Sharon meets Egyptian FM and intelligence chief

Israeli PM Sharon meets Egyptian FM Abul Gheit (R) and intelligence chief Omar Suleiman (L) on Dec 1 in Jerusalem. They exchange views on Middle Mast situation and Palestinian-Israeli talks.

"The Lowest Park on Earth" inaugurates

A visitor shows his certificate to visiting the lowest spot on Earth at ¡°the Lowest Park on Earth¡±, located at north of Ein Gedi Spa, some 50 kilometers from Jerusalem Nov. 30, 2004. The Lowest Park on Earth, at 415 meters below sea level, inaugurated Tuesday.

Norway sends Christmas tree to Britain

A 23-meter-high Christmas Tree reflects in water near Trafalgar Square in London, Britain, on Nov. 30, 2004. Since 1947, Norway sends a Christmas Tree to Britain as a gift every year to express the gratitude for the help offered by British people during the World War II.

Chinese embroidery attracts Finnish visitors

Two Finnish girls watch a Chinese embroidery named "girl wearing hat" at the opening cereony of the Chinese embroidery art show in Helsinki, Capital of Finland on Nov 30. The show is held by the Chinese Ministry of Culture and Ministry of Education of Finland. All 61 pieces of embroidery displayed are Su embroidery, one of four renowned styles of Chinese embroidery.

Sino-Arab seminar concludes in Jordan

Ma Zhengang (L), head of the China Institue of Interantional Studies sends souvenirs to Joran Prince Hassan Ben Talal on Nov 30. The two-day Sino-Arab seminar on dialogues concludes in Amman, captial of Jordan that day. Shcolars and experts made indepth discussion in sino-Arab cooperation in politics and ecomomic ties at the seminar.

Bush starts official visit to Canada

American President George W.Bush (L) speaks at a press conference together with Canadian PM Martin in Ottawa, Capital of Canada on Nov 30. President Bush arrives at Ottwa for a two-day state visit to Canada on Nov 30. This is Bush's first official visit to Canada since he comes to power.

Ukraine's parliament passes no-confidence motion on second try

Supporters of opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko rally towards the independence square in Kiev, Ukraine, Dec.1, 2004. Ukraine's parliament on Wednesday passed a no-confidence motion in the government on its second try. The motion, put forward by the opposition, was supported by 229 lawmakers in the 450-member legislature.

Rockefeller Center Christmas tree

The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree stands lit with more than 30,000 lights shortly after a lighting ceremony at Rockefeller center in New York's Midtown Manhattan, November 30, 2004. Thousands of people attended the lighting of the 71-foot tall Norway spruce tree which will stand lit at the base of 30 Rockefeller center until December 31, 2004. [Reuters]

Mozambique kicks off presidential election

Joaquim Alberto Chissano, incumbent president of Mozambique, delivers a speech after casting his vote at a polling station in Maputo, capital of Mozambique, on Dec. 1, 2004. Voters in Mozambique went to the polls on Wednesday to elect a new president to succeed veteran leader Joaquim Chissano who decided to voluntarily step down after 18 years in power.

AIDS Day marked worldwide

A youth looks at photos in an anti-AIDS exhibition on Pont des Arts above Sena river in Paris, capital of France, on Nov. 30, 2004.

Second meeting of China-Spain Forum opens in Barcelona

Chinese Vice Premier Zeng Peiyan delivers a speech at the opening ceremony of the second meeting of China-Spain Forum in Barcelona , Spain, Nov. 30, 2004. The China-Spain Forum is a non-governmental organization, aimed to promote understanding and friendship between the two countries and their people. The first meeting of the forum was held in Beijing on Dec. 18, 2003.

166 killed in coal mine explosion in Shaanxi Province

Rescuers carry the victim corpse in Chenjiashan Coal mine, Tongchuan, northwest China's Shaanxi Pronvince, Dec. 1, 2004. In the early hours of Wednesday, 21 bodies, the first batch of victim remains, were conveyed up to the ground since the accident occurred. It is announced that all the 166 miners have been killed in the gas explosion, which took place at the coal mine on Nov. 28.

Wu Bangguo meets with British Deputy Prime Minister

Wu Bangguo (R), chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee of China, shakes hands with visiting British Deputy Prime Minister and First Secretary of State John Prescott in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Dec. 1, 2004.