we are live in times square.nder an hour and a half until the new year, until 2021. >> hot diggity dog. >> hot diggity dog. we are in a very different times square than normal. the crowds are not here. normally there are hundreds of thousands of people here. they've been here all day. there are a lot of first responders, doctors and nurses, medical professionals, first responders who are there with their families in these pens as honored guests, as they should be. they are having a good time, and we're all waiting for the ball to drop for the new year. yes, i know. >> you're a little drunk. you know, we were just talking about annoying things, things that annoy us in our lives right now. >> yes. >> i'm very annoyed by this book that i read. >> you have a whole thing about children's books. >> well, i do children's book reviews on my instagram. and, you know, there are some that make no sense. i mean i had a '70s sesame alphabet book that -- i mean it says "h" is for hull. how am i explaining this to my son? >> th

new york's times square will be nearly empty when the ball drops. the celebration only open to a small number of front line workers. >> do not come to the area. if you think you're going to be able to stand there and watch the ball, you're mistaken. >> reporter: and with cases surging across the country, officials are sounding the alarm about potential superspreader events. as many as 14,000 people were expected to gather in part of downtown las vegas. the state's governor warning -- >> the larger the group of people, the larger the number that will get sick. >> reporter: tonight, that area now restricted to hotel guests only. and in california, where many icus are at capacity, the famed santa monica pier has been shut down. the cdc and cities like san francisco urging people to stay home. >> do not celebrate with folks or people outside of your family or people that you do not live together with. >> all right, trevor ault is live from times square. and trevor, as i look at your shot right now, i've reported down there in times square on other new y

invited guests 1st responders and their family members that were brought into times square to watch the ball drop and they were kept in separate pods to maintain social distancing this was the 1st time in 114 years that the general public was not invited to this annual celebration in new york city police blocked off all of the streets and even if you wanted to get in you simply couldn't do it it was just really surreal out of the performances were virtual a lot of the stars that performed weren't even live there they were videos that were pumped in from other areas and it to kind of give an idea of how this is i mean this is what you saw all over new york city on new year's eve with bars and restaurants and cultural venues that normally would have been open late into the night and celebrations all of it closed because of coronavirus and at the celebration in times square gloria gaynor played her favorite song i will survive perhaps symbolic for many new yorkers that have gotten through a very very difficult 2020 yeah gave a lesser amount of cells that new york was the global coronavirus

the virus killed a record smashing 3,744 americans in a single day nbc's gabe gutierrez is in times square tonight gabe, what's it like to be there without those shoulder-to-shoulder crowds we would normally expect this time of year? >> reporter: hi there, contessa. it is surreal to see the streets of times square this empty the new year's eve ball has been raised and lit, all systems go and there's a lot of anticipation to ring in 2021 but as you mentioned, the streets are nearly empty many of these streets are shut down there is a heavy police presence here, although new york city authorities say there are 80% fewer officers this year than previous years, simply because of the size of the crowd they have been saying for days they do not want people here really contessa, throughout the country muted celebrations large cities, chicago, las vegas, cancelling their fireworks displays new restrictions in other cities as well. but here in new york, the iconic ball drop, this has been going on since 1907. only twice has the ball not dropped but crowds still game here the two times that happened

we're live in times square. not as many people obviously as previous years. >> not as many? that weird thing you had with cameron diaz? sweetie, you need to wipe your nose a little. there was a weird thing you had with cameron diaz. >> oh, are you kidding me? >> you thought she had -- >> i was ask at -- you're prompting me to tell this? >> yes i want you to tell the story. quickly though. >> okay. i was at jimmy fallon's house for the oscars. >> name drop. >> yes. name drop. and cameron diaz was there sitting next to me. and i thought i smelled something that i thought she had passed gas and then i thought, then the smell got stronger. and i thought that she had pooped her pants. >> why would you think that? >> well, because the smell was really strong. then it turned out that the dog gary had pooped on the floor and i had walked through it on my way. >> jimmy fallon's dog? >> yeah. i had walked in it on my way to get doritos so it was me who tracked up -- i thought it was her. very embarrassing. >> didn't you run into her in the street? >> yes. anyway, i think she is on now

