Total eclipse envelops Asia in darkness

Darkness fell across parts of China and India on Wednesday morning as a total solar eclipse passed across the world’s most populous countries, bringing throngs of people outside to watch the phenomenon. Total eclipses occur about twice a year as the moon passes between the Earth and the sun on the same plane as Earth’s orbit

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Cricket: Australia facing defeat at Lord’s

England were heading for victory in the second Ashes Test at Lord’s after reducing Australia to 178 for five wickets at tea on the fourth day. The 2007 Tour de France winner launched a devastating attack on the slopes of the final ascent of the day, leaving his rivals standing to finally cross the line 43 seconds ahead of Luxembourg’s Andy Schleck, with Italian Vincenzo Nibali third another 20 seconds behind. The Spaniard’s success moves him one minute 37 seconds ahead of Astana teammate Lance Armstrong, after the American seven-time champion was left behind by Contador’s attack – eventually finishing down in ninth position

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How the Jakarta Bombers Slipped Through Hotel Security

He is a politician for whom the adjective “cautious” seems tailor-made. But in the aftermath of the July 17 bombing of two luxury hotels in Indonesia’s capital Jakarta, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono showed a new face to his nation

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Manchester United snub Indonesian request

Manchester United have scheduled a second match in Malaysia after rejecting a request from the Indonesian government to fulfil a fixture canceled as a result of bomb attacks in Jakarta. The English Premier League champions will play a second game against a Malaysia XI in Kuala Lumpur on Monday, having defeated the same team 3-2 in Saturday’s opening match of the club’s pre-season Asian tour

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U.S. official: Rio Tinto arrests of ‘great concern’

The United States on Wednesday called for more transparency from China on the arrests of four mining employees, including an Australian national, on charges of stealing state secrets. U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke is raising the question with Chinese leaders, including Premier Wen Jiabao, with whom he is to meet Thursday in Beijing

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