New Year’s Around The Globe

%28credit%3A%20KAZUHIRO%20NOGI%2FAFP%2FGetty%20Images%29%3Cbr%20%2F%3EPicture%20shows%20the%20sunrise%20on%20New%20Year%26%238217%3Bs%20Day%20over%20Tokyo%20Bay%20on%20January%201%2C%202011.

%28credit%3A%20RODGER%20BOSCH%2FAFP%2FGetty%20Images%29%3Cbr%20%2F%3EA%20man%20takes%20part%20in%20the%20annual%20Cape%20Town%20Minstrels%20Carnival%20on%20January%201%2C%202011%2C%20in%20Cape%20Town%2C%20South%20Africa.%20This%20carnival%20is%20usually%20held%20on%20the%202nd%20of%20January%20every%20year%2C%20which%20is%20called%2C%20%26%238220%3BSecond%20New%20Year%26%238221%3B%2C%20and%20dates%20back%20to%20the%20time%20of%20slaves%20in%20the%20Cape%20Colony.%20The%20slaves%20were%20given%20the%20day%20off%2C%20the%20day%20after%20New%20Year%2C%20which%20they%20spent%2C%20in%20part%2C%20singing%20and%20dancing.

%28credit%3A%20NARINDER%20NANU%2FAFP%2FGetty%20Images%29%3Cbr%20%2F%3EAn%20Indian%20Sikh%20devotee%20poses%20as%20he%20prays%20while%20taking%20a%20dip%20in%20the%20holy%20sarovar%20%28water%20tank%29%20at%20a%20fog-shrouded%20Golden%20Temple%20in%20Amritsar%20on%20January%201%2C%202011.%20Thousands%20of%20Sikh%20devotees%20from%20across%20India%20and%20abroad%20are%20preparing%20to%20pay%20obeisance%20on%20the%20occasion%20of%20New%20Year%20at%20the%20temple%20in%20northern%20India.

%28credit%3A%20VINCENZO%20PINTO%2FAFP%2FGetty%20Images%29%3Cbr%20%2F%3EPope%20Benedict%20XVI%20talks%20with%20children%20dressed%20as%20Magi%20during%20the%20celebration%20of%20the%20New%20Year%20solemn%20mass%20in%20Saint%20Peter%26%238217%3Bs%20Basilica%20at%20the%20Vatican%20on%20January%201%2C%202011.%20Pope%20Benedict%20XVI%2C%20during%20New%20Year%26%238217%3Bs%20mass%2C%20urged%20world%20leaders%20to%20defend%20Christians%20against%20abuse%20and%20intolerance.%20%26%238220%3BI%20once%20again%20launch%20a%20pressing%20appeal%20not%20to%20give%20in%20to%20discouragement%20and%20resignation%2C%26%238221%3B%20said%20the%20pontiff.

%28credit%3A%20KAZUHIRO%20NOGI%2FAFP%2FGetty%20Images%29%3Cbr%20%2F%3EWell-wishers%20pray%20during%20a%20visit%20to%20Meiji%20shrine%20in%20Tokyo%20on%20January%201%2C%202011%20to%20mark%20New%20Year%26%238217%3Bs%20Day.%20%20More%20than%20three%20million%20people%20are%20expected%20to%20flock%20to%20the%20shrine%20on%20the%20first%20three%20days%20of%20the%20new%20year.

%28credit%3A%20Jasper%20Juinen%2FGetty%20Images%29%3Cbr%20%2F%3EHardy%20Dutch%20swimmers%20brave%20the%20icy%20North%20Sea%20on%20January%201%2C%202011%20in%20Scheveningen%2C%20Netherlands.%20An%20estimated%20record%20number%20of%20more%20than%2010%2C000%20participants%20took%20part%20in%20this%20year%26%238217%3Bs%20traditional%20New%20Year%26%238217%3Bs%20dive.

