Welcome to the Beijing Hour, coming to you live from the Chinese capital.

Coming up on our program this evening.

Provincial authorities in Hubei have issued a high-temperature warning, with some cities expected to see temperatures above 40.

Muslims here in China and around the world are celebrating the end to Ramadan.

Former US President George W. Bush has been released from hospital following a heart procedure.

In Business, new trade data here in China has come in above expectations.

In sports, a solid day for Chinese competitors at the World Badminton Championships in Guangzhou.

In entertainment, Matt Damon's new film Elysium has premiered in Los Angeles.

 

 

Weather

 

 

Beijing will be cloudy tonight with a low of 24 degrees Celsius.　Tomorrow sunny with a high temperature of 36.　

Meanwhile Shanghai will be clear tonight, with a low of 30,　sunny tomorrow, with a high of 40.

Lhasa will have showers tonight, 11 degrees the low, cloudy tomorrow with a high of 24.

Elsewhere in the world, staying in Asia

Islamabad, thundershowers, with a high of 33.

Kabul, sunny, 38.

Over in Australia

Sydney, sunny, highs of 20.

Canberra, overcast, 12.

Brisbane, sunny, 23.

And finally, Perth will be overcast with a high of 19.

 

 

Top News

 

 

Central China province to see extreme heat

 

Forecasters are warning of extremely hot weather poised to grip much of Hubei in the coming days.

Local meteorological authorities have already issued their first red alert this year for high temperatures.

Most parts of the province are expected to see temperatures above 37 degrees Celsius tomorrow.

Four cities, including Huangshi, Xianning, Huanggang, and Ezhou are forecast to see temperatures higher than 40 degrees Celsius.

Hot weather has been lingering in central China since July, causing drinking water shortages and affecting agricultural output.

 

 

Muslims celebrate Eid festival

 

Muslims across the world are marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan.

In Beijing, thousands of Muslims have gathered in the city's largest mosque to mark the Eid ceremony with prayers.

Local Iman Yin Guofang.

"Today is a big day for Muslims across the world, I want to take this opportunity to send our greetings. 'Salam' to Muslims in different countries, Salam Aleikum."

This year's Muslim Food Festival has also been launched at the Niujie Mosque in Beijing, with 26 popular Muslim restaurants across the city taking their food to the festival.

Meanwhile, tens of thousands of Muslims in Bangladesh have been heading home to celebrate the festival.

Trains have been packed with passengers heading home, forcing hundreds to travel dangerously perched on the carriage rooftops.

Meanwhile, in Egypt, ousted President Mohamed Morsi's supporters continue their sit-ins in two major squares of Cairo.

They say they're planning to hold their Eid festivities where they are.

"My response to the repeated statements once by the prime minister and also by both the interior minister and the minister of defence is - We are sticking to the square, we will not be terrorized by any threats, if you want to attack the square, then we are here, we shall face you with our chests, and our faith that God will grant us victory."

The Eid festival marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting.

It is traditionally celebrated with feasts, presents and new clothes.

 

 

Egypt's interim president declare foreign mediation a failure

 

The interim authorites in Egypt are on record saying all foreign mediation efforts to resolve the current political deadlock in the country have failed.

Interim President Adly Mansour had been talking to diplomats from the US, EU, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates:

"We have given a chance to all diplomatic efforts, to resolve the current issues in the Egyptian situation, and we gave enough space and exerted all efforts for the sake of stopping violence and bloodshed and returning to normal Egyptian society. I would like to be honest that these efforts did not achieve the desired success, in spite of the full support given by the Egyptian government."

Mansour says his government will now press ahead with its own roadmap for peace.

But at the same time, he says Egypt will welcome international support for the country's post-Morsi roadmap.

Meanwhile, Interim Prime Minister Hazem el-Beblawi is warning supporters of Mohamed Morsi their protest camps in Cairo will be dismantled.

The Muslim Brotherhood is so far refusing to move from its main protest site in Cairo's Nasr City neighbourhood.

 

 

Russia disappointed with U.S. decision to cancel Spetember summit

 

The Russian government is expressing disappointment in U.S. President Barack Obama's cancellation of next month's scheduled summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

But at the same time, the Kremlin says it remains ready to cooperate with the United States on many issues.

Obama's move is in response to Russia's decision to grant temporary asylum to NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden.

"I was disappointed because, you know, even though we don't have an extradition treaty with them, traditionally we have tried to respect if there's a law breaker or alleged law breaker in their country, we evaluate it, and we try to work with them. They didn't do that with us."

Despite the decision not to meet one-on-one with Putin, the White House says Obama still plans to attend the G20 summit next month in St. Petersburg.

