新闻纵贯线 The Beijing Hour updated 08:00 2014/07/01

 
 
The Beijing Hour
 
Morning Edition
 
 
It's Paul James with you on this Tuesday, July 1st, 2014.
Welcome to the Beijing Hour, coming to you live from the Chinese capital.
Coming up on our program this morning...
A former Chinese military leader has been kicked out of the party for graft.
China’s central government is describing a so-called "referendum" in Hong Kong as "illegal and invalid."
Three Israeli teenagers kidnapped this past month have been found dead.
In Business.... new loan-to-deposit rules are being established today to try to help stimulate the economy.
In Sports... a pair of teams from Europe have advanced to the quarter-finals at the World Cup.
In Entertainment... British entertainer Rolf Harris has been convicted on molestation charges.
First, let's check in with what's happening with the weather....
 
 
Weather
 
 
Beijing will see thundershowers today with a high of 29 degree Celsius.
Overnight temperatures should drop down to around 22.
Shanghai will have slight rain during the daytime with a high of 25.
Overnight, it will have heavy rain with a low of 22.
In Chongqing, it will see moderate rain with a high of 24.
Overnight lows are expected to be around 20.
Elsewhere in the world, staying here in Asia.
Islamabad will see slight rain with a high of 33.
Kabul will be sunny with a high of 32.
Over to North America.
New York will see slight rain today with a high of 28 degrees.
Washington will have slight rain with a high of 35 degrees.
Honolulu, light rain, 31.
Toronto, Canada, will be cloudy with a high of 24 degrees.
Finally, on to South America,
Buenos Aires will be sunny with a high of 17.
And Rio de Janeiro will be cloudy with a high of 23 degrees Celsius.
 
 
Top News
 
 
Former military leader expelled from CPC for graft
 
Xu Caihou, the former vice chair of China's Central Military Commission, has been expelled from the CPC.
This follows a politburo meeting presided over by President Xi Jinping.
A statement released after the meeting says Xu took advantage of his post to obtain promotions for certain people.
He is also accused of accepting bribes personally, and through his family members, and seeking profits for other people in exchange for money and properties.
Xu has been under investigation since March.
His case has also been handed over to military prosecutors.
 
 
China's cabinet rebukes "referendum" in Hong Kong
 
China's central government is rebuking a so-called "referendum" in Hong Kong on the selection of the chief executive in 2017, saying it is "illegal and invalid" since it has no constitutional and legal basis.
A Cabinet statement says the so-called "referendum" is not in line with Hong Kong's Basic Law and the election procedures set down by the National People's Congress, the country's top legislature.
The statement goes on to say the central government respects the rights of Hong Kong citizens to voice opinions, but any act against the region's Basic Law and decisions of the top legislature can only obstruct universal suffrage.
The statement also says the position of chief executive must be held by one who loves both the country and Hong Kong.
The comments from the Cabinet also says the "referendum" won't affect the election of chief executive by universal suffrage in 2017.
 
 
Hong Kong citizens call for rational voice
 
Anchor
Heated debate is taking place in Hong Kong surrounding the ongoing "Occupy Central" movement, as some locals have been trying to organize a mass protest to block the city's finanal hub in their attempt to press for a direct election of the region's next chief executive in 2017.
But there are other voices who are suggesting they're not given a fair say.
CRI's Hong Kong correspondent Li Jing has more.
Report
In 2007, China's National People's Congress decided that starting in 2017, Hong Kong will elect its leader "by universal suffrage", upon nomination by a broadly representative committee."
But some local organizations demand that the public be allowed to put forward candidates directly.
To back that demand, a group of scholars organize the so-called "Occupy Central" movement to paralyze the city's financial district.
Francis Lui, Deputy Dean of the Business School with the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, says the movement is creating a strong division in Hong Kong.
"Opponents of the movement far outnumber the supporters. If the two groups continue to confront each other, the society will become more splitted."
At the same time, many in Hong Kong are complaining the local media is giving too much say to those who support the Occupy-Central movement.
"We've heard too much from the demonstrators in the media. This makes people feel the society is negative and in a mess. Central is the financial center in Hong Kong. Many locals buy stocks and make investments there, so if large shareholders leave Hong Kong because of the protest, we investors will lose a lot of money."
"Of course there are different opinions, but I hope they can settle the dispute peacefully. China is a country with courtesy and etiquette, so why should we have to resort to violence? "
In earlier June, China's State Council released a white paper, stressing that One Country and Two Systems are integral parts of the policy on Hong Kong. They should be treated as a whole as it's clearly explained in the Basic Law on Hong Kong.
This angered "Occupy Central" organizers, as they press for absolute self-rule. So they urged more people to join the protest
Basic Law Committee vice-chair Elsie Leung says misunderstanding need to be cleared up about the white paper.
"Some people think the white paper indicates the central government is tightening control over Hong Kong. In fact, it is a way to review the system and see how we can move forward."
Leung also notes public nominations for the election goes against the Basic Law, which is the city's mini-constitution.
Meanwhile, a coalition of companies and business groups are also opposing the threatened sit-in.
For CRI, this is Li Jing.
 
