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| 世界各地迎新年2012。Bernie Vest, a resident of the Philippines, stands with other revellers as Times Square begins to fill up with an expected 1 million people to celebrate the start of the new year in New York, December 31, 2011. |
世界各地迎新年2012。NEW YORK - With glittering fireworks and star-studded celebrations from New Zealand to Times Square, the world eagerly welcomed a new year and hope for a better future Saturday, saying goodbye to a year of hurricanes, tsunamis and economic turmoil that many would rather forget.
Revelers in Australia, Asia, Europe and the South Pacific island nation of Samoa, which jumped across the international dateline to be the first to celebrate, welcomed 2012 with booming pyrotechnic displays. Fireworks soared and sparked over Moscow's Red Square, crowds on Paris' Champs-Elysees boulevard popped Champagne corks at midnight, and up to a million revelers were expected to jam New York's Times Square for the famed crystal-paneled ball drop.
But many approached the new year with more relief than joy, as people battered by weather disasters, joblessness and economic uncertainty hoped the stroke of midnight would change their fortunes.
"Once the ball drops, I won't give 2011 another thought," said Kyralee Scott, 16, of Jackson, New Jersey, whose father spent most of the year out of work. "It was a pretty tough year, but God was looking after us and I know 2012 has got to be better."
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| 世界各地迎新年2012。Fireworks explode over the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House during a pyrotechnic show to celebrate the New Year January 1, 2012. |
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| 世界各地迎新年2012。Fireworks explode over Marina Bay during New Year celebrations in Singapore January 1, 2012. |
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| 世界各地迎新年2012。Fireworks explode during New Year's Day celebration on Red Square in Moscow, January 1, 2012. |
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| 世界各地迎新年2012。Women use sparklers to draw "2012" for photographers, in front of a house, as they celebrate New Years Eve in Manila December 31, 2011. |
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| 世界各地迎新年2012。Revellers cheer as confetti falls during New Year celebrations at Times Square in Hong Kong January 1,2012. |
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| 世界各地迎新年2012。New Year revellers from France pose for photographers at the Hogmanay street party celebration in Edinburgh, Scotland December 31, 2011. |
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| 世界各地迎新年2012。Visitors take photographs of a light show at "Temple of Heaven" during the New Year Countdown Ceremony in Beijing January 1, 2012. |
