新闻纵贯线 The Beijing Hour updated 20:00 2013/07/30

 July 30th, 2013.

Welcome to the Beijing Hour, coming to you live from the Chinese capital.
Coming up on our program this evening,
Peace talks between the Israelis and Palestinians have resumed in Washington.
The European Union's foreign policy chief has met with ousted Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi.
The Chinese military has opened up one of its air defense facilities to the foreign media for the first time.
In Business, the PBOC has announced a 15-billion yuan bond repurchase.
In sports, Chinese boxer Zou Shiwen is going to have his 3rd professional fight as part of the Pacqiao-Rios bout in Macau in November.
In entertainment, a new Chinese animated feature has opened in select theatres here in China.
 
 
Weather
 
 
Beijing will be overcast tonight with a low of 25 degrees Celsius. Tomorrow thundershowers with a high temperature of 31.　
Meanwhile Shanghai will be cloudy tonight, with a low of 30,　cloudy tomorrow, with a high of 39.
Lhasa will be cloudy tonight, 12 degrees the low, also cloudy tomorrow with a high of 22.
Elsewhere in the world, staying in Asia
Islamabad, thundershowers, with a high of 34.
Kabul, overcast, 38.
Over in Australia
Sydney, rainy, highs of 18.
Canberra, sunny, 14.
Brisbane, sunny, 22.
And finally, Perth will be rainy with a high of 19.
 
 
Top News
 
 
Israeli and Palestinian peace talk resumed in Washington
 
Peace talks between the Israelis and the Palestinians have resumed in Washington.
The talks are underway following a dinner hosted at the State Department building by US Secretary of State John Kerry.
The dinner has been attended by Israeli chief negotiator Tzipi Livni and her Palestinian counterpart Saeb Erekat.
Livni admits the talks will be very tough.
"To be optimistic is something that we cannot afford. But there is some hope. And I hope that when in Israel they see the first meeting they will understand that we should not give up hope, and it is reachable and we need to do it, because it is in the Israeli interest. "
During the 2-days of the initial talks, the two sides are expected to set the formula for formal final status negotiations, which could last for some 9 months.
This is first direct talks between the two sides in years, after talks broke down over Jewish settlement construction.
 
 
Israelis and Palestinians say long way to go  
 
Anchor
On the ground in Israel and the Palestinian territories, people there are expressing guarded optimism about the future of the renewed Middle East peace talks.
CRI's Marc Cavigli has more.
Reporter
Nabil Abu Rdaineh, spokesman of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, says things are going to the right direction so far.
"We will start negotiating on all the final status issues and accordingly we will try to solve these issues, the borders, the security... everything will be on the table. The minute we finish them, supposed that we will do it within six months, hopefully we'll have a Palestinian state if the Israelis will work in a good faith."
Ilana Stein, a deputy spokesperson of Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, says both sides need to come to the negotiations with an open mind and make compromise to reach an agreement.
"Negotiation of course isn't grateful (?), you have to compromise or else you don't reach any kind of resolution. As you can see we're already compromising and we're already doing something that is very difficult for Israelis. We are actually setting free people who went to jail because they murdered Israelis. The thing is do the Palestinians understand that there's gonna have to be compromises. There cannot be any negotiations if only one side compromises."
Israeli anlysts on peace talks, on the other hand, feel the prospect is still unclear.
Professor Abraham Diskin of Hebrew University is one of them.
"I'm not very optimistic, because the Palestinians are not really ready to talk until just recently. Of course I hope that we will have negotiations and I hope that the two-state solution will be implemented, but it basically depends on the Palestinian side. I hope that Palestinians will really be more flexible."
The previous failures of peace talks have made Palestinian people pessimistic about the negotiations.
"I think there's no difference than before. The Israelis can give something that Palestinians will not agree, and we knew what happened in the past. People will see nothing on the ground, nothing upon the main issue. People have to see something physical, to see borders, to feel that they are free, they can move around. They will control their economy. They will do cooperation with their neighbors."
On the other side, Israelis also realize the difficulties faced during the talks.
"Things are very difficult because we've tried many times, but we can only hope there will be sincere desire in both parts that for real change and peace, and in fact the leaders will try to in some cases convince their people to go along with if they come up with some good ideas that will help peace come about."
The last round of direct peace talks between Israel and Palestine broke down in 2010 over the issue of Israeli settlements in the West Bank and east Jerusalem.
For CRI, I'm Marc Cavigli.
 
