Rare white Bengal Tiger springs on prey

Astonishing photos of rare white Bengal
tiger in feeding frenzy.

BEIJING, Sept.29 -- When it's feeding time at the zoo, it's still a jungle out there.

Although food is plentiful, there's always a fierce battle to grab your share.

Its teeth bared, a white Bengal tiger lunges into the water ready to snap up whatever is thrown its way.

Photographer Birte Person captured these spectacular shots as the tiger and five others did the closest thing they could to hunting at Singapore Zoo.

White tigers are almost extinct and most of those that survive are in captivity.

White tigers are born to a Bengal Tiger that has the recessive gene needed for white colouring and
happens naturally once in every 10,000 births.

White tigers are born to a Bengal Tiger that has the recessive gene needed for white colouring and
hapBirte says that Singapore has one of the
largest collections of white tigers in the
world and runs a very efficient breeding
and conservation program.pens naturally once in every 10,000 births.

 (Source: english.cctv.com)

Nanjing massacre film wins top prize in Spain

"City of Life and Death" director Lu Chuan (left), accompanied by cast member Qin Lan, accepts the Golden Shell award at the San Sebastian Film Festival in San Sebastian, Spain on September 26, 2009.

BEIJING, Sept. 28 -- Chinese director Lu Chuan's film "City of Life and Death", a heart-wrenching reprise of the Nanjing Massacre during World War Two, has won the top prize at Spain's San Sebastian Film Festival.
The jury, led by French director Laurent Cantet, on Saturday presented the Golden Shell award to Lu, and praised his focus on "the minute ethical dilemmas demanded by surviving in wartime."

The black-and-white film also garnered the jury prize for best cinematography, for the efforts of Cao Yu.

The Nanjing Massacre, which occurred in late 1937 when invading Japanese troops occupied Nanjing (then Nanking) and slaughtered more than 300,000 lives, has been recounted many times in film, print and television. One famous version is Chinese-American author Iris Chang's best-seller "The Rape of Nanking".

Director Lu told the story for the first time from the perspective of a Japanese soldier. "The film alternates Japanese and Chinese points of view to brush a compelling portrait of day-to-day life in a devastated city," according to the jury.

The annual San Sebastian Film Festival is one of the best-known film festivals in Europe. Other award winners this year included Lola Duenas, who was named best actress for the Spanish film "Yo Tambien", and Pablo Pineda from the same film, who was awarded best actor.

"City of Life and Death" director Lu Chuan (left), accompanied by cast member Qin Lan, accepts the Golden Shell award at the San Sebastian Film Festival in San Sebastian, Spain on September 26, 2009.

"City of Life and Death" director Lu Chuan (left), accompanied by cast member Qin Lan, accepts the Golden Shell award at the San Sebastian Film Festival in San Sebastian, Spain on September 26, 2009.

(Source: CCTV.com)

Close encounters under the sea: Marco Queral's photographs of whales

These pictures show the heart-stopping moment a talented diver was able to get eye-to-eye with a colossal humpback whale. In an astonishing contrast the tiny human diver looks miniscule compared to the 50ft female gentle giant of the seas.

Marco Queral, 42, said the jaw-dropping moment was
all down to luck and had little to do with the skill he has mastered over 17 years. He said: "The success in getting these shots is pretty much always down to the whale..."

"...Their enormous size itself must be considered as an immediate
life-threatening danger. I must be very cautious when they approach
and investigate me..."

"...I believe they are gentle by nature but I am always aware their
kind greeting of a tail swing may easily kill me by accident."

To get his spectacular images of marine life, South American Marco relies on various tricks to catch the attention of the passing mammals.

"They are extremely intelligent. Just like humans they have their own mind and come with strong personalities. Therefore the success in cetacean photography is pretty much all up to them. They decide whether I can take pictures of them or not," said Marco Queral.

"...they decide whether I can take pictures of them or not. They must be in the right mood to let me get into this position...."

"...they are usually more shy and cautious toward humans and boats than dolphins are, perhaps because they are not so accustomed to seeing humans offshore. I think their bashfulness and timidity have been ingrained into their DNA,"said Marco Queral.
(Source: CCTV.com)

Kseniya Simonova creates drawing in sand in Yevpatoria

Kseniya Simonova, the winner of TV show contest "Ukraine's Got Talent", creates a drawing in sand in Yevpatoria September 24, 2009. The 24-year-old Ukrainian won a prize of 1 million hryvnias ($118, 343) for her display of story telling through sand animation during the contest. Picture taken September 24, 2009.

