Pictures of a new era

China Daily has chosen a selection of powerful and evocative pictures, from tens of thousands of images taken throughout the course of the year.

Wonderland for winter sports

BEIJING AND ZHANGJIAKOU ARE TO HOST THE WINTER OLYMPIC GAMES in 2022, boosting the popularity of winter sports not only in Heilongjiang, Jilin and Liaoning - the three provinces in Northeast China that have long winters and which have produced the majority of China's winter sports champions - but also in other places where winter is a lot shorter, such as Shandong province in East China and Henan province in Central China.

Kabul bombings kill 40, IS claims responsibility

KABUL - At least 40 people were killed and dozens more wounded in multiple blasts at a Shiite cultural center in Kabul on Thursday, officials said, in the latest deadly violence to hit the Afghan capital.

St. Petersburg blast was act of terror, Putin says

ST. PETERSBURG - Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday said an explosion that tore through a St. Petersburg supermarket, wounding 13 people, was an act of terror, as footage of the suspected bomber spread on the internet.

First results expected in Liberian poll

MONROVIA, Liberia - Initial results were expected on Thursday in Liberia's landmark presidential poll, pitting former soccer superstar George Weah against Vice-President Joseph Boakai.

India's 'moonwalking' traffic cop turns heads

INDORE, India - He is inspired by Bollywood and has a Freddie Mercury-style mustache - but it is the Michael Jackson dance moves of traffic cop Ranjeet Singh that grab attention on chaotic streets.

Ukraine, rebels in largest prisoner swap

KIEV - The Ukrainian government and pro-independence insurgents in the eastern part of the country on Wednesday carried out their largest prisoner swap since the start of the conflict in April 2014, according to the reports from the rival parties.

Moon: 2015 deal with Japan flawed

SEOUL - South Korean President Moon Jae-in said on Thursday the country's 2015 agreement with Japan to settle a decadelong impasse over wartime sexual slavery was seriously flawed.

IN BRIEF (Page 12)

ROK confirms secret deal with Japan on sex slaves

SEOUL - The Republic of Korea on Wednesday confirmed the existence of a secret deal with Japan in the 2015 agreement between the two countries over the victims who were forced into sex enslavement for Japanese military brothels during World War II.

US slaps sanctions on DPRK; Russia offers to mediate

WASHINGTON/MOSCOW - The United States has issued sanctions on two citizens of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea over their alleged involvement in the country's ballistic missile programs, while Russia reiterated an offer to mediate to ease tension between Washington and Pyongyang.

Evacuations begin from Syrian town

DOUMA, Syria - Aid workers have begun evacuating emergency medical cases from Syria's besieged rebel bastion of Eastern Ghouta, the Red Cross said on Wednesday, after months of waiting during which the United Nations said at least 16 people died.