 
Europe's top diplomat holds talks with Muslim Brotherhood delegation
 
Anchor:
EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton has met with ousted Egyptian president Mohamed Morsi.
Ashton and Morsi talked for two hours.
Ashton says Morsi is in good health and has access to the news.
Morsi is being detained at an undisclosed location after being ousted on July 3rd amid the massive protests against his rule.
He has not been seen publicly since his ouster.
Meanwhile, the Egyptian courts have ordered Morsi continue to be held for an additional 15 days in an investigation connected to charges of spying and a jailbreak during the 2011 unrest that toppled then-president Hosni Mubarak.
Ashton is also urging Egypt's government to reach out to the Muslim Brotherhood.
CRI's Jordan Lee has more.
Reporter:
Ashton has met with military chief General Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, Vice President Mohamed ElBaradei and interim President Adly Mansour.
She has also met with members of activist groups, including Tamarod.
Tamarud spokesman Mohamed Badr says that the group would not agree to a plan that allowed Muslim Brotherhood leaders to escape prosecution.
"When they asked us about the solution, the solution clearly starts from; number one: admitting that June 30th was a revolution or a wave of the revolution and admitting the legitimacy of the roadmap; secondly, presenting all those involved in any shedding of Egyptian blood and those which were issued arrest warrants by the public prosecutor to quick and just trial; thirdly, clearing out all the public squares. Only then will we all start the political process."
Ashton has also met with representatives of the Muslim Brotherhood, she asks all sides to start an inclusive transitional process, which would include the Muslim Brotherhood.
Mohammed Mahsoub is a spokesman for the Brotherhood.
"We wait to hear from those who currently hold power to start the initiative by sending messages for a truce and reassurances calling for an end to media campaigns which only allow for more bloodshed."
It was European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton's second visit to Cairo since Islamist President Morsi was ousted nearly a month ago.
For CRI, I'm Jordan Lee.
 
 
Militants attack Pakistani prison and free over 250 prisoners
 
A curfew has been imposed in the northwest Pakistani city of Dera Ismail Khan after a massive jail break.
As many as 150 heavily-armed militants attacked a central jail over night, freeing the prisoners in a raid which has left at least 14-people dead.
Some 250 prisoners have managed to escape.
25 of them are described as "dangerous terrorists" by local authorities.
Local authorities say the attackers used machine guns and explosive devices in the assault.
"Last night terrorists attacked, they detonated improvised explosive devices at different places around the prison. 12 were big and nearly 200 smaller ones".
Security forces say the attackers were wearing police uniforms, and used megaphones to call out the names of specific prisoners.
So far only 9 of the prisoners who escaped have been recaptured.
 
 
Pakistan starts counting presidential election votes
 
Electoral authorities have begun counting ballots in Paksitan's presidential election.
The ruling Pakistan Muslim League has nominated a senior party leader, Mamnoon Hussain, for the presidency.
The Pakistan Justice Movement has nominated former judge, Wajihuddin Ahmed.
This is a one-on-one contest, as the Pakistan People's Party has boycotted the elections over the change in the original polling date.
The president of Pakistan is elected by over 11-hundred lawmakers across the country.
 
 
Mandela remains in critical but stable condition: Presidency
 
The South African government has provided an update on the health of former President Nelson Mandela.
Current President Jacob Zuma says Mandela remains in critical, but stable condition.
Mandela has been hospitalized for a recurring lung infection at a Pretoria hospital since June 8.
Meanwhile, Zuma also used the update to call on the business community in South Africa to support the Nelson Mandela Children's Hospital project.
Mandela has been hospitalized for a recurring lung infection at a Pretoria hospital since June 8th.
 
 
EU outlines solar panel deal details
 
The European Union's trade commissioner has announced the details of the settlement reached with China on solar panels.
EU and Chinese solar panel exporters have agreed to end their trade dispute through setting a minimum export price.
Karel de Gucht says under the deal, producers accounting for about 70 percent of Chinese solar panel exports to the EU have agreed to set a minimum price.
"The Chinese suppliers have agreed to voluntary price undertaking where they commit to stop dumping and keep prices above a certain floor. In return, those companies who participate in this engagement do not have to pay the anti-dumping duties."
The agreement is effective until the end of 2015.
De Gucht says he expects the situation to stabilise in the European solar panel market by then.
The announcement comes nearly two months after the European Commission decided to impose provisional anti-dumping duties on the imports of solar panels from China.
 
