Gunmen seize Russian school, taking 400 hostages

Some 400 people, including 200 schoolchildren, have been taken hostage after a group of armed menseized a school in North Ossetia region Wednesday.

Suicide bomb kills 10 in Moscow

An unidentified young woman is consoled near the site of an explosion outside the Rizhskaya subway station in Moscow, Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2004. A female suicide bomber blew herself up outside a busy Moscow subway station Tuesday night, killing at least 10 people and injuring more than 30, the city's mayor said. (AP Photo)

"people's satisfying civil servants" commended

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (1st L) and Chinese Vice-President Zeng Qinghong (2nd L) meet with delegates to a commendation meeting for "people's satisfying civil servants" and "people's satisfying civil servant collectivity" in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 31, 2004.

Senior CPC official meets guests attending mass media forum

Li Changchun (C), member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party, meets with an official attending "the second senior official's seminar on media cooperation between China and ASEAN member countries" in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 31, 2004.

Stock indexes rise in Shanghai and Shenzhen

Shareholders smile in a stock bourse on Gao'an Road in east China's Shanghai Aug. 31, 2004. The Composite Stock Index of the Shanghai Stock Exchange closed at 1,342.06 points on Tuesday, up 22.66 points from the previous close, the total turnover was 6.944 billion RMB yuan (about 840 million US dollars). The Component Stock Index of the Shenzhen Stock Exchange closed at 3,175.79 points, up 53.70 points from the previous close, the total turnover stood at 4.45 billion yuan (538 million dollars).

2nd New Silk Road world fashion model contest to open in Hangzhou

Some fashion models from China and abroad pose for photograph at West Lake, one of China's most famous scenic spots, in Hangzhou, the capital of east China's Zhejiang Province Aug. 30, 2004. Over 40 fashion models from 29 countries and regions gathered here to participate in the 2nd Xinsilu (New Silk Road) world fashion model contest 2004. The final is scheduled on September 5.

Michael Moore draws boos at convention

Filmmaker Michael Moore gestures as Senator John McCain of Arizona addresses delegates at Madison Square Garden during the Republican National Convention in New York, Monday, Aug. 30, 2004. (AP Photo)

Top leaders visit nuclear industry show

Chinese President Hu Jintao (2L) visits an exhibition on the achievements of China's nuclear industry over the last five decades at the Military Museum of the Chinese People's Revolution in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 30, 2004.