Jan 1(Reuters) - The world welcomed the new year with a packed party in Times Square and fireworks soaring above European capitals, while hoping for an end to the war in Ukraine and a return to post-COVID normality in Asia.
It was a year marked by the conflict in Ukraine, economic stresses and the effects of global warming. But it was also a year that saw a dramatic soccer World Cup, rapid technological change, and efforts to meet climate challenges.
5 minute readJanuary 1, 20232:02 PM GMT+2Last Updated 2 hours agoWorld welcomes 2023 and leaves a stormy year behind
By Andrew Kelly and Stefaniia Bern
Jan 1(Reuters) - The world welcomed the new year with a packed party in Times Square and fireworks soaring above European capitals, while hoping for an end to the war in Ukraine and a return to post-COVID normality in Asia.
It was a year marked by the conflict in Ukraine, economic stresses and the effects of global warming. But it was also a year that saw a dramatic soccer World Cup, rapid technological change, and efforts to meet climate challenges.
Advertisement · Scroll to continue
Latest UpdatesPower outage forces Philippines to suspend flights, shut airspacePakistan says it has provided list of nuclear facilities to India under annual practiceHong Kong eyes Jan. 8 to resume cross-border travel with mainlandMarket misery dealt sovereign wealth funds historic setback in 2022, study showsSouth Korea's Yoon says North Korea faces retaliation for provocations
Tommy Onolfo, 40, a mechanic from nearby Nassau County, said he wore a diaper during his drenched, 14-hour wait in Times Square, as security measures require spectators to deprive themselves of all comforts to maintain a front-row view.
"I'm a lifeguard in the summer so I'm not afraid of water at all," Onolfo said. "I have my bathroom thing down to a science. I haven't had to use the diaper yet. It's just in case."