241 days before the Olympics, and what does the big headliner on the December 11, 2007 copy of the Wanbao (Beijing Evening News) read? Subway Line 8: Serving 9 Districts. Yours truly as the infrastructure-mad Beijingologist just -- went to town. Page 3 for the details.

Headline number two deals with China's CPI, which rose in November 2007 by 6.9%; more here right over the page on Page 2. Meanwhile, you get to see the big picture of the day: north and south Korea are reconnecting their railways -- the first time in 56 years. Unification flags are seen just about everywhere near the truce village of Panmunjeom.

Aussies take note of the third headliner on page 5: not only do you have your kangaroo there, but the koalas are joining you in the Australian hall, due for a 2008 opening. Unfortunately, the roos in Beijing have a reputation of being too fat -- yours truly witnessed some oversized wallabies last time he gave the zoo a visit.

Other news from around the paper...

• Page 3 has a quick look at the future Subway Line 6, too. They've modded the route; it now goes through Chaofu Road instead of Ping'an Boulevard. BY the year 2015, we'll see over 90 interchange stations. Passenger capacity will increase -- 8 carriages are planned per train, not the usual 6 or even 4.

• Page 6 has a pic of cars getting a special fireworks pass. If you see these guys on the road STAY CLEAR -- bumper to bumper is NOT recommended as you may not emerge in one piece.

• Three new laws protecting the disabled are in force -- their full texts are on page 9.

• The "e-dog" -- an anti-speeding-camera-deterrent system that warns you where the dreaded cameras are -- are about to meet their maker, as page 11 tells readers. The reason: the police are telling you where the cameras are. Our capital's police have never been nicer, ladies and gents.

The weather: clear, turning cloudy tomorrow; temps are negative 5 in the night time, and plus 5 in the daytime. Celsius, of course; yours truly sadly is no Fahrenheit kind of guy.