新闻纵贯线 The Beijing Hour updated 20:00 2014/07/29

The Beijing Hour
 
Evening Edition
 
 
Shane Bigham with you this Tuesday, July 29th, 2014.
Welcome to the Beijing Hour, coming to you live from the Chinese capital.
Coming up on the programme this evening...
Another former Chinese official is under investigation for what Communist Party leaders call a serious violation of discipline...
China's embassy in Libya is telling all Chinese nationals to leave the North African country...
Investigators still can't reach the MH17 crash site in eastern Ukraine because of the ongoing shelling and shooting in the region...
In business, Microsoft's operations in China are under investigation...
In sports, 31 medals up for grabs today at the Commonwealth Games...
In entertainment, Plants vs. Zombies, the movie...
 
 
Weather
 
 
Beijing will be overcast tonight with a low of 22 degrees Celsius. It will be overcast tomorrow with a high of 29 degrees.　
Meanwhile Shanghai will be clear tonight, with a low of 27, tomorrow cloudy, with a high of 34.
Chongqing will be clear tonight, 28 degrees the low, tomorrow cloudy with a high of 38.
Elsewhere in the world, staying in Asia
Islamabad, overcast with a high of 33.
Kabul, cloudy, 33.
Over in Australia
Sydney, overcast, high of 21.
Canberra, sunny,16.
Brisbane, sunny, 25.
And finally, Perth will be overcast with a high of 20.
 
 
Top News
 
 
Zhou Yongkang investigated for serious disciplinary violation
 
It has been confirmed that China's former security chief Zhou Yongkang is under investigation, suspected of "serious disciplinary violation."
The investigation will be conducted by the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection.
Zhou was also a former member of the top decision-making body, the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.
 
 
China calls nationals to leave Libya as blaze spreads in Tripoli
 
China is calling on its nationals to leave Libya amid the deteriorating security situation in the country.
The Chinese Embassy in Libya is suggesting that businessmen, corporate personnel, and contract workers in foreign companies "leave Libya as soon as possible."
Many of the Chinese companies operating in Libya have already suspended operations.
Nearly 800 Chinese nationals have left Libya since May but there are still around a thousand left in the country.
Yan Jianquan is a counselor from the Chinese Embassy in Libya.
"As long as Chinese nationals submit their evacuation plans and notify us about their evacuation routes, the embassy will send the lists to embassies in related countries. It will help Chinese nationals to enter neighboring countries for evacuation. We have already launched an emergency response plan. Currently no Chinese was reported as injured in the country. "
The call comes as a fire at the oil depot which supplies Tripoli's international airport continues to rage out of control.
The blaze has now spread to a second depot.
The fuel tanks hold over 6 million liters of fuel.
Firefighters are struggling to contain the blaze and have asked residents within a five kilometer radius of the tanks to evacuate their homes.
Authorities blame the fire on fighting between rival militias.
The Libyan government has already appealed for international help to contain the blaze.
At least 97 people have been killed in fighting between rival militia groups battling for control of Tripoli's main airport in the past two weeks.
Members of the Islamist Libya Revolutionaries Operations Room are trying to seize control of the airport.
The airport has been held by a Zintan militia since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.
For more on the situation in Libya, we earlier spoke with Professor Li Guofu, Senior Research Fellow with the China Institute of International Studies.
Back Anchor:
That was Professor Li Guofu, Senior Research Fellow with the China Institute of International Studies.
 
