新闻纵贯线 The Beijing Hour updated 08:00 2013/07/23

 Paul James with you on this Tueday, July 23rd, 2013.

Welcome to the Beijing Hour, coming to you live from the Chinese capital.
Coming up on our program this morning...
The death toll from yesterday morning's large earthquake in Gansu is approaching 90.
The 3rd in-line to the British throne has been born.
Egypt's interim President is calling for calm amid clashes between pro and anti-Morsi factions.
In Business, new stats show foreign exchange is now starting to flow OUT of China.
In sports... the East Asian football cup is underway in South Korea.
In entertainment.... American actor Denis Farina has passed away.
 
 
Weather
 
 
Beijing will be cloudy today, with a high of 32 degree Celsius in the daytime, and it will be clear tonight with a low of 23.
In Shanghai, it will be sunny today, 37 the high, and it will be clear tonight, the low of 29 degrees Celsius.
Lhasa will be overcast in the daytime the temperature's at 23, and tonight will have slight rain with a low of 11 degree Celsius.
Elsewhere in the world, staying in Asia
Islamabad, sunny, 34.
Kabul, sunny, with a high of 35.
And in North America
New York, thundershowers, with a high of 28 degrees.
Washington, thundershowers, highs of 31
Houston, thundershowers, 33.
Honolulu, moderate rain, 30.
Toronto, overcast, 26.
Finally, on to South America,
Buenos Aires, overcast, 8.
And Rio de Janeiro will be overcast with highs of 28 degrees Celsius.
 
 
Top News
 
 
Gansu earthquake death toll rises to 89
 
Anchor
The death toll from yestedray's 6.6-magnitude earthquake in Gansu has risen to 89.
Over 500 others have been injured, with 60 in serious condition.
Another 5 are listed as missing.
CRI's Su Yi has more.
Reporter
At least 400 aftershocks have been recorded following yesterday morning's earthquake in the city of Dingxi.
The strongest aftershock has measured 5.6 on the Richter Scale.
The earthquake has toppled some 12-hundred houses and severely damaged another 21-thousand.
Two helicopters and some 3-thousand search and rescue personell have been deployed to the region, which is located about 200-kilometers south of the provincial capital, Lanzhou.
The Ministry of Civil Affairs has sent 10-thousand tents, 30-thousand quilts and 10-thousand sleeping bags to the region.
Du Chaoren is the chief of staff of the Gansu fire corps.
"Right after we got the earthquake report from the fire brigade in Minshan County, we launched our contingency plan immediately. We have sent out 6 teams, 360 soldiers. They are now rushing to the scene."
Chinese President Xi Jinping has issued a statement, calling for the "utmost efforts to reduce casualties".
Premier Li Keiqiang has been working to gather more professional rescue forces to join the search and rescue work.
Telephone services in most parts of the Minxian and Zhangxian counties remain cut off.
Several towns in Minxian are still without power.
Baktiar Mambetov is a regional delegate for the Red Cross.
"Very soon, they will be in need of food and water. They are going to need sanitation - those who are living in the damaged structures, in the damaged and collapsed homes - they will need some emergency shelters as well."
Heavy rains have been hampering the search and rescue work.
Several minor landslides have also been reported in the area, which has been innondated by days of heavy rains.
For CRI, I'm Su Yi.
 
 
Kate gives birth to baby boy
 
Anchor
The 3rd in line to the British throne has arrived.
Prince William's wife Kate has given birth to a baby boy.
CRI's London correspondent Tu Yun reports.
Reporter
Anticipation was rampant around London on Monday after word Kate Middleton had gone into labor.
The anticipation drew people to both St. Mary's Hospital and Buckingham Palace, many of whom have come from different parts of the world, including China.
"I hope the baby will grow up safe and healthy, and their family will be very happy."
"My family came from Switzerland to come and see and wanted to take a picture of Buckingham Palace. The baby is not born yet. So I'm a bit disappointed. I think it's a symbol because here in England everybody really loves the royal family and I think it's a real great family. I just hope everything will be nice and well for the whole family and will have a healthy baby."
Kate and William arrived at St. Mary's Hospital early in the morning Monday.
The child was born at 4:24pm in London.
He's 8-pounds 6-ounces, and is said to be in fine health.
So far the child has not been named.
The Royal couple are going to spend the evening in hospital.
Prince William has not appeared publically.
However, he's issued a statement, saying he - quote - "could not be happier."
British Prime Minister David Cameron has taken a moment to comment.
"Its wonderful news from St. Mary's Paddington and I'm sure right across the country and indeed across the Commonwealth people will be celebrating and wishing the Royal couple well. It is an important moment in the life of our nation, but I suppose above all its a wonderful moment for a warm and loving couple who got a brand new baby boy."
The baby was overdue by around a week.
A 62-gun solute will be fired at the Tower of London on Tuesday to celebrate the arrival of the royal baby.
So far, William and Kate have remained silent about potential baby names.
The boy is third in line to the throne.
For CRI, I'm Tu Yun in London.
 
