SYDNEY/KUWAIT:
Australia's largest city Sydney put on its biggest-ever fireworks display in a
spectacular welcome to the New Year, kicking off a wave of celebrations for
billions around the world. A record amount of pyrotechnics as well as new
fireworks effects and colors lit up the city's skyline for 12 minutes and
dazzled the more than 1.5 million spectators who packed the harbor front and
parks. The party atmosphere swept across major cities in Asia, Europe, Africa
and the Americas as the clock ticked past midnight.

HH the Amir of
Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah yesterday exchanged
congratulatory cables with world leaders on the advent of the New Year. In the
cables, the Amir wished the leaders evermore progress to their respective
countries, as well as hoping for the prevalence of peace, security and
prosperity worldwide. - Agencies