News
![Fireworks explode during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at the National Stadium. [Reuters]](http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/img/news/base/china_olyopening_rtr_080808.jpg "Fireworks explode during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at the National Stadium. [Reuters]")
Fireworks explode during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at the National Stadium. [Reuters]
Spectacular start for Beijing Olympics
22:54:35, 8 August 2008
China has opened the Olympics with a burst of fireworks at a spectacular ceremony that celebrated ancient Chinese history and aimed to draw a line under months of political controversy.
Beijing ready for the Olympics to begin
21:48:50, 8 August 2008
The organisers of the Beijing Olympics say the city is ready for the Games to begin.
World leaders arrive in smoggy Beijing
21:48:50, 8 August 2008
Dozens of world leaders have flown into Beijing to attend the opening ceremony for the Olympics Games.
Russian tanks head into South Ossetia
21:48:50, 8 August 2008
Georgia has announced a three hour ceasefire in the heavy fighting between the army and separatist forces in the breakaway region of South Ossetia.
![Aung San Suu Kyi is the face of Burma's pro-democracy movement. [AFP]](http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/img/news/base/burma_suukyi_afp_280508.jpg "Aung San Suu Kyi is the face of Burma's pro-democracy movement. [AFP]")
Aung San Suu Kyi is the face of Burma's pro-democracy movement. [AFP]
Burma's democracy movement marks 20th anniversary
21:48:47, 8 August 2008
Burma's junta has arrested 48 activists for a protest march marking 20 years since the army crushed an '8-8-88' democracy uprising with the loss of an estimated 3,000 lives.
Pakistan's president to fight impeachment process
20:34:30, 8 August 2008
A key ally of President Pervez Musharraf says impeachment moves against him are a 'recipe for disaster' and has pledged to defend him.
Singaporean jailed for buying drugs from journalist
19:30:17, 8 August 2008
A Singaporean man who confessed to buying drugs from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's reporter Peter Lloyd has been jailed for 10 months.
Pakistan coalition to begin impeachment proceedings
15:52:40, 8 August 2008
Pakistan's ruling coalition says it will begin impeachment proceedings against President Pervez Musharraf.
Australia to help clear Kiribati bombs
20:34:30, 8 August 2008
The Australian Government says a team from the Australian Defence Force has been sent to Kiribati to help clear unexploded ordnance from World War Two.
Solomons MPs reject no confident motion
19:30:18, 8 August 2008
Solomon Islands parliament has rejected a no confidence motion against Prime Minister Dr Derek Sikua.
Fiji's ousted PM aware he's under surveillance
15:32:52, 8 August 2008
Fiji's ousted prime minister Laisenia Qarase says he's aware the military is watching his movements closely.
PNG academic warns against regional intervention
15:32:52, 8 August 2008
A senior PNG academic has warned against any regional intervention in Papua New Guinea.
Fiji council says electoral changes could take until 2020
15:32:52, 8 August 2008
The head of the National Council for Building a Better Fiji says the full implementation of Fiji's electoral reforms could take until 2020.
Australian, China leaders discuss human rights
19:30:18, 8 August 2008
Australia's Prime Minister says he's raised concerns about human rights in a meeting with China's premier.
Australian bank lowers fixed rates for home loans
19:11:25, 8 August 2008
One of Australia's largest banks, the ANZ, has announced it's reducing its fixed rates for home and residential investment loans because the cost of funding its loans has eased.
Australia, China to work to revive Doha talks
19:11:25, 8 August 2008
Australia's Prime Minister Kevin Rudd says the Australian and Chinese trade ministers will work together to attempt to revive the global trade talks which collapsed last month.
Australian police hail world's largest ecstasy haul
19:11:24, 8 August 2008
A total of 13 people have appeared in Melbourne Magistrates Court accused of being involved in an international drug network.
Concern over Australia's teaching of languages
18:23:29, 8 August 2008
A conference has heard Australia's poor record in teaching foreign languages is a serious concern.
