Russians go to bottom of deepest lake

Russian explorers plunged to the bottom of the world's deepest lake Tuesday in a show of Moscow's resurgent ambitions to set new records in science.

The MIR-2 submarine is lowered into the waters of Siberia's Lake Baikal during a test-run of a diving expedition July 24, 2008.

The mission to the depths of Siberia's Lake Baikal is led by Artur Chilingarov, a scientist and Kremlin-backed member of parliament who was part of an earlier mission to the North Pole that sparked criticism in the West.

Tucked away in the remote hills of south-east Siberia where Russia borders China and Mongolia, Lake Baikal, the world's deepest and oldest lake, is home to some of the world's rarest types of fish and other water-life.

The mission's twin submersibles, used last year to plant a Russian flag on the North Pole seabed, slipped into the choppy waters just after dawn and descended 1,680 meters to the lake's deepest point, setting a world record for freshwater submersion.

Each of the bright-red Mir-1 and Mir-2 craft carried three scientists. Chilingarov was with reporters who watched from a mission-control point on a nearby platform.

Russian officials hailed the five-hour expedition, due to take seabed samples and document Baikal's unique flora and fauna, as a new chapter in Russian science. "This is a world record," Interfax news agency quoted one of the expedition's organisers as saying.

German nudists complain of Polish peepers

Patrons of a German nude beach on the Polish border say beachgoers on the other side of the border come to stare at the exposed skin.

Patrons of a German nude beach on the Polish border say beachgoers on the other side of the border come to stare at the exposed skin.

Ines Muller, a German naturist, said Poles come fully clothed to the beach on their side of the border and stare at the nude swimmers and sunbathers, The Sun reported Monday.

"You feel like an ape in the zoo. The Poles come with their binoculars, stare and swear," Muller said.

Beach patrons said there used to be a fence separating the German and Polish beaches, but it was torn down as part of a 2007 agreement between the countries.

"It's a nudist beach. It's terrible that the Poles come over dressed and stare," said German Elke Bernholz.

Some Poles said the proximity of the two beaches annoys them as much as it does the Germans.

"It's horrible -- we would never bathe naked, we are Catholic," said one beach-going Pole from the town of Swinemunde.

U.S. scientists identify what powers Northern Lights

Using a fleet of five NASA satellites, U.S. scientists have identified the mechanism that triggers substorms in space and leads to the explosive release of energy that causes the spectacular brightening of the aurora borealis, or the Northern Lights, NASA reported Thursday.

File photo of the Northern Lights.Using a fleet of five NASA satellites, U.S. scientists have identified the mechanism that triggers substorms in space and leads to the explosive release of energy that causes the spectacular brightening of the aurora borealis, or the Northern Lights, NASA reported Thursday.

For 30 years, there have been two competing theories to explain the spectacular Northern Lights dancing.

One is that the trigger happens about one-sixth of the distance to the moon, when charged ions and electrons implode toward Earth as the space currents are disrupted.

A second theory says the trigger is farther out, about one-third of the distance to the moon. When two magnetic field lines come close together due to the storage of energy from the sun, a critical limit is reached and the magnetic field lines reconnect, causing magnetic energy to be transformed into kinetic energy and heat.

"Our data show clearly and for the first time that magnetic reconnection is the trigger," said Vassilis Angelopoulos, the principal investigator of the five-satellite THEMIS project." Reconnection results in a slingshot acceleration of waves and plasma along magnetic field lines, lighting up the aurora underneath even before the near-Earth space has had a chance to respond."

Previous studies of the Earth's magnetosphere and space weather have been unable to pinpoint the origin of substorms, which are large magnetic disturbances.

"We need to understand this environment and eventually be able to predict when these large energy releases will happen so astronauts can go inside their spacecraft and we can turn off critical systems on satellites so they will not be damaged," Angelopoulos said. "This has been exceedingly difficult in the past, because previous missions, which measured the plasma at one location, were unable to determine the origin of the large space storms."

THEMIS stands for Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms mission. Launched on Feb. 17, 2007, THEMIS is expected to observe approximately 30 substorms in its nominal lifetime.

Leopard hunts crocodile

In the past, crocodiles have long been known to kill leopards, but this time, onlookers at South African game park observed the reverse scenario -- a leopard snatched a crocodile from the water.

