With the havoc wreaked by the pandemic, it's been a year most of us are happy to leave in the past.
And that's a sentiment also shared by many of the world's most famous faces, with a number of stars gladly bidding adieu to 2020 as the clock struck 12 on New Year's Eve.
From Taylor Swift and Reese Witherspoon to Hailey and Justin Bieber, and Chrissy Teigen and John Legend, here's how the world's celebrities said hello to 2021.
Queen Elizabeth II
The British monarch posted an uplifting message to mark the end of 2020, along with several shots taken throughout the year. Alongside photos of the Queen and Prince Philip marking their wedding anniversary, and the knighting of Captain Sir Tom Moore, the royal wrote: "We should take comfort that while we may have more still to endure, better days will return: we will be with our friends again; we will be with our families again; we will meet again.”
Cristiano Ronaldo
The Portuguese footballer rang in the new year with his four children and his partner, Georgina Rodriguez. The family marked the occasion by decorating their home with balloons, including four that together read "2021".
"2020 was not an easy year, there’s no doubt about it," Ronaldo captioned the shot. "But now it’s time to bounce back and show that, together, we can make a difference. Because no matter how hard is the fall, what really defines us is the way we get back on our feet and how fast we are ready to face new obstacles."
Kourtney Kardashian
The reality TV star got dressed up for the occasion, even though she stayed home to watch the clock strike 12.
Kylie and Kendall Jenner
The sisters spent the day on the slopes, as they enjoyed a family getaway to Aspen to ring in the new year. That evening, the model and the beauty entrepreneur appeared to enjoy a low-key celebration at a high-end chalet.
Chrissy Teigen and John Legend
The couple enjoyed a housebound New Year's Eve, celebrating the last night of 2020 with celebrity hairstylist Jen Atkin. Wearing festive hats and stick-on jewels, Teigen shared a photo of the two, captioned: "Mom and dad wishing you a happy, healthy and beautiful new year blessed with the purest joys and most positive vibes."
The model also shared a short clip of the group playing a quiet board game, as she peeled apples:
Reese Witherspoon
The Oscar winner shared a thoughtful video to Instagram on New Year's Eve, as she wished her followers a happy new year. Reflecting on the challenges that the past year has brought, the actress also shared her appreciation for healthcare workers, essential workers and teachers.
"We have to take space to grieve what was lost ... my heart goes out to everyone dealing with grief," Witherspoon said, before reminding viewers that despite the pandemic, there has been plenty to celebrate in 2020, citing: "People connecting in ways they never have, people appreciating the things that are important in life, people speaking up and telling their stories and people really listening."
Sophie Turner
The Game of Thrones star, who welcomed her first child with husband Joe Jonas earlier this year, ushered in the new year at home, surrounded by a pack of pups.
Miley Cyrus
The American singer opened the annual Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve show. The festivities were this year live-streamed, but Cyrus shared a selection of photos from her time on stage to mark the occasion.
Jennifer Lopez
The Get on the Floor star also performed on Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve, with the show's Instagram sharing a clip of the singer and actress performing on stage wearing a voluminous dress and bejewelled headpiece.
Joan Collins
The Dynasty alumni sported a festive red feathered dress as she posed in front of her Christmas decorations with husband Percy Gibson. "Wishing everyone the most wonderful next year," the actress wrote.
Justin and Hailey Bieber
The singer enjoyed a wintry stroll with his model wife ahead of streaming a December 31 concert. "Just a couple, with matching jackets, beanies and coffee ready to bring in the new year with our friends and family!" Bieber captioned the above post.
Chris Pratt and Katherine Schwarzenegger
The couple, who welcomed daughter Lyla earlier this year, took the newborn to the beach for her first seaside trip ahead of midnight. "Closing out 2020 with a quiet beach walk," Schwarzenegger, daughter of actor Arnold, wrote on Instagram.
Taylor Swift
The singer-songwriter paid tribute to a "weird" 2020 as she posed in a fuzzy brown bear suit.
Gwen Stefani
The newly engaged singer shared a throwback from her 2019 New Year's Eve as she wore a camouflaged mask, before flashing forward to 2020. "Who knew this would be the look for 2020. Stay safe, rock a mask," Stefani wrote.
