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New Year’s Eve sweeps across the globe, but wars cast a shadow on 2024

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:14:54 GMT

Revelers counted down to midnight on New Year’s Eve across the globe Sunday as fireworks and festive lights offered a hopeful start to 2024 for some, even as the world’s ongoing conflicts subdued celebrations and raised security concerns.In Australia, more than 1 million people watched a pyrotechnic display centered around Sydney’s famous Opera House and harbor bridge — a number of spectators equivalent to one in five of the city’s residents.“It’s total madness,” said German tourist Janna Thomas, who waited in line since 7:30 a.m. to secure a prime waterfront location.Some 90,000 police and security officers were deployed around France including along Champs-Elysees Avenue, where large crowds took in a multidimensional light show projected onto the Arc de Triomphe showcasing the history of Paris and sports on the menu for next year’s Summer Olympics in the city. In New York, people lined up early to nab a spot in Times Square for the midnight ball drop. Officials a...

Local law enforcement beefing up presence for NYE celebrations

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:14:54 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- With New Year’s Eve celebrations in full swing, law enforcement agencies across the state are beefing up their presence to keep everyone safe.  The Denver Police Department tells FOX31 they are aware of the various event around Denver and will have a visible presence in the area where New Year’s Eve celebrations are taking place.  98 Degrees looks to heat up 2024 with first new single in a decade, NYE performance in Las Vegas At the Downtown Denver Ice Rink, visitors and those who call Colorado home are ringing in the new year together.  “We’re coming from Miami,” Isabella Mundo said. “I love it. I don’t think I could live in the cold weather, but for the vacation I love it.” From beginners to advanced skaters, the city ice rink attracts those from all over. “I first started skating when I was four,” Dylan Zhou said. “It’s fun. It’s also a workout.”  But for those staying out late, the Colorado State Patrol is reminding people to plan...

Revelers flock to First Night festivities on City Hall Plaza

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:14:54 GMT

Hundreds of people came together on City Hall Plaza on Sunday for Boston’s First Night festivities, which drew residents from across the area who were looking to ring in the New Year.This year’s celebration has been moved to City Hall Plaza due to ongoing construction at Copley Square.The free and family-friendly event will feature performances, ice sculptures, fireworks, and more. The City is a partner of the New Year’s Eve event, which is formally run by Boston Celebrations, Inc, and managed by Conventures, Inc. All parties are taking steps to ensure public safety as Boston celebrates the New Year. “First Night is a beloved tradition in Boston and beyond, having created delightful experiences for neighborhood residents and visitors from around the world,” Boston Mayor Michelle Wu said in a statement. “Our newly renovated City Hall Plaza is the perfect venue to welcome families from all over to ring in the New Year. I encourage all our residents to celebr...

Celtics end 2023 with a bang in dominant wire-to-wire victory over Spurs

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:14:54 GMT

Jaylen Brown stole a pass in the backcourt, took a dribble toward the rim and had the presence of mind to lay it off to Derrick White in the lane. The Celtics guard isn’t typically known for his athleticism, but took the pass, took a step and hammered it home for a one-handed tomahawk dunk.White stopped upon landing and took a brief moment to look at his Celtics teammates on the bench. Luke Kornet lost his mind again. White, back in his first NBA home facing the team that drafted him, was showing off a bit. And the Celtics were laughing their way into a big new year by leaving 2023 with a bang.The Celtics won but struggled against a pair of lower-tier teams to end last week at TD Garden. Not so much on Sunday night. Victor Wembanyama looked the part of a future star, but he and his five-win Spurs were no match for the best team in the NBA. The Celtics celebrated the new year with a dominant 134-101 victory in San Antonio.The Celtics’ New Year’s resolution for 2024? Keep playing like...

Where to watch fireworks, things to do on New Year's Eve in San Diego

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:14:54 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- The new year is approaching fast and there are many ways to ring in 2024. San Diego, ranked the second best place in the U.S. to celebrate New Year's Eve in a recent study, has lots to offer during the holiday season. From family-friendly events to holiday pop-up bars and bottomless mimosas, to a music festival in Petco Park, a party on the beach and a cruise on a mega yacht, and of course watching fireworks, there's no shortage of things to do. 2023 ends with this unique pattern; celestial events to look forward to in the new year Watching fireworks on New Year's Eve is a staple. So here's a list of NYE events and locations to end 2023 and ring in 2024: SeaWorld San Diego's New Year's Eve Family BashBring the whole family to SeaWorld San Diego to ring in the new year. Ride some rides and catch some animal shows. The park transforms at dusk with lights and music. Dance the night away with your favorite SeaWorld characters with live entertainment, party hats, and more...

