Students have close contact with sea animals

A girl student embraces a chelonian during her diving with the guidance of professional diver at Donghu Ocean World in Wuhan, capital of central China's Hubei Province, July 25, 2006. Six students enjoyed a diving experience here Tuesday in the artificial ocean and had a good time with sea animals.

Dead whale found in Cape Town

Onlookers clamber across rocks to view the carcass of a Southern Right whale that washed up in Kommetjie near Cape Town July 24, 2006. Marine authorities are unsure what caused the death of the giant mammal.

Sino-Russia maritime summer camp

Photo taken on July 25, 2006 shows Russian undergraduates at the opening of Sino-Russia maritime academies summer camp in Dalian, a coastal city of northeast China's Liaoning Province. Teachers and students from seven maritime academies in China and Russia attended the 7-day summer camp, one of the activities of the Year of Russia in China.

Beautiful sunset glow

Photo taken on July 25, 2006 shows the sunset glow in Qionghai, south China's Hainan Province. Affected by downward flow of typhoon Kaemi and trough along the coast, high temperature and muggy weather hit the province.

Queen Elizabeth II's gowns on show

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II's most spectacular dresses are on display in Buckingham Palace to celebrate her 80th birthday. The show, which runs from July 26 to September 24, includes evening dresses and jewelry.

Auto Guangzhou 2006 opens

A Bentley Arnage T is shown at the Auto Guangzhou 2006, which opens in south China's Guangzhou Tuesday, July 25, 2006. More than 400 auto manufacturers from around the world participated the auto show.

Wildfires engulf California

A fire-fighting vehicle moves up a road and away from flames on the south flank of a fast-moving wildfire that has consumed more than 15,000 acres 40 miles (64 km) east of San Diego, California, July 25, 2006.

Special Olympics mascot debuts

The 4th National Special Olympic Game mascot, a cartoon tiger, "Wei Wei" debuts in Harbin,capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province July 25,2006.The Special Olympic Games will be held in Harbin from July 29 to August 5.

Honda humanoid robot unveils

Honda's ASIMO humanoid robot, unveiled in Auto Guangzhou 2006, can give and receive objects and walk while pushing a trolley or cart. It can perform a series of tasks in a real-life environment.

Israel restarts bombing of Beirut

Lebanese people walk on the ruins of a building destroyed in Israeli airstrikes in Beirut, capital of Lebanon, July 25, 2006. Israeli army on Tuesday resumed airstrikes on Beirut after nearly two days of suspension.

Olmert vows to take "most severe measures" against Hezbollah

An Israeli soldier carries shells at an artillery position near the Israel-Lebanon border, July, 25, 2006. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Tuesday Israel is determined to keep on its fight against Hezbollah and will not hesitate to take the "most severe measures" against those firing rockets on Israel.

Fight against Typhoon Kaemi

Soldiers repair the destroyed dam in Jinjiang, southeast China's Fujian Province July 25, 2006. Typhoon Kaemi landed in Weitou Town of Jinjiang City at 3:50 p.m. July 25.��

ASEAN Ministerial Meeting opens

Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi (1st R) addresses the opening ceremony of the 39th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting in Kuala Lumpur July 25, 2006. The 39th ASEAN foreign ministers' meeting was held in Kuala Lumpur on July 25.

"Gotheborg" visits Guangzhou

Citizens pay a visit to the replica of the 18th century Swedish merchant ship "Gotheborg" at a port in Guangzhou, capital city of south China's Guangdong Province on July 25, 2006. Thousands of people have rushed to visit the merchant ship since it was open to the public on July 23. The ship, which arrived in Guangdong July 18 after a nine and a half month voyage, would stay here for a month.

Veteran Tan continues world championship reign

Chinese veteran Tan Zongliang (C) defended his World Championship title, winning the men's free pistol event at the 49th ISSF World Shooting Championships Tuesday night (Beijing Time).

Rice visits Israel for "urgent ceasefire"

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert (L) shakes hands with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice at the PM's office in Jerusalem, July 25, 2006. Rice arrived in Jerusalem on July 24 to make diplomatic efforts for an "urgent ceasefire" between Israel and Lebanon.

Power tensions in US

The sun sets behind power lines in Carlsbad, California July 24, 2006. A heat wave continues to strain power with the California Independent System Operator (ISO) calling a 'Stage 2' power emergency and warning that without conservation, rolling blackouts are likely. Record high temperatures are forecast to continue.

Du Li continues her season of excellence

Gold medalist, China's Du Li (C) poses with silver medalist and bronze medalist during the awarding ceremony of the women's 10m air rifle event at the 49th World Shooting Championships in Zagreb, capital of Croatia, on July 24, 2006. Du won the gold medal of the event with a score of 502.1 points.

Chinese, Russian journalists on trip of discovery

Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan addresses at the launching ceremony of a journey of friendship between China and Russia in Beijing, capital of China July 25, 2006. The journey, as a part of "the Year of Russia" in China, started on Tuesday. More than 40 journalists from the two countries were expected to drive more than 15,000 km. to the Red Square in Moscow, capital of Russia, in about 45 days via over 20 cities.

Typhoon Kaemi unleashes fury against Fujian

A woman struggles her way against strong wind and heavy rain in Jinjiang, southeast China's Fujian Province July 25, 2006. Typhoon Kaemi, the fifth one to hit China this year, landed in southeast China's Fujian Province on Tuesday. Kaemi will unleash heavy rain in Fujian, Guangdong and Zhejiang.