French President Jacques Chirac presents his New Year wishes for 2003 in a televised address to the nation from the Elysee Palace in Paris, 31 December 2002. 

French President Jacques Chirac presents his New Year wishes for 2003 in a televised address to the nation from the Elysee Palace in Paris, 31 December 2002. 

Prosecuting Attorney Michael Savage talks to the media after a Federal hearing against Philippine lawmaker [Mark Jimenez] in Miami, Florida, December 31, 2002. [Jimenez faces dozens of charges including fraud and illeagal election contributions to Bill Clinton's campaign.] 

Philippine Congressman Willie Villarama addresses the media after a bail hearing against Philippine lawmaker [Mark Jimenez] whom he supports, in Miami, Florida, December 31, 2002. [Jimenez is facing dozens of charges including fraud and illeagal election contributions to Bill Clinton's campaign.] 

French driver Stephane Peterhansel arrives in his Mitsubishi Pajero for the Paris-Dakar Rally technical check in Marseille, southern France, December 31, 2002. [The 25th Paris-Dakar Rally, with 342 competitors in auto, motorcycle, and truck categories, leaves Marseille on New Year's day, follows a route through Spain and three African countries - Tunisia, Lybia and Egypt - for a total of 8,552 kilometers, with an arrival in Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt on January 19, 2003.] 

Spanish biker Joan Roma fixes his number plate on his motorcycle during the Paris-Dakar Rally technical check in Marseille, southern France, December 31, 2002. [The 25th Paris-Dakar Rally, with 342 competitors in auto, motorcycle, and truck categories, leaves Marseille on New Year's day, follows a route through Spain and three African countries - Tunisia, Lybia and Egypt - for a total of 8,552 kilometers, with an arrival in Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt on January 19, 2003.] 

Italian biker Fabrizio Meoni arrives with his motorcycle for the Paris-Dakar Rally technical check in Marseille, southern France, December 31, 2002. [The 25th Paris-Dakar Rally, with 342 competitors in auto, motorcycle, and truck categories, leaves Marseille on New Year's day, follows a route through Spain and three African countries - Tunisia, Lybia and Egypt - for a total of 8,552 kilometers, with an arrival in Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt on January 19, 2003.] 

French race director Hubert Auriol (L) helps Italian biker Fabrizio Meoni (R) to fix his number plate on his motorcycle during the Paris-Dakar Rally technical check in Marseille, southern France, December 31, 2002. [The 25th Paris-Dakar Rally, with 342 competitors in auto, motorcycle, and truck categories, leaves Marseille on New Year's day, follows a route through Spain and three African countries - Tunisia, Lybia and Egypt - for a total of 8,552 kilometers, with an arrival in Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt on January 19, 2003.] 

German driver Jutta Kleinschmidt poses before the Paris-Dakar rally technical check in Marseille, southern France, December 31, 2002. [The 25th Paris-Dakar Rally, with 342 competitors in auto, motorcycle, and truck categories, leaves Marseille on New Year's day, follows a route through Spain and three African countries - Tunisia, Lybia and Egypt - for a total of 8,552 kilometers, with an arrival in Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt on January 19, 2003.] 

Japanese driver Hiroshi Masuoka (R), French driver Stephane Perterhansel (L) and Italian biker Fabrizio Meoni (C) pose for the photographers before the Paris-Dakar Rally technical check in Marseille, southern France, December 31, 2002. [The 25th Paris-Dakar Rally, with 342 competitors in auto, motorcycle, and truck categories, leaves Marseille on New Year's day, follows a route through Spain and three African countries - Tunisia, Lybia and Egypt - for a total of 8,552 kilometers, with an arrival in Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt on January 19, 2003.] 

Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist John Frusciante performs during the first of two sold-out shows at The Joint inside Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, December 30, 2002. The rock band will embark on a European tour in January to promote the platinum-selling album "By The Way." 

United States Army soldiers celebrate New Year's Eve with non-alcoholic beer at a party on their Camp Doha base outside Kuwait City, December 31, 2002. Kuwait is host to about 13,000 American military personnel. 

Fireworks explode above Malaysia's Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur at midnight, January 1, 2003. Thousands of Malaysians gathered at the foot of the world's tallest towers to celebrate the coming of the new year. 

New Year revellers in Edinburgh's Princes Street pose before the start of the world's biggest Hogmanay party December 31, 2002. Party goers will celebrate Hogmanay, the Scottish celebration of new year's eve, below the backdrop of Edinburgh Castle. 