 
No remains will be left behind:MH17 recovery mission
 
Leaders of the recovery mission for Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 have again called for access to the crash site.
The comment comes after an international delegation of police and forensic experts cancelled visits to the site due to heavy fighting in eastern Ukraine.
Pieter Jaap Aalbersberg is heading the mission.
"If the experts find remains, they will be recovered immediately. We will be using a refrigerated train wagon near Torez. If the train is inaccessible for whatever reason, we will arrange other transport. We will not leave any remains behind."
A full-fledged investigation still has not begun at the crash site ten days after the disaster.
Ukraine's army has deployed more heavy weaponry in an effort to win back territory from rebels in the Donetsk region.
Officials say government troops have recaptured two rebel-held towns near the crash site.
Russia and the United States have already called for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine, urging the government and rebels to start talks.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also says he hopes all parties will reveal any evidence linked to the crash.
"Some of our partners have said they have had clear proof for a long time, and we hope they will show it to the public rather than cover it up with the excuse of secrecy or other reasons. Only when all the sides involved in the crash play their roles in a honest and open manner, can we make sure that the investigation is impartial and transparent."
Meanwhile the White House has said it expects the European Union to impose new sanctions against Russia this week.
New sanctions from the EU would target Russian finance, energy and defence sectors.
And for more on that, CRI's Xu Qinduo earlier spoke with Cui Hongjian, a Research fellow with the China Institute of International Studies.
That is Cui Hongjian, a Research fellow with the China Institute of International Studies speaking with CRI's Xu Qinduo.
 
 
Fighting continues in Gaza as Israeli PM vows "prolonged operation"
 
Israel's military continues to pound targets in the Gaza strip on the Muslim Eid holiday, as Israel's leader has vowed "a prolonged army operation" against Hamas militants.
Benjamin Natanyahu is the Israeli Prime Minister.
"We know there are hard days ahead of us. This is a hard and painful day. We have to have patience and be determined to continue the struggle against a murderous terror organization, which aspires to destroy us."
Israeli shells hit a fuel tank at the Gaza Strip's only power plant on Tuesday.
It cut electricity to Gaza City and many other parts of the Palestinian enclave of 1.8 million people.
Mohammed al-Sharif is the director of the power plant.
"I would like to say to the world that this was a humanitarian plant, that served the people, therefore its existence helped people, life, hospitals and the normal, simple life of the people of Gaza so striking the plant in this way means that we lost the electricity supply which we were relying on even if it only supplied 3 hours' worth a day."
Though no casualties have been reported yet, but the fuel tank in the power plant is on flame.
Officials at the civil defense said the local fire brigade was not equipped to extinguish the blaze.　
Earlier, an Israeli strike hit the Hamas media building and an office within the Hamas government.
It comes after a night of continuous Israeli strikes targeting the home of the top Hamas leader in Gaza, Ismail Haniyeh.
The house of Haniyeh has been reportedly flattened but with no casualties.
After 22 days of conflict in the strip, a Palestinian health official put the overall Gaza death toll at 1,110.
Israel has lost over 50 soldiers, along with two civilians and a foreign worker from Thailand.
The United Nations has called for an immediate cease-fire.
 
