Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
World rings in new decade with parties, security fears
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
More Yahoo! Services
Account Options
New User? Sign Up
Sign In
Help
Yahoo! Search
web search
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Australia
China
India
Indonesia
Japan
Malaysia
Philippines
Thailand
Vietnam
World rings in new decade with parties, security fears
AFP - 1 hour 26 minutes ago
Send
IM Story
Print
World rings in new decade with parties, security fears
NEW YORK (AFP) - – Revelers worldwide met the New Year with spectacular fireworks displays and joyful parties against a backdrop of tightened security.
Cheers and confetti filled New York's Times Square when the traditional midnight drop of a multi-colored crystal ball signaled the start of 2010 and a fresh decade.
The city was on high alert following the alleged Christmas day attempt by a Nigerian man to blow up an airliner bound for Detroit. Related article; New York greets 2010
Hundreds of uniformed and undercover police, as well as radiation detectors and sniper teams, monitored the enormous crowd, which braved snow and rain to attend the party.
But security fears did nothing to dampen the mood there or at other street parties around the globe as the world bid farewell to a decade overshadowed by terrorist attacks, US military campaigns, and financial turmoil.
In London, more than 200,000 people lined the banks of the River Thames to watch fireworks explode from the London Eye, the giant Ferris wheel across from the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben.
As many as 80,000 people turned out in the Scottish capital for the Hogmanay festivities, some sporting furry horned tartan helmets as they watched fireworks at the magnificent Edinburgh Castle.
Earlier, some 120,000 Russians gathered on Moscow's Red Square to toast 2010 and hear words of encouragement from President Dmitry Medvedev, whose country is in a deep economic slump.
"The past year was not a very easy one for our country, and I want to thank you all for bearing up together," he said the traditional presidential New Year address.
The global party started in the South Pacific.
In Australia, about 1.5 million people lined Sydney Harbor to watch fireworks pour into the midnight sky from the iconic Sydney Harbor Bridge and four barges.
Thousands of people crammed into Hong Kong's harbor, where 9,000 fireworks were unleashed from the city's tallest skyscraper and other buildings.
Such spectacles were banned in Thailand, after fireworks caused a New Year's Eve blaze at a Bangkok nightclub a year ago killing 65 people.
In Paris, about 70,000 people gathered near the Eiffel Tower for a light show, while more than 8,000 police deployed across the city and suburbs where 1,100 cars were burned by arsonists last New Year's Eve.
In a further precaution, the authorities banned the filling of portable containers at petrol pumps, as well as glass bottles and fireworks on the Champs Elysees, the Parisian avenue where another 200,000 people gathered to see in the New Year.
Roman Catholic Pope Benedict XVI, in traditional prayers in St Peter's Basilica on the last day of the year, called on Christians to help families hit by economic difficulties and unemployment.
In Berlin, more than one million revelers were expected on the boulevard leading to the Brandenburg Gate, the symbol of German unity, with live bands and DJs to crank up the party.
In Spain, which took over the shared EU presidency at midnight, thousands of people attended a light and sound show at the central Puerta del Sol square where a giant image of the EU flag was projected onto a building.
"This is the best street party in the world. Now I am going to work on my first hangover of 2010," said Gerry Shalloe, a 32-year-old English teacher from Ireland who lives in Madrid and who attended the countdown with friends.
In Poland, some 90,000 people ushered in the New Year at a concert in Warsaw in memory of Michael Jackson attended by the late pop singer's sister La Toya.
Ukraine's President Viktor Yushchenko, facing an uphill re-election bid on January 17, used his address to argue for the ex-Soviet republic's push to join the European Union and NATO.
Despite the celebrations, police in major cities were also focusing on preventing terrorist attacks.
US jitters after the Christmas airliner bomb plot rose again Wednesday when New York police ordered the brief evacuation of Times Square and investigated what they said was a suspicious van -- which later proved to be harmless.
The US embassy in Indonesia said meanwhile it had received a warning of a possible attack on the resort island of Bali, the scene of multiple bombings targeting Westerners, but local authorities denied knowledge of any alert.
