A pulsing heart of red lights shone out from Sydney’s Harbour Bridge as tens of thousands of people gathered to watch fireworks marking the start of the new year, while revellers throughout the world partied, visited places of worship and gathered with families to welcome 2006.

A bomb ripped through a crowded market in an Indonesian province plagued by sectarian violence early today, killing eight people and wounding 45 others. Many victims were believed to be Christians.

Thousands of Christian villagers on Indonesia’s Sulawesi Island are reportedly fleeing attacks by Muslim paramilitaries armed with machine guns and rocket launchers.

Clashes between Christian and Muslim gangs armed with knives and homemade guns left at least eight people dead, police and witnesses said today.