In an unprecedented wave of celebration spanning every time zone, billions of people around the world have welcomed the year 2000 with spectacular festivities, fireworks, and a collective sigh of relief as feared Y2K computer failures failed to materialize.

The celebrations began in the Pacific islands of Kiribati, where residents of Caroline Island became the first humans to witness the sunrise of the new millennium at 5:43 AM local time. From there, the party swept westward across Asia, through Europe, Africa, and finally to the Americas, creating a continuous 26-hour global celebration.

Sydney's Harbour Bridge became the centerpiece of one of the world's largest fireworks displays, watched by an estimated two million people lining the harbor. The $25 million pyrotechnic show featured the word "ETERNITY" blazing across the bridge - a tribute to a famous piece of Sydney graffiti. In Paris, the Eiffel Tower was transformed into a glittering beacon, with 20,000 flashing lights installed for the occasion, while a massive digital countdown clock ticked away the final seconds of 1999.

In London, Queen Elizabeth II joined Prime Minister Tony Blair at the troubled Millennium Dome in Greenwich, which opened its doors despite ongoing construction issues and budget overruns that had plagued the £789 million project. Across the Atlantic, New York's Times Square saw an estimated two million revelers brave near-freezing temperatures to gather for the traditional ball drop, with security at unprecedented levels following millennium-related terrorism concerns.

Beijing unveiled a massive celebration at the Great Wall, while in Egypt, a $1 million concert was held at the base of the Pyramids of Giza featuring Jean-Michel Jarre. Rio de Janeiro's Copacabana Beach hosted three million partygoers for the world's largest beach party, with fireworks launched from boats in the harbor.

Perhaps most remarkably, the Y2K computer bug that had prompted years of preparation and an estimated $300-600 billion in remediation efforts worldwide caused only minor disruptions. A few slot machines in Delaware failed, some websites displayed incorrect dates, a tide gauge in Australia temporarily malfunctioned, and seven nuclear power plants in Japan experienced minor glitches - but the apocalyptic scenarios predicted by some experts did not come to pass.

World leaders exchanged messages of hope and unity. UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan called on humanity to "turn a new page" and work together to address poverty, disease, and conflict in the coming century. Pope John Paul II opened the Holy Door at St. Peter's Basilica to mark the Jubilee Year, while in Jerusalem, thousands gathered at the Western Wall for prayers.

In a stunning New Year's Eve announcement that shocked Russia and the world, President Boris Yeltsin resigned from office and named Prime Minister Vladimir Putin as acting president of the Russian Federation, effective immediately at noon Moscow time.

"I want to beg forgiveness for your dreams that never came true. And also I would like to beg forgiveness not to have justified your hopes," Yeltsin said in an emotional 10-minute televised address, his voice breaking at several points. "I believed we could jump from the gray, stagnant totalitarian past to the bright, prosperous, civilized future in one leap. I was wrong."

The 68-year-old Yeltsin, who had led Russia through its tumultuous transition from communism since 1991, cited health reasons and the need for fresh leadership as factors in his decision. He has suffered multiple heart attacks during his presidency, underwent coronary bypass surgery in 1996, and has been dogged by persistent rumors of alcoholism and erratic behavior.

Putin, a 47-year-old former KGB intelligence officer who served in East Germany during the Cold War, immediately assumed presidential powers and was shown on Russian television being handed the briefcase containing Russia's nuclear launch codes. One of his first acts was to sign a decree granting Yeltsin immunity from prosecution - a significant gesture given ongoing corruption investigations involving the Yeltsin administration.

The relatively unknown Putin was only appointed Prime Minister in August 1999, the fifth person to hold that position in 18 months. However, his tough stance on Chechnya and his image as a sober, disciplined leader have sent his approval ratings soaring to over 45%, making him the frontrunner in the presidential election now scheduled for March 26, 2000 - three months earlier than originally planned.

Western leaders expressed measured responses to the transition. President Bill Clinton telephoned Putin to congratulate him and express hope for continued cooperation. British Prime Minister Tony Blair called for "stability and reform" while German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder emphasized the importance of maintaining democratic progress.

The resignation marks the end of an era that saw Russia emerge from Soviet communism, survive a constitutional crisis in 1993, privatize state industries amid allegations of massive corruption, and experience severe economic turbulence including the 1998 financial crisis that wiped out the savings of millions of Russians.

At noon on December 31st, 1999, the United States officially transferred control of the Panama Canal to the Republic of Panama, ending 85 years of American administration of one of the world's most strategic waterways in a ceremony attended by dignitaries from around the world.

Panamanian President Mireya Moscoso presided over the historic handover at the Miraflores Locks, fulfilling the terms of the 1977 Torrijos-Carter Treaties signed by Panamanian military leader Omar Torrijos and U.S. President Jimmy Carter. Former President Carter attended the ceremony, calling it "a great day for Panama and a proud day for the United States."