 
Rainstorms affect 2.8 mln in E China
 
Authorities in Shandong are reporting the heavy rains this past week have destroyed over 37-hundred homes.
Close to 400-thousand hectares of crops have also been wiped out in the heavy rains.
Direct economic losses are being pegged at some 2.3 billion yuan.
The week-long rainstorm in Shandong triggered flooding and forced the evacuation of thousands of people.
 
 
2 Chinese killed in a construction accident in Seoul
 
Two Chinese construction workers have been killed in an industrial accident in Seoul, South Korea.
Another Chinese worker has been seriously injured in the accident, which has taken place on the Banghwa Bridge in the South Korean capital.
Gang Gil-bu leader of the South Korean rescue team which first arrived on-site.
"We were informed around 1pm today and arrived here. According to the scene, it appears that they were building up the fender wall on the bridge and died from a sudden collapse of construction materials. "
The Banghwa Bridge connects Seoul with the city of Goyang across the Han River.
It was completed in 2000.
 
 
Chinese and foreign media visit Chinese air defense brigade
 
Chinese and foreign media outlets have taken part in a tour of an air defense facility in the city of Xi'an.
This is the first time a Chinese air defense facility has been made open to foreign media outlets.
The 54 journalists on the tour were able to see a series of weapons tests.
Chen Xifeng is the brigade commander.
"We can further showcase a good image of confidence and transparency of Chinese military troops through this activity. Meanwhile we can also present good charisma to the media."
The move to open up the facility to the media is part of a broader campaign by the Chinese military to become more transparent as this country's influence on the international stage grows.
 
 
Shortage of Nursing Curbs China's Senior Care Industry
 
Anchor:
Low wages, a lack of training and high mobility are being cited as the main reasons behind the shortage of professionals available to work at the growing number of nursing homes in China.
CRI's Zhang Shuangfeng has more.
Reporter:
Nursing for the elderly requires not only diligence, but also patience, love and a sense of responsibility.
Wang Shaoyi is a nurse at a Nursing Home in Liaoning province. He has been doing the job for 11 years.
"This is what we do when we take care of the elder. We stay with them all day, even longer than staying with my family. It is meaningful because when they pass away, you don't feel sorry for him after all these years' company."
Xu futai is the old man whom Wang has taken care of for 11 years. He feels closer to Wang than to his own children.
"In terms of blood relationship, my children are closer, but in terms of caring for me, the nurses are closer. He is always with me while my children are busy with their work and their own families. They cannot always stay with me. In this way, nurses are much closer to me."
However, low income and poor welfare has caused a brain drain in the pension service industry.
Liu Junqing, president of Shenyang Nursing Home, says these problems have hampered the marketisation of China's senior care industry.
"Under curren circumstances, the nursing personnel's wage and social status have all failed to meet our expectation. And this expectation won't be met until 7 or 8 years later when we face a peak of retirement. The fewer the nursing staffs, the slower the development of our nursing facilities. Due to the low income, staffs' basic qualities won't be improved as well. Our nursing home's development will not be able to form a virtuous cycle."
Stats suggest that the aging population in China reached 194 million by the end of 2012.
That is 14.3 percent of the country's total population.
However, there are only about 50-thousand licensed nursing personnel in the country.
The Chinese government has launched a national standard for nursing personnel for the elderly, in an effort to boost the industy.
From CRI, I'm Zhang Shuangfeng.
 
 
China calls on strengthening international wild tiger conservation
 
An international tiger conservation workshop is underway in Yunnan's capital, Kunming.
Topics for discussion include the protection of wild tigers and combating the illegal trade in animal products.
Shi Kun is the director of the wildlife institute at Beijing Forestry University.
"Indo-Chinese tiger is still distributed in the area. During the last three decades we found some records in the border area inside China in south and southwest of Yunnan province and on the border area with Laos and Myanmar, so we just ran the preliminary survey in the Xishuangbanna nature reserve, which is a hot spot of Indo-Chinese tiger distribution in the area. "
China is home to 4 subspecies of wild tigers which are on the verge of extinction.
Over 30 nature reserves and more than 70 conservation stations have been set up to try to exclusively protect wild tigers in China.
Authorities say this has proven effective in reducing poaching.
Still, Yin Hong, deputy head of China's State Forestry Administration, says more needs to be done.
"I want to call on the international community to pay a close attention on the differences in economic strength, regulation capabilities and the effectiveness of law enforcement between different countries. We should provide more help to poor regions in order to improve protection of wild tigers and combat illegal trade of animal products."
The 3-day session in Kunming has attracted more than 130 participants from a dozen countries and international organizations.
 
