Midday Roundup: New Year's celebrations kick off around the world

Ringing it in. Worldwide New Year’s celebrations kicked off in the Southern Hemisphere earlier today with fireworks, concerts, and public parties. Sydney started the festivities with its traditional fireworks display over the harbor and iconic Opera House. Australian officials estimate the crowd numbered close to 1 million. Despite fears of a possible terrorist attack, the celebration went off without any major problems. In the United States, New York is gearing up for its annual Times Square extravaganza, during which the famed Waterford crystal ball will drop at midnight.

Recovery efforts. Bad weather off the coast of Indonesia is hampering efforts to recover the victims of AirAsia flight 8501, which crashed into the Java Sea on Sunday. Seven bodies have been recovered so far. Rescuers initially said one was wearing a life jacket, but an official later denied that claim. Air traffic controllers lost contact with the pilot shortly after he requested permission to rise to a higher altitude to avoid stormy weather. Continuing gusty wind and rain are making it difficult for rescuers to pluck victims out of the water. An official said earlier today that debris first spotted Monday had already drifted 50 kilometers from where it was on Tuesday. The plane had 162 people on board, including 17 children and one infant.

Epidemic. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has declared this year’s flu season an epidemic already. Influenza is now widespread in 36 states, and 15 children have died so far. Hospitalizations remain highest for people 65 or older. This year, the flu virus mutated, making the vaccine less effective. Health officials still recommend everyone get it. The flu and pneumonia were responsible for 7 percent of deaths nationwide during the third week of December. Flu season generally peaks between December and February.

Rejected. The United Nations Security Council rejected a Palestinian statehood bid, voting down a resolution that would have called for Israel to withdraw from disputed areas. Palestinian officials now say they will consider joining the International Criminal Court to bring war crimes charges against Israel. U.S. officials maintain Israeli and Palestinian negotiators must reach a peace deal together to find a workable two-state solution. “We voted against this resolution not because we are indifferent to the daily hardships or the security threats endured by Palestinians and Israelis,”said Samantha Power, U.S. ambassador to the UN. “But because we know that those hardships will not cease and those threats will not subside until the parties reach a comprehensive settlement achieved through negotiations.”