2005/2006 Fashion Rio Show in Rio de Janeiro

A model displays a creation at the swimsuit show during 2005/2006 Fashion Rio Show in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, June 16, 2005. The five-day fashion show was opened on June 15.

Miss Estonia claims title of "Miss Charm 2005"

The Miss Charm 2005 contest was held June 16, 2005 in Sanxingdui, southwest China's Sichuan Province. The contestant from Estonia (C) won the title of Miss Charm 2005; Miss Zambia and Miss Vietnam (L) won the 1st runner-up and 2nd runner-up respectively. This is the first award in this year's Miss Tourism Queen International.

Hongshixia Gorge, a calligraphy treasury

The photo shows a stone carving and part of a calligraphy work on a cliff in the Hongshixia Gorge, three kilometers north of Yulin, a city in northwest China's Shaanxi Province. The Hongshixia Gorge, also called Xiongshixia Gorge, is cut out by the Yuxi River, with precipices and overhanging rocks on both sides. In the gorge, there are 44 caves, shrines and temples, chiseled in ancient China's Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). On the cliffs, more than 160 stone inscriptions were left by celebrities through ages, making the Hongshixia Gorge a calligraphy treasury in China.

Northeast to become a new energy base

The photo dated May 8, 2005 shows a wind power generating unit in Baicheng, northeast China's Liaoning province. The units in the city generate wind power of 12 billion kilowatt-hours annually. With the implementation of the strategy to rejuvenate northeast China, this region is dedicated to developing new energies, such as wind power, making use of corn to produce fuel alcohol and exploiting oil shale resources. As becoming a new energy base, the region has solved its bottleneck problem of power shortage.

Cambodian hostage crisis ends

Four masked men, believed armed with gun, entered a private-run international school at about 9:30 am on Thursday in Cambodia's northwestern tourist city of Siem Reap and took about 70 students hostage. About 30 students were released later, leaving some 40 still at the hand of hostage-takers.

Slit clearing and water adjustment of Yellow River begin

The water from the Xiaolangdi Reservoir at the middle reaches of the Yellow River spews out of the diversion tunnel and open canal on Thursday June 16, 2005, marking the start of the formal operation of silt clearing and water adjustment of the Yellow River.

Beijing Summer Housing Exhibition

Local residents look at house models during a visit to the Beijing Summer Housing Exhibition in Beijing June 16, 2005. About 60 percent of the houses promoted at the exhibition will be sold at an average price of less than 5,000 RMB yuan per sq.m. Such a price is the lowest in two years.

Rafsanjani busy running campaign

Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani (L), former Iranian president and presidential candidate, meets with his supporters during his last running campaign ahead of the country's presidential election, in Tehran, capital of Iran, June 15, 2005. Iran is to hold the ninth presidential election on June 17. Public opinion polls show that Rafsanjani's approval rate leads that of other candidates.

Airbus A380 at the 46th Paris Air Show

An Airbus A380 lands on a runway at Le Bourget airport after a display flight during the 46th Paris Air Show in Paris, June 14, 2005. Airbus A380, which usually has 555 seats, is the largest airliner in the world.

Donald Tsang elected Chief Executive of the HKSAR

Donald Tsang speaks to the press after announcing his election as the new Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR)in Hong Kong June 16 2005. The nomination period of the Hong Kong Chief Executive Election ended Thursday afternoon, and Donald Tsang was the sole valid candidate in the Chief Executive (CE) election and has automatically become the Chief Executive designate of the HKSAR.