 
Biz Reports
 
 
Asian Stock
 
Chinese shares closed higher today after the central bank injected liquidity into the money market for the first time since February in order to quell credit crunch worries.
When the market closed, the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index gained 0.7 percent.
The Shenzhen Component Index picked up 0.8 percent.
The financial sector led the rise, increasing 2.2 percent.
Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, the country's biggest listed lender, went up 0.5 percent to 3.9 yuan per share.
In Hong Kong, the benchmark Hang Seng rose 0.5 percent.
Elsewhere in Asia,
Japan's Nikkei ended four days of declines, rebounding 1.5 percent on a weaker yen.
Meanwhile, South Korea's KOSPI increased 0.9 percent.
Singapore's Straits Times index picked up 0.3 percent.
and Australia's S&P/ASX 200 ended flat.
 
 
Bank injects funds for the first time since Feb
 
China's central bank has injected new liquidity into the money markets via an open market operation.
This is the first time the PBOC has done this since February.
The injection, a 17 billion yuan bond repurchase, marks the first time in 5-months the central bank has eased liquidity, rather than draining it.
The move has eased fears of another cash crunch ahead of the end of the month, after a severe cash squeeze in June caused market panic.
For more on this latest move, we are joined on the line by Mike Bastin, Visiting Professor at China's University of International Business and Economics.
 
 
China, South Korea, Japan launch 2nd FTA talks
 
China, South Korea and Japan have started their second round of trilateral talks on a free trade agreement in Shanghai.
This follows the first round of trilateral talks in Seoul in March.
Last year, the three countries' combined GDP came in at 15 trillion U.S. dollars.
This is around one-fifth of the world's total, and 70 percent of the GDP in Asia.
The third round of FTA talks will be held in Japan at the end of the year.
 
 
Apple faces new worker abuse claims in China
 
Apple is facing fresh allegations of workers rights violations at the Chinese factories of one of its suppliers, Shanghai-based Pegatron Group.
New York-based China Labor Watch alleges three factories run by Pegatron violate a "great number of international and Chinese laws and standards".
The allegations include the use of underage workers, contract violations and excessive working hours.
Employees are said to be working close to 70-hours a week.
Both Apple and Pegatron say they will investigate the claims immediately.
Pegatron assembles about one third of Apple's iPhones and iPads.
The company currently has 70-thousand people on its payroll.
 
 
HTC reports 83 percent drop in second quarter profit
 
Smartphone maker HTC is reporting a 83 percent drop in its second quarter profits.
The company says it only pulled in 1.2-billion new Taiwan dollars through the quarter.
This is down from the 70 billion new Taiwan dollars during the same period last year.
HTC is also predicting a further revenue drop of between 50 to 60 billion new Taiwan dollars in the third quarter.
HTC became the first maker of smartphones to use Google's Android software in 2008.
HTC sales have been slipping since the second half of 2011.
 
 
Molybdenum to acquire Rio copper mine for 820m USD
 
China Molybdenum has agreed to buy an 80 percent stake in the Northparkes mine in Australia from Rio Tinto for 820-million US dollars.
Henan-based China Molybdenum is a major producer of molybdenum and tungsten.
The acquisition is Molybdenum's first foray into copper mining.
Molybdenum says it expects the deal to close by the end of the year.
The Northparkes operation, located in New South Wales, produced about 54-thosuand tons of copper last year.
Rio Tinto has been selling some of its smaller operations to try to bolster its balance sheet in response to weaker commodity prices.
 
 
Greenland to invest US$1b in LA project
 
Shanghai-based real estate developer Greenland has agreed to invest 1-billion US dollars in a mixed-use project in Los Angeles.
The deal will see Greenland acquire a stake in the Metropolis project from the California State Teachers' Retirement System.
The project consists of hotels, offices, serviced apartments and luxury homes.
Greenland says construction will likely start within 6 to 9 months.
The Los Angeles project is Greenland's second major overseas investment in less than a month.
Earlier this month, the Chinese developer acquired two hotels in Madrid and Barcelona from Melia Hotels International by an asset swap.
Those two hotels are valued at 243-million US dollars.
 
