Lakers' Bryant finally handed MVP award

LOS ANGELES: Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant was named the NBA's Most Valuable Player on Tuesday, the first time the prolific backcourt ace has received the honor after 12 seasons in the league.

Ghei gears up for a blast at Beijing Open

Indian star Gaurav Ghei hopes to battle his way through the strong Japanese field for a successful title defense at the Pine Valley Beijing Open which tees off today.

IN BRIEF (Page 24)

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

As the international world of business, commerce, trade and treaties such as free trade agreements become ever more enmeshed, the career opportunities for internationally mobile university graduates are virtually unlimited.

Special supplement: Scholarships at BCIS

This spring sees the second annual rollout of the Beijing City International School (BCIS) scholarship program. This is a process by which BCIS identifies academically outstanding students who wish to enter their senior grades. The school has a number of scholarships to award, which equate to between 50 percent and 100 percent of the total annual tuition fee at BCIS. These scholarships have a very high financial value.

IN BRIEF (Page 24)

Special Supplement

All walks of life ready for Games

With the 2008 Olympic Games just around the corner, enthusiasm in Qingdao has reached virtually every corner of the city, touching both the high profile and the humble.

Giant firms anchor industrial clusters

"Famous Chinese corporations have drawn more large companies to Qingdao. As an engine driving industrial clusters, those brands are a mainstay of the Qingdao economy," saidWang Jian, deputy director of Qingdao Municipal Bureau of Quality and Technical Supervision.

Exhibitions show Qingdao's economic prowess

Already renowned in China for its regattas, expansive beaches and the sailing venue in the upcoming 29th Olympic Games, Qingdao is using its advantages to attract more international conventions and exhibitions.