 
Bodies of three Israeli missing teens found near Hebron
 
The bodies of three Israeli yeshiva students who were abducted this past month in the West Bank have been discovered in the Judean Hills north of the city of Hebron.
Their bodies have been found not far from where they were abducted, in an area controlled by the Palestinian Authority.
The three were kidnapped over two weeks ago while trying to hitch-hike home for the weekend.
Israeli army spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Peter Lerner says they believe the three were shot shortly after they were taken.
"At 5pm the IDF exposed in an open field not far from here a pile of rocks and beneath the rocks we found to begin with two bodies and then as we dug deeper we found a third body."
In the wake of the discovery, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is convening his security cabinet to discuss possible further action.
The Israeli government has pinned the blame for the kidnapping on Hamas, which has denied its involvement.
A spokesperson for Hamas is accusing Israel of using the killing of three Israeli teenagers as an excuse to launch more military assaults against the Palestinian people.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has also called an emergency meeting to discuss the teenagers' deaths.
U.S. President Barack Obama is condemning the murders, but is also calling for all sides to exercise restraint.
UN chief Ban Ki-moon is also condemning the killings, calling it a "heinous act."
Israeli security forces have already rounded up hundreds of Palestinians as part of the search for the missing teens.
The two suspects identified by the Israeli internal security forces have not been apprehended.
The heightened tensions in the wake of the kidnapping and security sweeps have led to a renewal of rocket attacks from Gaza into southern Israel.
 
 
ISIS' declaration of a caliphate 'serious threat': Germany
 
Fresh clashes are being reported between Sunni rebels and government forces around the city of Tikrit in Iraq.
Witnesses say there have been a wave of air strikes, including one which has reportedly hit the palace of former President Saddam Hussein.
The clashes come on the heels of the declaration of a caliphate, or Islamic state, by al-Qaeda offshoot, the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.
Germany's foreign minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier is warning the declaration is a serious threat to the region.
"The advance of ISIS is a serious threat, of course, for the territorial integrity of Iraq, but in addition, also for the entire region. Everybody must be concerned that ISIS does not establish itself and that a hotbed of terror and violence does not develop in the declared so-called caliphate."
With brutal efficiency, the Sunni extremist group has carved out a large chunk of territory that has effectively erased the border between Iraq and Syria.
By declaring a caliphate, the group is now claiming leadership of the world's Muslims.
Iraqi analyst Ihsan al-Shamari suggests the declaration isn't likely to make much of a splash in the rest of the Muslim world.
"I think the declaration of the establishment of a new Islamic state won't have much resonance in reality, either in Iraq or abroad. The announcement called upon all Muslims to declare allegiance for Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi as a caliph for Muslims. The matter is linked to doctrines and ideologies. Anyhow, such an Islamic caliphate will never be supported worldwide."
Other observers are suggesting the declaration could trigger a wave of infighting among the Sunni militant factions that formed a loose alliance in the blitz across northern Iraq.
 
 
Russia, Ukraine agree on ways to implement cease-fire as deadline approaches
 
Russia and Ukraine have reportedly agreed to work on implementing a ceasefire between rebel groups and government forces in the east of Ukraine.
This follows a teleconference among the leaders of Russia, Ukraine, France and Germany.
At the same time, Russian President Vladimir Putin is calling an extension of the current ceasefire agreement.
Meanwhile, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe says it has suspended further monitoring activities in eastern Ukraine due to security concerns.
This comes after eight of its observers were held hostage for a month before being released unharmed.
Alexander Hug, deputy chief monitor in Ukraine, says the organization will consider resuming its mission after the security situation in the region improves.
"We need weapons to disappear, we need checkpoints to disappear and we need freedom of movement. The safety and security of our colleagues is our number one concern."
Despite the push for peace, clashes are continuing on the ground in eastern Ukraine, with five government soldiers killed and a Russian TV cameraman shot dead while working in Donetsk.
 
