新闻纵贯线 The Beijing Hour updated 08:00 2014/06/26

 
 
The Beijing Hour
 
Morning Edition
 
 
It's Paul James with you on this Thursday, June 26, 2014.
Welcome to the Beijing Hour, coming to you live from the Chinese capital.
Coming up on our program this morning...
The head of the mainland's Taiwan affairs office has begun his much-anticipated trip to the island.
The Chinese courts are vowing to get even tougher on drug traffickers.
Voting has come to an end in the parliamentary elections in Libya.
In Business.... Chinese regulators have opened the door for 11 more IPO's in Shanghai and Shenzhen.
In Sports... A Swiss delight and Iranian disappointment this morning at the World Cup.
In Entertainment... hand written lyrics by Bob Dylan are going under the hammer at auction.
 
 
Weather
 
 
Beijing will be cloudy today with a high of 30 degrees Celsius.
Overnight it will be clear and temperatures should drop down to around 23.
Shanghai will see some rain during the daytime with a high of 21.
It will have heavy rain tonight with a low of 21.
In Chongqing, it will also be rainy with a high of 25.
Overnight slight rain and lows are expected to be around 22.
Elsewhere in the world, staying here in Asia,
Islamabad will be cloudy with a high of 38.
Kabul will be sunny with a high of 30.
Over to North America,
New York will be overcast today with a high of 26 degrees.
Washington, cloudy with a high of 32 degrees.
Honolulu, cloudy, 31.
Toronto, Canada, will see moderate rain with a high of 26 degrees.
Finally, on to South America,
Buenos Aires will see slight rain with a high of 13.
And Rio de Janeiro will be sunny with a high of 26 degrees Celsius.
 
 
Top News
 
 
Mainland's Taiwan affairs chief highlights long-waited trip
 
Anchor:
The head of the mainland's Taiwan Affairs Office is now in Taiwan for a four-day visit, and has sat down with his cross-strait counterpart.
The details from CRI's Cao Yuwei.
Reporter:
Speaking to reporters at the main airport in Taipei, Zhang Zhijun says he wants to have contact with locals from all walks of life on Taiwan so as to better understand their lives and opinions about cross-Strait relations.
Following his arrival, Zhang then sat down for talks with Taiwan's mainland affairs chief, Wang Yu-chi.
"We've been through wars, standoffs and isolation from each other on both sides. It wasn't until 2008 that the tension started to ease off fundamentally. Both sides are now ushering in a new stage of peaceful development based on the principle of the 1992 consensus. And the people across the strait have also deepened ties while enjoying the peaceful development. Now they have more expectations about what the future holds for both sides."
Meeting the mainland official for the second time this year, Wang Yu-chi says there's a lot of expectations about Zhang Zhijun's time on Taiwan.
"I led a delegation to visit the mainland for the first time this February as Taiwan's mainland affairs chief, and we were warmly received. I invited Director Zhang to visit Taiwan whenever he has the chance so he can get a better understanding of Taiwan. And now, four months later, I finally have the opportunity to deliver on that offer. As the first mainland chief of Taiwan affairs to visit Taiwan, I believe his visit is of great significance."
As part of the meeting, the two are promising to try to improve communication between their respective departments.
They've also agreed to try to create more follow-up agreements to the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement signed four years ago.
Zhang and Wang also say they want to work more closely to support more cross-Strait tourism.
An estimated 760-thousand people from the mainland travelled to Taiwan through the first quarter of this year.
That represents a 45-percent increase over the same period last year.
For CRI, this is Cao Yuwei.
 
