New Year's 2009 around the World

From Sydney to Switzerland, people say goodbye to 2008 with fireworks, prayers and mountain biking.

Section:Gallery

Wed., Dec. 31, 2008

The 45-foot Intrigue 530 motor coach, manufactured by Country Coach of Junction City, Ore., is featured in HGTV's "RV 2006" show airing on Sunday at 5 p.m.

Courtesy Of Country Coach The Spokesman-Review
Fireworks explode over the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House during the New Year's celebrations on Sydney Harbour in Sydney, Australia, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2009.

Rob Griffith Associated Press
U.S. soldier Jason Worker dances as he talks with his colleagues during a New Year celebration at their camp in Kabul, Afghanistan, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008.

Musadeq Sadeq Associated Press
Filipino revelers watch a fireworks display in suburban Manila, Philippines, during celebrations of New Years Day on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2009.

Aaron Favila Associated Press
A woman prepares the Chinese New Year decorations for sale at her shop on New Year's eve in Wuhan in central China's Hubei province, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008.

Str Str Associated Press
A boy plays badminton outside the Taj Mahal Hotel on New Year's Eve in Mumbai, India, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008. In India, many were happy to see the end of 2008, during which the country was rocked by a series of terrorist attacks in several cities culminating in a three-day siege in Mumbai in which gunmen killed 164 people.

Rajanish Kakade Associated Press
Pakistani scavengers look for recyclable goods to earn their living against a backdrop of the last sunset of 2008 on New Year's Eve in Islamabad, Pakistan, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008.
Cyclists bike down ski slopes in the alpine resort of Villars, Switzerland, during the New Year's Eve mountain bike snow race Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008. Nearly 100 cyclists rode the 5-kilometer track on snow.
Residents of Bangkok, Thailand, gather to offer prayers during a New Year's Eve candle light procession Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008. Thailand is facing continuing political unrest and possible recession.

David Longstreath Associated Press
Bangkok Fire and Rescue officials remove the dead from the scene of a night club fire Thursday, Jan. 1, 2009, in Bangkok. At least 50 people were killed in the New Year's Eve blaze.
People free balloons to celebrate the New Year at Zojoji Buddhist temple in Tokyo, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2009.

Katsumi Kasahara Associated Press
Malaysian people dance in front of a laser water show during New Year celebrations in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2009.

Lai Sin Associated Press
A man carries a dead pig over his shoulder to be cooked for new year's dinner in Havana, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008. Cuba will also celebrate the 50th anniversary of the 1959 revolution on Jan. 1, 2009.
Pope Benedict XVI celebrates a New Year's Eve vespers service, at St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008. Pope Benedict XVI is calling for "sobriety and solidarity" in 2009 as the world struggles with economic and social woes. His appeal was made amid the splendor of St. Peter's Basilica during a New Year's Eve vespers service on Wednesday. Benedict described these times as being "marked by uncertainty and worry for the future."

Andrew Medichini Associated Press
Fireworks are seen over the Red Square as people gathered to celebrate New Year in Moscow, Russia, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2009.

Ivan Sekretarev Associated Press
Russians have fun as they celebrate New Year at a skating rink at the Red Square in Moscow, Russia, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2009.