The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Food Adviser Tapan Chowdhury yesterday (Tuesday) said the Government is looking for alternative sources for import of rice as India raised the price sharply, resulting unusual price hike of rice in local markets.

Talking to newsmen he said a decision has already been taken to import one lakh tons of rice from Thailand. Import of another 75,000 tons from that country is under active consideration, he added.

"We are considering rice import from other countries like Thailand,

Myanmar and Pakistan. We are also examining the quantum to meet the domestic demand," Chowdhury said when asked if the government will buy rice from India at the enhanced price.

India on December 27 raised the minimum export price of rice at US$500 per ton, third time in less than a year, from US$315 per ton in February last.

In November, India withdrew ban on rice export to Bangladesh in view of the difficulties caused by the devastating cyclone. But later imposed a number of conditions and finally raised the minimum price to US$500 on December 27.

Tapan Chowdhury said the government has taken a move to change the rice import policy to facilitate import from other countries.

He said India had promised to export 5 lakh tons to Bangladesh. "We hope they will sell to us at the earlier price," he added.

He said traders favour import from India because of low carrying cost. But they will now look for alternative sources.

Meanwhile, prices of rice increased further in local markets yesterday. Coarse varieties of rice were selling at Tk 38 to Tk 40 per kg, while Miniket at Tk 46 a kg and Najirshail at Tk 48 a kg in local markets.

Finding no other alternatives, thousands of poor people thronged the BDR's fair price shops in the city early in the morning yesterday to buy rice. By 10:00am, hundreds of people were seen awaiting in long queues in front of the BDR shops.

Visiting the BDR's fair price shop at Kalabagan Club inside the Kalabagan playground in the morning, this correspondent witnessed hundreds of men and women were frantically waiting in long queue to buy rice.

The same situation was also seen at another BDR shop at Wasa office near Bangla College at Mirpur.

DU Correspondent

Dhaka University authorities hoped that the incarcerated teachers would get released before the university reopens on January 8. This was hoped after a tripartite meeting with a government agency yesterday.

Calling the meeting a success, Vice Chancellor Prof SMA Faiz said the teachers will return on the campus soon with due respect for which they were trying hard.

It is learnt that a negotiation meeting was held on the issue of the release of the detained teachers at the VC`s office yesterday.

The meeting was participated by DU VC Prof SMA Faiz, acting president of Dhaka University Teachers` Association (DUTA) Prof Tazmery SA Islam, acting general secretary Dr Mamun Ahmed and a high official of an intelligence agency.

Meeting sources said the University would get a positive decision from the government about the teachers before the reopening of the university.

Prof Tazmery SA Islam said that they were negotiating with the government about freeing the teachers from custody.

"So we will not place any fresh programmes that will hinder the on going negotiations," she added.

Acting general secretary Dr Mamun Ahmed said the programme of teachers belonging to the blue panel was not a DUTA programme.

He alleged that the panel was trying to take credit for the imminent release of the detained teachers by holding different programmes.

Meanwhile, the teachers belonging to the White panel protested the statement of the blue panel to the press on Monday.

In a written statement to the press the White panel said the DUTA president and secretary were shocked at Blue panel teachers statement belittling the endeavor of the university authorities to get the detained teachers released.

The Blue panel teachers are putting pressure on DUTA to hold some programmes like sit in, wearing of black badges, abstention from admission test and resignation of the Deans breaking the emergency rule, said the statement.

The statement further said since the teachers (Blue panel) wanted to hold the DUTA election without the permission of the government, the senior teachers were unwilling to become election commissioners.

BSS, Dhaka

The trial Court set January 6 for indictment hearing on extortion charges against Awami League President and former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and two others as she was not able to appear before the court yesterday due to illness.

The extortion charges were brought by businessman Azam J Chowdhury.

Hasina fell sick on Monday in the courtroom during hearing of the case. The court ordered the authorities concerned to take her back to the nearby sub-jail for necessary treatment immediately after her Counsel drew the attention of the court to his client's falling sick.

The jail authority today in the custody warrant of Hasina mentioned that "she is suffering from nausea and vertigo".

But co-accused in the case Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim was produced from jail custody.

Metropolitan Sessions Judge Mohammad Azizul Haque set the date after completion of examining the documents (alamat) by the defence lawyers. The prosecution side supplied the alamats to the defence lawyers on Monday at the instruction of the court.

