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[Metro & Sports]

• Anti-smoking advocates, including 17 senior legislators and political consultants, are urging that laws be passed to ban donations and sponsorships from tobacco companies for Chinese events, such as expos, festivals and athletic events. The measure is expected to be enacted by the top legislature within a year.
• A Beijing court began hearing the first trials yesterday involving alleged wrongdoers connected to the massive blaze that damaged the multi-billion-yuan China Central Television (CCTV) high-rise one year ago.
• As many as 114 foreign embassies are primed to have their electricity supply facilities checked in a bid to ensure a steady supply of power.
• Acclaimed pianist Lang Lang spent approximately two thirds of 2009 on tour, playing and performing in both China and abroad. And with his international profile continuing to grow, Lang signed with Sony Music Entertainment in New York recently and unveiled an even busier 2010 schedule.
• Former Australian A-League soccer star Joel Griffiths has again sunk old enemies Melbourne Victory, scoring the winner for his Chinese club Beijing Guoan in a 1-0 Asian Champions League triumph.
• and still on world football - Manchester United have closed to within one point of Premier League leaders Chelsea after a Wayne Rooney double helped the defending champions to a 3-0 win over West Ham.

[China's Champion] China's No.1 Talk Show Host Becomes Private Museum Owner

Cui Yongyuan won instant fame in 1996 when his talk show "Tell It as It Is" became the most popular of its kind in China. But it seems he has never been satisfied with easy success. After fighting the depression that had troubled him for years, he started dabbling in many different fields, pursuing a fulfilling life during the last decade. He recently opened a private film museum in Beijing, drawing nationwide public attention again.

[Tour Tips] Wuhai in the West of Inner Mongolia

For tourists, it is famous for its Yellow River, desert scenery and 24 ethnic minority groups.

[Cultural Voyage] 2010 is a Lucky Year to Marry

2010 is the Year of Tiger in China, an animal that is linked to fortune and good luck. But as the first day of spring according to Chinese calendar fell before the first day of Chinese New Year, some Chinese consider 2010 to be an unlucky year to get married. However, that hasn't stopped many couples from planning their wedding this year. The wedding business in Hong Kong is making the most of the good fortune at the city's annual wedding expo.

• The Winter Olympics took the top spot in TV ratings last week, giving NBC an average audience roughly three times the size of its nearest rival, Fox.
• "Avatar" picked up another award Tuesday night. James Cameron's blockbuster was named best live-action 3-D feature by the month-old International 3D Society, kicking off its inaugural Lumiere Awards at Grauman's Chinese Theater in Hollywood.
• Charlie Sheen's publicist has announced the actor has entered rehab and is taking a break from television's top-rated comedy, "Two and a Half Men," prompting the network to announce it is temporarily halting production of the show.
• The personal assistant of a punk-rock pioneer and celebrity real estate broker was convicted Tuesday of bludgeoning her boss to death with a piece of exercise equipment.

[Strange News]

• A domineering and superstitious grandmother nearly killed two of her teenage grandchildren in Chongqing over the Spring Festival after she forced them to drink large amounts of baiju at a family reunion dinner.
• Chinese hitchhikers, Liu Chang and Gu Yue hitchhiked their way from Beijing through 13 countries in three and a half months last year.
• A Florida woman said her love handles saved her life when she was shot entering an Atlantic City bar. Samantha Lynn Frazier said she heard two pops when she walked into Herman's Place early Saturday. The 35-year-old then felt pain and saw blood on her hand after she grabbed her left side.
• A 5-year-old boy in Kunming, Yunnan Province is steadied as rescue workers sawed through a toilet seat ring to free his head recently.

[Real China] Movie- The Promise

Do you believe in fate? Have you ever imagined there could be someone who might have the power to design your life? And are you brave enough to break the curse of destiny? Today we will recommend you the movie "The Promise," from which you may find the answers to these questions.

[Flexible] Soccer Coach Tom Catanacch

Tom Catanacch is a briton who came to Beijing to teach football. Why did he come? Jeremy nuttall talked to him.