Page1

Top News

Ample grain to keep food prices stable
The country has enough grain reserves to keep food prices stable, the top economic planner said yesterday.

Hu dines on memories, friendship

Visa policy 'is based on global practices'

Nationwide campaign launched against epidemic

Myanmar cyclone death toll tops 22,000

Page2

Top News

Chinese view Japan 'more positively'
Chinese urbanites are changing their attitudes toward Japan and many of them are viewing their Asian neighbor more positively, a recent survey has shown.

Ties face new opportunities: Hu

Page3

Nation

Legal redress for victims of mental trauma
Compensation for mental trauma will be enshrined in law early next year when the country's top legislature completes its amendment to the decades-old State Compensation Law, a top judge has said.

Disease 'under control' in Beijing

10 doctors, officials punished for malpractice over virus outbreak

China, Barbados to boost bilateral ties

US drugs firm 'didn't cooperate'

Page4

Nation

Battle to go on against gangs
Minister of Public Security, Meng Jianzhu, said on Monday the fight against Mafia-style gangs would be a "lasting task" as such gangs remain active in the country.

Son brings home bacon, despite dad's fears

Workers sue govt for denial of information

Transparency to be improved

One phone number for all emergencies

Page5

Nation

36-member climb team announced
The team of climbers that will carry the Olympic torch to the summit of Mt Qomolangma was announced yesterday at a press conference at the mountain's media center, 5,000 m above sea level.

Young Chinese in US speak out for peace, love

Tibet culture being well preserved: US editor

Across China: Beijing

Across China: Taiwan

Across China: Shanghai

Across China: Zhejiang

Across China: Macao

Page6

China Scene

Long lost families reunited at search event
After decades of searching for her long-lost mother, Yang Jinchou finally found her in Yixing, Jiangsu province, last Thursday.

China Scene: North

China Scene: East

China Scene: South

China Scene: West

China Scene: Central

Page7

Insight

Discarded computers poisoning Africa's kids
Thousands of discarded computers from Western Europe and the United States arrive in the ports of west Africa every day, ending up in massive toxic dumps where children burn and pull them apart to extract metals for cash.

Page8

Comment

US using 'Tibet issue' to keep check on China
The riots in Tibetan-inhabited areas in our country in March are not as simple as some members of the Western media seem to think. People will see that the so-called "Tibet issue" is a "pawn" in the United States' game of keeping China in check and is closely linked to Washington's China policy. All they have to do is look back at the international backdrop since the end of Cold War and especially the evolution of the China policy of the US.

Cartoon

Dismantle monopoly

The right to know

Hot Words

Letting the young learn from life

Page9

Opinion

If it's China, you need to send only bad news
I have long realized that when it comes to reporting about foreign and different countries, many or even the majority of Western news writers cannot be trusted.

Outside View

Indonesian food industry: Prospects in turmoil

From our archives

Page10

International

Putin steps down as president today
Vladimir Putin, who is seen by many to have striven to make Russia great again during his eight years as president, will step down today to be replaced by his successor Dmitry Medvedev.

Israel's Barak weighs post-Olmert options

Georgia 'very close' to war with Russia

Thailand drops plan for setting up rice cartel

Chinese crew to head home, judge says

Around the World: United Kingdom

Around the World: Russia

Around the World: European Union

Around the World: France

Page11

International

Iraq, Vietnam veterans see similarity
In the Vietnam War, some in the US military who opposed the war wore a paper clip on their uniform as a sign of dissent - an underground tradition some who fought in Iraq want to revive.

Jews return to Russia despite anti-Semitism

Surveillance TV a fiasco, says top cop

Study shows children who are breast fed are smarter

Across Asia: Republic of Korea

Across Asia: Japan

IN BRIEF (Page 11)

Page12

Torch Relay

Haikou, city of hope, plays gracious host
The Olympic torch will cross many Chinese cities, but there is something different about its passage through Haikou.

Islanders take in relay's festivities

Flame touches 1 million

Grit, determination to hold the flame high

Couples like Olympic-style marriage

Page13

Business

Inflation expected to go down in Q2
Inflation could dip to 7.5 percent in the second quarter from 8 percent in the first, but inflationary pressures will stay strong because of surging grain prices and robust investment, said a top government think tank.

Baijiu on a grain high

Page14

Business China

BEA closer to issuing debit cards
Bank of East Asia (BEA), one of the first few overseas banks to be locally incorporated on the mainland, has passed central bank tests for its debit card operations, making it the first overseas lender to possibly issue its own debit cards.

Microsoft to build $280m R&D center in Beijing

US firms eyeing Shanghai

PetroChina sets sights on 45% market share

IN BRIEF (Page 14)

Page15

Business Roundup

Market edges down on economy fears
Chinese stocks fell in heavy trade yesterday, led by financials, as some investors worried that upcoming economic data could stall the market's two-week rebound.

Biz scene

Page16

Business International

Peace proves profitable for N. Ireland
For years, Northern Ireland was a byword for brutality and fear. But now, the tiny province is selling itself as a central, low-cost land of business opportunity, and investors are buying.

Adidas earnings up on cost cuts

Samsung profit rises on prices

Russian gaming billionaire eyes expansion plans

IN BRIEF (Page 16)

Page17

Business International

Fannie Mae posts $2.19b Q1 net loss
Fannie Mae, the largest US mortgage-finance company, reported a wider loss than analysts estimated and said it will cut its dividend and raise $6 billion in capital to help overcome the worst housing slump since the Great Depression.

UBS to axe 5,500 jobs

Yang says he may sell if the price is right

Crude oil gets close to $121 mark

IN BRIEF (Page 17)

Page18

Life

Skills that thrill
Wang Hexin, a sales manager at a medical store, is widely considered a veteran wushu practitioner in Beijing, trained in such kungfu styles as Mei Hua Quan, Da Cheng Quan, and Zhu Sha Zhang.

All about self-discipline

Panda huggers Gou and Zeng find money conquers all

Page19

Life Travel

What a high!
Safety is our primary concern when I and photographer Lu Zhongqiu prepare for a hot air balloon ride. "Is it safe?" Lu asks Zhu Qingchen, president of Topsun Communications Group.

Scorching heat, drenching plum rains, characterize Nanchang

Page20

Life Pulse

Victory lap
May 2, 2008, was a red-letter day for the people of Hong Kong - 44 years after the Olympic torch first arrived on Sept, 1964, the island witnessed another historic moment.

A life amid kind thieves and prescient old men

Reviews

Page22

Sports

Ivanovic has eyes on Henin's world crown
BERLIN: Having described her 2007 German Open win as "one of the turning points in my career", world No 2 Ana Ivanovic is back in Berlin to defend her title as she aims to become the best in the world.

Grant promises United fight for right to title

Lakers' Bryant on brink of being named MVP

O'Sullivan clinches 3rd world title

Top shot

Page23

Sports China

China's soccer exports face uncertain future
Chinese soccer fans have had a lot of reasons to cheer their English league exports, Sun Jihai and Zheng Zhi, but now they also have good reason to be concerned.

Time for emerging pros to step up

Score board

Page24

Sports

Hornets rip Spurs to grab 2-0 edge
NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana: Chris Paul scored 30 points and added 12 assists to power the New Orleans Hornets past defending NBA champion San Antonio 102-84 on Monday.

Special supplement: IBDP offers unlimited career opportunities

Special supplement: Scholarships at BCIS

IN BRIEF (Page 24)