Hasina was arrested on a graft charge on July 16 brought by businessman Azam J Chowdhury where he alleged that she extorted Taka about three crore from him through her cousin former Health Minister Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim when Hasina was in office in 1996-2001.

Chowdhury filed the case on June 13, alleging that he had paid the money to the accused as they threatened to cancel a power plant project.

After investigation, police submitted chargesheet where Sheikh Rehana, younger sister of Hasina was also made an accused in line with a confessional statement of Selim. Sheikh Rehana is being tried in absentia.

AFP, Nairobi

At least 30 people were burned to death Tuesday in a church in western Kenya where they had taken shelter from tribal clashes sparked by disputed presidential elections, police and Red Cross sources said.

"At least 30 have burned to death inside a church in the Kiamba area," a police commander told AFP.

The incident is likely to raise concerns that the wave of post-election violence that has now claimed nearly 300 lives in Kenya could develop into a full-blown ethnic conflict . "We have been informed that 42 have been taken to hospital with severe burns, but I am yet to confirm the death toll in the church," a Red Cross official told AFP.

A police commander said police had been given shoot-to-kill orders for Eldoret, the town where the Kenya Assemblies of God church was located.

Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) Secretary General Abbass Gulled, who earlier visited several affected areas in the Rift Valley, said the situation was dire.

"What I saw was unimaginable and indescribable," he told AFP.

Eldoret has witnessed some of the worst violence since Sunday's controversial re-election of President Mwai Kibaki triggered riots in strongholds of his defeated opponent Raila Odinga.

Earlier in the day, a top police commander told AFP the nature of attacks in the Rift Valley region, particularly Eldoret, could be described as "ethnic cleasing."

"One tribe is targeting another one in a fashion that can rightly be described as ethnic cleansing," said the commander, who declined to be identified.

Staff Reporter

City-dwellers celebrated the 31st night and welcomed the New Year 2008 amid strict police and RAB vigilance on Monday night.

RAB members, equipped with sophisticated arms and weapons, carried out extensive searches stopping taxicabs and CNG autorickshaws at different points in the capital. However, the law enforcers refrained from checking or searching private cars in the posh areas.

Witnesses said youngsters started cheering in different parts of the city, including TSC on Dhaka University campus, just after the zero hour. Coming out of different residential halls, students burst into cheers on the streets of the DU campus. No outsider was allowed to enter the DU campus for security reasons.

However, many did not get out of their houses fearing searching and undesirable harassment by law enforces.

There was no street boozing this time around. Streets in the diplomatic enclave of Gulshan, Banani and Baridhara were almost desolate by 10:00pm.

Only on-duty police and journalists were seen in the area. Many were seen came out of their residences with families and children.

Senior police officers visited the areas. No untoward incident was reported in the city.

Over 100 police check-posts were put up in the capital from 8:00 pm to stop maddening celebration of the New Year by drinking alcohol, honking cars or playing high-beat music.

Sources said more than 2,000 policemen were deployed at different strategic points of the capital to avert any untoward incident on the 31st night.

There were celebrations in five-star hotels and clubs as usual to say adieu to 2007 and welcome the New Year. The 31st night was celebrated at these hotels and clubs under special permission. Musical and dance programmes were organised through popular artistes and singers.

A large number of artistes and singers assembled at Hotel Regency at Nikunja area on 31st night. They included singers Samina Chowdhury, Alam Ara Minu, artiste Sweety, Lux beauty Badhon, models Faisal, Nirob, Rabi and Raha. Many got involved in drinking and dancing throughout the night.

Meanwhile, a case was filed against a woman after 2:00am on Monday with the city's Tejgaon Police Station for carrying illegal liquor.

The case was filed by Nazrul Islam, an official of the Department of Narcotics Control, against Nazma Khatun while she was allegedly carrying on 17 cans of beer after 1:00am at Rajarnagh area. Nazma is now under the custody of DNC.

However, no case was filed with other police stations of the city or no one in Shahbagh, Ramna, Dhanmondi, Uttara and Gulshan areas was arrested.

BSS, Dhaka

Law and Information Adviser Barrister Mainul Hosein yesterday said, we are anxious to create public awareness of what good governance is.