 
Expert's view on Zhang's Taiwan trip
 
Anchor:
For more on Zhang Zhijun's time on Taiwan, here is CRI's Xie Zhao.
Report:
Xie Yu with the Institute of Taiwan Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, says the return visit aims to establish two-way, normalized and direct communications between the two cross-strait Chiefs.
"If we say that Wang's visit in February established procedures for regular communications, then Zhang's return visit normalizes and matures those procedures. It means political interaction between the mainland and Taiwan will move forward. It will explore new space for future political trust and further political exchanges."
A recent poll in Taiwan indicates 51 % of respondents say Taiwan should welcome Zhang Zhijun, who is considered a guest.
35% of respondents say they are more strongly in favor of Zhang's visit.
Xie Yu says the opposition Democratic Progressive Party's change in attitude about Zhang's visit is a direct result of changing attitudes among citizens on the island.
"The DPP's attitude has changed, thanks to changes in cross-straits relations in the past six years, and changing public opinion in Taiwan. The DPP has to change its attitude. Most of Taiwan's people are willing to see peaceful development between the two sides. But we still wait and see whether the DPP's basic stance will change."
During this visit, Zhang is due to meet with regular people in Taiwan, especially from central and southern regions, traditional strongholds of the DPP.
Xie Yu says the move by Zhang aims to understand their lives and listen to their views and suggestions on cross-Strait ties.
"Before the visit, some people from Taiwan have expressed opinions on whether the mainland's beneficial policies toward Taiwan have met expectations and interests of Taiwan's people. These opinions have been heard. Therefore, Zhang Zhijun will communicate with the public face to face, in a bid to hammer out future policies towards Taiwan which will adhere to the Taiwan public interests, and the dividends can be shared by ordinary people from both sides. "
Zhang Zhijun will wrap up his trip on Saturday.
For CRI, This is Xie Zhao.
 
 
Chinese courts vow tougher penalties on drug-related crimes
 
Anchor:
The courts here in China are set to impose tougher penalties on drug traffickers amid an increase in drug-related crimes in this country.
The move comes as Chinese leaders, including Xi Jinping and Li Keqiang, have vowed to harshly crackdown on drug-related crimes in this country.
CRI's Tu Yun has more.
Reporter:
China's Supreme People's Court has released details of five drug-related cases on the eve of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
Three people found guilty of producing and trafficking massive amounts of drugs have been handed death sentences.
Ma Yan is a deputy presiding judge with the Supreme People's Court.
"As the drug market has been expanding in recent years, small-time drug dealing, possession of drugs and other crimes have also soared. In 2013, the authorities cracked down on over 60,000 small-time drug dealers, accounting for 70 percent of drug dealing cases. Previously most of the drug-related crimes were found in border areas, the southwestern region and coastal areas. But now the networks have expanded inland. "
Ma Yan says provincial areas including Guangdong, Zhejiang and Chongqing settled the most drug-related cases last year.
South China's Guangdong province has topped the list since 2007. And Northeast China's Liaoning province has seen increasing numbers of such cases in recent years.
Chinese courts have sentenced over 39,700 criminals for drug-related offenses in the first five months of this year, up over 27 percent year on year.
In one extreme case, an offender was sentenced to death for murdering his girlfriend and 4-month-old son while he was high on drugs.
Sun Jungong is the spokesperson for the Supreme Court.
"Drug-related crimes do not only endanger the lives of drug users, they can also trigger other crimes including burglary and violent acts. The five cases have been publicized so as to demonstrate the danger of drugs and to increase public awareness."
For CRI, I'm Tu Yun.
 
 
Iraqi PM calls on Iraqi politicians to unite
 
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is calling on the political blocs in Iraq to close ranks in the face of the growing threat from Sunni militants.
But at the same time, he's also blasting any suggestion by his political rivals to form a re-branded government.
"It is not a secret to Iraqis, the grave intentions harbored behind the call for the formation of a so-called government of national salvation. It is an attempt to eliminate our nascent democracy and to ignore voters' opinions. The call to form a government of national salvation would torpedo the constitution and the political process."
US officials have been pressing for the next Iraqi government to be more inclusive.
The current administration is a Shiite led coalition.
Meanwhile, 300 US military advisers have now arrived in Iraq to help the Iraqi security forces in their battle against the Sunni insurgents who have taken control of much of northern Iraq.
The Iraqi government is reporting its still in control of Iraq's largest oil refinery north of Baghdad, despite a continuing battle for control of it.
 
 
US and NATO urge Russia to show commitment to peace
 
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has issued a new call for Russian President Vladimir Putin to show he is committed to peace.
"It is critical for him to stop the flow of weapons and fighters across the border, to call publicly for the separatists to lay down their arms, to pull Russian forces and equipment back and to help get OSCE hostages released."
Moscow is denying the US suggestions.
Vladimir Putin this week revoked a previous decree which would have allowed Russia to intervene in Ukraine.
The Russian parliament gave Putin the power to invade in March.
The Chinese side is applauding Putin's move.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying.
"China thinks highly of President Putin's decision and the constructive efforts of all parties involved in the Ukraine crisis. We believe that these decisions and efforts will help to achieve a political resolution on the Ukraine crisis."
Ukraine and the European Union are scheduled to sign a new comprehensive Association Agreement on Friday.
The agreement will remove tariffs on around 90 percent of the goods traded between the two sides.
 
