1.   A welcome ceremony for the crew is expected at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station in the state of Washington state later this week, the Pentagon said.

2.   But because of security worries, no welcome ceremonies were planned.

3.   Patriarch Maxim of Bulgaria attended the welcome ceremony for the pope Thursday, led by Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov, but kept an icy distance.

4.   A conch shell sounded the start of an elaborate welcome ceremony, which included a menacing challenge by warriors who shouted, rolled their eyes and poked their tongues.

5.   After immigration formalities, the convoy crossed into the newly-constructed Mamuno Border Post to a colourful welcome ceremony - dances by bare-bossomed young girls.

6.   An official welcome ceremony with President Nelson Mandela was scheduled Monday.

7.   An official welcome ceremony was later held at the palace, according to the official Syrian Arab News Agency.

8.   Anh and Muoi held a joint welcome ceremony for Jiang under unusually tight security.

9.   Chinese President Jiang Zemin paid an official visit to the Alpine nation in March and was furious that the government allowed a noisy pro-Tibet demonstration during a welcome ceremony.

10.   Czech television carried the welcome ceremonies live.