BEIJING (AP) — China's government urged television and film producers to avoid "unnecessary and lengthy" smoking scenes, following public complaints about rampant cigarette smoking in a popular miniseries, a state-run newspaper said Friday.

"New Shanghai Bund" is a remake of a 1980s Hong Kong drama about 1930s gangsters that turned leading man Chow Yun-fat into a star. The actor who now plays Chow's character has been criticized as an addict because of his constant smoking.

TAIPEI (Reuters) - Demand for LCD TVs is likely to rise to a fever pitch next year as consumers across the world upgrade their televisions to enjoy the Beijing Olympics games, according to market research firm iSuppli Corp.

In 2008, global shipments of LCD TV panels are expected to rise to 102.5 million units, up 27 percent from 2007, marking the first time shipments have surpassed the 100 million mark, iSuppli said in a statement seen by Reuters on Saturday.