 
Headline News
 
 
EU top diplomat meets ousted Egyptian president Morsi
 
EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton has met with ousted Egyptian president Mohamed Morsi.
Ashton and Morsi talked for two hours.
Ashton says Morsi is in good health and has access to the news.
Morsi is being detained at an undisclosed location after being ousted on July 3rd amid the massive protests against his rule.
He has not been seen publicly since his ouster.
Meanwhile, the Egyptian courts have ordered Morsi continue to be held for an additional 15 days in an investigation connected to charges of spying and a jailbreak during the 2011 unrest that toppled then-president Hosni Mubarak.
 
 
Israeli-Palestinian peace talks resume in Washington
 
Peace talks between the Israelis and Palestinians have resumed in Washington.
The talks have resumed following a dinner hosted by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry at the State Department.
Palestinian and Israeli negotiators are being joined in the discussions by former US Ambassador to Israel, Martin Indyk.
Indyk has been tapped by Washington to mediate the talks.
The negotiations are expected to run through Tuesday in Washington.
 
 
Explosion hits chemical plant in E China
 
No casualties have been reported after an explosion and subsequent fire at a chemical plant in Fujian.
The blast took place in the early morning hours this Tuesday.
It was strong enough to blow out the windows of nearby homes.
The paraxylene plant was built on the Gulei peninsula between the cities of Xiamen and Chaozhou after mass protests against the initial plans to build the facility in Xiamen in 2009.
 
 
Beijing police vow fresh efforts to combat crime
 
Authorities here in Beijing are bringing in a new security sweep following a number of deadly incidents this month.
More patrols are going to be out at nights and on the weekends.
Police say they're also going to focus their attention on crowded areas, internet cafes, entertainment areas and hotels.
Security checks are also being increased on the roads leading into Beijing.
This follows a pair of deadly stabbings, the murder of a toddler in a dispute over a parking space and the bombing at the Beijing airport this month.
 
 
Central bank injects funds for the first time since Feb
 
China's central bank has injected new liquidity into the money markets via an open market operation.
This is the first time the PBOC has done this since February.
The injection, a 17 billion yuan bond repurchase, marks the first time in 5-months the central bank has eased liquidity, rather than draining it.
The move has eased fears of another cash crunch ahead of the end of the month, after a severe cash squeeze in June caused market panic.
 
 
Newspaper Picks
 
 
Xinhua
"Controversial Chinese qigong master entangled in property dispute"
Self-proclaimed qigong master Wang Lin did not show in court when his trial over a property dispute with a former disciple opened in east China's city of Nanchang on Tuesday.
Zou Yong, a businessman who formally acknowledged Wang as his master before November 2012, is suing Wang over a housing contract dispute that involved more than 30 million yuan.
The trial opened as authorities in Jiangxi's city of Pingxiang, Wang's hometown, kicked off an investigation into Wang regarding his alleged illegal medicine practices.
China Central Television on Sunday had a report about Wang. The report described him as a fraud, since Wang made his fortune by fooling celebrities and government officials.
Zou, chairman of a local fuel group, said before the trial that he paid 5 million yuan in fees to become Wang's disciple in 2009.
Neither Zou nor Wang appeared in court on Tuesday.
A verdict has yet to be announced.
Shanghai Daily
"City take-offs 'free of air traffic restrictions'"
A senior civil aviation official has said Shanghai's Pudong and Hongqiao international airports are among eight in the country that will be free from air traffic restrictions on take-offs.
Air traffic restrictions - often a result of giving way to military operations or if destination airports are simply too busy - are major causes of flight delays in China.
The official is from the Air Traffic Management Bureau under the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) .
He said on his microblog that take-offs from Shanghai, plus airports in Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Kunming and Xi'an, will be free from restrictions.
Another senior official said CAAC's east China bureau has yet to receive official confirmation.
The senior official said airports cannot be totally free of restrictions but can give priorities to take-off.
News.com.au
"Tobacco excise one of the taxes considered as part of Government's economic statement"
A second increase in tobacco taxes in three years is being considered as the Federal Government wrestles with filling revenue shortfalls without slashing jobs and services.
Government taxes already make up 60 per cent of the price of a packet of 30 Peter Jackson cigarettes.
But, a higher cigarette excise tax hit on smokers could be backed by arguments it is a health measure.
The Australian National Preventive Health Agency earlier highlighted the cost of treating diseases related to smoking. It urged further funding of "social marketing activities focused on increasing awareness of the health risks of smoking and supporting quit attempts".
The Government already has introduced measures to limit smoking, the biggest being the laws demanding plain packaging of cigarettes.
Tobacco excise rises twice a year by the inflation rate. The first increase was in February and the next is due in August.
The Province
"Smartphone ownership way up, Canadians addicted to their phones: Google study"
A new report released by Google showed Canadian smartphone users are getting increasingly addicted to their mobile devices.
Based on online surveys with 1,000 Canadians earlier this year, the report estimates that 56 per cent of adults were using a smartphone, up from 33 per cent in early 2012.
About eight in 10 smartphone owners said they don't leave home without their mobile device. And two-thirds of them said they had used their phone every day in the past week.
About 35 per cent said they'd become so reliant on mobile connectivity that they'd give up TV before having to part with their smartphone.
The study shows people are using mobile to change all aspects of their life, whether it's their job, travel, shopping, the way they communicate with others, and specifically trying to understand the world around them."
About 78 per cent of the smartphone users said they connected to social media with their device and 52 per cent said they logged on daily.
 