 
Japan to loosen restrictions on military
 
Anchor
The Japanese government is pressing ahead with plans to loosen restrictions on its military.
A new interpretation of Japan's pacifist constitution is set to be approved by the cabinet later on this Tuesday.
CRI's Cao Yuwei has more.
Reporter
Under Japan's current post-war constitution, which was written under U.S. direction, Japan's military is strictly limited to defense of the nation's sovereign territory.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was hoping to change the constitution to allow Japanese troops to be deployed overseas to assist the country's allies.
Liu Jiangyong is vice director of the Modern International Relations Institute at Tsinghua University.
"Currently, Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, which has been advocating the constitutional shift, does not have enough seats in the cabinet to amend the constitution. So they are trying to allow 'collective self-defense' by reinterpreting the policy."
Liu adds that the move has already trampled the constitution.
Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party and its coalition partner the New Komeito Party have reached an agreement on a major shift.
After 10 rounds of talks, Abe's Party has largely pressured its centrist partner into a compromise, though New Komeito initially opposed the idea.
Professor Liu says this marks a further deviation to the right by Japan's government and the move will severely undermine Sino-Japan relations.
Meantime, the potential change is raising widespread public anger in Japan that erupted into a fiery suicide bid by a middle-aged protestor.
The support rate for Abe's Cabinet fell to 45 percent, the lowest since Abe took office in December 2012.
However, Liu says Abe can afford to go ahead with some unpopular measures without endangering the stability of his government.
The professor notes that given the fact that the LDP presided over by Shinzo Abe now has a decisive role in the Japanese parliament, Abe is determined to push forward with the amendment despite opposing opinions both in Japan and outside.
"Under such a circumstance, no matter how the Japanese media or the general public are against the amendment, the intention for Abe, using the ruling position of his party in both the houses of representative and the senate, to implement his political ambition under the Rightist trend in the political arena is irreversible."
A recent opinion poll by the Japanese newspaper Asahi Shimbun indicates that over half of the respondents are opposed to lifting the ban on collective defense by any means.
67-percent of the respondents said no to reinterpreting Japan's anti-war constitution.
For CRI, I'm Cao Yuwei.
 
 
China to reopen Somalia embassy
 
China has decided to reopen its embassy in Somalia, 23-years after evacuating its diplomats amid the civil war in 1991.
A Chinese task force is first being sent into Mogadishu to assisst in the reestablishment of the embassy.
This comes as the international community looks to try to shore up the authority of the new Somali government in Mogadishu.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hong Lei.
"It should be said that Somalia has entered a new stage of its peace process. That brings a new opportunity for the development of China-Somalia relations. China's re-opening of its embassy in Somalia is a tribute to the great importance the Chinese government attaches to China-Somalia relations. We will take this opportunity to drive friendly cooperation and make our contribution to Somalia's peace process: lasting peace and national rebuilding."
Somalia was effectively without a central government for over 2-decades amid infighting among tribal forces and Islamic militants.
But a UN-backed central administration was restored in Mogadishu last year.
Still, much of the country outside of Mogadishu is still controlled by varying interests.
 
 
Korean scholars expect China-ROK strategic partnership further developed
 
The final preparations are getting underway for Chinese President Xi Jinping's planned two-day visit to South Korea later on this week.
The planned trip to meet with South Korean President Park Geun-hye comes amid a series of ballistic missile launches over the past few days by North Korea.
Chun Ka-lim with HOSEO University in South Korea says a number of issues, including North Korea, are likely to be discussed as part of Xi Jinping's trip.
"Topics for discussion should focus on the politics, economy, social cultures and views on international affairs. First off, China and Korea must agree to a consensus on the promotion of stability around borders, which greatly lies on the affairs related to DPRK and denuclearization of the Peninsula. In economy, the most critical issue is the signing of China-Korea free trade agreement. As for the social cultures, Park's visit last year had promoted the cross-culture exchanges, which should be continued and further developed. Lastly, both sides should make efforts to coordinate in international affairs."
Xi Jinping and Park Geun-hye have met a number of times since she took office, including during a state visit she made here to China and on the side-lines of the APEC meeting in Bali last year.
 
 
First China-Russia Expo Opens
 
A China-Russia Expo is underway in Heilongjiang's capital, Harbin.
Chinese vice Premier Wang Yang helped open the event.
"The China-Russia Expo is a new sign of the friendly relationship between China and Russia moving to a higher level. China has held a variety of renowned Expos or trade fairs, but it is the first time for China to hold a country-level Expo with another nation, which directly reflects the political trust and the economic integration between the two countries."
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin has also delivered a speech, saying he believes the Expo has the ability to increase practical cooperation among all the countries represented.
"The China-Russia Expo embodies the partnership between China and Russia reaching a higher level and also indicates the common wish from both sides for long-term cooperation in all areas. I believe that the event will become a convenient platform for international communication, extending the practical cooperation and friendly exchanges as well as promoting the economic and cultural communication across the world."
The Expo in Harbin has over 160 delegations from 31 different countries.
 
