London spared storms that spoil New Year's parties in other cities

0 Comments | AFP, January, 2007

LONDON (AFP) — Fireworks showered Big Ben in a kaleidoscope of colors as London staged a New Year's bash that other key cities scrapped because of dangerous winds. An estimated 150,000 lining the River Thames gaped or cheered at the dazzling and deafening 15-minute display over Parliament's famous clock tower as well as the London Eye, the world's tallest observation wheel.

The Thames landmarks were the centerpiece of celebrations in the capital that included concerts starring Kylie Minogue and other pop stars. However, gale-force winds gave northern parts of the country a bad start to 2007. Celebrations in Belfast, Edinburgh and Glasgow as well as Newcastle, Liverpool and Leeds were all canceled over weather-related safety fears. Up to 100,000 people had been expected to...