Friday, December 31, 2010

Latest photos of Miss Korea 2010 Jung So Ra at SBS Entertainment Awards on December 30, 2010






Miss Korea 2010 Jung So Ra @ SBS Entertainment Award 2010 30/12/2010

19 -year-old Jung So Ra stands 1.71m and will represent Korea in Miss Universe 2011 pageant.


Photo credit : Star news

source: (Thank you and credits to
NATT_TH:
http://www.pinoyexchange.com
and all sources for the information and pictures)

Photos and news on Puteri Indonesia 2010, Nadine Alexandra Dazzles At Mustika Ratu Launch

Puteri Indonesia 2010 Dazzles At Mustika Ratu Launch



Nadine Alexandra unveiling the cosmetic products


Nadine Alexandra with Handriyo Kusumo Priyo, the Ambassador of Indonesia to Brunei, and his wife



19-year-old Puteri Indonesia 2010, Nadine Alexandra, showing one of the Paras Swarnanindya products at Times Square Shopping Centre yesterday



Bandar Seri Begawan - Puteri Indonesia 2010, Nadine Alexandra dazzled the audience at the launch of Mustika Ratu's latest trend of cosmetic products for 2011 at Times Square Shopping Centre yesterday.


Witnessing the launching ceremony was Handriyo Kusumo Priyo, the Ambassador of Indonesia to Brunei, together with his wife. Also present was Diki Wachyudi, the Regional Export Manger of Mustika Ratu.


Nadine Alexandra, who is also the brand ambassador of Mustika Ratu, revealed on stage the latest colour trend for 2011 called Tams Swarnanindya', golden-orange colour cosmetics products consisting of lipstick, lip shine, blush and eye shadow.


This was followed by a special demonstration by Rita Loen, makeup artist for Mustika Ratu. -She gave tips on how to apply Paras Swarnanindya products by mixing and matching the trendy colours.


Ambassador Handriyo Kusumo Priyo and Rita together with Nadine Alexandra also presented prizes to lucky winners of a Mustika Ratu grand draw.


Audience took a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take photos and get an autograph from the beautiful Puteri Indonesia.


Nadine Alexandra, currently a student at Bath University in Britain, in an interview with reporters said the next step for her after winning the title is to represent Indonesia in the 2011 Miss Universe pageant.

Born in 1991 and standing 1.70 metres tall, Nadine Alexandra is fully aware that no Indonesian contestant has ever won the Miss Universe title. But she is determined to do better than the past Puteri Indonesia winners.

She said, "I have learnt to ensure that Indonesia can do better in the future", before adding, "In the future, I know it's really not easy for me, especially as I have to carry the name of Indonesia to the Miss Universe".

Courtesy: Aziz Idris/Borneo Bulletin

source: (Thank you and credits to
NATT_TH:
http://www.pinoyexchange.com
and all sources for the information and pictures)

Nathalie den Dekker of Netherlands is the winner of Miss Tourism International 2010 held on December 31, 2010 in Kuala Lumpur


Nathalie den Dekker of Netherlands is Miss Tourism International 2010

Miss Netherlands, Nathalie den Dekker was crowned as the new Miss Tourism International 2010 in a beauty pageant held on December 31 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. She was crowned by Miss Tourism International 2009, Sarah Elzanowski.

The new Miss Tourism International 2010 winner, Nathalie den Dekker was a Miss Benelux Netherlands 2010 titleholder, also participated in Miss Supranational 2010 and competed in the Miss Tourism Queen of the Year International 2010 held in China last September where she placed in the Top 20.