"The canal is ours!" declared President Moscoso as thousands of Panamanians waved flags and celebrated in the streets of Panama City. "This is the culmination of a struggle that began with our independence. Today we assume full responsibility for our destiny."

The 50-mile waterway, one of the greatest engineering achievements of the 20th century, connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and handles approximately 14,000 ships carrying 200 million tons of cargo annually. The canal saves vessels a 7,800-mile journey around Cape Horn and remains vital to global commerce, particularly trade between Asia and the U.S. East Coast.

The United States built the canal between 1904 and 1914, following Panama's independence from Colombia - a separation that was itself facilitated by American military intervention. Construction claimed an estimated 5,600 lives, many from yellow fever and malaria. The U.S. operated the Canal Zone as sovereign territory, maintaining military bases and housing generations of American workers in a community that became known as "Zonians."

The 1977 treaties, which were narrowly ratified by the U.S. Senate by a single vote, sparked intense controversy in America. Critics including then-Governor Ronald Reagan argued the U.S. was "giving away" a vital strategic asset. Republican senators had attempted to block the handover as recently as last month.

The newly created Panama Canal Authority, led by administrator Alberto Alemán Zubieta, will now operate the waterway as an autonomous agency. Panama expects to earn approximately $500 million annually in canal revenues, a significant boost to the nation's $9 billion economy. Plans are already underway to study a possible expansion to accommodate larger "post-Panamax" container ships.

As the clock struck midnight across the world's time zones, the much-feared Y2K computer bug proved to be far less catastrophic than many had predicted, leaving some to question whether the estimated $300-600 billion spent globally on preparations was necessary - or whether that massive investment was precisely why disaster was averted.

The "millennium bug" stemmed from a cost-saving practice dating back to the 1960s, when computer programmers stored years using only two digits to save precious memory space. The fear was that systems would interpret "00" as 1900 rather than 2000, potentially causing widespread failures in everything from banking systems to power grids, air traffic control to hospital equipment.

Doomsday predictions had ranged from temporary inconveniences to complete societal collapse. Some survivalists had stockpiled food, water, and weapons, while financial advisors reported clients withdrawing savings in cash. The Federal Reserve printed an extra $50 billion in currency to handle anticipated bank runs that never materialized.

Instead, the transition to 2000 produced only scattered minor glitches: 150 slot machines at Delaware racetracks malfunctioned, the U.S. Naval Observatory's website briefly displayed the date as January 1, 19100, a tide gauge in Australia temporarily failed, Japan's Osaka radiation monitoring system crashed briefly, and some credit card transactions were declined. In South Korea, District heating systems failed in some apartment buildings.

Government and industry officials credit years of intensive preparation for the smooth transition. "This is exactly what we hoped would happen," said John Koskinen, chair of the U.S. President's Council on Year 2000 Conversion, who had coordinated the nation's response from a $50 million command center. Companies had tested billions of lines of code, replaced outdated systems, and conducted countless simulations.

The U.S. government alone spent approximately $8.5 billion on Y2K remediation, while private industry invested far more. Major corporations like Citibank reported spending over $900 million, and General Motors allocated $500 million to ensure its factories would continue operating.

However, critics argue the threat was exaggerated by consultants and technology companies who profited handsomely from Y2K remediation efforts. Countries like Italy, which spent comparatively little on preparations, experienced no more problems than nations that spent billions. The debate over whether Y2K was a genuine crisis averted through diligent preparation or an overblown scare exploited by the tech industry is likely to continue for years.

"We'll never know what would have happened if we hadn't fixed the problem," acknowledged Koskinen. "But I'd rather be explaining why nothing happened than explaining why planes fell out of the sky."

Russian military forces continued their devastating advance on the Chechen capital of Grozny today, with heavy artillery, rocket launchers, and airstrikes pounding rebel positions around the clock as the second Chechen war enters what commanders describe as its decisive phase.

An estimated 40,000 Russian troops have now encircled the city, which has been under siege since mid-December. Military officials claim to control several key neighborhoods, but Chechen fighters continue to mount fierce resistance from fortified positions throughout the urban center, which has been reduced to rubble reminiscent of World War II-era Stalingrad.

Tens of thousands of civilians have fled the city through designated "humanitarian corridors," though refugees report that these routes are frequently shelled. The United Nations estimates that over 215,000 people have been displaced by the conflict since September, with many crowded into camps in neighboring Ingushetia where conditions are described as desperate. An estimated 15,000-40,000 civilians remain trapped in Grozny's basements, lacking food, water, and medical supplies.

Acting President Vladimir Putin has vowed to "annihilate the bandits in their lairs," blaming Chechen rebels for a series of apartment bombings in Moscow, Buynaksk, and Volgodonsk that killed 293 people in September. The attacks, which struck residential buildings while families slept, galvanized Russian public opinion in favor of military action.

