Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Nikolai Khabibulin shoves Ottawa Senators'
center Shaun Van Allen out of the way during the first period of play
in Tampa, Florida, December 31, 2002. REUTERS/Charles W Luzier

CWL/HB 

Canadian fan Jarrett Mitchell from Halifax shows his support for Canada
at the world junior hockey championships in Halifax, Nova Scotia,
December 31, 2002. REUTERS/Shaun Best

SB/HB 

Canada' goaltender David Le Neveu makes a save on Finland's Sean
Bergenheim during the first period of action at the world junior hockey
championships in Halifax, Nova Scotia, December 31, 2002. REUTERS/Shaun
Best

SB/HB 

Brazilian Marizete de Paula Rezende crosses the finish line to win the
78th International Sao Silvestre women's street race, in Sao Paulo
December 31, 2002. Rezende's time was 54 minutes, 02 seconds.
REUTERS/Inacio Teixeira

PW/HB 

U.S. soldiers from Second Brigade, Third Infantry Division take part in
the new year celebrations at Camp New York in the Kuwaiti desert, 15 km
south of Iraq, late December 31, 2002. Kuwait is host to about 13,000
American military personnel. REUTERS/Peter Andrews

PA/CRB 

Washington Wizards' Michael Jordan (R) drives around San Antonio Spurs'
Bruce Bowen in the fourth quarter at the MCI Center in Washington,
December 31, 2002. Jordan finished with 17 points as the Wizards
defeated the Spurs 105-103. REUTERS/Joe Giza

JG/HB 

San Antonio Spurs' Tim Duncan (L) tires to keep the ball away from
Washington Wizards' Jerry Stackhouse in the fourth quarter at the MCI
Center in Washington, December 31, 2002. Duncan finished with 35 points
and Stackhouse 25 as the Wizards won the game 105-103. REUTERS/Joe
Giza

JG/HB 

San Antonio Spurs' Tim Duncan (R) pleads his case to referee Jack Nies
(L) after it was announced that Duncan received his second technical
foul and ejection from the game by referee Marc Davis (not shown), in
the third quarter of their game against the Washington Wizards at the
MCI Center in Washington, December 31, 2002. The call was reversed and
was charged to Duncan's teammate Stephen Jackson, who was then ejected.
Washington won the game 105-103. REUTERS/Joe Giza

JG/HB 

People celebrate in New York City's Times Square on New Year's Eve,
December 31, 2002. Hundreds of thousands of revelers packed Times
Square to watch the 99th annual "ball drop," celebrating the passing of
2002 into 2003. REUTERS/Mike Segar

MS/HB 

People celebrate in New York City's Times Square on New Year's Eve,
December 31, 2002. Hundreds of thousands of revelers packed Times
Square to watch the 99th annual "ball drop," celebrating the passing of
2002 into 2003. REUTERS/Mike Segar

MS/HB 

Washington Wizards' Michael Jordan (23) puts up a jumper in front of
San Antonio Spurs' Tim Duncan (R) and Bruce Bowen (obscured by Duncan),
in the fourth quarter at the MCI Center in Washington December 31,
2002. Jordan finished with 17 points as the Wizards won the game
105-103. REUTERS/Joe Giza

JG/HB 

San Antonio Spurs' Tim Duncan (21) gets fouled from behind by
Washington Wizards' Kwame Brown (5) in the first quarter at the MCI
Center in Washington, December 31, 2002. REUTERS/Joe Giza

JG/HB 

Sweden's Joakim Lindstrom (4) is taken out of the play by the Czech
Republic's Tomas Fleischman (23) and Maartin Tomas (27) during the
third period of play at the world junior hockey championships in
Halifax, Nova Scotia, December 31, 2002. The Czech Republic won the
game 3-1 to advance to the tournament's playoff round. REUTERS/Shaun
Best

SB 

Swedens' Yared Hagos (16) and Andreas Jamtin stand dejected with
teammates following their loss to the Czech Republic at the world
junior hockey championships in Halifax, Nova Scotia, December 31, 2002.
Sweden's 3-1 loss to the Czech's eliminates them from the playoff round
of the tournament. REUTERS/Shaun Best