 
HK officials should oppose Occupy Central movement: chief executive
 
Anchor:
Hong Kong Chief Executive CY Leung is calling on officials in the region to oppose the Occupy Central movement.
Leung has also voiced support for a petition against the movement, which has collected nearly 1 million signatures so far.
CRI's Cao Yuwei has more.
Reporter:
CY Leung says the Occupy Central movement's action is unlawful, adding that he and other government officials cannot condone such behavior.
He made the remark before Tuesday's Executive Council meeting.
His comment comes on the heels of more supporters joining a companion against the Occupy Central movement.
Leung himself also voiced his support earlier this week.
A number of senior Hong Kong officials had signed the petition, including Secretary for Home Affairs Tsang Tak-sing, Secretary for Food and Health Ko Wing-man, and Secretary for Education Eddie Ng.
The Chief Executive says it is a personal decision for officials to participate in the signature campaign, which was launched by the Alliance for Peace and Democracy.
According to the organizer Zhou Rong, the alliance has collected over 9 hundred thousand signatures so far.
"It is quite obvious that Hong Kong people want peace and support universal suffrage. They won't threaten or force the government or any other parties to listen to one single voice. We should listen to the will of the people. And we won't support any action that goes against the Basic Law."
Besides common residents and political figures, more business professionals have joined the campaign against Occupy Central, worrying that the movement will bring negative economic effects to the financial hub.
A survey conducted by the Hong Kong Bank Employees Association showed that more than 60 percent of the respondents believed the protracted move of Occupy Central would paralyze the territory's financial center, disrupt the operation of banks, or even cause layoffs.
Some financial research institute even put the direct losses at about 650 million U.S. dollars if the campaign lasts for three days.
On Monday, the five leading business chambers in Hong Kong formed a united front to oppose Occupy Central.
Yang Zhao is chairman of the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce.
"It will affect health service, education, and other sectors. We can see that it also harms Hong Kong's image. Everybody should consider the losses it can bring to Hong Kong's tourism industry."
Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce chairman Pang Yiu-kai says tourists are concerned about safety and it is "almost certain" Occupy Central's action will deter them from visiting.
According to Chief Executive CY Leung, the second round of public consultations on constitutional reform will be conducted by the end of this year.
Consultation details will be defined by the National People's Congress Standing Committee in August, when they are due to decide whether there is a need to amend the method for selecting the chief executive.
For CRI, I'm Cao Yuwei.
 
 
Chinese Muslims Celebrate Eid Al-Fitr
 
Muslims here in China are celebrating Eid Al-Fitr today.
The feast that marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan is one of the two most important religious holidays for Muslims.
Muslims in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous region, Gansu Province and part of Xinjiang Uigur Autonomous region on this day go to local mosques and pray in celebration of the conclusion of Ramadan.
Over here in Beijing, about ten thousand Muslims, including Arab expats and Muslims from other provinces went to the Niujie Mosque this morning for Eid Al-Fitr prayers.
Niujie Mosque is the oldest and largest mosque in the Chinese capital, which is home to roughly a quarter of a million Muslims.
Official census data suggests there are currently over 20 million Muslims from ten ethnic minorities living in China, with most of them in the far-off northwest regions.
 
 
Biz Reports
 
 
Asian stocks extended gains Tuesday with the South Korean stock market closing at a three-year high ahead of U.S. and Chinese economic reports later this week.
China shares hovered near the year's highs on Tuesday.
The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index up a fourth of a percent.
The Shenzhen Component Index gained three quarters of a percent.
Stocks related to Shanghai's Free Trade Zone outperformed, ahead of a new law to provide a legal basis for reform measures in the pilot zone which is to take effect on August 1.
Bank of Communications spiked another 2.6 percent following a 9.9 percent jump the previous day.
The country's fifth-largest lender said late on Monday it is studying feasibility plans for the implementation of hybrid ownership reforms to help improve its competitiveness.
Meanwhile, Hong Kong's Hang Seng gained 0.9 percent.
Elsewhere in Asia, Japan's Nikkei added 0.6 percent.
South Korea's KOSPI rose 0.6 percent.
Singapore's Straits Times Index edged up 0.3 percent.
Australia's ASX also added 0.2 percent.
 
 
Microsoft Investigated in China
 
China's business watchdog confirms that US software giant Microsoft has been probed for anti-trust activities.
Officials from China's State Administration for Industry & Commerce have visited Microsoft offices in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chengdu on Monday.
Reports are suggesting documents and computers have been seized from the offices.
Microsoft says it is "actively cooperating" with the government.
In May, China banned central government offices from installing Windows 8 on their computers.
This happened after Microsoft ended support for its Windows XP operating system, which is widely used on the mainland.
Meanwhile, the company is still pushing forward with plans to release its Xbox One gaming console in China in September, forming distribution ties with China Telecom and e-commerce firm JD.com.
 
