Hu extends festival greetings to army veterans

Chinese President Hu Jintao (front R) shakes hands with the senior and the retired officers of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) to Beijing during a performance held by the Central Military Commission for the upcoming Spring Festival in Beijing, Jan. 19, 2006. Hu expressed them his best wishes for a happy new year.

Shaolin Temple in snow

Tourists view towers against snowfall at the Shaolin Temple in central China's Henan Province Jan. 19, 2006. The snow-covered Shaolin Temple attracted tourists from at home and abroad with its holiness and mystery Thursday.

Direct flight between Taiwan and the Chinese mainland

A China Airlines plane from Taiwan lands at Shanghai Pudong International Airport January 20, 2006, bringing the first group of Spring Festival travellers to the mainland and lifting the curtain of the chartered flights between Taiwan and the mainland. The plane departed from Taipei at about 8:00am and landed at Shanghai Pudong International Airport at 10:34am. Seventy-two flights, operated by airlines both from Taiwan and the mainland, are arranged this year for Taiwan compatriots. The plane returns to Taipei in the afternoon, bringing Taiwanese home for the biggest holiday in the Chinese-speaking world. (newsphoto)

Thai fishermen get death sentence for murder of British student

Wichai Somkhaoyai arrives at the court in Surat Thani, southern Thailand on Jan 19, 2006. Two Thai fishermen who raped and murdered a British student are sentenced to death in Surat Thani, southern Thailand on Jan 19, 2006. During the trial, Wichai Somkhaoyai, 24, and Bualoi Posit, 23 confessed to raping and killing the British student Katherine Horton, 21 on January 1st.

China, Greece to build all-round strategic partnership

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (R Front) shakes hands with Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis after signing the joint statement on the establishment of an all-round strategic partnership between China and Greece, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Jan. 19, 2006. Karamanlis arrived in Beijing Thursday morning for a four-day official visit to China.

Federer winds up 2nd round Game in 72 minutes

World number one Roger Federer spent only 72 minutes to crush Germany's Florian Mayer in straight sets in the second round of the Australian Open. The world ace player said after his 6-1, 6-4 and 6-0 win, that it's nice to get quick matches in the heat. Federer was so dominating that Mayer never had a game point after holding serve to pull within 4-5 in the second set.

14 people die as brutal cold hits Russia

Two men are cleaning the pool in the Moscow River, Jan, 18, 2006. At least 14 people have frozen to death in Russia this week in a record cold wave which has seen the mercury dip to below minus 30 degrees Celsius.

Collapse accident injures 25 in New Delhi

Local residents work with rescuers at a building site in New Delhi, capital of India, Jan. 19, 2006. A collapse accident happened at the building site in the northern suburb of New Delhi on the evening of Jan. 18, leaving at least 25 workers injured and several others trapped.

Acrobatic performance stages in HK

Acrobats from Guangzhou Acrobatics Troupe perform in Hong Kong on Jan.19,2006.Initiated by the acrobats' performance,a series of entertainments to greet the Spring Festival began here on Thursday.

Heavy snow causes traffic congestion in Zhengzhou

A police braving the snow, directs traffic in Zhengzhou,capital city of central China's Henan province on Jan.19,2006. A heavy snow hit most parts of the province from the night of Jan.17 to the morning of Jan.19, causing a sudden drop in tempreture and traffic congestion.The Zhengzhou municipal goverment has launched an emergency plan to deal with the snow disaster.

100,000 stranded at railway station

Passengers wait for trains at the Beijing West Railway Station in the Chinese capital Thursday January 19, 2006. More than 100,000 passengers were stranded due to heavy snow on the Beijing-Guangzhou line, adding pressure to the already crowded station. Thousands of thousands of Chinese took home-bound trains for family reunions during the Spring Festival holiday.