 
Special Reports
 
 
Idea Changing Important to Improve School Football
 
Anchor:
Experts and coaches of football teams taking part in this year's Beijing Cup International School Football Tournament are suggesting a change in the approach to the sport is needed if the level of football is going to improve among Chinese teenagers.
CRI's Zhou Jingnan explains.
Reporter:
Nowadays, while Chinese football remains in a low point, the necessity of improving the Chinese teenagers' football level has become a common sense among many Chinese people.
At the ongoing 3rd Beijing Cup International School Football Tournament, with 16 participating school football teams, including 6 foreign teams, Chinese teams are producing less than impressive results.
Ryu Hirose, the coach of a Japanese school football team competing in the tournament, points out some of the drawbacks of the Chinese teams.
"There are a lot of Chinese players that are stronger than Japanese players solely considering their physical abilities, and I found that there were some really good players in Chinese teams, but in terms of the whole team, I think they didn't show enough ability in attacking and defending."
Hu Jianping, the coach of the China School Hope Football team that won the 1st and 2nd Beijing Cup, points out that the lack of players at school level in China, is one of the factors that hinder development of the sport.
"Now every family has only one child. Let's say the child devotes himself to football but still cannot become a good player, what can he do in the future? It would present a serious problem for this family. It's also a reason why there are so few people playing football in China. If teenagers don't play football, you cannot expect our national team to improve."
Li Lianjiang, general secretary of Chinese School Football Association, further tries to identify reason in the sports education system of the country.
"Schools in China should provide regular football trainings, good plans, full-time coaches, or opportunities to participate in competitions, as well as channels for these players to enter a higher school or professional teams, but we don't have such a system."
In order to change the situation, Hu Jianping believes that the most important thing is to change people's approaches to football.
"Don't be so utilitarian. Don't push children engaged in the sport to be professional players and make money through it. Let them realize that sports, as a kind of education, can help the development of good moral character."
Hu believes that if schools or society in general can treat football just as a basic tool of education, which people use to strengthen their will, whilst developing a cooperative and hardworking spirit, to learn to overcome difficulties, there will be more young students taking part in the sport, to improve the outlook for China's football, at teenage and even professional level.
For CRI, I'm Zhou Jingnan.
 
 
Sports
 
 
Zou Shiming Announces Third Pro Fight
 
Rising Chinese boxing star Zou Shiming has announced his 3rd professional fight is going to be held in Macau in November.
The 32-year old's opponent hasn't been announced.
He's going to fight in the undercard on November 24th.
The main-event will feature Manny Pacquiao taking on American Brandon Rios in a pay-per-view bout at the Cotai Resort.
Zou Shiming's trainer, Freddie Roach, isn't willing to say when the 32-year old might be ready to take a shot at a belt.
"It's only his second fight, I think his progress is very good, it's very fast. He had a great amateur career; it shouldn't be long."
Zou Shiming's last bout, his 2nd as a professional, was a 6 round decision over Mexico's Jesus Ortega.
 