Clash of the Titans: The leopard attacks a crocodile in Kruger National Park

American wildlife photographer Hal Brindley snapped the amazing moment as he was photographing hippos from his car at a waterhole in Kruger National Park.

"It happened in about five minutes, then the leopard was gone. I drove away elated - it was the most amazing thing I've ever seen," the photographer said, adding that "I asked many rangers in South Africa if they had ever heard of anything like this and they all said no."

On the foottage, the big cat just emerged with the croc in its mouth and began to suffocate its prey, who gave in to the leopard after a fearsome fight.

Predator vs. Predator: The wily cat slams full force into the crocodile.

Predator vs. Predator: The wily cat slams full force into the crocodile.

Tussle: The leopard begins dragging the crocodile away from the water.

Tussle: The leopard begins dragging the crocodile away from the water.

Defeat: The croc hangs lifeless and limp from the leopard's jaws.

Defeat: The croc hangs lifeless and limp from the leopard's jaws.

Victory: The leopard gains control and gets on top of it, suffocating it.

Dinner's ready: The big cat drags its prey off into the bush.

Enjoy "cool service" with Disney stars

Disney characters Goofy squirts water onto spectators on a hot day during a special summer attraction "Cool Service" at the Tokyo Disneyland at Urayasu city in Chiba prefecture, Japan, July 18, 2008.

Disney characters Stitch performs in front of a fountain during a special summer attraction "Cool Service" at the Tokyo Disneyland at Urayasu city in Chiba prefecture, Japan, July 18, 2008.

Stone me! It's naked climbing

Naked climbing is the new craze sweeping the U.S., pioneered by photographer Dean Fidelman. The Californian snapped these images for his 2009 calendar Stone Nudes. He said: "This is the sport at its purest. It captures the true essence of the climbing spirit."

Naked climbing is the new craze sweeping the U.S., pioneered by photographer Dean Fidelman. The Californian snapped these images for his 2009 calendar Stone Nudes.He said: "This is the sport at its purest. It captures the true essence of the climbing spirit."

White lion cubs rejected by mother

A white lion cub yawns at a wildlife zoo in Schloss-Holte Stukenbrock of Germany July 14, 2008. Both of the park's two rare white lionesses gave birth simultaneously to seven cubs on June 30. Three of the cubs are being hand fed after their mother rejected them.

Three white lion cubs play at a wildlife zoo in Schloss-Holte Stukenbrock of Germany July 14, 2008.

Three white lion cubs are fed in a wildlife zoo in Schloss-Holte Stukenbrock July 14, 2008. Both of the park's two rare white lionesses gave birth simultaneously to seven cubs on June 30. Three of the cubs are being hand-fed after their mother rejected them.

Three white lion cubs are fed in a wildlife zoo in Schloss-Holte Stukenbrock July 14, 2008. Both of the park's two rare white lionesses gave birth simultaneously to seven cubs on June 30. Three of the cubs are being hand-fed after their mother rejected them.

Two white lion cubs play at a wildlife zoo in Schloss-Holte Stukenbrock of Germany July 14, 2008.

Three white lion cubs play at a wildlife zoo in Schloss-Holte Stukenbrock of Germany July 14, 2008.

5th bullfight of San Fermin festival

Spanish bullfighter Manuel Jesus "El Cid" gets hit by a bull during the fifth bullfight of the San Fermin festival in Pamplona July 11, 2008.

Spanish bullfighter Manuel Jesus "El Cid" performs a pass to a bull during the fifth bullfight of the San Fermin festival in Pamplona July 11, 2008.

Spanish bullfighter David Fandila "El Fandi" drives "banderillas" into a bull during the fifth bullfight of the San Fermin festival in Pamplona July 11, 2008.

Chinese highest meteorological tower takes shape

The main part of the Blue Sea Pearl Tower in Jiayuguan, a city in northwestern Gansu province, finished construction earlier this month, Sina.com reported.

The main part of the Blue Sea Pearl Tower in Jiayuguan, a city in Gansu province, was finished on July 6, 2008

Standing at 94.94 meters, it will become the highest meteorological tower in China. The national meteorological administration and local government invested more than 34 million Yuan to co-fund the construction.

Consisting of a dolphin-shaped main structure and accessorial buildings, the steel architecture bears a floor space totaling 5278 square meters.

The eighteen-story meteorological tower will be used as a complex for disaster prevention, tourism and science education, the report said.