%28credit%3A%20Astrid%20Stawiarz%2FGetty%20Images%29%3Cbr%20%2F%3EDennis%20Jones%20and%20Charlie%20Brand%20celebrate%20New%20Year%26%238217%3Bs%20Eve%202011%20in%20Times%20Square%20on%20December%2031%2C%202010%20in%20New%20York%20City.

%28credit%3A%20Astrid%20Stawiarz%2FGetty%20Images%29%3Cbr%20%2F%3ENew%20Kids%20on%20the%20Block%20and%20Backstreet%20Boys%20perform%20during%20New%20Year%26%238217%3Bs%20Eve%202011%20in%20Times%20Square%20on%20December%2031%2C%202010%20in%20New%20York%20City.

%28credit%3A%20STAN%20HONDA%2FAFP%2FGetty%20Images%29%3Cbr%20%2F%3EConfetti%20drops%20as%20revelers%20celebrate%20the%20New%20Year%20January%201%2C%202011%20in%20New%20York%26%238217%3Bs%20Times%20Square%20after%20watching%20the%20traditional%20ball%20drop.

%28credit%3A%20Dan%20Kitwood%2FGetty%20Images%29%3Cbr%20%2F%3EFireworks%20light%20up%20the%20London%20skyline%20and%20Big%20Ben%20just%20after%20midnight%20on%20January%201%2C%202011%20in%20London%2C%20England.%20Thousands%20of%20people%20lined%20the%20banks%20of%20the%20River%20Thames%20in%20central%20London%20to%20see%20in%20the%20New%20Year%20with%20a%20spectacular%20fireworks%20display.

%28credit%3A%20KARIM%20SAHIB%2FAFP%2FGetty%20Images%29%3Cbr%20%2F%3ECrowds%20look%20at%20fireworks%20bursting%20around%20Burj%20Khalifa%2C%20the%20tallest%20building%20in%20the%20world%2C%20marking%20the%20New%20Year%20at%20midnight%20on%20January%201%2C%202011%20in%20the%20Gulf%20emirate%20of%20Dubai.

%28credit%3A%20ANWAR%20AMRO%2FAFP%2FGetty%20Images%29%3Cbr%20%2F%3ELebanese%20revelers%20celebrate%20the%20New%20Year%20in%20down%20town%20Beirut%20at%20midnight%20on%20January%201%2C%202011%20as%20people%20around%20the%20planet%20began%20welcoming%202011%20in%20a%20blaze%20of%20fireworks%20and%20parties.

%28credit%3A%20Stuart%20Franklin%2FGetty%20Images%29%3Cbr%20%2F%3EThe%20people%20of%20Hamburg%20celebrate%20the%20new%20year%20with%20fireworks%20at%20Landungbrueken%20on%20January%201%2C%202011%20in%20Hamburg%2C%20Germany.

%28credit%3A%20RIZWAN%20TABASSUM%2FAFP%2FGetty%20Images%29%3Cbr%20%2F%3EPakistanis%20celebrate%20the%20New%20Year%20in%20Karachi%20on%20January%201%2C%202011.%20New%20Year%20revelers%20around%20the%20planet%20began%20welcoming%202011%20in%20a%20blaze%20of%20fireworks%20and%20parties%2C%20temporarily%20banishing%20the%20misery%20of%20extreme%20weather%20that%20has%20struck%20across%20the%20world.

Larry%20Maxwell%2C%202%2C%20sits%20atop%20the%20shoulders%20of%20his%20dad%2C%20Christopher%20Lee%2C%20both%20of%20Baltimore%2C%20M.D.%2C%20in%20Times%20Square%20for%20the%20annual%20midnight%20ball%20drop%20in%20New%20York%2C%20N.Y.%20on%20Dec.%2031%2C%202010.%20Revelers%20who%20want%20a%20good%20view%20of%20the%20ball%20dropping%20arrive%20early%20in%20the%20afternoon%20and%20wait%20until%20midnight.%20%28credit%3A%20Brian%20Harkin%2FGetty%20Images%29