 
Biz Reports
 
 
U.S. stocks closed little changed for the day, following a set of mixed economic data.
But the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq wrapped up a sixth straight quarter of gains on Monday, a streak not seen in more than 14 years.
The Dow fell 0.2 percent. The S&P 500 was flat and the Nasdaq added 0.2 percent.
The market barely reacted after data from the Institute for Supply Management-Chicago showed the pace of business activity in June in the U.S. Midwest dipped more than expected, and the pending home sales index showed contracts to buy previously owned U.S. homes hit an eight-month high in May.
For the first half of the year, the Dow rose 1.5 percent while the S&P 500 jumped 6.1 percent and the Nasdaq climbed 5.5 percent.
Meanwhile, Canada's S&P/TSX closed up 0.3 percent.
Over to Europe, European markets wavered on Monday after weak inflation figures raised fears about the health of the eurozone ahead of a stream of key US data due this week.
Germany's DAX added 0.2 percent.
France's CAC 40 lost 0.3 percent.
London's FTSE 100 trimmed 0.2 percent.
 
 
China changes loan-to-deposit calculation
 
Chinese regulators are moving to relax the rules used for calculating the amount of deposits that banks can re-lend as loans.
The China Banking Regulatory Commission says selected loans to small firms and the farm sector will be excluded from the calculation of banks' loan-to-deposit ratio.
The official ceiling of Chinese banks' loan-to-deposit ratio now stands at 75%.
The new rules come into effect today.
By increasing banks' deposit base, it should allow banks to re-issue more of their deposits as loans, thus boosting the economy.
This is being seen as another 'targeted stimulus' policy the Chinese government has been putting out to try to keep the economy stimulated, while at the same time, trying to protect it from overheating.
 
 
China pilots whistleblower rewards on securities and futures
 
China's securities regulator has adopted a new policy to try to encourage financial whistleblowers with cash rewards.
The China Securities Regulatory Commission says rewards of as much as 300-thousand yuan will be made available to those who report discressions in the securities market, depending on how valuable the information is.
The CSRC also says it will take steps to protect individuals who report violations from retribution.
The Chinese financial markets have been seeing an increasing number of violations, such as false statements, market manipulation and insider trading in recent years.
 
 
Call-in with Gao Shang China looks to set up Asia Infrastructure Bank
 
China's finance minister has outlined how much of a stake the Chinese government is going to have in plans to establish a multilateral bank to fund infrastructure projects in Asia.
Finance Minister Lou Jiwei says China will likely have a 50 percent stake in the the planned Asian Infrastructure Investment.
He also says Japan, the United States and interested European countries are also going to be invited to be shareholders in the proposal.
Lou Jiwei also says the proposed bank would have capital worth around 50 billion dollars.
A memorandum of understanding among participating countries is expected to be signed in the fall.
For more on the proposed Asia Infrastructure Banks, we're joined on the line by Gao Shang, analyst with Guantong Futures.
Qs:
1, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang first announced plans for the bank during visits to southeast Asian countries last year. What's your take of the depth of understanding for establishing this bank among China's less developed neighbors? How far are we from seeing this bank become a physical entity?
2, would this bank become a mere platform for China to promote the internationalization of the RMB or do you think it could also help maintain the financial stability in the region?
2, China has long stressed that the country's rise would bring prosperity to its neighbors. One such endeavour is the ASEAN-China free-trade-zone, how are the free-trade-agreement and this infrastructure bank going to complement each other?
back anchor:
Gao Shang, analyst with Guantong Futures.
 
 
Domestic Drug Makers Ready to Jump in as Viagra Patent Expires in China,
 
Drug regulators here in China are said to be close to approving licences for at least 10 different drug companies to create products to help deal with erectile disfunction.
This comes following Pfizer losing its patent rights here in China for Viagra.
The US drug giant's exclusive rights to sell the active ingredient in the erectile disfunction pill expired in mid-May.
This has opened the window for domestic drug producers to tap into the market.
Pfizer's Viagra had about 60-percent of the erectile disfunction market here in China last year, with Cialis and Levitra making up the rest.
It's estimated there are around 140-million men here in China who suffer from erectile disfunction.
 
 
Euro zone annual inflation remains unchanged at 0.5 pct in June
 
New data shows inflation in the Eurozone has remained unchanged at a four-year low of 0.5 percent in June.
This marks the 9th consecutive month of below-target inflation growth in the 18 member states.
Food, alcohol and tobacco prices across the eurozone have fallen by 0.2 percent in June on an annualized basis.
To try to cope with the deflationary trend, the European Central Bank has already cut its deposit rate to negative to weaken the euro.
The ECB has an inflation target of around 2 percent.
 