Miss Tourism International 2010 Complete Results:

Winners:
* Miss Tourism International 2010: Miss Netherlands, Nathalie den Dekker
* Miss Tourism Metropolitan (1st Runner Up): Miss Australia, Holly-Anne Visser
* Miss Tourism Global (2nd Runner Up): Miss Venezuela, Stephany Gonzalez
* Miss Tourism Cosmopolitan (3rd Runner Up): Miss Philippines, Barbara "Barbie" Salvador
* Dreamgirl of the Year (4th Runner Up: Miss Mongolia, Borgoljin Bayarsaikhan

Top 10 Finalists:
* Miss Estonia, Natalija Korneitsik
* Miss India, Mahima Chaudhury
* Miss Lithuania, Enrika Trepkute
* Miss Luxembourg, Stephanie Ribeiro
* Miss Malaysia, Gabrielle Boudville

Top 20 Semi-Finalists:
* Miss Bolivia, Silvia Maria Wende Morant
* Miss Finland, Linnea Eerika Anniki Aaltonen
* Miss France, Aline Bourgeois
* Miss Montenegro, Darija Sreckovic
* Miss Panama, Maricely Gonzalez
* Miss Singapore, Cheryl Wee Xin Hui
* Miss Taiwan, Grace Zhu
* Miss Thailand, Punnara Phoomcharoen
* Miss Ukraine, Tamara Schitinskaya
* Miss Zimbabwe, Chido Liberta Mushaya

Special Awards:
* Best National Costume: Miss Malaysia, Gabrielle Ashley Boudville
* Miss Photogenic: Miss Venezuela, Stephany Gonzalez
* KL Sogo Trendsetter: Miss Netherlands, Nathalie Den Dekker
* Miss Glamour: Miss Bolivia, Silvia Maria Wende Morant
* Miss Fresh Face: Miss Singapore, Cheryl Wee Xin Hui
* Miss Secret Charm: Miss Venezuela, Stephany Gonzalez
* Miss Dazzling: Miss Lithuania, Enrika Trepkute
* Miss Jade Goodwill Ambassadress: Miss Venezuela, Stephany Gonzalez
* Miss Rejuene Meridian: Miss Japan, Shizuka Ikeda
* Miss Charm Fantasia: Miss Mongolia, Borgoljin Bayarsaikhan

source: (Thank you and credits to
http://www.universalqueen.com/
and all sources for the information and pictures)

Do Ba Dat is the winner of Mister Intelligence for Mister Vietnam 2010

Mister Vietnam 2010 Updates: Do Ba Dat won Mister Intelligence

Do Ba Dat won Mister Intelligence:
Do Ba Dat, the tallest contestant of the Mister Vietnam 2010 pageant, outdone other contestants to win the Mister Intelligence title.

Do Ba Dat won Mister Intelligence

Do Ba Dat won Mister Intelligence

The last fast-track competition of Mister Vietnam 2010 took place on December 29 in Vung Tau city. This was also the longest competition – with three days. Contestants were divided into groups to discuss the topics suggested by the jury.

Do Ba Dat expressed convincing reasons for “fashion from wildlife” topic

Do Ba Dat expressed convincing reasons for “fashion from wildlife” topic

Do Ba Dat expressed convincing reasons for “fashion from wildlife” topic. He said: “I lived overseas for a long time and I saw they treated animals equally. They limit killing animals by producing imitation leather products. Though fashion products made of imitation leather is not as pretty as true leather, but using imitation leather we can treat animals fairly. I hope that everybody will use imitation leather products instead of true leather ones to avoid killing animals”.

Mister International 2010 Terry is satisfied with Dat’s presentation.

Mister International 2010 Terry is satisfied with Dat’s presentation.

Dat, 1.94m, spoke his opinion in both Vietnamese and English so Mister International 2010 Ryan Terry could understand. Terry is a jury member along with historian Duong Trung Quoc, Doctor of Anthropometrics Tham Hoang Diep, actress Truong Ngoc Anh, fashion designer Cong Tri and photographer Quoc Huy. Dat will enter the top 15 in the final night in Vung Tau city on January 1 2011.

Contestant Le Khoi Nguyen talks about “Luxurious fashion”.

Contestant Le Khoi Nguyen talks about “Luxurious fashion”.


Contestant Tran Minh Quan.

Contestant Tran Minh Quan.