 
Ye Shiwen fails to reach podium at swimming worlds
 
Olympic gold medalist Ye Shiwen has failed to reach the podium at the FINA world swimming championships.
Ye ended up coming in 4th in the women's 200-meter medley.
The 17-year old admits it wasn't her strongest day in Barcelona.
"I felt nervous, even in the afternoon before the competition.I don't know why. Maybe I have many races. My opponent is in an incredible form and she did very well in the heats and semi-finals. So it's very hard for me to stay calm. The pool is very cold as a result. I didn't feel good at the beginning of the race."
Hungarian Katinka Hosszu took the gold in the women's 200-meter medly.
In other action in the pool in Barcelona, Christian Sprenger of Australia has taken the men's 100 metres breaststroke.
In the men's 50 metres butterfly, Cesar Cielo Filho has successfully defended his world title.
In the women's 100 metre butterfly, Sweden's Sarah Sjoestroem has clinched gold ahead Australian rival Alicia Coutts.
 
 
Real Madrid prepares for upcoming series of "friendlies" in the United States
 
Real Madrid has taken to the practice fields at the University of California in Los Angeles in preparation for their upcoming series of "friendlies" in the United States.
　
This is the 4th consecutive year the Spanish squad has travelled to California to get ready for the start of their official season.
Real Madrid's season officially opens with a league match on the weekend of August 18th.
Team captain and goalkeeper Iker Casillas says the squad is excited to get the season started.
"Everytime we have a new coach, it is a new challenge and a new system and just like every season, I think we have to begin with the desire to play like its the first day ever and to try an start things on the right foot.I think to sum it up, I am very happy and content to start the season."
Casillas has also commented on Real Madrid's pursuit of Tottenham midfielder Gareth Bale.
"I think its normal that they want him because he has a great conditions to be able to practice great football. Anything else I can't really comment. The market is there, whether someone pays or doesn't pay, sells or doesn't sell. This type of operations are always within a team's policies and they always raise some kind of discussion. It is what the club is trying to solve and the team is looking to try and reinforce. Let's hope it is something positive and we're hoping this will close the season of hiring more players."　
Realadrid is scheduled to play four US friendlies.
The first will be against David Beckham's former squad, the LA Galaxy.
 
 
2015 ICC Cricket World Cup launch event in Wellington
 
The Wellington waterfront in New Zealand has been tapped to be the location for the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup.
The ICC Cricket World Cup is returning to Australia and New Zealand after a gap of 23 years.
The draw for the event has also been laid out.
Ashes rivals England and Australia are in Group A along with New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and two qualifiers.
Group B is headed by defending World Cup champions India, their arch rivals Pakistan, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Ireland and the final qualifier.
Former New Zealand skipper Stephen Fleming.
"Look, playing at home there is going to be pressure from the media, from the fans. We have one of the greatest sporting teams in the world that set the example and they were outstanding in dealing with pressure during their (2011 IRB) World Cup, the All Blacks. So if any lessons were to be learnt I would be knocking on their door straight away just to see how they coped with the weight of expectation. "
Christchurch will host the opening match of the tournament on February 14th, 2015 between co-hosts New Zealand and Sri Lanka.
 
 
Marcus Camby signs contract with Houston Rockets
 
In some off-court news in basketball, the Houston Rockets have signed veteran free agent center Marcus Camby.
This will be Camby's second stint in Houston, after playing for the Rockets in the 2011-2012 season.
The 39-year-old played 19 games for Houston that season, averaging 7.1 points, 9.3 rebounds and 1.53 blocks per game
Camby was shipped to the New York Knicks in July of 2012, appearing in 24 games for the Knicks last season.
The 6-foot-11 Camby joins a team that already has superstar center Dwight Howard, who is Houston's major free agent pickup.
The Rockets also have last year's starting center Omer Asik on the roster.
Marcus Camby was the second overall pick by the Toronto Raptors in 1996.
 