SB/ME 

Sweden's Andreas Jamtin lies in on the ice in front of Czech Republic
goaltender Martin Falter after being injured during the third period of
play at the world junior hockey championships in Halifax, Nova Scotia,
December 31, 2002. The Czech Republic won the game 3-1. REUTERS/Shaun
Best

SB/ME 

Czech Republic's goaltender Martin Falter gets a hug from teammate Petr
Punchochar following their win over Sweden at the world junior hockey
championships in Halifax, Nova Scotia, December 31, 2002. The Czech
Republic beat Sweden 3-1 to advance to the tournament's playoff round.
REUTERS/Shaun Best

SB/ME 

Sweden's goaltender Michal Zajkowski reacts after giving up the
game-winning goal to the Czech Republic during the third period of play
at the world junior hockey championships in Halifax, Nova Scotia,
December 31, 2002. Sweden's 3-1 loss to the Czech Republic eliminates
them from the playoff round of the tournament. REUTERS/Shaun Best

SB 

Czech Republic's Lukas Krajicek celebrates his goal with teammates
Lukas Chmelir (19) and Jakub Kelpis during the third period of play
against Sweden at the world junior hockey championships in Halifax,
Nova Scotia, December 31, 2002. The goal proved to be the game-winner
in the Czech Republic's 3-1 win over Sweden. REUTERS/Shaun Best

SB/ME 

Boston Celtics forward Walter McCarty (0) and the Memphis Grizzlies
Spanish forward Pau Gasol (16) leap for a rebound in fourth quarter NBA
action December 31, 2002 in Boston. The Celtics defeated the Grizzlies
96-89 in the game. REUTERS/Jim Bourg

JRB/ME 

Sweden's goaltender Michal Zajkowski makes a save during action against
the Czech Republic at the world junior hockey championships in Halifax,
Nova Scotia, December 31, 2002. REUTERS/Shaun Best

SB/ME 

Czech Republic's goaltender Martin Falter makes a save on Sweden's
Andreas Jamtin during the first period of action at the world junior
hockey championships in Halifax, Nova Scotia, December 31, 2002.
REUTERS/Shaun Best

SB/ME 

Memphis Grizzlies forward Lorenzen Wright (L) tries to block a shot by
Boston Celtics forward Vin Baker (R) and draws an offensive foul by
Baker in third quarter NBA action December 31, 2002 in Boston.
REUTERS/Jim Bourg

JRB/ME 

Boston Celtics forward Vin Baker (L) and Memphis Grizzlies forward
Gordon Giricek (R) compete for a rebound in third quarter NBA action
December 31, 2002 in Boston. REUTERS/Jim Bourg

JRB/ME 

Sweden's Fredrik Eriksson (L) collides with Czech Republic's Lukas
Krajicek at the world junior hockey championships in Halifax, Nova
Scotia, December 31, 2002. REUTERS/Shaun Best

SB/ME 

Memphis Grizzlies forward Mike Batiste (24) reaches for the ball after
it was knocked out of his hands by Boston Celtics forward Walter
McCarty (0) in first quarter NBA action December 31, 2002 in Boston.
REUTERS/Jim Bourg

JRB/ME 

Paraguayan Jose Saturnino Cardozo, top striker for Mexican club Toluca,
poses at his home in Asuncion, December 31, 2002. Cardozo, who scored
50 goals this year for Toluca, was voted Latin America's Footballer of
the Year in the annual poll conducted by the Uruguayan newspaper El
Pais. REUTERS/str

RR/ME 

Paraguayan Jose Saturnino Cardozo, top striker for Mexican club Toluca,
poses with a T-shirt stamped with a caricature of himself at his home
in Asuncion, December 31, 2002. Cardozo, who scored 50 goals this year
for Toluca, was voted Latin America's Footballer of the Year in the
annual poll conducted by the Uruguayan newspaper El Pais. REUTERS/str
R

