National Lifestyle

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Las Vegas isn't canceling or scaling back plans for big New Year’s gatherings amid concerns about the rapid spread of the omicron variant of COVID-19, regional public safety and elected leaders said Wednesday.

Health officials in the United States this week cut COVID-19 isolation restrictions for asymptomatic Americans from 10 to five days, leading some Canadians to wonder whether similar recommendations could be adopted here.

NEW YORK (AP) — Amanda Gorman is ending her extraordinary year on a hopeful note.

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Sandra Jaffe, who co-founded Preservation Hall in New Orleans, introducing countless people to jazz through the intimate French Quarter venue over six decades, has died.

BRUSSELS (AP) — Belgium reversed some of its COVID-19 restrictions Wednesday, allowing for the reopening of cinemas, theaters and concert halls. The move was a victory for the culture sector, which said it was being unfairly targeted by the rules.

NEW YORK (AP) — Hundreds of flights were cancelled Wednesday as the omicron variant creates havoc both for travelers and for airlines that are having to cobble together flight crews as pilots, flight attendants and ground crews become infected or are

Clifton Collins Jr. has made a career out of being a supporting player. Even if the average moviegoer might not know his name, you know his face and his work.

NEW YORK (AP) — May this be the day We come together. Mourning, we come to mend, Withered, we come to weather, Torn, we come to tend, Battered, we come to better.

Greece’s health minister said Wednesday that music will be banned at all commercial venues for New Year’s celebrations as part of new restrictions announced in response to a surge in COVID-19 infections fueled by the omicron variant.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — It's not often that bacon leads a roundup of new laws taking effect with the New Year in California. But even in progressive California, that's the headline-grabber.