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Hundreds of people across the world have been preparing for what they believe will be the end of the world on 21 December. The date is the apparent end of the "long count" calendar of the ancient Mayan civilisation. Believers have gathered in Mexico near Mayan ruins, and in other supposedly spiritual places around the world. Chinese police have arrested hundreds of members of a Christian group who apparently believe the prophecy. Last year, experts said a new reading of the calendar revealed that it did not in fact predict the apocalypse. Many believe the date in fact marks the start of a new era in the calendar. However, among some the date is still being taken as heralding the end of the world.