Gwyneth Paltrow goes topless in new film role
Stripping down: Gwyneth goes to the window to expose her breast in a raunchy scene from her new movie Two Lovers
"Bread & Butter" fashion tradeshow in Barcelona
Some dummies are displayed at the "Bread & Butter" fashion tradeshow in Barcelona Jan. 21, 2009. The next "Bread & Butter" will be held in Berlin. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)
Dummies are displayed at the "Bread & Butter" fashion tradeshow in Barcelona Jan. 21, 2009. The next "Bread & Butter" show will be held in Berlin. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)
A visitor attends the "Bread & Butter" fashion tradeshow in Barcelona Jan. 21, 2009. The next "Bread & Butter" show will be held in Berlin. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)
Some dummies are displayed at the "Bread & Butter" fashion tradeshow in Barcelona Jan. 21, 2009. The next "Bread & Butter" will be held in Berlin.
Obama's whirlwind first day: economy, war and more
.S. President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama shakes hands with members of the public touring the White House in Washington, the US, January 21, 2009. (REUTERS/Larry Downing)
Kelly denied the pregnancy rumors claim the young do not worry
Yesterday, the Shanghai Dragon TV to participate in "Dancing" program recorded Kelly Chen, Peng-Peng a pink skirt pop dance on stage, there is no "pregnant state," was asked by reporters in the background and the topic, it is frankly replied: "I was still young, do not worry."
Andy Lau Shu Qi said kissing fear falling in love with each other
Pay sound: New Year's Eve Ren Jing will complement the original wedding dress hasty marriage
Madonna publicity without PS exposure wrinkles according to more than fat
Chiling large chest is suspected to suffer from skin rashes (Chart)
The movie "Tomb thorn" yesterday (January 21) Westin Hotel in Beijing conference, when chiling out, it was found that there is a large rash on his chest, and she is also a subtle hand to cover up.
small SONG Jia style imitation Carina Lau
CCTV Spring Festival Gala rehearsals
Performers pose after wushu performance during a dress rehearsal in China's biggest TV station, CCTV, in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 13, 2009. (Xinhua Photo)
Marc Anthony, Jennifer Lopez wow inaugural gala
Actress-singer Jennifer Lopez attends the Latino 2009 Inaugural Gala at Union Station on Sunday, Jan. 18, 2009 in Washington.(Agencies)
Obama steps to door of White House — and history
US President-elect Barack Obama holds a baby as he greets volunteers performing service projects for US troops at Calvin Coolidge High School in Washington, January 19, 2009. [Agencies]
Training course inspires children's ingenuity
A boy demonstrates his invention which can cut an apple into pieces in Harbin, capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang province, Jan. 20, 2009. Since a training course opened in November 2008 at the science palace in Harbin, children has made more than 16 creations.
Panda pair to add more fun to family reunion
Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan, the two giant panda gifts from the Chinese mainland to Taiwan, are seen inside their new enclosure in Taipei zoo in Muzha in this January 13, 2009 handout photo made available January 19, 2009. The pandas, whose names when said together mean "reunion", are scheduled to meet the Taiwan public on January 26, the first day of the Chinese Lunar New Year, the Taipei city government said. [Agencies]
China to modernize military while pursuing peaceful development
The paper for the first time unveiled China's ambition to "basically accomplishing mechanization (of the military) and making major progress in informationization by 2020" and "realizing modernization by the mid-21st century."
The white paper on "China's National Defense in 2008" was issued by the Information Office of the State Council Tuesday.
Vowing to strengthen the military by means of science and technology, the paper said China was working to "develop new and high-tech weaponry and equipment, conduct military training in conditions of informationization and build a modern logistics system in an all-round way."
On China's military strategic guideline of active defense, the paper said this guideline "aimed at winning local wars in conditions of informationization."
On the current effort to streamline the armed forces, the paper said China is aimed at developing a complete set of "scientific modes" of organization, institutions and ways of operation by 2020.
The paper for the first time specified in detail China's long-standing policy of "no first use of nuclear weapons."
"In peacetime, the nuclear missile weapons of the Second Artillery Force are not aimed at any country," the paper said while reaffirming the country's will to implement "a self-defensive nuclear strategy."
"But if China comes under a nuclear threat, the nuclear missile force of the Second Artillery Force will go into a state of alert, and get ready for a nuclear counterattack to deter the enemy from using nuclear weapons against China," the paper said.
The Second Artillery Force is China's name for its core force of strategic deterrence.
Under the direct command of the Central Military Commission, the nuclear armed force is aimed to deter nuclear strike from other countries and to conduct nuclear counterattacks and precision strikes with conventional missiles.
The paper, the sixth of its kind Chinese government issued since 1998, gave an overall picture of China's national defense ranging from the security environment, national defense policy, to defense expenditure and arms control.
Describing China's general security situation as "improving steadily," the 105-page document said "the situation across the Taiwan Straits has taken a significantly positive turn."
The paper attributed the improvement to the failed attempts of the separatist forces for "Taiwan independence" and the progress made in cross-Straits consultations.
However, "China is still confronted with long-term, complicated, and diverse security threats and challenges," the paper said, listing the threats of separatist forces of "Taiwan independence," "East Turkistan independence" and "Tibet independence."
"In particular, the United States continues to sell arms to Taiwan in violation of the principles established in the three Sino-US joint communiques, causing serious harm to the Sino-US relations as well as peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits," the paper said.