 
China To Set Up Five Local Bad Banks
 
China's banking regulator has approved the establishment of five local asset management companies in preparation for a surge of bad loans from Chinese banks.
Media reports suggest that Guangdong, Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Anhui, and Shanghai are to set up their own local "bad banks" to absorb potential non-performing loans from a credit boom in the country after the global financial crisis.
Anhui's bad bank, to be named Anhui Guohuo Asset Management Company, is the only one among the five to have private capital participation.
The creation of these local asset management companies is part of the Chinese government's drive to handle the emerging bad loans with greater market participation.
According to numbers disclosed by the The China Banking Regulatory Commission, China's official non-performing loan ratio is around 1% in May.
 
 
BJH/biz/Luxury brands cut spare-part prices in China
 
Anchor:
Some of the world's biggest luxury car brands are lowering their prices here in China in response to a government investigation into monopolistic practices.
Audi is cutting its spare-parts prices by up to 38 percent.
The announcement comes on the heels of Jaguar-Land Rover cutting prices on three of its models in China in response to a similar probe.
Mercedes-Benz has also revealed it has had discussions with regulators, but contends it isn't under investigation.
For more on the situation, CRI's Paul James earlier spoke with Gao Shang, analyst with Guangtong Futures.
Back to Anchor:
That was Gao Shang, analyst with Guangtong Futures.
 
 
Hangzhou home purchase limits relaxed
 
Three more cities including Hangzhou, capital of East China's Zhejiang Province, have reportedly relaxed or canceled their home purchase limits.
Local authorities in Hangzhou say starting from today, local residents will not be required to offer documentary evidence of any existing apartments owned by their families when they plan to buy apartments in Xiaoshan and Yuhang districts.
Homebuyers who plan to buy apartments with areas of over 140 square meters in the downtown area don't have to offer the documents.
Meanwhile, local media report that residents in Shijiazhuang, capital of North China's Hebei Province, and Xuzhou, a city in East China's Jiangsu Province, will also not need to offer similar documents when they plan to buy apartments.
 
 
South Korea jumps to 8th place for China yuan payments
 
South Korea's yuan payments value in June rose more than six-fold from a year earlier, taking it to eighth position in the world for yuan payments excluding China and Hong Kong.
Global transaction services organisation SWIFT says 69 percent of all direct payments between South Korea and China and Hong Kong this month were in Renminbi, up from 32.8 percent from the same period last year.
China is South Korea's most important trade partner, receiving nearly a third of the latter's exports.
China's central bank assigned Bank of Communications, the country's fifth-biggest lender, as the yuan clearing bank in South Korea earlier this month.
 
 
S. Korea posts largest current account surplus in H1
 
South Korea has posted its largest-ever half-year current account surplus in the first half of this year, while the 28th consecutive monthly surplus was recorded in June.
According to the Bank of Korea, the country's current account surplus reached 39 billion U.S. dollars for the first six months of 2014, topping the previous high of 31 billion dollars tallied in the first half of last year.
Solid export growth contributed to the second-longest monthly surplus streak.
Exports, which account for around half of the economy, increased 3 percent from a year earlier to 50 billion dollars in June.
 
 
Huawei Smartphone Shipments Rise on Overseas Demand
 
China's Huawei Technologies says its smartphone shipments rose 62 percent in the first half of this year, helped by strong demand in overseas markets.
Huawei says it shipped 34 million smartphones world-wide in the six months through June.
The first-half results make Huawei one of the fastest-growing players in the global smartphone market
The company said its smartphone shipments in the Middle East and Africa increased more than six fold from a year earlier, while shipments in Latin America rose nearly fourfold.
Domestically Huawei faces tough competition not only from Samsung and Apple but also other Chinese handset vendors such as Lenovo and Xiaomi.
 
 
Headline News
 
 
Zhou Yongkang investigated for serious disciplinary violation
 
It has been confirmed that China's former security chief Zhou Yongkang is under investigation, suspected of "serious disciplinary violation."
The investigation will be conducted by the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection.
Zhou was also a former member of the top decision-making body, the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.
 