Actress Truong Ngoc Anh: one of jury members

Actress Truong Ngoc Anh: one of jury members

Other jury members: Dr. Tham Hoang Diep (left) and historian Duong Trung Quoc

Other jury members: Dr. Tham Hoang Diep (left) and historian Duong Trung Quoc

Photo Credit: VietnamNet.

source: (Thank you and credits to
http://worldshowbiz.info/
and all sources for the information and pictures)

News on Mister Sports and Mister Smart Winners updates

Mister Vietnam 2010 Updates: Mister Sports and Mister Smart Winners.

Vu Duy Hung won Mister Smart competition while Nguyen Nhat Duy won Mister Sports title.
The Mister Vietnam 2010 pageant opened on December 17 in the beach city of Phan Thiet. 30 finalists were selected from over 100 contestants. The two fast-tracks competitions of the first pageant for men in Vietnam took place last week. Mister Sports title was presented to Nguyen Nhat Duy and Mister Smart title went to Vu Duy Hung.

NgoTien Doan explains the rules to the contestants

NgoTien Doan explains the rules to the contestants

Contestants in Mister Sports Competition

Contestants in Mister Sports Competition

Contestants swim, run, climb trees, play football and volleyball

Contestants swim, run, climb trees, play football and volleyball

Contestants swim, run, climb trees, play football and volleyball

Contestants swim, run, climb trees, play football and volleyball

Finally, they play a game “treasure hunt”.

Finally, they play a game “treasure hunt”.

And the Winner of Mister Sports was Nguyen Nhat Duy

And the Winner of Mister Sports was Nguyen Nhat Duy

Mister Smart Vu Duy Hung

Mister Smart Vu Duy Hung

Photo Credit: VietnamNet.

source: (Thank you and credits to
http://worldshowbiz.info/
and all sources for the information and pictures)


Not exactly low-key: Miley Cyrus makes sure she doesn't go unnoticed in tiny Daisy Dukes and cowboy boots

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Back in town: Miley Cyrus and a friend visit Urth Cafe in Los Angeles on Thursday


Miley Cyrus boldly stepped back into the limelight yesterday - as she headed to a trendy Hollywood cafe wearing a pair of eye-catching Daisy Dukes and cowboy boots.

The 18-year-old visited Urth Cafe in Los Angeles - a place celebs go to be seen - for a coffee to go, accompanied by one of her best friends.

And based on her appearance, it didn't look as if the singer was trying very hard to stay low-key.

Wearing a tiny pair of Daisy Dukes and colourful cowboy boots, Miley looked the opposite of discreet as she walked down the street.

The actress has been filming new film So Undercover in New Orleans, and is in town for the holiday season.


Innocent? Sources claims Miley was smoking Salvia and not marijuana


The Disney star plays an FBI agent in the action comedy, going undercover into a sorority house.

She is living on location in Louisiana, taking her away from her home near Los Angeles, California. This is where she was filmed smoking the bong, five days after she turned 18 on November 23.

Sources insist the pipe wasn't filled with marijuana - instead, she is said to have been smoking salvia, a powerful hallucinogenic herb.


Troubled teen: Miley is currently filming now movie So Undercover in New Orleans


It is legally available for sale in California - where the video was shot - and in other states in America.

In the tape, which was posted on celebrity website TMZ, a male friend lights the plastic pipe and she starts to inhale.

He is seen telling her: 'Take all of that in.'


Attention-grabbing: Miley stepped out wearing boots and very short Daisy Dukes


She pauses briefly before swallowing more of the smoke. The singer then turns to camera and laughs: 'OK, I'm about to lose it now.'

A female friend advises: 'Just lie down.' Moments later Miley says: '[I'm] having a little bit of a bad trip.' She then laughs for almost a minute while talking nonsense.

Last month Miley told MTV News that she was planning 'a fun party' for her birthday.
TMZ reports that the clip was shot by a friend - but later stolen.