 
Entertainment
 
 
Chinese animation "Kunta" previews ahead of opening
 
It has been 3 years in the making but "Kunta" is finally poised to take theatres by storm.
Earlier today, the makers held previews for a lucky bunch of film critics, media outlets and cinema owners in 20 cities around China.
This comes ahead of the film's official opening later this week.
The Zhejiang Versatile film follows two friends on their search for water in the fictional Peanut World.
Made on a $16 million budget, "Kunta" was completed with the help of 150 people.
The team used cloud computing to control the 6,700 high-tech processors required to support the production process.
Producer and director Leo Lee says that he wanted to take Chinese animations up to Hollywood standards.
Lee said he was adament to avoid treating the film as "fast money", a weakness for animators in China's fast growing and lucrative market.
The Chinese animation market generated 32.1 billion yuan last year, up by almost a quarter compared to the previous year.
Kunta arrives on screens across China from August the 2nd.
 
 
2 Guns world premiere in New York City
 
Denzel Washington and Mark Wahlberg lit up New York City overnight with the world premiere of their new action film, "2 Guns".
The action comedy flick is directed by Baltasar Kormákur, who worked with Wahlberg on last year's Contraband.
The film follows two operatives on covert missions to infiltrate a Mexican drug cartel.
Wahlberg, whose co-star Washington is also a long-term friend, says chemistry was essential for the film.
"The movie lives and dies with our chemistry. If the movie didn't have great chemistry, the movie would not work at all. It's like 'Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,' it's just about these two guys and there's a bunch of people chasing after them. It's really about these guys, so if that doesn't work, you're screwed."
Wahlberg added that it was refreshing to make a film that he didn't have to push to sell.
"You know what? It's easier when you have a movie that you're really proud of and people like, so no. We have a great movie on our hands. It's when it kind of sucks and you got to lie to people and try to convince them to see it anyway because that's just part of your job. But no, we got a great movie and audiences have been going absolutely crazy for the movie,"
"2 Guns" opens in U.S. theaters on August 2, arriving in the UK on 16th August.
 
 
Michael Jackson and Freddie Mercury duets to be released
 
3-duets between legendary pop icon Michael Jackson and Queen frontman Freddie Mercury will be officially released later this year.
The 30-year-old tracks were recorded in Jackson's studio home for a larger project which never came to fruition thanks to the singers' busy schedules.
In his biography Mercury claims they are great songs, but the singers simply ran out of time though others report a rather tumultuous meeting between the two.
While at Jackson's home Mercury reportedly called Queen's manager begging him to get him out of there and comparing Michael Jackson to a llama.
The titles There Must Be More to Life Than This, Victory, and State of Shock were all recorded in 1983, but cleared for release in 2011.
Queen guitarist Brian May has confirmed the tracks will be released this fall.
 
 
Marijuana found on Justin Bieber's tour bus
 
It has emerged that Justin Bieber's tour bus was seized by border control whilst it was attempting to re-enter the US.
US Customs and Border Protection has confirmed that the bus was stopped as it crossed into Detroit from Canada via the Ambassador Bridge.
US border agents found marijuana and drugs paraphenalia on board the vehicle.
The driver of the bus was cited which allowed the rest of the passengers aboard to continue their journey.
The singer was not aboard the vehicle at the time.
Back in April Swedish police found a stun gun and drugs on Bieber's tour bus during a search.
Last week, Miley Cyrus sent out a public message to Bieber urging him to take some time away from the limelight.
 
 
Forbes reveals Hollywood's best paid actresses
 
Angelina Jolie has topped Forbe's list of the highest paid actresses.
The actress has not starred in a film since 2010's box office failure the Tourist.
The 38 year old mother of earnt $33 million dollars in the past 12 months.
Second on the list is Hunger Games star Jennifer Lawrence, who replaced Jolie for the lead role in upcoming drama "Serena" .
The 22 year old Oscar winner earnt $24 million from her movie roles and as the face of Dior.
Lawrence is currently completing filming on X-Men: Days of Future Past, which is slated for release next May.
Last year's top earner Kristen Stewart dropped to third, followed by Jennifer Aniston and Emma Stone who complete the top five.
 
 
Evan Rachel Wood and Jamie Bell welcomes baby boy
 
Actress Evan Rachel Wood has given birth to a baby son!
Wood's husband actor Jamie Bell took to Twitter to announce the news.
The "Billy Eliot" star praised Wood for being his "warrior".
The couple met in 2005 whilst working on the music video to Green Day's "Wake Me Up When September Ends".
Despite initially called it quits back in 2006, the pair rekindled their romance in 2011.
Wood and Bell married last Autumn in a low-key event in California.