Bird's Nest trumps Mao

3:00PM 

Special 10-yuan notes to be issued will feature the National Stadium rather than the late leader Mao Zedong.

Torres shares spotlight with Phelps

3:20PM 

The 41-year-old Dara Torres has struck a blow for middle-aged mothers everywhere after qualifying for her second individual event.

Lagat living the American dream

4:05PM 

Kenyan-born middle-distance runner adds the 1,500m title to his 5,000m crown at the US trials.

Filipino torch-bearer over the moon

3:09PM 

Marco Torres says it was a dream come true after completing one leg of the Olympic torch relay in Lanzhou, Gansu province.

Military claims 'victory' over algae

Authorities in the Olympic co-host city Qingdao appear to have won the initial battle against the massive algae bloom which threatened to disrupt next month's Olympic sailing events.

Tiananmen to say it with flowers

The grey uniformity of Tiananmen Square is to undergo a major facelift with Olympic-themed flower arrangements adding a touch of colour to the sprawling public area.