Police detained more than 600 female Tibetan protesters, including many Buddhist nuns, on Sunday after breaking up several demonstrations against China's recent crackdown in Tibet.

About 40 human rights activists marched downtown to protest what they call human rights abuses by the Chinese government or those supported by it.

Chinese President Hu Jintao toured two ancient Buddhist temples and a leading electronics company Saturday on the last day of what he termed a successful Japan visit.

China faces mounting appeals to prod cyclone-ravaged Myanmar to allow access to foreign aid workers but is giving no sign it will use its influence over its ally, insisting instead that the world respect the military junta's sovereignty.

Australian Olympic chief John Coates said Saturday that he believes there's a good chance some athletes will protest on the medal podium at the Beijing Olympics.

The Dalai Lama said Chinese officials were "respectful" in meetings last week, but large differences remained over the causes of the recent unrest in Tibet.

The son of American evangelist Billy Graham said Friday he is opposed to missionary work at this summer's Beijing Olympic Games.

Nepal allowed the climbing season on Mount Everest to resume Friday after blocking access to hundreds of climbers so a Chinese team carrying the Olympic flame could ascend without the threat of protests.

The United States is offering to help China in its fight against a viral infection that has killed 34 children, including two reported Friday, and sickened thousands of others.

With China's image battered by the turmoil over Tibet and the torch relay, a human rights activist is urging Chinese leaders to pardon long-jailed prisoners in a gesture that could help dispel the rancor surrounding the Beijing Olympics.