In Pakistan, where the Taliban's guerrilla campaign rebounded in 2009, the New Year was overshadowed in Karachi by a suicide attack during a holy Shiite Muslim ceremony on Monday that killed 43 people.
In neighboring Afghanistan, US-led soldiers were on alert after two militant attacks claimed the lives of eight Americans and five Canadians, while two French journalists were reported kidnapped by Taliban.
For Cyprus, New Year's Eve was the last chance to smoke in pubs, clubs and cafes with a new anti-smoking law in force from January 1.
And in South Africa, President Jacob Zuma used his New Year message to rally for unity for the 2010 football World Cup -- the first ever to be held in Africa.
New Year's Eve also presented the world with a "Blue Moon", the name for a second full moon in one single month, for only the second time in nearly two decades.
Recommend
Send
IM Story
Print
Related Articles
Pakistan's Karachi shuts to protest violence Reuters - 1 hour 8 minutes ago
More civilian deaths claimed in Afghanistan AP - 1 hour 20 minutes ago
US grapples with complexity of Afghan drug problem AP - 1 hour 58 minutes ago
Intel: Alleged US missile kills 3 in NW Pakistan AP - 2 hours 1 minute ago
US missiles kills three militants in Pakistan: officials AFP - 2 hours 9 minutes ago
News Search
Top Stories
Deadline looms in Fox, Time Warner Cable dispute
Soviet-era Lithuanian nuclear plant shuts down under EU deal
Wall Street ends recovery year on weak note
London, Paris stocks finish 2009 with big gains
Security jitters as world rings in New Year
More Top Stories »
ADVERTISEMENT
Most Popular
Most Viewed
Most Recommended
Japan Airlines 'may stop international flights'
Van der Sar granted leave after wife collapses
Oil prices rise on last day of 2009
Yeltsin's widow urged husband not to resign: report
UK honours F1 king, Status Quo stars, but bankers out
More Most Viewed »
Tiger's wife Elin seeking divorce: reports
British priest defends urging people to shoplift
Century-old butter found in Scott's Antarctic hut
Brazilian confesses to sticking needles into two-year-old
Plastics component affects intestine: study
More Most Recommended »
Elsewhere on Yahoo!
Financial news on Yahoo! Finance
Stars and latest movies
Best travel destinations
More on Yahoo! News
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Subscribe to our news feeds
Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS
» More news feeds | What are news feeds?
Also on Yahoo
Answers
Groups
Mail
Messenger
Mobile
Travel
Finance
Movies
Sports
Games
» All Yahoo! Services
Site Highlights
Singapore
Full Coverage
Most Popular
Asia Entertainment
Photos
Copyright © 2010 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Service |
Privacy Policy |
Community |
Intellectual Property Rights Policy |
Help
Other News on Friday, 1 January 2010 Briton freed from Iraqi captivity to go home soon
Finnish mall rampage gunman kills five: police
US-TECH Summary
London, Paris stocks finish 2009 with big gains
Technology not as advanced by 2010 as some had hoped
Iranian authorities demand halt to protests
Iranian authorities vow no mercy to opponents
|
UK honours F1 king, Status Quo stars, but bankers out
Police Chief Sentenced To Jail For The Home Break-In Of SJP And Matthew Broderick's Surrogate Mother
Poland seeks Swedish help in Auschwitz theft probe
Kabul demands foreign 'killers' handed over
Security jitters as world rings in New Year
Activists in Gaza and Israel protest Gaza blockade
Joe Francis To Sue Gawker For Calling Him A Rapist
Israel's Netanyahu proposes Egypt peace summit
|
Oil prices rise on last day of 2009
British DJ Fired From Radio Show After Cutting The Queen's "Bor-ring" Speech
"Popular" Actress Carly Pope Injured In Vancouver Carjacking
Bennifer Named Worst Couple Of The Decade
Susan Boyle Spends Fifth Week At #1 On Billboard 200 Albums Chart
Roman Polanski Suing Paparazzi For Privacy Invasion