 
Libya election finished, blast in Benghazi
 
Libyan voters have finished casting their ballots to elect a new 200-seat parliament.
The House of Representatives is due to replace the current General National Congress, which was set up as an interim governing body following the ouster of Muammar Gaddafi.
Libyan interim Prime Minister Abdullah al-Thani.
"This is a historic day for the Libyan people, and it confirms that the people are proceeding down the path of building a nation; a state of institutions that respects all opinions, and a peaceful transfer of power throughout Libya."
Hover, turnout has been thin at the polls, which is a sharp contrast to the 2012 election.
Fears of violence at the polling centers and high temperatures are believed to have affected the turnout.
Armed clashes broke out in the eastern city of Benghazi amid the vote, leaving 3-dead and dozens of others injured.
Feuding between the ruling Islamists and their opponents has virtually paralyzed the political system in Libya.
The central administration has also been unable to cope with armed factions which control much of the east of Libya, including Benghazi.
 
 
Malaysian PM welcomes pandas loaned by China to new homes
 
Two giant pandas on loan from China are said to be adjusting to their new home at a zoo in the Malaysian city of Selango.
The conservation complex has been formally opened by Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak.
"We thank the People's Republic of China for the confidence given to us in placing Fu Wah and Feng Yi in our care at Zoo Negara."
The two pandas have also been given new local names as Sing Sing and Liang Liang.
The pandas arrived in Malaysia in May following a delay due to the missing of Malaysian Airlines flight MH370.
The pandas are on a 10-year loan to commemorate the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries.
Public viewing of the pandas will begin on Friday.
 
 
China US- New US ambassador delivers first public speech
 
The new US ambassador to China, Max Baucus, has delivered his first public speech since taking on the role.
Baucus says he will devote himself to strengthening trade ties between the two powers.
"No bilateral relationship is more important than US-Chinese."
The former Democratic Senator from Montana has made the comments to a luncheon here in Beijing.
"Our presidents have agreed to work toward a new model, a new model of relations. Conflict between a rising power and an established power is not inevitable. It's up to us. We both agree that stability in Asia-Pacific is the key to the 21st century prosperity."
Baucus says the US side has a lot of expectations when it comes to China's economic reforms, saying the two sides need to expand cooperation in trade and work toward a new bilateral investment treaty.
Baucus takes over for Gary Locke, who left his position as Ambassador in March.
 
 
Exhibition on Jewish people in Shanghai held in Washington D.C.
 
Anchor:
A new exhibition has opened in Washington, DC, highlighting Shanghai's role in taking in Jews before and during World War II.
CRI's Washington correspondent He Fei has more.
Reporter:
"Well, Shanghai to me means survival. There were two kinds of survivors during the holocaust. There were survivors, there were lucky survivors. We in Shanghai were the lucky survivors."
This is Evelyn Pike Rubin, one of thousands Jews from Europe who escaped the Nazi holocaust by making it to Shanghai in the 1940s.
The 84-year old was only eight when she fled to Shanghai with her family in 1939.
She is among some 20-thousand Jews who found refuge in Shanghai during the Second World War.
At the time, Shanghai was one of only a few options Jews had to escape the holocaust.
Pike-Rubin says while Shanghai offered the Jewish community an escape from the Nazi's during the war, Shanghai's overrun by the Japanese - Germany's ally - created hardships of its own.
"We lived in the French Concession. I went to the Shanghai Jewish School, where I learned to speak English. The Nazis came in 1942 and told the Japanese they wanted them to do away with us and that's when they put us into the ghetto and things got bad, but at least they didn't kill us. And we lived more closer with the Chinese people. I really got to know the Chinese people a little better. We never had a problem. They were very kind and very nice and very helpful."
Rubin's story is one of the hundreds on display at the exhibition, which is open to the public at the Washington Convention Center.
The exhibition contains various photos and documents, telling the stories of how the Jewish community arrived and survived in Shanghai.
Chen Jian, curator of the Shanghai Jewish Refugee Museum, says right now is a good time to begin recounting the stories of Shanghai, as the world approaches the 70th anniversary of the victory in World War Two.
"The exhibition tells the story of the Jewish refugees coming to Shanghai and how Chinese people helped them through the hardest time in their lives. The freedom of the Jewish refugees is the fruits of the victory of the World War against Fascism as well as the victory of the Chinese people's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression.Therefore, it is of significant importance to tell the story again here. To reflect the history, and avoid the tragedy from happening again."
The Jewish Refugees and Shanghai exhibition is open to the public until June 29th in Washington.
The exhibition will later travel to Houston, Texas.
For CRI, I'm He Fei from Washington.
 
