China Drive, Morning, Broadcast Time: 11:00-12:00, 2009-01-01

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Topic of the Day

• Lucky Numbers
  Will the year 2009 be lucky for you? Some numbers are said to bring luck to people, like number 6 and 8, while certain numbers are said to be unlucky, like 4. But one lucky number in one country could be considered unlucky in another country. What number is considered lucky or unlucky for you and why? Do you believe in luckly numbers at all?

 Life Style

• Agricultural authorities in south China's Guangdong Province tightened inspection over trading markets for domestic poultry after an 82-day-old baby girl was diagnosed in Hong Kong with bird flu.
• About 7.5 million low-income urban families and 2.4 million households in shantytowns are expected to benefit from the housing stimulus package over the next three years.
• Beijing had 274 blue sky days this year, 18 more than the target, meaning that air quality in the capital improved for 10 consecutive years.
• [Special Report] Hip Hop Crosstalk Workshop
• [Special Report] Guangxi Report3: Yiling Cave

 Sports

• Chinese skier Man Dandan has won the gold medal in the short distance F.I.S. Tour De Ski Changchun leg in northeast China's Jilin Province.
• In European football, the January transfer window opens today, giving clubs their first opportunity to buy or sell players since the end of August.
• In tennis, Maria Sharapova is "hopeful" of being fit to defend her Australian Open title despite withdrawing from an exhibition event in Hong Kong next week.
• One of Britain's 2012 athletics hopefuls Dwain Chambers says he may have to quit athletics in 2009 because outstanding bans are depriving him from making a living from the sport. 

 Business

• China expands rural home appliance subsidies
• China issues decree ending three tax fee regulations
• China to almost double railway investment in 2009

 Media Spin

• Abolition of local GDP evaluation
  An NPC Committee member points out that local officials focus on GDP growth too much in highlighting their achievements. She caused a stir by suggesting local governments should abolish local GDP evaluation and focus more on health, education, employment and environmental protection.

 Entertainment

• Gong Li excluded from China film body after citizenship switch
• Three directors share their love for quake-hit city
• Hollywood's happy, even without a record year
• Album sales plunge, digital downloads up