

<p><strong>Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/new-years-gift-india-sends-bcg-vaccines-to-maldives-353635">New Year's gift! India sends BCG vaccines to Maldives</a></strong></p>

<p>The festivities began in other countries as well amid the low-key celebrations seen in the wake of novel coronavirus that has killed millions this year. Let's take a look.</p>

<p><strong>Watch |</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-pandemic-diminishes-new-years-magic-353691/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<h2><strong>Australia</strong></h2>

<p>In the Sydney Opera House in Australia,&nbsp;fireworks sparkle the sky, but the harbour beneath was empty as a ghost town.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>North Korea</strong></h2>

<p>To mark the New Year, crowds thronged the main square in the North Korean capital Pyongyang to celebrate new year amid concert and fireworks, state media reported.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The performers sang and danced on a stage decorated with a big, colourful "2021" sign without wearing masks.&nbsp;</p>

<p>People witnessing the event wore masks but did not maintain social distancing as they displayed glowing lights and balloons in Kim II Sung Square.</p>

<h2><strong>Taiwan</strong></h2>

<p>In Taiwan's capital Taipei, people welcomed 2021 with spectacular fireworks held in the 101 tower, city's tallest skyscraper.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, the crowd was not as big as it generally is during the time of the new year due to Covid-19 restrictions.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>India</strong></h2>

<p>India welcomed the new year in a very precautious manner as several metro cities imposed night curfews to avoid crowding which can lead to a spike in coronavirus infections.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Popular attractions in Mumbai, including the Gateway of India looked deserted on new year's eve as the city is under night curfew from 11 pm to 6 am till January 5.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Prohibitory orders have been imposed in the IT city of Bengaluru from 6 pm on Thursday to 6 am Friday which made the celebrations very limited.</p>

<p>In the southern city of Chennai, festivities and celebrations took a toll as the government shut down restaurants, hotels, clubs and resorts on Thursday and Friday.<br />
&nbsp;</p>


People in New Zealand were amongst the first globally to welcome 2021 as fireworks light up Auckland's 328-metre tall Sky Tower. Revellers on the waterfront viewed the five-minute show which comprised fireworks and laser lighting colouring the night sky over the city's harbour.

People in New Zealand were amongst the first globally to welcome 2021 as fireworks light up Auckland's 328-metre tall Sky Tower. Revellers on the waterfront viewed the five-minute show which comprised fireworks and laser lighting colouring the night sky over the city's harbour. Also read | New Year's gift! India sends BCG vaccines to Maldives The festivities began in other countries as well amid the low-key celebrations seen in the wake of novel coronavirus that has killed millions this year. Let's take a look. Watch | Australia In the Sydney Opera House in Australia, fireworks sparkle the sky, but the harbour beneath was empty as a ghost town. North Korea To mark the New Year, crowds thronged the main square in the North Korean capital Pyongyang to celebrate new year amid concert and fireworks, state media reported. The performers sang and danced on a stage decorated with a big, colourful "2021" sign without wearing masks. People witnessing the event wore masks but did not maintain social distancing as they displayed glowing lights and balloons in Kim II Sung Square. Taiwan In Taiwan's capital Taipei, people welcomed 2021 with spectacular fireworks held in the 101 tower, city's tallest skyscraper. However, the crowd was not as big as it generally is during the time of the new year due to Covid-19 restrictions. India India welcomed the new year in a very precautious manner as several metro cities imposed night curfews to avoid crowding which can lead to a spike in coronavirus infections. Popular attractions in Mumbai, including the Gateway of India looked deserted on new year's eve as the city is under night curfew from 11 pm to 6 am till January 5. Prohibitory orders have been imposed in the IT city of Bengaluru from 6 pm on Thursday to 6 am Friday which made the celebrations very limited. In the southern city of Chennai, festivities and celebrations took a toll as the government shut down restaurants, hotels, clubs and resorts on Thursday and Friday.

With fireworks, India, other nations welcome 2021 as celebrations turn low-key

2021 is finally here, and bidding adieu to a hopeless, dreadful 2020 wasn't very hard for many around the globe. While the uncertainties of a 'new normal' still loom over, celebrities have sent messages filled with hope to their fans and followers.

