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CHINA-TIANJIN-TIME-HONORED BRAND-VITALITY (CN)

(240809) -- TIANJIN, Aug. 9, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- A tailor designs the sample garment in the workshop of Laomeihua in north China's Tianjin Municipality, July 15, 2024. Laomeihua, founded in 1911, is a century-old brand famous for its handmade shoes and clothes. The brand's products showcase the beauty of tradition, and its traditional shoe-making techniques have been acknowledged as China's national intangible cultural heritage in 2011. In recent years, Laomeihua has continued to meet the consumption needs of young generations, through the adjustments of offline store layout, the development and promotion of e-commerce platforms, and new designs and technologies. Currently, the brand launches over 1,200 new items annually, injecting new vitality into the time-honored brand. Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM/Sun Fanyue)

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CHINA-TIANJIN-TIME-HONORED BRAND-VITALITY (CN)

(240809) -- TIANJIN, Aug. 9, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- A staff member makes customized embroidery designs based on customers' preferences at the Laomeihua flagship store in north China's Tianjin Municipality, July 15, 2024. Laomeihua, founded in 1911, is a century-old brand famous for its handmade shoes and clothes. The brand's products showcase the beauty of tradition, and its traditional shoe-making techniques have been acknowledged as China's national intangible cultural heritage in 2011. In recent years, Laomeihua has continued to meet the consumption needs of young generations, through the adjustments of offline store layout, the development and promotion of e-commerce platforms, and new designs and technologies. Currently, the brand launches over 1,200 new items annually, injecting new vitality into the time-honored brand. Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM/Sun Fanyue)

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CHINA-TIANJIN-TIME-HONORED BRAND-VITALITY (CN)

(240809) -- TIANJIN, Aug. 9, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- An embroidery machine stitches customized designs at the Laomeihua flagship store in north China's Tianjin Municipality, July 15, 2024. Laomeihua, founded in 1911, is a century-old brand famous for its handmade shoes and clothes. The brand's products showcase the beauty of tradition, and its traditional shoe-making techniques have been acknowledged as China's national intangible cultural heritage in 2011. In recent years, Laomeihua has continued to meet the consumption needs of young generations, through the adjustments of offline store layout, the development and promotion of e-commerce platforms, and new designs and technologies. Currently, the brand launches over 1,200 new items annually, injecting new vitality into the time-honored brand. Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM/Sun Fanyue)

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CHINA-TIANJIN-TIME-HONORED BRAND-VITALITY (CN)

(240809) -- TIANJIN, Aug. 9, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- Tailors work in the workshop of Laomeihua in north China's Tianjin Municipality, July 15, 2024. Laomeihua, founded in 1911, is a century-old brand famous for its handmade shoes and clothes. The brand's products showcase the beauty of tradition, and its traditional shoe-making techniques have been acknowledged as China's national intangible cultural heritage in 2011. In recent years, Laomeihua has continued to meet the consumption needs of young generations, through the adjustments of offline store layout, the development and promotion of e-commerce platforms, and new designs and technologies. Currently, the brand launches over 1,200 new items annually, injecting new vitality into the time-honored brand. Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM/Sun Fanyue)

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CHINA-TIANJIN-TIME-HONORED BRAND-VITALITY (CN)

(240809) -- TIANJIN, Aug. 9, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- A shoemaker of Laomeihua selects shoe design samples in north China's Tianjin Municipality, July 15, 2024. Laomeihua, founded in 1911, is a century-old brand famous for its handmade shoes and clothes. The brand's products showcase the beauty of tradition, and its traditional shoe-making techniques have been acknowledged as China's national intangible cultural heritage in 2011. In recent years, Laomeihua has continued to meet the consumption needs of young generations, through the adjustments of offline store layout, the development and promotion of e-commerce platforms, and new designs and technologies. Currently, the brand launches over 1,200 new items annually, injecting new vitality into the time-honored brand. Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM/Sun Fanyue)

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CHINA-GANSU-GANNAN-MAQU WETLANDS-CONSERVATION-RESTORATION (CN)

(230915) -- GANNAN, Sept. 15, 2023 (Xinhua) -- This combo photo shows technicians checking the grass degradation of a grassland (above, photo taken by Xinhua photographer Nie Jianjiang on June 9, 2011) and the grassland after restoration (below, photo taken by Xinhua photographer Chen Bin on July 6, 2023) in Ouqiang Village of Maqu County, Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Gansu Province. Located on the northeast rim of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Maqu County boasts an extensive presence of grasslands and wetlands. Maqu, meaning "the Yellow River" in the Tibetan language, is the only county named after "Yellow River" in China. Covering an area of 5.62 million mu (about 374,667 hectares), the Maqu wetlands serve as an important water reserve and eco-zone in the upper reaches of the Yellow River. However, the Maqu wetlands once suffered from shrinking lake areas, grass degradation, and decreasing water conservation capacity. In order to protect the Maqu wetlands from degrading further,