Miley Cyrus spotted leaving Mr Chow hounded by paparazzi


source: dailymail

Not exactly low-key: Miley Cyrus makes sure she doesn't go unnoticed in tiny Daisy Dukes and cowboy boots

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Back in town: Miley Cyrus and a friend visit Urth Cafe in Los Angeles on Thursday


Miley Cyrus boldly stepped back into the limelight yesterday - as she headed to a trendy Hollywood cafe wearing a pair of eye-catching Daisy Dukes and cowboy boots.

The 18-year-old visited Urth Cafe in Los Angeles - a place celebs go to be seen - for a coffee to go, accompanied by one of her best friends.

And based on her appearance, it didn't look as if the singer was trying very hard to stay low-key.

Wearing a tiny pair of Daisy Dukes and colourful cowboy boots, Miley looked the opposite of discreet as she walked down the street.

The actress has been filming new film So Undercover in New Orleans, and is in town for the holiday season.


Innocent? Sources claims Miley was smoking Salvia and not marijuana


The Disney star plays an FBI agent in the action comedy, going undercover into a sorority house.

She is living on location in Louisiana, taking her away from her home near Los Angeles, California. This is where she was filmed smoking the bong, five days after she turned 18 on November 23.

Sources insist the pipe wasn't filled with marijuana - instead, she is said to have been smoking salvia, a powerful hallucinogenic herb.


Troubled teen: Miley is currently filming now movie So Undercover in New Orleans


It is legally available for sale in California - where the video was shot - and in other states in America.

In the tape, which was posted on celebrity website TMZ, a male friend lights the plastic pipe and she starts to inhale.

He is seen telling her: 'Take all of that in.'


Attention-grabbing: Miley stepped out wearing boots and very short Daisy Dukes


She pauses briefly before swallowing more of the smoke. The singer then turns to camera and laughs: 'OK, I'm about to lose it now.'

A female friend advises: 'Just lie down.' Moments later Miley says: '[I'm] having a little bit of a bad trip.' She then laughs for almost a minute while talking nonsense.

Last month Miley told MTV News that she was planning 'a fun party' for her birthday.
TMZ reports that the clip was shot by a friend - but later stolen.


Miley Cyrus spotted leaving Mr Chow hounded by paparazzi


source: dailymail

Happy 2011! London sees in the New Year with Eye-catching display on the Thames

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Masses gathered in London to see in the New Year in front of the London Eye where up to 250,000 people enjoyed the carnival atmosphere


Hundreds of thousands of revellers took to the streets tonight to begin saying goodbye to 2010 and hello to 2011.

Masses gathered in London to see in the New Year in front of the London Eye where up to 250,000 people were expected to enjoy the carnival atmosphere.


And festive organisers in Edinburgh prepared for up to 80,000 partygoers to enjoy the Hogmanay street party and festival, which began last night with a torchlight procession along the Royal Mile.


Red sky at night: The London Eye sparkles in one of its finest-ever displays


Fireworks explode behind the Big Ben clock tower during New Year celebrations


During the early evening, crowds gathered along the banks of the River Thames and spilled into Trafalgar Square and central London.

BBC Radio 1 DJ Nihal hosted the event, drawing cheers from the crowds after the music started at 10pm accompanied by lasers and lights from the Eye.

Peter and Harriet Hughes travelled from Cardiff in Wales to see the firework display with 18-month-old daughter Phoebe.

Mr Hughes, 28, said: 'It's amazing. We see it on the TV quite a lot and my wife has never been so we decided to come down. Plus we couldn't find a baby-sitter.'

First aiders were already out on the streets by 10pm as the party geared up for the climax at midnight, while security teams had to ask some high-spirited partygoers to get down from traffic lights along Victoria Embankment.


Throng: Revellers wait on the Embankment along the River Thames for the fireworks


Under a crimson sky: Hogmanay festivities in Edinburgh (left) and Big Ben flanked by the London Eye


Petra Stolfa, 20, travelled to London with her friend Krista Likar, 19, from Slovenia for the celebrations.

