World bird flu conference opens in Beijing

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao addresses the opening ceremony of the Ministerial Meeting of the International Pledging Conference on Avian and Human Pandemic Influenza in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 18, 2006.

Airbus beats Boeing in order-book battle

Gustav Humbert, chief executive of European aircraft maker Airbus, speaks during a press conference in Paris, capital of France, Jan. 17, 2006. Humbert said that the group's firm orders nearly tripled to a record 1,055, and 378 were delivered in 2005, which kept Airbus the first place in the world.

Tourism site closed for rare ice run along the Yellow River

Thick ice covering the edges of The Hukou Waterfall on the Yellow River in Shaanxi Province, northwest China. Since December last year China's second longest river has frozen, and ice run happened twice, which posed a hazard to the safety of embankments, advertising signs, and protective installations. Because of the rare ice run��?the scenery zone of the Hukou Waterfall has been closed for 20 days and won't be open until the end of March.

"Be-go", "Rush" to come into market on Jan. 21

A model presents a new model of Dario's SUV--new "Be-go" in Tokyo, Jan.17, 2006. The Dario along with Toyota put out respectively their new cars--the new "Be-go" which is equipped with a 1.5L motor, and the new "Rush". Both of them will come into the market on Jan.21, with the prices varied from 13,200 US dollars to 16,200 US dollars.

India, Pakistan in third round of talks on Kashmir

Indian Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran (L) shakes hands with Pakistani Foreign Secretary Riaz Mohammad Khan (R) during their meeting in New Delhi, Jan. 17, 2006. India and Pakistan began two days of talks here Tuesday in what is the third round of their composite dialogue that will be devoted largely to confidence building and finding ways to resolve the difficult Kashmir issue.

Fourth death of bird flu reported in Turkey

Turkish veterinary officials collect poultry in Mugla of Turkey, Jan. 16, 2006. A 12-year-old girl died of the killer H5N1 bird flu virus in Turkey on Sunday, the National Coordination Center for Bird Flu confirmed on Monday. The total number of people who contracted the killer virus in Turkey rose to 20, including four who have died, said the center.

E. China province guards against foot-and-mouth disease outbreak

A local official (L) and two farmers block an entrance to a quarantined area at Duanzhai Village in Xinyi City, east China's Jiangsu Province, on Jan. 17, 2006. Twenty cows at the village showed a symptom of foot-and-mouth disease on Jan. 11, which was confirmed by the Chinese Agriculture Ministry on Jan. 16. The local government has taken strict measures to control the epidemic, including immediate quarantine of the affected area, disinfection and slaughter of the cows in the affected area.

"Brokeback Mountain" wins big at Golden Globe Awards

Ang Lee (L) with actress Anne Hathaway in "Brokeback Mountain" pose for a photo at Hollywood, Jan. 16, 2005. Lee was awarded Best Director - Motion Picture with his "Brokeback Mountain" and the movie also won Best Motion Picture - Drama at the 63rd Golden Globe Awards. (Xinhua photo)

Around the world with 50 tanks of petrol

John Taylor (R) and Helen Taylor pose for a photo in London, Britain, on Jan. 17, 2006. The Taylor couple started their world tour after a brief ceremony on Tuesday. They were about to drive 28, 970 kiliometres within 70 days, costing 50 tanks of gasoline at most, in order to beat a minimum fuel-costing world record of Guinness.

Filipinos protest US refusal on marines

Students marched toward the US embassy during a protest in Manila. Washington has refused to hand over custody to Manila of four US Marines charged with raping a woman in the Philippines, its embassy said. The Unites States on Tuesday formally rejected a Philippine government request to hand over four U.S. marines charged with rape during their exercise in the Philippines, invoking the VFA that grants it custody of the suspects during legal proceedings.

NASA postpones launch of Pluto probe

NASA artist's concept painting shows the proposed New Horizons Spacecraft as it approaches the planet Pluto and its moon Charon.

China offers condolences on Kuwaiti amir's death

The special envoy of the Chinese government and Minister of Foreign Affairs Li Zhaoxing (R) talks with Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammad Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah in Kuwait City, Kuwait, on Jan. 17, 2006. Li arrived here on Tuesday to mourn the passing of late Kuwaiti Amir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, expressing condolence to Kuwaiti government and people.