2021 is finally here, and bidding adieu to a hopeless, dreadful 2020 wasn't very hard for many around the globe. While the uncertainties of a 'new normal' still loom over, celebrities have sent messages filled with hope to their fans and followers. Celebrities have taken to social media to celebrate the end of 2020 including Jada Pinkett Smith, Reese Witherspoon, and Taylor Swift. The latter did so donning a bear costume and simply writing, "bye 2020, it’s been weird." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Taylor Swift (@taylorswift) × The Royal Family's official Twitter account shared a quote from Queen Elizabeth referencing the continued coronavirus pandemic that plagued this year but acknowledging brighter days to come. "We should take comfort that while we may have more still to endure, better days will return: we will be with our friends again; we will be with our families again; we will meet again," the tweet reads. “We should take comfort that while we may have more still to endure, better days will return: we will be with our friends again; we will be with our families again; we will meet again.” - HM The Queen. Wishing you all a Happy and Healthy New Year. pic.twitter.com/G5AMIcQIyl — The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) December 31, 2020 × Resse Witherspoon took to her Instagram and shared a video. "I know 2020 has been incredibly difficult and we have to take space just to grieve what was lost... There were also a lot of great things that happened this year, people connecting in ways they never have, appreciating the things that are important in life, people speaking up and telling their stories and people really listening. That has a profound impact in this world," she says in the video, going on to thank essential works and teachers. "Let's go forward into 2021 -- it cannot get here fast enough -- and let's do it with love and hope for brighter days ahead." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Reese Witherspoon (@reesewitherspoon) × Jada Pinkett Smith resonated a sentiment similar to many with a majority of people when she wrote, ""I welcome you 2021 with open arms. I have no expectations. I’m going to be still and grateful✨💖✨" View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jada Pinkett Smith (@jadapinkettsmith) × While Sarah Jessica Parker shared a quote. View this post on Instagram A post shared by SJP (@sarahjessicaparker) × Jennifer Lopez, Pitbull headline Times Square New Year Eve celebrations

Queen Elizabeth to Taylor Swift, celebrities give out message of hope on new year

<p>Quadrantids meteor showers will&nbsp;illuminate the night sky over the New Year weekend with up to 200 shooting stars every hour.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As per the&nbsp;National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the&nbsp;<strong>Quadrantids meteor shower</strong>&nbsp;is described&nbsp;as one of the best annual meteor showers.</p>

<p>During its peak, 60 to as many as 200 Quadrantid meteors can be seen per hour under perfect conditions.</p>

<p>According to the International Meteor Organisation (IMO), the peak is expected to occur at around 14:30 GMT on Sunday, January 3.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Quadrantids are known for their bright fireball meteors and are unique because they originate from an asteroid, instead of a comet. The fireballs are explosions of light and colour and last longer than the normal meteor streak.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The annual meteor shower runs every year&nbsp;between December 28 and January 12, but in 2021 the best views in the UK will be after dark on January 2 and 3. It&nbsp;is expected to peak Friday night into Saturday morning.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Meteors are pieces of rocky debris that enter the Earth's atmosphere at up to 40 miles per second, leaving streaks of light that we refer to as 'shooting stars'.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Quadrantids are best viewed in the Northern Hemisphere (this shower can also be seen at latitudes north of 51 degrees south) during the night and predawn hours.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The American Meteor Society has suggested the viewers start the gaze an hour before the peak timings in case the show starts early. To get a good view, avoid daylights and find a darker location.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Their radiant—the point in the sky from which the Quadrantids appear to come from -- is an obsolete constellation called "Quadrans Muralis." French astronomer Jerome Lalande created this constellation in 1795.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Unlike most meteor showers which originate from comets, the Quadrantids originate from an asteroid: asteroid 2003 EH1. Asteroid 2003 EH1 takes 5.52 years to orbit the sun once. It is possible that 2003 EH is a "dead comet" or a new kind of object being discussed by astronomers called a "rock comet."</p>


Quadrantids meteor showers will illuminate the night sky over the New Year weekend with up to 200 shooting stars every hour. As per the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Quadrantids meteor shower is described as one of the best annual meteor showers.

Quadrantids meteor showers will illuminate the night sky over the New Year weekend with up to 200 shooting stars every hour. As per the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Quadrantids meteor shower is described as one of the best annual meteor showers. During its peak, 60 to as many as 200 Quadrantid meteors can be seen per hour under perfect conditions. According to the International Meteor Organisation (IMO), the peak is expected to occur at around 14:30 GMT on Sunday, January 3. The Quadrantids are known for their bright fireball meteors and are unique because they originate from an asteroid, instead of a comet. The fireballs are explosions of light and colour and last longer than the normal meteor streak. The annual meteor shower runs every year between December 28 and January 12, but in 2021 the best views in the UK will be after dark on January 2 and 3. It is expected to peak Friday night into Saturday morning. Meteors are pieces of rocky debris that enter the Earth's atmosphere at up to 40 miles per second, leaving streaks of light that we refer to as 'shooting stars'. The Quadrantids are best viewed in the Northern Hemisphere (this shower can also be seen at latitudes north of 51 degrees south) during the night and predawn hours. The American Meteor Society has suggested the viewers start the gaze an hour before the peak timings in case the show starts early. To get a good view, avoid daylights and find a darker location. Their radiant—the point in the sky from which the Quadrantids appear to come from -- is an obsolete constellation called "Quadrans Muralis." French astronomer Jerome Lalande created this constellation in 1795. Unlike most meteor showers which originate from comets, the Quadrantids originate from an asteroid: asteroid 2003 EH1. Asteroid 2003 EH1 takes 5.52 years to orbit the sun once. It is possible that 2003 EH is a "dead comet" or a new kind of object being discussed by astronomers called a "rock comet."

