The New Year’s corks are popping today! The world is sliding into the year 2023. At 11:00 CET, Kiribati was the first to toast to the New Year with the 120,000 inhabitants of the island republic in the Central Pacific Ocean. For the first time since the start of the corona pandemic, tourists on the other side of the world were able to party again.
Kiribati has only been welcoming international guests again since August. The borders of the Polynesian island nations have been largely closed to foreigners since March 2020.
Samoa follows for the first time an hour later
Samoa, which abolished daylight saving time this year, follows for the first time an hour later – now at the same time as New Zealand and Tonga. Elaborate fireworks were planned on Savai’i, Samoa’s largest island, and in the capital Apia on the island of Upolu, lighting up the skies over the South Seas at exactly midnight. The cabinet had released 310,000 dollars (290,000 euros) for the light spectacle.
Many people in the kingdom of Tonga are still suffering from the effects of the massive eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai submarine volcano. In mid-January, the fire mountain spewed up a giant cloud of ash and gas visible from space for miles, causing severe damage in Tonga.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
