Demonstrators Test Thai Hospitality

The thousands of protestors camped outside the offices of Thai PM Samak Sundaravej are just getting comfortable. How long will the embattled leader play the gracious host?

• Thai Protesters Raise the Stakes

Fated Spanair Plane Almost Not Used

The airline involved in last week's plane disaster in Madrid considered switching aircraft at the last minute because of a mechanical problem but ultimately went ahead with the plane that ended up crashing, a government minister said Friday

Pakistan's Presidential Fav Guarded

Pakistan's presidential front-runner, Asif Ali Zardari, has moved into a tightly guarded government compound over security fears, officials said Friday

Anne Frank Museum Restores Photo Collage

The Anne Frank House museum said Friday it has restored 52 photographs and images the Jewish teenager pasted on the wall of her room to cheer herself up while hiding from the Nazis

Vice Versa: Amsterdam Cleans Up

In a bid to fight human trafficking and money laundering, Amsterdam has embarked on an ambitious plan to clean up its world-famous red-light district

The Middle East Blog

Is Biden Smart on the Middle East?

The vice-presidential candidate is experienced, but his Beltway mind-set won't solve the region's problems

The China Blog

In China's Restive West, the Violence Continues

This report, from Kashgar, comes from Radio Free Asia.

The Lessons of the Beijing Olympics

Sydney: The Political Rock Star Helps Another Odd Bird

I don't know how I'm going to sleep tonight.

• JULIE COIN,
• the 188th-ranked tennis player who beat No. 1 seed Ana Ivanovic in the second round of the U.S. Open