20 killed in Guangxi explosion

According to officials there is no evidence of pollution from the explosion at a chemical plant in Guangxi on Tuesday.

The explosion killed 20 plant employees, and damaged the plant extensively, which mainly produces chemicals used in adhesives, paints and coatings.

Over 11,000 people who were evacuated from the area, can now return to their homes.

Russia recognizes rebel regions

On Tuesday Russian President Dmitry Medvedev announced his country recognized the independence of break away Georgian regions South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

Local residents celebrated the independence of the two states on Tuesday.

However, the announcement further threatened Russia's relationship with NATO, especially the United States, who strongly supports Georgia.

Thai police to remove protestors

Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej has ordered thousands of riot police to remove anti-government protestors who took over his office compound.

Arrest warrants were issued for nine leaders of the Peoples Alliance for Democracy who are leading the protest.

They claim the government is illegitimate and wants to turn Thailand into a republic.

However, in the last few days the protestors have lost public support.

Mourning dead in Kyrgyzstan crash

Kyrgyzstan held a national day of mourning Tuesday to remember the 65 people killed at the weekend in the tiny Central Asian states' worst air disaster.

The cause of the crash remained unclear, although initial reports suggested the plane had suffered a sudden loss of cabin pressure, causing the pilot to request a failed emergency landing.

Twenty-five of the estimated 90 people aboard the aircraft survived the crash.

President Hu Jintao tours region

President Hu Jintao is at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit.

There he met with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, supporting Russia's right to host the 2014 Winter Olympics.

Earlier in the week, Hu flew to Tajikistan to meet with President Emomali Rakhmon.

He also spent two days in South Korea in meetings with ROK President Lee Myung-bak.

They discussed closer cooperation in sustainable development and enhance bilateral relations.

Olympic venues open in October

Come October, many will be able to check out the Olympic venues during the National Day holiday.

Starting on October 1, venues like the National Stadium or Bird's Nest, and National Aquatic Center or Water Cube will be open to the public.

An aquatic amusement park project will start in the Water Cube by the end of the year, while 70 percent of the apartments in the Olympic Village were sold before the Games.

The National Convention Center, the venue for fencing as well as the International Broadcast Center and Main Press Center will be remodeled for conference and exhibition use by later next year.

Barack Obama runs for President

Democrats formally named Barack Obama their presidential candidate on Wednesday, putting their hopes of ending eight years of Republican rule in the hands of the man who could be the first black president of the United States.

At the Democratic National Convention this week, former rival Hillary Clinton endorsed the 47-year-old Obama.

Obama, considered to be a political newcomer, now officially faces Republican candidate John McCain for the White House in November.

Paralympic torch relay begins

The torch relay for the Paralympic Games kicked off yesterday at the Temple of Heaven.

The flame will go to 10 cities in China and then return to Beijing for the opening of the Paralympic Games in the National Stadium on September 6.

More than 5,000 athletes and 2,500 coaches from about 150 countries and regions will take part in the Paralympic Games.

Olympic memorabilia on auction block

Souvenir hunters will hit the jackpot when all kinds of Olympic memorabilia will go on the auction block next month.

Everything from Yao Ming's extended bed to the Chinese drums used the opening ceremony, as well as furniture and sports equipment is up for grabs.

The auction starts after September 17, when the Paralympics ends.

Venice Film Festival opens

Star power has descended on Italy for the Venice Film Festival that started earlier this week.

Hollywood stars like Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Anne Hathaway and Charlize Theron are there to present their movies in a race for prizes at the closing ceremony on September 6.

Bernice Chan is a foreign expert at China Daily Website. Originally from Vancouver, Canada, Bernice has written for newspapers and magazines in Hong Kong and most recently worked as a broadcaster for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, producing current affairs shows and documentaries.

Dylan Quinnell is a freelance journalist and photographer from New Zealand who has worked in TV, print, film and online. With a strong interest in international affairs, he has worked in Denmark, Indonesia and Australia, covering issues like the EU, indigenous people and deforestation. Dylan is in Beijing on an Asia New Zealand grant working as a copy editor for the English news department.