• Beijing has for the first time become more expensive than Hong Kong for foreigners as a result of surging inflation on the mainland and appreciation of the yuan, a survey showed on Thursday.
• An inventor in Hong Kong is using 3G mobile phone technology to control his life-like robots.
• Enough gloom and doom: There's a prediction from a leading colour consultants that cheerful and sunny yellow will be the influential colour of 2009.

Would you change for your lover?

In a relationship, are you willing to change your own clothes, friends, and interests for the other half? Where would you draw the line? Would you change completely or only a few things?

• China and the United States concluded a high-profile economic dialogue this morning, with important consensus reached on the financial crisis.
• As China gets set to impose a fuel oil tax, the country's top economic planning authority indicates the reform is likely to start from the beginning of next year.
• The government has expressed concern over the European Union's ban on Chinese soy products and baking powder over reports they contain melamine.
• The recent downturn in the real estate market has had an obvious impact on the home decoration business. In order to survive, interior design companies in Shanghai are carrying out a new service by renovating old houses.
• There's been a step forward in solar-powered vehicle technology, after a car arrived at the UN climate change talks in the Polish city of Poznan after a round-the-world trip covering almost 40 countries.

• Swedish singer Anne Sofie von Otter is the best mezzo-soprano of her era.
• Director Danny Boyle's "Slumdog Millionaire" was named best film of 2008 by the National Board of Review of Motion Pictures on Thursday in the first major award of the Oscar season.
• The Oscar winner, whose personal life has tragically overshadowed her professional accomplishments in recent weeks, said Thursday that she's "honored" to be among the nominees for the 51st Annual Grammy Awards.

" shanzhai" culture

What's so special about the term 'shanzhai?' Literally translated it means 'mountain village,' and it has been making headlines everywhere. So what is it? Before we reveal its meaning, a recent survey about 'shanzhai' culture was conducted by China Central Television showing that 50% of netizens expressed support for it. The result sparked a heated debate.

• Individual Income Tax to be adjusted
• Aus Deaf Theatre