Listen to more on Beyond Beijing

[Metro & Sports]

• According to a survey by the All China Federation of Trade Unions, the income disparity between top executives and front-line workers has deteriorated since 2006.
• With just fifty-three days to go, the Shanghai World Expo's pavilions are in their final stage of construction, according to the China News Agency.
• A kindergarten teacher in southwest China's Yunnan Province has admitted pricking 63 "disobedient" children in her class with an empty syringe.
• The journey from London to Beijing by rail could take just two days under a Chinese plan to build an international network for trains that can travel almost as fast as aircraft.
• Arsenal overcame the absence of captain Cesc Fabregas to reach the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League with a 5-0 rout of Porto at the Emirates Stadium Tuesday.
• England will take on Germany, the reigning Olympic and world champions, in the semi-finals of the Hockey World Cup at the Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi on Thursday.

[China's Champion] Jiang Yili, from a Scholar to a Diplomat

Jiang Yili is a mom, a doctor of philosophy, a researcher on international issues and a successful diplomat. Having played multiple successful roles in her life, she sets a great example for successful contemporary women in China.

[Chinese Stories] Jinxi Town

Jinxi town lies in the city of Kunshan in Jiangsu province and is 50 kilometers from Shanghai. It also neighbors two other famous historic water towns: Zhouzhuang and Tongli. These two water towns draw hordes of tourists helping Jinxi to maintain its tranquil atmosphere. Taking a bird's eye view of the town at twilight, you will see rippling green water reflecting the homes of the families living on the riverbanks.

[Cultural Voyage] Australian Writer's Week Underway in Beijing

The 2010 Australian Writers' Week is now underway in Beijing. It focuses on promoting mutual understanding of literature and culture between Chinese and Australians through various styles of contemporary Australian literary works.

• French film star Sophie Marceau has been promoting the Chinese release of her film "Don't Look Back".
• Taiwan pop trio S.H.E will sing the theme song for the 2010 Taipei International Flora Expo and be the event's goodwill ambassadors.
• United States First Lady Michelle Obama has bowed to tradition and donated the dazzling ball gown she wore for her husband's presidential inauguration last January to the Smithsonian museum institution.
• Nicole Kidman has been spotted going for a private family time with her husband Keith Urban and their daughter Rose.

[Strange News]

• A 100-year-old English woman believes her longevity may be due to cigarettes and alcohol.
• Mary Josephine Ray, the oldest person in the United States, died at age 114 years, 294 days.
• A 46-year-old self-proclaimed inventor and "sperm king" in Guangzhou, capital of South China's Guangdong Province has come up with what might be charitably described as a "unique" way to peddle his latest invention.
• Wild elephants rampaged through a southern village in Angola last weekend, destroying farms and dozens of houses and prompting most of its 4,000 residents to flee to neighboring Namibia.

[Real China] Microblog Becomes Another Channel to Discuss National Affairs

Launched in America in 2006, the microblog has been all the rage in China since last year. Differing from a traditional blog, this online trend allows only for small content with a capping limit of 140 words. Through devices such as cell phones, microbloggers can share their little thoughts anywhere, anytime. During the ongoing annual meetings of China's top legislature and top advisory body, microblog became another channel to discuss national affairs.

[Flexible Segment] Finish Photographer Milla-Kariina Oja

In this week's Expat Tales, Nillah Nyakoa speaks to Milla-Kariina Oja, a Finish professional photographer who has lived in Beijing for a good number of years and documents art through pictures.