Davenport stops Sharapova at Pacific Life

Maria Sharapova of Russia reacts in the closing minutes of her match against Lindsay Davenport during the semifinals of the Pacific Life Open, Friday, March 18, 2005, in Indian Wells, Calif. Davenport won the match 6-0, 6-0. (AP photo)

Blast kills one pupil in school of Indian-controlled Kashmir

People take an injured pupil to a hospital for treatment in Srinagar, Indian-controlled Kashmir, March 18, 2005. An Indian schoolboy was killed and five others were wounded in an explosion in a school near an army camp in Indian-controlled Kashmir on Friday.

Mortar attack hits hotel houses Chinese embassy in Baghdad

A security man of the Mansour Hotel points to the position hit by a mortar shell at the hotel in Baghdad, capital of Iraq, March 18, 2005. The Mansour Hotel, which houses the Chinese Embassy, was under a mortar shell attack Thursday afternoon. No casualties were caused in the attack.

Japan rejects comfort women claims

Chinese plaintiff Guo Xicui (in wheelchair), a woman who was forced to be a sex slave for Japanese invading troops in China during World War II, or so-called "comfort woman", holding the portrait of another plaintiff Hou Qiaolian who died of illness in 1999, leaves the Tokyo higher court in Tokyo, capital of Japan, on March 18, 2005. The Tokyo higher court on Friday rejected appeals for compensation and apology from Japanese government by Guo Xicui and Hou's relatives.

Chinese Premier meets with Azerbaijani President

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (R) shakes hands with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev during a meeting in Beijing, capital of China, March 18, 2005.