'We came here last Friday and we came to see New Year because of the fireworks. We have been here since 7pm,' she said.

'We don't have the big fireworks at home and so this is something we usually see on the TV.'

Many said they were hoping for a better year in 2011.


Scotland the rave: The party gets into full swing in Edinburgh as people celebrate the new year


Michelle Burns, 30, from Canvey Island, said: 'We come just for a change because we usually spend New Year with family.

'It's been good. It's been a rough year so hopefully next year will be better.'

In London, 3,000 police officers were on duty.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said the crowds were larger than last year but so far there were only five arrests for minor offences.


Happy New Year! Revellers take to Princes Street in Edinburgh for the fireworks display to celebrate


Weather forecasters said as the clock struck midnight - and we moved to 'all the ones', 1/1/11 - the nation's enjoyment of firework displays might be marred by patches of fog, cloud and mist.

Most of the UK was expected to have a covering of cloud with some drizzle although the evening should remain dry.

After weeks of Arctic temperatures and a year of economic belt-tightening for most, revellers were keen to welcome in a new year.

Tonight's Concert in the Gardens, in Edinburgh, features top bands The Charlatans, Biffy Clyro and Billy Bragg and sold out along with the Keilidh in Resolution Square.

Meanwhile, around the world...

Thousands of people gathered at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin tonight to welcome in the New Year with a dazzling light show.

And while revellers lapped up the atmosphere in the German capital, crowds gathered in Moscow's Red Square as Russia celebrated the arrival of 2011.

The chilly night sky was a sea of red and green as the fireworks complemented the colourful domes of St Basil's Cathedral.

Meanwhile, Dubai held a stunning fireworks display at the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building - the 2,717ft structure seeing pyrotechnics seemingly shoot from every storey.

And earlier this evening, Malaysia celebrated New Year's Eve with a light show by the Petronas Twin Towers in the capital, Kuala Lumpur.

Auckland, New Zealand, was the first major city to celebrate the New Year before Australia, Singapore and China followed suit later today.


Thousands of people gathered at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin tonight to welcome in the New Year with a dazzling light show


Red sky at night: Crowds have gathered in Moscow's Red Square as Russia welcomes in the New Year


Fireworks lit up the sky in Dubai tonight as the Burj Khalifa - the world's tallest building - formed the centrepiece of New Year's Eve celebrations



Spectacular: Fireworks light up the sky near the landmark Petronas Twin Towers during new year celebrations in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia


'Reddy' for the New Year: Celebrating in Malaysia by the iconic towers


Singapore: Fireworks explode over Marina Bay in front of the Marina Bay Sands casino and resort during a pyrotechnic show


Roads were due to be cordoned off in London as the capital prepared itself for its own fireworks display tonight.

Australia has welcomed 2011 with a spectacular fireworks display over Sydney Harbour. Despite losing the Ashes this week, thousands of party-loving Aussies had camped out for hours at parks alongside the Sydney Harbour Bridge to win the best view of today's spectacular New Year's Eve fireworks.

As the clock ticked closer to 2011, Europeans were looking forward to celebrations that could help them forget their economic worries.

Japan and South Korea both celebrated New Year at 3pm GMT - and India was readying itself for its celebrations in the next few hours.

In New York City, nearly a million revellers were expected to cram into the streets around Times Square to watch the traditional midnight ball drop several hours after the UK has marked the start of 2011. The 20-inch snowstorm that blanketed the city will be just a memory thanks to work crews and warmer temperatures.

At least 1.5 million people lined the harbour in Sydney, the first major city where the new year arrives after 2011 hit New Zealand. Celebrations began with aerial displays by vintage aircraft and a parade of boats around the harbour.

In Christchurch, New Zealand, two minor earthquakes on Friday did not shake plans for all-night celebrations.

'There is more reason than ever for people to get together and celebrate the beginning of a New Year,' Christchurch's acting mayor Ngaire Button said, urging residents to celebrate in the central Cathedral Square, where workers were removing loose masonry after the quakes.