 
Biz Reports
 
 
First off, a check on the closing numbers in North America and Europe.
Joining me on the desk, CRI's Min Rui.
Reporter:
U.S. stocks ended higher, despite disappointing revised GDP data through the first quarter.
The Dow gained nearly 0.3 percent.
The S&P 500 added on 0.5 percent.
The Nasdaq had a strong session, up nearly 0.7 percent.
In Canada, Toronto S&P/TSX inched up 0.1 percent.
Over in Europe, European shares ended lower, as concerns about Iraq continue to weigh on the market.
France's CAC 40 had a tough session, shedding nearly 1.3 percent.
The FTSE 100 in London gave up 0.7 percent, while the German DAX ended trading down 0.6 percent.
 
 
U.S. economy contracts 2.9 percent in Q1
 
New revised figures show the U.S. economy shrank at an annual rate of 2.9 percent through the first quarter.
The Commerce Department says its the worst performance of the US economy since 2009.
A colder-than-expected winter and lower personal consumption is being blamed.
Personal spending only increased by 1 percent through the first quarter, which is much lower than the previous estimate of 3.1 percent.
US exports also decreased nearly 9-percent, which is well below the previous estimate of a 6-percent decline.
 
 
China approves 11 IPOs
 
The China Securities Regulatory Commission has approved another 11 new IPO applications.
Five of the companies will be listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange.
The other six will be listed in Shenzhen.
There are currently 553 Chinese companies sitting in the que, waiting to be listed here in China.
The CSRC has resumed the IPO process after blocking applications for over a year while it implemented a series of reforms to improve the IPO pipeline.
 
 
Alibaba finalizes HK$6b takeover of ChinaVision
 
Alibaba has completed its purchase of a 60 percent stake in Hong Kong-listed ChinaVision Media Group.
Under the agreement, ChinaVision will change its name to Alibaba Pictures Group.
Alibaba's takeover is the latest in a series of moves to try to expand its footprint in the entertainment sector.
Alibaba recently took a 16.5 percent stake in US-listed video website Youku Tudou.
 
 
China Central Bank's new survey
 
Anchor:
A new survey by the People's Bank of China shows around 47 percent of bankers surveyed say they believe China's economic climate has been "relatively cool" through the second quarter.
The same survey has also found more and more people believe business confidence has also cooled in the second quarter.
But at the same time, the analysis from the central bank suggests a growing number of bankers in China believe the PBOC is on the right track when it comes to its monetary policies.
The central bank polls bankers, households and businesses every quarter to get their views on a range of issues, including the economy, inflation and home prices.
For more on the Central Bank's new survey, we are now joined on the line with Cao Can, CRI's financial commentator.
Back Anchor:
Cao Can, CRI's Financial Commentator.
 
 
China to increase FX derivatives
 
The State Administration of Foreign Exchange has announced plans to expand the scope of its forex derivatives to cope with currency risks.
The forex regulator also says its going to expand the tools it uses to manage currency risks, including more currency swaps.
It's also going to lower the entry threshold for foreign banks hoping to set up branches here in China.
At the same time, the foreign exchange regulator says its going to beef up its supervision connected to the trading of derivatives by banks.
 
 
China's external financial assets surpass 6 trillion USD
 
The State Administration of Foreign Exchange has revealed this country's external financial assets are now worth some 6-trillion U.S. dollars.
The foreign exchange regulator has also announced that external Chinese liabilities stand at around 4 trillion U.S. dollars.
The Chinese government has been pressing companies to reach out into the international market in an attempt to expand this country's global reach.
 
 
China leads in trade of renewable energy products, says UNEP
 
A new survey by the United Nations contends China now leads the world in the trading of renewable energy products.
The UN Environment Programme is citing strong growth in renewable energy trading among China and several other developing markets this past year.
The UNEP estimates the global environmental product market is expected to grow to approximately 2 trillion U.S. dollars by 2020.
 