New%20York%20City%20Police%20Department%20officers%20search%20the%20bag%20of%20a%20man%20in%20Times%20Square%20before%20the%20annual%20midnight%20ball%20drop%20in%20New%20York%2C%20N.Y.%20on%20Dec.%2031%2C%202010.%20Revelers%20who%20want%20a%20good%20view%20of%20the%20ball%20dropping%20arrive%20early%20in%20the%20afternoon%20and%20wait%20until%20midnight.%20%28credit%3A%20Brian%20Harkin%2FGetty%20Images%29

Pam%20Enzor%2C%20center%2C%20of%20Whiteville%2C%20N.C.%2C%20cheers%20at%20revelers%20on%20the%20other%20side%20of%20the%20street%20in%20Times%20Square%20before%20the%20annual%20midnight%20ball%20drop%20in%20New%20York%2C%20N.Y.%20on%20Dec.%2031%2C%202010.%20Revelers%20who%20want%20a%20good%20view%20of%20the%20ball%20dropping%20arrive%20early%20in%20the%20afternoon%20and%20wait%20until%20midnight.%20%28credit%3A%20Brian%20Harkin%2FGetty%20Images%29

The%20people%20of%20Hamburg%20celebrate%20the%20new%20year%20with%20fireworks%20at%20Landungbrueken%20on%20Jan.%201%2C%202011%20in%20Hamburg%2C%20Germany.%20%20%28credit%3A%20Stuart%20Franklin%2FGetty%20Images%29

The%20people%20of%20Hamburg%20celebrate%20the%20new%20year%20with%20fireworks%20at%20Landungbrueken%20on%20Jan.%201%2C%202011%20in%20Hamburg%2C%20Germany.%20%20%28credit%3A%20Stuart%20Franklin%2FGetty%20Images%29

Revelers%20celebrate%20near%20the%20Brandenburg%20Gate%20on%20New%20Year%26%238217%3Bs%20Eve%20on%20Jan.%201%2C%202011%20in%20Berlin%2C%20Germany.%20Up%20to%20one%20million%20people%20were%20expected%20to%20celebrate%20the%20arrival%20of%202011%20on%20the%20nearby%20Strasse%20des%2017.%20Juni%20street.%20%20%28credit%3A%20Sean%20Gallup%2FGetty%20Images%29

Fireworks%20explode%20over%20the%20Quadriga%20statue%20on%20the%20Brandenburg%20Gate%20on%20New%20Year%26%238217%3Bs%20Eve%20on%20Jan.%201%2C%202011%20in%20Berlin%2C%20Germany.%20Up%20to%20one%20million%20people%20were%20expected%20to%20celebrate%20the%20arrival%20of%202011%20on%20the%20nearby%20Strasse%20des%2017.%20Juni%20street.%20%20%28credit%3A%20Sean%20Gallup%2FGetty%20Images%29

New%20Year%20revellers%20gather%20on%20Princes%20Street%20ahead%20of%20the%20New%20Year%20celebrations%20on%20Dec.%2031%2C%202010%20in%20Edinburgh%2C%20Scotland.%20It%20is%20expected%20that%20around%2080%2C000%20people%20will%20attend%20the%20festivities%20in%20Scotland%26%238217%3Bs%20capital.%20%20%20%28credit%3A%20Jeff%20J%20Mitchell%2FGetty%20Images%29

New%20Year%20revellers%20gather%20on%20Princes%20Street%20ahead%20of%20the%20New%20Year%20celebrations%20on%20Dec.%2031%2C%202009%20in%20Edinburgh%2C%20Scotland.%20It%20is%20expected%20that%20around%2080%2C000%20people%20will%20attend%20the%20festivities%20in%20Scotland%26%238217%3Bs%20capital.%20%20%28credit%3A%20Jeff%20J%20Mitchell%2FGetty%20Images%29