The government is for a short term and not eager for propaganda. It is working to make democracy workable through institutional reforms.

The Adviser was addressing while inaugurating the fortnight-long country-wide Mass Awareness Programme of the Department of Mass Communication on the occasion of completion of one year of the present caretaker government.

Acting information secretary Jamil Osman presided over the function held at the auditorium of the Press Institute of Bangladesh. Director General of the Department of Mass Communication Md Abdul Mannan delivered the welcome address on the occasion.

The Adviser explaining the various activities of the government during the last year said, the fundamental spirit of the liberation war was for establishing democracy in the country to serve people's interest best but democracy failed to work. The present caretaker government is working to create an environment for attaining sustainable democracy.

Our fight against corruption became necessary for good governance.

Barrister Mainul said, the government has strengthened the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to combat corruption and separated the judiciary from the executive to ensure rule of law in the country.

It is important for making the government corruption-free to ensure that nobody, however highly placed, must not feel above the law. "We are not going against corruption for political victimisation. It is for the court to decide who is corrupt."

During the new year, the people would get the benefits of the measures the caretaker government has so far undertaken, Barrister Mainul expressed the hope.

The press is working independently now despite the Emergency Power Rules, the Adviser said adding, the mass media has to play an important role for making future democracy successful.

Barrister Mainul said, the process of preparing voters' list and national identity (ID) cards is progressing nicely and the EC would be able to complete it soon.

The Adviser expected that introduction of ID cards would be useful at home and abroad and enhance the image of the country internationally.

"Anybody is not a politician. A politician is known for his selfless dedication for doing good to the people." Barrister Hosein emphasised.

The lack of the mentality of working for the welfare of the people caused damages to the nation in the past and due to this the functioning of the Chittagong Port was hampered for many years, the Adviser said adding that many other organisations also could not function properly.

"With the cooperation of the Joint Forces, the government has restored the discipline in the Chittagong Port and "we have been able to utilise the full capacity of the port now," the Adviser said adding that the efficiency of the port authority has been enhanced by 40 percent.

"There was neither the need for Emergency for keeping the caretaker government in power nor to enable it to make laws, rather the Emergency was needed to maintain law and order and save the people from political anarchy.

Referring to the achievements of the government during its rule in a year he said, during this period, the country fetched Taka 230.60 crore as remittance during the first five months of the current fiscal year, that was 21 percent more in the same period of last fiscal, and the country is maintaining a reserve of over US $5 billion.

The present government has brought back over Taka 900 crore which was drained out of the country in the past and recovered 40,000 acres of khas land and over 9 lakh acres of forest land from illegal occupation, the Adviser pointed out.

The government has formed Better Business Forum to boost the country's economic activities by integrating the private and the public sectors in the development process, Barrister Mainul Hosein said.

The government has formed a committee on Public Administration Reforms and Good Governance under the leadership of the Chief Adviser, and a Regulatory Reforms Commission. Land registration system has been simplified and the laws on land have been reformed, he said.

Lauding the work of officers of the Mass Communication, the Adviser made clear that they should keep in mind not propaganda for the government but the need of public awareness of the responsibilities of good governance.

Besides, formation of Citizen Charter at different service organisations, One Stop Service at police stations, establishing passport offices at 17 districts are also major important tasks that the present government has undertaken to ensure better service to the people, the Adviser Mainul Hosein added.

The government, on principle, has decided to establish metro rail in order to resolve traffic jam in Dhaka, he said.

Information Secretary Jamil Osman said, the achievements the caretaker government undertook was to ensure service to the people and for this reason it is needed to highlight those so that the people could be involved with the policy and programmes of the government.

He praised the Department of Mass Communication for playing a vital role in creating awareness among the people by educating them about various health, nutrition, family welfare and education issues and also reaching the benefits of the programmes undertaken by the government to their doorsteps.

UNB, Dhaka

The Election Commission sees state of emergency as a "barrier" to holding election as its Commissioner Sohul Hussain Tuesday said it is not possible to hold the polls keeping the emergency in force.

"State of emergency is a barrier to holding election and it is not possible to hold elections keeping the state of emergency in force," said the Election Commissioner about the EC position.

He said the Election Commission would ask the government to create appropriate atmosphere for holding elections, but it would entirely depend on the government whether to lift or relax the state of emergency.

