Three Indian Muslim women enjoy the last sunset of 2009 in the Arabian Sea in Mumbai, India, on Thursday. Rafiq Maqbool/AP
Fireworks explode over the Sydney Harbor Bridge and Opera House during celebrations for the New Year on Jan. 1, 2010. Tim Wimborne/Reuters
Crowds in Japan celebrate the arrival of 2010 at the Zojoji Temple in Tokyo. Greg Baker/AP
Clear balloons are a part of the New Year festivities at the Zojoji Temple in Tokyo, Japan early Friday. Koji Sasahara/AP
With Mayon Volcano in the background, fireworks light up the sky in Legazpi City, Philippines on Jan. 1. Romeo Ranoco/Reuters
People hit a huge bell to welcome the New Year at the Imjingak pavilion near the demilitarized zone separating the two Koreas in Paju, South Korea, on Jan. 1. Jo Yong-Hak/Reuters
People wait to release balloons during a New Year's Eve countdown party in Beijing, China, on Dec. 31. Christina Hu/Reuters
Celebrations are underway as Beijing, China marks the start of 2010. Andy Wong/AP
Revellers gather at Harbor City for New Year's celebrations in Hong Kong. Tyrone Siu/Reuters
In front of the Statue of Welcome Fountain in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Jan. 1, fireworks are set off as part of New Year celebrations. Supri/Reuters
People watch as fireworks explode from the world's tallest completed skyscraper, Taipei 101, during New Year festivities in Taipei, Taiwan, on Friday. Pichi Chuang/Reuters
Singapore's financial district, Marina Bay, and the Esplanade theatres are seen as fireworks explode to welcome the New Year on Jan. 1. Vivek Prakash/Reuters
Russians celebrate the New Year on Moscow's Red Square, with the Kremlin (r.) and St. Basil's cathedral in background (l.) early Friday. Mikhail Metzel/AP
Fireworks explode over the London Eye in central London during New Year's celebrations there early Friday morning. Lefteris Pitarakis/AP
While the German economy is being held up as the model for ailing Europe to follow, some Germans say that the benefits of the boom aren't reaching them.
When President Obama stood in Berlin today and said that budget balancing must not trump the priority of improving lives, some saw a dig at German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who has led the call for austerity across Europe.
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