World begins to ring in 2012

Glittering fireworks have exploded as revellers in Australia and Asia welcomed 2012 and people around the world looked forward to bidding adieu to a year marred by natural disasters and economic turmoil.

Some in Europe were already damping down their hopes for a year that promises more financial pain.

German chancellor Angela Merkel warned in her New Year’s message that despite her country’s comparatively stable economic situation next year will be more difficult than 2011.

In Spain, which on Friday unveiled a new batch of austerity measures including surprise income and property tax hikes, 53-year-old Joaquin Cabina, was going to celebrate at home with his wife and sons.

“The government has just hit us with higher taxes and says it’s going to cut spending,” the Madrid car mechanic said. “What I see is that prices are going up and all I hope for is to keep working and for my family to enjoy good health.”

Russian prime minister Vladimir Putin’s New Year’s greetings came mixed with sarcasm toward those protesting over his 12 years in power and plans to return to the presidency for at least six more.

Putin wished well-being and prosperity “to all our citizens regardless of their political persuasion, including those who sympathise with leftist forces and those situated on the right, below, above, however you like”.

In Sydney more than 1.5 million people crowded onto yachts and along the shores of the harbour to watch a shimmering pyrotechnic display designed around the theme “Time to Dream”.

“It’s about giving people the opportunity to dream of the year ahead and that hopefully it is a bit better than the year we’ve had,” said producer Aneurin Coffey.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who starts his second term on New Year’s Day, said he wants to help ensure and sustain the moves toward democracy that protesters sought in the Arab Spring.

The mood was festive in the South Pacific island nation of Samoa, where, for once, revellers were the first in the world to welcome the new year, rather than the last.

Samoa and neighbouring Tokelau hopped across the international date line at midnight on Thursday, skipping Friday and moving instantly to Saturday.

For Japan, 2011 was the year the nation was struck by a giant tsunami and earthquake that left an entire coastline destroyed, nearly 20,000 people dead or missing and the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant in meltdown.

New York’s Times Square was awash in hopeful sentiments as it prepared to welcome hordes of New Year’s Eve revellers.

“2012 is going to be a better year. It has to be,” said Fred Franke, 53, who was visiting the city with his family even after losing his job this month.

Authorities in Berlin expected a million revellers to gather around the landmark Brandenburg Gate for a massive party complete with live performances from the Scorpions and other bands, as well as a 10-minute firework display.

Across France, 60,000 police, firefighters and other emergency personnel were on standby to ensure the New Year’s celebrations went off safely, the Interior Minister said.

Revellers in Spain will greet 2012 by eating 12 grapes in time with Madrid’s central Puerta del Sol clock, a national tradition observed by millions who stop parties to follow the chimes on television.