Kseniya Simonova, the winner of TV show contest "Ukraine's Got Talent", creates a drawing in sand in Yevpatoria September 24, 2009. The 24-year-old Ukrainian won a prize of 1 million hryvnias ($118, 343) for her display of story telling through sand animation during the contest. Picture taken September 24, 2009.

Kseniya Simonova, the winner of TV show contest "Ukraine's Got Talent", creates a drawing in sand in Yevpatoria September 24, 2009. The 24-year-old Ukrainian won a prize of 1 million hryvnias ($118, 343) for her display of story telling through sand animation during the contest. Picture taken September 24, 2009.
(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

Marelisa Gibson crowned Miss Venezuela 2009

Miss Universe 2009 Stefania Fernandez (L) helps Marelisa Gibson, Miss Miranda, with her sash after Gibson was crowned the new Miss Venezuela 2009 during the beauty pageant in Caracas September 25, 2009.

Marelisa Gibson waves after she was crowned Miss Venezuela 2009 during the beauty pageant in Caracas September 25, 2009.

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8.7 kg, giant baby born in Indonesia

A three-day old baby (L) weighing 8.7 kg (19.2 lb) sleeps next to an average-sized baby at the Abdul Manan General Hospital in Kisaran, Asahan regency, north Sumatra September 24, 2009. An Indonesian woman gave birth to the baby, whose weight is equal to the weight of an average year-old infant, by Caesarean section on September 21, local media reported. Picture taken September 24, 2009.

(Reuters photo)

World War II tank recovered in Manila Bay

MANILA, Sept. 23 -- A Philippine dredging barge dug out a vintage tank, believed to have been used by the United States troops during the World Word II, from the Manila Bay, coastguard officials said Wednesday.

A coastguard inspects a World War II tank, a Sherman M4-A1, which was found in Manila Bay September 23, 2009. The M4-A1 tank was recovered by a company dredging the coastal areas to clean up Manila bay on September 19, 2009.

Coast Guard commandant Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo said the ShermanM4-A1 Tank was found on Sept. 19 off Baseco port in Manila, two months after a Japanese canon was recovered from almost the same area.

Coast Guard officials described the car-size tank, as rusty, full of mud and its gun at the top missing and said they have informed the historians to determine the identity of the tank.

"It's a good find. Historically, it benefits us," Tamayo said. "We are safeguarding it but we have informed the National Historical Institute about it."

The Philippine archipelago was one of the fiercely-fought battle-fields of U.S. and Japanese forces during the World War II.

A coastguard inspects a World War II tank, a Sherman M4-A1, which was found in Manila Bay September 23, 2009. The M4-A1 tank was recovered by a company dredging the coastal areas to clean up Manila bay on September 19, 2009.

A coastguard jumps off a World War II tank, a Sherman M4-A1, which was found in Manila Bay September 23, 2009. The M4-A1 tank was recovered by a company dredging the coastal areas to clean up Manila bay on September 19, 2009.

(Xinhua)

World Car Free Day in Sao Paulo

People ride a bike taxi during a protest against cars during World Car Free Day on a road in Sao Paulo Sept. 22, 2009.

People ride a bike taxi during a protest against cars during World Car Free Day on a road in Sao Paulo Sept. 22, 2009.

Artist creates giant sculptures that look like terrifying creatures from ocean depths

This strange balloon creature appears to have taken off and is floating
above a stream.

BEIJING, Sept. 21 -- The extraordinary figures, which look like monsters from the depths of the ocean or creatures from another planet, are in fact highly complex sculptures made of nothing but thousands of common party balloons by New York artist Jason Hackenwerth.

This strange-looking sculpture made from hundreds of party balloons is called Alien Rainforest

Two of Jason's bizarre looking sculptures by the sea which could be their
natural home.

This scene of a man wearing one of the balloon sculptures looks like it
could be from another planet.

This sculpture called 'Venus In The Forest' shows a woman wearing one of
the huge sculptures.

This creepy creation was named 'Cyclops' by Jason.

This pink sculpture made of balloons looks like it is about to float up
into the sky.
(Source: CCTV.com)

Cuban "peace concert" attracts hundreds of thousands

Cuban singer X Alfonso (R) performs with his band during the "Peace Without Borders" concert in Havana's Revolution Square September 20, 2009.

