Skiing in bikini

Professional women skiing performers, in bikini,demonstrate skiing skills at a ski resort in Jinan, east China's Shandong Province December 17, 2005. The temperature then was 5 degrees centigrade below zero. The activity was organized by the ski resort to attract customers. These performers come from Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. (newsphoto)

Lin Dan through the semifinal at Invitational Badminton World Cup

China's Lin Dan reacts after his victory over his teammate Chen Hong during the semifinal of men's singles at the 2005 Invitational Badminton World Cup in Yiyang, central China's Hunan Province, on Dec. 17, 2005. Lin won the match 2-1.

Afghan parliament ready for maiden session

An Afghan parliament member from south-eastern provinces reads documents at the last day of the orientation meeting which started Dec. 10 in Kabul, capital of Afghanistan, on Dec. 17, 2005. The maiden session of the Lower House and Upper House of Afghan parliament is scheduled to be held amid tight security on Dec.19.

New Beijing Museum puts on maiden show

The new Beijing Museum, built within vestment of 1.23-billion-yuan (152 million US dollars) reopened on a trial basis Friday, displaying various antiques as well as the old folk culture of Beijing. A receptionist presents a visitors' ticket to the new Capital Museum which was put into trial use Dec. 16.

Renewal of Patriot Act stalled in US Senate

U.S. President George W. Bush gives his weekly radio address form the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington, DC, December 17, 2005. Bush spoke about the need for Congress to renew the provisions of the Patriot Act that are due to expire at the end of this year.