In the Wolong Giant Panda Research Center in Sichuan province of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), two giant pandas, Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan, are being cared for meticulously. The Chinese government hopes that these two will be a special envoy that represents the beginning of a new period of more amicable relations with one of its most important neighbors, Taiwan.    The government wants these two pandas, whose names mean “unite”, to help to create a friendlier image of China with the Taiwanese public.  Taiwan has previously rejected the offer by China twice, but now circumstances have changed. 

No spectators, no protesters, no disruptions – these traits characterized the New Delhi leg of the torch relay for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.  Under the protection of over 150,000 extra policemen, the torch followed the Rajpath between the Presidential Palace and India Gate in a country where thousands of Tibetans live in exile.  The Indian government concealed the start, finish, and path of the torch from the general public to ensure that this section of the relay would not be a repeat of the chaos in London and Paris. 

On March 24th, 2008, the United States Department of Justice approved the merger between Sirius Satellite Radio, Inc. and XM Satellite Radio Holdings, Inc., the two major satellite radio providers in the United States and Canada.  Despite widespread opposition from consumer groups and traditional radio companies, the outcome signified the Department of Justice’s belief that Sirius’ proposed $5 billion buyout of rival XM would not constitute a monopoly that could restrict competition and hurt consumers.