Han embroidery heritage survives in Wuhan

Ren Benrong stitches on his embroidery work in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, May 1, 2006. As the inheritor of a family of traditional embroidery craft, 72-year-old Ren is the only one who knows the 50 stitches in the local Han embroidery and is in an undertaking to preserve this traditional heritage by collecting its design fragments.

Thai court rules snap election unconstitutional

Thai Caretaker PM Thaksin answers questions from reporters in Bangkok, Monday, May 8, 2006. Thai Constitutional Court ruled that the April 2 election was against constitution because of the election committee's "law and constitution violating acts". The court ordered a new poll.

Chinese badminton team back home

China's Bao Chunlai (R) and Xie Xingfang, holding the Thomas Cup and Uber Cup respectively, arrive at the Capital International Airport in Beijing, China May 8, 2006. The Chinese badminton team arrived in Beijing on Monday after winning the Thomas Cup and Uber Cup at the 2006 team badminton tournament.

Japanese monk says sorry for war crimes

Iwata Ryuzo, a 70-year-old Japanese monk, came to Changchun, capital of Northeast China's Jilin Province, to express his sorrow for the Chinese victims of atrocities committed by invading Japanese troops from 1931 to 1945. He also made an apology during his first visit to China on the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II, 2005. His first stop is Shanghai, followed by Wuhan, Chongqing, Xi'an, Luoyang, Beijing, Jilin Province and so on, which will last for two months.

Qianshou Guanyin touches Los Angeles

Both local and foreign audiences were deeply moved by the performance of Qianshou Guanyin (Bodhisattva with 1,000 hands) by Chinese disabled artists in Los Angeles on May 6. The audiences burst into thunderous applause the moment deaf and dumb dancers led by Tai Lihua appeared on the stage.

"First writing brush under heaven" creates great "Chinese dragon"

At the Lily Pagoda Plaza, China International Horticultural Exposition 2006 in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning province where the activity of "First writing brush under heaven creates great 'Chinese dragon'"is held, well-known calligrapher Zhang Kesi briefs the audiences with fantastic performance on May 8.

Senior leader visits Russian arts exhibition

Li Changchun (front, R), member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee visits an exhibition of Russian fine arts at China's National Art Museum in Beijing, May 8, 2006. The exhibition, including 110 Russian masterpieces dating from the 18th to the early 20th century, is a key program of the "Year of Russia" in China, which opened in March during Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to China.

Entrepreneur competition in university

Students of Shenyang Agriculture University browse their own website in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province, May 8, 2006. The university launched an entrepreneur competition named Challenging for Tomorrow to encourage entrepreneurship in students.

Carbon monoxide poisoning kills nine in N China

The poisoned miner of the coal mine is seen in hospital in Jing'an Township of Jingyuan County, northwest China's Gansu Province, on May 8, 2006. Nine miners died and three others were sickened Sunday afternoon in a carbon monoxide poisoning at the coal mine. The accident happened around 5 p.m. on Sunday here.

International cat beauty contest

A girl poses for a photo with her cat at an international cat beauty contest held in Bucharest, Romania, May 8. Some rare species sell for 300 to 1,000 euros at the contest.

Senior leaders watch Tibetan drama

Senior Chinese leaders Jia Qinglin and Li Changchun pose for a photo with performers after watching a Tibetan drama called Princess Wen Cheng in Beijing, May 8, 2006. Princess Wen Cheng was a daughter of Li Shimin, Emperor of Tang Dynasty (618-907), married Tibetan King Songtsan Gambo in 641.

Zidane's last show at Bernabeu

Real Madrid's Zinedine Zidane of France waves at his fans at the end of the Spanish first division soccer match between Real Madrid and Villarreal at Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu stadium May 7, 2006. This was Zidane's last home match with his team Real Madrid.

Nash named MVP for second straight year

Steve Nash of the Phoenix Suns holds the Maurice Podoloff Trophy as the NBA's Most Valuable Player for the 2004-05 season, on May 7, 2006. The four-time All Star point guard won 57 first-place votes from 125 American and Canadian sportswriters, winning the MVP award for the second consecutive season.

Chinese Red Cross raises funds for rural people

Volunteers in Suzhou, in eastern China's Jiangsu Province, prepared to take to the streets with donation boxes on Monday, May 8, 2006 to commemorate World Red Cross Day. The activity called for more attention to be focused on the health care of rural people.

Luo Gan meets Hungarian guest

Luo Gan (R), member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), meets with Zoltan Lomnici, president of the supreme court of Hungary in Beijing May 8, 2006.

Twin ligers set new record

One-year-old twin ligers Pingping and An'an frolic with each other in the Hainan Tropical Wildlife Park and Botanical Garden in suburbs of Haikou city, capital of southmost China's Hainan Province May 8, 2006. It is said that there are less than 10 ligers all over the world.

Amazing clay sculpture work

Photo taken on May 8, 2006 shows a clay sculpture work by Yue Yunsheng, a folk artist in Lanzhou, capital of northwest China's Gansu Province. Yue is famous for moulding statues of farmers in north and west China who are featuring modest and straightforward.

Miami Fashion Week

A model presents a creation by American designer Gambino Apparel during Miami Fashion Week in Miami, Florida May 7, 2006.

Bush nominates general as new CIA director

Gen. Michael Hayden speaks after President Bush announced his nomination to head the CIA at the White House in Washington May 8, 2006. (Xinhua/Reuters)