Tian'anmen Square ready for National Day

Tourists look at newly installed fountains and flowers on the Tian'anmen Square in central Beijing September 27, 2005. China will be celebrating the National Day October 1.

Baby tortoise with two heads

A woman holds a baby tortoise with two heads in Havana September 27, 2005. The tortoise was found some days ago on a river bank at the city forest. According to scientists of the local aquarium who inspected the animal, it seems to be perfectly healthy.

"House sitter" robots for sale

Japanese robot manufacturer Tmsuk's "Roborior" robots meet the public in Tokyo, September 27, 2005. The robot is equipped with digital camera, infrared sensor and video telephone, which make it a loyal "house sitter".

Local buildings file for world cultural heritage

A photo of a Kaiping Diaolou (watchtower) taken in Kaiping, Guangdong province on Sept.27. The Guangdong provincial government held a mobilization rally on Sept. 24, vowing to file for the world cultural heritage. Kaiping, with a population of 680,000, is a famous hometown of many overseas Chinese. 750,000 people of Kaiping origin settle overseas now. 1,833 Diaolou still stand there, most of which were built during 1920' and 1930s' by local residents. A blend of various foreign construction designs, they were built for defense and dwelling. The preparation for application started as early as 2000 and is in the final phase now. The documentation is ready and will be reviewed by the national authority concerned in October before it is submitted to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

China launches "North Sword 2005" war exercises

A foreign observer tries Chinese tank, during the exercise code-named "North Sword 2005" at the Zhurihe training base, a tactical drill base in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Sept. 27, 2005. China began its biggest-ever war exercises open to foreign observers with 16,000 soldiers carrying out maneuvers here on Tuesday. Some 40 military officers from 24 countries, including the United States, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Russia and major European and NATO nations were invited to watch the exercise.

England gets three years in jail for prisoners abuse

Lynndie England (R) is escorted from the courthouse in Fort Hood, Texas, September 27, 2005 after being convicted and sentenced to three years in prison on charges stemming from her involvement in the Iraq Abu Ghraib prison scandal. (Xinhua/Reuters)

Arabic baboons born in Fuzhou Zoo

Two two-month-old Arabic baboons came out to meet visitors on September 27 in south China's Fuzhou Zoo. This is the first time for the zoo to breed this kind of animal successfully. Two years ago the zoo introduced two female baboons and let them live together with a male one in the zoo. In last July, each of them gave birth to a little one.

ARJ21 "feederliner" to be completed in 2007

A worker checks part of the ARJ21 plane, a fanjet-powered "feederliner," or regional jet, which can accommodate 70 to 90 passengers, in Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province, on Sept. 26, 2005. The ARJ21 plane, made by China Aviation Industry Corporation I, will be produced in 2007 and sold to clients in 2009.

Tourist craze seen in Confucius' hometown before commemoration

Three tourists (Front) from South Korea visit the Temple of Confucius in Qufu, east China's Shandong Province Sept. 26, 2005. The Qufu International Confucius Cultural Festival opened here on Monday.

2005 World's Strongest man Championship in Chengdu

One strong man performs during the 2005 World's Strongest man Championship in Chengdu, southwest China, Sept. 27, 2005. 26 strongest men from China, the United States, Russia and Finland are ready to perform in this game.

China's top legislature holds first legislative hearing

The representatives selected from nearly 5,000 applicants prepare to attend the first-ever legislative hearing held by China's top legislature, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), in Beijing, Sept. 27, 2005. The hearing is on lifting the cutoff point of the personal income tax from 800 yuan (98.8 US dollars) to 1,500 yuan (185 US dollars), a major move for amendment to the Law on Personal Income Tax.

Afghanistan's Interior Minister resigns

File photo taken August 28, 2005 shows Afghan Interior Minister Ali Ahmad Jalali delivers a speech in Kabul, Afghanistan. Ali Ahmad Jalali submitted his resignation to President Hamid Karzai September 27, 2005.

Strong earthquake strikes northern Peru

Peruvian President Alejandro Toledo (L) inspects the earthquake disaster area near Moyobamba, capital of San Martin Province in north Peru September 26, 2005. The earthquake struck late on Saturday, killed at least four people and disrupted electricity, telephone service and traffic in much of the northern region.

Top Chinese officials hold talks with foreign guests

Wu Bangguo (R), chairman of the Standing Committee of the Chinese National People's Congress (NPC), meets with President of the Republic of the Congo Denis Sassou-Nguesso in Beijing Sept. 27, 2005.

Premier Wen meets with honoured guests

Chinses Premier Wen Jiabao (R) shakes hands with Denis Sassou-Nguesso, president of the Republic of the Congo, during their meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Sept. 27, 2005.