A powerful 7.1-magnitude quake wrecked thousand of buildings in Christchurch on September 4, but nobody was killed.


Ready for 12: Revellers in Hong Kong, China, prepare for the New Year


This year marks the first time Vietnam's capital, Hanoi, officially celebrates the new year with a countdown blowout, complete with a light show and foreign DJs in front of the city's elegant French colonial-style opera house.

Vietnamese in the past paid little attention to the changing of the calendar, instead holding massive celebrations during Tet, the lunar new year that begins on Feb. 3. But in recent years, the Western influence has started seeping into Vietnamese culture with teens, who have no memory of war or poverty and are eager to find a new reason to party in the Communist country.

In South Korea, up to 100,000 people went to a bell-ringing ceremony in central Seoul, with officials and citizens striking the large bronze bell hung in the Bosingak bell pavilion 33 times at midnight.

Some South Koreans also go to the mountains or beaches on early Saturday to watch the first sunrise of the new year.

At midnight in Taipei, Taiwan, fireworks will form a spiralling dragon climbing up the city's tallest skyscraper. Some 50 dancers will beat drums in the freezing cold river in a dance to underscore how people should live with nature in harmony.


Happy New Year! Sydney Bridge is lit up as Australia becomes the first country to welcome 2011


In Japan, New Year's Eve is generally spent at home with family but those who venture out go to temples to pray for good luck in the new year. At Zojoji, a 600-year-old Buddhist temple in central Tokyo, thousands were expected to release balloons at midnight carrying notes with their hopes for 2011.

In Beijing, about 500 people were expected to gather at the Ancient Bell Museum for the chance to ring in the new year on the 46-ton bell. The city is also trying to start a new tradition, with an orchestra playing a 'Hymn to China' at the China Century Monument just two minutes before midnight.

While many Asian countries famed for their firework displays were planning to light up the night skies, Myanmar's military government banned all fireworks for New Year's Eve and said severe action would be taken against anyone selling or using them.


First New Year: Auckland was the first major city to celebrate the start of 2011


A local news journal, Modern, noted that last year 62 people were given six to 12-month prison terms for violating this ruling.

The government gave no reason for the ban but in the past has said that it feared 'unscrupulous persons' might take advantage of the fireworks to create disturbances.

In Europe, many people will be partying simply to forget their economic woes after a year that saw Greece and Ireland needing financial bailouts and others, such as Spain and Portugal, battling speculation that they will need similar aid.

If not at home or at private parties, Spaniards traditionally gather in their main town squares to eat 12 grapes one by one as the bell in the square marks the countdown to 2011.

In the Irish capital of Dublin, people will flock to the Christchurch cathedral to listen as the bells chime in the new year.

In London, thousands will witness a musical and firework display at the 135-meter high London Eye, located on the southern banks of the Thames River. The Eye, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary, lies almost opposite the Big Ben clock tower at Parliament that will chime in 2011.

In Paris, tens of thousands are expected to pack the Champs Elysees and the area around the Eiffel Tower for dazzling light and firework displays.






source: dailymail

Happy 2011! London sees in the New Year with Eye-catching display on the Thames

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Masses gathered in London to see in the New Year in front of the London Eye where up to 250,000 people enjoyed the carnival atmosphere


Hundreds of thousands of revellers took to the streets tonight to begin saying goodbye to 2010 and hello to 2011.

Masses gathered in London to see in the New Year in front of the London Eye where up to 250,000 people were expected to enjoy the carnival atmosphere.


And festive organisers in Edinburgh prepared for up to 80,000 partygoers to enjoy the Hogmanay street party and festival, which began last night with a torchlight procession along the Royal Mile.


Red sky at night: The London Eye sparkles in one of its finest-ever displays


Fireworks explode behind the Big Ben clock tower during New Year celebrations


During the early evening, crowds gathered along the banks of the River Thames and spilled into Trafalgar Square and central London.