%28credit%3A%20SAEED%20KHAN%2FAFP%2FGetty%20Images%29%3Cbr%20%2F%3EResidents%20enjoy%20fireworks%20during%20the%20New%20Year%20celebrations%20at%20the%20Malaysia%26%238217%3Bs%20landmark%20Patronas%20Twin%20Towers%20in%20Kuala%20Lumpur%20on%20January%201%2C%202011.%20New%20Year%20revelers%20around%20the%20planet%20welcomed%202011%20in%20a%20blaze%20of%20fireworks%20and%20parties%2C%20temporarily%20banishing%20the%20misery%20of%20extreme%20weather%20which%20has%20struck%20countries%20across%20the%20world.

%28credit%3A%20BAY%20ISMOYO%2FAFP%2FGetty%20Images%29%3Cbr%20%2F%3EFireworks%20are%20seen%20above%20Jakarta%26%238217%3Bs%20downtown%20on%20January%201%2C%202011%20marking%20the%20New%20Year.%20Hundreds%20of%20thousands%20of%20people%20gathered%20in%20Jakarta%20to%20mark%20the%20New%20Year.

%28credit%3A%20BAY%20ISMOYO%2FAFP%2FGetty%20Images%29%3Cbr%20%2F%3EA%20light%20stream%20marks%20the%20number%202011%20at%20Jakarta%26%238217%3Bs%20downtown%20on%20January%201%2C%202011%20during%20the%20New%20Year%26%238217%3Bs%20celebrations.%20Hundreds%20of%20thousands%20of%20people%20gathered%20in%20Jakarta%20to%20mark%20the%20New%20Year.

%28credit%3A%20ROSLAN%20RAHMAN%2FAFP%2FGetty%20Images%29%3Cbr%20%2F%3EPeople%20dance%20to%20celebrate%20the%20New%20Year%20in%20front%20of%20the%20Asian%20Civilization%20Museum%20in%20Singapore%20on%20January%201%2C%202011.%20Singapore%26%238217%3Bs%20economy%20expanded%20at%20a%20record%2014.7%20percent%20in%202010%2C%20Prime%20Minister%20Lee%20Hsien%20Loong%20said%20December%2031%2C%20as%20the%20city-state%20recovered%20sharply%20from%20last%20year%26%238217%3Bs%20recession.

%28credit%3A%20Ed%20Jones%2FAFP%2FGetty%20Images%29%3Cbr%20%2F%3EModels%20hold%20inflatable%20numbers%20as%20they%20pose%20for%20photos%20during%20a%20New%20Year%20party%20in%20Hong%20Kong%20on%20January%201%2C%202011.%20New%20Year%20revelers%20around%20the%20world%20welcomed%202010%20in%20a%20blaze%20of%20fireworks%20and%20parties.

%28credit%3A%20KAZUHIRO%20NOGI%2FAFP%2FGetty%20Images%29%3Cbr%20%2F%3EPeople%20set%20balloons%20free%20to%20celebrate%20the%20New%20Year%20during%20a%20countdown%20ceremony%20at%20Tokyo%26%238217%3Bs%20Zojoji%20Buddhist%20temple%20on%20January%201%2C%202011.

%28credit%3A%20PATRICK%20LIN%2FAFP%2FGetty%20Images%29%3Cbr%20%2F%3EFireworks%20explode%20above%20Taiwan%26%238217%3Bs%20tallest%20building%2C%20Taipei%20101%2C%20on%20January%201%2C%202011%20to%20celebrate%20the%20New%20Year.%20Hundreds%20of%20thousands%20of%20people%20gathered%20in%20Taipei%20to%20mark%20the%20100th%20anniversary%20of%20the%20establishment%20of%20the%20Republic%20of%20China.

