Fireworks And Revelry Usher In 2012

(NewsCore) - A dazzling cascade of fireworks erupted over Sydney Harbour at midnight Saturday, one of the first waves of celebrations as billions of people around the world say goodbye to a 2011 marked by natural disasters, economic turmoil, the death of Osama bin Laden and a fledgling democratic movement in the Middle East.

Residents of Samoa and Tokelau were the first to ring in 2012, after skipping a day by jumping west across the international dateline. They were followed shortly by New Zealand, which marked the end of 2011 with a massive fireworks display over Auckland.

In Australia's largest city, fireworks launched from barges exploded high above Sydney Harbour and the city's iconic opera house, lighting the night sky with a blaze of smoke and color.

"Every year we make sure our celebrations are bigger and better than the one before," Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore said of the 12-minute, AU$6.5 million ($6.6 million) extravaganza.

New Year's revelry worked its way west. In Japan, which saw a year marked by a devastating tsunami and nuclear disaster, people visited shrines and temples to offer prayers for the new year. In Tokyo, celebrations were expected to be muted.

"I can't say Happy New Year as I don't feel happiness," said Yuji Takahashi, one of about 1,000 nuclear refugees living in a 36-story Tokyo tower block, according to AFP.

In Hong Kong, more than 400,000 people were expected for a massive four-minute fire display over the city.

In the Philippines, where devastating floods this month washed away entire villages, a somber mood laid over the New Year holiday. A normally raucous event, this year "our countrymen are still reeling from the effects of the storm, especially those who have lost family members," Civil Defense Chief Benito Ramos told AFP.

Parties and festivities were planned around India, but in Mumbai, the high court turned party pooper by ruling live music at hotels, bars and restaurants must stop at 1:30am local times, The Times of India reported.

In Egypt, activists called for a candle-light vigil in Cairo's Tahrir Square on New Year's Eve to commemorate those who died in the uprising that toppled President Hosni Mubarak in February.

In Moscow thousands were expected to gather in Red Square for a fantastic firework display over the midnight sky. But the sale of all alcohol was banned in a bid to prevent the revelry getting out of hand, The Moscow Times reported. The country has seen a wave of political protests in recent weeks ahead of presidential elections that could see Vladimir Putin regain the presidency for another six-year term.

In Europe, which endured a spiraling economic crisis, Parisians are set to gather on the Champs-Elysees avenue to wave au revoir to 2011. In Amsterdam, revelers were gearing up for the first "kiss" between two giant inflatable puppets representing a Dutch boy and girl. The pair will move toward one other just before midnight before locking lips under a massive fireworks display.

More than 250,000 people are expected to line the banks of the River Thames in central London for a display of 12,000 fireworks as Big Ben strikes midnight. Millions are expected to watch the revelry on television but in Manchester, northwestern England, there was disappointment as a public fireworks display was canceled due to a lack of a sponsor, The Sun reported.

Moving south to Brazil, about two million white-clad partygoers -- both Brazilians and foreign tourists -- are expected to ring in the New Year on Rio de Janeiro's Copacabana beach, watching a spectacular "green" fireworks extravaganza championing sustainability.

Not to be outdone, New York City will host its annual ball drop in Times Square. More than one million people will gather in the area in unusually mild temperatures for star-studded musical performances from the likes of Lady Gaga, balloon and confetti drops and a fireworks display.