Prince William's girlfriend turns 25

Kate Middleton, Prince William's girlfriend, arrives at the Sovereign's Parade at The Royal Military Academy in Camberley, Surrey, December 2006. Middleton has marked her 25th birthday by braving the growing press pack watching her every move, as her lawyers reportedly prepare to move against the media. (Xinhua/AFP Photo)

China issues 'Year of the Pig' stamp

A picture of the 'Year of the Pig' stamp set issued by the State Post Bureau in celebration of the 'Year of the Pig' in the Chinese lunar calendar. (newsphoto)

Hawking plans space flight in 2009

British physicist Stephen Hawking. British physicist Stephen Hawking is planning a space flight, the Daily Telegraph reported.

Red lanterns hung for coming Spring Festival

Red lanterns are hung at the entrance of a supermarket in Beijing January 8, 2007. Restaurants and shops around China started renovation with traditional decorations for the upcoming Spring Festival.

Three Gorges south lane almost finished

A worker (bottom) inspects the construction site of the first water gate on Three Gorges south lane in Yichang, central China's Hubei Province January 8, 2007. Mechanism and electric equipments have been installed on the water gate, which represents constructions on the south lane are near to the end.

Chocolate body paintings in N.W. China

A model presents chocolate body paintings at a restaurant in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province January 8, 2007.

Ship "Da Yang Yi Hao" departs for ocean expedition

China's scientific survey ship "Da Yang Yi Hao" departs for its 220-day scientific ocean expedition from Qingdao, a city in east China's Shandong Province January 8, 2007. The ship will finish a 30,000 sea mile-voyage, covering sea areas of the southwest Pacific Ocean, southwest Indian Ocean and west Pacific Ocean . The ship started its maiden long distance ocean expedition on April 2, 2005. (newsphoto)

Honorees at 18th Palm Springs Film Fest

Actress Cate Blanchett of Australia poses with the career achievement award she received at the 18th Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival Gala in Palm Springs, California Jan. 6, 2007.

Lakers snap Mavs' 13-game win streak

Los Angeles Lakers Kobe Bryant (R) is fouled by Dallas Mavericks Josh Howard (L) in the second half of the Lakers' 101-98 victory during their NBA basketball game in Los Angeles Jan. 7, 2007. The Los Angeles Lakers beat Dallas 101-98 to snap the Mavericks' 13-game win streak on Sunday in Los Angeles.

President Hu stresses party exchanges with Japan

Chinese President Hu Jintao (R) meets with Akihiro Ota, leader of Japan's New Komeito Party, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 8, 2007. Chinese President Hu Jintao on Monday said exchanges between the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the major political parties of Japan, including the New Komeito Party, the minority member of Japan's coalition government, are extremely important.

Belarus halts Russian oil flow to Europe

An oil refinery in Plock, Poland, is seen in this undated handout photo.Oil supplies to Poland and Germany via Russia's giant Druzhba pipeline were stopped overnight due to problems connected with a trade dispute between Russia and Belarus, Polish officials said on January 8, 2007.