World remembers

People held candles and white roses on the island of Phuket, tearfully embracing as they grieved, in a poignant symbol of the mood which darkened New Year celebrations across the globe. In contrast to the usual revelry, sadness hung over this year8217;s festivities after more than 124,000 people were killed and millions left homeless by Sunday tsunami. Australia led the world in a global minute of silence, parties were cancelled and trees on Paris8217;s grand Champs Elysees were shrouded in black Friday. In New York, thousands of revellers crowded into Times Square observed a moment of silence at 8:15 pm as they waited for US Secretary of State Colin Powell to cue the drop of a traditional glittering crystal ball at the stroke of midnight. 8220;We all have to look in the mirror tonight and recognise how lucky we are,8221; Mayor Michael Bloomberg said.

Sweden, Norway, Finland and Germany flew flags at half mast to start 2005 as a mark of respect for the dead and missing.

Istanbul, with memories of a massive 1999 earthquake that killed more than 18,000, cancelled a concert and firework display in the city centre. A number of Italian cities abandoned plans for major parties, deciding to send the money saved to help the victims.

In Singapore, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong called for muted celebrations and a fireworks display over the Marina Bay area was cancelled. In Hong Kong, where disgruntled residents are used to marking holidays with anti-government protests, political parties across the spectrum decided to postpone a New Year8217;s Day march and instead planned to raise funds for victims.

8212; Reuters