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CHINA-GANSU-GANNAN-MAQU WETLANDS-CONSERVATION-RESTORATION (CN)

(230915) -- GANNAN, Sept. 15, 2023 (Xinhua) -- This combo photo shows a villager walking on a degraded grassland (above, photo taken by Xinhua photographer Nie Jianjiang on June 9, 2011) and the grassland after restoration (below, photo taken by Xinhua photographer Chen Bin on July 6, 2023) in Ouqiang Village of Maqu County, Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Gansu Province. Located on the northeast rim of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Maqu County boasts an extensive presence of grasslands and wetlands. Maqu, meaning "the Yellow River" in the Tibetan language, is the only county named after "Yellow River" in China. Covering an area of 5.62 million mu (about 374,667 hectares), the Maqu wetlands serve as an important water reserve and eco-zone in the upper reaches of the Yellow River. However, the Maqu wetlands once suffered from shrinking lake areas, grass degradation, and decreasing water conservation capacity. In order to protect the Maqu wetlands from degrading further, Maqu County has

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CHINA-YUNNAN-GAOLIGONGSHAN NATURE RESERVE-RANGER (CN)

(230712) -- LUSHUI, July 12, 2023 (Xinhua) -- He Guipin picks a plant sample during a patrol at the Gaoligongshan national nature reserve in southwest China's Yunnan Province, July 9, 2023. Gaoligongshan mountains, where about 17 percent of China's higher plants species, 30 percent of mammal species and over 35 percent of birds species are found, is an important showcase of the country's biodiversity protection. In 2011, the Nujiang Golden Monkey, the fifth golden monkey species in the world, was also found here. He Guipin, a ranger of the Lushui branch of the Gaoligongshan national nature reserve, has been doing the work for 28 years, during which he patrols the forest, prevents the forest fire, and combats with illegal loggers and hunters. In the protection of rangers like He Guipin, the ecological environment of the nature reserve has been improved gradually, and over 600 new animal and plant species have been discovered here since 1980. "That's the meaning of our work," said He Guipin, "Although

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CHINA-YUNNAN-GAOLIGONGSHAN NATURE RESERVE-RANGER (CN)

(230712) -- LUSHUI, July 12, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Rangers examine an infrared camera during a patrol at the Gaoligongshan national nature reserve in southwest China's Yunnan Province, July 9, 2023. Gaoligongshan mountains, where about 17 percent of China's higher plants species, 30 percent of mammal species and over 35 percent of birds species are found, is an important showcase of the country's biodiversity protection. In 2011, the Nujiang Golden Monkey, the fifth golden monkey species in the world, was also found here. He Guipin, a ranger of the Lushui branch of the Gaoligongshan national nature reserve, has been doing the work for 28 years, during which he patrols the forest, prevents the forest fire, and combats with illegal loggers and hunters. In the protection of rangers like He Guipin, the ecological environment of the nature reserve has been improved gradually, and over 600 new animal and plant species have been discovered here since 1980. "That's the meaning of our work," said He Guipin, "Alth

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CHINA-YUNNAN-GAOLIGONGSHAN NATURE RESERVE-RANGER (CN)

(230712) -- LUSHUI, July 12, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Rangers set an infrared camera during a patrol at the Gaoligongshan national nature reserve in southwest China's Yunnan Province, July 9, 2023. Gaoligongshan mountains, where about 17 percent of China's higher plants species, 30 percent of mammal species and over 35 percent of birds species are found, is an important showcase of the country's biodiversity protection. In 2011, the Nujiang Golden Monkey, the fifth golden monkey species in the world, was also found here. He Guipin, a ranger of the Lushui branch of the Gaoligongshan national nature reserve, has been doing the work for 28 years, during which he patrols the forest, prevents the forest fire, and combats with illegal loggers and hunters. In the protection of rangers like He Guipin, the ecological environment of the nature reserve has been improved gradually, and over 600 new animal and plant species have been discovered here since 1980. "That's the meaning of our work," said He Guipin, "Although

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CHINA-YUNNAN-GAOLIGONGSHAN NATURE RESERVE-RANGER (CN)

(230712) -- LUSHUI, July 12, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Rangers are seen during a patrol at the Gaoligongshan national nature reserve in southwest China's Yunnan Province, July 9, 2023. Gaoligongshan mountains, where about 17 percent of China's higher plants species, 30 percent of mammal species and over 35 percent of birds species are found, is an important showcase of the country's biodiversity protection. In 2011, the Nujiang Golden Monkey, the fifth golden monkey species in the world, was also found here. He Guipin, a ranger of the Lushui branch of the Gaoligongshan national nature reserve, has been doing the work for 28 years, during which he patrols the forest, prevents the forest fire, and combats with illegal loggers and hunters. In the protection of rangers like He Guipin, the ecological environment of the nature reserve has been improved gradually, and over 600 new animal and plant species have been discovered here since 1980. "That's the meaning of our work," said He Guipin, "Although the work is t

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CHINA-YUNNAN-GAOLIGONGSHAN NATURE RESERVE-RANGER (CN)

(230712) -- LUSHUI, July 12, 2023 (Xinhua) -- This aerial photo taken on July 9, 2023 shows rangers during a patrol at the Gaoligongshan national nature reserve in southwest China's Yunnan Province. Gaoligongshan mountains, where about 17 percent of China's higher plants species, 30 percent of mammal species and over 35 percent of birds species are found, is an important showcase of the country's biodiversity protection. In 2011, the Nujiang Golden Monkey, the fifth golden monkey species in the world, was also found here. He Guipin, a ranger of the Lushui branch of the Gaoligongshan national nature reserve, has been doing the work for 28 years, during which he patrols the forest, prevents the forest fire, and combats with illegal loggers and hunters. In the protection of rangers like He Guipin, the ecological environment of the nature reserve has been improved gradually, and over 600 new animal and plant species have been discovered here since 1980. "That's the meaning of our work," said He Guipin,

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CHINA-YUNNAN-GAOLIGONGSHAN NATURE RESERVE-RANGER (CN)

(230712) -- LUSHUI, July 12, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Rangers help each other cross a river during a patrol at the Gaoligongshan national nature reserve in southwest China's Yunnan Province, July 9, 2023. Gaoligongshan mountains, where about 17 percent of China's higher plants species, 30 percent of mammal species and over 35 percent of birds species are found, is an important showcase of the country's biodiversity protection. In 2011, the Nujiang Golden Monkey, the fifth golden monkey species in the world, was also found here. He Guipin, a ranger of the Lushui branch of the Gaoligongshan national nature reserve, has been doing the work for 28 years, during which he patrols the forest, prevents the forest fire, and combats with illegal loggers and hunters. In the protection of rangers like He Guipin, the ecological environment of the nature reserve has been improved gradually, and over 600 new animal and plant species have been discovered here since 1980. "That's the meaning of our work," said He Guipin, "A

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CHINA-YUNNAN-GAOLIGONGSHAN NATURE RESERVE-RANGER (CN)

(230712) -- LUSHUI, July 12, 2023 (Xinhua) -- This photo taken on July 9, 2023 shows Phayre's leaf monkeys at the Gaoligongshan national nature reserve in southwest China's Yunnan Province. Gaoligongshan mountains, where about 17 percent of China's higher plants species, 30 percent of mammal species and over 35 percent of birds species are found, is an important showcase of the country's biodiversity protection. In 2011, the Nujiang Golden Monkey, the fifth golden monkey species in the world, was also found here. He Guipin, a ranger of the Lushui branch of the Gaoligongshan national nature reserve, has been doing the work for 28 years, during which he patrols the forest, prevents the forest fire, and combats with illegal loggers and hunters. In the protection of rangers like He Guipin, the ecological environment of the nature reserve has been improved gradually, and over 600 new animal and plant species have been discovered here since 1980. "That's the meaning of our work," said He Guipin, "Although

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CHINA-YUNNAN-GAOLIGONGSHAN NATURE RESERVE-RANGER (CN)

(230712) -- LUSHUI, July 12, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Rangers check images captured by an infrared camera during a patrol at the Gaoligongshan national nature reserve in southwest China's Yunnan Province, July 9, 2023. Gaoligongshan mountains, where about 17 percent of China's higher plants species, 30 percent of mammal species and over 35 percent of birds species are found, is an important showcase of the country's biodiversity protection. In 2011, the Nujiang Golden Monkey, the fifth golden monkey species in the world, was also found here. He Guipin, a ranger of the Lushui branch of the Gaoligongshan national nature reserve, has been doing the work for 28 years, during which he patrols the forest, prevents the forest fire, and combats with illegal loggers and hunters. In the protection of rangers like He Guipin, the ecological environment of the nature reserve has been improved gradually, and over 600 new animal and plant species have been discovered here since 1980. "That's the meaning of our work," said

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CHINA-YUNNAN-GAOLIGONGSHAN NATURE RESERVE-RANGER (CN)

(230712) -- LUSHUI, July 12, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Rangers weed beside an infrared camera during a patrol at the Gaoligongshan national nature reserve in southwest China's Yunnan Province, July 9, 2023. Gaoligongshan mountains, where about 17 percent of China's higher plants species, 30 percent of mammal species and over 35 percent of birds species are found, is an important showcase of the country's biodiversity protection. In 2011, the Nujiang Golden Monkey, the fifth golden monkey species in the world, was also found here. He Guipin, a ranger of the Lushui branch of the Gaoligongshan national nature reserve, has been doing the work for 28 years, during which he patrols the forest, prevents the forest fire, and combats with illegal loggers and hunters. In the protection of rangers like He Guipin, the ecological environment of the nature reserve has been improved gradually, and over 600 new animal and plant species have been discovered here since 1980. "That's the meaning of our work," said He Guipin, "

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"Brick Rodeo" LEGO Fan Exhibition takes place in Texas

STORY: "Brick Rodeo" LEGO Fan Exhibition takes place in Texas DATELINE: July 10, 2023 LENGTH: 00:03:54 LOCATION: HOUSTON, U.S. CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the exhibition STORYLINE: The "Brick Rodeo" LEGO Fan Exhibition took place in Sugar Land in the U.S. state of Texas from July 6 to 9. The event was organized by the Houston Brick Club and LEGO fans from all over Texas. All models showcased at the "Brick Rodeo" were designed and constructed by LEGO enthusiasts. This year's "Brick Rodeo" marks the 12th edition of the event. The convention is operated by volunteers from various LEGO fan groups across Texas, and since its establishment in Austin in 2011, it has been held annually in Houston, Dallas/Fort Worth, San Antonio, and Austin. Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Houston, U.S. (XHTV)

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Photo exhibit at U.N. on 2011 disaster recovery

NEW YORK, United States - Kiyoshi Murakami (L), representative of nonprofit organization Aid TAKATA which serves as a liaison council for supporting Iwate Prefecture's Rikuzentakata, Sendai Mayor Emiko Okuyama (C), and Fumihiko Imamura, director of Tohoku University's International Research Institute of Disaster Science, stand in front of photo panels on the 2011 earthquake and tsunami disaster displayed at the U.N. headquarters in New York on July 9, 2014.

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Sendai mayor explains photos on 2011 disaster at U.N.

NEW YORK, United States - Sendai Mayor Emiko Okuyama explains photographs and graphics on the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami disaster in northeastern Japan and ensuing recovery efforts exhibited at the United Nations headquarters in New York on July 9, 2014. The third U.N. World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction will be held next March in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture.

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U.N. visitors see photos on 2011 disaster, recovery

NEW YORK, United States - Visitors see photographs and graphics on the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami disaster in northeastern Japan and ensuing recovery efforts, exhibited at the United Nations headquarters in New York on July 9, 2014.

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Keidanren to request extending support for Tohoku

SENDAI, Japan - Sadayuki Sakakibara, chairman of Keidanren (Japan Business Federation), speaks at a press conference in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, on July 9, 2014. Sakakibara said he will urge the government to extend the 5-year intensive reconstruction period for damage caused by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami, after a meeting with business leaders in the Tohoku region.

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Ex-Fukushima Daiichi plant chief Yoshida dies

TOKYO, Japan - File photo taken in November 2011 shows Masao Yoshida, head of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power complex, giving a speech as the crippled plant is shown to journalists for the first time since the start of the nuclear crisis in March 2011. Yoshida died of esophageal cancer at a Tokyo hospital on July 9, 2013, Tokyo Electric Power Co. said. He was 58. After the Fukushima complex was hit by tsunami waves following a huge earthquake, Yoshida took command of the situation in an isolated building on the plant's premises.

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Ex-Fukushima Daiichi plant chief Yoshida dies

TOKYO, Japan - File photo taken in November 2011 shows Masao Yoshida, head of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power complex, as the crippled plant is shown to journalists for the first time since the start of the nuclear crisis in March 2011. Yoshida died of esophageal cancer at a Tokyo hospital on July 9, 2013, Tokyo Electric Power Co. said. He was 58. After the Fukushima complex was hit by tsunami waves following a huge earthquake, Yoshida took command of the situation in an isolated building on the plant's premises.

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Oi reactor regains criticality

OI, Japan - Photo from a Kyodo News helicopter shows the No. 4 reactor (front) of the Oi nuclear power station in Fukui Prefecture on July 19, 2012. The reactor reached criticality that morning following its reactivation the night before by its operator, Kansai Electric Power Co. The reactor is the second to go back online after all of Japan's commercial reactors were taken offline for regular checks in the wake of the March 2011 Fukushima nuclear crisis. The first to resume operation was the Oi plant's No. 3 reactor (back) which was brought to full operation on July 9.

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Oi reactor regains criticality

OI, Japan - Photo shows the No. 4 reactor (L) of the Oi nuclear power station in Fukui Prefecture on July 19, 2012. The reactor reached criticality that morning following its reactivation the night before by its operator, Kansai Electric Power Co. The reactor is the second to go back online, after all of Japan's commercial reactors were taken offline for regular checks in the wake of the March 2011 Fukushima nuclear crisis. The first to resume operation was the Oi plant's No. 3 reactor (R) which was brought to full operation on July 9.

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2nd reactor restarted at Oi power plant

OI, Japan - Photo taken July 18, 2012, shows the No. 4 reactor building (L) at Kansai Electric Power Co.'s Oi nuclear power plant in the town of Oi, Fukui Prefecture. The No. 4 reactor was restarted later, around 9 p.m., the same day, becoming only the second reactor to resume operation after being shut down for periodic checks since the Fukushima nuclear crisis began in March 2011. The building housing the No. 3 reactor, which the utility reactivated on July 1 and brought to full operation on July 9, can be seen to the right.

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2nd reactor restarted at Oi power plant

OI, Japan - Workers in the main control room reactivate the No. 4 reactor at Kansai Electric Power Co.'s Oi nuclear power plant in the town of Oi, Fukui Prefecture, around 9 p.m. on July 18, 2012. The No. 4 reactor became the second reactor to resume operation after being shut down for periodic checks since the Fukushima nuclear crisis began in March 2011. (Pool photo)

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2nd reactor restarted at Oi power plant

OI, Japan - Security guards stand near the entrance to Kansai Electric Power Co.'s Oi nuclear power plant in the town of Oi, Fukui Prefecture, at 7:52 p.m. on July 18, 2012. The No. 4 reactor at the plant was reactivated around 9 p.m. the same day, becoming only the second reactor to resume operation after being shut down for periodic checks since the Fukushima nuclear crisis began in March 2011.

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Another reactor at Oi power plant reactivated

NAGOYA, Japan - Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on July 9, 2012, shows the No. 4 reactor building (front) at Kansai Electric Power Co.'s Oi nuclear power plant in the town of Oi, Fukui Prefecture. The No. 4 reactor was reactivated around 9 p.m. on July 18, becoming only the second reactor to resume operation after being shut down for periodic checks since the Fukushima nuclear crisis began in March 2011. The building housing the No. 3 reactor, which the utility reactivated on July 1 and brought to full operation on July 9, stands just behind.

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Another reactor at Oi power plant reactivated

OI, Japan - Senior Vice Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Seishu Makino (front) attends a press conference in the town of Oi, Fukui Prefecture, on the afternoon of July 18, 2012. The No. 4 reactor at Kansai Electric Power Co.'s Oi nuclear power plant in the town was reactivated around 9 p.m. the same day, becoming only the second reactor to resume operation after being shut down for regular checks since the Fukushima nuclear crisis began in March 2011.

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Japan nuclear reactor resumes full operation

FUKUI, Japan - Photo on July 9, 2012, from a Kyodo News helicopter shows the No. 3 reactor (R) at the Oi plant on the Sea of Japan coast in Fukui Prefecture. The reactor began generating electricity at capacity that day, becoming the first of the country's 50 commercial reactors to return to full service after all were taken offline in May 2012 in the wake of the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi nuclear crisis.

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Japan's Sawa named FIFA Women's Player of Year

TOKYO, Japan - Japan's Homare Sawa (R) equalizes in the second half of extra time in the Women's World Cup final against the United States in July 2011 in Germany, en route to Nadeshiko Japan's first World Cup title in a penalty shootout. Sawa was named FIFA Women's World Player of the Year on Jan. 9, 2012.

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Zaveri Bazar in Mumbai

MUMBAI, India - Photo taken on Aug. 9, 2011, shows Zaveri Bazar in Mumbai, western India. The first of three fatal bomb blasts in Mumbai occurred in the bazaar on July 13, 2011.

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Zaveri Bazar in Mumbai

MUMBAI, India - Photo taken on Aug. 9, 2011, shows Zaveri Bazar in Mumbai, western India. The first of three fatal bomb blasts in Mumbai occurred in the bazaar on July 13, 2011.

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London 1 year before Olympics

LONDON, Britain - Double-decker buses form a line in front of Trafalgar Square in London on July 9, 2011, a Saturday. The city is preparing for hosting its third Olympic Games, whose opening ceremony will be held July 27, 2012.

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London 1 year before Olympics

LONDON, Britain - A street performer dressed as Queen Elizabeth II dances on Westminster Bridge in London on July 9, 2011, about a year before the opening of the London 2012 Olympic Games. The London Eye can be seen in the background.

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S. Sudan declares independence

TOKYO, Japan - People pose for photos in front of a statue of civil war hero John Garang in Juba on July 9, 2011, the day South Sudan declared independence.

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S. Sudan declares independence

TOKYO, Japan - Combined photos taken on July 8 and 9, 2011, show faces of people celebrating the independence of South Sudan. The country officially declared independence from Sudan on July 9, 2011.

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S. Sudan declares independence

TOKYO, Japan - Young men sing the national anthem and wave national flags to celebrate the independence of South Sudan in the capital Juba on July 9, 2011. The country declared its independence the same day, after a referendum in January.

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S. Sudan declares independence

TOKYO, Japan - A man holds a young child with South Sudan's national flag at the site of the independence ceremony for South Sudan in the capital Juba on July 9, 2011.

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S. Sudan declares independence

TOKYO, Japan - Women express their joy during the independence ceremony for South Sudan in the capital Juba on July 9, 2011.

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S. Sudan declares independence

TOKYO, Japan - People run into the venue of the independence ceremony for South Sudan in the capital Juba after it opened on the morning of July 9, 2011.

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Nagasaki peace statue cleaned

NAGASAKI, Japan - The Peace Statue in Nagasaki Peace Park is cleaned on July 16, 2011, ahead of the anniversary of the Aug. 9, 1945, U.S. atomic bombing of the city.

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South Sudan secession from Sudan

KHARTOUM, Sudan - People parade in Sudan's capital Khartoum on July 9, 2011, after South Sudan seceded from the country the same day.

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Sawa scores against Sendai

KASHIWA, Japan - Masakatsu Sawa of Kashiwa Reysol (L) scores with a header in the closing minutes of a J-League game against Vegalta Sendai at Kashiwa Stadium in Chiba Prefecture on July 9, 2011. Kashiwa won 1-0.

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Reconstruction minister Hirano in Iwate Pref.

MORIOKA, Japan - Japan's new reconstruction minister Tatsuo Hirano (L) receives a letter of request from Iwate Gov. Takuya Tasso at the Iwate prefectural government office in Morioka on July 9, 2011, during his first visit to areas devastated by the March 11 quake and tsunami since assuming the post. Hirano told Tasso he hopes the central government can team up with prefectures in reconstructing the disaster-hit areas.

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Japan stun Germany to reach Women's World Cup semis

WOLFSBURG, Germany - Japan players celebrate after beating Germany 1-0 in the Women's World Cup quarterfinals in Wolfsburg, Germany, on July 9, 2011. Japan reached the semifinals of the Women's World Cup for the first time.

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South Sudan declares independence

JUBA, South Sudan - South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit (L) and Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir (C) attend a ceremony to declare the official independence of the Republic of South Sudan in Juba on July 9, 2011. South Sudan became the 54th state in Africa and is expected to be approved as the 193rd member state of the United Nations by the U.N. General Assembly in the following week.

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Japan stun Germany to reach Women's World Cup semis

WOLFSBURG, Germany - Japan substitute Karina Maruyama (R) lashes home an extra-time winner during a Women's World Cup quarterfinal match against Germany in Wolfsburg, Germany, on July 9, 2011. Japan beat Germany 1-0 to reach the semifinals of the Women's World Cup for the first time.

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PM Kan at meeting with DPJ officials

TOKYO, Japan - Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan speaks during a meeting with senior officials of his ruling Democratic Party of Japan's local chapters from across the country at the party's headquarters in Tokyo on July 9, 2011.