World welcomes 2008

People around the world have joined in the celebrations for the arrival of 2008.

Though they may have rung in the New Year in different ways, they all shared the same basic dreams and wishes: peace, joy, and prosperity.

New Zealand: Revellers in New Zealand are among the first to greet the New Year with a dazzling pyrotechnical display in Auckland.

Fireworks lit up the sky around the city's iconic Sky Tower.

Japan: Japan welcomed 2008 with a fanfare of both traditional and modern themes.

People offered prayers for peace, health and prosperity in religious rites. Thousands also gathered at Tokyo Tower to watch the ringing of the New Year bells.

S korea: In South Korea, the New Year was greeted by the striking of a huge bell 33 times at ImJinGak, a symbol of families divided by the Korean War.

Russia: In Moscow, people gathered on the Red Square to greet the start of 2008.

President Vladimir Putin gave a New Year's address in which he praised Russia for becoming a modern, free and strong state.

The U.S.: More than one million revellers crowded New York's Times Square to bring in the New Year with the traditional ball drop.

The first ball drop in Times Square was in 1907. For its 100th birthday this year, the ball has been given an environmentally friendly makeover.

Germany: Temperatures around freezing could not dampen the spirits of hundreds of thousands of people who celebrated the coming of 2008 in Berlin under the landmark Brandenburg Gate.

Brazil: In Rio De Janeiro, millions of revelers dressed in white welcomed 2008 at a massive party at Copacabana Beach.

A 16-minute show of fireworks lit up the city's skies, before people threw flowers into the sea for good luck.