 
GM won't limit ignition switch crash compensation
 
Lawyers involved in a massive suit against GM are suggesting they may support a General Motors compensation plan that would pay victims of crashes, provided the crashes were caused by faulty ignition switches.
Kenneth Feinberg, a compensation expert overseeing GM's compensation to victims, says there's no limit to what the company will pay.
"GM (General Motors) basically has said, whatever it costs to pay all eligible claims under the protocol they will pay it. There is no ceiling on the aggregate dollars. Anybody who already settled their claim with General Motors before they knew about this cover-up, or this ignition switch problem, may rip up the release they signed and come back into this programme to get additional compensation."
GM has already linked 13 deaths to a defective ignition switch in several of its brands.
General Motors has been trying to limit its legal liabilities and control the damage to its image.
Meanwhile, GM is recalling another 8.4 million cars - 7.6 million in the US.
The latest recalls involve mainly older small cars.
This brings GM's total number of recalls this year to over 28 million.
General Motors shares have withstood the news of the new recall, falling just 0.9 percent in the wake of the announcement.
 
 
BNP Paribas to pay $8.8bn to settle sanctions violations
 
French banking giant BNP Paribas has agreed to pay a record 8.8-billion US dollars to settle violations of US sanctions.
As part of the deal, BNP will also plead guilty to two criminal charges of breaking US sanctions against trade with Sudan, Iran and Cuba.
The bank has been charged with both falsifying its business records and conspiracy by US prosecutors.
The 8.8-billion dollar fine is the highest-ever connected to the breaking of sanctions.
 
 
Argentina risks default as set to miss bond payment
 
Argentina is reportedly on the brink of default.
It's being reported the country is likely going to miss a bond interest payment.
If it does, Argentina will then have just 30-days to make the payment to avoid its second default in 13-years.
Argentina owes money to two sets of bondholders - those who have agreed to a restructuring, and those - mostly US hedge funds - which have been demanding all of their money back.
The hedge funds bought Argentine government bonds at a big discount after the country's 2001 default.
The Argentine government has been in a 12-year legal battle in the US courts, arguing that the hedge funds are engaging in blatant profiteering.
 
 
Headline News
 
 
Former military leader expelled from CPC for graft
 
Xu Caihou, the former vice chair of China's Central Military Commission, has been expelled from the CPC.
This follows a politburo meeting presided over by President Xi Jinping.
A statement released after the meeting says Xu took advantage of his post to obtain promotions for certain people.
He is also accused of accepting bribes personally, and through his family members, and seeking profits for other people in exchange for money and properties.
Xu has been under investigation since March.
His case has also been handed over to military prosecutors.
 
 
China's cabinet rebukes "referendum" in Hong Kong(rewrite)
 
China's central government is rebuking a so-called "referendum" in Hong Kong on the selection of the chief executive in 2017, saying it is "illegal and invalid" since it has no constitutional and legal basis.
A Cabinet statement says the so-called "referendum" is not in line with Hong Kong's Basic Law and the election procedures set down by the National People's Congress, the country's top legislature.
The statement goes on to say the central government respects the rights of Hong Kong citizens to voice opinions, but any act against the region's Basic Law and decisions of the top legislature can only obstruct universal suffrage.
 
 
Two dead, 13 missing in SW China landslide
 
A landslide in Yunnan province has left at least two dead and 13 others missing.
An official with Fugong county says the landslide buried a brick mill.
Three others have also injured, one of them seriously.
The search is still underway for the missing.
 
 
Bodies of three Israeli missing teens found near Hebron
 
There's been a tragic end to the kidnapping saga of three Israeli yeshiva students.
The bodies of the teenagers have been discovered in the Judean Hills north of the city of Hebron.
Their bodies have been found not far from where they were abducted, in an area controlled by the Palestinian Authority.
The three were kidnapped last month while trying to hitch-hike home for the weekend.
In the wake of the discovery, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is convening his security cabinet to discuss possible further action.
The Israeli government has pinned the blame for the kidnapping on Hamas, which has denied its involvement.
Israeli security forces have already rounded up hundreds of Palestinians in the search for the missing teens.
 
 
Ebola death toll rises to 49 in Liberia
 
Health officials in Liberia say the recent ebola outbreak which has hit the west African country has claimed the lives of 49 of the 90-people who have contracted the deadly virus.
Among the dead are five heath-care workers.
The Liberian ministry of health is also testing four more people thought to be infected.
Ebola, which can have a mortality rate upward of 90-percent in some cases, has been breaking out in a number of countries in west Africa this year.
So far health officials have not pinpointed the source of the outbreak, though there has been speculation that locally-cured meats might be the source.
 