Yemen Shi'ite rebels ready for talks with Saudi
|
"Poltergeist" Actress Zelda Rubinstein Taken Off Of Life Support
Paris Hilton's Footwear Line Sued By Shoe Company
Dissident, 82, detained at Moscow rally
|
Daughter Accuses Blackstreet's Teddy Riley Of Physical Abuse
Guinea seen stagnant as leader health question drag
|
Suspected US missile kills 3 in Pakistan
U.N. to pull some staff from Pakistan over security
Yemen: Visa of Nigerian would-be-bomber expired
Highway 1: prime Taliban target
Pakistan to seek terror charges against Americans
Analysis: 2009 transformed US racial dynamics
Rush Limbaugh felt pains similar to heart attack
Police to seek terror charges against Americans
Vegas hospital sued by another pregnant woman
AP NewsAlert
Obama awaits intelligence reports on foiled attack
AP sources: CIA base chief killed in attack
Sydney celebrates New Year with fireworks show
Pakistan seeks terrorism charges against Americans
CIA: 7 employees killed in Afghan attack
1 dead, many injured in Filipino New Year revelry
Stocks fall moderately as investors close out 2009
NH gay couples to start New Year with wedding vows
NY-to-Paris flight diverted to Maine
Rusal seeks to raise $2.6 billion in Hong Kong IPO
Pakistan security casts pall over stocks rise
Pakistan targets 430 bln rupees in T-bill auctions
Pilot, passenger killed in Indonesia plane crash
S.Korea assembly passes 2010 budget at last minute
AT&T Ends Sponsorship With Woods Over Scandal
Bali warns of New Year terror threat: embassies
U.S. To Help In Filipino Maritime Accident Prevention Drills
Irish radio says Van Morrison denies baby report
|
U.S. Embassy In Indonesia Warns Of Bali Attack On New Year's Day
Time Warner Cable, Fox at impasse; blackout looms
|
Teddy Bear Not A Bomb
U.S. Unemployment Claims Drop Twice In Two Weeks
Theater owners name Sandra Bullock 2009's top star
|
Convicted Murderer Assaults Lawyer After Guilty Verdict
Off-Duty Officer Accuses NYPD Of Racial Profiling
Edgar Degas artwork stolen from French museum
|
Producers say 'Finian's Rainbow' to close Jan. 17
Military F-15s Escort Stolen Plane To Airport In Florida Everglades
Rush Limbaugh felt pains similar to heart attack
Degas painting stolen from French museum
Celebrities are frequent targets of extortion
Movie director Jackson named a New Zealand knight
Iraq civilian death toll down to 4,500 in 09-study
Soviet-era Lithuanian nuclear plant shuts down under EU deal
Deadline looms in Fox, Time Warner Cable dispute
U.S. drone attack in Pakistan kills three militants
|
Teenager arrested in West Bank mosque blaze
Economy, scandals, politics mar Sarkozy's year
Bus accident kills 18 in Bangladesh
|
Sarkozy defends economic record at New Year
Wall Street ends recovery year on weak note
Pakistan's Karachi shuts to protest violence
|
North Korea says wants end to hostile U.S. ties
|
Nigerian VP says hopes Yar'Adua will return soon
|
Britain, Iran downplay Tehran link to Iraq hostages
Obama summons intel chiefs for security talks
|
UK reviews security, screening after Detroit attack
|
Iraq civilian death toll down to 4,500 in '09: study
|
US grapples with complexity of Afghan drug problem
Intel: Alleged US missile kills 3 in NW Pakistan
US missiles kills three militants in Pakistan: officials
Revelers' cheers mark new decade in Times Square
World rings in new decade with parties, security fears
NH gays celebrate new law with Statehouse weddings
White House defends TSA nominee
U.S. drone attack in Pakistan kills three militants
Taiwan leader vows not to seek independence
Judge dismisses charges against Blackwater defendants
China battery maker shut down over lead pollution
CSKA Moscow signs VVV Venlo's Honda
Obama wishes US a happy New Year
China explosives maker sentenced to die
Seattle delays naming park after Italian city
NKorea calls for end of hostile relations with US
Pulitzer-prize winner William Tuohy dies at 83