Quadrantid meteor shower to light up sky over New Year's weekend

<p>Serving us looks since forever, popstar Jennifer Lopez is now here to make you envious of her Disney princess avatar as she took over Times Square in New York to film ahead of her performance on Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve With Ryan Seacrest.</p>

<p>Looking like Cinderella herself, the 51-year-old star strapped down in an icy blue gown by Balmain with beautiful detailing on the bodice with makeup and hair in place (like always). She was followed by photographers as she shot ahead of her New Year’s Eve performance.&nbsp;</p>

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<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/jennifer-lopez">Jennifer Lopez</a> took breaks between shots and layered up as it’s freezing right now in New York. She was seen sporting a Balmain jacket that accentuated her look with shiny boots.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Jennifer Lopez has been in New York since the weekend to perfect her headlining act. The Time Square event will also feature performances from Billy Porter, Cindy Lauper, Jimmie Allen, Machine Gun Kelly, Andra Day and Gloria Gaynor, among others. Brandy, Doja Cat, Ella Mai, Lewis Capaldi, Maluma, Megan Thee Stallion, Miley Cyrus, Nelly and Saweetie will perform from the West Coast broadcast.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-jennifer-lopez-admits-the-pandemic-made-her-re-think-about-marrying-alex-rodriguez-351698" hreflang="en">Jennifer Lopez admits the pandemic made her re-think about marrying Alex Rodriguez</a></p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/jennifer-lopez-joins-elf-on-shelf-challenge-with-a-scintillating-series-of-pics-349131" hreflang="en">Jennifer Lopez joins 'Elf on Shelf' challenge with a scintillating series of pics</a></p>


Serving us looks since forever, popstar Jennifer Lopez is now here to make you envious of her Disney princess avatar as she took over Times Square in New York to film ahead of her performance on Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve With Ryan Seacrest.

Serving us looks since forever, popstar Jennifer Lopez is now here to make you envious of her Disney princess avatar as she took over Times Square in New York to film ahead of her performance on Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve With Ryan Seacrest. Looking like Cinderella herself, the 51-year-old star strapped down in an icy blue gown by Balmain with beautiful detailing on the bodice with makeup and hair in place (like always). She was followed by photographers as she shot ahead of her New Year’s Eve performance. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jennifer Lopez (@jlo) × Jennifer Lopez took breaks between shots and layered up as it’s freezing right now in New York. She was seen sporting a Balmain jacket that accentuated her look with shiny boots. Jennifer Lopez has been in New York since the weekend to perfect her headlining act. The Time Square event will also feature performances from Billy Porter, Cindy Lauper, Jimmie Allen, Machine Gun Kelly, Andra Day and Gloria Gaynor, among others. Brandy, Doja Cat, Ella Mai, Lewis Capaldi, Maluma, Megan Thee Stallion, Miley Cyrus, Nelly and Saweetie will perform from the West Coast broadcast. Jennifer Lopez admits the pandemic made her re-think about marrying Alex Rodriguez Jennifer Lopez joins 'Elf on Shelf' challenge with a scintillating series of pics

Jennifer Lopez dresses up as Disney princess ahead of New Year's Eve performance

<p>With new variant of the coronavirus already having made its way to India, the central government on Wednesday asked states to ensure that new year celebrations remain low-key and do not become superspreader events. Union Health Ministry all states to keep strict vigil on New Year celebrations. Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan wrote a letter to all states and union territories. In it, he said that although coronavirus cases in the country have been on the decline lately, the rise in cases in Europe and America meant that high level of precaution was necessary in India.</p>

<p>"You will appreciate that in the wake of New Year and various celebratory events associated with it as well as ongoing winter season, strict vigil is required to be maintained to curb all potential 'super spreader' events and places where crowds may gather," Bhushan said in the letter.</p>

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<p>The Ministry of Home Affairs has mandated that states and UTs, based on their assessment of the situation, may impose local restrictions, such as night curfew, with a view to contain the spread of COVID-19.?</p>

