Greater controls set to protect economy
SHANGHAI: High inflation and fixed-asset investment growth are China's biggest economic concerns, prompting authorities to persist with a tight monetary policy, Vice-Premier Wang Qishan said on Friday.

Police checks making subways watertight
Beijing began tightening security on subways with the introduction of checks for flammable and explosive goods on Friday.

Japanese MP league sends Olympic wish
TOKYO: President Hu Jintao met with members of the Japanese lawmakers' league of support for the 2008 Beijing Olympics on Friday morning, and expressed gratitude for their enthusiasm and goodwill.

Evangelist hopes to do more for China
Evangelist Franklin Graham said in Beijing on Friday that he wants his organizations to become more involved in China.

Tanks back in Red Square for victory parade
MOSCOW: President Dmitry Medvedev warned on Friday against "irresponsible ambitions" that lead to war as tanks and missile launchers rumbled through Red Square in a show of Russian firepower not seen since the fall of the Soviet Union.

Hezbollah gunmen seize control of western Beirut
BEIRUT: Shi'ite Hezbollah gunmen seized nearly all of the Lebanese capital's Muslim sector from Sunni foes loyal to the US-backed government on Friday following the country's worst sectarian clashes since the 1975-90 civil war.

President picks up green ideas
KAWASAKI, Japan: President Hu Jintao on Friday visited a bottle-recycling factory at a green industrial zone in Kawasaki, a city once known for its heavy pollution.

Epidemic death toll hits 34; 27,500 cases reported
The number of people killed in cases related to hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMD) rose to 34 on Friday, with the number of reported cases reaching almost 27,500.

Quintuplets bring Olympic mascots to life
SHANTOU, Guangdong: Six-year-old Lin Zhonghua, a quintuplet, expects to derive a lot of fun from the Beijing Olympic Games.