Shoton (Yogurt) Festival opens in Lhasa

Tibetan amateur dancers perform traditional Tibetan opera during the opening of annual Shoton (Yogurt) Festival in Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, Aug. 18, 2004. The festival opened here Wednesday and it will provide folk performances and trade opportunities during the 7-day event.

Debates among Lamas at the Zhaxi Lhunbo Lamasery

The 11th Panchen Lama, Bainqen Erdini Qoigyijabu, smiles while looking on the debates of lamas at the Zhaxi Lhunbo Lamasery in the city of Xigaze, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, Aug. 18, 2004. The officially recognized 11th Panchen Lama returned to the Zhaxi Lhunbo Lamasery Monday after holding Buddhist rituals in Lhasa, capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region.

Arafat calls for peace

Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat (R Front) talks with Prime Minister Ahmad Quray at the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) in Ramallah Aug. 18, 2004. Arafat addressed before PLC Wednesday, calling upon the Israeli government to start peace negotiations with the Palestinians immediately.

Inauguration ceremony for Youyi (Friendship) Bridge in Pakistan

Farrukh Javed (2nd R), Pakistan's senior road official, inaugurates Youyi (Friendship) Bridge in the city of Thakolt, north Pakistan's Frontier Province, Aug. 17, 2004. An inauguration ceremony was held here on Tuesday to name the bridge ¡°Youyi¡± to commemorate Chinese and Pakistani workers who devoted their life to the construction of the bridge between 1966 and 1978. The bridge across Indus River is located in Thakolt, the end of Sino-Pakistan Karakorum Highway.

Solar halo happens in Lhasa

Photo taken on Aug. 18, 2004 shows the solar halo over the Potala Palace in Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. The solar halo lasts for about two hours.

Scaffold collapse in Baotou

Fire fighters and rescuers search for workers trapped in the collapsed scaffold at a building site of Baotou city, north China's Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region, Aug. 18, 2004. Thirteen workers were injured with three of them in serious condition in the accident, which occurred at the busy downtown quarter of Baotou at about 10:30 a.m. when more than 40 workers were on the 30-meter-tall scaffold.

Athens champion album - Aug. 18

Gold medallist South Korea's Park Sung Hyun (C), silver medallist Lee Sung Jin (L) and bronze medallist Britain's Alison Williamson waves in the podium ceremony of women's individual of archery at the Athens Olympic Games in Greece, Aug. 18, 2004. She beat her compatriot Lee Sung Jin to win the gold medal.

Chinese winner album: women's 4x200m freestyle

Chinese Zhu Yingwen, Xu Yanwei, Yang Yu and Pang Jiaying (from L to R) at the awarding ceremony for the women's 4x200m freestyle at the Athens Olympic Games on August 18.