 
CASS Blue Book said the U.S. may be more involved in regional disputes in Asia
 
Anchor
The Chinese Academy of Social Sciences has released new analysis of US domestic and foreign policies.
As CRI's Shen Chengcheng reports, the American Blue Book 2013 is suggesting the US will be more involved in regional disputes in Asia as part of its return to Asia strategy.
Reporter:
Yuan Zheng is the Deputy Director of the Division of American Foreign Policy Studies under CASS's Institute of American Studies.
He says the stronger presence of the United State in the Asian-Pacific region is determined by its national interests.
"The economic relations between the US and countries within this area are closer. Also some newly rising powers, or some regional hot issues, such as the nuclear issue in the Korean peninsula, the Diaoyu Island issue, or the South China sea issue, are potential challenges to the regional peace. So the US, as a strong power, thinks it should attach great importance to the region."
The Blue Book also indicates the relationship between China, the US and Japan is the most important trilateral relationship in the world and predicts there will be a complicated interaction between these three countries on the Diaoyu Islands dispute.
The paper point out the US government believes the Chinese disputes with its neighboring countries challenges its influence in the Asia-Pacific region.
However, Liu Weidong, a researcher on American studies from the think tank, believes China, the US, and Japan, can still experience stable development.
"Obama is in his first consecutive term and during which to promote a balanced relationship within the Asian-Pacific region is his priority task. He wants to suppress what he believes an aggressive diplomatic stance taken by China on the basis of maintaining cooperation with China, while to Japan, he aims to use it to stress the presence of US in the region, but meanwhile the US is also taking cautions on the country."
Liu stresses the US will take a defensive stance towards China's rise in the long run, but Sino-US relationships have improved recently and more bilateral cooperation is likely to happen.
For CRI, I'm SCC.
 
 
Future of Mideast peace talks
 
Palestinian and Israeli negotiators are getting ready to go to Washington this week to restart the long-stalled Middle East peace talks.
This comes after US Secretary of State John Kerry was able to broker negotiations, which have been on hold for some 5-years.
Leading Israeli officials have expressed different levels of optimism about the renewal of the peace talks.
The fate of Israeli settlements in occupied territories is widely expected to be one of the key talking points.
For more on the resumption of the Middle East talks, CRI's Rebecca Hume spoke earlier with Professor Li Guofu, senior research fellow at the Chinese Institute of International studies.
Professor Li Guofu, senior research fellow at the Chinese Institute of International studies, speaking with CRI's Rebecca Hume.
 
 
Egypt's interim president calls for reconciliation after clashes killed 4
 
Egypt's interim President is calling for national reconciliation and a new beginning.
This comes after clashes left 4 dead on Monday.
Adli Mansour has made the appeal for calm in a speech on the eve of the national celebration of the 1952 Revolution which marked the end of royal rule in Egypt.
The appeal comes amid clashes between opponents and supporters of ousted president Mohammed Morsi in Tahrir Square.
"We were near to Tahrir square next to Kasr el-Nil bridge and we heard gun shots and fireworks and there was an exchange of clashes between anti-Morsi protesters and a march that was heading to the U.S. Embassy."
The clashes broke out after hundreds of pro-Morsi protesters marched toward the U.S. Embassy to protest what they describe as American meddling in Egyptian affairs.
Armored vehicles and security personnel are surrounding the U.S. embassy.
Security forces were forced to fire tear gas to disperse the crowds.
 
