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New Year's revelries muted by virus as curtain draws on 2020

13 Sept 07:57 Key points summarised by AI

Global New Year's Eve celebrations for 2020 were largely muted or canceled worldwide due to the COVID-19 pandemic, marking a stark departure from tradition.
Major cities like Sydney, London, and New York significantly scaled back or prohibited public gatherings and fireworks, urging people to celebrate at home.
Governments enforced strict anti-virus measures, including curfews and deploying law enforcement, to prevent large crowds, even in places like Dubai that proceeded with some festivities.
Leaders used the occasion to thank citizens, address pandemic challenges, and promote vaccine confidence, as many looked to 2021 with hope for an end to the crisis.
Only a few regions, such as New Zealand and some South Pacific islands without active COVID-19 cases, celebrated the New Year as usual.

19 Oct 12:56 Key points summarised by AI

President Macron condemned widespread rioting and looting during nationwide protests, blaming far-left activists and criminals for the "unrestrained violence" and vowing accountability for those who "sought to bring down the Republic."
Over 2,400 arrests were made as protests against rising living costs and poor school conditions escalated, causing extensive damage to public buildings and businesses in cities like Paris, Limoges (where City Hall burned), Marseille, and Lyon.
The unrest, which organizers hoped would revive the "yellow vest" movement, saw political leaders trade blame, with Macron instructing prefects to protect public buildings and potentially ban future protests to prevent further disorder.