Jeff Bridges
The actor, who revealed his ongoing battle with cancer earlier this year, shared a family portrait with his wife and dog. "May we dream together of the kind of world we’d like to live in and make these dreams come true through our actions," he wrote.
Sarah Jessica Parker
The Sex and the City actress shared a safety warning from the 1920s, which is just as pertinent in 2021.
Kerry Washington
The Scandal star celebrated the end of 2020 with her father, who ushered in the new year with a themed joke. "Dad jokes have been a way for both my dad and I to find moments of joy in this challenging year," Washington captioned the clip. "Even the social distanced ones helped bring us closer together."
Katy Perry
"Leaving 2020 like ... " the California Gurls singer captioned a shot of her preparing to be fired out a rocket.
Halle Berry
The Oscar-winning actress shared a selfie wearing a funereal black veil, writing simply: "RIP 2020."
Tracee Ellis Ross
The Black-ish star also bid adieu to 2020 with a portrait. "Leavin' the shenanigans of 2020 behind! You better let go of my hair," she joked, as she posed in an emerald suit.
Sofia Vegara
The Modern Family actress saw 2020 out with a bang, sharing a clip of a firework display as she watched on from across the water.
Drew Barrymore
The comedy actress turned talk-show host held a solo dance party in her living room.
Jimmy Kimmel
The US TV host cooked up a feast, sharing a photo of his pasta dish with the caption: "Wishing you all lasagna in the New Year."
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Read more:
New Year's Eve 2021 celebrations around the world - in pictures
17 celebrity weddings that took place in 2020
11 weird and wonderful New Year's Eve traditions from around the world
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
The cost of Covid testing around the world
Egypt
Dh514 for citizens; Dh865 for tourists
Information can be found through VFS Global.
Jordan
Dh212
Centres include the Speciality Hospital, which now offers drive-through testing.
Cambodia
Dh478
Travel tests are managed by the Ministry of Health and National Institute of Public Health.
Zanzibar
AED 295
Zanzibar Public Health Emergency Operations Centre, located within the Lumumba Secondary School compound.
Abu Dhabi
Dh85
Abu Dhabi’s Seha has test centres throughout the UAE.
UK
From Dh400
Heathrow Airport now offers drive through and clinic-based testing, starting from Dh400 and up to Dh500 for the PCR test.
Spider-Man: No Way Home
Director: Jon Watts
Stars: Tom Holland, Zendaya, Jacob Batalon
Rating:*****
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Bharat
Director: Ali Abbas Zafar
Starring: Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif, Sunil Grover
Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDeveloper%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ETribute%20Games%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublisher%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dotemu%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EConsoles%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENintendo%20Switch%2C%20PlayStation%204%26amp%3B5%2C%20PC%20and%20Xbox%20One%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The schedule
December 5 - 23: Shooting competition, Al Dhafra Shooting Club
December 9 - 24: Handicrafts competition, from 4pm until 10pm, Heritage Souq
December 11 - 20: Dates competition, from 4pm
December 12 - 20: Sour milk competition
December 13: Falcon beauty competition
December 14 and 20: Saluki races
December 15: Arabian horse races, from 4pm
December 16 - 19: Falconry competition
December 18: Camel milk competition, from 7.30 - 9.30 am
December 20 and 21: Sheep beauty competition, from 10am
December 22: The best herd of 30 camels
Top 10 most polluted cities
- Bhiwadi, India
- Ghaziabad, India
- Hotan, China
- Delhi, India
- Jaunpur, India
- Faisalabad, Pakistan
- Noida, India
- Bahawalpur, Pakistan
- Peshawar, Pakistan
- Bagpat, India
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Bournemouth 0
Manchester United 2
Smalling (28'), Lukaku (70')
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%3Cp%3EThe%20Coffee%20Test%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cem%3EA%20machine%20is%20required%20to%20enter%20an%20average%20American%20home%20and%20figure%20out%20how%20to%20make%20coffee%3A%20find%20the%20coffee%20machine%2C%20find%20the%20coffee%2C%20add%20water%2C%20find%20a%20mug%20and%20brew%20the%20coffee%20by%20pushing%20the%20proper%20buttons.%3C%2Fem%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EProposed%20by%20Steve%20Wozniak%2C%20Apple%20co-founder%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Married Malala
Malala Yousafzai is enjoying married life, her father said.