>>> tonight, the end of a catastrophic year and hopes and fears for 2021 the streets of times square nearly empty. new year's celebrations cancelled across the country officials warning americans not to gather as icus hit capacity the video out with people partying, and the country is able to celebrate where they're packing the streets. >>> growing concern about a new, highly contagious strain of the virus now in at least two states are there more cases than we know about >>> long waits to get vaccinated dr. fauci with the strongest criticism yet of the vaccine rollout. and did a pharmacist intentionally destroy 500 doses? the investigation tonight. >>> tens of millions in the path of a big winter storm from texas to the east coast. the new year's day forecast. >>> new video of the woman that wrongly accused a black teenager of stealing her phone. why she says she was the victim >>> history in the nba. for the first time a woman takes on role of head coach >>> and health care heroes on the front line what they wish for in the new year >>> this is "nbc nightly news" with lester holt.

you can see there are pictures of some revellers in times square, it isa revellers in times square, its a much lower key scene this year, because of course of the coronavirus pandemic, so there isa coronavirus pandemic, so there is a heavy police presence as they manage crowds and times square this year. instead of thousands and thousands of tourists coming in from all over the world, only a smaller number of invited guests have been asked to take part in this event, so have a listen and as they see and 2021. # in new york, new york... # i want to wa ke york, new york... # i want to wake up in a city that never sleeps. so there you have it, the us marking the beginning of a new year, 2021, happy new year to all. of course, new york at one point was the epicentre of the coronavirus pandemic in the united states, so people with fresh hope for a better 2021. later in the programme we will see how other cities around the world have elevated the new year, ina world have elevated the new year, in a very different way of course, with restrictions in place because of the global pandemic. as 20

in times square.for more than 22 years. tonight a very different scene. what are you expecting? >> reporter: you know, it really is extraordinary. it is quite upsetting for somebody like myself who has been here every year doing this with a million people but let me show you. this is times square 2020 style. you have nobody from here really till the end of the square. there is the ball. that will still drop at midnight. these are going to be filled in with a variety of honorees so if you come back up here we have the honorees from the military. we have honorees who have raised money for charity. it's very different. it is extraordinarily different. but it is still times square and it's still new year's eve. we're still going to get on with it. >> those front line workers who deserve to be there to celebrate are there as are you my friend. strong jacket. strong mask. i am loving it. tell me why this has been such an important moment for you as well. it's been a hard year. you suffered covid and had a v

the streets were virtually empty in new york's times square as the iconic crystal ball dropped ringing have not been allowed to gather for new year's in times square. >>> with traditional new year's eve parties discouraged this year, many people most likely cracked open a cold one while celebrating at home. but some small beermakers are having trouble getting their brews on store shelves. danya bacchus explains why. >> reporter: business fizzled when the covid crisis hit. with less people buying beer in person, the southern california company started canning it. >> it is a new avenue that we never really thought would be there. >> reporter: many tap rooms and brew pubs have adopted the same sell strategy during the pandemic. the craft brewers including fulton brewery in minnesota now face another challenge. there is a limited supply of aluminum cans to put the beer in. >> a lot of other brewers, beverage companies are experiencing shortages. now we're looking at periods in the future where we know that we're going to be not able to have the container that we need to put the beer in. >>

as the iconic ball in times square dropped at midnight it was to a much smaller crowd. as the globe wraps up new year's celebrations many would ask would things be better in 2021. the al-jazeera. in the news the heads donald trump cuts his vacation short trying to get more republican supporters to oppose the approval of joe biden selection with. john allen brooks of devil all fishing industry thought it had so much to gain from leaving with you the post graduate feeling love is one of the trail. it has been surprisingly roman western turkey but this edging line of thunderstorms which is a cold front will not temperatures back down to where they should be in the next day or so that's or greece turkey belgariad and remain here because most of the european plane is back down well below average but a typical wintry weather highs in the low single figures bricks of rain sleet or snow in many places in the cold winter the british isles and the north of spain and this cold wind when it gets over the western med she's fairly warm water even this time of year will generate storm

news live from berlin the us a says goodbye and good riddance to 2020 the ball drops in times square in new york without the usual throng in crowds cheering in the new year but people are urged to stay home many say all the start of the new year just through their television screens also coming up on the show countries around the world roll out their vaccination programs to stop the spread of the pro-democracy woodstock's limited some experts say they should rethink how they deliver the doses. we have all freedom to it all. and be used to us to make the most of it with the split and now official britain and its nearly half a century membership in the european again we'll take a look at the changes ahead as one era and and another began. and german chancellor angela merkel delivers what will likely be her final new year's speech she calls for patience in tackling the front virus endemic to a crisis she describes as a once in a century challenge. and i'm kyra jensen a very happy new year and welcome to the program the world has been saying goodbye to 2020 and ringing and 2021 under the