New Year revellers in Edinburgh's Princes Street pose before the start of the world's biggest Hogmanay party December 31, 2002. Party goers will celebrate Hogmanay, the Scottish celebration of new year's eve, below the backdrop of Edinburgh Castle. 

A Spanish soldier is caught by a wave during works to clean up Spain's North-West Atlantic coast of Carnota on January 1, 2003. Blobs of black fuel oil washed up on the beaches of southwestern [France] Tuesday, suggesting that oil from the sunken tanker Prestige could have reached French shores. 

A Spanish soldier cleans fuel oil on Spain's North-West Atlantic coast near Lira washed ashore from the sunken tanker Prestige on December 31, 2002. A large slick of fuel oil that leaked from the tanker is drifting away from Spain and has entered French waters in the Atlantic Ocean, the Spanish government said. 

Cuban President Fidel Castro waves to photographers upon arriving at his hotel in the Brazilian capital of Brasilia, December 31, 2002. [Castro and a dozen other leaders will attend the inauguration of Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva as Brazil's first working class president on New Year's Day.] 

A shinto priest is assisted by his colleagues to purify his hands before a ceremony to usher off 2002 and prepare for the new year at the Meiji Shrine in Tokyo December 31, 2002. Some two million people are expected to visit the shrine during the first three days in the new year to pray for long life and happiness. 

A South Korean protester holds a candle and a banner criticizing a possible U.S. war against Iraq during an anti-U.S rally near the U.S. embassy in Seoul, December 31, 2002. [Thousands of South Koreans rallied in the heart of Seoul on Tuesday to protest against the U.S. military and to mourn two teenage girls killed by an American army vehicle in a road accident.] 

Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Michael "Flea" Balzary performs during the first of two sold-out shows at The Joint inside the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, December 30, 2002. The rock band will embark on a European tour in January to promote the platinum-selling album "By The Way." 

Red Hot Chili Peppers singer Anthony Kiedis performs during the first of two sold-out shows at The Joint inside Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, December 30, 2002. The rock band will embark on a European tour in January to promote the platinum-selling album "By The Way." The group also plans to reissue remastered versions of their first four albums on Jan. 28 with previously unreleased bonus tracks. 

French Defence Minister Michele Alliot Marie walks past Afghan presidential palace guards as she arrives at Kabul military airport December 31, 2002. Marie is in the Afghan's capital for several official calls and to share the New Year Eve with the French troops serving in Afghanistan. 

French Defence Minister Michele Alliot Marie (R) is escorted by Afghan Army Chief of Staff General Asif Delawar as they walk past Afghan presidential palace at Kabul military airport, December 31, 2002. Marie is in the Afghan's capital for several official calls and to share the New Year Eve with the French troops served in Afghanistan. 

An enchanced version of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) passport is seen under ultra violet light during a news conference in Hong Kong December 31, 2002. New security features, including optically variable ink -- to be used for the first time on passports-- have been introduced in the territory. Hong Kong's Immigration Department said some 300 copies false HKSAR passports were found after a total of 2.31 million been issued since the territory reverted to Chinese rule in 1997. 

A U.N. Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC) car passes a Mosque in Falluga city, as U.N. arms inspectors head to a military site in Falluga, 100km north of Baghdad, December 31, 2002. The site is used to train officers in chemical warfare. U.N. arms experts pounced on at least seven suspect sites in and around Baghdad on Tuesday, brushing aside criticism they were acting like gangsters. 

Canada's goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury (2nd R) is congratulated by
Gregory Campbell (L), David Le Neveu (2nd L) and Carlo Colaiacovo (R)
following their 5-3 win over Finland at the world junior hockey
championships in Halifax, Nova Scotia, December 31, 2002. Fleury, who
is suffering from the flu, replaced Le Neveu, who started the game.
REUTERS/Shaun Best

SB/HB 

Philippine Congressman Willie Villarama addresses the media after a
bail hearing against Philippine lawmaker Mark Jimenez whom he supports,
in Miami, Florida, December 31, 2002. Jimenez is facing dozens of
charges including fraud and illegal election contributions to Bill
Clinton's campaign. REUTERS/Marc Serota

MS/ME/CMC 

A bishop swings incense in front of Pope John Paul II during the Te
Deum prayer in St Peter's basilica in Vatican City December 31, 2002.
The pontiff ended the year Tuesday with words of thanks for the last 12
months and a hopeful eye toward 2003, in his traditional New Year's Eve
homily addressed to Roman churchgoers. REUTERS/Vincenzo Pinto