International human rights organizations including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have sharply criticized the Russian campaign, documenting reports of indiscriminate bombing, extrajudicial killings of civilians, and the use of banned cluster munitions. The Russian government dismisses these reports as rebel propaganda, maintaining it is conducting a targeted anti-terrorist operation against Islamic extremists.

The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) has called for a political solution, while the U.S. State Department has expressed "deep concern" about civilian casualties. However, Western criticism has been muted compared to the first Chechen war (1994-1996), reflecting concerns about Russia's strategic importance and Putin's increasing control over Russian media coverage of the conflict.

Despite mounting Russian casualties - officially acknowledged at around 500 dead but believed by independent analysts to be significantly higher - the conflict has transformed Putin's political fortunes. His approval ratings have soared from single digits in August to over 45% today, making him the overwhelming favorite in March's presidential election.

In a historic diplomatic breakthrough, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Sharaa have resumed peace negotiations in Washington, marking the first high-level talks between the two nations in nearly four years and raising hopes for a comprehensive Middle East peace settlement.

The negotiations, hosted by President Bill Clinton at the White House on December 15-16, focus primarily on the future of the Golan Heights, the strategic 460-square-mile plateau captured by Israel from Syria during the 1967 Six-Day War. Approximately 17,000 Israeli settlers now live in the territory, alongside 20,000 Druze residents who have mostly rejected Israeli citizenship.

Barak, a highly decorated former general who was elected in May on a platform promising peace with Israel's neighbors, has signaled willingness to withdraw from most or all of the Golan in exchange for full peace, diplomatic recognition, and normalized relations with Syria. Such a move would be deeply controversial in Israel, where polls show the public evenly divided on territorial concessions.

Syria's 89-year-old President Hafez al-Assad, who lost the Golan during his tenure as Defense Minister in 1967, has made its recovery a centerpiece of his legacy. Damascus demands a complete Israeli withdrawal to the lines of June 4, 1967 - a boundary that would give Syria access to the northeastern shore of the Sea of Galilee, Israel's primary freshwater reservoir.

The Israelis have countered with proposals based on the international border drawn in 1923, which would keep Syria several hundred meters from the lake. Water rights, early warning stations, and the pace of any withdrawal remain key sticking points. Israel is also seeking security guarantees and limitations on Syrian military deployments.

The talks represent the best opportunity for Israeli-Syrian peace since negotiations broke down in 1996 following a wave of suicide bombings in Israel. A peace agreement with Syria could also pave the way for Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon, where the Iran-backed Hezbollah militia has waged an 18-year guerrilla campaign against Israeli occupation forces.

President Clinton has made Middle East peace a top priority in his final year in office, hoping to cement a legacy that could include comprehensive Arab-Israeli peace. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright has been intimately involved in the preparations, and administration officials express cautious optimism about the prospects for a framework agreement in the coming months.

Further talks are scheduled to resume in early January at a neutral location, with both sides agreeing to maintain a news blackout on the substance of negotiations.

The last European colony in Asia returned to Chinese sovereignty at midnight on December 20th as Portugal formally handed over Macau after 442 years of continuous administration, marking the definitive end of Europe's colonial presence on the Asian continent.

Chinese President Jiang Zemin presided over elaborate ceremonies at the purpose-built Macau Cultural Centre, watching as the Portuguese flag was lowered for the final time and the red banner of the People's Republic rose over the tiny 11-square-mile enclave on China's southern coast. "The return of Macau to the motherland," Jiang declared, "is a great event in the history of the Chinese nation."

Portuguese President Jorge Sampaio and Prime Minister Antonio Guterres led their nation's delegation at the handover, which was marked by military parades, fireworks, and cultural performances despite steady rain that soaked the assembled dignitaries. Sampaio acknowledged Portugal's complex colonial legacy while expressing confidence in Macau's future.

Macau becomes a Special Administrative Region under Beijing's "one country, two systems" framework, the same arrangement governing Hong Kong since its 1997 handover from Britain. The territory will retain its capitalist economy, Portuguese-influenced legal system, and civil liberties for 50 years under the terms of the handover agreement.

Unlike Hong Kong's emotionally charged transition, which was accompanied by widespread anxiety about Chinese rule and political freedoms, Macau's handover has been notably smooth. The territory never developed Hong Kong's activist political culture, and relations with Beijing have been generally cordial. Most residents appear to welcome the transition.

The territory's gambling industry - Macau is the only place in China where casinos are legal - provides over half of government revenue and is expected to expand significantly under Chinese administration. Currently dominated by the decades-old monopoly of casino magnate Stanley Ho, the industry may soon be opened to international competition, with Las Vegas operators expressing keen interest.

Edmund Ho Hau-wah, a 44-year-old Canadian-educated banker with no relation to the casino mogul, has been selected as Macau's first Chief Executive. He has pledged to maintain stability, diversify the economy beyond gambling, and combat the organized crime that has plagued the territory in recent years - a wave of gang violence left 37 dead in 1997 alone.

