Beijing Daily Messenger
November 29, 2007

Beijing Daily Messenger has changed its market orientation again - this time presenting bite-sized news stories aimed at subway passengers looking to kill time. The new slogan reads: "The capital's only subway newspaper." The paper's previous format switch was in August, when it dismissed its entire news desk to focus solely on entertainment. Danwei bought today's paper at a newsstand; has anyone found it on the subway yet?

Today's top headline announces the results of an investigation that the Beijing Public Heath Bureau conducted into the case of a pregnant woman who died after her husband refused to sign a surgery release form. The report says that because of severe pneumonia and heart failure, an operation was unlikely to have succeeded. However, the Caesarean delivery that the woman's husband prevented may have saved her baby's life.

The front page picture shows a fan moved to tears at getting an autograph from pop star Jay Chou. Jay came to Beijing yesterday to promote his new album "I am very busy."

Other headlines:

• Road fees will be collected starting December 11, according to the Beijing Roadway Administration Bureau. Drivers in arrears will not be permitted on the roads;

• The Shenzhen missile destroyer arrived in Tokyo yesterday. This is the first time a Chinese warship has visited Japan;

• Former world diving champion Tian Liang will marry Supergirl Ye Yiqian today in Xi'an.