 
EU lists Hezbollah military wing as terror group, reax
 
The European Union has decided to label the armed wing of Lebanese Shiite group Hezbollah as a terrorist group.
The decision has been made at a meeting of the EU's foreign ministers in Brussels.
EU Foreign Policy Chief Catherine Ashton.
"Due to concerns over the role of Hezbollah we've agreed to designate its military wing on the list of terrorist organizations. That does not prevent the continuation of dialogue with all political parties in Lebanon. "
It's now illegal for EU countries to fund the group and for Euopean diplomats to meet its military staff.
The label will be reviewed on a 6-month basis.
Lebanese officials, while expressing regret, say Beirut will maintain its ties with the EU.
Hezbollah MP Alwalid Sukkarieh.
"This step won't affect Hezbollah or the resistance. The resistance is present on the Lebanese territories and not in Europe. It is not a terrorist group to commit acts of terror in Europe.
The decision comes a year after the bombing at an airport in Bulgaria which left 6 Israeli tourists dead.
Bulgarian investigators have linked the attack to Hezbollah.
 
 
Twenty-five soldiers, police dead in prison raid in Iraq
 
At least 25 Iraqi security personnel are dead in a pair of attempted jailbreaks outside Baghdad on Monday.
At the same time, a car bombing targeting soldiers has left another 12 dead.
Local reports are suggesting at least some of the prisoners have managed to get out.
However, Iraqi authorities are not officially reporting any break-outs.
Iraq Justice Ministry spokesperson Wisam al-Fraiji.
"After heavy clashes with the terrorist groups, the security troops were able to fend off and defeat the terrorists. The inmates are now under control. God willing, the two jails were controlled during the first hours of the assault and the attack was completely foiled."
Many of the thousands of inmates at the prisons in question are insurgents convicted on terrorism-related charges, including members of al-Qaida's Iraq branch.
Attackers detonated bombs and lobbed mortar rounds at Taji and the infamous Abu Ghraib prisons.
Both jails were controlled by the US military before 2011 when the last American troops left Iraq.
The jailbreaks come amid a massive spike in bloodshed in recent months in Iraq.
Fears are growing the country may return to the widespread sectarian violence that pushed the country to the brink of civil war after the 2003 US-led invasion.
 
 
Suspect in Ohio serial killings to be charged with murder
 
The suspect in the killing of 3 women in the US state of Ohio has been charged with aggravated murder.
Judge William Dawson,
"All of those are felonies of first-degree because they are aggravated murder, they are punishable by possible death or life in prison and a $100,000 fine."
Michael Madison is a convicted sex offender.
Authorities arrested Madison after discovering a series of decomposing corpses found wrapped in garbage bags.
A search has also been launched in east Cleveland for other possible victims.
It's believed the victims were killed within the last 6 to 10 days.
 
 
Abe promises to continue with economic reforms after poll victory
 
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is promising to continue his economic reforms following his coalition's win in Sunday's upper house elections.
Abe's pledge has thrown cold water on speculation he may have been considering scaling back his economic plans.
"We must further speed up the pace of our policies. If we return to the old LDP that would ignore public opinion or would look to run away from reforms, then we will lose the public's support."
Abe's Liberal Democratic Party and it's minority coalition partner, the New Komeito Party, took 76 of the seats up for grabs in the upper house of parliament.
This gives the coalition 135 of the 242-seats in the upper chamber.
The victory allows Abe's coalition to maintain its full control of both the upper and lower chambers of the parliament.
This is the first time this has happened in Japan in 6-years.
 
 
Biz Reports
 
 
Anchor
First off, a check on the stock market of North America and Europe.
Join me on the desk, CRI's Su Yi.
Reporter
U.S. stocks eked out small gains on Monday, sending the S&P 500 to a fresh all-time closing high for the third consecutive day, although economic data and McDonald's earnings report came out a little disappointing.
The Dow closed almost flat.
The S&P 500 added 0.2 percent.
The Nasdaq gained 0.4 percent.
Dow component McDonald's reported worse-than-expected earnings.
The fast food chain made a net income of 1.4 billion U.S. dollars in the second quarter.
The results were better than its year-ago numbers but missed analysts' expectations.
Meanwhile, Canada's S&P/TSX also gained 0.6 percent.
In Europe, European shares rose to seven-week highs on Monday.
The gain is led by financials after upbeat quarterly results from UBS fuelled hopes for European bank earnings.
UK's FTSE 100 index dipped 0.1 percent.
Germany's DAX index ended flat, and France's CAC 40 gained 0.4 percent.
 