<p>The Home Ministry has also stipulated that there shall be no restriction on interstate and intra-state movement of persons and goods.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-extends-suspension-of-flights-with-britain-to-january-7-353317">India extends suspension of flights with Britain to January 7</a></strong></p>

<p>Drawing attention to this, the Union health secretary has urged the states to "promptly assess the local situation and consider imposition of appropriate restrictions on December 30 and 31, as well as on January 1, 2021</p>

<p><strong>Maharashtra</strong></p>

<p>The state has been worst-hit during coronavirus pandemic in India. Maharashtra, notably Mumbai made up for a large chunk of coronavirus cases in the country.</p>

<p>Maharashtra government on Wednesday extended the lockdown till January 31, 2021. On New Year's Eve, hotels, restaurants, pubs and bars will remain open only till 11 pm at night.</p>

<p>"Hotels, restaurants,pubs and bars will remain open tomorrow (December 31) till 11 pm. There is no restriction on people stepping out to buy medicines and visiting friends and family members (after 11 PM). Gathering of five or more people at public places is prohibited," said Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh. He appealed to people to follow coronavirus guidelines.</p>

<p>The state government had clamped a night curfew between 11 PM and 6 AM from December 22 to January 5 after a new strain of the virus was found in the UK.</p>

<p><strong>Coronavirus situation Delhi</strong></p>

<p>Four Covid positive patients have been found infected with the new variant first detected in the UK, while around 200 people, including returnees from the UK and their contact have been put under institutional quarantine by the Delhi government, officials told IANS.</p>

<p>All four patients have been admitted in the Lok Nayak Jai Prakash (LNJP) Hospital.</p>

<p>The patients found infected with the new variant have been isolated separately in different rooms of a special ward designated for the patients suspected or found infected with the new variant, the hospital officials told IANS</p>

<p>The tally of positive patients suspected of carrying the new strain has reached 35 in the hospital. Of them, 20 have returned from the UK and the remaining are those who came in contact with them, officials confirmed.</p>

<p>The AAP government has quarantined around 200 people, who either returned from the UK within a month or are in contact with those travellers found positive, at two facilities.</p>

<p>The Delhi government has designated 2,000-bed LNJP as the nodal centre for isolation of persons who are suspected to have the new variant of the Covid-19.</p>

<p>The officials informed that more than 80 of them have been quarantined at a hotel in Aerocity while the rest are kept in a banquet hall turned quarantine facility situated near Chattarpur.</p>

<p><strong>(With agency inputs)</strong></p>


With new variant of the coronavirus already having made its way to India, the central government on Wednesday asked states to ensure that new year celebrations remain low-key and do not become superspreader events.

With new variant of the coronavirus already having made its way to India, the central government on Wednesday asked states to ensure that new year celebrations remain low-key and do not become superspreader events. Union Health Ministry all states to keep strict vigil on New Year celebrations. Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan wrote a letter to all states and union territories. In it, he said that although coronavirus cases in the country have been on the decline lately, the rise in cases in Europe and America meant that high level of precaution was necessary in India. "You will appreciate that in the wake of New Year and various celebratory events associated with it as well as ongoing winter season, strict vigil is required to be maintained to curb all potential 'super spreader' events and places where crowds may gather," Bhushan said in the letter. × The Ministry of Home Affairs has mandated that states and UTs, based on their assessment of the situation, may impose local restrictions, such as night curfew, with a view to contain the spread of COVID-19.? The Home Ministry has also stipulated that there shall be no restriction on interstate and intra-state movement of persons and goods. Also Read | India extends suspension of flights with Britain to January 7 Drawing attention to this, the Union health secretary has urged the states to "promptly assess the local situation and consider imposition of appropriate restrictions on December 30 and 31, as well as on January 1, 2021 Maharashtra The state has been worst-hit during coronavirus pandemic in India. Maharashtra, notably Mumbai made up for a large chunk of coronavirus cases in the country. Maharashtra government on Wednesday extended the lockdown till January 31, 2021. On New Year's Eve, hotels, restaurants, pubs and bars will remain open only till 11 pm at night. "Hotels, restaurants,pubs and bars will remain open tomorrow (December 31) till 11 pm. There is no restriction on people stepping out to buy medicines and visiting friends and family members (after 11 PM). Gathering of five or more people at public places is prohibited," said Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh. He appealed to people to follow coronavirus guidelines. The state government had clamped a night curfew between 11 PM and 6 AM from December 22 to January 5 after a new strain of the virus was found in the UK. Coronavirus situation Delhi Four Covid positive patients have been found infected with the new variant first detected in the UK, while around 200 people, including returnees from the UK and their contact have been put under institutional quarantine by the Delhi government, officials told IANS. All four patients have been admitted in the Lok Nayak Jai Prakash (LNJP) Hospital. The patients found infected with the new variant have been isolated separately in different rooms of a special ward designated for the patients suspected or found infected with the new variant, the hospital officials told IANS The tally of positive patients suspected of carrying the new strain has reached 35 in the hospital. Of them, 20 have returned from the UK and the remaining are those who came in contact with them, officials confirmed. The AAP government has quarantined around 200 people, who either returned from the UK within a month or are in contact with those travellers found positive, at two facilities. The Delhi government has designated 2,000-bed LNJP as the nodal centre for isolation of persons who are suspected to have the new variant of the Covid-19. The officials informed that more than 80 of them have been quarantined at a hotel in Aerocity while the rest are kept in a banquet hall turned quarantine facility situated near Chattarpur. (With agency inputs)

