Gold price tops $600, highest since 1980

Gold raced above $600-an-ounce level on Tuesday, the highest since December 1980, as investors poured money into the metal on worries about inflation, Middle East tensions and uncertainties over the dollar's outlook. (Xinhua photo)

Prodi claims knife-edge victory

Former Italian Prime Minister and center-left leader Romano Prodi (R) waves his hand after latest figures released by the Italian Interior Ministry shows the center-left coalition slightly leads in Italy's lower house election over center-right on early morning in Rome, Italy, April 11, 2006.

Venus Express reaches final destination

The picture of the European Space Agency (EAS) shows the analog images of Venus and Venus Express spacecraft. EAS's Venus Express spacecraft will enter the orbit of Venus on April 11, 2006. The spacecraft will orbit around the planet in the highly elliptical orbit, but it will not land on the planet. Venus Express' mission is Europe's first Venus probe.

Venezuelan president threatens to expel US ambassador

Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez warns US ambassador William Brownfield that he will be expelled if he continues to provoke people. Chavez said on his Sunday television and radio show Alo Presidente that the US��ambassador should stop provoking and intervening in Venezuela or pack his bags, adding that he risked being declared a persona non grata.

Colorful watermelons

Dang Xuanmin, a researcher with the Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences shows colorful watermelons cultivated in the academy, April 9, 2006. The academy has succeeded in the development of watermelons in golden, white, organ and black colors. The colorful watermelons will be on sale at markets soon.

Highlights from Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week

A model presents a creation co-designed by Indian designers Rohit Gandhi and Rahul Khanna during Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week in New Delhi, India, on April 9, 2006. The 5-day fashion week closed on Sunday.

Sony Ericsson launches Z530c for China

Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications (China) Co. Ltd. launched on Monday the Z530c clamshell handset, the first one designed, developed and produced in China.

45 died, 160 injured in India fire

45 people were killed and more than 100 wounded in a fire that broke out Monday evening at a crowded business fair held in a public park in the city of Meerut of Uttar Pradesh State of India, New Delhi TV quoted police reporting.

Spring scenery in Laoshan Mountain

The peak of the Laoshan Mountain, strewed by azalea, is blanketed with fog in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, April 9, 2006. The Laoshan Mountain has been decorated with flowers in the warm spring.

Severe sandstorm hits Turpan

Two residents, fully wrapped up to defend against sandstorm, are seen on a street in Turpan, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, on April 10, 2006. A heavy sandstorm hit Turpan on Monday.

Paris abandons CPE, unions hail victory

France's Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin gives a speech at his Hotel Matignon offices in Paris after a decision by French President Jacques Chirac to scrap a planned youth job contract (CPE) that has provoked weeks of protests and a political crisis April 10. (Xinhua/Reuters)

Renovation of Confucius's hometown finished

Photo taken on April 8, 2006 shows a watchtower on the renovated city wall of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) in Qufu, the birthplace of China's preeminent philosopher Confucius, in east China's Shandong Province. The city has been finished its four-year renovation project for the 4800-meter wall recently, which was first erected between 1512 and 1522 to protect the Confucius Temple in Qufu.

Hospital blast kills 27 in north China

Rescue operation is underway at the blast site in the staff hospital of Xuangang Coal and Electricity Co., Ltd. in Yuanping, north China's Shanxi Province, April 10, 2006. Fifteen bodies have been found after explosion took place in a garage of the hospital early Monday morning.

Kite flying at Tian'anmen Square

A foreigner flies kite, patterned with Chinese opera facial makeup, at the Tiananmen Square in central Beijing, capital of China, April 9, 2006.