Blog Verité

Some 15,000 spectators allowed in to watch the famed ball drop even as virus numbers soar in the US and the city posted record COVID numbers

New York City said it limited the number of people in Times Square to about 15,000 this year, after forgoing a public event a year ago. (Image credit: Jeenah Moon/AP)

New York City ushers in 2022 with ball drop in Times Square  Associated Press Times Square ready for reduced spectators at New Year’s Eve ball drop  Eyewitness News ABC7NY NYers share their hopes, resolutions for the New Year  New York Daily News LIVESTREAM:

Colorado wildfires: tens of thousands evacuated as blazes destroy hundreds of homes  The Guardian Colorado wildfires force evacuations ahead of the new year | On Location  ABC News Even in snow, homeowners hike to check status of homes in Superior neighborhood  The Denver

As the year comes to an end, The Times of Israel dishes with royal commentator Jonathan Sacerdoti about the biggest stories out of Buckingham Palace – and Montecito, California

James Bond actor Daniel Craig awarded same title bestowed on fictional spy in UK’s traditional New Year’s Honors

From a very Jewish World Series to inspiring performances in the Olympics and Paralympics, Jewish athletes and teams accomplished impressive feats across sports, around the world

New estimates from researchers at Columbia University suggest that the surge in cases of the Omicron coronavirus variant could reach an apex by Jan. 9.

TV quotes chief of staff Kohavi telling confidants that Palestinian Authority was pressured to act in city that is a terror hotbed; praises security cooperation

Iranian network shared extremist political content with leading pro-Netanyahu activists, offered to help organize protests against the government, watchdog says