51.   Bloomberg took the oath of office with Giuliani in a brief ceremony after the ball dropped at midnight.

52.   Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien clinked wine glasses with his Vietnamese counterpart, Vo Van Kiet, at a brief signing ceremony in the main government building.

53.   During a brief ceremony, a military band played the national anthems of both countries as the two leaders stood under umbrellas held by aides.

54.   During the brief ceremony, he appeared frail and stiff.

55.   Embassy staff joined the anti-Mobutu expatriates for the brief ceremony, which did not involve going inside the embassy.

56.   Following the brief ceremony that included a private talk with the figurehead monarch, Gilon officially became ambassador.

57.   Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone and his wife, London residents, joined the brief ceremony.

58.   Gen. Richard Myers was scheduled to meet Gen Nakatani, the head of the Defense Agency, after attending a brief ceremony there, said agency spokesman Koichiro Oshima.

59.   Giuliani was expected to swear Bloomberg in at a brief ceremony around midnight in Times Square.

60.   Gordon was surrounded by her family at a brief ceremony Thursday when she took her oath to serve her British colony.