(CNN) -- The rowdiness of New Year's Eve in Times Square, New York was interrupted by a moment of silence for the victims of the tsunami disaster in southern Asia.
In Sydney, Australia, where authorities said it was too late to cancel the New Year's celebration in Sydney Harbour, there was a moment of silence before midnight.
Television coverage of the fireworks turned into a telethon for tsunami victims.
The Asian tragedy also cast a pall over celebrations in Europe.
In Paris, black cloth draped the Champs Elysees.
In Berlin, flags on government buildings were flying at half-staff.
At the Vatican, Pope John Paul II prayed for victims of what he called "this huge tragedy." He urged the world community to rush aid to the survivors.
Many New Year's festivities in Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland were canceled.
Back in New York, Mayor Michael Bloomberg told a news conference Friday, "As a New Year's resolution this year, forget all the little things like "I'm gonna lose weight" and that sort of thing.
"Maybe we should all resolve that we are going to focus on doing what we can to prevent tragedies like that and respond to this one."
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Drove for the first time yesterday in the Sunny. It feels and ride better than the 323 obviously. Anyway i spent my first 6 hours of year 2005 over at AmenZ mou house playing Fatal Frame with bird and wil.
Wil left around 1+ to meet up with his frds while me and bird stay till 6.15am. haa ...
its a nice absorbing game. abit long winded though.