AP-GfK Poll: Americans hope for best in 2010
Shaolin temple will not go public: state media
World stocks rebound in 2009 but 2010 uncertain
Fox, Time Warner Cable ink temp deal to avoid blackout
|
GM India chief says China partnership start of Asia thrust
Toyota's hybrid Prius faces US probe over brakes
S.Korea Dec exports per working day up from Nov
A Minute With: Bryce Dallas Howard in Teardrop
|
South Korea Dec exports up far more than expected
S.Korea ruling party pushes budget through
Vietnam says growth 5.32 pct in 2009
Fox grants 'brief extension' in cable dispute
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
A Minute With: Bryce Dallas Howard in "Teardrop"
Van Morrison: Birth report 'utter fiction'
Cutoff deadline looms in Fox, Time Warner Cable dispute
Spider-Man joins Disney as Marvel acquisition approved
Singer Van Morrison denies baby report
Radio's Rush Limbaugh has tests after chest pains
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY BEST-SELLERS
USA TODAY BEST-SELLERS
Up to 25 dead in Pakistan volleyball game blast
|
Iran's Mousavi ready to die for opposition cause
Afghan authorities distance themselves from CIA investigation
Five dead, 13 injured in French apartment blaze: police
Opposition head Mousavi: Iran in serious crisis
|
2005 Air France accident victims get $11.4 mln damages
Iran's opposition leader defiant after new threats
Thousands in new year Hong Kong march for democracy
|
UK's Brown calls London meeting on Yemen
|
Iran's Mousavi ready to die for opposition cause
Iraq regrets Blackwater case dismissal, may sue
|
For CIA, Afghan attack a historic blow
Pope urges lifestyle changes to save environment
|
Briton Moore spent part of captivity in Iran: U.S.
|
Yemeni forces clash with Shi'ite rebels, kill 11
|
Iraq PM faces wiser competition in national vote
|
Italian opts for jail over New Year with relatives
|
Thousands march in Hong Kong for democracy
Japan prime minister vows to fix economy in 2010
Thousands in New Year Hong Kong march for democracy
Judge cites gov't missteps, tosses Blackwater case
Bitter news for Malaysians as sugar prices hiked
Fox grants 'brief extension' in cable dispute
Intel: Alleged US missile kills 3 in NW Pakistan
GPS-led travel goes amiss; 3 Ore. parties rescued
China nabs 5,400 people for online porn in 2009
The nation's weather
NYC mayor to give inauguration speech for 3rd term
NKorea calls for end of hostile relations with US
22 NKoreans abandon troubled ship in Philippines
Thousands line up for Pasadena's Rose Parade
Shanghai dairy shut over tainted milk products
Farmers hope 'grown in Wisconsin' sells in China
Farmers hope 'grown in Wisconsin' sells in China
S.Korea's Lee warns against unwinding stimulus too early
Pakistan aims to raise 30 bln rupees in bond auctions
Survey shows China manufacturing expanding
China's manufacturing activity expands in December
Russia imposes minimum vodka price
Thousands line up for Pasadena's Rose Parade
Pakistani stock market shut on security worries
Dubai to open world's tallest building
Bloomberg Set To Take Third Oath As New York Mayor
Medvedev, Putin dance new year cartoon duet
After Deadly Attack On CIA Base, Obama Lauds "Shadow" Patriots
Tight Airport Security In Canada For U.S.-Bound Flights May Last Until Jan. 4
Annual Report From Chief Justice In Line With Economic Downturn
Judge Dismisses Charges Against Blackwater Guards
Obama Taking Stock Of Homeland Security Situation
U.S. Officials To Meet International Airport Leaders For Security Reviews
U.S. Plans New Anti-Drug Operation in Mexico
Brooklyn Apartment Fire Kills Octogenarian Woman
South Dakota Police Searching For Woman Who Attacked Parents
Lake Superior State University Annual Banished Words List Includes 'Tweet' And 'Teachable Moment'
Teddy Bear Not A Bomb
Convicted Murderer Assaults Lawyer After Guilty Verdict
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights