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[Metro & Sports]

• More than 223,000 Chinese consumers filed complaints regarding consumer electronics last year, almost double the record in 2008, according to a survey released by the China Electronic Chamber of Commerce (CECC).
• Extreme weather caused by climate change is posing a grave threat to China's food supply and its targeted growth, experts warn.
• The 15th China International Education Exhibition Tour, an annual fair introducing overseas high schools, colleges and universities to Chinese students, has been held in Beijing ahead of a predicted "good year for the industry".
• Beijing ranked 57 on a list of cities with the highest living costs in 2009, in a recent report by the 'Economist' magazine.
• Beckham tore his Achillestendon last Sunday and has had surgery in Finland. The specialist who performed the operation, estimates that Beckham could return to practice by September.
• Mystery surrounds what is one of the most eagerly, and perhaps fearfully-awaited books to hit the streets in years-the authorised biography of AFL star Ben Cousins.

[China's Champion] Guo Pei, China's First Class Dress Designer

Guo Pei is a familiar name in China's dress-making circles. For years, her works have been one of the shining highlights of the annual showcase of talent, the CCTV Spring Festival Gala. And she was also the designer behind the beautiful ceremonial dresses used in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Let's hear more about her story.

[Cultural Voyage] Afrika United FC Beijing

Africa maybe a big continent, with many countries speaking different languages, but according to one African football team, "In Beijing, all of Africa is reunited in a football team."
And in China, African football boots can be found on the Chinese football pitch. Nillah Nyakoa brings us this report on the Afrika United Football Club based here in Beijing.

[Showbiz News]

• Zhang Ziyi has vehemently denied accusations that she committed fraud in the name of charity, but admitted to inexperience when organizing a donation drive for the relief of the 2008 Sichuan earthquake victims.
• Backstreet Boys have proved that their teenybopper sound is still appealing to Chinese fans, although some of the "boys" are now fathers.
• Actor Charlie Sheen has pleaded not guilty to charges of assaulting his wife, who had previously asked for the case to be dropped.

[Strange News]

• A 28-year-old music student from Taiwan, currently studying in Paris, has managed to smooch 100 complete strangers for her "Kiss 100 men in Paris" project.
• A completely upside-down house is to open at the end of the month as a tourist attraction in Germany.
• A hunky homeless man in eastern central China has caused a stir with his movie star good looks and dress sense from the catwalks of international high fashion.
• A Japanese man showed he was one big softy when he married the love of his life-a giant cushion.

[Real China] Spring Outing to Resume or to Abandon?

Spring outings were once the most welcomed school activities for children. It enabled them to stroll in the beautiful mountains, play with their classmates in parks and have picnics. But such scenes are now only memories. In recent years, schools have become very cautious about organizing these kinds of group activities for fear of having to take responsibility for any unexpected accidents.