 
Foxconn hits 3 Japanese firms with patent suit
 
Taiwan-based technology giant Foxconn has filed a suit against three Japanese companies for allegedly infringing on its patents.
The suit, filed in the US, claims Toshiba, Misubishi and Funai Electric have been infringing on "a number" of Foxconn's thin film transistor patents.
These are components of LCD displays in monitors and TVs.
The case is the latest shot being fired among the world's tech giants, as they battle to protect their patents in the highly competitive sector.
Apple and Samsung have been embroiled in a global patent war for the past few years, with each accusing the other of stealing aspects of their smartphone designs.
 
 
Google says one billion people now using Android devices, reveals new products
 
Google has kicked off a two-day developer conference in San Francisco.
In launching the event, Google is now proclaiming that its Android operating system is now being used in over a billion devices around the world.
Google has also launched a couple of new products, including new version of its OS, called "L."
The company is aso putting out a new handset called the Android One.
Sundar Pichai is Google's Vice President in charge of Android Chrome and Apps.
"We're also working with carriers in these markets to provide affordable connectivity packages with these devices. What we are excited is this is a leverage turnkey solution so that at scale we can bring high quality affordable smartphones so that we can get the next billion people access to these devices."
The San Francisco event itself has attracted around 6-thousand people, including developers, bloggers and journalists.
 
 
UK launches gov't fund to support automobile suppliers
 
UK government has launched a new 24 million pound fund to support its automobile suppliers.
The announcement has been made at an automotive event at London.
Auto manufacturing has been one of the pillars of British economy, with total revenues reaching 60 billion pounds last year.
The new fund is designed to try to help component manufacturers design, develop and manufacture new products.
 
 
Headline News
 
 
Mainland's Taiwan affairs chief highlights long-waited trip
 
The head of the mainland's Taiwan Affairs Office is now on Taiwan for a four-day visit, and has sat down with his cross-strait counterpart.
Zhang Zhijun says he wants to have contact with locals from all walks of life on Taiwan so as to better understand their lives and opinions about cross-Strait relations.
As part of the meeting, the two are promising to try to improve communication between their respective departments.
They've also agreed to try to create more follow-up agreements to the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement signed four years ago.
Zhang and Wang also says they want to work more closely to support more cross-Strait tourism.
 
 
Iraqi PM calls on Iraqi politicians to unite
 
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is calling on the political blocs in Iraq to close ranks in the face of the growing threat from Sunni militants.
But at the same time, he's also blasting any suggestion by his political rivals to form a re-branded government.
US officials have been pressing for the next Iraqi government to be more inclusive.
The current administration is a Shiite led coalition.
Meanwhile, 300 US military advisers have now arrived in Iraq to help the Iraqi security forces in their battle against the Sunni insurgents who have taken control of much of northern Iraq.
 
 
19 killed in Nigeria's capital city bomb blasts
 
There's been another bombing in Nigeria's capital, Abuja.
At least 21-people have been killed after a bomb ripped through a popular shopping plaza.
Over 50 others have been injured in the blast.
So far there's been no claim of responsibility.
However, authorities in Abuja are already pointing the finger at Boko Haram.
The Islamic militant group was behind a similar bombing in the Nigerian capital last month which struck just a day before a major international meeting which was attended by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang.
In recent weeks, Boko Haram has begun moving its attacks from its stronghold in the north of Nigeria into the central and southern regions of the country.
 
 
Libya election finished, blast in Benghazi
 
Libyan voters have finished casting their ballots to elect a new 200-seat parliament.
The House of Representatives is due to replace the current General National Congress, which was set up as an interim governing body following the ouster of Muammar Gaddafi.
However, turnout has been thin at the polls, which is a sharp contrast to the 2012 election.
Fears of violence at the polling centers and high temperatures are believed to have affected the turnout.
 
 
Polish PM survives confidence vote following bugging scandal: media
 
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has survived a non-confidence vote in parliament.
The vote was called amid a scandal over secret recordings.
One of the recordings has Poland's Foreign Minister minimizing the importance of his country's alliance with the US.
Other leaked information also includes a conversation between Poland's central bank chief and Interior Minister, with the two talking about how the bank could help the governing party win re-election in 2015.
 
