Athens welcomes more delegations

Dr. Tiras Odisho Anwaya, director general of the National Olympic Committee Of Iraq answers questions during a news conference held in Athens Olympic Village, Greece, Aug. 9, 2004. The Iraqi delegation held a news conference here on Monday. The war-tortured land came back to the Olympic field after 16-year departing.

Chinese athletes warming up

Olympic champion Tao Luna of China practices at the Markopoulo Olympic Shooting Center in Athens, Greece, August 10,2004. She won the 10-meter female air pistol event in Sydney Olympics.

Olympic venues: Galatsi Olympic Hall

An exterior view of the Galatsi Olympic Hall with a capacity of 6,500 seats in Athens, Greece, Aug.9, 2004. Matches of table tennis and rhythmic Gymnastics will be held here.

Athens Games, on your marks!

Finishing touches are being given to the preparation work at the Aquatic Center in Athens, Greece, August 10, 2004.

Biggest hotel in Moscow to be pulled down

The Moscow city government has decided to pull down the biggest Soviet-era hotel in Moscow - Rossiya, and build a new multi-purpose complex on its site instead. A resolution on dismantling of the Rossiay hotel has been signed by Moscow city mayor Yury Luzhkov, Itar-Tass was told at the Moscow mayor's office.

Athena and Phevos stars among stars

Jiang Xiaoyu, vice president of the Organizing Committee of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, has a photo taken with mascot Phevos of Athens Olympics at the Main Press Center in Athens, Greece, August 10, 2004.

Chinese divers practice in Athens

A Chinese diver practices in Athens, Greece, August 9, 2004. Diving games will begin on August 14 and end on August 28.

Museum remembers 'Great Man' Deng

Chinese visitors take a look at photos on a exhibition devoted to Deng Xiaoping in commemoration of his 100th birthday at the National Museum of China Tuesday in Beijing. (newsphoto)

British Airways to double fuel surcharge

A British Airways (BA) flight prepares to take off at Heathrow airport in London, Aug. 9, 2004. BA announced Monday it would more than double fuel surcharges on long-haul flights to compensate for a leap in oil price cost, passing on rising fuel costs to passengers. BA said it had to take the action because fuel costs have jumped 45 percent in the past year and are set to top 1.14 billion pounds or 2.05 billion US dollars this year.

Lee Hsien Loong announces list of new cabinet

President S.R. Nathan (R) en powers Prime Minister-designate Lee Hsien Loong to form a new cabinet, August 10.

Torch Festival of Yi ethnic group

Local people of Yi ethnic group light up torches to celebrate their traditional Torch Festival in Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Aug. 9, 2004. The Torch Festival is the traditional holiday of Yi ethnic group. During the festival, people burn torches for three days and nights to drive away insects the legendary ¡°King of Heaven¡± sent to eat crops.

Chinese women's soccer team warm up for opening match

Chinese football players Wang Kun (L) and Fan Yunjie fight for the ball in a warming-up exercise in Patrai, Greece, Aug.9, 2004. Chinese women Olympic football team will play against Germany on Aug. 11 in their opening match in Athens Games.