 
Phoning with Mark Hughes Foreign capital outflows hit China in June
 
New stats show a net forex outflow here in China through this past month.
Chinese banks sold over 41-billion yuan worth of foreign currencies in June.
This represents the first net outflow of foreign capital since November.
Net forex purchasing in May also hit a six-month low of just under 67-billion yuan, down significantly from the 294-billion purchased in April.
Many observers are suggesting the slow growth of foreign trade and the weakening expectation of the yuan's appreciation are behind the capital outflow.
For more on the situation, we are joined on the line by Mark Mark Hughes, Executive business editor of China Daily
1. Some are now comparing this to the capital outflow seen in the 2008 financial crisis, is this ringing real alarm? What was going on?
2. With many downbeat economic indicators in the first half suggesting an even slower growth in the second half, will this outflow continue through the rest of the year?
3. What will the monetary authorities here do to brace for a systemic capital outflow? Are they prepared for this?
back anchor: Mark Hughes, Executive business editor of China Daily
 
 
U.S. existing home sales down 1.2 pct in June
 
New stats show U.S. existing-home sales have dipped in June after hitting a 3.5-year high in May.
Existing home sales dropped to just over 5-million in June.
This is down 1.2-percent in May.
However, it's just over 15-percent higher than a year ago.
At the same time, home prices are up 13.5-percent from a year ago to an average of 214-thousand-200.
The June figures represent the 16th consecutive month home price increases.
Distressed homes, including foreclosures, accounted for 15 percent of June sales, down from 18 percent in May.
Existing home sales account for a larger share of the market than new home sales.
 
 
UBS profit beats forecasts despite U.S. mortgage suit settlement
 
UBS's second-quarter profits have surpassed forecasts, despite the Swiss banking giant's settlement with the U.S. housing regulator.
UBS has turned in profits of 734-million US dollars over the course of this past quarter.
This comes despite settling a suit with the US Federal Housing Finance Agency.
UBS, along with 17 other banks, have been sued in connection with the mortgage-backed securities the banks offered ahead of the 2008 financial crisis.
While UBS has agreed in-principle to a settlement, the terms have not been disclosed.
 
 
Eurozone collective debt climbs to record 92.2 pct in Q1
 
New data shows the collective national debt of the 17-member eurozone has increased to an all-time high of 92.2-percent of annual economic output through the first quarter.
It is up from 90.6 percent through the final three months of last year.
The figures show Greece, Italy, Portugal and Ireland have recorded the highest ratio of debt to GDP through Q1.
The ratio in Greece sits at just over 160-percent.
Italy is at 130-percent.
Portugal has come in at just over 127-percent.
Ireland is running a 125-percent debt to GDP ratio.
The lowest ratio has been recorded in Estonia at 10 percent.
 
 
Brazil GDP growth forecast dips to 2.28 pct
 
Brazilian financial institutions have dropped their GDP estimates for the country down to just under 2.3-percent this year.
This is the 10th consecutive week the forecast has been downgraded.
The survey of the country's main financial institutions also shows the growth forecast for industrial production has dipped from 2.23-percent to 2.1-percent.
Just last month, both Brazilian GDP growth and industrial output were expected to come in at 2.46 percent.
Analysts are also downgrading the projected growth estimate for next year from 2.8 percent to 2.6 percent.
This year's projected inflation has been cut from 5.8 percent to 5.75 percent.
The Brazilian government has a full-year target of 4.5 percent inflation.
 
 
Jaguar to launch mass market range in 2015
 
British luxury carmaker Jaguar is reportedly set to launch new affordable models in 2015.
The move is said to be a bid to emulate the success of lower cost luxury vehicles made by its sister company Land Rover.
The new cars are expected to include a compact and crossover SUV.
The two models are currently the fastest-growing models in terms of global sales.
The new cars are expected to hit the market in the second half of 2015.
Jaguar is owned by India's Tata Motors.
 
 
Headline News
 
 
Gansu earthquake death toll rises to 89
 
The death toll from yestedray's 6.6-magnitude earthquake in Gansu has risen to 89.
Over 500 others have been injured, with 60 in serious condition.
Another 5 are listed as missing.
At least 400 aftershocks have been recorded following yesterday morning's earthquake in the city of Dingxi.
The strongest aftershock has measured 5.6 on the Richter Scale.
The earthquake has toppled some 12-hundred houses and severely damaged another 21-thousand.
Two helicopters and some 3-thousand search and rescue personell have been deployed to the region, which is located about 200-kilometers south of the provincial capital, Lanzhou.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has issued a statement, calling for the "utmost efforts to reduce casualties".
Premier Li Keiqiang has been working to gather more professional rescue forces to join the search and rescue work.
Meantime, Heavy rains have been hampering the search and rescue work.
Several minor landslides have also been reported in the area, which has been innondated by days of heavy rains.
 
