Athens and Beijing: A relay of sports, culture

The friendship between China and Greece dates back to antiquity. In the 5th century BC, the Greek physician Ctesias wrote a travel narrative recommending far-away China as the land of silk, naming it Seres.

Henry eyeing record in make-or-break qualifier

PARIS: Thierry Henry will be out to break Michel Platini's scoring record when France entertains Lithuania in Nantes in yet another make-or-break Euro 2008 qualifier on Wednesday.

Pereiro replaces Landis as Tour winner

MADRID: Spain's Oscar Pereiro received the yellow jersey from the 2006 Tour de France at a ceremony in Madrid, officially replacing US rider Floyd Landis who was stripped of his title for doping.

Sports

White plays down Springboks favoritism

PARIS: The Springboks are virtually the only South Africans dismissing the team's billing as favorite to beat title-holder England and win the World Cup at the Stade de France on Saturday.

IN BRIEF (Page 19)

Rockies complete sweep of Arizona

DENVER, Colorado: The Colorado Rockies exploded for six runs in the fourth inning to beat Arizona 6-4 on Monday and advance to their first World Series in franchise history.

Life People

Weightlifter raises her mind to a new level

Chen Yanqing may at first appear to be a small woman, but she has earned a heavyweight reputation for her weightlifting.

Wishing upon a star

Seventy years ago, American journalist Edgar Snow published his famous biographical book Red Star Over China. Snow revealed the two years he spent with the soldiers of the Chinese Communist Party's Red Army and vividly recorded what he saw, heard and learnt. He captured moving stories and lofty spirits of this heroic odyssey.

Special Supplement

Liaoning focuses on green industries

"Thanks to its efforts to counter environmental pollution, Liaoning has taken on a new look, leading to the fast, coordinated and sustainable development of its economy and society," said Liaoning Governor Zhang Wenyue.