BBC Radio 1 DJ Nihal hosted the event, drawing cheers from the crowds after the music started at 10pm accompanied by lasers and lights from the Eye.

Peter and Harriet Hughes travelled from Cardiff in Wales to see the firework display with 18-month-old daughter Phoebe.

Mr Hughes, 28, said: 'It's amazing. We see it on the TV quite a lot and my wife has never been so we decided to come down. Plus we couldn't find a baby-sitter.'

First aiders were already out on the streets by 10pm as the party geared up for the climax at midnight, while security teams had to ask some high-spirited partygoers to get down from traffic lights along Victoria Embankment.


Throng: Revellers wait on the Embankment along the River Thames for the fireworks


Under a crimson sky: Hogmanay festivities in Edinburgh (left) and Big Ben flanked by the London Eye


Petra Stolfa, 20, travelled to London with her friend Krista Likar, 19, from Slovenia for the celebrations.

'We came here last Friday and we came to see New Year because of the fireworks. We have been here since 7pm,' she said.

'We don't have the big fireworks at home and so this is something we usually see on the TV.'

Many said they were hoping for a better year in 2011.


Scotland the rave: The party gets into full swing in Edinburgh as people celebrate the new year


Michelle Burns, 30, from Canvey Island, said: 'We come just for a change because we usually spend New Year with family.

'It's been good. It's been a rough year so hopefully next year will be better.'

In London, 3,000 police officers were on duty.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said the crowds were larger than last year but so far there were only five arrests for minor offences.


Happy New Year! Revellers take to Princes Street in Edinburgh for the fireworks display to celebrate


Weather forecasters said as the clock struck midnight - and we moved to 'all the ones', 1/1/11 - the nation's enjoyment of firework displays might be marred by patches of fog, cloud and mist.

Most of the UK was expected to have a covering of cloud with some drizzle although the evening should remain dry.

After weeks of Arctic temperatures and a year of economic belt-tightening for most, revellers were keen to welcome in a new year.

Tonight's Concert in the Gardens, in Edinburgh, features top bands The Charlatans, Biffy Clyro and Billy Bragg and sold out along with the Keilidh in Resolution Square.

Meanwhile, around the world...

Thousands of people gathered at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin tonight to welcome in the New Year with a dazzling light show.

And while revellers lapped up the atmosphere in the German capital, crowds gathered in Moscow's Red Square as Russia celebrated the arrival of 2011.

The chilly night sky was a sea of red and green as the fireworks complemented the colourful domes of St Basil's Cathedral.

Meanwhile, Dubai held a stunning fireworks display at the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building - the 2,717ft structure seeing pyrotechnics seemingly shoot from every storey.

And earlier this evening, Malaysia celebrated New Year's Eve with a light show by the Petronas Twin Towers in the capital, Kuala Lumpur.

Auckland, New Zealand, was the first major city to celebrate the New Year before Australia, Singapore and China followed suit later today.


Thousands of people gathered at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin tonight to welcome in the New Year with a dazzling light show


Red sky at night: Crowds have gathered in Moscow's Red Square as Russia welcomes in the New Year


Fireworks lit up the sky in Dubai tonight as the Burj Khalifa - the world's tallest building - formed the centrepiece of New Year's Eve celebrations



Spectacular: Fireworks light up the sky near the landmark Petronas Twin Towers during new year celebrations in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia


'Reddy' for the New Year: Celebrating in Malaysia by the iconic towers


Singapore: Fireworks explode over Marina Bay in front of the Marina Bay Sands casino and resort during a pyrotechnic show


Roads were due to be cordoned off in London as the capital prepared itself for its own fireworks display tonight.

Australia has welcomed 2011 with a spectacular fireworks display over Sydney Harbour. Despite losing the Ashes this week, thousands of party-loving Aussies had camped out for hours at parks alongside the Sydney Harbour Bridge to win the best view of today's spectacular New Year's Eve fireworks.

As the clock ticked closer to 2011, Europeans were looking forward to celebrations that could help them forget their economic worries.

