BEIJING.- Visitors are showered by confetti as they celebrate a light show at the Temple of Heaven during the New Year Countdown Ceremony in Beijing, China, Sunday, Jan 1 2012. AP Photo/Andy Wong.

MANILA.- Filipinos watch a fireworks and water fountain display as they welcome the New Year at Manilas Rizal Park, Philippines
on Sunday Jan. 1, 2012. More than 200 people have been injured by illegal firecrackers and celebratory gunfire in the Philippines despite a government scare campaign against reckless New Year revelries, officials recently said. AP Photo/Aaron Favila.

MOSCOW.- Russians celebrate the New Year on Red Square in Moscow, with the Kremlin in the background, right, and St. Basils cathedral in background left, Russia, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012. Tens of thousands of people gathered on the Square to celebrate the new year, and view the fireworks as the clock on the Kremlins Spassky Tower, right, struck midnight. AP Photo/Mikhail Metzel.

VILNIUS.- Fireworks light the sky above the Cathedral Square in Vilnius shortly after midnight, greeting the New Year, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012. Thousands of people celebrated the beginning of the New Year 2009 in the Lithuanian capital. AP Photo/Mindaugas Kulbis.



BERLIN.- Fireworks light the sky above the Quadriga at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin shortly after midnight, greeting the New  Year, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012. Hundred thousands of people celebrated the beginning of the New Year 2012 in Germanys capital. AP Photo/Michael Sohn



LONDON.- Fireworks explode over the Houses of Parliament, including St Stephens Tower which holds the bell known as Big Ben as  London celebrates the arrival of New Years Day Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012. AP Photo/Alastair Grant.