International passage on ice opens along Sino-Russian border

The winter transport season starts along the Sino-Russian border on Jan. 5, linking Chinese and Russian border cities of Heihe and Blagoveshchensk, through which trucks from the two cities can drive to ports on the ice passage along the Helongjiang (Amur) River. Photo shows trucks from Russia drive on the boundary ice passage.

Beijing unveils panda pair for Taiwan

Two pandas play at the China Giant Panda Research Centre in Wolong, Southwest China's Sichuan Province in this undated photo. The pair has been chosen as a goodwill gift to the Taiwan compatriots, the State Forestry Administration said Friday. (Xinhua)

Palestinian Legislative Council elections to begin Jan 25

Palestinian displays a flag in Gaza Jan. 5, 2006. Palestine will hold the Legislative Council elections on Jan. 25, with 726 candidates running for 132 seats.

Harbin International Snow and Ice Festival kicks off

Fireworks lit up the sky at the World of Ice and Snow in Harbin, capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, on Jan. 5, 2006. The 22nd Harbin International Snow and Ice Festival kicked off on Thursday.

Gift panda couple for Taiwan to come out soon

Two giant pandas play at the Chinese Giant Panda Protection Center in Wolong, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Jan. 5, 2006. China's State Forestry Administration said on Jan. 4 that the mainland would unveil a giant panda couple for Taiwan on Jan. 6. The Chinese mainland would present the selected pair of giant pandas to Taiwanese compatriots as a symbol of peace, unity and friendship.

Australia issues Chinese "Year of Dog" stamps

Photo taken on Jan. 5, 2006 shows a coin-embeded first-day cover of the Chinese lunar "Year of Dog" commemorative postal productions.

Violence kills over 100 in Iraq

Iraq experienced the bloodiest day on Thursday since the historic general elections last month with more than 100 people killed in two suicide bombings. Relatives indentify an infant victim in a suicide bomb attack, outside of the hospital in Karbala, Iraq, Thursday, Jan. 5, 2006, in Karbala, Iraq.

Imperial Palace hall colsed for repairs

The placard engraved with the characters of the Hall of Supreme Harmony above the gate of the hall is seen in the photo taken Jan. 5, 2006. The Hall of Supreme Harmony in the Forbidden City in central Beijing will be closed from Jan. 6 for repair, and the renovation project lasts until the end of 2007.

Mourning for dead miners in W. Virginia

Relatives and friends holding candles mourn for the 12 miners in Upshur County, West Virginia of the United States, Jan. 4, 2006. Twelve of the 13 coal miners were confirmed dead Wednesday morning with the lone survivor in critical condition.

Ariel Sharon suffers severe stroke

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon attends a parliament meeting on May 14, 2005 (file photo). Sharon was rushed to Hadassah Ein Karem Hospital in Jerusalem at night Jan. 4, 2006 after suffering severe stroke and massive cerebral hemorrhage. Israeli officials said on Jan. 5 that Sharon was under anesthesia and being ventilated, adding that he remained in critical condition and was taken to intensive care after a 9-hour surgery to stem bleeding in brain.