Death toll of Hurricane Katrina could reach thousands

A neignbourhood in New Orleans, Louisiana State south of the United States is submerged in floods caused by Hurricane Katrina on August 31, 2005. The flood control dams surrounding New Orleans were breached when Hurricane Katrina reached there, leaving most part of the urban areas submerged in flood. It is reported that Hurricane Katrina has claimed at least hundreds of lives and the death toll is expected to reach thousands.

Celebration marking 40th anniversary of the founding of the Tibet Autonomous Region

Jia Qinglin, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, delivers a speech at the celebration meeting in Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, on September 1, 2005. A celebration meeting marking the 40th anniversary of the founding of the Tibet Autonomous Region was held here on Thursday morning.

Gade eliminated from inaugural China Masters

Denmark's Peter Gade returns to China's Lu Yi during a first round match of men's singles at the Aviva-Cofco China Master Badminton Tournament 2005 in Beijing, capital of China, August 31, 2005. Lu won the match 2-0 and advanced to the next round as a dark horse.

Mubarak campaigns for presidential election

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak shakes hands with a child in a campaign meeting held in Damietta, north of Egypt, August 30, 2005. Mubarak promised to highlight primarily on reformation on politics and economy, which will in turn improve people's life. The Sept. 7 presidential election is Egypt's first multi-candidate election.

Indonesia strives to stabilize exchange rate of rupiah

A man holding a large sum of Indonesian currency rupiah waits to exchange for US dollars in Jakarta, capital of Indonesia, August 31, 2005. The exchange rate of rupiah to dollar dropped 11,800 to 1 recently, hitting a new low in four years. The Indonesian government is taking urgent measures to stabilize the exchange rate of rupiah.

Malaysia marks Independence Day

Students holding a huge Malaysian national flag takes part in a celebration for the country's Independence Day in Putrajaya on August 31, 2005. Malaysia held celebrations for the 48th anniversary of independence on Wednesday.

Chinese leaders meet Sri Lankan President

Wu Bangguo (R), chairman of the NPC standing committee shakes hands with Sri Lankan President Bandaranalke Kumaratunga during their meeting in Beijing, capital of China, on August 31, 2005.

Roddick eliminated from US Open

Number four seeded Andy Roddick of the US returns to Gilles Muller of Luxembourg during the first round of the US Open tennis championships in New York, August 30, 2005. Muller beat former champion Roddick 7-6, 7-6, 7-6.

Russian veterans arrive in Beijing

Russian veterans pose for a photo at Capital International Airport in Beijing, capital of China, August 31, 2005. A 50-member delegation of Russian veterans and their family members arrived in Beijing on August 31 to attend commemorations marking the 60th anniversary of the victory of China's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the world's anti-Fascist war.

Jia Qinglin visits representatives from various circles in Tibet

Jia Qinglin, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, shakes hands with a representative from the Tibetan religious circles during his visit to the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa, capital of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, August 31, 2005. Jia, leading the central delegation, is in Lhasa to take part in celebrations for the 40th anniversary of the founding of Tibet Autonomous Region.

965 killed in Baghdad stampede

The bridge across the Tigris River in Baghdad is covered with shoes lost by people. The death toll in the stampede triggered by rumors saying there were suicide bombers in a large crowd on a Baghdad bridge Wednesday has risen to 965, with another 465 injured, according to an interior ministry source.