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World Begins to Ring In New Year By VOA News
31 December 2008
Pope Benedict is calling for greater sobriety and solidarity in 2009
as the world struggles with economic and social problems.
Speaking Wednesday in Vatican City, Benedict described the current
times as being marked by uncertainty and worry for the future; but he
urged the faithful to work together and to not be afraid.
The pope is also expected to celebrate a Mass on New Year's Day, which
the Roman Catholic Church celebrates as its World Day of Peace. Church
officials said the pontiff will talk about poverty as a contributing
factor in armed and other conflicts and discuss globalization as well.
Meanwhile, many parts of the world are celebrating the start of the
new year with fireworks and other festivities. Sydney, Australia was
the world's first major city to ring in 2009, showering its simmering
harbor with fireworks that drew cheers from more than a million
people.
Fireworks were also set off from Seoul to Hong Kong as television
presenters counted down to welcome in the new year. In Japan, temple
bells rang out as worshippers threw coins as offerings and prayed.
In Moscow, fireworks lit up the night sky over Red Square after the
national anthem was played. Russia has been celebrating the start of
2009 over 11 time zones. As the clock struck midnight in each zone, a
pre-recorded message from President Dmitri Medvedev was broadcast,
beginning in Russia's eastern corner.
Many people around the world are eager to say goodbye to 2008, which
has been tarnished by the global economic meltdown. Celebrations in
some cities were more subdued, while in other places, they did not
take place at all.
Festivities were muted in China, which rings in the Lunar New Year
later in January. The Associated Press reported that Malaysia, mindful
of its shaky economy, opted not to sponsor celebrations at all.
Elsewhere, Indian authorities threw a security blanket around the
financial capital, Mumbai, following November's terrorist attacks that
left more than 170 people dead.
Later, revelers in New York City's Times Square will watch the annual
dropping of the ball and countdown to the new year [which begins at
0500 UTC on the U.S. East coast].
Some information for this report was provided by AP.
31 December 2008
Pope Benedict is calling for greater sobriety and solidarity in 2009
as the world struggles with economic and social problems.
Speaking Wednesday in Vatican City, Benedict described the current
times as being marked by uncertainty and worry for the future; but he
urged the faithful to work together and to not be afraid.
The pope is also expected to celebrate a Mass on New Year's Day, which
the Roman Catholic Church celebrates as its World Day of Peace. Church
officials said the pontiff will talk about poverty as a contributing
factor in armed and other conflicts and discuss globalization as well.
Meanwhile, many parts of the world are celebrating the start of the
new year with fireworks and other festivities. Sydney, Australia was
the world's first major city to ring in 2009, showering its simmering
harbor with fireworks that drew cheers from more than a million
people.
Fireworks were also set off from Seoul to Hong Kong as television
presenters counted down to welcome in the new year. In Japan, temple
bells rang out as worshippers threw coins as offerings and prayed.
In Moscow, fireworks lit up the night sky over Red Square after the
national anthem was played. Russia has been celebrating the start of
2009 over 11 time zones. As the clock struck midnight in each zone, a
pre-recorded message from President Dmitri Medvedev was broadcast,
beginning in Russia's eastern corner.
Many people around the world are eager to say goodbye to 2008, which
has been tarnished by the global economic meltdown. Celebrations in
some cities were more subdued, while in other places, they did not
take place at all.
Festivities were muted in China, which rings in the Lunar New Year
later in January. The Associated Press reported that Malaysia, mindful
of its shaky economy, opted not to sponsor celebrations at all.
Elsewhere, Indian authorities threw a security blanket around the
financial capital, Mumbai, following November's terrorist attacks that
left more than 170 people dead.
Later, revelers in New York City's Times Square will watch the annual
dropping of the ball and countdown to the new year [which begins at
0500 UTC on the U.S. East coast].
Some information for this report was provided by AP.