Portugal first established a permanent settlement in Macau in 1557, using it as a crucial trading post between China, Japan, and Europe. The territory's blend of Portuguese and Chinese culture, visible in its architecture, cuisine, and traditions, will be preserved as a unique heritage under Chinese rule.

Paris's iconic Eiffel Tower became the centerpiece of France's millennium celebrations as a spectacular new lighting system transformed the 110-year-old iron structure into a glittering beacon visible for miles across the City of Light.

Twenty thousand flashing strobe lights, each containing six lamps, were painstakingly installed on the tower's iron lattice specifically for the millennium at a cost of 4.6 million francs. The shimmering effect, which makes the tower appear to sparkle like champagne bubbles, delighted the estimated 1.5 million people gathered on the Champ de Mars, along the Seine, and throughout central Paris.

The celebration began with a massive digital countdown clock mounted on the tower's second level, ticking away the final seconds of 1999 in numbers visible across the Parisian skyline. As the clock struck midnight, the tower erupted in a spectacular 20-minute fireworks display launched from every level of the 1,063-foot structure, synchronized to classical and contemporary music.

French President Jacques Chirac, watching from the Trocadéro with other dignitaries, called it "a celebration worthy of France's entry into the third millennium." Prime Minister Lionel Jospin declared the Eiffel Tower "more than ever the symbol of France's creativity and technological ambition."

The Champs-Élysées was transformed into a massive pedestrian celebration zone, with over 600,000 people streaming down the avenue amid light shows, concerts, and street performances. A 130-foot Ferris wheel erected in Place de la Concorde offered panoramic views of the festivities.

The new lighting system, designed by lighting engineer Pierre Bideau, was originally planned as a temporary millennium installation but has proven so popular that Paris officials are considering making it permanent. The lights will flash for five minutes every hour on the hour throughout 2000.

Security was tight throughout Paris, with 25,000 police and security personnel deployed following concerns about millennium-related terrorism. The celebrations concluded without major incident, though French authorities acknowledged arresting several individuals in the weeks leading up to the event.

Venezuelan voters have overwhelmingly approved a new constitution that grants sweeping powers to President Hugo Chávez and renames the country the "Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela," marking the most dramatic political transformation in the nation's modern history.

The December 15th referendum passed with 72% support on a 44% turnout, giving Chávez a powerful mandate to reshape Venezuelan politics according to his vision of "Bolivarian revolution" and "21st century socialism" inspired by independence hero Simón Bolívar, who liberated much of South America from Spanish rule in the 19th century.

The new 350-article constitution - drafted by a constituent assembly dominated by Chávez supporters - extends the presidential term from five to six years, permits immediate re-election for the first time, expands presidential powers to dissolve the National Assembly, and grants the president greater control over military appointments and the state oil company PDVSA, which provides 80% of Venezuela's export earnings.

The existing Congress and Supreme Court have been dissolved, with a transitional legislature appointed until new elections can be held in coming months. The judiciary will be reorganized under a new Supreme Tribunal of Justice. Critics including the Catholic Church, business groups, and the traditional political parties warn the changes dangerously concentrate power in the executive and threaten democratic checks and balances.

Chávez, a charismatic 45-year-old former army lieutenant colonel who led a failed coup attempt against President Carlos Andrés Pérez in 1992, was elected president in December 1998 with 56% of the vote. He campaigned on promises to root out the corruption that had plagued Venezuela's political establishment, redistribute oil wealth to the poor majority, and dismantle the two-party system that had governed since 1958.

His supporters, drawn heavily from Venezuela's poor barrios, see the new constitution as a necessary break from decades of elite rule and economic mismanagement that left 80% of Venezuelans in poverty despite the country's vast oil reserves. "For the first time, the people have a voice," said María Rodríguez, a street vendor in Caracas. "Chávez is one of us."

The United States has expressed concern about the pace of changes, with State Department officials urging respect for democratic institutions and minority rights. Neighboring Colombia, struggling with its own internal conflicts, is watching developments closely.

Under the transitional arrangements, new presidential, legislative, and local elections are expected in mid-2000. Chávez, who enjoys approval ratings above 70%, is virtually certain to win re-election under the rules he helped create.

The World Trade Organization's ministerial conference collapsed in spectacular failure on December 3rd as massive street protests paralyzed downtown Seattle and deep divisions among the organization's 135 member nations prevented any agreement on launching a new round of trade liberalization.

An estimated 40,000 to 50,000 protesters descended on the city, representing a diverse and sometimes fractious coalition of labor unions, environmental groups, human rights activists, consumer advocates, and anti-globalization campaigners. The demonstrations - which organizers called the largest American protest since the Vietnam War era - succeeded in physically preventing many delegates from reaching the opening ceremonies.

What began as peaceful civil disobedience turned chaotic when small groups of self-described anarchists, many dressed in black, began smashing windows at Starbucks, Nike, Gap, and other symbols of corporate globalization. Police, initially caught off-guard by the protest's scale, responded with tear gas, pepper spray, rubber bullets, and concussion grenades. Over 600 people were arrested over four days.

