Happy New Year! World welcomes 2013 with parties

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Soe Zeya Tun / ReutersPeople celebrate at Myanmar's first public New Year countdown celebration at the Myoma grounds in Yangon January 1, 2013.By NBC News and wire servicesUpdated at 5:05 a.m. ET: As the clock struck midnight in each new timezone starting with in the Pacific Rim it was met with spectacular shows from Sydney to Beijing.

In Myanmar, where citizens were holding their first public countdown, the jubilation was at least as heartfelt, even if set against a humbler backdrop. It signaled a new year, as well as a new era of expanding democracy after five decades of military rulers who discouraged or banned public gatherings.

"We feel like we are in a different world," said Yu Thawda, a college student enjoying the festivities in Yangon, the capital.

Not every celebration was imbued with the same degree of hopefulness.




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