Mutant coronavirus: Centre asks states to ensure low-key New Year celebrations

<p>In a remote valley in northern Pakistan, hemmed in by sheer rock walls and high pastures, members of a tiny community gathered.</p>

<p>The Kalash are a group of about 4,000 people who live in the mountains of the Hindu Kush, where they practice an ancient polytheistic faith. Each year, they come together for Chawmos, a New Year festival that coincides with the winter solstice and is marked by dance, animal sacrifice and highly prescribed roles for men and women.</p>

<p>The two-week festival is a portrait in contrasts: snow and fire, solemn ritual and frenzied activity, gender segregation and public flirtation, community and isolation.</p>

<p>While the coronavirus has forced the world to adopt social distancing, the Kalash have practiced being a community in isolation for millennia.</p>

<p>The Kalash, whose wooden houses cling to the craggy hillsides of three valleys in Pakistan’s often unruly northwest, are the country’s smallest minority group. The overwhelming majority of Pakistan’s more than 200 million people practice Islam.</p>
<img alt="New Year celebration in Pakistan" data-caption="**EMBARGO: No electronic distribution, Web posting or street sales before SUNDAY 3:00 a.m. ET DEC. 27, 2020. No exceptions for any reasons. EMBARGO set by source.**FILE - Members of the Kalash, a polytheist community of 4,000, carry torches during Chawmos, a New Year festival, in Balanguru, a village in Pakistan’s Rumbur Valley, Dec. 17, 2019. Chawmos is a portrait in contrasts: solemn ritual and joyous dancing, gender segregation and public flirtation, togetherness and isolation. (Rebecca Conway&amp;nbsp;© 2020 The New York Times)" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="57d9b7f6-cce8-4cf6-828b-38c2630250aa" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/New%20Year%20tradition%20in%20Pakistan%20%281%29.jpg" />
<p>Despite the seclusion of the Kalash, the outside world has crept closer, bringing changes to their way of life.</p>

<p>Their faith is often compared to an ancient form of Hinduism, but the origins of the Kalash are a mystery. Some believe they are descended from the forces of Alexander the Great; other anthropologists contend they are migrants from nearby Afghanistan.</p>

<p>Their religion incorporates animistic traditions of worshipping nature as well as a pantheon of gods, whose members in some instances bear resemblances to the Vedic gods of ancient India. Chief among the Kalash gods is Balumain, the lord of heaven, to whom the festival is dedicated.</p>

<p>For the Kalash, cleanliness and holiness are inextricably linked. Areas of the villages and valleys where they live are designated “pure,” and access to them is sometimes restricted by gender or may first require a ritual bath. The Kalash believe places and people are most likely to be visited by Balumain only after they have been cleaned and sanctified.</p>

<p>During the year, Kalash women must bathe and wash their clothes and dishes away from their homes. During their periods and when they give birth, they stay in menstruation huts. These are community spaces that are the exclusive domain of women, unlike the huts found elsewhere in the region, including in Nepal, where women are left alone and die from exposure and other causes every year.</p>
<img alt="New Year celebration in Pakistan" data-caption="**EMBARGO: No electronic distribution, Web posting or street sales before SUNDAY 3:00 a.m. ET DEC. 27, 2020. No exceptions for any reasons. EMBARGO set by source.**FILE - Members of the Kalash, a polytheist community of 4,000, dance and sing during Chawmos, a New Year festival, in Balanguru, a village in Pakistan’s Rumbur Valley, Dec. 17, 2019. (Rebecca Conway © 2020 The New York Times" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5ff4630a-3792-4665-9e3f-e55d3afe491a" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/New%20Year%20tradition%20in%20Pakistan%20%282%29.jpg" />
<p>As the Chawmos festival begins each December, the women take part in a purification ritual. Held in a temple, known as a jestekan, or in an open space away from their homes, women and girls hold bread that has been baked for them by male family members.</p>