Seattle Mayor Paul Schell declared a civil emergency, imposing a 50-block "no-protest zone" around the convention center and a 7 PM curfew downtown. Governor Gary Locke deployed 300 National Guard troops and 200 state troopers to restore order. The American Civil Liberties Union has announced plans to sue the city over what it calls unconstitutional restrictions on free speech.

Inside the heavily guarded meetings, the talks foundered on deep divisions between wealthy and developing nations. African trade ministers staged a walkout, protesting their exclusion from key negotiating sessions held in "green room" meetings among major powers. Developing nations rejected U.S. demands to include labor standards and environmental regulations in trade agreements, viewing them as disguised protectionism.

The European Union and United States remained deadlocked over agricultural subsidies, with EU Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy refusing American demands to set a timetable for phasing out farm supports. Meanwhile, developing nations demanded better access to wealthy countries' markets and an end to subsidies they say devastate their farmers.

The failure to launch the "Millennium Round" represents a significant setback for the Clinton administration, which had championed trade liberalization. U.S. Trade Representative Charlene Barshefsky acknowledged the talks had failed but insisted progress had been made on some issues.

WTO Director-General Mike Moore called the collapse "deeply disappointing" but expressed hope that negotiations could resume in 2000. However, the Seattle debacle has energized a global movement questioning whether free trade benefits ordinary workers and the environment - questions that are unlikely to disappear.

In a deeply symbolic gesture marking the dawn of the new millennium, former South African President Nelson Mandela returned to Robben Island prison to light a candle in Cell Number 5, the tiny limestone quarry cell where he spent 18 of his 27 years of imprisonment for fighting apartheid.

The 81-year-old Nobel Peace Prize laureate, dressed in one of his trademark colorful silk shirts, was ferried to the island off Cape Town's coast alongside a small group of fellow former political prisoners, many of whom had shared his decades of incarceration. The ceremony was broadcast live around the world as part of a global millennium celebration.

"We light this candle to celebrate the triumph of the human spirit over adversity," Mandela said, his voice steady despite the emotion of the moment. "May its light guide Africa and all humanity into a new era of peace and prosperity. The flame of freedom can never be extinguished."

Mandela, who became South Africa's first democratically elected president in 1994 after the fall of apartheid, used the occasion to reflect on his nation's remarkable journey from racial oppression to democracy. He also acknowledged the challenges that remain, including poverty, AIDS, and crime, urging South Africans to work together to build a better future.

The event was the centerpiece of South Africa's millennium celebrations, which included festivities across the nation from Johannesburg to Durban. President Thabo Mbeki, who succeeded Mandela in June 1999, led celebrations at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, while crowds gathered at the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront in Cape Town to watch fireworks over Table Mountain.

Mandela's 27-year imprisonment - first on Robben Island, then at Pollsmoor Prison and Victor Verster Prison - transformed him from a militant anti-apartheid activist into a global symbol of peaceful reconciliation. His release on February 11, 1990, and his subsequent leadership of negotiations with the white minority government, led to the peaceful transition that many had thought impossible.

Robben Island, where Mandela quarried limestone in the blazing sun and was permitted only one visitor and one letter every six months, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999. Now operated as a museum, it receives thousands of visitors annually, many guided by former political prisoners who share their experiences of the brutal apartheid regime.

At 81, Mandela has retired from public office but remains active in charitable work, particularly fighting HIV/AIDS through the Nelson Mandela Foundation. He is revered both in South Africa, where he is affectionately known as "Madiba," and internationally as one of the 20th century's most consequential moral leaders.

Japan has entered the new millennium with Emperor Akihito delivering a rare televised address expressing hopes for peace and prosperity in the 21st century, as the nation celebrated with traditional ceremonies and modern festivities.

The 66-year-old emperor, speaking from the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, reflected on Japan's turbulent 20th century history and urged citizens to work together to build a better future. "Let us enter this new era with hope in our hearts and determination in our spirits," the emperor said.

Millions of Japanese visited Shinto shrines for traditional New Year prayers, while younger generations gathered in Tokyo's Shibuya district for countdown celebrations. The famous Shibuya crossing was closed to traffic as an estimated 500,000 revelers packed the streets.

The celebrations come as Japan continues to struggle with economic stagnation following the collapse of its asset bubble in the early 1990s. Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi has pledged to restore growth in what he calls "Japan's rebirth year."

Despite economic concerns, the mood across the nation was largely optimistic. Fireworks displays lit up the skies over Tokyo Bay, Osaka Castle, and other landmarks, while bullet trains ran special midnight services for the first time in their history.

Sydney Harbour erupted in the most spectacular fireworks display in history last night as Australia became one of the first major nations to welcome the year 2000, setting the tone for global millennium celebrations.

