China Passes New Medical Reform Plan
China's State Council passed a long awaited medical reform plan promising to spend 850 billion Yuan (123 billion U.S. dollars) by 2011 to provide universal medical coverage to the country's 1.3 billion citizens. The plan was studied and passed on Wednesday during the State Council's executive meeting chaired by Premier Wen Jiabao.

(Photo from: sina.com)

Israeli Army Completes Pullout from Gaza Strip
A spokesman for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) told reporters on Wednesday that it had pulled out all its troops from the Gaza Strip. The last Israeli soldier left Gaza yesterday morning and the Israeli army has now redeployed along the boarder.

Spectacular Firework Display on New Year's Eve
Guangzhou citizens will be able to watch a spectacular firework display on New Year's Eve from 8:30 PM to 9 PM. In addition to the traditional venue at Bai er tan along the Pearl River, fireworks will also be shown for the first time along the river near the Pazhou Convention and Exhibition Center. Furthermore, spectator will have the pleasure of seeing some of the fireworks displayed during the Beijing Olympic Games, including huge footprints and smiling faces. Special traffic measures will be taken around the two venues so it is advised to use the metro to access the two venues.