It will mainly monitor disastrous weather-types like strong winds, thunderstorms, hail, and torrential rains, thereby contributing significantly to disaster prevention in the Hexi Corridor and neighboring areas.

The construction of the tower began on Dec. 8, 2006, and is expected to begin service in the near future.

The main part of the Blue Sea Pearl Tower in Jiayuguan, a city in Gansu province, was finished on July 6, 2008.

Cityscape recommendations for Beijing

If you are coming to Beijing for the Olympics, Xinhua News Agency staff provides these tips for finding the capital's most impressive spots.

China Central Television headquarter building

Tired of regular-shaped skyscrapers? The breathtaking artistic architecture of the new China Central Television headquarter will leave you with no regrets. Currently under construction, the building stands in the center of the central business district in Beijing's Chaoyang District.

The impressive structure broke ground in 2004 and is scheduled to be complete before the Olympics. It stands 234 meters high with 51 floors.

Dutchman Rem Koolhaas and German Ole Scheeren provided the unusual design for the architecture. The main building is not a traditional tower, but instead a continuous loop of five horizontal and vertical sections covering 381,300 square meters of floor space, creating an irregular grid on the building's facade with an open center.

The L-shaped high-rise construction of the building is considered to be a structural challenge, especially because it is in a seismic zone. It has acquired nicknames such as "Twisted donut" and "The Pants" by locals.

In many ways, the building is truly "the most." Its shape makes it the most radically shaped building designed so far. For architects and builders, it has been the most technically challenging project they have ever worked on. In addition, many people believe it is the most expensive office building in the world for its 800 million-U.S. dollar budget.

China Millennium Monument-Great Altar

This wonderful structure was built to welcome in the new millennium. It is nestled in the south of Yuyuantan Park with the Military Museum in the east and the current China Central Television headquarter in the west.

Covering an area of 4.5 hectares, it incorporates both the spirit of traditional Chinese culture and the art of modern design. At its south entrance is the Plaza of Holy Fire.

The plaza has an area of 960 square meters, representing China's vast territory of 9.6 million square km. The fire originated at the site of Peking man at Zhoukoudian, Beijing, and is fed by natural gas. The eternal flame, rising some 45 cm, is a token of the unceasing creativity of the Chinese civilization.

Two streams of water flow down the steps along the eastern and western sides of the plaza, suggesting the Yellow and Yangtze rivers.

Walking along the plaza, you will see a 270-meter-long bronze tunnel that has inscriptions on its walls with a time-line that dates from when humans first appeared.

There are also other attractions that are appealing in a world-class large screen projection hall, an exhibition hall with statues of famous figures from past dynasties, an exhibition wall for 56 nationalities and a large open-air stage for live performances.

Terminal 3 -- Beijing Capital International Airport

The new Terminal Three (T3) at the Beijing Capital International Airport is stunning for visitors and locals alike not only for its sheer size but by its enormous "galactic" ceiling and convenient modern facilities.

The dragon-shaped building, the largest air terminal in the world, covers a floor area of 98.6 hectares -- equal to the size of around 170 soccer pitches. Its opening earlier this year upgraded the airport's capacity from 35 million to 76 million passengers, sufficient to handle the estimated 60 million passengers during the Games period.

The semi-transparent ceiling is the highlight of T3 as it guarantees enough light and is energy-saving as well. The skylights resemble the scales of a giant dragon.

"Once inside, the immaculate floor reflects the space-age ceiling, which gives the impression of a star-lit sky," a foreign journalist commented.

Designed by renowned British architect Norman Foster, the modern international terminal incorporates several Chinese characteristics to make sure passengers know they are in China as soon as getting off a flight.

Foster, who redesigned Berlin's Reichstag, used the Chinese auspicious color of red and gold as the color scheme. The four-dragon sculpture of the symbolic Chinese bracelet-like sphere used in ancient China to forecast earthquakes and models of the ancient Suzhou gardens can also be experienced inside the building.

T3 is packed with shops selling all kinds of things ranging from international brands to Beijing local products. Altogether, there are 64 restaurants providing various dining options. These include the cuisine of different countries and fast food such as McDonald's and Burger King.

Despite its enormous size, passengers could hardly get lost inside. Along with plentiful directory signs, the ceiling can also provide clues for all the steel tubes overhead are in a north-south direction. Different colors of the ceiling also inform passengers which area they are in.