An estimated two million people lined the harbour foreshore to witness the $25 million pyrotechnic extravaganza, which featured the Sydney Harbour Bridge transformed into a cascading waterfall of fire and the word "ETERNITY" blazing across its arch - a tribute to a famous piece of Sydney graffiti.

The display lasted 24 minutes and used over 50 tonnes of fireworks launched from 15 barges in the harbour, the bridge itself, and rooftops across the city. Television broadcasts reached an estimated global audience of 2 billion viewers.

Prime Minister John Howard watched from a harbourside location with international dignitaries. "This is Australia's moment to shine before the world," Howard declared. "And shine we have."

The celebrations continued throughout the night at parties across the nation, from beach gatherings on the Gold Coast to outback barbecues in the Northern Territory. Aboriginal elders also conducted traditional ceremonies marking the transition to the new era.

An unprecedented three million people packed Rio de Janeiro's famous Copacabana Beach last night for what organizers are calling the largest outdoor party in human history, as Brazil welcomed the new millennium in spectacular style.

The four-kilometer stretch of white sand became a sea of revelers dressed in white - a Brazilian New Year tradition believed to bring good luck - as massive sound stages hosted performances by the country's biggest music stars.

At midnight, a stunning 20-minute fireworks display launched from boats anchored along the beach illuminated the sky, while the Christ the Redeemer statue atop Corcovado mountain was bathed in multicolored lights visible across the city.

President Fernando Henrique Cardoso addressed the nation, expressing optimism that Brazil would overcome its economic challenges in the new century. "We enter this millennium as a nation of hope and possibility," Cardoso said.

The Copacabana celebration was the centerpiece of festivities across Brazil's 8,500-kilometer coastline, with major parties also held in Salvador, Recife, and Fortaleza. Police reported remarkably few incidents despite the massive crowds.

India welcomed the new millennium with celebrations across the subcontinent, though festivities were tempered by ongoing tensions with Pakistan over Kashmir and the aftermath of last week's Indian Airlines hijacking.

In New Delhi, President K.R. Narayanan lit a ceremonial lamp at Rashtrapati Bhavan while addressing the nation about the challenges and opportunities facing the world's largest democracy in the 21st century.

Mumbai's Marine Drive waterfront drew hundreds of thousands of revelers, while Bangalore's technology parks held special millennium events celebrating India's growing status as a global IT powerhouse. The Y2K bug, which Indian programmers helped the world prepare for, caused no significant disruptions.

However, security was heightened nationwide following the December 24 hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight 814, which ended with the release of three militants. The incident has strained already tense relations with Pakistan, which India accuses of supporting the hijackers.

Despite security concerns, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee struck an optimistic tone. "India enters this new millennium as a rising power. Our best days lie ahead," he declared in a televised address.

Berlin celebrated its first New Year as the fully restored capital of a united Germany, with over one million people gathering at the Brandenburg Gate for a massive party marking both the millennium and a decade since the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Chancellor Gerhard Schröder joined celebrations at the historic gate, which for decades symbolized the division of Germany and Europe. "Ten years ago, we could only dream of celebrating here together," Schröder told the crowd. "Tonight, we celebrate as one nation, one people, one future."

The "Party Mile" stretching from the Brandenburg Gate to the Victory Column featured multiple stages with performances by German and international artists. Fireworks launched from the Reichstag building created a spectacular backdrop.

The celebration held special significance as German government ministries completed their move from Bonn to Berlin in 1999, returning the capital to its historic home for the first time since World War II.

Older Berliners recalled previous New Year celebrations when the wall still stood, and families were separated. "To stand here freely, with friends from the East and West - this is the real millennium miracle," said longtime resident Hans Mueller, 72.

Nigeria, Africa's most populous nation, celebrated the new millennium with a mixture of joy and cautious optimism as the country continues its transition to democracy following decades of military rule.

President Olusegun Obasanjo, who took office in May 1999 as Nigeria's first elected civilian leader in 16 years, addressed the nation from Abuja, pledging to fight corruption and restore Nigeria's standing in the international community.

"We have been given a second chance," Obasanjo declared. "Let us not waste this precious opportunity to build the Nigeria of our dreams."

Celebrations were held across the country, from Lagos's Bar Beach to Kano's ancient city center. In the oil-rich Niger Delta, communities marked the occasion despite ongoing tensions over resource distribution and environmental degradation.

The millennium arrives as Nigeria grapples with ethnic and religious tensions, economic challenges, and the legacy of military misrule. However, the peaceful transition of power has raised hopes that Africa's giant can finally fulfill its vast potential.

Churches and mosques held special services, reflecting Nigeria's religious diversity, while traditional rulers performed ceremonies invoking ancestral blessings for the new century.

The ancient Pyramids of Giza provided the backdrop for one of the world's most unique millennium celebrations as French electronic music pioneer Jean-Michel Jarre performed a spectacular concert at the base of the 4,500-year-old monuments.

