President Karolos Papoulias issued a New Year’s message over the weekend, expressing the wish that 2007 will be a year of progress and one of peace and justice for Greeks all over the world.

“Today, in some homes, I hope in most, joy prevails for the change of year. However, my thoughts turn primarily to those homes where scepticism is dominant because problems leave no space for celebrations,” he said.

President Papoulias went on to say that “I believe that for our country, that has succeeded in consolidating a stable democracy following many difficult periods, every year will be and should be better than the previous one.”

Referring to people in distress, President Papoulias said “the focus of our efforts must be people in need, those who are deprived, those who hear us politicians speaking of prosperity and wonder what is going on. On such days, loneliness and physical or financial weakness, when they exist, become really intolerable.”

Lastly, President Papoulias stressed that “we are all in need of hope, because if we believe that there is no hope there will be none.”

In the Riviera of the Emiglia Romagna region there is to be a huge number of celebrators for the end of the year: according to the figure released today by the Rimini tourism board, 650 hotels will be open for the occasion, 250 more than for the rest of the year.

The increase is the result of New Year’s Eve to be shown live on TV from Rimini, which has by now become the ideal one for all Italians. “Italians are choosing us,” said tourism councilman for the Rimini province Andrea Gnassi, “because the Riviera of Rimini is a real place, with warmth and hospitality, and genuine human relations. The most famous place on the Riviera focuses on large-scale events, New Year’s Eve, Moto Gp, etc. to take its place on the Italian and foreign markets. Following an event, which works as a boost, sector operators begin evaluating what they want to offer.

Key to the success of Rimini is vitality, cohesion and spirit of initiative. Many hotels have come onto the market with packages that include the dinner and dance. These hotels are those that immediately filled up. Even other operators (such as nightclubs, etc.) attracted their guests with a large variety of offers and packages.

A Few Little Tricks Might Help You Sparkle
If you are going to a party or out on the town to ring in the New Year, of course you want to shine. Here are some of her ideas and some of the products that were used to illustrate them on the show:

The Little Black Dress: If you don’t have one, you should get one. You don’t need to spend a ton of money on it. You can get a black strapless tube dress for $69.50 or a black beaded halter dress for $98 at Express stores. For help finding an Express store, click here.

Makeup: This is also something that is simple and can make a big difference in the way you look from day to night.
The “smoky eyes” look is popular, and you can use the Tarte Peep Show Palette in Amber ($37, 800-HBendel) to get it.

Chanel is out with a new limited-edition metallic eye-shadow compact that is designed to resemble the sequins that are sewn onto a Chanel gown. Here is the information:
Chanel Lumière D’Artifices, $60, chanel.com

For sparkling eyes and glowing body (all at Target.com)
Sonia Kashuk-Target: Leading Lady holiday eye set, $14.99
Glow Shimmer Powder with Kabuki, $19.99
Sheer Luxury Lip Color, $7.99

Red polish:
Beginners would love this classic matte shade.
Creative Nail Design in Candy Apple, $6, goindulge.com

Sparkly red is the perfect pick for New Year’s.
OPI Nail Lacquer in Red Dazzle, $8, 800-341-9999

Pearly red looks festive, but not over-the-top.
Color Club in American Beauty, $5, salons nationwide

Jewelry
You also can look like a star by using the jewelry they wear, including long drop earrings, or simple diamond-like earrings to wear with your hair in an up-do.
Bangles are very hot this year, and a long necklace can help jazz up that little black dress, too.

Glittery drops:
Bakers, $14, Bakers stores nationwide
Express, $22.50, Express stores nationwide. For help finding an Express store, click here.
Aqua, $28, Bloomingdales stores nationwide, or try Bloomingdales.com
14K white gold diamond earrings (2.02 carats), Endless Diamond Collection, $2,544 at Macy’s, Zales and several independent jewelers nationwide.

Bangles:
For the chunky ones with the concave shape and antique-gold tone that look cool with jeans:
A.V. Max, $32 for three, avmaxaccessories.com
For the slim wavy bangles that look elegant with a cocktail dress:
Lydell NYC, $40, Bloomingdales stores nationwide, or try Bloomingdales.com

Long necklaces:
Axcess, $28, Kohls.com
J.Lo by Jennifer Lopez, $40, Macys.com
Aqua, $85, Bloomingdales stores nationwide, or try Bloomingdales.com

Belts at Express:
Metal mesh scarf/belt, $29.50
Bronze wide braided belt, $39.50
Metallic silver snake print belt, $29.50
Black wide patent leather belt, $39.50

Handbags at Express:
Black, gold, & silver metal mesh clutch, $39.50
Gold shimmer ball-clip clutch, $39.50

Shoes from Bloomingdale’s (in stores or try Bloomingdales.com:
Ralph Lauren, $125
Anne Klein, originally $285; on sale for $189.99

With an expected 500,000 revelers to swamp Taipei’s Xinyi District during the New Year Countdown Party today and a flag-raising ceremony tomorrow morning, the Taipei City Police Department is implementing traffic control measures to alleviate traffic congestion.

The 2007 New Year Countdown Party, organized by the Taipei City Government, will take place in front of Taipei City Hall and in its vicinity beginning at 2pm and will last through 2am on New Year’s Day, followed by a flag-raising ceremony and a morning jog at 6am.

Shifu Road and Renai Road were closed off starting Friday and will remain so until 10pm on Monday to facilitate stage construction and other preparatory measures.