National Center for the Performing Arts

The National Center for the Performing Arts is an opera house located in downtown Beijing. It exterior is a titanium glass ellipsoidal dome surrounded by a man-made lake. The 46-meter-high glass dome ranges from 144 meters in the north-south direction and 212 meters east-west. Some people say it looks like an egg floating in water; therefore it is nicknamed "The Egg." It has served as an iconic architecture of Beijing since its 2007 completion.

Created by French designer Paul Andreu, the center lies next to the Forbidden City and to the west of Tian'anmen Square. Its futuristic style is especially eye-catching among the traditional Chinese architecture.

Around the center is a 35,500-square-meter lake, trees and lawns designed to make it complement the red walls of the nearby ancient buildings and merge the futuristic architecture into the traditional Chinese environment.

The glass of the dome can change its hue according to the direction of the sunshine.

Inside the "egg," there are three main performance halls, namely the Opera House, Concert Hall and Theater Hall. These can seat 2,398, 2,019, and 1,035 people respectively.

The structure's glass ceiling baths the dazzling colored marble floor in sunlight. The interior walls are decorated with Brazilian rosewood. Visitors have to walk across a gorgeous 80-meter-long underwater corridor to enter the grand hall.

The center also hosts a variety of auxiliary facilities, including an exhibition gallery, souvenir shops and cafes. It's easy to access by public transport. Take subway line one to Tian'anmen West station and you will get there through Exit C.

Kung Fu girls in India

Wushu trainer Rahman Aqeel (C) instructs students during Chinese wushu martial arts practice at St. Maaz high school, in the southern Indian city of Hyderabad July 8, 2008. Girls from ages 10 to 16 participate in weekly sessions during school term.

A Muslim schoolgirl from St. Maaz high school practises Chinese wushu martial arts inside the school compound in the southern Indian city of Hyderabad July 8, 2008.

Muslim schoolgirls from St. Maaz high school practise Chinese wushu martial arts inside the school compound in the southern Indian city of Hyderabad July 8, 2008.

A Muslim schoolgirl from St. Maaz high school practises Chinese wushu martial arts inside the school compound in the southern Indian city of Hyderabad July 8, 2008.

A Muslim schoolgirl from St. Maaz high school practises Chinese wushu martial arts inside the school compound in the southern Indian city of Hyderabad July 8, 2008.

A Muslim schoolgirl from St. Maaz high school practises Chinese wushu martial arts inside the school compound in the southern Indian city of Hyderabad July 8, 2008.

Muslim schoolgirls from St. Maaz high school practise Chinese wushu martial arts inside the school compound in the southern Indian city of Hyderabad July 8, 2008.

Iran test fires new long- and mid-range missiles

Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has successfully test fired new long- and mid-range missiles in response to threats from the United States and Israel, Iran's satellite channel Press TV reported Wednesday.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards fire missile of Shahab 3 during a war game in a desert near the holy city of Qom, southeast of Tehran, Nov. 2, 2006. Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has successfully test fired new long- and mid-range missiles in response to threats from the United States and Israel, Iran's satellite channel Press TV reported Wednesday.

In military exercises dubbed Payambar-e Azam 3 (Great Prophet 3), the IRGC test fired a Shahab 3 missile, which can hit any target within a range of 2,000 km, Press TV said.

The Shahab 3 ballistic missile was equipped with a one-ton conventional warhead, it added.

Nine highly advanced missiles with improved accuracy were simultaneously tested, including the Zelzal and Fateh missiles with ranges of 400 km and 170 km respectively.

The Payambar-e Azam 3 war games were conducted by missile units of the IRGC's naval and air forces, Press TV reported.

IRGC Naval Commander Morteza Saffari said various missile, rocket and torpedo launchers as well as military vessels and land-to-sea missiles were tested during the exercises.

"The IRGC Navy is carrying out this maneuver to show it is fully prepared to counter any possible enemy aggression or adventurism," Saffari said.

"The maneuver also sends out a reassuring message to regional countries that together we can secure the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz without the presence of foreign forces," he added.

IRGC Air Force Commander Hossein Salami told Press TV that the aim of the war games were to demonstrate "just how strong-willed the Islamic Republic is in defending its sovereignty against any challenges by those enemies that have used harsh and threatening words against Iran in recent weeks."