 
Newspaper Picks
 
SHANGHAI DAILY
Headline
Synthetic drug challenges
Summary
Experts are warning synthetic drugs in Yunnan are becoming a significant problem.
Yunnan, which is on the northern border of the so-called "Golden Triangle," has long been at the forefront of the Chinese government’s war on illegal drugs.
GLOBAL TIMES
Headline
Hong Kong drug bust
Summary
Customs agents in Hong Kong have arrested an outgoing passenger at the airport who was trying to move 2.3-kilos of meth out of the city.
The 78-year-old man was headed for Melbourne when officers found the "ice" concealed in his suitcase.
He's due to appear in court later today.
BEIJING MORNING POST
Headline
Top political adviser sacked
Summary
Senior political adviser Su Rong has been officially removed from his post as the vice chair of the government's top political advisory body forereach of discipline.
He's the highest-ranking official to be sacked since the start of a nationwide anti-graft crusade began in 2012.
The allegations against him haven't been revealed.
THE BEIJING NEWS
Headline
Construction rules
Summary
The central authorities have issued a new decree, warning local government's they're not allowed to build new large-scale office buildings.
The new rules say the construction of government buildings has to be in accordance with local municipal planning codes.
CHINA DAILY
Headline
Inmate escape sentence
Summary
A former official with the local security bureau in Hunan has been sentenced to over a year in jail for helping an inmate escape.
The official penned a letter to help free a prisoner being held in Changsha.
The prisoner managed to flee to Indonesia after being sprung.
THE BEIJING TIMES
Headline
Rooftop structure dismantled
Summary
An illegal structure built on top of a building in Haidian here in Beijing is being torn down.
The owner of a penthouse in a 26-story building built an artificial landscape on the roof in 2013.
Local planning officials have been accused of being too slow to have the illegal structure taken down.
 
 
Sports
 
 
World Cup update
 
In action from Brazil this morning,
World Cup minnows Switzerland are through to the knockout stages of the World Cup.
Midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri scoring all three goals for Switerland to lead their over Honduras 3-nil this morning.
The Bayern Munich front-liner notching goals in the 6th, 31st and 71st minutes to lead his squad into the round of 16, where they will face the daunting challenge of Lionel Messi and his Argentinian squad.
--
On the other side of Group E this morning, Ecuador blew its chance to advance after failing to find the back of the net in a scoreless draw with France.
With the draw, France tops Group E with 7 points.
--
Bosnia-Hertzogovina dashed Iran's hopes of moving on in the World Cup, upsetting the Iranian's this morning 3-1.
The Bosnians opened up the scoring in the first half, and continued to dominate in the 2nd half.
Iran tallied in the 82nd minute, only to have Bosnia-Hertzogovina counter one-minute later to put the match out of reach for the Iranians, sending their fans home disappointed.
"We are very unhappy, very sad. But we are proud of our national team. They did the best. They underestimated Bosnia, is the reason we lost. But overall was a good game".
Iran had an opportunity to advance into the knockout stages with a victory, as 2nd place Nigeria in Group F went down to Argentina this morning.
That match was a see-saw battle all the way through, with Argentinian striker Lionel Messi opening the scoring in the 3rd minute, only to have Nigeria's Ahmed Musa counter a minute later.
Messi then struck again in first-half stoppage time, only to have Musa level Nigeria at 2 early in the 2nd half.
However, following a goal from Argentina's Marcus Rojo in the 50th minute, the Nigerians could not respond, with the match ending 3-2.
Despite the loss, Nigeria still moves on and will face France in the knockout stage.
 
 
FIFA has opened an investigation into Uruguay striker Luis Suarez's bite incident
 
FIFA has opened an investigation into Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez's apparent bite on Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini yesterday morning.
FIFA spokesperson Delia Fischer.
"First the disciplinary committee needs to define which paragraphs and codes have been violated, so they are not yet at this stage. The proceedings were opened under those two paragraphs you mentioned, 48 and 57, but the disciplinary committee has yet to define based on the material and the evidence they have, which paragraphs and clauses have been breached, and only then they are in a position to refer to the relevant articles in the code and apply them. So we cannot really anticipate what will or will not happen."
Video appears to show Suarez biting Chiellini on the shoulder during an encounter in front of the Italian net.
The incident took place just before Uruguay scored to advance into the knock-out stages of the World Cup with a 1-nil victory over the Italians.
Suarez has dismissed the incident, contending Chiellini hammered him in the teeth with his shoulder.
Suarez has a history of biting, having been suspended twice for similar incidents.
The Liverpool star faces a ban of up to 2-years if found guilty of biting.
 