 
Kate gives birth to baby boy
 
The 3rd in line to the British throne has arrived.
Prince William's wife Kate has given birth to a baby boy.
Kate and William arrived at St. Mary's Hospital early in the morning Monday.
The child was born at 4:24pm in London.
He's 8-pounds 6-ounces, and is said to be in fine health.
So far the child has not been named.
Prince William has issued a statement, saying he - quote - "could not be happier."
A 62-gun solute will be fired at the Tower of London on Tuesday to celebrate the arrival of the royal baby.
 
 
Beijing knife attack leaves one dead
 
There's been another deadly knife attack in Beijing.
This time, one woman is dead and 3 others have been hurt after an attack in a Carrefour in the Maliandao area between 2nd and 3rd ring roads.
Reports are suggesting one of those injured is a 2-year old child, who is said to be seriously hurt.
Authorities have identified the attacker as a 50-year old man with a history of mental illness.
This attack follows a similar attack involving a mentally-disturbed man this past week in Beijing's Chaoyang District which left 2-people dead.
 
 
63 cases of dengue fever reported in S China
 
At least 63 cases of dengue fever are being reported in the city of Zhongshan in Guangdong.
All the cases are believed to have been contracted locally.
All have been hospitalized.
It's said that none of the victims have been to Southeast Asia recently.
This is where Dengue Fever normally occurs in Asia.
Local authorities are suggesting the recent heavy rains have created a large number of mosquitos.
Dengue Fever is a tropical disease spread through mosquito bites, and has the potential to be fatal.
The number of cases of Dengue Fever has been on the rise in recent years here in China.
 
 
Newspaper Picks
 
 
CHINA DAILY
Headline
Government to implement stricter air quality controls
Summary
Environment Minister Zhou Shengxian has announced the government is bringing in a series of new measures this month to curb air pollution.
The new rules will enhance controls over PM2.5.
Air quality in 64 percent of China's cities doesn't meet the national standards set out by the government last year.
GLOBAL TIMES
Headline
Vocational education for farmers
Summary
The Ministry of Education has announced plans to try to accelerate the development of vocational education for professional farmers.
The idea is to try to promote agricultural modernization.
SHANGHAI DAILY
Headline
Coal clearance
Summary
Shanghai Customs authorities have accelerated the clearance speed of coal imports to try to ensure the city's electricity supply this summer.
This comes after power demand hit a record high on July 9th.
The clearance time has been shortened by one or two days.
BEIJING TIMES
Headline
New weapon against mosquitoes
Summary
A mysterious new weapon has been deployed against mosquitoes in the city of Daqing in Heilongjiang
The report in the Beijing Times says municipal authorities have developed a large insecticide sprayer that can be put on a car.
The device can reportedly cover 110-thousand square meters within 40 minutes.
The city's humid weather and nearby lakes are a haven for insects.
SHANGHAI DAILY
Headline
Apple customers queing
Summary
Apple customers in Shanghai have been forced to queue for hours to get their iPhones and iPads fixed after the technology giant suspended its online repair reservation system.
Apple says it stopped its online repair reservations to drive out scalpers who obtain multiple slots.
The company is bringing in extra staff on the weekends to help deal with crowds.
BEIJING MORNING POST
Headline
H7N9 patient in critical condition at Beijing hospital
Summary
Doctors say a man diagnosed with the H7N9 bird flu virus is in critical condition in a Beijing hospital.
It's being reported the patient visited a market near his home where live poultry is sold.
The market has since been closed.
 