Given the ongoing MRT Xinyi Line construction, the city government will restrict the number of vehicles entering the City Hall area.

For drivers passing through the area, the city government suggests that east-west traffic use Yongji Road, Civic Boulevard, or Heping E Road; while north-south traffic should use Dunhua N/S Road, Songde Road or Songshan Road. City buses will be operate until 2am, and the MRT will operate until at least 3am. The first MRT train on New Year’s Day will begin operating at 4:30am. The Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation said it did not rule out the possibility of extending the hours and operating for 24 hours on New Year’s Eve.

As for the “2007 New Year’s Day Flag Raising Ceremony” at the plaza in front of the Presidential Office at 6am and a morning jog at the Civic Plaza in front of Taipei City Hall at 6:30am, pedestrians and vehicles will be prohibited from 2am to 5:30am on east-bound Boai Road, on south-bound Baoqing Road, on east-bound Gongyuan Road and on north-bound of Guiyang Street.

Vehicles will be prohibited between 5:30am and 8am at the following location: on west-bound Boai Road, on Hengyuan Road, Xiangyang Road, on south-bound Changde Street, on east-bound Zhongshan Road, on north-bound Aiguo E Road.

The city government strongly discourages the use of cars and motorcycles, and urges residents visiting the area to use public transportation.

SHANGHAI welcomed the new year with a boisterous mix of the modern and classical - from pop music and fireworks at the Xintiandi entertainment complex to candlelight and bells at the 1,790-year-old Longhua Temple.

Some 60,000 city residents and tourists gathered at Xintiandi last night for the annual countdown party along Taiping Lake, featuring Chinese-American singer Wang Lee-hom and other performers.

Among the celebrants was Germany’s Frank Finsterbusch, who said his new year’s resolution is “to have more money but less stress.” His most memorable event during the past year was no surprise: the soccer World Cup, which his country hosted.

Carla Bridge of New Zealand said she hopes to have more adventures in the coming year and make more friends. The traveling Kiwi said her most unforgettable memory from 2006 was a trip to Tibet in May.

Though rain is forecast for rest of the holiday, the sky was clear last night.

Cary Chung, a major in the Auxiliary Police Band of Hong Kong, filled the night air with a Scottish-flavor bagpipe show from the balcony of Xintiandi’s Tourneau Club. He also celebrated the arrival of the previous new year in Shanghai.

“Last year, it was so cold that I had to wear something under my kilt,” Chung said. “This year, it’s a little warmer.” And that’s as much as he would say about his attire.

At Nanjing Road’s Century Plaza, crowds of people joined in a New York Times Square-style countdown and a charity gala held to support the Special Olympics, which is scheduled for Shanghai in October.

College student Wang Yongchun and his friends arrived in the plaza at 9pm to await a performance by their idol, Hong Kong singer Kelly Chen.

Sweden’s Bernd Aurich, who’s in town on a business trip, said the New Year’s Eve made him homesick, but he’s glad to be celebrating with his friends in Shanghai.

William Qian, a resident of northeastern China who’s been working in Shanghai for more than four years, said his new year’s wish is to buy an apartment in the city.

At Longhua Temple in southwest Shanghai, visitors jostled to tie written messages to a “wishing tree,” a traditional event. As usual, 108 guests struck the 3,000-kilogram bronze bell in the temple’s tower beginning shortly after 11:30pm, an act believed to bring fortune.

Chinese-American Benjamin Lee was among the 10,000 people at the temple. Returning to the city after four years, Lee said the event made him “feel at home.” Lee, whose most unforgettable memory last year was finding a girlfriend, said he hopes to get a new job when he returns to New York City.

The singer will play seven dates in London’s Wembley Arena

   Thousands of British fans will welcome in the New Year with pop star Kylie Minogue as she stages her UK comeback. The Australian singer is launching the British leg of her Showgirl Homecoming tour at Wembley Arena in London.

Fans in Sydney were the first to see the tour last month as Minogue, covered in pink feathers, returned to the stage following treatment for breast cancer.

The pint-sized star, 38, has promised the £65 New Year show will be “the biggest party of all”. It kicks off at 2000 GMT, finishing as the clock strikes midnight and 2006 draws to a close.

A dancefloor with capacity for 3,500 people has been specially-built at the North London arena, allowing revellers to continue celebrating until 0100GMT.

Transport for London (TfL) has announced that Tube services will be free and run until 0430GMT, as well as normal night bus services.

Minogue has another six dates planned at Wembley in 2007, followed by a further six nights in Manchester.

It had been hoped she would also play at this year’s Glastonbury festival, after pulling out of a headlining slot in 2005 following her cancer diagnosis. But earlier this month festival organiser Emily Eavis told BBC 6 Music that Minogue was too busy to join this year’s line-up.

Minogue’s record company, Parlophone, has also said she is working on material which could be released in 2007.

Related Links > Kylie’s Official Website > http://www.kylie.com

http://www.whatsonwembley.com
http://www.tfl.gov.uk

If December 31 is your birthday

The year ahead can bring romance, excitement and a successful change for the better. People look upon you more favorably than usual over the next few months and you appear glamorous, accomplished and desirable. Whether you are looking for a new romantic partner and soul mate or a successful foothold in the business world you are likely to impress everyone with your talents. Take advantage of opportunities or offers that appear out of the blue in April and November. People in general will have your best interests at heart and whatever you start during those months will lead to prosperity or improved conditions.