People in Xinjiang celebrate festival after snowfall

A villager plays with a sheep in Fuyun County in Altay Prefecture in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Jan. 10, 2006. Muslims across China began to celebrate the annual Eid-al-Adha, or feast of sacrifice, a major Islamic festival at the end of the annual pilgrimage to Mecca.

Iran resumes nuclear research activities

Iranian technicians remove a radioactive uranium container, sealed by the IAEA, to be used at the Isfahan Uranium Conversion Facilities, in August 2005.

Canadian Conservatives lead Liberals 9%, poll

Canadian Conservative leader Stephen Harper (L1), Bloc Quebecois leader Gilles Duceppe (L2), Liberal leader Paul Martin (R2) and Jack Layton, leader of the New Democratic Party pose for a picture as they attended a televised debate in Montreal, Canada, Jan. 9, 2006. The Conservatives have taken a 9% lead against Liberal party in the latest opinion poll ahead of the Jan. 23 elections.

NATO values relations with China: secretary general

NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer (R) answers the press at a NATO reception in Brussels, on Jan. 9, 2006. Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said on Monday that the transatlantic alliance attached great importance to relations with China.

Top legislator meets co-chairmen of U.S.-China Working Group

Wu Bangguo (R2), chairman of the Standing Committee of the Chinese National People's Congress (NPC), talks with Mark Kirk and Rick Larsen, co-chairmen of the U.S.-China Working Group under the U.S. House of Representatives in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 10, 2006.

Eid-Al-Adha, the Festival of Sacrifice

Iraqi children play during celebration of Eid-al-Adha in Baghdad, capital of Iraq, Jan. 10, 2006. Iraqi muslims began to celebrate the annual Eid-al-Adha, or feast of sacrifice, a major Islamic festival on Tuesday.

German coalition government holds first cabinet meeting

German Chancellor Angela Merkel (2nd L, Front), Vice Chancellor and Labor Minister Franz Muentefering (2nd R, Front) and other cabinet members pose for a group photo at the Genshagen Palace in rural Brandenburg, Germany, Jan. 9, 2006. The grand coalition government of Germany started its first cabinet meeting of the year on Monday, aiming at discussing the economic growth boost package of measures.

Concept cars at Detroit Auto Show

Nissan's new Urge concept car is on show at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit,the United States, on Jan. 9, 2006. The aluminium-crust car integrated Xbox 360 video game system, featuring a high-tech vehicle.

Food poisoning sickens dozens of employees in Suzhou

Three women employees suffering from food poisoning receive intravenous drip in a ward of No. 2 Hospital affiliated to Suzhou University in Suzhou City of east China's Zhejiang Province on Jan. 10, 2006.

Australian Caldecott killed in Dakar Rally

Australia's Andy Caldecott is pictured 04 January 2006. Caldecott suffered a bad crash and died from a fatal neck injury on Monday during the ninth stage of the 28th Dakar Rally between Nouakchott and Kiffa.

CPPCC chairman meets ROK National Assembly speaker

Jia Qinglin (R), chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, shakes hands with visiting Speaker of the Republic of Korea National Assembly Kim One-ki during their meeting in Beijing, capital of China, on Jan. 10, 2006.