%28credit%3A%20PARK%20JI-HWAN%2FAFP%2FGetty%20Images%29%3Cbr%20%2F%3ESouth%20Koreans%20gather%20to%20celebrate%202011%20New%20Year%26%238217%3Bs%20fireworks%20in%20downtown%20Seoul%20on%20January%201%2C%202011.%20New%20Year%20revelers%20around%20the%20planet%20welcomed%202011%20in%20a%20blaze%20of%20fireworks%20and%20parties%2C%20temporarily%20banishing%20the%20misery%20of%20extreme%20weather%20which%20has%20struck%20countries%20across%20the%20world.

%28credit%3A%20Ed%20Jones%2FAFP%2FGetty%20Images%29%3Cbr%20%2F%3EFireworks%20light%20up%20the%20Hong%20Kong%20skyline%20above%20Victoria%20harbor%20on%20January%201%2C%202011.%20Around%20400%2C000%20were%20expected%20to%20attend%20the%20display%20marking%20the%20new%20year.

%28credit%3A%20Cameron%20Spencer%2FGetty%20Images%29%3Cbr%20%2F%3EFireworks%20light%20up%20the%20skyline%20over%20Sydney%20Harbor%20during%20the%20midnight%20fireworks%20session%20as%20Sydney%20Celebrates%20New%20Year%26%238217%3Bs%20Eve%20on%20December%2031%2C%202010%20in%20Sydney%2C%20Australia.

%28credit%3A%20Jeremy%20Ng%2FGetty%20Images%29%3Cbr%20%2F%3EFireworks%20light%20up%20Sydney%20Harbor%20during%20the%20midnight%20fireworks%20session%20as%20Sydney%20Celebrates%20New%20Year%26%238217%3Bs%20Eve%20on%20December%2031%2C%202010%20in%20Sydney%2C%20Australia.

%28credit%3A%20Jeremy%20Ng%2FGetty%20Images%29%3Cbr%20%2F%3EFireworks%20explode%20above%20the%20Sydney%20Opera%20House%20during%20the%20preliminary%209pm%20session%20as%20Sydney%20celebrates%20New%20Year%26%238217%3Bs%20Eve%20on%20December%2031%2C%202010%20in%20Sydney%2C%20Australia.

%28credit%3A%20Hannah%20Johnston%2FGetty%20Images%29%3Cbr%20%2F%3EA%20laser%20show%20is%20shown%20to%20celebrate%20the%20new%20year%20on%20December%2031%2C%202010%20in%20Gisborne%2C%20New%20Zealand.

%28credit%3A%20MIGUEL%20MEDINA%2FAFP%2FGetty%20Images%29%3Cbr%20%2F%3EA%20picture%20taken%20on%20December%2029%2C%202010%20in%20Paris%20shows%20a%20glass%20being%20filled%20up%20with%20champagne.%20Days%20before%20New%20Year%26%238217%3Bs%20Eve%2C%20French%20researchers%20have%20found%20scientific%20evidence%20for%20what%20many%20champagne%20tipplers%20have%20long%20known%20%26%238212%3B%20that%20the%20bubbles%20are%20the%20key%20to%20a%20good%20bubbly.

%28credit%3A%20SAJJAD%20HUSSAIN%2FAFP%2FGetty%20Images%29%3Cbr%20%2F%3EVisitors%20watch%20the%20last%20sunset%20of%20the%20year%20over%20the%20Arabian%20Sea%20in%20Mumbai%20on%20December%2031%2C%202010.%20Mumbai%20police%20warned%20that%20four%20operatives%20of%20the%20Pakistan-based%20Lashkar-e-Taiba%20%28LeT%29%20militant%20outfit%20were%20preparing%20a%20%26%238220%3Bviolent%20attack%26%238221%3B%20during%20the%20festive%20season%20and%20called%20for%20residents%20to%20be%20vigilant.%20New%20Year%20revelers%20around%20the%20planet%20will%20welcome%202011%20in%20a%20blaze%20of%20fireworks%20and%20parties%20Friday%2C%20temporarily%20banishing%20the%20misery%20of%20extreme%20weather%20which%20has%20struck%20countries%20across%20the%20world.

%28credit%3A%20Jeff%20J%20Mitchell%2FGetty%20Images%29%3Cbr%20%2F%3EMen%20dressed%20as%20Vikings%20lead%20the%20torchlight%20procession%20as%20it%20makes%20its%20way%20along%20Princess%20Street%20for%20the%20start%20of%20the%20New%20Year%20celebrations%20December%2030%2C%202010%20in%20Edinburgh%2C%20Scotland.%20Thousands%20of%20people%20joined%20in%20the%20torchlight%20procession%2C%20followed%20by%20the%20burning%20of%20a%20Viking%20long%20ship.

%28credit%3A%20NOEL%20CELIS%2FAFP%2FGetty%20Images%29%3Cbr%20%2F%3EA%20police%20officer%20confiscates%20banned%20types%20of%20firecracker%20at%20Divisoria%20market%20as%20the%20Philippines%20gears%20up%20to%20welcome%20in%20the%20New%20Year%20in%20Manila%20on%20December%2029%2C%202010.%20The%20Philippines%20is%20mainly%20Roman%20Catholic%2C%20but%20the%20celebrations%20draw%20on%20ancient%20superstitions%20and%20Chinese%20traditions%20in%20which%20the%20noise%20from%20firecrackers%20is%20meant%20to%20drive%20away%20evil%20spirits%20and%20bring%20good%20luck%20in%20the%20coming%20year.

%28credit%3A%20LAKRUWAN%20WANNIARACHCHI%2FAFP%2FGetty%20Images%29%3Cbr%20%2F%3EA%20Sri%20Lankan%20boy%20sells%20fire%20crackers%20in%20Colombo%20on%20December%2031%2C%202010%20ahead%20of%20New%20Year%26%238217%3Bs%20eve.%20%20The%20tropical%20island%20economy%20has%20grown%20at%20a%20blistering%20pace%20since%20government%20troops%20in%20May%202009%20ended%20a%2037-year%20ethnic%20conflict%20with%20Tamil%20Tiger%20rebels%20that%20the%20United%20Nations%20estimates%20left%20over%20100%2C000%20people%20dead.

%28credit%3A%20NARINDER%20NANU%2FAFP%2FGetty%20Images%29%3Cbr%20%2F%3EIndian%20artist%20Harwinder%20Singh%20Gill%20displays%20coloring%20pencils%20carved%20with%20new%20year%20greetings%20on%20new%20year%26%238217%3Bs%20eve%20in%20Amritsar%20on%20December%2031%2C%202010.%20New%20Year%20revelers%20around%20the%20planet%20will%20welcome%202011%20in%20a%20blaze%20of%20fireworks%20and%20parties%20Friday%2C%20temporarily%20banishing%20the%20misery%20of%20extreme%20weather%20which%20has%20struck%20countries%20across%20the%20world.

%28credit%3A%20NOEL%20CELIS%2FAFP%2FGetty%20Images%29%3Cbr%20%2F%3EChildren%20blow%20their%20toy%20horns%20in%20Divisoria%20market%20as%20the%20Philippines%20gears%20up%20for%20New%20Year%20in%20Manila%20on%20December%2029%2C%202010.

%28credit%3A%20DESHAKALYAN%20CHOWDHURY%2FAFP%2FGetty%20Images%29%3Cbr%20%2F%3EUnderprivileged%20Indian%20children%20fly%20kites%20with%20wish%20notes%20attached%20in%20Kolkata%20on%20December%2031%2C%202010.%20Some%20hundred%20slum%20dwelling%20children%20took%20part%20in%20an%20unique%20kite%20flying%20ceremony%20where%20they%20attached%20new%20year%26%238217%3Bs%20wishes%20with%20their%20kites.%20New%20Year%20revelers%20around%20the%20planet%20will%20welcome%202011%20in%20a%20blaze%20of%20fireworks%20and%20parties%20Friday%2C%20temporarily%20banishing%20the%20misery%20of%20extreme%20weather%20which%20has%20struck%20countries%20across%20the%20world.