<p>A male relative then showers them with water and waves burning juniper branches over their heads. Only then can women pass freely between the valley’s villages and homes to take part in the festivities.</p>

<p>What follows is 14 days of song, dance and ceremony. A group of women, often from the same family or clan, will form a circle and begin singing and dancing, their arms intertwined and their eyes half-closed in prayer. As the women sing, other women and men join the ring, and the circle grows larger and louder.</p>

<p>When moved, a young woman will break from the group and dance in the middle of the circle. Sometimes, a woman or a man from her family will join her. But often, a young man will enter the ring to dance with her. Their dance is different: The couple face one another, their eyes locked. They are courting.</p>

<p>In the first days of the celebration, young people often find a spouse; the women often make the first move.</p>

<p>“The girl goes to the boy’s family maybe for a few weeks or a month, and then when she comes back home, they will get married,” said Bibi Jan, a woman of about 80. “No one else decides; it is up to them what they choose.”</p>

<p>The dancing, as well as the flirting, is fueled by locally brewed mulberry wine. The role of women and the consumption of wine in the community contrast with the mores of their Muslim neighbors, who sometimes attend the festivals as tourists.</p>

<p>“The way they worship and the way men and women marry — and just interact generally — is very different from surrounding communities,” said Wynne Maggi, an anthropologist who has studied the Kalash.</p>

<p>The festival, the most important of the year, is also a time for the Kalash’s local leadership to deliberate over the serious challenges facing the culture.</p>

<p>The Kalash find themselves increasingly squeezed by outsiders buying up land and moving in. And for many years, the Kalash have been wary about the threat from Islamic militants who see their faith as sacrilege.</p>

<p>They face environmental threats as well. The trees that protected the valleys from floods caused by rain and glacial melt are being removed, sometimes illegally, at an alarming rate. The dearth of trees and changes to weather patterns resulting from global warming has resulted in recent years in devastating flash floods that destroy homes, bridges and crops.</p>

<p>Younger members are leaving the area for greater educational and employment opportunities. Government schools all teach about Islam, and each year some young Kalash decide to convert, locals say. A new road has made access to the area easier, and tourists are increasingly visiting the Kalash valleys, where most people exist largely on a mixture of subsistence farming and livestock husbandry.</p>

<p>But during the Chawmos celebrations, many of these problems are momentarily forgotten.</p>

<p>The festival culminates with a late-night torch procession through the tiny villages in the Kalash valleys; flickering lights weave down through forests, heralding the start of a final evening of dancing. The hillsides echo with song.</p>

<p>The Kalash dance around a bonfire, linking arms and chanting prayers for the year ahead.</p>


In a remote valley in northern Pakistan, hemmed in by sheer rock walls and high pastures, members of a tiny community gathered. The Kalash are a group of about 4,000 people who live in the mountains of the Hindu Kush, where they practice an ancient polytheistic faith.

