Time's 100 most influential people gather in NY

Actress Zhang Ziyi arrives at Time magazine's "100 most influential people" dinner in New York City April 19, 2005. The special issue of the magazine was published April 11, 2005. (Reuters)

Voyage to the mainland

A group of 300 Taiwan residents, led by Wu Cheng-dian (centre), president of the Jinmen Sub-Committee of the Cross-Straits Exchange Association of Jinmen Area, arrive in Putian of East China's Fujian Province yesterday aboard a ship on a direct voyage from Jinmen, a Taiwan island off Fujian. The group are travelling to Meizhou Island to greet the Mazu (Goddess of the Sea) Stone Statue, on the eve of the Goddess' 1,045th anniversary.

Suicide car bomb kills 7 in Baghdad

An Iraqi soldier stands guard at the blast site in northern Baghdad, capital of Iraq, April 19, 2005. A suicide car bomber attacked an Iraqi army recruiting center at a gate of a vast Iraqi military base in northern Baghdad neighborhood of Adhamiyah, killing seven people, including four Iraqi soldiers.

Chang'an Ford Nanjing Company inaugurated

The Nanjing Company of the Changan Ford Automobile Co., ltd. was inaugurated in Nanjing, east China��s Jiangsu Province on April 19, 2005. The company is jointly invested by Ford Motors, Mazda and China��s Chang��an Group. The plant with annual output of 160,000 sedan cars is expected to be built in 2007

Ferrero wins first round in Barcelona

Spain's Juan Carlos Ferrero returns a ball to compatriot Albert Montanes during a first-round tennis match at the Barcelona Open in Spain April 19, 2005. Ferrero defeated Montanes 6-3 3-6 7-5. (Reuters)

"Light of Einstein" brightens East Asia

Students of the University of Shangdong wield fluorescent sticks as they welcome the arrival of the "Light of Einstein", a worldwide relay of lights to mark Albert Einstein's 50th death anniversary, Jinan, East China's Shandong Province, April 19, 2005. (Newsphoto)

China's top legislator meets Raul Castro Ruz

Chairman of the NPC Standing Committee Wu Bangguo meets with Raul Castro Ruz, second secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba, also first vice-president of the Council of State, in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing April 19, 2005.

17 prisoners released from Guantanamo Bay handed over to Afghan authorities

Some Afghan prisoners of war pray at the Afghan supreme court in Kabul, April 19, 2005. A batch of 17 Afghans, on the charge of having links with the former fundamentalist regime of Taliban, was released from the US Navy detention center at Guantanamo Bay, and handed over to Afghan government on Tuesday.

Armless painter

Handicapped painter Wang Yongchun draws a picture with a brush pen holding in his mouth in northwest China's Shaanxi Province, April 19, 2005. The 41-year-old Wang was a farmer before he lost his two arms in a traffic accident when he was 19 years old. He began his painting career since 1987 with more efforts than ordinary people. Many of his works won prizes on arts exhibitions and were bought by domestic and overseas collectors. He was also one of the only two Chinese people who were members of a world disabled painters' association.

Poland marks 62nd anniversary of Jewish people's uprising against Nazi

Flowers are laid in front of the monument to Jewish heroes as two soldiers stand solemnly aside in Warsaw, Poland, April 19, 2005. April 19 marks the 62nd anniversary of Jewish people's uprising against Nazi in Warsaw's isolation zone in 1943.

Piglet sports games in Shanghai

Some piglets from Thailand jump through a hoop during a contest held in Heping park in east China's Shanghai Municipality, April 19, 2005.The park held a piglet sports games to attract more tourists in the upcoming May Day holidays.

Potala Palace renovation in full swing

The biggest ever repair program at two palaces belonging to the Dalai Lamas and at an ancient lamasery in the Tibet Autonomous Region was in full swing and expected to be finished next year.

Musharraf starts visit to the Philippines

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo holds a welcome ceremony in honor of her Pakistani counterpart Pervez Musharraf in Manila April 19, 2005. Musharraf arrived here late Monday for a three-day visit to the Philippines.

13th summit of NEPAD opens

Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo (R) and Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika attend a press conference held in tourist resort Sharm El-Sheikh of Egypt, April 19, 2005.

China holds photo exhibition in UN headquarters

UN Under Secretary-General Shashi Tharoor (R) visits the photo exhibition on China and the United Nations held at the UN headquarters in commemoration of the 60th birthday of the world body in New York April 18, 2005. The exhibition, sponsored by the Chinese permanent mission to the United Nations, brings together more than 60 photos that offer a glimpse of the relations between China and the world body.

Lebanon's new cabinet formed

Lebanon's Prime Minister-designate Najib Mikati announced that he has formed a new cabinet of 14 ministers in Beirut, Lebanon April 19, 2005. Mikati made the announcement after holding talks with President Emile Lahoud and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri at the presidential palace.

German Cardinal elected Pope Benedict XVI

Germany's Joseph Ratzinger, Pope Benedict XVI. Members of San Francisco's thriving gay Christian community expressed fears that the election of Pope Benedict XVI will further isolate homosexuals from the Catholic Church.(AFP)