On Tuesday, an aide to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Iran would strike Israeli city of Tel Aviv and the U.S. fleet in the Gulf as a first response to any attack against the Islamic republic.

"The Zionist regime (Israel) is pressuring White House officials to prepare a military attack against Iran, " Iran's ISNA news agency quoted Ali Shirazi, Khamenei's representative in the Revolutionary Guards navy division, as saying.

The war games came after IRGC Commander Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari said in late June that Tehran would impose controls on shipping in the strategic Strait of Hormuz if attacked.

The United States and its allies have accused Iran of trying to develop nuclear weapons under the cover of a civilian nuclear program. Iran has denied the U.S. charges and insists that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only.

The Bush administration said it focused on diplomacy to try to resolve Iran's nuclear issue, but has insisted it will take "no option off the table."

Some observers believe that it is still possible that the United States and Israel would attack Iranian targets for Tehran's suspicious nuclear programs.

"Spiderman" on 154m skyscraper to warn of global warming

French climber Alain Robert, also known as 'Spiderman', climbs outside the 154 metre high 'Skyper' building in Frankfurt, to raise awareness about global warming, July 7, 2008.

French climber Alain Robert, also known as 'Spiderman', attaches a banner to the154 metre (505 feet) high 'Skyper' building before climbing the skyscraper to raise awareness about global warming, in Frankfurt July 7, 2008.

First Pamplona bull run kills one

Runners are chased by a pack of six Conde de la Corte fighting bulls on the first day of the running of the bulls at the San Fermin festival in Pamplona July 7, 2008. A young man died after falling from a wall and aother 89 were injured Sunday during the first day of the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, Spain's most famous bull-running festival, officials said.

A reveller is tossed by a heifer on the first day of the running of the bulls at the San Fermin festival in Pamplona July 7, 2008.

Runners try to evade a Conde de la Corte fighting bull during the first day of the running of the bulls at the San Fermin festival in Pamplona July 7, 2008.

Runners sprint in front of Conde de la Corte fighting bulls and steers during the first day of the running of the bulls at the San Fermin festival in Pamplona July 7, 2008.

Bullfighting festival kicks off in Spain

Revelers are seen during the 'Chupinazo', the official opening of the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, northern Spain, Sunday, July 6, 2008. The 'Los San Fermines' festival, held since 1591, attracts tens of thousands of foreign visitors each year for nine days of revelry, morning bull-runs and afternoon bullfights.

Revelers are seen during the 'Chupinazo', the official opening of the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, northern Spain, Sunday, July 6, 2008. The 'Los San Fermines' festival, held since 1591, attracts tens of thousands of foreign visitors each year for nine days of revelry, morning bull-runs and afternoon bullfights.

Statue of Liberty's crown may reopen to public

Photo taken on June 30, 2008 shows the Statue of Liberty at the New York Harbor, the United States. Statue of Liberty's crown may soon be reopened to the public, according to New York local TV "NY1". It is reported that the U.S. federal government is taking steps to reopen the crown, which has been closed since the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. The number of visitors to the statue has dropped by about 40 percent since visitors are limited to the statue's pedestal.

The Statue of Liberty and the New York City Skyline are seen in this photograph taken from a tour boat in New York Harbor, June 30, 2008.

The Statue of Liberty is through a cabin window in this photograph taken from a tour boat in New York Harbor, June 30, 2008.

Photo taken on June 30, 2008 shows the Statue of Liberty at the New York Harbor, the United States. Statue of Liberty's crown may soon be reopened to the public, according to New York local TV "NY1". It is reported that the US federal government is taking steps to reopen the crown, which has been closed since the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. The number of visitors to the statue has dropped by about 40 percent since visitors are limited to the statue's pedestal.

Photo taken on June 30, 2008 shows the Statue of Liberty at the New York Harbor, the United States. Statue of Liberty's crown may soon be reopened to the public, according to New York local TV "NY1". It is reported that the US federal government is taking steps to reopen the crown, which has been closed since the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. The number of visitors to the statue has dropped by about 40 percent since visitors are limited to the statue's pedestal.

Photo taken on June 30, 2008 shows the Statue of Liberty at the New York Harbor, the United States. Statue of Liberty's crown may soon be reopened to the public, according to New York local TV "NY1". It is reported that the US federal government is taking steps to reopen the crown, which has been closed since the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. The number of visitors to the statue has dropped by about 40 percent since visitors are limited to the statue's pedestal.