The Olympics kicked off today in Beijing with a whole lotta flair.

More than a 100,000 people gathered to witness China’s “night of joy” (as the country’s official news service put it). Not everyone shared in on the fervor, though—groups gathered across the world again today to protest China’s human rights record and rule of Tibet.

Nothing too extraordinary seems to have emerged in the coverage of Day One. Unsurprisingly, security has tightened throughout the country, especially in Xinjiang province, where an explosive attack killed 16 policemen Monday. The LA Times has a smog cam for those worried about the weather. A plane carrying White House press corps was held up by officials way longer than the journos are used to. And, as expected, a whole bunch of superstitious lovebirds chose to tie the knot today to commemorate the special and lucky day.

For those keeping count of who takes home the most loot, Slate has a neat piece on economic predictions for who will get the Gold.