Global General
Goodbye 2009! World embraces for a more hopeful 2010
(Agencies)
Updated: 2010-01-01 19:00
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Police and other officials planned sweeps to detect traces of radiation or biological agents in the area, while a command center was staffed by FBI, New York and regional police.
Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd hailed events in 2009 like the inauguration of the United States' first black president, and international attempts to grapple with climate change and the global financial crisis.
"The great message from 2009 is that because we've been all in this together, we've all worked together," Rudd said in a New Year's message.
Australia got the some of the festivities rolling, as Sydney draped its skies with explosive bursts of crimson, purple and blue to the delight of more than 1 million New Year revelers near the harbor bridge.
Concerns that global warming might raise sea levels and cause other environmental problems were on the minds of some as the year ended.
Venice revelers rang in the New Year with wet feet as high tide on its archipelago peaked just before midnight to flood low-lying parts of the city -- including the St. Mark's Square.
The last year also offered its reminders of the decade's fight against terrorism, wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and more recently, rising militant violence in Pakistan.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown of Britain, in a statement Wednesday, suggested that terrorism book-ended the decade, with the September 11, 2001, attacks in the United States, and foiled plot by a Nigerian man to set off explosives on a US-bound airliner on Christmas Eve.
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Fireworks explode above Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro January 1, 2010. More than two million people gathered along Rio's most famous beach to witness the 15-minute fireworks display and celebrate the New Year. [Agencies] |
"In late December we were reminded at this decade's end, just as we were at its beginning, that there is a terrorist threat which puts our safety and security at risk and which requires us to take on al-Qaeda and the Taliban at the epicentre of global terrorism," he said.
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In a more upbeat theme, the Eiffel Tower was decked out for its 120th anniversary year with hundreds of multicolored lights along its latticework. It was seemingly retro in style, but decidedly 21st century as it showered the Iron Lady in a light show billed as more energy-saving than its usual sparkling lights.
Police blocked off the Champs-Elysees to vehicle traffic as partygoers popped champagne, exchanged la bise -- the traditional French cheek to cheek peck -- or more amorous kisses to celebrate the New Year.
Spain rang in the start of its six-month presidency of the European Union with a sound and light show illuminating Sol square in Madrid and images from the 27 member states projected onto the central post office building.
Partiers braved the cold -- and a shower from sparkling cava wine bottles -- in traditional style by eating 12 grapes, one with each tolling of the city hall bell.
Despite frigid temperatures, thousands gathered along the River Thames for fireworks were fired from the London Eye attraction just as Big Ben struck midnight -- an hour after continental western Europe.
Europe and the Americas may have partied harder than Asia. Islamic countries such as Pakistan and Afghanistan use a different calendar; China will mark the new year in February.
Still, in Shanghai, some people paid 518 yuan ($75) to ring the bell at the Longhua Temple at midnight and wish for new-year luck. In Chinese, saying "518" sounds like the phrase "I want prosperity."
In the Philippines, nearly 600 people were injured by firecrackers and celebratory gunfire despite a government scare campaign in which doctors displayed surgical saws on TV to warn revelers what awaited them if they got injured. The figure was lower than last year's but remained alarming, Health Secretary Francisco Duque said.
Duque said 26 people were hit by stray bullets at the height of New Year partying while 39 people had to undergo amputations due to firecracker injuries.
A man was killed in a fire that gutted 25 firecracker stalls near the Munoz city hall north of Manila late Thursday, police said.
At Zojoji, one of Tokyo's oldest and biggest Buddhist temples, thousands of worshippers released clear, helium-filled balloons to mark the new year. Nearby Tokyo Tower twinkled with white lights, while a large "2010" sign glowed from the center.
Tokyo's Shibuya area, known as a magnet of youth culture, exploded with emotion at the stroke of midnight. Strangers embraced spontaneously as revelers jumped and sang.
In Istanbul, Turkish authorities deployed some 2,000 police around Taksim Square to prevent pickpockets and the molestation of women that have marred New Year celebrations in the past. Some officers were under cover, disguised as street vendors or "even in Santa Claus dress," Istanbul Gov. Muammer Guler said.
In Stonehaven, on Scotland's east coast, the fireballs festival -- a tradition for a century and a half -- saw in the New Year. The pagan festival is observed by marchers swinging large, flaming balls around their heads. The flames are believed to either ensure sunshine or banish harmful influences.
In contrast to many galas worldwide, the Stonehaven Fireballs Association warned those attending not to wear their best clothes -- because "there will be sparks flying along with smoke and even whisky."