An estimated 100,000 people attended the $1 million production, which featured massive laser shows, fireworks, and a 12-minute countdown projected onto the Great Pyramid of Cheops - the last surviving wonder of the ancient world.

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak attended the event alongside international dignitaries, declaring that Egypt - home to one of humanity's oldest civilizations - was the perfect place to mark the transition to a new era.

The concert was the centerpiece of Egypt's "Millennium Pharaoh" tourism campaign, designed to boost visitor numbers to the country's ancient sites. Security was extremely tight following concerns about potential terrorist attacks.

Controversy surrounded initial plans to cap the Great Pyramid with a golden capstone, which were abandoned after archaeologists raised concerns about potential damage to the ancient structure.

The celebration continued along the Nile with traditional felucca boats carrying lanterns and Cairenes gathering on bridges to watch fireworks reflect off the ancient river.

Mexico City's vast Zocalo square overflowed with an estimated 500,000 people last night as the nation celebrated the arrival of the new millennium with music, fireworks, and the ringing of the historic cathedral bells.

President Ernesto Zedillo led the traditional "Grito" - the cry of independence - from the National Palace balcony, adapted for the millennium occasion. The crowd responded with thunderous cheers as fireworks exploded over the Metropolitan Cathedral.

The celebration marked a moment of unity for a nation still grappling with the legacy of the 1994 peso crisis and ongoing Zapatista tensions in Chiapas. For one night, economic concerns gave way to fiesta.

Mariachi bands performed throughout the historic center while giant screens broadcast celebrations from around the world. Mexican rock and pop stars performed on a massive stage erected before the ruins of the Aztec Templo Mayor.

The festivities extended to towns and villages across Mexico, where local traditions blended with millennium celebrations. In Oaxaca, indigenous communities performed traditional dances, while beach resorts in Cancun hosted international tourists.

Mexico enters the new millennium with hopes pinned on the upcoming July 2000 presidential election, which many believe could bring historic political change after 71 years of single-party rule.

Queen Elizabeth II officially opened the controversial Millennium Dome in Greenwich last night, joining Prime Minister Tony Blair for a celebration that aimed to showcase "Cool Britannia" but was marred by organizational problems and criticism of the £789 million project.

The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh joined 10,000 invited guests at the massive tent-like structure on the Thames, while millions more Britons gathered at celebrations across the country from Edinburgh's Hogmanay to London's South Bank.

However, the evening was not without embarrassment as hundreds of VIP guests, including newspaper editors, were stranded for hours at Stratford station due to failures in the specially-built Jubilee Line extension. Many missed the midnight moment entirely.

Blair, who has staked significant political capital on the Dome, declared the evening "a triumph" despite the transport chaos. "This is Britain at its creative best," the Prime Minister insisted.

The Dome itself - the world's largest structure of its kind - houses exhibitions exploring British life and identity in the new millennium. Critics have questioned its content and cost, while supporters call it a bold statement of national confidence.

Across the River Thames, a new Millennium Bridge connecting St. Paul's Cathedral to the Tate Modern was illuminated, though it would not open to pedestrians until later in the year. Big Ben chimed midnight as fireworks erupted along the river.

China welcomed the new millennium with celebrations at the Great Wall and Tiananmen Square, as the communist government marked the occasion with a mixture of traditional symbolism and modern spectacle.

President Jiang Zemin delivered a televised address declaring that the 21st century would be "China's century," pointing to the nation's rapid economic growth and recent recovery of Hong Kong and Macau as signs of national rejuvenation.

At the Badaling section of the Great Wall north of Beijing, thousands gathered for a countdown celebration featuring traditional dragon dances and modern laser shows playing across the ancient fortification.

In Tiananmen Square, a massive electronic countdown clock ticked down the final seconds of 1999 before fireworks erupted over the Gate of Heavenly Peace. The square was opened to the public for the first time for a New Year celebration since 1989.

Shanghai's newly developed Pudong district showcased China's modernization ambitions with the Oriental Pearl Tower and surrounding skyscrapers illuminated in spectacular fashion, symbolizing the nation's economic transformation.

The celebrations came as China continues negotiations to join the World Trade Organization, a step leaders say will cement China's integration into the global economy. However, tensions with Taiwan and concerns about human rights continue to complicate relations with the West.

The United Nations Security Council has voted to suspend international sanctions against Libya, nine months after Tripoli handed over two suspects in the 1988 Lockerbie bombing that killed 270 people aboard Pan Am Flight 103.

The suspension, which took effect in April but was formally confirmed this month, marks a dramatic shift in Libya's international standing after more than a decade of isolation. Colonel Muammar Gaddafi's government has sought to normalize relations with the West following years of confrontation.

The two Libyan intelligence agents, Abdel Basset al-Megrahi and Lamin Khalifa Fhimah, are currently standing trial in the Netherlands under Scottish law in a specially convened court at Camp Zeist. The trial, which began in May, is expected to continue well into 2000.

