Welcome 2012

Zaviews welcome you in ma world 2012, this year in ma view change the world lets c what happen. Glittering fireworks exploded on Sunday as revelers in Australia and Asia welcomed 2012 and others around the world looked forward to bidding a weary adieu to a year marred by natural disasters and economic turmoil. Some in Europe were already tamping down their hopes for a year that promises more financial pain. German Chancellor Angela Merkel set the tone for a Continent hammered by an unprecedented economic crisis: She warned in her New Year s message that despite her country s comparatively stable economic situation, next year will be more difficult than 2011. Women used sparklers to draw  2012  for photographers at a New Year s party in Manila Saturday night. In Spain, which on Friday unveiled a brand new batch of austerity measures that include surprise income and property tax hikes, 53-year-old Joaquin Cabina, was going to celebrate at home with his wife and sons—but otherwise didn t feel he had much to look forward to. "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 his 12 years in power and his plans to return to the presidency for at least six more years. United Nations 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. 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 Daiichi 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 revelers. Authorities in Berlin expected a million revelers to gather around the city s landmark Brandenburg Gate for a massive party complete with live performances from the Scorpions and other bands, as well as a 10-minute-long firework display. Across France, 60,000 police, firemen and other emergency personnel were on standby to assure the New Year s celebrations went off safely, the Interior Minister said. Thousands of revelers are expected to descend on Scotland s capital to attend the world-famous Hogmanay street party, where around 80,000 party goers will welcome 2012 at the stroke of midnight, before erupting into a mass rendition of Auld Lang Syne. In London, round 250,000 people are expected to gather to listen to Big Ben strike at midnight during London s scaled-back New Year s celebrations. Fireworks are set off from the London Eye, the giant wheel on the south bank of the river. Revelers 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. Raymond Lo, a master of feng shui—the Chinese art of arranging objects and choosing dates to improve luck—said he wasn t surprised that 2011 was such a tumultuous year because it was associated with the natural elements of metal and wood. The year s natural disasters were foreshadowed, Mr. Lo said, because wood—which represents trees and nature—was attacked by metal. He said 2012 could be better because it s associated with ocean water, which represents energy and drive and the washing away of old habits.