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Hundreds of thousands of celebrities gathered in the frigid Times Square to welcome the new year, joining the rest of the people around the world happy to say goodbye to 2008 in hopes of leaving behind their economic problems.

The icy wind blowing to -17 degrees Celsius (1 degree Fahrenheit) in the area, but that did not stop the joyful meeting covered with felt hats and sleeping bags.


"We are somewhat concerned about the economy, but hope for the best," said Lisa Mills, Danville, Ohio, visiting New York on Wednesday night with her husband and daughter.

Former President Bill Clinton and Sen. Hillary Clinton, who is the secretary of state of President-elect Barack Obama as of January 21, Mayor Michael Bloomberg helped down the famous glass sphere for the Times Square countdown to midnight.


The New Year also brought Unfortunately, Thai rescue workers reported that at least 59 people died, including several foreigners, and wounded 200 others at an exclusive nightclub fire in which a thousand revelers held in Bangkok.

In the splendor of St. Peter's Basilica, Pope Benedict XVI called for "sobriety and solidarity."


During Mass on Wednesday evening, the pope described this period as "marked by uncertainty and concern about the future," but called on the faithful who are not afraid. He urged people to help the families in difficulty and said that Catholic Charities agencies are doing everything possible to support.

In other people tried to forget their problems, at least for one night.


Six luxury cruises passed near the famous Copacabana beach in Brazil while the fireworks sparkled with about 2 million Brazilians gathered.

Robert Philip, a builder of 22 years, watched the spectacle with a beer in hand and no shirt.


"I hope that today will be the beginning of the end of war and crisis," said Felipe, who wore his dark glasses even though it was midnight. "I hope 2009 will bring to President Obama, we can help everyone to have a better life."

In some parts of the United States parties were also victims of the economic crisis. The public celebrations were canceled in communities of Louisville, Kentucky and Nevada Mountains. In Miami Beach, Florida, producers of entertainment ticket sales reported slower than expected for the holidays of celebrities, they say, would have been spent in other years.


In other parts of the world could feel this austere. When Parisians stop buying champagne, oysters and foie gras to dismiss the New Year's Eve, you can be sure that things do not go well.

"We will not hold a big way, we are careful," said Siham Moussa architect of 24 years. "Eat fish during the New Year dinner," he said while some of the luxurious area around the Eiffel Tower buyers reduced their costs for New Year.


Sydney was the first major city in the world to receive the 2009, with a kaleidoscope of light and its port bath caused the jubilation over a million people.

Randolph King, aged 63 and living in York, England, tried to forget the loss of his retirement sitting on a hill near the bay of Sydney and hoping the spectacle of fireworks in the city. "I'm waiting for 2009, because things can not get a lot worse," he said.


Political and religious leaders offered few words of consolation, and most predicted more problems in 2009.

In Greece, a mob damage caused by Thursday morning in about 10 banks and shops in two cars used in the outskirts of Athens, police reported. Authorities reported no injuries or arrested.

In North Korea the traditional publisher of newspapers, controlled by the state, called on people to support leader Kim Jong Il and promote the country's army. The message of this year, accused South Korea of an "anachronistic policy of confrontation," but critics said the U.S. government as usual.

In the Philippines, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo spoke of hope for the days to come, while in Hong Kong, admitted that some people were too depressed by his monetary problems to join the celebrations. And in Malaysia, the government simply decided not to sponsor any event.

In Iceland, the transmission annual New Year's celebration, which involved the prime minister left the air after a group of protesters attacked the hotel where the event was recorded. The demonstrators threw water balloons and firecrackers at police who responded with tear gas.

The protests, increasingly violent, have been common in Iceland, after the country's economy, one of the first to receive the most severe impacts of the crisis, was imploding under the weight of their debts.

In India, many people were happy to see the end of 2008, during which the country was rocked by terrorist attacks in several cities, culminating in three days of violence in Mumbai that left 164 dead.

"The year 2008 can be described as a year of crime, terrorism, killings and accidents," said Tavishi Srivastava, 51, a clerk from the northern city of Lucknow. "I sincerely hope that 2009 is a year of peace and progress".

At midnight in Japan temples were ringing their bells 108 times, representing the expulsion of demons while 108 worshipers threw coins and prayed.

In Tokyo, dozens of volunteers stirred huge pots of rice soup, placed tents and distributed blankets to the poor.