In a remote valley in northern Pakistan, hemmed in by sheer rock walls and high pastures, members of a tiny community gathered. The Kalash are a group of about 4,000 people who live in the mountains of the Hindu Kush, where they practice an ancient polytheistic faith. Each year, they come together for Chawmos, a New Year festival that coincides with the winter solstice and is marked by dance, animal sacrifice and highly prescribed roles for men and women. The two-week festival is a portrait in contrasts: snow and fire, solemn ritual and frenzied activity, gender segregation and public flirtation, community and isolation. While the coronavirus has forced the world to adopt social distancing, the Kalash have practiced being a community in isolation for millennia. The Kalash, whose wooden houses cling to the craggy hillsides of three valleys in Pakistan’s often unruly northwest, are the country’s smallest minority group. The overwhelming majority of Pakistan’s more than 200 million people practice Islam. Despite the seclusion of the Kalash, the outside world has crept closer, bringing changes to their way of life. Their faith is often compared to an ancient form of Hinduism, but the origins of the Kalash are a mystery. Some believe they are descended from the forces of Alexander the Great; other anthropologists contend they are migrants from nearby Afghanistan. Their religion incorporates animistic traditions of worshipping nature as well as a pantheon of gods, whose members in some instances bear resemblances to the Vedic gods of ancient India. Chief among the Kalash gods is Balumain, the lord of heaven, to whom the festival is dedicated. For the Kalash, cleanliness and holiness are inextricably linked. Areas of the villages and valleys where they live are designated “pure,” and access to them is sometimes restricted by gender or may first require a ritual bath. The Kalash believe places and people are most likely to be visited by Balumain only after they have been cleaned and sanctified. During the year, Kalash women must bathe and wash their clothes and dishes away from their homes. During their periods and when they give birth, they stay in menstruation huts. These are community spaces that are the exclusive domain of women, unlike the huts found elsewhere in the region, including in Nepal, where women are left alone and die from exposure and other causes every year. As the Chawmos festival begins each December, the women take part in a purification ritual. Held in a temple, known as a jestekan, or in an open space away from their homes, women and girls hold bread that has been baked for them by male family members. A male relative then showers them with water and waves burning juniper branches over their heads. Only then can women pass freely between the valley’s villages and homes to take part in the festivities. What follows is 14 days of song, dance and ceremony. A group of women, often from the same family or clan, will form a circle and begin singing and dancing, their arms intertwined and their eyes half-closed in prayer. As the women sing, other women and men join the ring, and the circle grows larger and louder. When moved, a young woman will break from the group and dance in the middle of the circle. Sometimes, a woman or a man from her family will join her. But often, a young man will enter the ring to dance with her. Their dance is different: The couple face one another, their eyes locked. They are courting. In the first days of the celebration, young people often find a spouse; the women often make the first move. “The girl goes to the boy’s family maybe for a few weeks or a month, and then when she comes back home, they will get married,” said Bibi Jan, a woman of about 80. “No one else decides; it is up to them what they choose.” The dancing, as well as the flirting, is fueled by locally brewed mulberry wine. The role of women and the consumption of wine in the community contrast with the mores of their Muslim neighbors, who sometimes attend the festivals as tourists. “The way they worship and the way men and women marry — and just interact generally — is very different from surrounding communities,” said Wynne Maggi, an anthropologist who has studied the Kalash. The festival, the most important of the year, is also a time for the Kalash’s local leadership to deliberate over the serious challenges facing the culture. The Kalash find themselves increasingly squeezed by outsiders buying up land and moving in. And for many years, the Kalash have been wary about the threat from Islamic militants who see their faith as sacrilege. They face environmental threats as well. The trees that protected the valleys from floods caused by rain and glacial melt are being removed, sometimes illegally, at an alarming rate. The dearth of trees and changes to weather patterns resulting from global warming has resulted in recent years in devastating flash floods that destroy homes, bridges and crops. Younger members are leaving the area for greater educational and employment opportunities. Government schools all teach about Islam, and each year some young Kalash decide to convert, locals say. A new road has made access to the area easier, and tourists are increasingly visiting the Kalash valleys, where most people exist largely on a mixture of subsistence farming and livestock husbandry. But during the Chawmos celebrations, many of these problems are momentarily forgotten. The festival culminates with a late-night torch procession through the tiny villages in the Kalash valleys; flickering lights weave down through forests, heralding the start of a final evening of dancing. The hillsides echo with song. The Kalash dance around a bonfire, linking arms and chanting prayers for the year ahead.

Welcoming a new year at an ancient festival in Pakistan

<p>In a bid to contain coronavirus, Kazakhstan has banned corporate parties and sporting events over new year holidays and tightened quarantine measures. Restrictions on mass gatherings will come into force on December 25 and will remain in effect till January 5, said a statement released by the office of the prime minister.</p>

<p>Authorities said that restrictions at Tengiz oilfield will contine "until the epidemiological situation stabilises". Hundreds of employees have contracted coronavirus at Tengiz oilfield.</p>

<p>The government also said that it would introduce price controls to make medicines used to treat the virus 24 percent cheaper on average, the statement said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Year-end corporate parties are an important source of income for Kazakh hospitality sector. The sector has taken a beating over the last year.</p>

<p>Kazakhstan's chief sanitary doctor warned in May that the Tengiz oil field where US oil giant Chevron has a 50 percent stake could face closure over rising cases. &nbsp;</p>

<p>Kazakhstan, a Central Asian country of around 19 million people, has registered 146,584 cases of the coronavirus with 130,766 recoveries and 2,147 deaths.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>(With AFP inputs)</strong></p>


In a bid to contain coronavirus, Kazakhstan has banned corporate parties and sporting events over new year holidays and tightened quarantine measures. Restrictions on mass gatherings will come into force on December 25 and will remain in effect till January 5, said a statement released by the office of the prime minister.