now, i love times square. with carley shimkus crowd surfing, and there's such a wonderful spirit -- [laughter] of enjoyment and merriment to be had in times square. but really -- there we are. gosh, look how young and silly i look, good lord. [laughter] but the fact that de blasio was going to celebrate and show us how much we could celebrate just arrogant and offensive in my opinion, rachel. rachel: i agree with you. i did not do a lot of celebrating, i had to get up early this morning, and my kids were annoyed we me. the duffys are going to do a redo on new year's eve of so we can have a little more fun than i was last night. jason, you were right around the corner. did you catch a glimpse of any of it? jason: no. if i had gone out there and seen mayor de blasio dancing, i don't want to -- [laughter] bomb it on the first morning of the day. come on, that's disgusting. all right, we'd better move on. president trump is back from florida. he's actually at the white house to help ring in 2021. griff: the presid

last year, more than a million people packed times square. tonight's celebration was only open to a small number of frontline workers because of the pandemic. >> in less than 60 minutes now, the bay area will ring in the new year. here's a live look outside from our kgo roof camera, usually we'd see crowds packed along the waterfront, but this year's show has been canceled. >> jr stone joins us live from the embarcadero. and tonight's celebrations look different this year. >> reporter: well, they certainly do, ama. usually we'd be seeing the fireworks and hearing the fireworks. not the case tonight. pretty quiet out there, empty streets, but it is not all doom and gloom. 2020 for a little while longer, and you're about to see there is some excitement there in the city. darkness over the bay on this new year's eve. no fireworks. no crowds. but at least one bootlegin' hotsy-totsy virtual party from north beach. >> three, two, one, let's do this. ♪ >> we're completely virtual tonight. >> reporter: meaning the magician at the speak easy who does

to us saying goodbye and good riddance to 2020 the ball drops in new york times square but without the usual drawing crowds to bring in the new get people in cities across the world have been urged to stay hold to combat the global pandemic. and on the eve of it yet that will see her leave office german chancellor angela merkel calls a covert crisis a once in a century chant. hello it's good to have you have any. after a half century partnership britain has finalized its splits with the european union as the clock struck midnight here at a border control near kelly in france became a reality new customs formalities came into effect as the u.k. quit the single market bricks of supporters are hailing the freedoms won by the agreement but those who wanted britain to remain in the e.u. fear the deal could isolate the u.k. as a brings new and complicated bureaucratic hurdles. takes a closer look at the immediate impact. from generally 1st british drivers on french or italian roads maybe needing some pieces of paper a green insurance card and an international driver's license and the future

times square is only allowing invited guests.ties did light off fireworks, bay area cities are not and they are urging everyone to stay home tonight. >> san francisco officially extended to stay at home order and travel restrictions. the orders require people not to socialize with others from outside the household. those traveling into san francisco from outside the bay area must quarantine for 10 days. >> 25,000 coronavirus deaths. here in the bay area icu capacity is 8.5%. in santa cruz county a total of two icu beds are available. today the sign that san francisco's cliff house restaurant was taken down. . >> a crowd of on lookers and cliff house staff gathered as the sign was taken down. a 20 year contract expired and they have been operating on short contracts. the last one expired today. after negotiations there was no workable solution. >> i'm a third generation san francisco an. i've had important occasions in my lifetime courtesy of the people that managed this in my lifetime. it's a tragedy the way they handled this jen

en times square por primera vez se registra un año sin gente las grandes fiestas no están permitidas.a de este 31 de diciembre es la esperanza. el 73% de los estadounidenses creen que el año que entra será mucho mejor del que se va. >> (música) >> crisis por covid cada tres minutos una persona muere por coronavirus en california. en hospitales desbordados por las altas los profesionales de la salud prueban ser los verdaderos héroes del 2020. trump regresa el presidente trump suspende por sorpresa sus vacaciones en florida la casa blanca no ha dado explicaciones pero fuentes próximas aseguran que lanzará otra nueva ofensiva contra su derrota electoral. hemos querido recordar también las cosas buenas que nos han pasado este año muchos aprendieron a hacer pan, otros se enamoraron otros, tuvieron el sueño de ser padres. tenemos la buena noticia del año. >> (música) >> noticias telemundo con josé díaz galaz. >> soy julio vaqueiro en lugar de josé. hoy despedimos el año 2020 un año como ningún otro y nos enseñó a vivir de una nueva manera. el coronavirus se ha llevado, seres queridos y ha g