VP/CMC 

Prosecuting Attorney Michael Savage (2R) walks to his office during a
break in the Federal hearing against Philippine lawmaker Mark Jimenez
in Miami, Florida, December 31, 2002. Jimenez faces dozens of charges
including fraud and illeagal election contributions to Bill Clinton's
campaign and is a member of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's ruling
coalition. REUTERS/Marc Serota

MS/ME 

An Indonesian man prays with a lit candle at the Jakarta stadium on
December 31, 2002. Thousands of Indonesian Christians gathered in the
stadium to celebrate Christmas and welcome the new year. REUTERS/Supri

supri/CRB 

Afghan President Hamid Karzai (R) greets French Defence Minister
Michele Alliot-Marie at the presidential palace in Kabul, December 31,
2002. Marie is in the Afghan's capital for several official calls and
to share the New Year Eve with the French troops in Afghanistan.
REUTERS/Zainal Abd Halim REUTERS

ZH 

A SOUTH KOREAN PROTESTER HOLDS A BANNER CRITICIZING A POSSIBLE U.S. WAR
AGAINST IRAQ DURING AN ANTI-U.S RALLY IN SEOUL. 

AUSTRIAN TRANSPORT MINISTER REICHHOLD SPEAKS AT THE START OF A EU
TRANSPORT MINISTERS MEETING IN BRUSSELS. 

Toronto Maple Leafs' Alyn McCauley (C) is pushed to the ice by
Vancouver Canucks' Murray Baron (L) during second period NHL play,
December 31, 2002. On the right is Canucks' goalie Dan Cloutier,
covering up the puck to get the whistle. REUTERS/Andy Clark

AC/HB 

Toronto Maple Leafs' Ric Jackman (55) collides with Vancouver Canucks'
Mats Lindgren during second period play in Vancouver, December 31,
2002. Jackman injured his leg after the collision and had to be helped
off the ice with an undisclosed injury. REUTERS/Andy Clark

AC/HB 

Dallas Stars' defenseman Richard Matvichuk (L) and Edmonton Oilers'
defenseman Eric Brewer crash into the boards during first period action
at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, December 31, 2002. The Stars
defeated the Oilers 4-1. REUTERS/Jeff Mitchell

JM/HB 

Edmonton Oilers' goalie Jussi Markkanen (R) makes a save against the
Dallas Stars as Oilers' center Mike Comrie looks back from the ice
during third period action at the American Airlines Center in Dallas,
December 31, 2002. The Stars defeated the Oilers 4-1. REUTERS/Jeff
Mitchell

JM/HB 

Toronto Maple Leafs' goalie Ed Belfour falls onto his back as the puck
passes by him and into the net, during first period NHL play against
the Vancouver Canucks, December 31, 2002. The goal was scored by
Canucks' Todd Bertuzzi. REUTERS/Andy Clark

AC/HB 

Toronto Maple Leafs' Bryan McCabe (L) upends Vancouver Canucks Trent
Klatt during first period NHL play in Vancouver, December 31, 2002. No
penalty was called on the play. REUTERS/Andy Clark

AC/HB 

Edmonton Oilers' right wing Anson Carter (L) and center Mike Comrie (C)
check Dallas Stars' defenseman Derian Hatcher (R) into the boards
during first period action at the American Airlines Center in Dallas,
December 31, 2002. REUTERS/Jeff Mitchell

JM/HB 

Finland's goaltender Kari Lehtonen lets in a goal during the first
period of play at the world junior hockey championships in Halifax,
Nova Scotia, December 31, 2002. Also in on the play are Finland's Joni
Pitkanen (4), Topi Jaakola (3) and Canada's Brooks Laich. Canada went
on to win the game 5-3. REUTERS/Shaun Best

SB/HB 

Edmonton Oilers' goalie Jussi Markkanen has his mask knocked off by a
slap shot by Dallas Stars' Mike Modano, during second period action at
the American Airlines Center in Dallas, December 31, 2002. REUTERS/Jeff
Mitchell

JM/HB 

Finland players gather at the bench during a break in play in their 5-3
loss to Canada at the world junior hockey championships in Halifax,
Nova Scotia, December 31, 2002. From L-R: Matti Naatatnen (18), Tuomo
Ruutu (15), Juho Lehtisalo (21) and Tomi Maki. REUTERS/Shaun Best

