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NYC welcomes new year

Revelers celebrate the arrival of the new year during celebrations in Times Square in New York on Monday. PHOTO: AP

More than 1 million revelers in Times Square cheered as the giant crystal ball made its 100th drop and a tonne of confetti rained down on the urban canyon, ushering in the new year.

University of North Carolina junior Reid Medlin, 21, attended the celebration with his friends Rachel Rand, 20, and Jeremy Crouthamel, 20.

They were in the city for the first time and planned to stay up all night because they had no hotel.

"I think the best part is being here with friends," Medlin said as confetti floated down on him and people kissed around him. "This was beautiful. It makes you appreciate everything."

Rand said it did not matter that they did not have a place to sleep.

"I'm too happy to go to bed," she said.

Organizers said well over 1 million people attended the festivities.

They were treated to an entertainment lineup that included Dick Clark and Ryan Seacrest handling the countdown to 2008 and musical performances by Carrie Underwood, Miley Cyrus and other acts. Even New York Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez showed up, shaking hands and posing for photos.
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