New Year's Eve: Major cities ring in 2024 as war shadows festivities elsewhere

Cities like Sydney and Hong Kong rang in 2024 with dazzling displays. Celebrations elsewhere are canceled because of wars in Ukraine and the Middle East.

Watch Night service: How the tradition for Black Americans has evolved since 1862

Watch Night services, which date back to the Emancipation Proclamation in 1862, are still observe on New Year's Eve at many multiracial and predominately Black churches in the US.

What's open and closed on New Year's Day 2024

Say goodbye to 2023, and hello to 2024! New Year’s Day is on a Monday this year, and many grocery stores and offices will be closed in observance of the holiday.

23 feel-good, heartwarming things that happened in 2023

From awe-inspiring, world-record feats to incredible acts of kindness, there’s no shortage of joy to be found in 2023.

New year, new laws: From speed cameras to gender-neutral toys, here's what's changing in 2024

In the dawn of 2024, numerous jurisdictions usher in a wave of new laws. Notable changes include minimum wage hikes in Delaware and New Jersey, with New Jersey reaching $15.13 per hour. California introduces speed cameras in cities like Los Angeles to curb speeding.

What happens to all the gift cards that go unused every year?

The life of a gift card can get complicated. Here’s what to know about the gift cards you’re giving — or getting.

Pope Francis, in Christmas Day blessing, begs for Israel-Hamas cease-fire

Bethlehem, the biblical birthplace of Jesus, “is a place of sorrow and silence" this year, Pope Francis lamented as he pleaded for a cease-fire in Gaza.

Tracking Santa: How penguins also brave arctic temperatures

It's not just Santa and his elves who can brave the frigid temperatures this holiday, but also penguins and SeaWorld in Orlando wants to give you an up-close look.

A day in the life of Santa Claus’ reindeer

Santa Claus’ reindeer train hard and eat healthy year-round to prepare for their most important flight of the year.