SYDNEY, March 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Opera sparkles with 10,000 Swarovski crystals, a glistening harbour-top stage and a star-studded line-up of singers, when Opera on Sydney Harbour - La

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Swimmers in an ocean race off Sydney faced their worst nightmare when a 10-foot shark was spotted heading straight for them, forcing race officials to quickly pluck competitors from the water.

While Australia said goodbye to 2005 with mass celebrations and increased security, countries around the world prepared for the parties. The Australian newspaper reports 1 million people were in Sydney Harbor for a New Year's Eve fireworks show and partying in 70 degree weather.