 
Newspaper Picks
 
 
BEIJING MORNING POST
Headline
Prosecutions in Kunming attack
Summary
Four people are being prosecuted for their involvement in the deadly terrorist attack on Kunming's main railway station on March 1.
The suspects face terrorism and murder charges.
THE BEIJING NEWS
Headline
Subway inspection
Summary
Beijing Police have launched an inspection of the city's subway system to guard against terrorism risks.
The increased vigilance will include providing full surveilance camera coverage.
More guards are also going to be put on-duty at high-traffic stops.
THE BEIJING TIMES
Headline
Reward for anti-terror acts
Summary
Five people in the city of Asku in Xinjiang have received a reward of 170-thousand yuan for their bravery in stopping an attacker who stabbed and injured two women in front of a hotel on Friday.
The alleged attacker is in police custody.
Headline
Heavy rains pound south China
Summary
Torrential rains across parts of southern China this week have already left 23 people dead and another six missing.
Some 36-thousand others have been displaced.
Economic losses are being estimated at around 1.5-billion yuan.
BEIJING YOUTH DAILY
Headline
Numerous missing in landslide
Summary
A landslide in Yunnan has left at least two-dead and 15 others missing.
Rescue crews are continuing to arrive at the scene in Fugong county, which is in a somewhat remote area along Yunnan's border with Myanmar.
CHINA DAILY
Headline
Oil fire
Summary
A crude oil spill from a PetroChina pipeline sparked a massive blaze in Dalian yesterday.
Fire crews have just now managed to put the fire out this morning.
The massive blaze forced an evacuation from the area.
No casualties have been reported.
GLOBAL TIMES
Headline
Digital library on Anti-Japanese War
Summary
A new digital library about the Anti-Japanese War has been launched.
The site on Baidu online encyclopedia includes photos of a number of preserved artifacts.
This comes a week before the 77th anniversary of the start of the conflict.
 
 
 
 
Special Reports
 
 
Chinese drones keep eye on polluters
 
Anchor
The Chinese government is deploying more drones to gather air pollution data in key northern areas to try to determine how well this country's environmental laws are being enforced.
CRI's Xie Zhao has more.
Reporter
A total of eleven small and medium-sized drones have been engaged in collecting air pollution data in the provinces of Hebei and Shanxi as well as the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.
These drones flew for about 20 hours , covering over 1,000 square kilometers in total.
Zhang Dawei is an official from the Environment Inspection Bureau of Ministry of Environmental Protection.
Zhang says illegal emission can be located from images collected by the drones.
"This is an image taken in the mountainous area. We can see the roads here. If we take a closer look, we will find two Calcined Lime workshops and their emission pose great danger to the environment. We wouldn't find them in our daily inspection due to its location, but now we can clearly see them by using drones."
Different types of drones equipped with infrared cameras have been used during the inspection.
Zou Shoumin, Director of Environment Inspection Bureau, says this creative way of inspection has many advantages and is quite effective.
"One of the advantages is that the drones are capable of avoiding human interference. What's more, they can quickly capture the illegal and secret emissions of some industries that cannot be easily detected through ordinary methods. Combined with the ground inspection, it is of great effect."
More than 250 enterprises have been inspected this time.
Over one fourth of them are suspected to have failed to meet the anti-poluttion requirements.
Feng Yinchang, professor with the College of Environmental Science and Engineering of Nankai University, says the new technology has strengthened environmental supervision.
"One important reason why the air pollution in our country is so heavy is that there's a lack of effective means of supervision. As there are so many pollution sources in our country, we should utilize some advanced methods, such as the drones, to inspect the illegal enterprises that were difficult to find. Through the aerial photos, we can obtain accurate evidence. In this way, law enforcement and supervision can be enhanced."
The Ministry of Environmental Protection says that drones are set to be used for law-enforcement checks on a regular basis.
For CRI, this is Xie Zhao.
 
 
Sports
 
 
FIFA World Cup round of 16: Germany vs. Algeria 2-1 ; France vs. Nigeria 2-0
 
In the FIFA World Cup round of 16 this morning,
Germany is through to the quarter finals after dispatching Algeria 2-1.
The match had to go into extra time, after the two sides failed to score.
But Germany broke it open early in extra time, on a goal from Andre Schurrle.
Mesut Ozil then struck again for Germany in the 119th minute.
The Algerians made a last ditch attempt at a comeback, scoring in stoppage time in the extra frame.
However, it wasn't enough, as Germany advances with the 2-1 victory.
----
France has booked its ticket to the World Cup quarter-finals with a 2-0 victory over Nigeria this morning.
Paul Pogba broke the deadlock in the 79th minute to give France a 1-0 lead.
The 1998 World Cup champion sealed the win thanks to an own goal from Nigeria captain Joseph Yobo in the 90th minute.
France will next take on Germany for a place in the semi-finals.
----
Nigeria captain Joseph Yobo has announced his retirement from international football following the team's elimination from the World Cup.
Yobo has represented Nigeria at three World Cups and captained the team to victory at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.
----
Coming up tomorrow morning,
Argentina will take on Switzerland.
The United States will be up against Belgium.
----
In news off the pitch,
Uruguayan forward Luis Suarez has issued an apology for his biting incident at the World Cup, and is vowing never to do it again.
Suarez originally denied he bit the Italian defender.
In making his apology, Suarez says "Chiellini suffered the physical result of a bite in the collision he suffered with me."
He goes on to say "For this I deeply regret what occurred. I apologize to Giorgio Chiellini and the entire football family. I vow to the public that there will never again be another incident like this."
FIFA's disciplinary committee has suspended Suarez from playing in nine national team matches, and has banned him from any football-related activity for four months.
 