RR 

French driver Stephane Peterhansel arrives in his Mitsubishi Pajero for
the Dakar Rally technical check in Marseille, southern France, December
31, 2002. The Dakar Rally celebrates its quarter century on Wednesday
by turning away from Senegal and the western Sahara and heading east
for new desert challenges in Libya and Egypt. The caravan of cars,
bikes and trucks will blaze a trail across North Africa to the finish
in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh on January 19. After a total
of 8,552 kilometres, including 5,216 on special stages, the rally that
was created in 1978 as the Paris-Dakar will reach journey's end without
visiting either the French or Senegalese capital. REUTERS/Jean Paul
Pelissier

JPP/JES/CMC 

Spanish biker Joan Roma fixes his number plate on his motorcycle during
the Dakar Rally technical check in Marseille, southern France, December
31, 2002. The Dakar Rally celebrates its quarter century on Wednesday
by turning away from Senegal and the western Sahara and heading east
for new desert challenges in Libya and Egypt. The caravan of cars,
bikes and trucks will blaze a trail across North Africa to the finish
in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh on January 19. After a total
of 8,552 kilometres, including 5,216 on special stages, the rally that
was created in 1978 as the Paris-Dakar will reach journey's end without
visiting either the French or Senegalese capital. REUTERS/Jean Paul
Pelissier

JPP/JES/CMC 

Italian biker Fabrizio Meoni arrives with his motorcycle for the Dakar
Rally technical check in Marseille, southern France, December 31, 2002.
The Dakar Rally celebrates its quarter century on Wednesday by turning
away from Senegal and the western Sahara and heading east for new
desert challenges in Libya and Egypt. The caravan of cars, bikes and
trucks will blaze a trail across North Africa to the finish in the Red
Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh on January 19. After a total of 8,552
kilometres, including 5,216 on special stages, the rally that was
created in 1978 as the Paris-Dakar will reach journey's end without
visiting either the French or Senegalese capital. REUTERS/Jean Paul
Pelissier

JPP/JES/cmc 

FRENCH RACE DIRECTOR AURIOL HELPS ITALIAN MEONI WITH NUMBER PLATE
DURING DAKAR RALLY TECHNICAL CHECK IN MARSEILLE. 

German driver Jutta Kleinschmidt poses before the Dakar rally technical
check in Marseille, southern France, December 31, 2002.The Dakar Rally
celebrates its quarter century on Wednesday by turning away from
Senegal and the western Sahara and heading east for new desert
challenges in Libya and Egypt. The caravan of cars, bikes and trucks
will blaze a trail across North Africa to the finish in the Red Sea
resort of Sharm el-Sheikh on January 19. After a total of 8,552
kilometres, including 5,216 on special stages, the rally that was
created in 1978 as the Paris-Dakar will reach journey's end without
visiting either the French or Senegalese capital. REUTERS/Jean Paul
Pelissier

JPP/JES/CMC 

ITALY'S MEANI POSES WITH JAPAN'S MASUOKA AND FRANCE'S PETERHANSEL ON
EVE OF PARIS-DAKAR RALLY PROLOGUE IN MARSEILLE. 

Vehicles are lined-up in rows after the Dakar Rally technical check in
Marseille, southern France, December 31, 2002. The Dakar Rally
celebrates its quarter century on Wednesday by turning away from
Senegal and the western Sahara and heading east for new desert
challenges in Libya and Egypt. The caravan of cars, bikes and trucks
will blaze a trail across North Africa to the finish in the Red Sea
resort of Sharm el-Sheikh on January 19. After a total of 8,552
kilometres, including 5,216 on special stages, the rally that was
created in 1978 as the Paris-Dakar will reach journey's end without
visiting either the French or Senegalese capital. REUTERS/Jean Paul
Pelissier