BEIJING, Sept.21(Xinhuanet) -- An open-air "peace concert", headlined by the Colombian rock star Juanes, was held in Havana on Sunday attracting hundreds of thousands of Cubans. The crowd in the sprawling Revolution Square numbered 1.15 million people. It was hard to verify the number, but Juanes's visit was clearly the biggest by an outsider since Pope John Paul II's in 1998.

Most concert audiences chose to wear white to symbolize peace, and some held up signs reading "Peace on Earth" and "We Love You, Juanes."

The show lasted about three hours. Juanes said the concert was "the most beautiful dream of peace and love."

"We came to Cuba for love," he said. "We have overcome fear to be with you, and we hope that you, too, can overcome it."

Singers Juanes (L) of Colombia and Miguel Bose of Spain perform during the "Peace Without Borders" concert in Havana's Revolution Square September 20, 2009.

The concertgoers were very excited and enthusiastic. "We are going to stay as long as we have the strength," said Cristina Rodríguez, a 43-year-old nurse accompanied by her teenage son, Felix. They and thousands of others had arrived hours before the concert to get a good spot, ignoring government warnings not to turn up until noon.

Juanes recently met with Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, and the concert even prompted comment from President Obama.

"My understanding is that he's a terrific musician. He puts on a very good concert," Mr. Obama said in the interview broadcast Sunday. "I certainly don't think it hurts U.S.-Cuban relations. These kinds of cultural exchanges — I wouldn't overstate the degree that it helps."

People wait for the Peace Without Borders concert in Havana's Revolution Square September 20, 2009.

A child claps as he is raised above the crowd during the "Peace Without Borders" concert in Havana's Revolution Square September 20, 2009.

(Agencies)

Muslims celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr in Bangladesh

Muslims stand under a shelter in Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, as they come to join an Eid-ul-Fitr prayer in Dhaka, capital of Bangladesh, on Sept. 21, 2009. Bangladeshi Muslims celebrated the biggest religious festival of the Muslims on Monday.

Muslims leave Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, after an Eid-ul-Fitr prayer in Dhaka, capital of Bangladesh, on Sept. 21, 2009.

Muslims attend an Eid-ul-Fitr prayer in Baitul Mukarram National Mosque in Dhaka, capital of Bangladesh, on Sept. 21, 2009.

(Xinhua/Qamruzzaman)

Hairy competitors gather in Germany for moustache championships

A participant of the international World Beard and Moustache Championships looks on in Gruendau near Frankfurt September 19, 2009. Over 160 participants compete in 17 categories of beard and moustache styles.

A man with a large beard attends the international World Beard and Moustache Championships in Gruendau near Frankfurt September 19, 2009. Over 160 participants compete in 17 categories of beard and moustache styles.

Frenchman Herve Diebolt, a participant of the international World Beard and Moustache Championships smiles in Gruendau near Frankfurt September 19, 2009

A participant of the international World Beard and Moustache Championships smiles in Gruendau near Frankfurt September 19, 2009.

Juergen Burkhardt, participant of the international World Beard and Moustache Championships shape his beard in Gruendau near Frankfurt September 19, 2009. Over 160 participants compete in 17 categories of beard and moustache styles.

U.S. spectator Chris Perlot (L) and a participant of the international World Beard and Moustache Championships smile in Gruendau near Frankfurt September 19, 2009. Over 160 participants compete in 17 categories of beard and moustache styles.

Participants of the international World Beard and Moustache Championships rest in Gruendau near Frankfurt September 19, 2009. Over 160 participants compete in 17 categories of beard and moustache styles.

An Italian participant of the international World Beard and Moustache Championships looks on in Gruendau near Frankfurt September 19, 2009. Over 160 participants compete in 17 categories of beard and moustache styles.

Participants of the international World Beard and Moustache Championships shape their beards in Gruendau near Frankfurt September 19, 2009. Over 160 participants compete in 17 categories of beard and moustache styles.

(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

Miss Universe 2009 returns Venezuela with honors

Miss Universe 2009 Stefania Fernandez attends a news conference in Caracas, capital of Venezuela, Sept. 19, 2009. Fernandez was back in the country for the first time since she was crowned Miss Universe.

Miss Universe 2009 Stefania Fernandez attends a news conference in Caracas, capital of Venezuela, Sept. 19, 2009.

Miss Universe 2009 Stefania Fernandez attends a news conference in Caracas, capital of Venezuela, Sept. 19, 2009.
(Xinhua/Yi Nan)