 
China calls nationals to leave Libya as blaze spreads in Tripoli
 
China is calling on its nationals to leave Libya amid the deteriorating security situation in the country.
Nearly 800 Chinese nationals have left Libya since May but there are still around a thousand left in the country.
The call comes as a fire at the oil depot which supplies Tripoli's international airport continues to rage out of control.
Authorities blame the fire on fighting between rival militias.
At least 97 people have been killed in fighting between rival militia groups battling for control of Tripoli's main airport in the past two weeks.
 
 
Fighting continues in Gaza as Israeli PM vows "prolonged operation"
 
Israel's military continues to pound targets in the Gaza strip on the Muslim Eid holiday, as Israel's leader has vowed "a prolonged army operation" against Hamas militants.
The spokesman of Gaza's electricity distribution company has said two Israeli tank shells hit a fuel tank at the Gaza Strip's only power plant.
No casualties have been reported yet.
Earlier, an Israeli strike hit the Hamas media building and an office within the Hamas government.
After 22 days of conflict in the strip, a Palestinian health official put the overall Gaza death toll at 1,110.
Israel has lost over 50 soldiers, along with two civilians and a foreign worker from Thailand.
 
 
Chinese Top Diplomat Pledges to Promote Two-way Trade with Canada
 
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has pledged to promote two-way trade with Canada.
The top Chinese diplomat made the pledge while meeting with his Canadian counterpart John Baird in Beijing.
Wang says China and Canada share vast common interests and tremendous cooperation potentials.
For his part, John Baird says that the China -Canadian relations are the core issue in his country's foreign relations.
He says Canada will take more measures to promote cooperation between the two sides in various fields, and enhance cultural exchange and people-to-people contacts with China.
John Baird's visit is a prelude of the Canadian Prime Minister's Beijing trip.
Stephen Harper is due to attend the leaders' summit of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, which will be held in the Chinese capital this November.
 
 
L.A. police arrest 4 teenagers in Chinese student murder case
 
Los Angeles Police have arrested two men and two juveniles in connection with the murder of a Chinese graduate student.
One of them was booked on suspicion of murder, while the other three suspects were booked on suspicion of murder, assault with a deadly weapon, and robbery.
Twenty-four -year-old Ji Xinran was found dead on Thursday morning in his off-campus apartment.
The graduate student in the USC Engineering program was walking home after midnight from a study group when he was attacked and robbed.
 
 
Newspaper Picks
 
 
Global Times
China strictly regulates GM rice
Chinese authorities have vowed zero tolerance and harsh punishment for rule-violating sales and growing of genetically modified or GM crops.
This comes days after a media exposure of GM rice on sale at a supermarket in central China.
According to Ministry of Agriculture, it will punish any companies or individuals that ignore regulations to grow or sell GM grains.
China Central Television or CCTV found GM rice, which is not allowed to be commercialized in China, on sale in the supermarket in Wuhan, capital of Hubei Province.
CCTV commissioned tests on five packs of rice picked at random from the supermarket's shelves. Three were found to contain a GM variety.
CCTV also found that GM rice was being sold in Hunan, Anhui and Fujian provinces.
--
China News Service
Public support for expert's govt iPhone ban plan
A proposal to ban Chinese officials from using iPhones after Apple admitted their operating system iOS has "back doors" has gained public support.
Proposal comes after Apple admitted that personal data, including contact lists, photos and text messages could be retrieved through proprietary technology, which they said was to allow diagnostic services through trusted computers.
According to several surveys conducted by Sina Weibo, a tweeter like social media platform, over 60 percent of 4,200 respondents supported the proposal because of the security loopholes.
However, in another Sina poll, only around 30 percent of more than 1,000 respondents said they would give up their own iPhone.
And around 60 percent believe their iPhone to be secure, since it does not contain confidential information.
--
Daily Mail
Running for just seven MINUTES a day can 'halve the risk of dying from heart disease'
A new study has revealed that running for just seven minutes a day - even at slow speeds - could help slash the risk of dying from heart disease.
Scientists analyzed over 55-thousand adults for 15 years, and found healthy exercise does not necessarily have to be exhausting or time-consuming.
Runners, who made up just under a quarter of the study population, had a 30 percent lower risk of death from all causes and a 45 percent lower risk of death from heart disease or stroke than non-runners. They also lived an average three years longer.
Running for less than 51 minutes a week - or about seven minutes a day - fewer than six miles, or slower than six miles an hour all reduced the chances of dying.
--
Asia One
Half of Korean population will be 65 or older by 2100
A South Korea research says that almost half of its total population will be 65 or older by 2100 at the current birthrate.
According to the research, senior citizens will account for about 40 percent of the population by 2050 and 48 percent by 2100.
Contributing to the nation's low birthrate are long working hours, job insecurity and unemployment among young people.
Statistics show that only about 35 percent of the unmarried population aged 18 to 49 were dating as of last year. Those who were employed were more likely to be in relationships than those who weren't. More than half of the population worked more than 40 hours a week, which is at least six hours more than the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development average of 34.4 hours per week.
The latest research findings deepen concerns over the country's fiscal stability and productivity.
 
