The World's Mary Kay Magistad reports from Beijing on the "Fuwa", China's cute and cuddly Olympic mascots.

Anchor Lisa Mullins shares some news about a few Olympic-themed statues in Beijing which bear a strong resemblance to Mickey Mouse.

Our daily geography puzzler has an Olympic theme today.

Anchor Lisa Mullins speaks with Martin Atock, managing director of Peden Bloodstock, the company in charge of transporting more than 200 horses from 48 countries to China's Olympic equestrian venue, Hong Kong is the venue and the answer to our Geo Quiz today.

Traditional folk songs from Mongolia are being played and appreciated by the youth of Beijing. Lisa Mullins tells us about the Beijing-based band, Hanggai.

Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama has called for the U.S. to dip into its strategic oil reserves to lower fuel prices in the short-term. Senator Obama's call, a reversal of his earlier stance, came as he unveiled an energy plan designed, he said, to reduce American dependence on foreign oil. Both Obama and his Republican rival, John McCain, are focusing on ways of tackling the high cost of energy. It is a key issue as campaigning for November's election intensifies.

Senator Obama, speaking on his 47th birthday, put forward plans to reduce US dependence on foreign oil in 10 years.

"Breaking our oil addiction is one of the greatest challenges our generation will ever face," Mr Obama said as he visited Michigan, home to the ailing US car industry and set to be a key battleground state in the election. "It will take nothing less than a complete transformation of our economy."

Video: excerpt of Obama's speech

Barack Obama's energy plan in detail

Today on The World: China after the Olympics -- we examine the uncertain legacy the Games will leave behind once they're over; Alexander Solzhenitsyn's Vermont neighbor reflects on their friendship; and a South African judge is critical of laws that make it illegal to transmit HIV to another person.

A suspected terrorist attack in a western Chinese province today is raising security concerns just days before the start of the Olympics. The attack happened on the far side of China, near the Afghan-Pakistan border but Chinese authorities think it could be timed to the games. We speak to the BBC's Daniel Griffiths in Beijing.

Having the honor to host the 2008 Summer Olympics has been a huge source of pride and drive for the Chinese government. But in a matter of weeks, the Games will be over, and it's unclear what legacy the Olympics will leave behind. Anne Donohue reports.

The World's Beijing correspondent Mary-Kay Magistad reports on a Chinese-American writer and her memoir "Serve the People: a Stir-Fried Journey Through China."