 
Special Reports
 
 
Xi Murong: poets and poetry never die
 
Anchor
There's been a renewal of interest in poetry at this year's Hong Kong Book Fair following the appearance of renowned Chinese poet Xi Murong.
CRI's Hong Kong correspondent Xu Weiyi has more.
Reporter
Xi Murong is the most honored guest speaker at this year's Hong Kong book fair.
During her lecture, the 70-year-old poet reads two of her best-known poems, one of which is her poem from the 1980s titled "A Blossoming Tree."
"How can we meet
at the most beautiful hours
which I have prayed
for the five hundred years
A tree thus he made me
by the path you passed…"
Poet, essayist, and painter, Xi Murong was born in Chongqing in southwest China. But she spent her childhood in Hong Kong and then moved to Taiwan with her family.
It was in the 1980s and early 90s, she became a well-established poet after publishing several collections of poetry including Seven-li Scent and Unregrettable Youth.
At the same time many other popular Chinese poets, including Hai Zi, Gu Cheng, Bei Dao and Shu Ting flourished, and reading poems became a fashion.
However, in the past decade or so, poetry gradually drifted away from people's lives and very few new poets have been heard.
At the annual Hong Kong Book Fair some readers admit they rarely read poems, though they like poetry.
College student Miss Chen shares why she thinks poetry is fading from contemporary culture.
"In our society, people, in most of the cases, live a fast-paced life, thus, there isn't much space available for them to meditate. People who want to write poems might not be able to afford the time to organize their thoughts. People who want to read poem might not have the luxury to relax and enjoy a good poem."
But the question remains, do we still need poems? Many readers at the book fair agree that poetry, like other literature forms, is a comfort to people's minds, and shouldn't be abandoned.
Meanwhile, as a poet Xi Murong reminds people that many poets in China are still writing poems, including herself.
She stresses poetry is a niche market for a small number of people, and not for everyone. However, poets and poetry never disappear.
"Poets never vanish. There are poets at any times of history. Sometimes poets might have bigger influence at this age, and have lesser influence at another age. But as someone once said, writing poems is a natural drive of humans, so is reading poems. Therefore, poetry never dies."
This year's Hong Kong book fair lasts for one week, and will end on July 23rd.
For CRI, this is Xu Weiyi from Hong Kong.
 
 
Sports
 
 
China prepares to face South Korea at the East Asian Cup
 
The East Asian cup is underway in South Korea.
China is looking for a third title and will face hosts South Korea tomorrow.
Both teams are coming off draws over the weekend. China tied Japan 3-3 and South Korea's first match against Australia also ended in a draw, but scoreless.
The last time the two teams met was in 2010, when China won 3-0.
But tomorrow's match should be a tough one for China, since South Korea will have the home crowd advantage.
It will be another test for China's caretaker manager Fu Bo, who stepped in to replace Jose Camacho.
The Chinese women lost their opening game to Japan over the weekend, and will next face south Korea tomorrow.
But it was a good start for the North Korean squad. They defeated South Korea 2-1.
 
 
Huang Xuechen advances to final at FINA world championships
 
The FINA swimming world championships are underway in Barcelona.
China's Huang Xuechen advanced to the final after the solo preliminaries of the synchronized swimming competition yesterday.
Diving was one of the early events.
Gold medals have already been claimed by China's Li Shixin in the mens one metre springboard. And by Wu Minxia and Shi Tinhmao in the womens synchronized three meter springboard.
For the mens synchronized 10 meter platform, a German team, Sascha Klein and Patrick Hausding, came away with the gold.
Events in open water swimming, water polo, synchronized swimming, and diving will run through August 4th.
 
 
Darren Lehmann comments after loss at Lords
 
In cricket,
Australia's head coach Darren Lehmann says his team needs to recuperate mentally after their disappointing loss in the second Ashes test at Lords.
After getting devastated by England's bowlers at Lords, Lehmann also stressed better form from his batsmen.
"As a group we know we've got to play better. Simple. We got outplayd this game.　I felt sorry for the bowlers as a team they only got three and a half hours off. Batters know we've got to contribute the whole time. Top six, well top seven really. Top order, the bottom knows they need a rest before they go on bat."
Australia bowler James Pattinson has been ruled out of the rest of Ashes play in England after being diagnosed with a stress fracture in his lower back.
However the fast bowler said he will try to recover in time for the series play in Australia.
So far no replacements have been named for this week's warm-up match against Sussex.
 
 
Chris Froome praises Team Sky mates for their supporting efforts
 
Chris Froome has had a day to reflect on his enormous victory at the Tour de France, and the British rider is using his interviews with the media to redirect the glory back to Team Sky.
"In cycling, it's so easy for people to get drawn towards the result achieved by the individual, but it really is so much more than that, and there's no way that I would have crossed that line wearing the yellow jersey had my team-mates not been around me. So, I think it was only fitting to go over the line linked up with them and showing that this is a team sport."
But that being said, Froome isn't being shy about his personal ambitions.
The 28-year-old says he's just reaching his peak and yesterday's Tour de France win is the beginning of what he hopes will be a period of cycling dominance.
 
