A glimpse of China's airborne troops

The new recruits of the airborne troops are on the training ground waiting for parachute jumping, March 29. With excellent military equipment and gallant soldiers, China's airborne troops realize the dream "crack troops coming down from the sky". The parachutes, like blooming flowers in the blue sky, are the fruit of painstaking labor of all the airborne officers and soldiers.

Nepal's capital under 18-hour curfew

A Nepalese woman protestor chants anti-king slogans at a demonstration in Kathmando, capital city of Nepal, April 19. An 18-hour curfew from 2 a.m. to 20 p.m. April 20 has been imposed to keep demonstrators off the street in Nepal's capital. It is the second curfew of this kind since April 5 in the Himalayan kingdom.

Latrun Military Museum in Israel

Israeli children play around tanks at Latrun Military Museum during the weeklong Jewish Passover holiday in Latrun, a town between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, on April 18, 2006. The museum displays over 100 tanks and armored cars, including Merkava, the most advanced main battle tank in Israel. All museums open to the public for free during the official holidays, according to Israel's law.

Highlights from 11th Manhunt International 2006

Chinese model Zhao Zheng presents a casual dress during the 11th Manhunt International 2006 World Final in Jinjiang of southeast China's Fujian Province on April 19, 2006. Zhao won the third prize in the event.

Iranian Nobel prize winner calls for peaceful resolution of Iranian nuclear crisis

Shirin Ebadi from Iran, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2003, attends an issuing ceremony of her book "Mein Iran" in Berlin, Germany, April 19, 2006. Ebadi, together with some other female winners of the Novel Peace Prize, called for a peaceful solution for Iranian nuclear crisis.

Chinese president arrives in Washington

Chinese President Hu Jintao (1st R) is presented a bunch of flowers as he gets off the plane in Washington, capital of the United States, on April 19.

Amazing green cherry blossoms in Tokyo

Citizens enjoy the amazing scene of blooming green cherry blossoms at a park in Tokyo, Japan on April 19, 2006. The green blossom, quite rare in Tokyo, came later than common cherry blossom.

Hu Jintao meets Washington Governor

Visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao (L) shakes hands with Washington Governor Christine Gregoire in Seattle, Washington State on April 18, 2006.

Lien Chan receives honorary doctor's degree of Xiamen University

Chinese Kuomintang (KMT) Honorary Chairman Lien Chan (L) receives the diploma of honorary doctor's degree from Xiamen University President Zhu Chongshi (R, front) at Xiamen University, east China's Fujian Province, April 19, 2006.

Chinese President visits Microsoft headquarters

Chinese President Hu Jintao (L2, front) talks with a student as his wife Liu Yongqing (L4, front) listens during a visit to Microsoft headquarters in Redmond, near Seattle, Washington State on April 18, 2006.

Peculiar spider bearing a human face on the back

The photo taken on April 18, 2006 at Liaocheng, a city in east China's Shandong Province, shows a pea-green spider with a human face-like mark on its body.

Han Myung-sook approved as ROK's 1st female PM

Han Myeong-sook (R), ROK's new prime minister, receives congratulations from a fellow lawmaker at parliament in Seoul April 19, 2006. The Republic of Korea (ROK) National Assembly approved the nomination of Han Myung-sook as the country's first female prime minister on Wednesday afternoon.

NY tram traps 80 commuters

New York City rescue workers bring commuters down in a rescue basket after two Roosevelt Island Trams were left dangling over the East River in New York of US, April 19, 2006. A series of mechanical and power problems caused two trams loose power and shut down trapping about 80 people Tuesday in New York. The rescue work is underway and no injuries are reported. The tram system, which opened in 1976 to carry Roosevelt Island residents to and from midtown Manhattan, is the only commuter cable car system in North America.

Lien Chan worships ancestor in Fujian

Chinese Kuomintang (KMT) Honorary Chairman Lien Chan (R) delivers a speech as his wife Lien Fang-yu (C) applauds after an ancestor worship ceremony at Lien's Ancestral Hall at Maqi Village in Zhangzhou, a city in southeast China's Fujian Province on April 19, 2006. Lien's ancestors lived in Maqi Village and moved to Taiwan in 1628. Lien Chan and his family members worshipped ancestors at his hometown of Maqi Village on Wednesday morning.

Thais cast ballots for senate

Thai voters cast their ballots at a polling station in Bangkok, capital of Thailand, April 19, 2006. Thai constituencies started voting for the senatorial election at 8:00 a.m. (0100 GMT) Wednesday, which is held once in six years. A total of 200 Senators will be elected from 1,477 candidates nationwide.