"State of emergency is a barrier to holding elections… But, if you think about the circumstances of 1/11 and justify it, then it's the government who is to take the decision on how (relaxing or lifting the state of emergency) the elections will be held," Sohul told reporters at his office in the afternoon.

But, he said, the elections would be held relaxing the state of emergency. "It's not possible to hold the election keeping the state of emergency prevailing," he said.

He, however, pointed out that once elections were held under a state of emergency in the country.

"Fact is they, who are in charge of controlling the overall factors of the country, will conceive what to do… The Election Commission is thinking about asking the government to create a congenial atmosphere to hold elections relaxing or lifting the state of emergency," Sohul said.

Asked if the EC would ask the government to lift the state of emergency, the Election Commissioner said it would be solely the government who should decide whether to relax or lift the state of emergency, not the EC.

"But, for any reason if we think that the elections will be hampered due to state of emergency, then we'll ask the government to relax the state of emergency more or do something else."

On the first day of the year 2008, Sohul firmly reiterated the EC's old promise to hold a free and fair election under a neutral voter list with photograph by the set timeline, that is, by December 2008 according to the EC- announced election roadmap.

The only objective of the EC is hold a free, fair and transparent election and fully facilitate the people of the country in casting their vote without any impediment, he said. But, simultaneously, country's situation has to be understood.

As to when the EC would sit with the government to discuss the matter of creating electoral atmosphere, Sohul said they would apprise the government of the matter one month before starting to hold city-corporation elections, and that might be in February or March next.

Asked how the national elections would be held, under the state of emergency or relaxing it, he told the newsmen to wait. "Let's see what can be done… The time has not yet come to say how the national elections will be held," he said.

Staff Reporter

Stressing the need for boosting productivity, export competitiveness and diversification Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed yesterday called upon the business community to create a new era in the country's economic development through concerted effort of public and private sectors.

"There is no alternative but to increase export to attain national economic growth at a higher rate," he said inaugurating the month-long 13th Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF) 2008 at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre.

"We have to develop our skills, competitiveness and productivity to face competition and tap opportunities in new markets," he added.

The CA said all kinds of efforts would have to be carried out to increase export, and government-private sectors would have to work in a synergy to this end.

The Ministry of Commerce and the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) is jointly organising the trade fair in conjunction with Thailand as partner country.

Businesses from eight countries including host Bangladesh, Thailand, India, Pakistan, Turkey, Singapore, Japan and the United States are participating in the annual trade show.

A total of 395 institutions, including 15 companies from abroad, are showcasing their products in the exhibition at five premier pavilions, 42 pavilions, five premier mini-pavilions, 36 mini-pavilions, 35 premier stalls and 262 stalls at the city's Shere-Bangla Nagar venue.

Entry fee has been fixed at Tk 10 for adult and Tk 5 for child. The fair will remain open from 1.00 am to 9.00 pm on working days and 10.00 am to 10.00 pm on holidays.

Finance and Commerce Adviser Dr Mirza Azizul Islam, Commerce Secretary Firoz Ahmed, Administrator of FBCCI Syed Manzur Elahi and EPB Vice-chairman M Shahbullah also spoke at the function. Advisers of the caretaker government, diplomats, representatives of international organisations, members of business community from home and abroad and distinguished personalities attended the inaugural function.

The Chief Adviser said the government has taken up multifarious activities to face the challenges of globalisation, which include further intensifying export diversification and involving country's huge population in these activities to generate employment opportunity and reduce poverty.

To attain the goal, he said, the government is focusing on simplification of import-export process, increasing the standard of goods and productivity, application of modern technology in trade and commerce, expansion of export market and flourishing capability and establishing transparency and accountability in all spheres of the business arena.

The CA mentioned that the government recently has formed 'Regulatory Reforms Commission' and 'Better Business Forum' aiming to improve the business environment and simplify the rules and regulations.

The chief adviser said the country earned $12.1 billion from exports in fiscal 2006-07. Readymade garments accounted for about 76 per cent of the total, which Fakhruddin said was not a good sign for a sustainable market.

"The target could be achieved by using modern technology, easing the process of getting credits and export-import trade and improving the quality of products," he added.

Fakhruddin asked the business forum and research organisations to do more to tap the opportunities available at different multilateral and regional forum, including the World Trade Organisation.