New Year's celebrations around the world

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:14:54 GMT

CHICAGO — Around the world, people are ringing in the new year when the clock strikes midnight local time.One of the first to celebrate 2024 was Sydney, Australia, where more than a million people gathered to watch the fireworks launched from the harbor bridge and opera house.Also among the first to ring in the new year was New Zealand, where crowds in Auckland cheered on the lasers and more fireworks from Sky Tower. Navy Pier rings in new year with fireworks display In China, state TV broadcast a New Year's message from President Xi Jinping where he acknowledged wars and conflicts around the world and reaffirmed China's stance on reunification with Taiwan, while also calling for a peaceful year ahead.In Tokyo, it's not a ball drop but a traditional bell ringing which marks the passing of the old year. New Year’s Eve in Chicago: CPD layouts safety plan ahead of busy holiday weekend In Madrid, hundreds of dogs and their owners gathered for a four-legged friendly New Year's celebr...

Midwest shaping up to be at the center of the 2024 election season

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:14:54 GMT

CHICAGO — As 2023 draws to a close, the Midwest is shaping up to be at the center of the 2024 election season.First, Colorado kicked Donald Trump off the ballot, then Maine disqualified the former president for engaging in insurrection. Michigan's high court ruled that he could stay on the ballot, but Trump's legal woes, his ballot eligibility, and 91 criminal counts are sure to dominate headlines in 2024.Despite his troubles, polls showed that Trump is the leading candidate for the Republican presidential nomination. The contest kicks off on Jan. 15 in Iowa. Plane carrying over 300 migrants from Texas lands in Rockford, en route to Chicago President Joe Biden is all but certain to secure his party's nomination. Biden wanted South Carolina to vote first for Democrats on Feb. 3, but New Hampshire defied him, setting a Jan 23 primary.Both parties officially nominate their candidates this summer in the Midwest.First, Republicans gather for their convention from July 15 through 18 in ...

'I was really scared': Neighbor witnessed Austin house fire involving family of 10

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:14:54 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Fire Department told KXAN it had a busy weekend responding to nearly a dozen structure fires, which AFD Battalion Chief Mark Bridges said is more than usual. PREVIOUS: AFD investigating series of ‘suspicious’ fires in SE Austin "Many of those are just due to normal accidental circumstances. Several of those are being investigated as suspicious," Bridges said. "So we're still working to investigate the cause of those are investigators are working hard to figure out what started those fires and who may have been responsible if anyone was." AFD: 10 people ‘narrowly escape’ east Austin house fire AFD said one of those accidental fires was at a home on Adina Street in east Austin. Family escaped from house fire on Dec. 31 in east Austin. (AFD photo)Family escaped from house fire on Dec. 31 in east Austin. (Photo: KXAN)Family escaped from house fire on Dec. 31 in east Austin. (Photo: KXAN)Family escaped from house fire on Dec. 31 in east Austin. (Photo: KXA...

2023 was Austin's hottest year on record

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:14:54 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The unofficial numbers are in and Austin looks set to claim 2023 as it's hottest year ever. Based on our preliminary calculations, 2023 will end up slightly hotter than 2017, our previous hottest year on record.Hottest years in AustinFinal numbers should be available early January to confirm the temperatures to the tenth degree.Of the 10 hottest years in Austin, nine of them have occurred since the year 2000 with the remaining year being 1999.Climate change, caused primarily by human activity, is the main cause for the recent warmth in Austin and worldwide.The highlights (or lowlights) of the heat in 2023Austin experienced the second highest number of triple digit days on record in 2023 with 80. 2011 holds the title for most number of triple digits with 90.Most triple digit days on record in AustinAustin experienced 45 consecutive days with triple digit highs, the most ever recorded.Record consecutive triple digit days in AustinIn 2023, Austin had its highest count o...

Broncos coach Sean Payton: Russell Wilson “fantastic” in handling demotion even as drama around contract conversations continues

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:14:54 GMT

Game day didn’t bring the Russell Wilson benching drama to a close — or even move it to the back burner.After a 16-9 win over the Chargers on Sunday, Broncos head coach Sean Payton brushed off more questions about the nature of conversations between Wilson’s representatives and the Denver front office in late October and early November.The club asked Wilson to move back a March 17 guarantee date on $37 million in 2025 salary, Wilson said on Friday. He said that the club threatened to bench him if he didn’t and that the NFL Players Association and league got involved in the proceedings over the course of Denver’s bye week.On Sunday morning, the Washington Post reported on a letter sent by an NFLPA lawyer to the Broncos dated Nov. 4 saying, in part, that if, “the Broncos follow through on the Club’s threat, the Club will violate, among other things, the Collective Bargaining Agreement, Mr. Wilson’s Player Contract and New York law. And, we are particularly concerned that the Bro...