AP News:全球多地"低调"迎新年

This is AP News Minute.

The typically boisterous celebrations that bring in the new year were much more muted worldwide. New York held its traditional ball drop, but with very few people there to see it, as police kept crowds away.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil's famous Copacabana Beach closed for the start of 2021, due to coronavirus restrictions. Big Ben chimed at midnight in London, but the city's usual fireworks extravaganza was cancelled. 

Britain is beginning the new year with its economic separation from the European Union now complete. Trade between the U.K. and Europe now faces increased restrictions and red tape.

A pastor from Northern California held a New Year's eve gathering in Los Angeles to protest coronavirus restrictions. The pastor has been criticized for holding similar events where thousands attend, often without masks or social distancing.