 
Round 4 roundups at Wimbledon Championships
 
In tennis, from the Wimbledon Championships,
Peng Shuai's run in the women's single's event has come to an end.
The double's specialist, who managed to make it into the 4th round of the single's event this year, ran into a wall in the form of 6th seeded Petra Kvitova 6-3, 6-2.
Peng Shuai and her doubles partner, Hseih Suwei from Taiwan, are still looking to defend their Wimbledon title from last year.
They're on the court later on this evening to complete their 2nd round match against a pair from Ukraine and Poland which was suspended last night.
Meanwhile, still on the women's single's draw, 2012
2012 Wimbledon runner-up and 4th seed Agnieszka Radwanska's tournament is over, after being upset by 22nd seeded Russian Ekaterina Makarova 6-3, 6-0.
Caroline Wozniacki is also out after being upset by Barbora Strycova 6-2, 7-5.
The Czech, who came into the tournament ranked 43rd in the world, is having a dream run at this year's Wimbledon after shocking Chinese ace and world number-2 Li Na in the previous round.
Strycova will be up against Petra Kvitova.
In other action, the Czech Republic's Lucie Safarova is through to the quarter finals after dispatching her Czech compatriot Tereza Smitkova in straight-sets.
Rising Canadian star Eugine Bouchard is also through to the quarter finals.
The 13th seed got past France's Alize Cornet 7-6, 7-5.
Cornet was in the 4th round after upsetting top-seeded Serena Williams in the previous round.
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On the men's side,
Top Seed Novak Djokovic has cruised into the quarter-fianls after dispatching France's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in straight-sets.
Defending champion Andy Murray has also made it into the quarter-finals with a straight sets win over South African Kevin Anderson.
Murray will be up against hard-hitting Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov, who knocked out Leonardo Mayer of Argentina in straight-sets.
Swiss number five seed Stan Wawrinka is also through to the fourth round after a straight-sets victory over Uzbekistan's Denis Istomin.
Wawrinka will next face 19th seed Spaniard Feliciano Lopez, who eliminated big-serving American John Isner in a tight, 4-set match.
 
 
Jason Kidd becomes Bucks' coach
 
In off-season news from the NBA,
The Milwaukee Bucks have reportedly hired former Brooklyn Nets head coach Jason Kidd as their new coach.
Details of the deal have not been announced.
However, it's being reported the Nets will receive a second-round draft pick in 2015 that was formerly their own, and another in 2019 belonging to either Milwaukee or Sacramento.
Milwaukee still has coach Larry Drew under contract.
Kidd recently approached the Nets with larger demands, including being named President of Basketball Operations, which would have promoted him above general manager Billy King.
But owner Mikhail Prokhorov rejected the demand.
Lionel Hollins and George Karl are said to be front-runners to succeed Kidd.
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The Orlando Magic have waived veteran guard Jameer Nelson.
Nelson was entering the final year of a three-year contract, but had only $2 million of the $8 million remaining guaranteed.
By waiving Nelson before July 16th, the Magic are saving valued salary cap space.
Nelson can re-sign with the Magic, but he's expected to test the free-agent market.
 
 
Michael Del Zotto becomes UFA
 
In some off-season news from the NHL,
Michael Del Zotto has become an unrestricted free agent.
The Nashville Predators have been unable to trade the defenceman ahead of the June 1st free-agency deadline.
The Predators acquired Del Zotto in January from the New York Rangers in exchange for defenceman Kevin Klein.
Del Zotto scored three goals and added 13 assists in 67 games with the Predators and Rangers this past season.
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The Montreal Canadiens have traded veteran forward Daniel Briere to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for forward PA Parenteau and a fifth-round pick in next year's draft.
Briere, who is heading into the final year of his contract, recorded 13 goals and 12 assists in 69 games with the Canadiens last season.
 