Fireworks explode during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at the National Stadium. [Reuters]
Athletes celebrate, ready for the big Games
02:18:51, 9 August 2008
China's once-in-a-lifetime Olympic dream has become a reality as the Beijing Games opened with a dazzling ceremony showcasing the nation's ancient civilization - and an offer of friendship to the world.
Pacific takes to field on Olympics first day
02:18:47, 9 August 2008
After the excitement of the opening ceremony, Olympic competition kicks off in earnest on Saturday with several Pacific athletes taking part.
Australian Olyroos fear Argentina: coach
22:19:36, 8 August 2008
Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek says Australia's Olympic soccer team faces a stern test against Argentina in its next match this weekend.
China's military plays its part
22:19:36, 8 August 2008
Chinese authorities have stationed police and military within the athletes village ahead of tonight's opening ceremony.
![Fireworks explode during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at the National Stadium. [Reuters]](http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/img/news/gallery/china_olyopening_rtr_080808.jpg "Fireworks explode during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at the National Stadium. [Reuters]")
![Dancers perform during the pre-show at the opening ceremony at the National Stadium. [Reuters]](http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/img/news/gallery/china_olyperform_rtr_080808.jpg "Dancers perform during the pre-show at the opening ceremony at the National Stadium. [Reuters]")
![Team PNG's Anna-Lisa Mopio-Jane, Naomi Polum, Theresa Tona, Sarenah Pini and Rick Vanderzant at the welcome ceremony in Beijing. [Jason Pini/Team PNG]](http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/img/news/gallery/png_olyteam_pini_070708.jpg "Team PNG's Anna-Lisa Mopio-Jane, Naomi Polum, Theresa Tona, Sarenah Pini and Rick Vanderzant at the welcome ceremony in Beijing. [Jason Pini/Team PNG]")
![James Tomkins is hoping to win his fourth gold medal at the Games. [AAP]](http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/img/news/gallery/oly_tomkins_aap_080808.jpg "James Tomkins is hoping to win his fourth gold medal at the Games. [AAP]")
![The torch has finally arrived at China's Great Wall. [AFP]](http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/img/news/gallery/china_greatwall_rtr_070808.jpg "The torch has finally arrived at China's Great Wall. [AFP]")
![North and South Korea have marched together under the Unification flag at the past two Games. [Reuters]](http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/img/news/gallery/oly_koreas_rtr_file.jpg "North and South Korea have marched together under the Unification flag at the past two Games. [Reuters]")
Features
![Beijing National Stadium, also known as the 'Bird's Nest' will play host to the Opening and Closing ceremonies, as well as the main track and field events.[Getty Images]](http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/img/news/thumbnail/china_stadium_getty_feat.jpg "Beijing National Stadium, also known as the 'Bird's Nest' will play host to the Opening and Closing ceremonies, as well as the main track and field events.[Getty Images]")
The Road to Beijing 2008
6 August 2008
Beijing hosts the 2008 Summer Olympic Games, the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, from August 8-24.
![Prime Minister Hun Sen after casting his vote in the 2008 Cambodian elections. [Radio Australia]](http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/img/news/thumbnail/camb_hunsen_ra_280708.jpg "Prime Minister Hun Sen after casting his vote in the 2008 Cambodian elections. [Radio Australia]")
Cambodia Votes 2008
28 July 2008
As Cambodia headed to the polls, Radio Australia's Connect Asia looked at the players and their challenges, including special reports from the Cambodian capital for the launch of the 2008 campaign.
![A hawkfish explores branching coral. [Supplied, Chuck Savall]](http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/img/news/thumbnail/coral_feat_hawkf_savall.jpg "A hawkfish explores branching coral. [Supplied, Chuck Savall]")
Why Reefs Matter
24 July 2008
The beautiful underwater landscape of a healthy coral reef is an unforgettable sight.
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