Unfazed by bombings, India has an option: peace
(AP) - With a deadly attack on its embassy in Afghanistan, Pakistani troops clashing with its soldiers in disputed Kashmir and Islamic militants bombing its cities, India has in recent months seemed a country under siege.
Politics, pageantry blend for Bush at Olympics
President Bush, the first U. S. president to attend an Olympics abroad, blended political messages for China and Russia with high fives and hugs for American athletes Friday.
Beijing couples rush to tie knot on lucky 08-08-08
(AP) - For over a year, Zhao Gang and Liu Rui had hoped to get married at 8:08 a. m. on China's auspicious triple-eight date Friday. Problem was, so did more than 16,000 other Beijing couples.
Security tightens more as Olympics get under way
Security forces squeezed their grip on China a notch tighter Friday for the start of the Olympics, edging up restrictions in the capital and imposing much tougher ones in a restive Muslim area in the country's far west.
China strides onto Olympic stage
(AP) - Once-reclusive China commandeered the world stage Friday, celebrating its first-time role as Olympic host with a stunning display of pyrotechnics and pageantry _ topped by the unworldly sight of a flying gymnast, traversing the heights of the stadium to light the flame and begin the Summer Games.
Shrine clash threatens to tear Kashmir from India
(AP) - It started as a small demonstration against a plan to build bathrooms and shelters for Hindu pilgrims visiting a shrine in Kashmir.
But 12 deaths and 47 days of rioting have transformed the protests into one of the worst political crises to hit this Himalayan region, threatening to sever the bonds between the predominantly Muslim region of Kashmir and Hindu-majority India.
US urges calm in South Ossetia
(AP) - The United States called Friday for an immediate cease-fire in a conflict between Russia and Georgia over the breakaway Georgian province of South Ossetia.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has spoken to the parties involved and was working to end the fighting, State Department spokesman Gonzalo Gallegos told reporters.
Tibetans exiles in India protest Beijing Olympics
(AP) - More than a thousand Tibetan exiles held protests in pouring rain Friday in New Delhi, chanting anti-China slogans and demanding freedom for Tibet hours ahead of the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics.
Uranium spill at Japan fuel plant, no injury
(AP) - A small amount of liquid containing uranium splashed out of a container at a Japanese nuclear fuel plant near Tokyo, slightly exposing two people to radiation, the plant operator said Friday.
Musharraf allies warn impeachment could be messy
(AP) - The party of ex-prime minister Nawaz Sharif said Friday it is rejoining the Cabinet, a gesture of solidarity now that the bickering coalition partners have agreed to seek President Pervez Musharraf's impeachment.
China tightens security in restive Muslim region
(AP) - Police shut down a bustling bazaar in the capital of China's restive Muslim region of Xinjiang Friday, tightening security there after an Islamic group seeking independence for the area threatened to attack buses, trains and planes during the Olympics.
TRIP NOTEBOOK: Beijing a Bush family homecoming
(AP) - For one old China hand, the Beijing Olympics are a special homecoming.
Oh, and his son _ the leader of the free world _ thinks it's pretty cool to be here with him.
Bush gives pep talks to US Olympians in Beijing
President Bush blended carefully calibrated political messages for China and Russia with enthusiasm for his nation's athletes Friday as he became the first U.
Bush, Chinese leader exchange warm greeting
Speaking on China's turf the very day it hosted the opening of the Olympic Games, President Bush on Friday prodded the communist country to lessen repression and "let people say what they think.
Chinese plane returns to Japan after bomb threat
(AP) - An Air China passenger jet was forced to return to Japan and four others were delayed Friday after a bomb threat was e-mailed to the airline's Tokyo office, the Japanese Transport Ministry said.