In response to criticism that it is stifling free speech, China has designated three public parks for citizens to air their grievances.

One person was killed and 23 others were injured after a 6.2 earthquake, an aftershock of the one in May, hit the Sichuan Province at 6PM local time on Aug 5, just hours after the Olympic torch passed by the area.

With the news that China is not fulfilling its obligation to provide unfettered internet access to journalists, and the complicity of some IOC officials, yesterday, China has eased some of the restrictions, the New York Times reported.

Organizers of the Beijing Olympic Games may want to keep the opening ceremony a secret until its grand unveiling on August 8, but a South Korean TV crew has already threw a wrench in that plan.

China is supposed to provide unfettered web access for journalists during the Olympic Games, but the International Olympic Committee admitted today that some of its officials have negotiated a deal with China allowing it to block certain websites that are critical of the country such as those of Amnesty International and the Falun Gong, Reuters reported.

It looks like the International Olympic Committee and Iraq worked something out and two of its athletes will be going to Beijing to participate in the Olympic Games after all.

Iraqi athletes won't be participating in the Beijing Olympics this August, the International Olympic Committee has announced.

Why? Politics.

The Olympics is almost here; let the good times roll? Not if you're one of the revelers in China.

According to the Financial Times, increased security measures and tight visa controls are putting a damper on the festivities before the Games even begun.

Visitors hoping to see the real China during to Olympic Games this summer, if they can get their visa approved, may want to wait until the Games are over because in its efforts to beautified its image for the world, the powers that be in Beijing have stepped up security and issuing decrees like forbidding constructions and restricting cars and trucks usage during the Games, among other things.

To insure the services will be stable and available for the Olympic Games, China tells phone and internet providers not to add any new customers in August.