Staff Reporter

Bangladeshi-born Senator of Michigan State of the USA Hansen Hashem Clarke yesterday said he would work for the development of Bangladesh.

"I will never forget the people and the home of my forefathers here in Bangladesh. I will work for the development of Bangladesh," Clarke said in an exclusive interview with a national news agency yesterday.

He said he would also work to develop partnership for development between Bangladesh and the USA.

He said he could also contribute in expanding education and other support services as part of strengthening ties with Bangladesh.

Hansen Hashem Clarke, who came to Dhaka to take part in the First Non-Resident Bangladeshis (NRBs) Conference-2007 held from December 27 to 29, was first elected to the Michigan State Senate in 2002 and re-elected in 2006. He is son of Mozaffar Ali Hashem, a Bangladeshi, and Telma Ali, an US citizen. His father was born at Sridhara village of Beani Bazar upazila in Sylhet district. His father Mozaffar Ali Hashem migrated to Michigan state in the USA in 1920 while his mother Telma Ali was a police officer in the USA.

It may be mentioned here that several hundred NRBs from different countries, including the USA, UK, Canada, Middle East, Japan and Australia took part in it.

Hansen Clarke, who made courtesy call on the Chief Adviser yesterday, appreciated the Caretaker Government's performance under the leadership of Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed towards holding the stalled general election.

He discussed with Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed the possible role of Non-Resident Bangladeshis (NRBs) in development of the country.

During the meeting at the Chief Adviser's Office, the young Senator also lauded the government drive aimed at curbing corruption.

Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed said, "The Non-resident Bangladeshis can keep a role in investment in Bangladesh availing the investment-friendly atmosphere and attractive incentives for NRB and foreign investors."

Responding positively Hansen Clarke said he had already talked with the business leaders of Michigan Chamber of Commerce and top executives of the Board of Investment (BOI) in Bangladesh in this regard.

The Chief Adviser also requested him to play a role for passage of a Bill placed in the US parliament regarding duty-free access of Bangladeshi goods to the US market, which would benefit the country's economy.

Senator Clarke said they would mobilise support for the passage of the trade bill.

Non-resident Bangladeshis in the USA Ehsan Taqbeem and Aziz Khandokar accompanied the Senator during the meeting. BOI Executive Chairman Kamaluddin Ahmed, Secretary of Chief Adviser's office Kazi Aminul Islam and Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Syed Fahim Munaim were also present.

Later, Hansen Clarke told official BSS news agency in an exclusive interview that he was working relentlessly to expand the state economy and a partnership with Bangladesh would strengthen the economy on both sides.

"I am working to strengthen economy and I would like to see the partnership on trade and investment to our mutual benefits," he said.

Clark takes pride in presenting himself as a Bangladeshi American as his father was born in Bangladesh and later migrated to the USA in early 1920s.

He said he would work with the US Congress to increase Bangladesh's export to the USA, especially ready-made garments.

Clarke said he met Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed yesterday, exchanged views with him on different areas where the USA can make contribution to foster trade, investment and particularly how the RMG exports can be increased.

He said he has also taken as very urgent the rehabilitation of cyclone victims and restoring them to normal economic activities. The state Senator said he had already talked about the food aid to Bangladesh with the USAID officials in Washington.

He said he is aware of the huge food deficit in Bangladesh in the follow up of two floods and cyclone devastation in a single year.

"I have already talked the issue also with the US State Department and it is being processed by the Federal Appropriation Committee," he said.

Replying to a question, he said he is having no intention to run for US congress or senate at the moment. To him, he said, it is more important now to work for strengthening the state economy.

"I will do my best to what job I am doing now in the state," he said adding, he feels he can better contribute to strengthen relations with Bangladesh from his present position.

To another question, he said he owed his election to black Americans community while the Bangladesh community has a sizable presence in the nearby constituency.

He said the Michigan state is basically an agrarian economy and it can help Bangladesh develop the agriculture where it has huge potentials.

"Bangladesh can use our experience and expertise," he said explaining the need for partnership and utilisation of bigger market access on both sides.

Narrating his experience of visiting the ancestral homes at Sridhara in Beani Bazar upazila of Sylhet district, he said he was overwhelmed during this visit.

"Almost I can not express my feeling, I had never imagined it," he said. The visit took me directly to location where my father was born and to the current family homes.