 
Entertainment
 
 
Entertainer Rolf Harris Guilty of 12 Counts of Indecent Assault
 
A British jury has found broadcaster and entertainer Rolf Harris guilty of 12 counts of indecent assault.
The 84-year-old celebrity was convicted of indecent assault on four victims aged 19 or under between 1968 and 1986.
Prosecutors say that for years he got away with brazen sexual assaults on young girls because he thought his fame made him untouchable.
Jenny Hopkins, of the Crown Prosecution Service, told reporters outside the court that Harris' victims had "suffered in silence for many years" only recently finding the "courage to come forward".
"Rolf Harris used his status and position as a world famous children's entertainer to sexually assault young girls over a period spanning 18 years. The victims in this case have suffered in silence for many years and have only recently found the courage to come forward."
The Australian-born Harris was a prominent British broadcaster for decades and once performed with the Beatles.
Prosecutors described him as having a good and generous side offset by a dark side that allowed him to molest young girls knowing they could not object and would not be believed if they did.
Harris had denied the charges and during the trial enjoyed the support of his wife and daughter, even though he was accused of repeatedly abusing one of his daughter's friends.
 
 
A-Mei Joins EMI as Brand Director in China
 
Taiwan-born pop diva A-Mei has joined EMI China and been appointed as the company's Brand Director of the greater China office.
A celebration event was held in Taipei to recognize the re-launch of EMI China and to mark the signings of A-Mei, plus Taiwan-born singers Show Luo and Rainie Yang.
A-Mei said she was thrilled to be part of EMI China and hopes the company's professionals and resources will help her produce better albums.
"When working on an album, there are always some blind spots. It may be due to my strong-headedness. I've been looking for some professionals and more resourceful companies to help me produce a better album."
EMI had ended much of the company's operations in Asia over five years ago. However, Universal Music Group has been investing in the label ever since its acquisition of EMI in 2012.
A-Mei is a two-time winner at the prestigious Golden Melody Awards. She was awarded "Best Female Vocalist of the Year" in 2002 and swept six Golden Melody Awards in 2010 with her album "Amit."
The singer is preparing to release a new album in July.
 
 
Experts: No Mental Illness Affected Pistorius During Shooting of Girlfriend Last Year
 
South African Paralympic runner Oscar Pistorius left court on Monday following a conclusion by a panel of mental health experts that the athlete was not suffering from a mental illness when he killed girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in his home last year.
Pistorius' trial resumed after a break of one month, during which a psychologist and three psychiatrists also assessed whether the double-amputee runner was capable of understanding the wrongfulness of his act when he shot Steenkamp through a closed bathroom door.
The panel's reports were submitted to Judge Thokozile Masipa, and prosecutor Gerrie Nel referred to key parts of the conclusions, noting that the experts believed Pistorius was "capable of appreciating the wrongfulness of his act" when he killed Steenkamp, a 29-year-old model.
 
 
ROBERT DOWNEY JR.'S SON ARRESTED IN DRUG CASE
 
Actor Robert Downey, Jr. has thanked authorities who arrested his 20-year-old son for suspicion of cocaine possession, saying the family is determined to get the young man the help he needs.
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Sgt. Dave Valentine says Indio Falconer Downey was taken into custody Sunday afternoon after a car he was in was pulled over in West Hollywood.
Valentine says the younger Downey was booked on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance, believed to be cocaine, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Indio Downey was later released after posting bail of just over 10-thousand U.S. dollars and a court date was set for August 29th of this year.
Two other people were in the car, but only Downey was arrested.
Indio Downey appeared in the 2005 movie "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang," which starred his father.
 
 
THE WHO CELEBRATE 50 YEARS WITH UK NEW TOUR
 
British rock icons The Who have announced that they will perform a series of 50th anniversary shows across the U.K.
Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend made the announcement at a press conference at London's famous Ronnie Scott's Jazz Bar on Monday (30 June).
While the upcoming concerts are sure to delight their fans, Daltrey suggested it would be their last major tour, referring to it as the start of their "long goodbye."
Daltrey and Townshend, the two surviving members from the original quartet, kick off the tour in November of this year, which they say will be an "amazing journey" through their careers.
The shows begin on November 30 at Glasgow's SSE Hydro, and wind up at the O2 Arena in London on December 17.
The Who - whose well-known songs include hits "Won't Get Fooled Again," "I Can't Explain," "Baba O'Riley" and "Pinball Wizard," haven't released new material since 2006's "Endless Wire."
That album was itself the band's first release in 24 years.
During the press conference, guitarist Townshend, 69, said a new album is on the cards.
He explained that he's been busy penning new songs and that he hoped to record them with Daltrey - but not until the tour is over.
Tickets for The Who's 50th anniversary tour go on sale in the U.K. on Friday.
 
 
 
That’s it for this edition of the Beijing Hour.
A quick recap of headlines before we go.
A former Chinese military leader has been kicked out of the party for graft.
China’s central government is describing a so-called "referendum" in Hong Kong as "illegal and invalid."
Three Israeli teenagers kidnapped this past month have been found dead.
In Business.... new loan-to-deposit rules are being established today to try to help stimulate the economy.
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.