 
Wrestlers fight to keep their sport in the Olympics
 
Wrestlers are pushing to keep their sport in the Olympic lineup.
Back in February, the International Olympic committee voted to exclude the sport after the 2016 games in Rio.
The 2nd Olympia tournament was held in Greece this past weekend, and the wrestlers international federation, FILA, is using the event as an opportunity to plead its case for inclusion in the 2020 games.
Wrestling has been a part of the Olympics since 708 BC when it was introduced at the 18th Olympiad.
273 games later, the sport finds itself on the chopping block, competing against baseball and squash for a slot in the 2020 program.
FILA will send a video of the Olympia tournament and ceremony to the Olympic committee in hopes that it will sway their decision in September.
 
 
Thai golfer becomes youngest to win professional tournament
 
A 14-year old amateur golfer from Thailand became the youngest winner of a professional golf tournament after he triumphed at the Hua Hin Open in Thailand.
Phachara Khongwatmai shot 13-under-par to win at the Royal Hua Hin, which is the country's oldest course.
The record had been previously held by Japan's Ryo Ishikawa, who won the Munsingwear Open KSB Cup in 2007.
Khongwatmai also became the first amateur to win on the ASEAN PGA Tour.
The teenager got the week off from school to take part in the tournament, and said one of the first things he will do following the big victory is catch up on homework.
 
 
Entertainment
 
 
Actor Dennis Farina Dies
 
US actor, former police officer, and all around tough guy Dennis Farina has died of a blood clot in his lung.
The 69-year-old Farina left the Chicago police department after 18-years on the beat to follow a career in Hollywood as an actor.
His most famous roles found him on the opposite side of the law acting as a mob boss in films such as Midnight Run, Get Shorty, and Snatch.
(farina clip)
The Sicilian-American actor also gave a haunting performance in Steven Spielberg's World War 2 epic Saving Private Ryan.
However these films only offer a glimpse into the decades long career.
Farina was also a major force on the television series Law and Order and other shows like HBO's Luck.
The actor was known for his injection of dark humor into any gritty role he took.
His gritty characters walked a fine-line between disturbingly comical and hilariously frightening.
Farina passed in a hospital in Scottsdale, Arizona and is survived by 3-sons, 6-grandchildren, and his partner of 35-years.
 
 
Comic Con Wraps Up, Bryan Cranston Tricks Audience
 
The massive comic-con event in San Diego, California isn't only a place to announce what's up and coming in contemporary pop culture, but also a place for stars to cut loose and interact with fans.
Breaking Bad actor Bryan Cranston approached the q-and-a panel for the show wearing a mask depicting his character, Heisenberg, from the popular TV series.
(breaking bad clip)
He apparently had been blending in with the crowd for a while before revealing his true identity.
After removing the mask he and costar Aaron Paul kissed it before the Breaking Bad panel began to excite audiences about the final 8-episodes set to air next month.
Both Cranston and Paul have been nominated for Emmy awards for their performances on the series.
The event, which draws a large crowd every year, has concluded.
Participants often dress up as their favorite fictional characters during the event making it a spectacle to behold.
 
 
Mike Myers to Direct Documentary
 
Wayne's World funnyman Mike Myers has been absent from the big screen lately but it looks like he's returning this time behind the camera for an upcoming documentary.
(wayne clip)
The Austin Powers actor is set to direct Supermensch, a film about the life of talent and music producer Shep Gordon.
Gordon has made a name for himself guiding the careers of acts such as Blondie and Luther Vandross among several others.
Myers and Gordon have history as well as Myers worked with Gordon to secure the rights to rocker Alice Cooper's song Feed My Frankenstein for Myers' film Wayne's World.
Cooper even made a hilarious and unexpected appearance in the film as a unexpectedly learned and gentlemanly rocker.
Big names such as Cooper, and actors Sylvester Stallone and Michael Douglas among others will supply interviews for the documentary.
 
 
Miley Cyrus Offers Bieber Advice
 
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Singer Miley Cyrus has offered some words of wisdom for fellow young superstar Justin Bieber.
The 20-year-old performer advises the troubled Bieber to take a break and step away from the spotlight.
Bieber has been involved in a number of controversies this year including peeing into a mop bucket at a restaurant, spitting into two people's faces, and abandoning his pet monkey in Germany.
Cyrus has claimed Bieber has simply made a few dumb mistakes as young people often do and he should back away from the limelight for a time.