 
A Tough Match for Top Seed Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon on Day Three
 
Anchor:
Day three of Wimbledon is in the books with a number of significant upsets taking place.
CRI's Duan Xuelian has more from Wimbledon.
Reporter:
Day three started out as most anticipated on the Women's Singles draw, with Chinese world number-2 Li Na making short work of Austrian Yvonne Meusberger in straight sets, 6-2, 6-2.
Li Na is now set to battle the Czech Republic's Barbora Strycova in round-3.
"I think the last time we met was on clay court, so I know she was a pretty smart player. She can use a lot of access on the court, and I think it's good for her to play on the grass court. For me, I think I should just play my game, be more aggressive as much as I can, come to the net to follow the plan."
Chinese doubles specialist Peng Shuai is also looking strong in the single's competition.
She's also into the 3rd round after dispatching Russian Maria Kiralenko 6-love, 6-3.
Also through to the next round is American Venus Williams.
The 30th ranked Venus, who has taken a back seat to her top-ranked sister Serena in recent years, says she's just hoping to keep her good play going.
"The thing that I just have to work on is being on tour consistently and the more you played the more you get used to being down or being up or serving things out so my whole goal is just to keep playing. I would be greedy, I just want to win, I want the Singles, I want the Doubles and the medals and I'm going to aim for that the best I can."
There were a couple of significant upsets on the women's side through Day Three, including 8th seeded Belarussian Victoria Azarenka losing a 3-set battle against Serbian Bojana Jovanovski.
12th seeded Italian Flavia Panetta is also out, going down in straight sets to American Lauren Davis, 6-4, 7-6.
--
On the men's side, top seeded Novak Djokovic is through to the 3rd round after dispatching Czech veteran Radek Stepanek in 4-sets.
Home crowd favorite and defending champion Andy Murray also looks on-form, demolishing Slovenian Blaz Rola in straight sets, 6-1, 6-1, 6-love.
However, the men's singles bracket also saw some upsets on Day Three.
Taiwan's Jimmy Wang, currently ranked 185th in the world, is through to the 3rd round at Wimbledon after dispatching 17th seeded Russian Mikhail Youzney 7-6, 6-2, 6-7, 6-3.
Wang is set to face the winner of a match between France's Jo-Wilfred Tsonga and American Sam Querry.
That match had to be suspended in the 5th set tiebreaker because of darkness.
And 7th seeded Spainyard David Ferrer (pr: DAH-veed FEH-rare) has also been bounced early, after he went down to World number 118 Andrey Kuznetsov in a 5-set marathon.
For CRI, I'm Duan Xuelian at Wimbledon.
 
 
China's Ji set to make Tour de France history
 
Chinese cyclist Ji Cheng is set to make history as the first Chinese rider to take part in the Tour de France.
He has been tapped to be part of the Team Giant-Shimano squad for event, which gets underway next month.
The 26-year-old became the first Chinese national to ride in a Grand Tour when he completed the Spanish Vuelta in 2012.
The Tour de France is set to get underway on July 5th.
 
 
Dallas Mavericks and NY Knicks nearing major trade
 
Off court news from the NBA,
The Dallas Mavericks are said to be in talks to acquire center Tyson Chandler from the New York Knicks.
The Mavericks are reportedly also hoping to pick up guard Ray Felton in exchange for point guard Jose Calderon and center Samuel Dalembe.
The trading of Chandler and Felton are believed to be just the start of a major roster overhaul by new Knicks president Phil Jackson.
Jackson has been trying to free up salary-cap flexibility in hopes of convincing Carmelo Anthony to stay on.
Anthony has already opted out of his contract to become a free agent.
 
 
Johnston will be the next head coach for Sidney Crosby and the Penguins.
 
In off-season news from the National Hockey League,
The Pittsburgh Penguins have filled their vacant coaching position, hiring former Vancouver and LA assistant Mike Johnston as their new bench boss.
Johnston has spent the last 6-years coaching the Portland Winterhawks in the junior ranks of the Western Hockey League.
The Penguins have also hired former NHL star Rick Tochett to be Johnston's assistant.
Johnston takes over for Dan Blysma, who was sacked by the Penguins after their playoff meltdown, where they lost to the New York Rangers in the eastern conference semi-finals despite holding a 3-1 series lead.
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There's been more movement ahead of the July 1st free-agency deadline.
The Stanley Cup champion LA Kings have shored up their offense for the next few years, signing Marion Gaborik to a new 7-year deal.
He's reportedly going to earn just under 5-million a year.
Gaborik was picked up by the Kings just before the trade deadline this past season, and led the NHL playoffs in scoring, potting 12 goals in helping LA to it's 2nd Stanley Cup in 3-years.
 
