World News Tonight (ABC) - 1999-12-29

The final days of 1999 bring widespread preparations for the millennium, as airlines expect a significant drop in passenger traffic and corporations scramble to address lingering Y2K computer code errors. While the federal government and various municipalities implement contingency plans for potential technical glitches, the broader U.S. economy continues to reach record heights, with the Nasdaq closing above 4,000 and consumer spending driving unprecedented growth. However, this prosperity remains uneven, as cities like Fresno, California, struggle with persistent unemployment and economic stagnation. Meanwhile, international concerns persist, including a UN investigation into potential NATO war crimes in Yugoslavia and a tense hostage standoff involving an Indian Airlines flight in Afghanistan. Amid these global anxieties, human interest stories emerge, such as the rare recovery of a woman from a long-term coma-like state and Chicago’s inclusive millennium celebration featuring representatives from over 180 nations.