"People were so nice, I talked to them, they offered me reception and it touched my heart. I also saw the school where my father was educated," he said.

AFP, Paris

From New York to Baghdad to Sydney, New Year's revelers welcomed 2008 with parties, fireworks and hopes for peace and prosperity.

But reminders of violence were apparent as security was tightened in many nations.

Fireworks were canceled in downtown Brussels, Belgium, where police detained 14 people Dec. 21 suspected of plotting to help an accused al-Qaida militant break out of jail.

Festivities in Paris centered on the famous Champs-Elysees avenue and the Eiffel Tower, where about 4,500 police and 140 rescue officials patrolled the streets.

In Thailand, an army spokesman said he believed that five bombs set off by suspected Muslim insurgents in a Thai-Malaysian border tourist town likely targeted New Year's revelers. The bombs, which wounded 27 people, exploded in the hotel and nightlife quarter of Sungai Kolok, spokesman Col. Akara Thiprote said.

Baghdad witnessed something Iraq had not seen since before the invasion of 2003 - people publicly partying to welcome in a new year.

The ballrooms of two landmark hotels - the Palestine and the Sheraton - were full of people for New Year's Eve celebrations. After years of car bombings, mortar fire and suicide attacks, Iraq's capital was sufficiently calm to warrant the two high-end parties in the once-posh hotels.

Several European countries rang in the new year with new habits.

The smoke-filled cafe became a thing of memory in France. Following up on a ban last year on smoking in many indoor locations, cigarettes were prohibited in dance clubs, restaurants, hotels, casinos and cafes.

Fabienne Simon, a 27-year-old smoker, said the ban was "not that bad."

"There is nothing better than to go to a nightclub, a coffee place where there are no cigarettes," she said. "You come out, it's great, you aren't smelling of cigarettes."

Two European Union newcomers, Cyprus and Malta, started using the euro at the stroke of midnight. The Mediterranean islands, both former British colonies, were scrapping the Cyprus pound and Maltese lira to bring the number of countries using the shared currency to 15.

In France, President Nicolas Sarkozy gave the first traditional New Year's greeting of his presidency, with a "message of hope, faith in life and in the future." In Russia, Vladimir Putin delivered the last New Year's Eve address of his eight-year presidency, boasting of economic improvements and claiming to have restored a sense of unity among Russians, who are likely to see him stay in power as prime minister after he steps down in a few months.

In Moscow, thousands gathered in Red Square, watching a concert beneath the colorful onion domes of St. Basil's Cathedral, and fireworks above.

An ailing Fidel Castro saluted the Cuban people for their "50 years of resistance" against the United States in a message that was read on state television. Though Cuba will mark the 50th anniversary of the Jan. 1, 1959, revolution that brought Castro to power a year from now, it is characterizing all of 2008 leading up to that date as the "50th year of the revolution."

Along with the innovations, old traditions were maintained.

More than a million revelers in New York's Times Square cheered at the 100th drop of a giant ball. A century ago the tradition began with a 700-pound ball of wood and iron, lit with 100 25-watt incandescent bulbs. This year's event featured an energy-efficient sphere clad in Waterford crystals, with 9,576 light-emitting diodes that generated a kaleidoscope of colors.

In London, people gathered in Trafalgar Square and along the banks of the River Thames to watch a fireworks display and hear Big Ben - Parliament's iconic bell - welcome the New Year with 12 resounding bongs.

Berlin held a massive fete: In a stretch leading from the city's famous Brandenburg Gate along Tiergarten park to the western part of town, officials set up three stages, 13 bands, a 40-yard tall Ferris wheel and over 100 beer stands and snack joints.

In Vatican City, Pope Benedict XVI took a somber note, lamenting what he called the "trivialization" of sexuality and lack of faith among young people during a vespers' service in St. Peter's Basilica.

China started its Olympic year with a New Year party including fireworks, singing and dancing put on by the organizers of the Summer Olympics.

In Brazil, about 2 million people gathered at Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, witnessing a fireworks display that lasted nearly 20 minutes. In Sao Paulo, South America's biggest city, local media said 2.3 million people celebrated at the Avenida Paulista, Brazil's financial center.

In Sydney - one of the first cities to celebrate the New Year - one million revelers cheered as fireworks sprayed from the iconic Harbor Bridge.