 
US President Obama honors 2013 Presidents Cup golfers
 
US President Barack Obama has honored last year's Presidents Cup winning golf team at a White House ceremony.
"So we are extraordinarily proud of the Presidents Cup team. We hope our world cup team takes a page out of their playbook when they take on Germany this Thursday (26 June). I want folks from the international team, that we didn't just invite them to rub it in. We want to say thanks to both teams."
Tiger Woods led the team of American players to their fifth-straight Presidents Cup victory in October.
The Presidents Cup is held every two years between the U.S. and an international squad.
Next year's tournament is going to be held in Seoul.
 
 
French police probe Schumacher medical records theft
 
French police have opened a criminal probe into the alleged theft of F1 star Michael Schumacher's medical records.
Shumacher's medical reports during his stay in hospital following his skiing accident last year have been found being offered for sale online.
Schumacher is now out of hospital and is recovering back in Germany after emerging from a coma following a traumatic brain injury he suffered while skiing in Grenoble in December.
French police and the hospital he was being treated at are now investigating whether the computers at the facility were hacked.
This isn't the first time Schumacher's privacy during his recovery has been an issue.
A German journalist, at one point, dressed up as a priest to try to access Schumacher's ward.
 
 
Entertainment
 
 
Screen star Eli Wallach dies at 98
 
"The Good, The Bad and The Ugly" star Eli Wallach passes away at 98.
He is known as an early practitioner of method acting,
Wallach appeared on the big screen well into his 90s in "The Ghost Writer" and "Wall Street" sequel and other films.
Hollywood director Oliver Stone talks about Wallach's acting.
"I came to know Eli very late in his life, but I enjoyed every second working with this guy. He's fun. He's quirky. He makes up--does improve. And he's a real actor's actor. He comes back from the old days, from the 1950s, and Eli Kazan. I love him."
Despite dozens of film roles over a six-decade career, Wallach never received an Academy Award nomination.
In 2010, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences presented him with an honorary Oscar.
 
 
Bob Dylan lyrics set auction record
 
(Bob song)
The handwritten manuscript from Bob Dylan's "Like a Rolling Stone" has become the most expensive rock music manuscript sold at auction.
It was sold for over 2 million US dollars at Sotheby.
Richard Austin is Sotheby's head of books and manuscripts.
"Bob Dylan has a very enthusiastic collecting base. It's also the manuscript for the song that changed the course of a lot of popular music, it was a first six-minute single, and this is a song that took Bob Dylan electric. Rolling Stone voted it the No. 1 greatest rock song of all time, so it's a tremendously important manuscript in the history of rock, in the history of '60s music."
A previous record was set in 2010 when John Lennon's handwritten lyrics for "A Day in the Life" sold for 1.2 million US dollars.
The latest auction also includes memorabilia from the Beatles and Elvis Presley.
 
 
Tilda Swinton on sci-fi film 'Snowpiercer'
 
(Snowpiercer trailor)
Tilda Swinton, who acts in the science-fiction film "Snowpiercer", is talking about her image in the movie during a recent interview.
She wears oversized glasses and fake teeth in the movie which makes her nearly unrecognizable at first.
"That's all it is for me. It's just dressing up and playing. It always is that. It was that in 'Only Lovers Left Alive,' it was that in 'Grand Hotel Budapest.' It's always that. It was that in 'Michael Clayton.' I'm always dressing up and playing. That's the only work I do. "
The film is set in the future during a new Ice Age in which the only humans left alive are living on a train that circulates the globe.
Some poor people stuck in miserable conditions in the back stage a raid, moving forward to the ever more luxurious sections of the train, opposed by Tilda Swinton and Ed Harris.
"Snowpiercer," directed by South Korea's Bong Joon-ho, has already hit theaters in much of the world but opens in the U.S. this Friday.
 
 
That’s it for this edition of the Beijing Hour.
A quick recap of headlines before we go.
The head of the mainland's Taiwan affairs office has begun his much-anticipated trip to the island.
The Chinese courts are vowing to get even tougher on drug traffickers.
Voting has come to an end in the parliamentary elections in Libya.
In Business.... Chinese regulators have opened the door for 11 more IPO's in Shanghai and Shenzhen.
On behalf of the Beijing Hour staffers, this is Paul James in Beijing hoping you'll join us for our next edition of the Beijing Hour to open a window to the world together.