Ukraine's parliament approves new election body

Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma (R) and Vladimir Litvin (L), speaker of Ukrainian Parliament show signed document during an emergency session of the Ukrainian Parliament in Kiev, Dec.8. The parliament has passed a package of constitutional and electoral amendments earlier in the day. (Xinhua/AFP Photo)

Pakistan successfully tests nuclear-capable missile

Pakistan carried out a successful test-fire of a nuclear-capable ballistic missile on Dec 8th. The surface-to-surface Hatf-IV or Shaheen-I has a range of 700 kilometers and can carry nuclear and other type of warheads.

China has its first policewoman-turned pilot

Policewoman Zhang Yuan (L) exchanges flight experience with her colleague, Dec. 8, 2004. Zhang Yuan is a member of the special police detachment under Nanjing Public Security Bureau. After half-year flight training, she has been able to drive aircraft to complete training task independently and has become China's first policewoman-turned pilot.

Japanese fans marks 24th anniversary of John Lennon's death

A visitor looks at photos of John Lennon, passed-away singer of the famous British rock-and-roll band "Beatles", in John Lennon Museum 30km north of Tokyo, capital of Japan, on Dec. 8, 2004. Dec. 8, 2004 is the 24th anniversary of John Lennon's death and Japanese fans held various activities to memorize the rock king.

Nobel prize winners to receive awards in Stockholm

2004 Nobel chemistry prize laureate Avram Hershko delivers a speech in the Stockholm University, Sweden, Dec.8, 2004. 2004 Nobel Prize winners of physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine and economics will receive their awards on Dec. 10 in stockholm, Sweden.

Recreation facilities set up for Christmas in London

A large amusement facility rotates over the Leicester Square in central London, capital of Britain, Dec. 7, 2004. As the Christmas approaches, recreation facilities have been set up in downtown London for shoppers to entertain themselves.

Kuwaiti PM meets with Rumsfeld

Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah (R1) meets with visiting US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld (L1) in Kuwait City, capital of Kuwait, on Dec. 8, 2004.

Extraordinary Summit of the Andean Presidential Council

The Extraordinary Summit of the Andean Presidential Council is opened in Cuzco, south Peru, Dec. 7, 2004. The presidents and their representatives of the Andean Community met here on Tuesday to discuss ways of promoting closer integration, economic and social development.

Christmas market opens in Helsinki

Photo taken on Dec. 7, 2004 shows a Santa Claus at the Christmas market in Helsinki, capital of Finland. The traditional Christmas market in Helsinki was opened on Dec. 7 to sell various kinds of Christmas gifts, decorations and handicrafts of Finnish characteristics.

Chinese pianist wins awards of the 61st Marguerite Long-Jacques Thibaud International Piano Competition

Chinese Song Siheng plays piano in Paris, capital of France, Dec. 7, 2004. Song, 23, won several awards of the 61st Marguerite Long-Jacques Thibaud International Piano Competition Dec. 4, becoming the first Chinese to win awards of this competition.

Mubarak kicks off official visit to Kuwait

Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Jaber Al Ahmed Al Sabah (R) shakes hands with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak during a meeting in Kuwait City Dec. 7, 2004. Mubarak arrived in the Kuwaiti capital on Dec. 7 for a two-day official visit to the Gulf country.

Electric machinery factory destroyed in explosion in Harbin

Fire fighters extinguish a fire at a factory in Harbin, capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Dec. 8, 2004. Workshops of 1,500 square meters were destroyed in an explosion caused by fire at Harbin Songjiang Electric Machinery Factory Wednesday morning. No casualties have been reported.

Non-governmental organization opposes Japan to become permanent member of UN security council

A relative (L) of a South Korean victim during the World War II speaks at a press conference in Tokyo, Dec. 8, 2004. Non-governmental organizations from Japan, China and South Korea issued a declaration at the press conference on Wednesday, the 63rd anniversary of the start of Japan¡¯s Pacific War. In the declaration, Japan is opposed to become a permanent member of the UN Security Council and is demanded to apologize to the war victims and compensate accordingly.

Photo exhibition on China's Danba County held at UN headquarters

Chinese Permanent Representative to the United Nations Wang Guangya addresses the opening ceremony of a photo exhibition about historical sites in China at the UN headquarters in New York Dec. 7, 2004. The photo exhibition showed ancient blockhouses, and local traditions and customs in Danba County, southwest China's Sichuan Province.

7th China-EU summit

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (L2), Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende (R2), EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso (L1) and EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana pose for photo in the Hague, Netherlands, Dec. 8, 2004, prior to the 7th China-EU summit.

Lenovo acquires IBM's PC business

Lenovo Chairman Liu Chuanzhi (Front L) shakes hands with IBM Vice President John Joyce (Front R) after signing an agreement in Beijing, Dec. 8, 2004. According to the agreement, Lenovo will acquire IBM's entire global desktop and laptop computer R&D and marketing business at the price of US$1.25 billion. After the transaction, Lenovo Group will become the third largest PC maker worldwide with an annual revenue exceeding US$10 billion.

Premier Wen meets with EU Commission President

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao shakes hands with European Union Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso during a meeting in the Hague, the Netherlands, Dec. 7, 2004.