 
Special Reports
 
 
Enthusiastic fans at the Hong Kong cosplay event
 
Anchor:
Enthusiastic animation fans across Asia have gathered at the Hong Kong's Animation-Comics-Games Fair.
It is one of the biggest celebrations of its kind in the world.
With details, CRI's Xiong Siqi has more.
Reporter:
This is "cosplay" at its best.
Players sing and dance on stage, wearing dramatic make-up, elaborate costumes, and using delicately made props to bring one or multiple comic scenes alive.
This is their way to express their enthusiasm of the world of animations and games.
Martha Asahi is a Japanese cosplayer from the group "VENaS sisters".
She is amazed by the number of male players at the event.
"In Hong Kong, there are many boys and children taking part in cosplay events, but in Japan, those who take part are mainly girls. I can feel the strong power and atmosphere of Hong Kong cosplay events. I am very happy."
Most players at the Animation-Comics-Games Fair have full-time occupations that are not necessarily related to cosplay or animation.
But they are willing to invest money and time into making customs and props, and putting on make-up.
Shen Chen, a Taiwanese cosplayer as well as a vice curator of an art museum, says cosplay is a good way to reduce stress.
"I like cosplay. My stress at work is quite heavy but I can develop and express my interests during cosplay, like the process of making props and costumes. My professional field is art, so I have lots of fun in cosplay."
Leung Ka-kit, Chief Executive of the cosplay performances at the fair, sees great potential of Hong Kong to develop Cosplay even further.
Leung says there are many places in Hong Kong to teach cosplay lovers designing skills for making costumes, which makes it easy for them to make costumes and props in Hong Kong.
(act4, Leung, male, in Cantonese)
"All of my teammates are full-time workers, one or two of them are students. If you ask me how to arrange time to do both cosplaying and working, I am the organiser of the cosplay show, my company mainly works on anything related to cosplay such as inviting foreign guest to perform in Hong Kong, and organizing cosplay events. This is my career so I enjoy cosplay very much."
Hong Kong is the third largest comic market in the world, after Japan and the United States.
Over 550 exhibitors have participated in the Animation-Comic-Games Fair this year.
The fair, covering more than 170-thousand square meters, has stage performances and themed exhibitions
The annual event has attracted more than 700 thousand visitors over the last two years.
For CRI, this is Xiong Siqi.
 