JPP/JES/CMC 

Vehicles are lined-up in rows after the Paris-Dakar Rally technical
check in Marseille, southern France, December 31, 2002. The Dakar Rally
celebrates its quarter century on Wednesday by turning away from
Senegal and the western Sahara and heading east for new desert
challenges in Libya and Egypt. The caravan of cars, bikes and trucks
will blaze a trail across North Africa to the finish in the Red Sea
resort of Sharm el-Sheikh on January 19. After a total of 8,552
kilometres, including 5,216 on special stages, the rally that was
created in 1978 as the Paris-Dakar will reach journey's end without
visiting either the French or Senegalese capital. REUTERS/Jean Paul
Pelissier

JPP/JES/CMC 

Team Canada celebrate their victory over HC Davos at the Spenglercup
final in Davos, December 31, 2002. Team Canada defeated HC Davos 3-2.
REUTERS SCHWEIZ/Andy Mettler

AM/CR/CMC 

Team Canada captain Jamie Heward holds the trophy after beating HC
Davos December 31, 2002 at the Spenglercup in Davos. Team Canada won
the Spengler Cup Final 3-2. REUTERS SCHWEIZ/Andy Mettler

AM/CR/CMC 

HANNAWALD SPEEDS DOWN THE SKI JUMP DURING THE PRACTICE FOR THE SKI JUMP
COMPETITON IN GARMISCH PARTENKIRCHEN. 

SCMITT SPEEDS DOWN THE SKI JUMP DURING THE PRACTICE FOR THE SKI JUMP
COMPETITON IN GARMISCH PARTENKIRCHEN. 

GERMANY'S HANNAWALD SPEEDS DOWN SKI JUMP DURING PRACTICE FOR SKI JUMP
COMPETITON IN GARMISCH PARTENKIRCHEN. 

Team Canada with (R to L) Peter Allen, Jan Alston and Mike Craig
celebrate a goal against HC Davos as Davos' Beni Winkler (L) skates
past in the 7th minute of their Spenglercup final match in Davos
December 31, 2002. Team Canada won the Spengler Cup Final 3-2. REUTERS
SCHWEIZ/Andy Mettler REUTERS

AM/CR/ 

Reto von Arx (F) of HC Davos clashes with Mike Craig of Team Canada
during their Spengler Cup final match in Davos December 31, 2002. Team
Canada won the Spengler Cup Final 3-2. REUTERS SCHWEIZ/Andy Mettler
REUTERS

AM/CR/ 

A skydiver leaps from Malaysia's landmark, Petronas Twin Towers, during
a rehearsal in Kuala Lumpur December 31, 2002. Ten skydivers from
various countries will leap from the world's tallest building at
midnight on Tuesday to usher in the new year. REUTERS/Bazuki Muhammad

BM/CP 

Skydivers parachute down from Malaysia's landmark Petronas Twin Towers
during a rehearsal for a new year's event in Kuala Lumpur on December
31, 2002. Ten multi-national skydivers will leap from the world's
tallest building at midnight to celebrate the new year. REUTERS/Bazuki
Muhammad

BM/JD 

Oregon wide receiver Samie Parker (1) is upended by Wake Forest
defensive back Caron Bracy (8) while missing a pass during the first
quarter of the Seattle Bowl at Seahawks Stadium in Seattle, December
30, 2002. REUTERS/Anthony P. Bolante

APB/SV 

Mohamed Noor (L) of Saudi Arabia fights for the ball against Ali Salman
of Bahrain during final match of the Arab Cup in Kuwait City December
30, 2002. REUTERS/Peter Andrews REUTERS

PA 

Fireworks explode over Sydney Harbour in the first of two pyrotechnic
shows to begin celebrations for the New Year December 31, 2002.
Hundreds of thousands of people have lined Sydney's waterfront to watch
the spectacular three million dollar (US$1.5 million) fireworks display
at midnight to bring in the New Year. REUTERS/Mark Baker

MDB/DL 

Fireworks explode over Sydney Harbour in the first of two pyrotechnic
shows to begin celebrations for the New Year December 31, 2002.
Hundreds of thousands of people have lined Sydney's waterfront to watch
the spectacular three million dollar (US$1.5 million) fireworks display
at midnight to bring in the New Year. REUTERS/Mark Baker

