Iran advance with Japan

Japan's Suzuki (R) kicks for a goal during a group D match of the Asian Cup in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, July 28, 2004. The game tied between Iran and Japan 0-0.

Oman ousted despite win over Thailand

Oman's Imad Ali Suleiman Al Hosnl makes a hook kick during a group D match of the Asian Cup in Chengdu, capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province, July 28, 2004. Oman beat Thailand 2-0.

Buddhism exam in Tibet

A dignitary monk has a debate on Tibetan Buddhism with judges during the tryout for Geshe Lharampa, the highest academic degree for the Gelugba School of Tibetan Buddhism, in Lhasa, capital of Tibet Autonomous Region July 28, 2004. Six monks passed the tryout on Wednesday. They are qualified for the formal dissertation at the praying meeting in celebration of next Tibetan New Year before being awarded the academic title. The exam has been suspended for 16 years after a separatist group headed by Dalai Lama took advantage of this religious event in 1988 to start a riot.

Premier highlights power demand control

Premier Wen inspects the State Power Distribution Center, July 27, 2004. "It is an arduous task and of great responsibility for the government to solve the power problem this summer," he said.

Watermelons hot in Shanghai

Piles of watermelons in a fruit mall in Shanghai. With 16 successive days of high temperature, the daily sale of watermelons here stands at more than 220 tons, compared with over 3,000 tons of daily consumption in Shanghai at large.

Powell urges Sudanese gov't to settle crisis

US Secretary of State Colin Powell (L) and Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit point to reporters at their joint press conference held in Cairo, Egypt, July 28, 2004. Powell stressed Wednesday that pressure must be capped on the Sudanese government to settle the Darfur crisis. Powell arrived in Cairo late July 27.

200 French Jews arrive in Tel Aviv

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon(R) and the head of the Jewish Agency, Sarayi Meridor(L) pose for pictures with members of Shelly family, new immigrants from France, shortly after their arrival at Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv, Israel Wednesday July 28, 2004. (AP)

HK Individual Visit Scheme

Tourists walk past a billboard promoting tourism in Hong Kong at Luohu Checkpoint of Shenzhen City, south China's Guangdong Province July 28, 2004. A total of 2.6 million individual document holders from Chinese mainland have visited Hong Kong since the implementation of the Individual Visit Scheme on Hong Kong tour on the same day last year. The scheme has brought in 15.6 billion Hong Kong dollars worth of revenues.