The first major report on the impact of the world’s highest altitude railway across the Tibetan plateau reveals how it is changing Tibet, to the detriment of the Tibetan people and land, and details the dramatic implications for the whole of Asia.

Radio Free Asia (RFA) has reported a major clash between Chinese authorities and hundreds of Tibetans gathered for the annual Monlam prayer festival, with almost 200 Tibetan monks detained.

This week Chinese authorities received an uncomfortable preview of the scrutiny and criticism likely to accompany the Beijing Olympics in August. On Tuesday, Hollywood heavyweight Steven Spielberg announced his resignation as artistic advisor to the Beijing Olympics, citing concern over China’s failure to help curb the atrocities in Darfur.

The British Olympic Committee (BOC) this week reignited the debate on whether athletes heading to Beijing will be allowed to voice opinions on human rights, Tibet and other politically sensitive issues by adding a controversial new ‘gag’ clause to its athletes’ contracts. After vehement criticism from opposition MPs and Tibet support groups, the BOC was forced to back away.