In a bid to contain coronavirus, Kazakhstan has banned corporate parties and sporting events over new year holidays and tightened quarantine measures. Restrictions on mass gatherings will come into force on December 25 and will remain in effect till January 5, said a statement released by the office of the prime minister. Authorities said that restrictions at Tengiz oilfield will contine "until the epidemiological situation stabilises". Hundreds of employees have contracted coronavirus at Tengiz oilfield. The government also said that it would introduce price controls to make medicines used to treat the virus 24 percent cheaper on average, the statement said. Year-end corporate parties are an important source of income for Kazakh hospitality sector. The sector has taken a beating over the last year. Kazakhstan's chief sanitary doctor warned in May that the Tengiz oil field where US oil giant Chevron has a 50 percent stake could face closure over rising cases. Kazakhstan, a Central Asian country of around 19 million people, has registered 146,584 cases of the coronavirus with 130,766 recoveries and 2,147 deaths. (With AFP inputs)

Kazakhstan bans new year parties to contain coronavirus

<p>As COVID-19 continues to peak again in countries across the globe, a country has banned all year-end parties to control the number of new infections. On Sunday, South Korean authorities announced the ban on all new year parties. Additionally, music lessons across the country remain halted.</p>

<p>The country’s officials have also set in motion a plan to shut some public saunas and cafes.</p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/south-korea-to-close-bars-restrict-restaurants-amid-coronavirus-spike-344897/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>Currently, South Korea is witnessing COVID-19 infections at the pastiest pace so far since the pandemic began. The country has been hailed as a COVID-19 success story, in the league of Taiwan and New Zealand. But new cases have stoked fears of a spike in Asia’s fourth-largest economy.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/south-korea-confirms-this-years-first-case-of-bird-flu-among-poultry-346131" hreflang="en">South Korea confirms this year's first case of bird flu among poultry</a></p>

<p>On Sunday, after reporting 500 new cases for three consecutive days, 450 new cases were reported by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency.</p>

<p>Experts are calling it the “third wave” of COVID-19 in the country. Recently, fresh outbreaks appeared at military facilities, a sauna, churches, and schools.</p>

<p>The country’s Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun on Sunday said that restrictions on gatherings would be tightened given the situation. Sye-kyun added that activities that are seen as prone to virus transmission will also stand suspended.</p>

<p>This is true especially for the capital Seoul and adjoining areas. "Year-end events and parties hosted by hotels, party rooms, guest houses and other accommodation facilities will be banned outright," Chung said during a briefing.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/south-korea-says-it-foiled-the-norths-attempt-to-hack-covid-19-vaccine-makers-345752" hreflang="en">South Korea says it foiled the North's attempt to hack COVID-19 vaccine makers</a></p>

<p>Steam and sauna bath rooms will remain suspended along with the coaching for musical instruments and singing.</p>

<p>The PM added that social distancing norms across the country will also be retightened.</p>

<p>Additionally, the PM said the government is looking at getting more funds from the parliament to help the economy.</p>

<p>"Our assessment is that we need the third crisis support fund ... The government will come up with a conclusion on this after discussing with both the ruling and opposition parties," he said.</p>


As COVID-19 continues to peak again in countries across the globe, a country has banned all year-end parties to control the number of new infections. On Sunday, South Korean authorities announced the ban on all new year parties.

As COVID-19 continues to peak again in countries across the globe, a country has banned all year-end parties to control the number of new infections. On Sunday, South Korean authorities announced the ban on all new year parties. Additionally, music lessons across the country remain halted. The country’s officials have also set in motion a plan to shut some public saunas and cafes. Currently, South Korea is witnessing COVID-19 infections at the pastiest pace so far since the pandemic began. The country has been hailed as a COVID-19 success story, in the league of Taiwan and New Zealand. But new cases have stoked fears of a spike in Asia’s fourth-largest economy. Also read: South Korea confirms this year's first case of bird flu among poultry On Sunday, after reporting 500 new cases for three consecutive days, 450 new cases were reported by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. Experts are calling it the “third wave” of COVID-19 in the country. Recently, fresh outbreaks appeared at military facilities, a sauna, churches, and schools. The country’s Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun on Sunday said that restrictions on gatherings would be tightened given the situation. Sye-kyun added that activities that are seen as prone to virus transmission will also stand suspended. This is true especially for the capital Seoul and adjoining areas. "Year-end events and parties hosted by hotels, party rooms, guest houses and other accommodation facilities will be banned outright," Chung said during a briefing. Also read: South Korea says it foiled the North's attempt to hack COVID-19 vaccine makers Steam and sauna bath rooms will remain suspended along with the coaching for musical instruments and singing. The PM added that social distancing norms across the country will also be retightened. Additionally, the PM said the government is looking at getting more funds from the parliament to help the economy. "Our assessment is that we need the third crisis support fund ... The government will come up with a conclusion on this after discussing with both the ruling and opposition parties," he said.

This country has banned all new year parties to control COVID-19 infections

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