 
Sports
 
 
Commonwealth Games latest
 
Day six of the Commonwealth games is currently underway in the United Kingdom.
Today in Glasgow 31 gold medals are up for grabs across 14 sports.
In some of the latest action Jamaica's Kemar Bailey-Cole has claimed the 100m Gold in a time of 10 seconds flat. His compatriot, the world's fastest man, Usain Bolt has been out with a foot injury for the whole year so far but will take part in the mens 4x4 100 metre relay on Friday.
Elsewhere the hosts Scotland have also surpassed their previous record at the games and now have 12 wins.
The games are set to conclude on Sunday (August 3)
 
 
US Judge rules against Donald Sterling in NBA Clippers case
 
A US judge has ruled against Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling meaning that the two billion USD sale of the Basketball side can begin.
Sterling was in a dispute against his estranged wife Shelly who took control of the club after it was revealed that her 80-year-old husband was suffering from the early stages of Alzheimer's disease.
"I want to thank everyone that has helped me, my attorney, they were fabulous. This is going to be a good thing for everyone, for the league, for my family, for all of us. I just want to thank you all. Come see the Clippers next year."
Sterling, who has owned the Clippers for 33 years, was banned from all NBA activities after racist remarks he made were taped and published.
He vowed to block the sale as he felt he had been improperly removed as head of the trust that owns the Basketball team.
He has also sued the NBA and league Commissioner Adam Silver contending the team was illegally taken from him.
It is expected the team will be bought by former Microsoft Corp chief executive Steve Ballmer.
 
 
Byron Scott signed on as new LA Lakers Coach
 
Staying with Basketball in LA and the Lakers have signed Byron Scott to a multi-year contract as head coach.
The former Lakers guard has reportedly signed a four year deal worth 17 million dollars.
He replaces Mike D'Antoni who resigned in April after one of the worst seasons in franchise history.
Scott himself was fired in April at the end of his third season as head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers after they failed to make it to the play-offs.
 
 
Manchester United take on Inter Milan in Washington DC
 
In Football Manchester United are continuing their pre-season tour of the United States with a match in Washington at the home of the Redskins NFL team.
United, under new coach Louis van Gaal, already beat AS Roma 3-2 and will be taking on another Italian outfit, Inter Milan, later tonight.
Van Gaal who headed the Netherlands in the recent World Cup has said it is a tough task taking over what he called a "broken" squad left behind by sacked manager David Moyes.
Man U defender Jonny Evans spoke highly of the new coach:
"He's obviously been very impressive. I think he's made a huge impression on all the players, all the staff. He's demanding and keeps everyone on their toes, but he's not demanding in a way that... people are afraid of, he's demanding in the right way and he expects everyone to be pulling in the same direction. He's got everyone fitting together as a team and it's looking good for the future."
The defending champions Manchester United finished a dismal seventh in the league after Moyes one season in charge.
The Red Devils will begin their new Premiere League Campaign at home to Swansea City on August 16th.
 
 
Sportmen warned against wearing political symbols
 
In Cricket England all-rounder Moeen Ali has been banned from wearing wrist bands with political messages during play.
The 27-year-old wore bands saying "Free Palestine" and "Save Gaza" on the second day of England's third test match against India.
International Cricket Council rules state that players should not wear messages relating to "political, religious or racial activities" during matches.
Last week Malaysian track cyclist Azizulhasni Awang was reprimanded by the Commonwealth Games Federation for wearing the words "Save Gaza" across his gloves.
The Federation takes a similar stance to the Olympics in that it does not want its competitions to be used for political means.
 
 
Kazakh 'anime' volleyball player racks up over 200,000 followers
 
A female volleyball player from Kazakhstan has become an instant social media sensation after recently competing at a youth tournament in Taipei.
17-year-old Sabina Altynbekova was the subject of much attention and gained over 200,000 subscribers to her instagram account in just a few days.
The reason for all the attention is that the 6 foot tall athlete (1.82m) apparently closely resembles a beautiful, characteristic leggy and wide-eyed anime character.
The athlete has received drawings, anime illustrations and other mementos featuring herself from fans as well as thousands of flattering comments and personal messages.
However, Sabina's coach Nurlan Sadikov says that all of this media frenzy might endanger their original sport goals as other members of the female team feel neglected since it has been clear that a pretty No. 20 has been the center of the spotlight all along.
 