In the face of "unprecedented opportunities and challenges," China will "persist in taking the road of peaceful development," the paper said.
The paper also reviewed the three decades of China's defense expenditure, saying it stayed at "a reasonable and appropriate level."
Although China's defense expenditure increased from 1988 to 2008, the total amount and per-service-person share of China's defense spending remained lower than those of some major powers, the paper said.
The paper also for the first time devoted separate chapters to the army, navy, air force and second artillery force, introducing their capacities and functions.
"China will never seek hegemony or engage in military expansion now or in the future, no matter how developed it becomes," the paper said.
Obama to step into history as 1st black president
The U.S. Capitol is illuminated the night before the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Barack Obama in Washington January 19, 2009.(Agencies)
A week to go to Spring Festival
Women make steamed bread at a center for the elderly in Rizhao, east China's Shandong Province January17, 2009. Local residents make stemed bread with flower decorations on top of them as gifts for relatives or offering to gods during family rituals during the Spring Festival. [Xinhua]
Tasting old Beijing in temple fairs
Workers in ancient Chinese dress decorate the street with mock Tanghulu, a Beijing's traditional snack made of sugarcoated haws and other fruit on a stick, for the royal temple fair in the Summer Palace in Beijing, Jan. 18, 2009. Visiting temple fairs, or "Miaohui" in Chinese, is one of the most important traditional activities during the Spring Festival holidays.(Xinhua/He Junchang)
Inaugural celebration at the Lincoln Memorial
President-elect Barack Obama and his wife Michelle Obama, arrive at 'We Are One: Opening Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial' Sunday, Jan. 18, 2009, in Washington.(AP Photo)
Roddick wins opening match at Australian Open
Andy Roddick of the U.S. hits a return to Sweden's Bjorn Rehnquist during their match at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne Jan. 19, 2009. Roddick defeats Bjorn Rehnquist of Sweden 6-0, 6-2, 6-2. (Xinhua/Zhou Lei)
Chinese chill out at ice show
The world economic meltdown is getting the cold shoulder at this year's ice festival to mark the approaching Chinese new year in Beijing.
The theme this time around showcases a China glittering in prosperity and harmony.
Visitors are flocking to the show to chill out away from the stresses of city life.
SOUNDBITE: Cao Hongkun, visitor, saying (Mandarin):
"When I see these ice sculptures I feel so excited. They represent an upbeat spirit. Even though we're facing a financial crisis I believe we can overcome any difficulties as long as we stick together."
SOUNDBITE: Wang Wenyi, visitor, saying (Mandarin):
"I'm so happy, it's so joyful. We've come here to relax and looking at these sculptures eases away the stress."
Last year's theme was the Beijing Olympics.
This time around the emphasis is on sparkling brightly lit traditional buildings.
The Chinese new year begins on January 26th.
Visitors to this exhibition have until then at least before they think about skating on the thin ice of a struggling economy.
Paul Chapman, Reuters
Ice jam destroys houses, blocks roads in Shanxi
Houses are submerged in chunks of ice at the tourist area at the Hukou Waterfall on the Yellow River in Jixian county, Linfen, north China's Shanxi Province, January 18, 2009. An ice jam in the river flooded the area, suddenly raising the water level, destroying houses and blocking roads. [CFP]
Traditional Chinese "Little New Year" festival celebrated
Tourists visit the bustling snack street of Wangfujing Street in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 18, 2009, the traditional Chinese "Little New Year" festival, a week before "New Year," or Spring Festival. The 23rd day of the 12th lunar month is called "xiao nian" in Chinese, which literally means "Little New Year." Traditionally it is an important occasion when people offer sacrifices to the "Kitchen God" who looks after the family's fortunes.(Xinhua/Fan Jiashan)
A foreign tourist tries playing Jin Opera that is popular in north China's Shanxi Province in Pingyao, Shanxi, Jan. 17, 2009. The time-honoured Pingyao city listed among the UNESCO World Cultural Heritages prepares for the approaching Spring Festival with traditional celebrations. (Xinhua/Yan Yan)
Pan Yi-sing,wen zhaolun wedding pictures
Weng Hong alternative fashion
Wang YA Jie interpret the old Shanghai style
Xu Jinglei frankly married boyfriend is not a reminder
Fan Bingbing new plays shape change to dancer girl (Photo)
Kate Winslet evening photoes
25 best celeb quotes this year (5)
"I just want to say, it's not bad to wear a promise ring, because not everyone, guy or girl, wants to be a slut." – Jordin Sparks, addressing the night's digs about the Jonas Brothers and their promise rings, while presenting at the MTV Video Music Awards
25 best celeb quotes this year (3)
"Camila and I made a baby together ... We are stoked and wowed."– Matthew McConaughey, announcing that he was expecting his first child with girlfriend Camila Alves, on his Web site
25 best celeb quotes this year (2)
"I sit there and I'll look back and I'm like: I'm a smart person. What the hell was I thinking?" – Britney Spears, reflecting on her erratic behavior from the beginning of the year, in MTV's documentary For the Record
25 best celeb quotes this year
"I feel so embarrassed." – Miley Cyrus, apologizing before the release of her back-baring Vanity Fair photo
25 best celeb photos of 2008 (5)
Project Runway host Heidi Klum and season 5 winner Christian Siriano – who made "fierce" a household word this year – put their fabulous faces forward in September while hanging backstage before his spring 2009 show at New York's Fashion Week.