British and American officials have cautiously welcomed Libya's cooperation but emphasize that full normalization depends on the trial's outcome and Libya's continued compliance with UN resolutions. Families of the Lockerbie victims have expressed mixed reactions, with some welcoming the judicial process while others demand additional compensation.

The sanctions suspension has already begun to revive Libya's oil-dependent economy. International oil companies are returning to negotiate new contracts, and commercial flights to Tripoli have resumed for the first time since 1992.

Gaddafi, who has ruled Libya since seizing power in a 1969 coup, has portrayed the handover as a diplomatic victory rather than a capitulation, telling state media that Libya "has proven its innocence through legal means."

Supporters of Iranian President Mohammad Khatami have won a landslide victory in the country's first local council elections since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, signaling strong public support for his reform agenda despite opposition from conservative clerics.

The elections, held in late November, saw reformist candidates sweep to victory in major cities including Tehran, Isfahan, and Shiraz. In the capital, allies of Khatami captured all 15 seats on the city council, a stunning rebuke to the conservative establishment.

Voter turnout exceeded 60 percent nationwide, with particularly high participation among women and young people who form the backbone of the reform movement. Many voters expressed hope that local governance would bring tangible improvements to daily life.

"This is the voice of the people demanding change," said political analyst Saeed Hajjarian, a key Khatami advisor. "The establishment must listen."

The results set the stage for parliamentary elections scheduled for February 2000, where reformists hope to challenge conservative dominance of the Majlis. However, the Guardian Council, controlled by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, retains the power to disqualify candidates deemed insufficiently loyal to Islamic principles.

President Khatami, elected in a 1997 landslide on promises of greater social freedoms and rule of law, has faced persistent resistance from hardline judges, security forces, and Revolutionary Guard commanders who view his reforms as threats to the Islamic system.

The student protests that rocked Tehran in July, violently suppressed by security forces, highlighted the tensions between popular demands for change and conservative determination to maintain control.

The European Union has formally granted Turkey candidate status for membership at the Helsinki summit, ending decades of uncertainty about whether the Muslim-majority nation would ever be welcomed into the European club.

The historic decision, announced by Finnish Prime Minister Paavo Lipponen, represents a dramatic reversal from the EU's 1997 Luxembourg summit, which pointedly excluded Turkey from the list of candidate countries and triggered a diplomatic crisis with Ankara.

Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit hailed the decision as "a turning point in Turkish history," declaring that Turkey's European vocation, pursued since the founding of the modern republic by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, had finally been recognized.

The breakthrough followed intense diplomatic efforts and significant Turkish concessions, including improved relations with Greece following devastating earthquakes in both countries this summer that sparked an unprecedented outpouring of mutual humanitarian aid.

Turkey also signaled flexibility on the divided island of Cyprus, a major obstacle to EU ties, though the details of any settlement remain unclear. The EU made clear that resolution of the Cyprus dispute and improvements in human rights, particularly regarding the Kurdish minority, would be prerequisites for actual membership negotiations.

Critics in Europe questioned whether a country of 65 million Muslims, with a troubled human rights record and an ongoing Kurdish insurgency, truly belongs in the European Union. Turkish officials dismissed such objections as discriminatory.

Actual EU membership remains years, perhaps decades, away, requiring sweeping reforms to Turkish law, economics, and governance. But for Turkish liberals, the Helsinki decision represents validation of their vision of a secular, democratic, Western-oriented Turkey.

Saudi Arabia and Yemen have signed a landmark treaty demarcating their shared border, resolving a territorial dispute that has simmered since the foundation of the Saudi kingdom and occasionally erupted into armed conflict.

The Treaty of Jeddah, signed by Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah and Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh, defines the 1,800-kilometer frontier between the two countries for the first time, ending decades of ambiguity that complicated relations between the Arabian Peninsula's largest and most populous nations.

The agreement divides previously contested territory roughly equally between the two countries and establishes mechanisms for joint administration of shared natural resources. Both leaders hailed the treaty as opening a new chapter in Saudi-Yemeni relations.

"This agreement removes the last obstacle to full brotherhood between our peoples," declared Crown Prince Abdullah at the signing ceremony in Jeddah. President Saleh called it "a victory for wisdom and dialogue over conflict."

The border dispute dated to the 1934 Treaty of Taif, which ended a brief Saudi-Yemeni war but left large sections of the frontier undefined. Tensions flared periodically, most recently during the 1994 Yemeni civil war when Saudi Arabia backed the losing southern faction.

The treaty also has economic implications, potentially opening the door to Saudi investment in impoverished Yemen and cooperation on managing migration across the border. Yemen, the Arab world's poorest country, hopes the improved relationship will bring much-needed development assistance.

Regional analysts suggest the agreement reflects Saudi concerns about instability on its southern border and a desire to prevent Yemen from falling further into chaos or under the influence of rival powers.