US President Bush named Time's person of 2004

President Bush is shown on Time magazine's 'person of the year' cover, released Dec. 18, 2004. Bush's bold, uncompromising leadership and his clear-cut election victory made him Time magazine's 'Person of the Year' for 2004, its managing editor said December 19, 2004. (Reuters)

UNESCO awards Qinghai Province 2004 King Sejong Literacy Prize

The United Nations Scientific, Educational and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) awards Qinghai Province 2004 King Sejong Literacy Prize for its outstanding achievement in illiteracy elimination. Qinghai Province responded to the needs of a large and geographically isolated population, concentrating its efforts on women and various ethnic minorities.

President Hu attends anniversary celebrations of Macao's return to motherland

Chinese President Hu Jintao, who is also general secretary of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party and chairman of the CPC Central Military Commission, delivers a speech during a celebration gathering marking the 5th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland in Macao, south China, on Dec. 20, 2004.

Macao celebrates 5th anniversary of its return to the motherland

A grand flag-raising ceremony to mark the 5th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland is held in the Macao Special Administrative Region, south China, on Dec. 20, 2004.

New Delhi's first underground metro inaugurated

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh (R) delivers a speech during the inauguration ceremony of New Delhi's first underground metro, in New Delhi, capital of India, Dec. 19, 2004. The first 4.12-km underground section of New Delhi's metro was inaugurated on Sunday and will be officially put into operation on Dec. 20.

Heavy snow falls in Shenyang

Some wokers drive the snow remover to clean snow in front of a park in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province, Dec. 19, 2004. Some expressways of the province were closed due to heavy snow on Sunday.

Indonesian police seek evidence for the Sept.9 blast

Indonesian policemen escort a suspect (C Front) of the Sept. 9 blast at the Australian Embassy to Indonesia, in Jakarta, capital of Indonesia, Dec. 19, 2004. Hundreds of Indonesian policemen escorted three suspects to the explosion site at the Australian Embassy and simulated the blast in a bid to obtain evidence on Sunday. The suicide bombing blast left 11 people dead and 186 others wounded.

Poll shows Abbas will get most votes in upcoming election

The file photo taken on Nov. 6, 2004 shows Mahmoud Abbas, chairman of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization, speaking to the press in front of Arafat's headquarters in the West Bank city of Ramallah. Mahmoud Abbas would gain 61.8 percent of votes in all the Palestinian governorates, a Palestinian public opinion poll for the expected presidential elections showed Dec. 18, 2004.

British fathers' rights campaigners protest in London

A protestor in Santa Claus outfit holds a placard with pictures of his children during a rally in central London Dec. 18, 2004. About 350 British fathers' rights campaigners, dressed as Father Christmas and carrying banners featuring a picture of former Home Secretary David Blunkett in a Santa hat, marched and held a rally in central London on Saturday. There were no arrests during the demonstration organized by the Fathers 4 Justice group, said the Metropolitan Police.

Zeng Qinghong concludes inspection in Tianjin municipality

Chinese Vice President Zeng Qinghong (1st R Front) speaks during an inspection in a company in Tianjin, north China, Dec. 17, 2004. Zeng made an inspection tour in Tianjin Municipality in recent days.

President Hu addresses banquet celebrating 5th anniversary of Macao SAR

Chinese President Hu Jintao addresses the banquet for the celebration of the fifth anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland, in Macao, south China, Dec. 19, 2004. The banquet was held by the government of Macao SAR. Hu Jintao arrived in Macao on Sunday for a two-day visit to attend celebrations marking the fifth anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland and the inauguration ceremony of the second-term government of Macao SAR.