 
Entertainment
 
 
Game Plants vs. Zombies to be Film
 
The popular computer game "Plants vs. Zombies" is to be adapted for the big Screen by Chinese animation firm Mili Pictures.
(zombies)
Gao Song, assistant director of the Suzhou based company said they've been cooperating with the game's developer PopCap about developing the film.
The popular game involves a homeowner using a variety of different plants to prevent an army of zombies from entering their house and eating their brains.
Mili Pictures will shoulder most of the work, including editing and writing scripts. The concept trailer for the film has already been finished and posted online.
 
 
Li Yang Converts to Buddhism
 
Crazy English founder Li Yang has converted to Buddhism.
He's become the disciple of Shi Yongxin, who's the current abbot of the Shaolin Temple.
Li Yang is well known for creating the idea of Crazy English in the 90's, a different approach to learning the language.
By shouting out sentences in English, he believes it help Chinese learners overcome their shyness.
His name has most recently been associated with domestic violence though, in 2013 he was in the news for allegedly beating his American born wife, who he later divorced.
After conversion, Li will live the life of a monk. But he will also provide English language training to the Shaolin monks.
 
 
Linda Ronstadt awarded the National Medal of Arts
 
Grammy winning singer Linda Ronstadt has been awarded the highest arts honor in the US, the National Medal of Arts.
(Rondstadt)
The 68-year-old was presented the award by President Barrack Obama at a White House ceremony. She was honored for her one of a kind voice and her decades of remarkable music.
Best know for hits such as Don't know Much and You're No Good, her success in the 1970's is credited with inspiring women in the music industry for decades.
Ronstadt, who suffers from Parkinson's disease was brought into the Whitehouse by wheelchair, but walked onto the stage to receive her award.
When presenting the singer's medal, President Barrack Obama revealed he had a little crush on her back in the day!
The singer has sold more than 100 million records, earning her 11 Grammys and an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame earlier this year.
 
 
Mitch Winehouse to release new album
 
(winehouse)
The father of late British singer Amy Winehouse will be releasing a new album to raise money for the charity he set up to honor his daughter.
Mitch Winehouse said she was involved in the record, titled "But Beautiful" with songs they had chosen together but did not make his 2011 debut album, released just before her death.
He said this was still the album that Amy helped him make.
Amy Winehouse passed away at the age of 27, the inquest confirmed it was accidental alcohol poisoning.
Mitch's new album will be available from 29th September and is being released on his daughters label, Lioness Records.
The money raised will go to the charity The Amy Winehouse Foundation.
 
 
Former Lost Phophets band members speak for the first time about Ian Watkins
 
The former members of the UK band Lost Prophets have talked for the first time about their shock and disgust of finding out their lead singer Ian Watkins was a paedophile.
Watkins, 36, was sentenced in December to 35 years in jail for a string of child sex offences.
New band No Devotion is now fronted by Geoff Rickly, former lead singer of Thursday, who they say has vocally taken their tracks to another level.
The band played their first gig in Cardiff, England last week, and are already in the middle of recording their debut album, with support from the music industry and fans.
 
That's it for this edition of the Beijing Hour - a quick recap of headlines before we go:
Another former Chinese official is under investigation for what Communist Party leaders call a serious violation of discipline...
China's embassy in Libya is telling all Chinese nationals to leave the North African country...
Investigators still can't reach the MH17 crash site in eastern Ukraine because of the ongoing shelling and shooting in the region...
In business, Microsoft's operations in China are under investigation...
On behalf of the Beijing Hour staffers, this is Shane Bigham in Beijing hoping you'll join us for our next edition of the Beijing Hour to open a window to the world together.