Vestnik Kavkaza congratulates readers, partners and colleagues on the New Year, wishes them good health, joy, information.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has thanked people for work, its results, trust and support. He urged everyone to be active at work and studies, creativity and creativeness.
Presidents Ilham Aliyev (Azerbaijan), Serzh Sargsyan (Armenia) and Mikheil Saakashvili (Georgia) congratulated their population.
Saakashvili celebrated the New Year together with Georgian peacekeepers in Afghanistan. It was his second celebration of the New Year in Afghanistan.
Over 100,000 police officers in Moscow were maintaining order during New Year celebrations. There were over 22,000 activities with about 7,500 people involved in Moscow on December 31 - January 1.
Sydney was the first to mark the New Year.
At least half a million people arrived for the New Year parade in London. At least 80 groups of performers take part in the parade headed by London lord-mayor in Westminster. The UK chairs the G8 this year.
Dublin is raising the EU flag at the Dublin Castle Square. Ireland will be chairing the EU for half a year. Prime Minister Enda Kenny and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Eamon Gilmore made speeches.
Cuba marked the 54th anniversary of the revolution with 21 artillery shots at the San Carlos de la Habana Fort.