%28credit%3A%20PARK%20JI-HWAN%2FAFP%2FGetty%20Images%29%3Cbr%20%2F%3EA%20South%20Korean%20diver%20dressed%20as%20a%20rabbit%20holds%20a%20placard%20reading%20%26%238220%3BHappy%20New%20Year%26%238221%3B%20as%20a%20school%20of%20fish%20swim%20by%20during%20an%20event%20to%20mark%20the%20upcoming%20Year%20of%20the%20Rabbit%20at%20the%20COEX%20Aquarium%20in%20Seoul%20on%20December%2031%2C%202010.%20The%20year%20of%202011%20is%20the%20%26%238216%3BYear%20of%20Rabbit%26%238221%3B%20under%20the%2012-year%20Chinese%20calendar%20where%20each%20year%20is%20named%20after%20one%20of%20the%2012%20key%20animals%20in%20turn.

%28credit%3A%20NOEL%20CELIS%2FAFP%2FGetty%20Images%29%3Cbr%20%2F%3EZoo%20owner%20Manny%20Tangco%20%28C%29%20holds%20up%20a%20rabbit%20and%20a%20tiger%20cub%20at%20the%20Malabon%20Zoo%20in%20Malabon%2C%20in%20northern%20Metro%20Manila%20on%20December%2028%2C%202010%20to%20illustrate%20the%20shift%20from%20the%20%26%238220%3BYear%20of%20the%20Tiger%26%238221%3B%20to%20the%20%26%238220%3BYear%20of%20the%20Rabbit%26%238221%3B.%20%20China%20and%20many%20other%20parts%20of%20Asia%20will%20celebrate%20the%20start%20of%20the%20%26%238220%3BYear%20of%20the%20Rabbit%26%238221%3B%20at%20Lunar%20New%20Year%20in%20early%20February%202011%2C%20in%20accordance%20with%20the%20Chinese%20calendar%20that%20works%20on%20a%2012-year%20cycle.

%28credit%3A%20PRAKASH%20MATHEMA%2FAFP%2FGetty%20Images%29%3Cbr%20%2F%3ENepalese%20indigenous%20Gurung%20community%20members%20in%20traditional%20attire%20play%20music%20as%20they%20take%20part%20in%20a%20New%20Years%20celebration%20ceremony%20in%20Kathmandu%20on%20December%2030%2C%202010.%20The%20Gurung%20ethnic%20group%20are%20indigenous%20people%20of%20Nepal%26%238217%3Bs%20mountainous%20valleys%20and%20have%20a%20population%20of%20700%2C000%2C%20or%20three%20percent%20of%20the%20Himalayan%20nation%26%238217%3Bs%20population.

%28credit%3A%20VYACHESLAV%20OSELEDKO%2FAFP%2FGetty%20Images%29%3Cbr%20%2F%3EPeople%20dressed%20as%20the%20Russian%20Santa%20Claus%2C%20Ded%20Moroz%20%28Grandfather%20Frost%29%20%28L%29%20and%20his%20companion%20Snegurochka%20%28Snow%20Maiden%29%20%28R%29%2C%20take%20part%20a%20New%20Year%20parade%20in%20the%20Kyrgyz%20capital%20Bishkek%2C%20on%20December%2031%2C%202010.%20New%20Year%2C%20which%20was%20the%20biggest%20informal%20holiday%20of%20the%20year%20in%20the%20former%20Soviet%20Union%2C%20is%20also%20very%20popular%20in%20predominantly%20Muslim%20Central%20Asian%20nation%20of%20Kyrgyzstan.

