Environmentally friendly cleaning machines adopted in Beijing

A worker clears leaves with a XY-700 leaf cleaner on a street in Beijing on November 27. On November 27, the recently introduced XY-700 leaf cleaners and the dual-use over-the-should cleaners were put into use by the Environment Service Center of Xichen District in Beijing. The two machines can be used to clear leaves and dirt from grass lands, bus stations, footpaths and tree pits.

Folk performances hail China-Egypt diplomatic ties

Dancers perform Chinese folk dance in Cairo, Nov. 26, 2006. A dance and acrobatics troupe from Nanjing of China debuted in the Cairo stage as a part of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Anti-terror drill held in Nanjing

A police officer aims as a helicopter coordinates during a military maneuver at an airport in Nanjing, East China's Jiangsu Province November 27, 2006. The maneuver aims to strengthen special police forces' emergency response and combat capabilities. (newsphoto)

Unique species of wild animals on Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

Two kiang venture across a road near the Qinghai-Tibet railway on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, west China, Nov. 27, 2006. Unique species of wild animals on the world's highest plateau, like chiru, kiang and goa, are gradually adapting themselves to the 1,956-kilometer-long Qinghai-Tibet railway.

NATO to form strategic airdrop formation

A woman stands near a C-17 airlifter in Riga, Latvia, Nov. 27, 2006. NATO announced Monday here that a strategic airdrop formation would be formed with three C-17 airlifters. The NATO Riga summit was scheduled to be held on Nov. 28-29.

Beijing Automotive Exhibition concludes

A model poses near a car during the 2006 Beijing Automotive Exhibition in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 27, 2006. The 10-day exhibition closing on Monday attracted some 600,000 visitors.

"Dance of Angel": the ring with 837 diamonds

The ring "Dance of the Angel" made by Ukraine's Lobortas & Karpova jewellery house during its registration in the Ukrainian Records Book, Kiev, Ukraine, Monday, Nov. 27, 2006. The gold ring contains 837 brilliants and has a gross weight of 5.57 carat, the jeweller said. (Xinhua/AFP Photo)

Smile in Doha

Two female volunteers of Qatar smile and wave to the guests in Athletes' Village in Doha, Nov. 27, 2006, Qatar.

Iraqi president calls for Iran's full assistance

Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad (L) shakes hands with visiting Iraqi President Jalal Talabani (R) in Tehran, capital of Iran, Nov. 27, 2006. Jalal Talabani called for Iran's "comprehensive" help to stem escalating violence in war-torn Iraq.

Chinese girl, shining Miss Bikini

Yang Lei from China was awarded the runner-up of the 33rd Miss Bikini International 2006 on Nov. 26, 2006.

Architectural beauty

Chinese models display outfits designed by Hu Xiaodan, who gives full expression to traditional Chinese architectural styles by featuring the architecture of the Forbidden City (Imperial Palace), during a fashion show in Tokyo, Nov. 27, 2006.

Hostage crisis ends peacefully in Tehran

Iranian police lead away a man accused of taking hostages at the Falagh middle school in Tehran Nov. 27, 2006. A man armed with grenades and guns and accompanied by his daughter took over a junior high school for several hours in central Tehran Monday. (Xinhua/AFP Photo)

Rovaniemi: hometown of Santa Claus

Santa Claus from Rovaniemi gives a Christmas card to a child in Helsinki, Finland, Nov. 26, 2006. Located on the Arctic Circle in northern Finland, Rovaniemi has long been regarded as the hometown of Santa Claus.

Cannavaro wins Golden Ball

Italy's World Cup-winning captain Fabio Cannavaro kisses his trophy after being awarded the 2006 "Ballon d'Or" (Golden Ball), for best football player of the year, in Paris. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)