The 24-year-old married Pakistan cricket executive Asser Malik last year in a small ceremony in the UK.
Ziauddin Yousafzai told The National his daughter was ‘very happy’ with her husband.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EQureos%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EUAE%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ELaunch%20year%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2021%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E33%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESoftware%20and%20technology%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%243%20million%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
It Was Just an Accident
Director: Jafar Panahi
Stars: Vahid Mobasseri, Mariam Afshari, Ebrahim Azizi, Hadis Pakbaten, Majid Panahi, Mohamad Ali Elyasmehr
Rating: 4/5
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
Guide to intelligent investing
Investing success often hinges on discipline and perspective. As markets fluctuate, remember these guiding principles:
- Stay invested: Time in the market, not timing the market, is critical to long-term gains.
- Rational thinking: Breathe and avoid emotional decision-making; let logic and planning guide your actions.
- Strategic patience: Understand why you’re investing and allow time for your strategies to unfold.
T10 Cricket League
Sharjah Cricket Stadium
December 14- 17
6pm, Opening ceremony, followed by:
Bengal Tigers v Kerala Kings
Maratha Arabians v Pakhtoons
Tickets available online at q-tickets.com/t10
'Operation Mincemeat'
Director: John Madden
Cast: Colin Firth, Matthew Macfayden, Kelly Macdonald and Penelope Wilton
Rating: 4/5
The specs: 2018 Nissan Patrol Nismo
Price: base / as tested: Dh382,000
Engine: 5.6-litre V8
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 428hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 560Nm @ 3,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.7L / 100km
The years Ramadan fell in May
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
The studios taking part (so far)
- Punch
- Vogue Fitness
- Sweat
- Bodytree Studio
- The Hot House
- The Room
- Inspire Sports (Ladies Only)
- Cryo
BABYLON
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Damien%20Chazelle%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStars%3A%20Brad%20Pitt%2C%20Margot%20Robbie%2C%20Jean%20Smart%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Test
Director: S Sashikanth
Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan
Star rating: 2/5
The Settlers
Director: Louis Theroux
Starring: Daniella Weiss, Ari Abramowitz
Rating: 5/5
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
UAE%20ILT20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMarquee%20players%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EMoeen%20Ali%2C%20Andre%20Russell%2C%20Dawid%20Malan%2C%20Wanindu%20Hasiranga%2C%20Sunil%20Narine%2C%20Evin%20Lewis%2C%20Colin%20Munro%2C%20Fabien%20Allen%2C%20Sam%20Billings%2C%20Tom%20Curran%2C%20Alex%20Hales%2C%20Dushmantha%20Chameera%2C%20Shimron%20Hetmyer%2C%20Akeal%20Hosein%2C%20Chris%20Jordan%2C%20Tom%20Banton%2C%20Sandeep%20Lamichhane%2C%20Chris%20Lynn%2C%20Rovman%20Powell%2C%20Bhanuka%20Rajapaksa%2C%20Mujeeb%20Ul%20Rahman%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInternational%20players%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3ELahiru%20Kumara%2C%20Seekugge%20Prassanna%2C%20Charith%20Asalanka%2C%20Colin%20Ingram%2C%20Paul%20Stirling%2C%20Kennar%20Lewis%2C%20Ali%20Khan%2C%20Brandon%20Glover%2C%20Ravi%20Rampaul%2C%20Raymon%20Reifer%2C%20Isuru%20Udana%2C%20Blessing%20Muzarabani%2C%20Niroshan%20Dickwella%2C%20Hazaratullah%20Zazai%2C%20Frederick%20Klassen%2C%20Sikandar%20Raja%2C%20George%20Munsey%2C%20Dan%20Lawrence%2C%20Dominic%20Drakes%2C%20Jamie%20Overton%2C%20Liam%20Dawson%2C%20David%20Wiese%2C%20Qais%20Ahmed%2C%20Richard%20Gleeson%2C%20James%20Vince%2C%20Noor%20Ahmed%2C%20Rahmanullah%20Gurbaz%2C%20Navin%20Ul%20Haq%2C%20Sherfane%20Rutherford%2C%20Saqib%20Mahmood%2C%20Ben%20Duckett%2C%20Benny%20Howell%2C%20Ruben%20Trumpelman%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law