World population hits 6.5 billion

The French National Institute of Demographic Research published its statistics showing that the world population reached 6.5 billion on Dec.19, 2005 and would likely come to 7 billion between 2012 to 2013.

Cold wave claims 45 lives in India

A homeless man wraps himself in blanket to keep warm in New Delhi on Dec 20. The cold wave conditions persisting across north India has claimed 45 lives i recently.

Ten inventions in 2005 making people's life better (1)

With the bicycle called SHIFT, people will no longer worry about tipping when they ride. The bicycle, invented by desiners with the Purdue University in the U.S., looks like a tricycle, but as the rider gains momentum, the two rear wheels shift inward to merge into one wheel. This causes the balance to gradually shift from the bicycle to the rider.

One year after tsunami devastated Krabi, Thailand

Phi Phi Island, a well-known tourism destination in Krabi, Thailand has regained its former charm one year after tsunami devastated the island. Over the past 12 months, Thai government has made pains-taking efforts to rebuild the disaster-stricken regions and restore people's lives there. Krabi now has regained its former glory with tourists keep pouring in. Two foreign visitors spend their holidays on a beach in Krabi, Thailand on Dec. 17.

Birgit Prinz named FIFA Women's Player of the Year

German women footballer Birgit Prinz wins her third consecutive FIFA Women's Player of the Year by defeating strong rivals from Brazil and US. Photo taken on Dec. 20 shows that three-time price winner delivers a speech at the awarding ceremony.

Ronaldinho on top of the world again

At the FIFA awarding ceremony held in Zurich, Suisse, Dec. 19, 2005, Brazilian star Ronaldinho was named the FIFA International Footballer of the Year for the second year in succession by defeating his Chelsea rival Frank Lampard. Barcelona star Ronaldinho (R) holds his trophy on the the top of the podium.

Clay figurine, Chinese Opera mask and kids-bra for foreigners

Residents in Ju'er community, Dongcheng District and a dozen of their foreign neighbours who are about to return home for Christmas gathered happily together, staging a lively "Going home with Beijing specialties" Christmas cocktail, Dec. 20. Local Beijingers presented Beijing clay figurines, Beijing Opera masks as well as kids-bras to their foreign neighbours.

Ten inventions in 2005 making people's life better (2)

Accidents or disasters may make one lose certain part of his body. But in the near future, the simulated organs may mend the regrets. This is an effect picture of a simulated arm. Connected with healthy muscles on the chest, the simulated arm will receive brain's instructions via a receiver, and then it will respond to the instructions to move.

Israeli PM released from hospital

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon gestures as he leaves after speaking to journalists at Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem, Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2005. Ariel Sharon left the hospital after a minor stroke and vowed to return to work quickly to pursue his battle for re-election on a platform of ending conflict with the Palestinians.

Boeing 747-400 passenger plane converted into cargo freighter

The cockpit of the first Boeing 747-400 converted freighter. The Boeing 747-400 passenger plane started to be converted into the cargo freighter by Taikoo (Xianmen) Aircraft Engineering Co. (Taeco) in Xiamen of east China's Fujian province at the beginning of 2005. After two-month trial flight, Taeco hand it over to his client Cathy Pacific Airways in December this year.

Macao marks 6th anniversary of return to the motherland

Chief Executive Edmund Ho Hau Wah of the Macao Special Administrative Region( MSAR) toasts during a cocktail reception to mark the 6th anniversary of the Macao Special Administrative Region's return to the motherland at the Golden Lotus Square downtown Macao, Dec. 20, 2005. The flag-hoisting ceremony, a cocktail party and various recreational and sports activities fueled the celebration of the anniversary.

Two east China ports merge to forge world's third biggest port

China's two deep-water ports, Ningbo Port and Zhoushan Port in the east Zhejiang Province, officially merged into one on Dec.20, 2005 in a bid to forge the third biggest port in the world. The new port will be named "Ningbo-Zhoushan Port" and start formal operation on Jan. 1 of 2006.

Taiwan pilot ready for maiden flight

Zhang Lu-jen (R), a pilot from Taiwan, celebrates his maiden flight with the Sichuan Airline with mainland co-pilot Zhou Xiaojun after landing at the Capital International Airport in Beijing December 20, 2005. Sichuan Airline is the first in the mainland to recruit Taiwan pilots.

Jakaya Kikwete wins Tanzania's presidential race

File photo taken Dec. 14 shows Tanzania's ruling Revolutionary Party's candidate Jakaya Kikwete casts his vote in Chalinze, Tanzania, Dec.14, 2005. The electoral commission declared in Dar es Salaam Dec. 20, 2005 that Jakaya Kikwete, Tanzania's foreign minister, has won the country's presidential race to become Tanzania's fourth president.

Premier Wen meets with leaders from Namibia and Zambia

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao shakes hands with Namibian President Hifikepunye Pohamba in Zhongnanhai, the State Council's compound in central Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 20, 2005. Pohamba is on a five-day state visit to China.

NYC commuters coping with transit strike

New York's Transport Workers Union (TWU) announced Tuesday the start of a citywide transit strike that shut down the largest transit system in the United States after a breakdown in negotiations with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA).