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    December 31, 2011

Asia Welcomes 2012

   VOA News

   Fireworks burst over Sydney Opera House as New Year's celebrations
   begin in Sydney, Australia, Saturday, Dec. 31, 2011.

AP

   Fireworks burst over Sydney Opera House as New Year's celebrations
   begin in Australia, Saturday, Dec. 31, 2011.

   The new year has already arrived in some parts of the world while other
   regions are making preparations to celebrate the end of 2011 and the
   beginning of 2012.
   Australia, New Zealand were among the first in the world to welcome the
   new year, and did so with massive fireworks displays over their harbors
   in Sydney and Auckland.
   In Taiwan, more than 100,000 cyclists celebrated the last day of the
   year marking the nation's 100th anniversary by attempting to break a
   world record for the largest bicycle parade.
   And in New York City, officials have raised the famous crystal ball
   that drops slowly over Times Square as midnight approaches, signaling
   the arrival of the new year.

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