. >>> on any other new year's eve, times square in new york would be packed with more than a million people to watch the ball drop at midnight, which is about four hours away eastern time. but look at it now. there aren't many people down there at all. you can see the ball, up there, right there. hopefully you can see it in the picture. but you're looking at the performance stage right now. a lot of equipment there. cameras around for the virtual celebration. they're asking you to watch it on tv or online. new york police, they're blocking off streets to keep people from gathering together to ring in 2021. here's more on what it's like in new york city as the city gets ready to bring in 2021. >> reporter: new year's eve looks different across the globe, especially here at the cross roads of the world as crowds have been told truly have in our hearts because those are the folks a saws there this year. >> everyone will have watch the physician these online or on a special times square app. >> we needed to find a way to pivot and have a virtual experience to go alongside the events happe

lo's showstopping performance in times square. the most important husbthing in my life. attack. i'm so lucky to get him back. your heart isn't just yours. protect it with bayer aspirin. be sure to talk to your doctor before you begin an aspirin regimen. just between us, cleaning with a mop and bucket is such a hassle. well i switched to swiffer wet jet and it's awesome. it's an all-in-one that absorbs dirt and grime deep inside. and it helps prevent streaks and haze. hd 8. ♪ it's a new dawn... if you've been taking copd sitting down, it's time to make a stand. start a new day with trelegy. no once-daily copd medicine has the power to treat copd in as many ways as trelegy. with three medicines in one inhaler, trelegy helps people breathe easier and improves lung function. it also helps prevent future flare-ups. trelegy won't replace a rescue inhaler for sudden breathing problems. tell your doctor if you have a heart condition or high blood pressure before taking it. do not take trelegy more than prescribed. trelegy may increase you

and a reminder of the top story we're following for you new york's times square has held is traditional ceremony to welcome the new without the traditional crowd thanks to the back to the select few watching in person included health care workers and at the front i responses. that is all for now i will be back at the top of the next hour with join me if you can but steve vcs absence of business picks out of i. learned german with t.w. any time any place. to sing music video never. had the benefit of quite the. songs to sing along to die.

believe it or not, this is a live picture of times square. u know those hundreds of thousands of people usually there? no one's there. no one's there. it's eerily quiet, shut down to the public on new year's eve for the first time in decades. only a handful of selected frontline workers and their families going to be watching the ball drop at midnight tonight. in sydney australia, fireworks lighting up the sky. spectacular. just spectacular. it always is. but very few people there to watch it in person. the show usually draws up to a million people. not this year. popular viewing areas were closed off so a lot of people watching this on television. in dubai, celebrations went on as normal. i'm going to have to go look up that word normal. despite a surge of covid-19 infections there, images of masked health care workers there lighting up the world's tallest tower before fireworks exploded from the skyscraper. spectacular there. wuhan, china. yeah, wuhan, china, people rung in the new year by releases balloons into the air. they had a pretty go

. >>> times square typically sees hundreds of thousands of people for new year's eve, but this year now crowded streets packed with spectators. the pandemic to blame. only invited guests and families of essential workers permitted to attend. >>> hundreds of nypd officers were on hand to make sure that crowds didn't gather. the cross roads of the world was also closed to car and pedestrians. the police commissioner says it was strange to have an empty times square. >> we have the men and women here. they're out here. they're out here to keep people safe as always, but again when you look around here, it's just surreal to me. it sums it up. >> this is the first time in history the ball dropped without the general public there to watch in person. >>> okay, let's take a live look now at the golden gate bridge on this new year's eve. always a gorgeous sight. we have seen a bit of fog tonight, not too much traffic. if you're celebrating your new year in your backyard, you're probably wondering what you can expect. a very stylish chief meteorologist ranieri joins us now with a look at your new

pedia al mandatario que aceptara los resultados de de manifestantes realizaron una demostraciÓn en times square regresar a washington con nuestro compaÑero pablo gato con una actualizaciÓn sobre lo que pasa en el capitolio. ¿cÓmo va el proceso de objeción en pensilvania? pablo: la cÁmara baja está votando. votarÁ en contra de la objeciÓn de pensilvania . es decir, a favor de que los colegios electorales se han contado. una vez se haya aprobado, el vicepresidente pens seguirÁ con los dos estados que quedan hasta que finalmente se proclame a joe biden como presidente electo de los estados unidos. un proceso larguÍsimo. fue obviamente interrumpido y que desde principio ya se sabÍa que iba a ocurrir asÍ. los republicanos, las personas que se oponÍan no tenían los suficientes votos. patricia: para terminar, una noticia de Última hora. twitter ha restablecido la cuenta del presidente trump.gracias con su sintonÍa. arantxa: gracias patricia. recuerden que la informaciÓn locutor: televisa presenta... chelita: chicles... chicles a tres pesos. o llévese dos por cinco pesos. chicles, chicles, llévelos. ma

saying goodbye and good riddance to 2020 the ball drops in new york times square but without the usual crowds to ring in the new get people in cities around the world have been age to stay home to combat the global pandemic. and evolve and give that will see her leave office german chancellor i'm going to back the calls of crisis a once in a century challenge. hello i'm christine one it's good to have your company. offs a century part a century and a half brother britain has finalized its fares with the european union as the clock struck midnight here at the border control near colony france breaks it became a reality new customs form and seas came in to fix the u.k. quits the single market breaks of supporters are hailing the freedoms won by the agreement but those who once of britain to remain in the e.u. fear the deal could isolate the good as it brings new and complicated bureaucratic hurdles. it. takes a closer look at the immediate impact. from generally 1st british drivers on french or italian roads maybe needing some pieces of paper a green insurance card and an international d

new york city usually that crystal encrusted new york ball dropping in times square at midnight but authorities planned out a much more muted thing as far as i was concerned i think i heard it was canceled but look nonetheless we haven't seen the ball drop though but look at that live picture of me. be wrong correct me if i am but there are people out there is the social distancing happened then i'll let you look at the pictures yourself it's new year let's hope for better as we go into 2021 ok let's check out some other celebrations now and see what did happen particularly in new zealand was one where it was so safe people could travel and get around to gather but let's see what happened of a quick glance now. one night to see it what did happen is that in the new year speeches leaders worldwide paid tribute to medical workers on the front line of the anti virus fight and expressed just how hard these last 12 months of being. it is a historic crisis that has imposed to march on everyone and to watch and sam i don't think i'm exaggerating when they say that never in the last 15 year

says goodbye and good riddance to the ball drops in new york's times square but without the usual trunking crowds to ring in the new get people in cities around the world have been urged to stay home to combat the global. and on the eve of a given that will see her leave office german chancellor and get a mouthful calls the covert crisis a once in a century challenge. hello i'm christine it's good to have your company. off to a hoffa century partnership britain has finalized its spanish with the european union as the clock struck midnight here as a border control frauds breaks it became a reality a new customs formalities came into effect as the u.k. the single hawkish bricks of supporters all hailing the freedoms won by the agreement but those who wanted britain to remain in the e.u. fear the deal could isolate the u.k. as it brings new and complication bureaucratic hurdles. it's a closer look at the immediate impact. from generally 1st british drivers on french or italian roads maybe needing some additional pieces of paper a green insurance card and an international driver's license and

cbs' nikki battiste leads off our coverage from new york city's time square.ki, good evening. >> reporter: major, about a million people normally fill these time square streets behind me to ring in the new year. but this year, as you can see, they are closed to the public. the n.y.p.d. says anyone who tries to gather here tonight will be asked to move along, except for 40 front line workers who were invited to watch the crystal ball drop. this empty new year's eve epicenter is a familiar scene around the world tonight. in england the prime minister ordered people to stay home. and despite a fireworks display in sydney, the harbor below was a ghost town as the clock ticked midnight. but in wuhan, china, thousands rang in 2021 wearing masks. in wisconsin tonight a hospital pharmacist was arrested for intentionally destroying more than 500 doses of the covid vaccine. police say he left the vials out of refrigeration overnight knowing they would be useless. >> we're really not able to make any judgments on motive at this time. >> reporter: as the u.s. counts down

venga con más alegría y esperanza (♪ música ) >>> eso es lo que necesitamos para que lugares como times squarestejando la entrada de un nuevo año dejando imágenes de vacío atrás pero la ilusión no debe faltar es que el covid-19 que deja más de 20 millones de casos condiciona todo en el país como el desfile de las rosas mientras aparecen casos con la nueva cepa del coronavirus el último en la florida, vamos con más detalles acerca de esta noticia, feliz año nuevo >>> feliz año nuevo para ti y para todos y hablando de año nuevo muchos celebraron con todo a pesar de las advertencias y ruegos de médicos y autoridades hubo fiestas donde muchas personas no usaban cubreboca en tampa se canceló su evento pero cientos llegaron a celebrar y hubo hasta fuegos artificiales y también se encontró el primer caso de la nueva cepa de covid-19 que es un 70% más contagiosa que el virus que hemos visto hasta ahora en new york las calles de times square este año estaban casi vacías a la medianoche en california se canceló el desfile de las rosas aunque se vio un especial por televisión este estado es donde vemos l

. >>> a live look at new york city, check out times square, normally there's a sea of people getting ready to ring in the new year but not this time around. officials told everyone to avoid times square, stay home and celebrate virtually. still you can see a few people milling around, but not many. >> it's weird. it's not what i would expect. >> are more used to seeing it packed with tourists but to see it like a ghost town is definitely on. >> while some people are opting to stay in for new year's eve, many spent the day playing in the snow. check out lake tahoe, the weather was beautiful for skiers, snowboarders and even people just wanting to play in the snow. the area got fresh powder last night making for some pretty smooth rides despite covid, people headed to ski resorts today trying to keep their new year's eve traditions alive, spending the day on the slopes. >> start the day off with a lot of powder, it's great, there aren't too many people out so you make your own tracks. >> trying to spend as much time out here because it's one of the only things open right now. >>> time f

. >>> the city of new york rang in the new year with the famous ball drop at times square normally very be more than 1 million people jammed the shoulder to shoulder in the largest celebration in america . >> there were only a few dozen taking part in the festivities including frontline medical workers and emergency responders. >> we have the men and women that are out here to keep people safe. when you look around it is surreal. >> there was less security, the new york police department had 80% fewer police patrolling time square. >>> across the pond big ben ushering in the new year with the familiar sound . the chimes rang from the iconic clock tower . it is already a year of big change in great britain that completed the break from the european union. ending the 40 year economic partnership with the eu trading block. >>> in australia fireworks lit up the sky over sydney harbour. this year crowds were not allowed. they told people to watch on tv . in the tokyo a bell was rung to mark the start of a new year. this is the country sees a spike in covid-19 cases. usually have a massive co

. >> five, four, three, two, one [ cheers ] ♪ >> time square played host to a few pods of mostly frontlineorkers, a far cry from hundreds of thousands who usually gather to watch the ball drop the pandemic reshaped the new year's eve norms, but that wasn't the case everywhere in new zealand, covid cases have been virtually eliminated and large crowds not wearing any masks were able to enjoy the fireworks. >>> now to the first full week in the new year. president trump is back at the white house after cutting short his florida vacation he's preparing for a key date in his last-ditch effort to try to overturn president-elect joe biden's victory. nbc's kelly o'donnell has the latest. >> reporter: skipping the mar-a-lago party to ring in the new year, but president trump's resolution has been all too clear, fighting to overturn joe biden's win with a republican recruit drawing new fire missouri senator josh hawley. >> 74 million americans have concerns about election integrity. we're supposed to sit down and shut up? somebody has to stand up here. >> reporter: congress has to certified the ele

watched series ever. [ cheers and applause a margaritaville resort is opening in the middle of times squarere's a a grape-nuts shortage. there's a lot to go over so, let's just jump in and cover it all at once it's time for a news smash ♪ >> jimmy: first up, the stock market people on reddit started buying stock in gamestop as a joke. and it caused so much chaos that some ceos want trading to be halted. people can't keep their eyes off the market right now, you know what else people can't keep their eyes off of "bridgerton. it's officially the most watched series in netflix history with 82 million viewers. the characters are high society londoners, so fancy and proper, kind of like people who wouldn't be caught dead at the new margaritaville resort in times square it's coming late this year it has an outdoor pool, rooftop views and a giant statue of liberty holding a margarita. if you ask me the whole thing seems nuts [ light laughter ] yep, there's a grape-nuts shortage the company says it's difficult to produce the cereal right now and most stores are out of stock. what's happening are st

eve in times square will good. it is almost eerie because crowds of been told to stay away. bill diblasio says he is excited for the celebration. >> don't believe any doubting thomas is that there will be 1 million people are more in times square. it will arguably be the most special, the most poignant, the most moving new year's eve. >> reporter: the usually shoulder to shoulder party, is restricted to 40 chosen front-line workers, heroes of 2020. everyone else will need to watch online or on tv. the police chief says anyone who has tried to come down here for a glimpse will be told to go home. normal security will remain tight with 80% fewer officers compared to other years. bomb sniffing dogs are out and drones are overhead and at midnight the ball will drop, the confetti will fall and all of us are going to be kissing 2020 goodbye and hoping for a better 2021. >> reporter: glad those heroes are being celebrated. happy new year. and this shouldn't surprise anyone. the new york post sums up how a lot of us feel w

right now times square in new york city, looking like nothing we have seen before on new year's eve. it is not packed like sardines as people anxiously await for the ball to drop this year. reporter nancy chen on the traditions that will will go on despite the muted celebrations. >> reporter: the empty streets would normally be packed with 1 million revelers in the hours before new year's eve. this was last year, compared to now. a desolate times square was just a smattering of taurus to capture the moment. >> it's weird, it's not what i would expect. >> i'm more used to seeing it packed, with boris. >> reporter: there won't be one here. the mayor says enjoy the festivities from the safety of home. >> avoid large gatherings tonight. keep it small, keep it simple, stay home, stay close. >> reporter: some traditions will go on. the new year's eve ball is in position for the midnight drop, and a special program will honor the heroes of 2020. police on patrol to break up any crowds, only allowing a select group of front-line workers. they will be here with their families, all socially di

that will be an opening for the sequel, the anteater that climbed up times square. >> i forgot the littlepots. the orangey red. enough of the insects. christmases christmas is over, let's move on. this year brought us a lot of biden blunders, a lot of times they didn't get covered but if we at "the ingraham angle" didn't cover them. >> all right, joe biden is revealing new details about his foot fracture? >> he might call this friday volleys. originally, they claimed joe hurt his foot thing with his dog.fo we question that story at the time. then last night, he expanded on it. >> i got out of the shower and the little pup dropped a ball in front of me for me to grab the ball and i walk them through this little alleyway to get to the bedroom and i grabbed the ball like this and he ran and i was joking ranting after him and grabbed his tail.al he slid on the throw rug and i tripped on the rug he slid on. that's what happened there he. >> this is an interesting story. i want to analyze this for as i can pray to gets out of the shower, so he is presumably ended buff, and the dog throws a ball

. >>> and here is the scene in new york's times square, where the ball will drop tonight. but police are not planning to keep people away, they are out there doing that but no one, really, is showing up. the only thing we saw there are some air dancers along one side of the street. that's about it. >>> we want to update a story the abc 7 news i-team brought you earlier this week about the officer punching his k-9 during an exercise. let me remind you, the video is graphic to some. the canine's been examined by a veterinarian, and showed no sign of injury. the dog's been removed from the care of his handler, and will under the care of a third party until vacaville police finish the investigation. earlier today, peta said the incident isn't training but abuse. >> scientists have long noted that we've mapped more of the moon's surface than we have the floor of our oceans. that's about to change. the daunting task has a small team of researchers spending the new year off the australian coast. david lui got to board their vessel, and how their work has ties to the bay area. >>

well new york's hugely packed times square continue to welcome far less people than usual and new york based journalist and commentator chadwick moore was disappointed personally by officials downbeat signals and continued restrictions. fortunately i'm not sure i share that optimism at this point i mean especially as someone who lives in new york city we already have the blasio our mayor and governor still pretty a very dark picture of what's ahead i believe they said where you still won't be open until 2022 i don't really see the sort of one party rule or growth democrat stronghold cities in america necessarily. getting back to normal i mean these these governments and these these rulers have shown just how much they're easy to become tyrannical their petty tyrants radical i think they want to give up that little level of control so easily and i don't think they're going to get it completely locked down their states they have their ruling almost by anything but military rule wouldn't they have a you know. forces roaming the streets making sure people wear it masks in shops they've got

>> jimmy, it was crazy i've been to times square a million times, but to be there with no fans on new awesome but jennifer did have a great slide. i thought that was my job. >> jimmy: yeah, i'm used to seeing you sliding, yeah she had one of the best slides whatever she does, she does it the best i just saw you guys are headed off to washington. she's going to be performing at the inauguration >> jimmy, it's been such a a crazy year for her i mean, so amazing so many blessings. but to think in the span of 12 months, she's done the super bowl, new year's, now the inaugural. it's unbelievable. and what's interesting is she's most nervous about washington, d.c. because of the responsibility and she wants more than anything like all of us to bring people together, to inspire. and, you know, music and sports does that better than anything and she has something really cool you're going to be surprised, you're going to love it. >> jimmy: really because she always does -- all right, good. i don't want to know, this is going to be so good. 2021, do you think you guys are finally going to get m