MDB 

Azmi Bishara, an Israeli Arab member of parliament, gives statement to
reporters after the decision to bar him from running for parliament in
Jerusalem on December 31, 2002. Israel's election commission voted on
Tuesday to bar Bishara, an outspoken supporter of Palestinian
statehood, and his Balad party from running in the January 28 general
election. REUTERS/Gil Cohen Magen

EBU/AH 

Azmi Bishara, an Israeli Arab member of parliament, gives a statement
to reporters in Jerusalem on December 31, 2002, after the decision to
bar him from running for parliament. Israel's election commission voted
on Tuesday to bar Bishara, an outspoken supporter of Palestinian
statehood, and his Balad party from running in the January 28 general
election. (Picture taken on December 31, 2002) REUTERS/Gil Cohen Magen

EBU 

An American flag waves above revelers packed into New York's Times
Square near midnight on New Year's Eve, December 31, 2002. Hundreds of
thousands packed Times Square to watch the 99th annual "ball drop,"
celebrating the passing of 2002 into 2003. REUTERS/Mike Segar

MS/HB 

An American flag waves above revelers packed into New York's Times
Square near midnight on New Year's Eve, December 31, 2002. Hundreds of
thousands packed Times Square to watch the 99th annual "ball drop,"
celebrating the passing of 2002 into 2003. REUTERS/Mike Segar

MS/HB 

Turks gather for an open-air party in Istanbul's central Taksim Square
to welcome the new year, late December 31, 2002. REUTERS/Mustafa Ozer

FS/CRB 

pigeons fly across the last sunset of the year 2002 at the Jordanian
capital of Amman, December 31, 2002. People of The Middle East region
still live with the Iraqi crisis and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict
but are still hoping for peace. REUTERS/Ali Jarekji

AJ/CMC 

U.S. soldiers from Second Brigade, Third Infantry Division take part in
the New Year's eve celebrations at Camp New York in the Kuwaiti desert,
15 km south of Iraq, late December 31, 2002. REUTERS/Peter Andrews

PA/CRB 

An Iraqi boy holds a candle during a rally on the last night of 2002 in
front of the United Nation office in Baghdad December 31, 2002. U.N.
Secretary-General Kofi Annan says there is no argument for U.S. strike
against Iraq before U.N. inspectors report in late January; ordinary
Iraqis hold out hope the New Year will not bring war at all.
REUTERS/Suhaib Salem

SJS/CMC 

An Iraqi boy holds a candle during a rally on the last night of 2002 in front of the United Nation office in Baghdad December 31, 2002. U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan says there is no argument for U.S. strike against Iraq before U.N. inspectors report in late January; ordinary Iraqis hold out hope the New Year will not bring war at all. REUTERS/Suhaib Salem

SJS/CMC 

Iraqi children light candles during a rally on the last night of 2002
in front of the United Nations office in Baghdad December 31, 2002.
U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan said on Tuesday there was no argument
for a U.S.-led military strike against Iraq before U.N. inspectors
present their report in late January; ordinary Iraqis hold out hope the
New Year will not bring war at all.

REUTERS/Suhaib Salem REUTERS 

Iraqi children light candles during a rally on the last night of 2002
in front of the United Nations office in Baghdad December 31, 2002.
U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan said on Tuesday there was no argument
for a U.S.-led military strike against Iraq before U.N. inspectors
present their report in late January; ordinary Iraqis hold out hope the
New Year will not bring war at all.

REUTERS/Suhaib Salem REUTERS 

Iraqi children light candles during a rally on the last night of 2002
in front of the United Nations office in Baghdad December 31, 2002.
U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan said on Tuesday there was no argument
for a U.S.-led military strike against Iraq before U.N. inspectors
present their report in late January; ordinary Iraqis hold out hope the
New Year will not bring war at all.

REUTERS/Suhaib Salem REUTERS