Israeli strike hits office of Palestinian PM in Gaza

A photo of Palestinian National Authority (PNA) ex-Chairman Yasser Arafat dropped on a chair in the ruins of the office of Palestinian Prime Minister, Palestinian Authority on Sunday. At daybreak of that day, an Israeli army helicopter fired two missles at Gaza City and the office of Palestinian Prime Minister, causing part of the building damaged.

Heavy rainfall in Luoyang

A man wades through a submerged intersection in Luoyang, central China's Henan Province, July 2, 2006. Torrential rain hit Luoyang Sunday, leaving part of the city flooded.

Koizumi, Bush visit Elvis Presley's home

Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi did an Elvis Presley impression as U.S. President George W. Bush (R1) looks on during a tour of Elvis Presley's former residence in Memphis, Tennessee on June 30. Junichiro Koizumi kicked off visit to the U.S. on June 28.

Hair pinning ceremony

Students and teachers from Shandong Art and Design Academy perform traditional hair-pinning ceremony at Baotu Spring scenic area in Jinan, capital of east China's Shandong Province, July 2, 2006. Hair-pinning ceremony is the coming-of-age rite for young women in ancient China.

Presidential, congressional elections begin in Mexico

Mexican presidential candidate Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador of the Democratic Revolution Party (PRD) arrives at a polling station in the Mexico City July 2, 2006. The presidential and congressional elections of Mexico began on Sunday.

Wuhan issues orange alarm for hot weather

A lady plays with her dog by the side of Hanjiang River in Wuhan, capital of central China's Hubei Province, July 2, 2006. An orange alarm for hot weather was released by local observatory as the temperature in Wuhan surpassed 37 degrees centigrade on July 2.

First train entering Tibet arrives in Lhasa

Drivers of Qing 1, the first train that enters Tibet, pose for a photo upon arrival at Lhasa Railway Station. Qing 1 arrives at Lhasa Railway Station at 00:31, July 2, 2006. It took the train departing from Golmud 13 hours and 26 minutes to finish the 1,142km-journey from Golmud to Lhasa.

Schumacher wins US Grand Prix

Formula One Ferrari driver Michael Schumacher of Germany celebrates after winning his fifth United States Grand Prix at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis.

France edges out Brazil 1-0

Thierry Henry (R) of France vies with Brazil's Roberto Carlos during the quarter-final at World Cup 2006 in Frankfurt, Germany, July 1, 2006. France edged out Brazil after winning the match 1-0.

Miao ethnic group celebrates Xinhe Festival

Girls in traditional costumes dance during the celebration of Xinhe (Chinese word for newly-planted crops) Festival at Dongtou Township in Rongshui Miao Autonomous County, southwest China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, July 2, 2006. The festival, observed by local Miao ethnic group to pray for bumper harvests, usually starts on June 6 by Chinese Lunar Calendar and lasts for several days.

NASA postpones launch of Discovery

The space shuttle Discovery is seen at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, the United States, July 1, 2006. NASA on Saturday postponed the launch of space shuttle Discovery by 24 hours due to thunderstorm clouds over the launch pad, delaying the shuttle's second mission since the 2003 Columbia disaster.

First train from Chongqing to Lhasa

The first passenger train from southwest China's Chongqing Municipality is ready to head for Lhasa, capital of Tibet Autonomous Region on July 2, 2006. The train left Chongqing for Lhasa Sunday.

President Hu visits Qinghai-Tibet railway

Chinese President Hu Jintao (R, front), who is also general secretary of Chinese Communist Party (CPC) Central Committee and Chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), shakes hands with a construction worker of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway in a tent at a construction site of Golmud Railway Station on July 1, 2006. Hu paid a visit along some sections of the Qinghai-Tibet railway after the launching ceremony of the railway in Golmud, northwest China's Qinghai Province Saturday.