. >> gone were the massive crowds that usually pack into every inch of times square as the coronavirusillions to stay at home. >> also this morning frustration growing at every turn over the slow pace of the covid vaccine rollout. >> plus, a message of hope for all of us as we ring in the new year. the advice from one spiritual leader about looking beyond ourselves to something profoundly larger. >>> we're looking back at some of the lighter moments we had over the past year right here on "world news now." get it, mona. it's friday, january 1st, new year's day, 2021. >>> good morning. happy friday. we keep overlooking the fact that it's also friday and happy new year, january 1st, 2021. >> it is no longer this is 2020. it's 2021. >> every time you say 2021, i have a moment where my heart stops a little bit. is it december 32nd? >> no. >>> we have a packed show for you. let's begin this half hour with the world saying good-bye to 2020. >> after a year of unimaginable death and upheaval the iconic ball drop welcomed 2021 in an early times square. >> many enjoyed the party from the comfor

. >>> times square at the stroke of midnight on new year's eve.sight, the likes of which we may never see again in our lifetime >>> around the globe, subdued celebrations with an overwhelming, universal optimism for a return to normalcy, ahead. >>> the u.s. passes 20 million positive cases of coronavirus, as americans wait in long lines. plus, dr. fauci speaks out on the slow rollout >>> tens of millions in the path of a big, winter storm, from texas all the way to the east coast. janessa webb has your new year's day forecast >>> plus, the story of a police shoplifting call that turned out to be a wakeup call, for many. especially, when the punishment didn't fit the crime a must-see story, as we kick off january 1st. "early today" starts right now glad to be with you. i'm frances rivera welcome to 2021. countries, around the world, are ringing in the new year with fireworks and cheer. but in many places, like here, in new york, the festivities looked and felt different to years past [ cheers and applause times square played host to just a few pods

just about an hour from now the iconic times square ball drops in new york city as the world says goodbye to 2020 and hello to 2021. as millions around the world welcome in the new year britain has marked the end of an era officially breaking its decades long relationship with the european union the u.k. is now no longer a member of the single market or customs union and the brags that transition period has formally expired prime minister bars johnson has hailed it as a new beginning. this is an amazing moment for this country we have our freedom in our hands and he's up to us to make the most of it. and i think it will be the overwhelming instinct of the people of this country to come together as one united kingdom england scotland wales and northern ireland working together to express our values around the world leading both the g 7 and the cop 26 climate change summit in glasgow. simmons reports now from london on how the changes will affect people and businesses and. finally the bells of big ben bring bricks it in with the trade deal taking the u.k. out of the european union the end o

everyone else has to watch the festivities online, on television, or on a special new year's eve in times square app. >> we need to find a way to pivot and have a virtual experience to go alongside the active events happening in the square. >> reporter: there will be 80% fewer cops in times square compared to previous years, but security is still tight with the nashville bombing just a week ago. the nypd's counterterrorism bureau put up concrete barriers, swept garages, and more. >> we'll have screening for cast and production teams. this will be a multilayered process at the designationed locations that include magnetic screenings, and explosionive detection screen teams. >> reporter: and guests at five hotels in the area have been told they need to stay inside and hope they catch a look from their windows. in new york, fox news. >>> president trump today offered an end of the year message to americans. he highlighted his administration's work to rapidly develop a covid vaccine and also rebuild the economy. >> in the face of great challenges this year, americans showed incredible grit, strength

celebration but on a much smaller scale as the iconic ball in times square dropped at midnight it was to a much smaller crowd the usual as the globe wraps up new year's celebrations many were asked will things be better in 2021. man the al-jazeera. wherever you are around the world have a new year out of the real world is next i am one. i don't know. what the composer of the cinema are but a flat or. a bit of measure i've had the apostles. and then i would be of the cinema for the heck out of you. and all. in the family going to settle how about them. in the total measure i've had. and i was kind of. in the mood is 111 the more this has been the more there's been so i don't know that you know. michelle and yes i miss them i think will want to. because. they are thinking for. a while. do you for the home. loss of the family for as a spot to who don't want them. but must look their level best to fit in if you buy that you have to be a few home be a highly madame sickly father shipped to dry and like mine then. but managing the but i'm usually been molested a bit i'm still a lot and a lo

european union, bringing an end to a relationship that lasted nearly half a century. but this is times square