Pope Francis ushered in the New Year with an appeal for the faithful to reject abortion, calling for a “firm commitment” to protect and respect life from conception to natural death.

The U.S. has imposed sanctions on two groups linked to Russian and Iranian disinformation campaigns targeting this year's election.

Get the latest weather updates from chief meteorologist Jeff Hanna as rain showers and a chilly start to the New Year approach.

The Powerball jackpot has climbed to an estimated $1.09 billion after no one matched the latest numbers.

Illinois will usher in 320 new laws on New Year’s Day.

The New Year is almost upon us.

The world population grew by 75 million people over the past year and on New Year’s Day it will stand at more than 8 billion people.

Airports and highways are expected to be busier this Christmas season than they were a year ago.

The Serbian mother of a Massachusetts woman who has been missing since New Year’s Day and whose husband is charged with murder will ask the United States for official information about her daughter’s disappearance.

Always remember to tip your server, if you know what’s good for you.

French authorities have announced that children six and older will have to wear masks in indoor places open to the public as new cases of the highly contagious omicron variant surge past 200.000 for the fourth consecutive day.

A year after New Year’s Day passed without a Rose Parade due to the coronavirus pandemic, the floral spectacle celebrating the arrival of 2022 marched on despite a new surge of infections.

Despite clouds at times on New Year’s Eve, high temperatures will reach 55-60°! New Year's Eve forecast - 2020Just like the New Year’s ball, temperatures will drop on New Year’s Day. Hourly planner for New Year's Day 2021As that’s happening, rain will gradually spread over the region. It may even be cold enough before 2 p.m. for a few pockets of freezing rain in some higher elevations. FutureTracker - 1 p.m. New Year's DayRain gradually turns more widespread throughout the day, and it could become heavy at times too.

NHL players have balked at changing the collective bargaining agreement and the league is preparing to open the season Jan. 13 after starting training camp on New Year's Day, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press on Tuesday. “We are certainly continuing to work through all the issues we would need to resolve to start a season,” Deputy NHL Commissioner Bill Daly said. The league and union agreed to a CBA over the summer that included a 10% salary deferral for the 2021 season and a cap on money left in escrow. Players, however, did not want to renegotiate a deal that’s only a few months old. The league is planning to play between 50 and 60 games in the regular season before beginning the playoffs.

FILE - In this Jan. 1, 2020, file photo a 2020 Rose Parade float is seen at the start of the route at the 131st Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif. The 2021 Rose Parade is canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic, but viewers will still get a show with a two-hour television special on New Year's Day, organizers said. (AP Photo/Michael Owen Baker, File)PASADENA, Calif. – The 2021 Rose Parade is canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic, but viewers will still get a show with a two-hour television special on New Year’s Day, organizers said. The Tournament of Roses Association said in a Thursday news release that the TV special will include “live-to-tape musical and marching band performances, heartwarming segments related to the Rose Parade, celebrity guest appearances," and highlights from past Rose Bowl football games. The Rose Bowl college football game that traditionally follows the parade is still scheduled for New Year's Day.

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Seven people were injured after being shot at a bar in West Virginia early New Year's Day, police said. The shooting happened early Wednesday at the Kulture Hookah Bar in Huntington, interim Huntington Police Chief Ray Cornwell said in a news release. The statement said several people were found shot inside and outside of the bar. According to WOWK-TV, more than a dozen shell casings were found outside the bar and in a parking lot across the street. About 50 people were inside the bar when police arrived.