The southwest lifeline

In order to reinforce the British troops surrounded by the Japanese in Burma and prevent the southwest channel from cut, the Chinese expedition army entered Burma for the first time in 1942. After defeated, the expedition army was incorporated into Chinese army stationed in India. Subsequently the lifeline of southwest China on land was severed.

Air France jetliner's black boxes are found

Canadian policemen examine the wreckage of Air France A-340 jetliner at Pearson airport in Toronto on Wednesday (August 3, 2005). According to Canadian officials on the same day, both black box recorders have been retrieved from Air France flight on August 2.

One more death from pig-borne epidemic confirmed in Sichuan

According to the latest report on epidemic situation released by Ministry of Health on August 3, from 12:00 a.m. August 2 to 12:00 a.m. August 3, one death and one new case of pig-borne epidemic were confirmed in southwest China's Sichuan Province. A nurse (L) with the First People's Hospital in Ziyang city, Sichuan Province is tending sufferers of pig-borne epidemic.

Coalmine accident in Henan claims 24 lives

The injured miners receive medical treatment in Yuzhou Central Hospital on Aug 3, 2005. The search-and-rescue mission for the Xingfa coalmine in Yuzhou city, Henan Province has been completed at 14:00 August 3, 2005. 24 bodies have been discovered and 5 injured miners are now in stable condition.

The Flying Tigers

Flying Tigers, or the American Volunteer Group was made up of American volunteer pilots who were drafted by Colonel Claire L. Chennault from 1941 to 1942 to fight with Japanese air force in China and Burma. At that time the harbors and transportation system in China were under control by the Japanese army, isolating the Kuomintang government from outside world.

Pet dogs tie the knot in Changchun

Pet dogs Wang Wang (L) and Xu Xu pose for a photo after getting a marriage certificate in a pet store in Changchun, Northeast China's Jilin Province in this photo take on July 27, 2005. The store has helped four pairs of pet dogs tie the knot in the past two months, charging 200-1,000 yuan from each pair. (newsphoto)

Discovery astronauts complete repair mission

Astronauts Soichi Noguchi and Steve Robinson are seen outside the Destiny laboratory module after Robinson successfully removed gap fillers from the underside of Discovery August 3, 2005.

Photo exhibition "Man, Schroeder" held in Berlin

German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder attends an opening ceremony of the photo exhibition "Man, Schroeder" as well as a release ceremony of the album with the same title in Berlin, capital of Germany, on August 3, 2005. The event was part of Schroeder's running campaign for the general election scheduled on September 18.

Late goals help Japan draw China two-all

China's Li Yan (R) fights for a header against Japan's Yuki Abe at the East Asian Football Championships in Taejon, South Korea, August 3, 2005. The match ended in a 2-2 draw.

Bangkok International Electronic Products Exhibition

A girl from AIS, a famous Thai company, shows how to operate a electronic dinosaur toy in Bangkok, capital of Thailand, on August 3, 2005. The second Bangkok International Electronic Products Exhibition is held on Wednesday. More than 200 companies from 15 countries and areas, including China, participated in this exhibition.

Israeli protesters against unilateral withdrawal

A young Israel woman seals her mouth wit a piece of banner in the rally supporting Israeli settlers in the town of Sderot near Gaza Strip on August 2, 2005. More than 20,000 Israelis gathered in Sderot, protesting against Sharon's withdrawal plan from Gaza Strip on Tuesday. Numbers of Israeli soldiers and policemen got into position to prevent any possible violence.

Victims urge Japan's compensation for poison gas afflictions

Ding Shuwen (Front, standing), a victim of China's Qiqihar "August 4" poison gas, tells his miseries during an exchange meeting in Tokyo on August 3, 2005. Six victims from Qiqihar, a city of northeastern China's Heilongjiang Province, held an exchange meeting in Tokyo, denouncing the misery caused by poison gas that leaked from chemical weapons abandoned by the Japanese army after World War II.

Bus fire in London causes a false alarm

A policeman guards a route 205 double-decker bus which caught fire in central London on August 2, 2005. Central London was immediately sealed off after the fire which was said by police as caused by technical failures in the bus and "nothing suspicious".

Ahmadinejad takes office

Iran's outgoing president Mohammad Khatami (2nd R) reads out a warrant from the country's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to the new president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad at a ceremony in Iranian capital city of Tehran on August 3, 2005. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad took over the post as president of the Islamic Republic of Iran Wednesday morning as Ayatollah Ali Khamenei granted warrant to him. Ahmadinejad defeated former president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani with a landslide victory in the ninth presidential election in June.

Negotiation nearing the end: Hill

The Japanese delegation arrives at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in the rain in Beijing, August 3, 2005, as the fourth round of six-party talks on Korean Peninsula nuclear issue enters the ninth day. Delegates to the six-party talks had finished the agenda for Wednesday's meeting and agreed to meet again Thursday, sources with the Chinese press center said. Although they didn't set the end date for the talks on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue, US chief negotiator Christopher Hill said the negotiation was nearing the end.

Chinese Vice Premier mourns for King Fahd at embassy

Chinese Vice Premier Huang Ju (R) writes a message expressing sorrow at King Fahd Ibn Abdul-Aziz's death at the Saudi embassy in Beijing, on August 3, 2005. Huang Ju came Wednesday to mourn for King Fahd Ibn Abdul-Aziz on behalf of the Chinese government and presented a wreath.