Pierce, Henin to meet in French Open final

2000 French Open champion Mary Pierce beats Elena Likhovtseva 6-1, 6-1 in a semifinal of the French Open June 2, 2005. She will meet Justine Henin-Hardenne in the final. Pierce, who claims French citizenship, and Henin-Hardenne, who grew up in the French-speaking part of Belgium, are each seeking their second Roland Garros championship.

Israel releases 400 Palestinians

Palestinians celebrate by waving Palestinian national flags on a bus after being released by Israel at a checkpoint to the southwest of West Bank city of Ramallah June 2, 2005. Israel on June 2 set free nearly 400 Palestinians it held, in a long-delayed gesture to improve the Israeli-Palestinian relations.

Prominent journalist killed in car bomb blast in Beirut

Policemen inspect an explosion site in Beirut, capital of Lebanon, June 2, 2005. A car bomb blast happened in the Ashrafiyeh Neighborhood in Beirut on June 2, killing prominent Lebanese journalist Samir Kassir.

Boeing seals mammoth deals

Boeing Commercial Airplanes Vice-President and General Manager of Airplane Production Carolyn Corvi (L) introduced Beoing's cooperation with AVIC at a signing ceremony held in Beijing on June 2, 2005 for its US$600 million worth of contracts with Chinese companies.

Tsang announces running for HK chief

Donald Tsang Yam-kuen announced his candidacy for the chief executive of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region at the press conference held June 2, 2005 in Hong Kong.

California to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signs an executive order on reducing California's emissions of the greenhouse gases, at the San Francisco City Hall June 1, 2005.

Chinese-Russian-Indian foreign ministers' meeting held in Vladivostok

Chinese Foreign Minster Li Zhaoxing (1st R), his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov (9th R) and Indian counterpart Natwar Singh (1st L) meet for the fourth informal Chinese-Russian-Indian foreign ministers' meeting in Vladivostok, Russia, June 2, 2005.

China, Russia reach agreement on eastern border

Chinese Foreign Minster Li Zhaoxing (L) and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov shake hands after signing an additional agreement on the eastern part of the Russian-Chinese border in Vladivostok, Russia, June 2, 2005.

Dragon-boat race held to mark traditional festival

A dragon-boat race is held on the Nantang River in Wenzhou, a city in east China's Zhejiang Province June 1, 2005. The annual dragon-boat race was held to mark the Dragon Boat Festival which falls on the May 5th of the Chinese lunar calendar, or June 11 this year. More than 700 dragon boats will take part in the series races in the city this year.

APEC trade ministers meeting opens in S.Korea

The meeting of APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) ministers responsible for trade opens at Jeju island, the South Korean southmost resort island, June 2, 2005. Ministers and delegates from 21 members attended the two-day meeting opened on Thursday.