SB/HB 

Finland's Joni Pitkanen (4) skates past Canadian players as they
celebrate a second period goal at the world junior hockey championships
in Halifax, Nova Scotia, December 31, 2002. Canada went on to win the
game 5-3. REUTERS/Shaun Best

SB/HB 

Ottawa Senators' center Mike Fisher (R) shoots the puck to score the
first of six goals by the Senators as Tampa Bay Lightning Brad Lukowich
(R) looks on in the first period in Tampa, Florida, December 31, 2002.
The Senators went on to defeat the Lightning 6-3. REUTERS/Charles W
Luzier

CWL/HB 

Canada's goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury gets a hug from Steve Eminger
following their 5-3 win over Finland at the world junior hockey
championships in Halifax, Nova Scotia, December 31, 2002. Fleury, who
is suffering from the flu, replaced David Le Neveu who started the
game. REUTERS/Shaun Best

SB/HB 

Edmonton Oilers' defenseman Alexei Semenov (R) trips up Dallas Stars'
left wing Brenden Morrow during first period action at the American
Airlines Center in Dallas, December 31, 2002. Semenov was given a two
minute penalty. REUTERS/Jeff Mitchell

JM/HB 

Canada's goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury celebrates his team's 5-3 win
over Finland at the world junior hockey championships in Halifax, Nova
Scotia, December 31, 2002. Fleury, who is suffering from the flu,
replaced David Le Neveu who started the game. REUTERS/Shaun Best

SB/HB 

Canada's goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury makes a save during the second
period of play against Finland at the world junior hockey championships
in Halifax, Nova Scotia, December 31, 2002. Fleury, who is suffering
from the flu, replaced David Le Neveu who started the game.
REUTERS/Shaun Best

SB/HB 

Canada's goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury makes a glove save during the
third period of play against Finland at the world junior hockey
championships in Halifax, Nova Scotia, December 31, 2002. Fleury, who
is suffering from the flu, replaced David Le Neveu who started the
game. Canada won the game 5-3. REUTERS/Shaun Best

SB/HB 

Edmonton Oilers' right wing Ales Hemsky (R) tries to score against
Dallas Stars' goalie Marty Turco during first period action at the
American Airlines Center in Dallas, December 31, 2002. REUTERS/Jeff
Mitchell

JM/HB 

Ottawa Senators Chris Neil (25) looks over his shoulder as goalie
Patrick Lalime (40) stops Tampa Bay Lightning's Dave Andreychuck (25)
shot on goal as his teammate Jammie Olvestad (18) looks on during the
first period of play in Tampa, Florida, December 31, 2002.
REUTERS/Charles W Luzier

CWL/HB 

Calgary Flames' goalie Roman Turek stops Montreal Canadiens' forward
Donald Audette's close range shot in the first period in Calgary,
December 31, 2002. REUTERS/Patrick Price

PP/HB 

Montreal Canadiens' goalie Jose Theodore tries to stop the puck as
Calgary Flames' forward Blake Sloan kicks at the puck while Canadiens'
defenseman Patrick Traverse (54) defends, in the first period in
Calgary, December 31, 2002. REUTERS/Patrick Price

PP/HB 

Canada's goaltender David Le Neveu sits on the team bench beside
Finland's Tuomas Immonen after being pulled from the game during the
second period of play at the world junior hockey championships in
Halifax, Nova Scotia, December 31, 2002. Le Neveu was replaced by
Marc-Andre Fleury. REUTERS/Shaun Best

SB/HB 

Ottawa Senators' center Mike Fisher (R) celebrates his goal with
teammates Martin Havlat (L) and Zdeno Chara (C), in the first period in
Tampa, Florida, December 31, 2002. REUTERS/Charles W Luzier

CWL/HB 

Canada' Jeff Woywitka (L), Gregory Campbell (2nd L), Derek Roy (2nd R)
and Joffrey Lupul (R) celebrate a second period goal on Finland at the
world junior hockey championships in Halifax, Nova Scotia, December 31,
2002. REUTERS/Shaun Best

SB/HB 

Tampa Bay Lightning center Vaclav Prospal (L) and Ottawa Senators'
defenseman Karel Rachunek fight for control of the puck in the first
period of play in Tampa, Florida, December 31, 2002. REUTERS/Charles W
Luzier

CWL/HB