Electric bus goes into trial operation in NE China

A new electric bus moves on Hexing road of Harbin, capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Aug. 16, 2006. A kind of electric bus was put into trial operation in the city on Wednesday.

Commercial and tourist industries in Beirut hit by 34-day conflict

A car passes an empty cafe in central Beirut, capital of Lebanon, Aug. 16, 2006. The commercial and tourist industries in Beirut were heavily hit by the 34-day military conflicts between Hezbollah and Israel. The water and electricity supplies were frequently cut off even after the ceasefire came into effect on Aug. 14.

Japanese fishing boat shot by Russian coast guards

Acting Ambassador of Russia, Mikhail Y. Galuzin, is surrounded by Japanese press as he walks out of a meeting with Director of European bureau of japan's foreign ministry, Chikahito Harada, not in the photo, at the Foreign Ministry in Tokyo, Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2006.

Iran ready to discuss suspension of nuclear activities

Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki addresses a news conference in Tehran, capital of Iran, Aug. 16, 2006. The Iranian foreign minister said on Wednesday Iran was ready to discuss suspension of nuclear enrichment activities with the Europeans.

Life returns after cease-fire

An Israeli soldier kisses his wife during the first day of ceasefire, near the town of Manara August 14, 2006. A fragile UN-ordered truce took hold in Lebanon on Monday after a month-long war between Israel and Hizbollah guerrillas.

Victims of Israeli-Hezbollah conflict

Two children stand between photos showing conflict victims at a square of Beirut, capital of Lebanon, Aug. 16, 2006. Over 1,000 people lost their lives during the month-long fighting between Israel and Hezbollah.

Shao seals China's win over Singapore

Chinese player Shao Jiayi celebrates after his last-gasp pivotal peanalty kick gave China a 1-0 win over Singapore at an Asian Cup qualifier in Tianjin Wednesday.

14 killed in car bombings in Baghdad

An Iraqi police officer checks the site of two car bomb attacks in Baghdad August 16, 2006. Two simultaneous car bombs killed at least 14 people and wounded 63 in Baghdad on Wednesday, police said. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

Boosting border trade

Russian businesswomen choose Chinese folk art products at Suifenhe in Heilongjiang Province August 16, 2006. The city is investing 10 billion yuan (US$1.25 billion) over the next five years to build a massive trading complex to boost commerce with Russia. (newsphoto)

Chavez meets Colombian FM

Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez (R) dances with Colombian Foreign Minister Maria Consuelo Araujo after their meeting in the Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas August 15, 2006.

Demonstration held in support of Hezbollah

Lebanese young people hold up a portrait of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah as they join a demonstration in support of Hezbollah and against Israel in Beirut, Lebanon, Aug. 15, 2006.

Sweden crystal art expo held in Shanghai

A visitor gives close look to a craftwork made of crystal during the 2006 Sweden Crystal Art Exhibition at Shanghai Library in east China's municipality of Shanghai, Aug. 15. 2006. The newly-opened exhibition has attracted large numbers of citizens and tourists.

Lebanon's army to deploy in south

A tank parks at the Central Square of Beirut, capital of Lebanon, Aug. 16, 2006. Beirut has not totally recovered from its devastation in the 34-day long Israeli-Hezbollah conflict. The electricity and water supply often cut off and many stores still remain closed. The Lebanese troops are distributed here to ensure public order.

Lebanese refugees reconstruct homes

A machine clears up the ruins of buildings destroyed in Israeli airstrike in Beirut, Lebanon, Aug. 15, 2006. Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah promised on Monday in a televised speech to about 15,000 families, whose houses were destroyed in 32 days of Israel-Hezbollah conflict, that Hezbollah would foot one-year expenses of house rent and furniture for those families.

Delicate Chinese atlas on show in U.S.

A delicate ancient Chinese atlas compiled by westerners is being exhibited in a renowned U.S. museum. The atlas, which was drawn by Dutch geographers during 17th Century, is part of an ongoing art show in the Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens in Los Angeles, the largest city in the west coast of the United States.