welcome to the programme. cities around the world have been welcoming in 2023 with the latest new year celebrations taking place across the united states, canada, the caribbean and latin america. this was rio dejaneiro in brazil crowds gathered on its copacabana beach watching the spectacular fireworks display there. this year is in contrast to the previous two years, when celebrations were scaled back because of the pandemic. the bbc s louisa pilbeam looks back on how the world has been seeing in the new year. crowd: 5, 4, 3, 2,1. big ben bongs. times have changed and with covid restrictions lifted in most parts of the world, fireworks lit up skies with crowds able to watch below. in london, 100,000 people on the banks of the thames and a moment of royal reflection. the queen: i declare before you all, that my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service. people came from around the globe, happy to watch the tradition in person again. ama
Atalanta and marseille are level at 1 1. Their second match is in bergamo. The Europa Conference League already has one finalist after fiorentina got there for the second year in a row, Beating Club Bruges li 3 on aggregate. Aston villa face what their manager unai emery has called the biggest game of their season, as they attempt to join fiorentina by overturning game of their season, as they attempt to join fiorentina by Overturning A Li 2 first leg deficit against olympiakos in greece. Keeper emi martinez, whose Penalty Saves got them this far, could be back from injury for the match in piraeus. Of course it is going to be very difficult here away because always, with the, they have the most fans supporting the home team, it could be more difficult. Here their supporters push a lot, helping them. The biggest challenge we are going to face this year, playing in the semifinal. Now, a lot of mexican fans were excited when it was announced that the Azteca Stadium will host five matches
Call and it is the wrong call. The referee has the chance when he sees that we were in the second ball and we were in the rebound and we get a shot away within five seconds, he has the chance not to whistle. He takes the decision to whistle. It is against every rule, i am sorry. We accept we lost but it is what it is, butjust accept we lost but it is what it is, but just that would not have happened on the other side. The other two european competitions will deliver their finalists on thursday, with Bayer Leverkusen attempting to continue their perfect season. Already bundesliga champions. And through to the german cup final. They have a 2 0 lead over roma heading into their Europa League semi final second leg. Xabi alonsos side still unbeaten in all competitions. Atalanta and marseille are level at 1 1. The Europa Conference League already has one finalist after fiorentina got there for the second year in a row, Beating Club Bruges 4 3 on aggregate. Aston villa face what their manager
Semifinal. Naomi osaka is attempting to claim another scalp at the italian open, where on wednesday the four time grand slam champion beat a top 50 player on clay for the First Time Since 2019. Shes taking on ukrainian Marta Kostyuk in the second rounds and its currently 4 1 to osaka. Meanwhile, rome provides the next stop on what is expected to be rafael nadal s final year on tour before retiring. Hes on court in the first round against zizou berys in a tournament hes won ten times before. He lost the first set, won the second and is a break up in the third, leading that by 3 1. The former interpreter for baseballs biggest name Shohei Ohtani has agreed to plead guilty to fraud after prosecutors alleged he stole 16 million from the Los Angeles Dodgers player to pay off betting debts. The scandal engulfed the sport in march when news broke that Ippei Mizuhara had been accused of exploiting his relationship with ohtani to take millions from the players account. The Us Department ofjustic