Japan and South Korea both celebrated New Year at 3pm GMT - and India was readying itself for its celebrations in the next few hours.

In New York City, nearly a million revellers were expected to cram into the streets around Times Square to watch the traditional midnight ball drop several hours after the UK has marked the start of 2011. The 20-inch snowstorm that blanketed the city will be just a memory thanks to work crews and warmer temperatures.

At least 1.5 million people lined the harbour in Sydney, the first major city where the new year arrives after 2011 hit New Zealand. Celebrations began with aerial displays by vintage aircraft and a parade of boats around the harbour.

In Christchurch, New Zealand, two minor earthquakes on Friday did not shake plans for all-night celebrations.

'There is more reason than ever for people to get together and celebrate the beginning of a New Year,' Christchurch's acting mayor Ngaire Button said, urging residents to celebrate in the central Cathedral Square, where workers were removing loose masonry after the quakes.

A powerful 7.1-magnitude quake wrecked thousand of buildings in Christchurch on September 4, but nobody was killed.


Ready for 12: Revellers in Hong Kong, China, prepare for the New Year


This year marks the first time Vietnam's capital, Hanoi, officially celebrates the new year with a countdown blowout, complete with a light show and foreign DJs in front of the city's elegant French colonial-style opera house.

Vietnamese in the past paid little attention to the changing of the calendar, instead holding massive celebrations during Tet, the lunar new year that begins on Feb. 3. But in recent years, the Western influence has started seeping into Vietnamese culture with teens, who have no memory of war or poverty and are eager to find a new reason to party in the Communist country.

In South Korea, up to 100,000 people went to a bell-ringing ceremony in central Seoul, with officials and citizens striking the large bronze bell hung in the Bosingak bell pavilion 33 times at midnight.

Some South Koreans also go to the mountains or beaches on early Saturday to watch the first sunrise of the new year.

At midnight in Taipei, Taiwan, fireworks will form a spiralling dragon climbing up the city's tallest skyscraper. Some 50 dancers will beat drums in the freezing cold river in a dance to underscore how people should live with nature in harmony.


Happy New Year! Sydney Bridge is lit up as Australia becomes the first country to welcome 2011


In Japan, New Year's Eve is generally spent at home with family but those who venture out go to temples to pray for good luck in the new year. At Zojoji, a 600-year-old Buddhist temple in central Tokyo, thousands were expected to release balloons at midnight carrying notes with their hopes for 2011.

In Beijing, about 500 people were expected to gather at the Ancient Bell Museum for the chance to ring in the new year on the 46-ton bell. The city is also trying to start a new tradition, with an orchestra playing a 'Hymn to China' at the China Century Monument just two minutes before midnight.

While many Asian countries famed for their firework displays were planning to light up the night skies, Myanmar's military government banned all fireworks for New Year's Eve and said severe action would be taken against anyone selling or using them.


First New Year: Auckland was the first major city to celebrate the start of 2011


A local news journal, Modern, noted that last year 62 people were given six to 12-month prison terms for violating this ruling.

The government gave no reason for the ban but in the past has said that it feared 'unscrupulous persons' might take advantage of the fireworks to create disturbances.

In Europe, many people will be partying simply to forget their economic woes after a year that saw Greece and Ireland needing financial bailouts and others, such as Spain and Portugal, battling speculation that they will need similar aid.

If not at home or at private parties, Spaniards traditionally gather in their main town squares to eat 12 grapes one by one as the bell in the square marks the countdown to 2011.

In the Irish capital of Dublin, people will flock to the Christchurch cathedral to listen as the bells chime in the new year.

In London, thousands will witness a musical and firework display at the 135-meter high London Eye, located on the southern banks of the Thames River. The Eye, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary, lies almost opposite the Big Ben clock tower at Parliament that will chime in 2011.

In Paris, tens of thousands are expected to pack the Champs Elysees and the area around the Eiffel Tower for dazzling light and firework displays.






source: dailymail