%28credit%3A%20NATALIA%20KOLESNIKOVA%2FAFP%2FGetty%20Images%29%3Cbr%20%2F%3EA%20woman%20wearing%20the%20costume%20of%20a%20Snegurochka%20%28Snow%20Maiden%29%20%28L%29%2C%20the%20traditional%20companion%20of%20Ded%20Moroz%20%28Grandfather%20Frost%26%238211%3B%20the%20Russian%20Santa%20Claus%29%2C%20walks%20outside%20of%20the%20Red%20Square%20in%20Moscow%2C%20on%20December%2031%2C%202010.%20New%20Year%20is%20the%20biggest%20holiday%20of%20the%20year%20in%20Russia%2C%20and%20is%20followed%20by%20the%20Orthodox%20Christmas%20on%20January%207.

%28credit%3A%20Dan%20Kitwood%2FGetty%20Images%29%3Cbr%20%2F%3EMembers%20of%20the%20Etiwanda%20Marching%20Eagle%20Regiment%20perform%20during%20a%20warm%20up%20in%20Trafalgar%20Square%20on%20December%2030%2C%202010%20in%20London%2C%20England.%20The%20bands%20from%20the%20USA%2C%20are%20to%20perform%20at%20the%2025th%20anniversary%20New%20Year%26%238217%3Bs%20Day%20Parade%20through%20Central%20London%20tomorrow.%20Many%20of%20the%20musicians%20have%20been%20stranded%20in%20the%20USA%2C%20after%20flights%20were%20canceled%20due%20to%20heavy%20snow.

%28credit%3A%20Mario%20Tama%2FGetty%20Images%29%3Cbr%20%2F%3EThe%20Times%20Square%20New%20Year%26%238217%3Bs%20Eve%20Ball%20is%20tested%20the%20day%20before%20New%20Year%26%238217%3Bs%20Eve%20December%2030%2C%202010%20in%20New%20York%20City.%20The%2011%2C875-pound%20Waterford%20crystal%20ball%20will%20descend%20a%20141-foot%20tall%20flagpole%20to%20mark%20the%20beginning%20of%202011.

%28credit%3A%20FREDERIC%20J.%20BROWN%2FAFP%2FGetty%20Images%29%3Cbr%20%2F%3EA%20woman%20walks%20past%20a%20new%20year%20greeting%20in%20front%20of%20an%20office%20building%20in%20Beijing%20on%20December%2031%2C%202010.%20China%20has%20ordered%20major%20state-owned%20companies%20to%20divert%20more%20of%20their%20profits%20to%20the%20central%20government%2C%20a%20move%20that%20will%20give%20Beijing%20more%20money%20to%20spend%20on%20education%20and%20healthcare%20services%20while%20it%20seeks%20to%20narrow%20the%20country%26%238217%3Bs%20widening%20wealth%20gap.

%28credit%3A%20PATRICK%20LIN%2FAFP%2FGetty%20Images%29%3Cbr%20%2F%3EWorkers%20prepare%20for%20a%20new%20year%20ceremony%20in%20front%20of%20the%20presidential%20office%20in%20Taipei%20on%20December%2031%2C%202010.%20Tens%20of%20thousands%20of%20people%20are%20expected%20to%20join%20the%20ceremony%20on%20January%201%2C%202011%20to%20mark%20the%20100th%20anniversary%20of%20the%20establishment%20of%20the%20Republic%20of%20China.

%28credit%3A%20PORNCHAI%20KITTIWONGSAKUL%2FAFP%2FGetty%20Images%29%3Cbr%20%2F%3ETourists%20walk%20past%20a%20decoration%20to%20celebrate%20the%20upcoming%20New%20Year%20festival%2C%20near%20a%20shopping%20mall%20in%20Bangkok%20on%20December%2027%2C%202010.%20%20Around%2089%20billion%20bahts%20%282.97%20billion%20USD%29%20is%20forecast%20to%20be%20circulated%20during%20the%20upcoming%20New%20Year%20festival%2C%20a%2010.5-per%20cent%20rise%20year-on-year%20in%20all%20types%20of%20expenses%2C%20according%20to%20the%20University%20of%20the%20Thai%20Chamber%20of%20Commerce%20%28UTCC%29%20Economic%20and%20Business%20Forecasting%20Centre.