Obama and Putin last met in June on the sidelines of the G8 summit in Northern Ireland.

Meanwhile, a meeting between the U.S and Russian foreign and defense ministers will take place as scheduled in Washington this Friday.

 

 

Czech Government of technocrats loses confidence vote

 

The new Czech government has lost a parliamentary confidence vote, making it possible for early elections to be held before the end of this year.

Only 93 of the 193 lawmakers in the lower house voted to support the new technocrat government.

Prime Minister Jiri Rusnok says he will resign.

"Our government will of course hand in its resignation to the president according to the constitutional order and I suppose that we will continue fulfilling the basic functions of the country's administration according to his instructions. In other words we will maintain the operation of the ministries."

President Milos Zeman appointed the country's new Cabinet last month following the collapse of former Prime Minister Petr Necas's government amid a series of corruption allegations.

Eight people, including two former MPs, have been detained in the largest anti-corruption investigation ever in the Czech Republic.

Under the country's constitution, the president does have a second chance to appoint a prime minister.

However, parliament maintains the power to dissolve itself and force early elections.

A number of parties are on record saying they will support a snap election.

The next election was originally scheduled for early next year.

 

 

Cambodia opposition leader asks UN to send "observer" for poll probe

 

The head of Cambodia's main opposition party has asked the United Nations to send in an observer to oversee an investigation into voting irregularities during the country's national election this past month.

The opposition contends there were numerous irregularities in the election which produced a result which is neither free or fair.

The ruling Cambodian People's Party officially took 68 of the 123 seats in parliament.

The main opposition garnered 55 seats.

Prime Minister Hun Sen is on record saying the new parliament will be established on-schedule, even though the opposition has boycotted the first session.

 

 

Flights resume in Kenya's airport

 

Flights have resumed at Nairobi's international airport, a day after a fire destroyed parts of the main airport in the Kenyan capital.

Kenyan officials are still scrambling to adjust schedules after being forced to shut the entire airport down.

Abigail Aaltje is a Dutch passenger waiting to head home.

"We received some information that we were supposed to fly out today but we are still have to wait and see whether that's actually the case. We've only just been picked up from the hotel."

Cargo and domestic flights out of Nairobi resumed early Wednesday evening.

International passengers have been given priority to fly to Kenya's second city Mombasa to connect with outbound flights.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

No one was hurt.

 

 

14 women, children killed in E. Afghan bombing

 

14 women and children are dead following a roadside bombing in eastern Afghanistan.

The group was visiting a cemetary to pay homage to a dead relative when the improvised explosive device went off.

3 other women and a child managed to survive the blast.

Certian Afghan tribes mark the end of Ramadan by visiting the grave sites of their relatives.

Investigators are trying to determine whether the bomb was set off intentionally by the militants who planted it, or whether someone in the group accidentally triggered it by stepping on a triggering device.

Over 13-hundred civilians were killed in Afghanistan through the first half of this year.

Death and injuries to Afghan women and children increased 38 percent through that same period.

 

 

One soldier killed in S. Philippine clash with Muslim rebels

 

One Filipino soldier is dead and 8 others wounded in fighting with Muslim militants in the restive southern Philippines this Thursday.

Government troops have launched an offensive in the province of Basilan.

Troops has assaulted a suspected hideout of Abu Sayyaf militants, seizing bomb-making materials.

The Philippine Military says it's currently in pursuit of the rebel fighters.

Philippine authorities have launched the offensive following a series of bombings over the past couple of weeks which have left over a dozen people dead.

 

 

3 injured, hundreds evacuated as Southern California wildfire grows

 

An out-of-control wildfire is growing with intense speed in Southern California.

This has forced the evacuation of hundreds of people from their homes in the mountains.

The wildfire has also injured three people.

The fire broke out Wednesday night and grew to more than 9 square miles within a few hours.

Captain Lucas Spelman is with the California Fire Department.

"Depending on what the wind does, it (the fire) could actually change direction as the cooling starts and starts moving in the opposite direction and as we move to that we definitely will have a different firefight on our hands."

The three injured include 2 firefighters, both of whom are hospitalized.

The extent of their injuries is unclear.

Fire officials say at least a dozen structures have been damaged or destroyed.

 

 

George W. Bush discharged from hospital

 

Former U.S. President George W. Bush has been discharged from hospital following a heart procedure.

The 67-year old previous US President had a stent inserted into one of his heart valves after doctors discovered a blockage during a routine physical.

A spokesperson for the former President says Bush is doing great, and is in high spirits.

Bush has had no previous heart trouble.

 

 

Taiwan to lift sanctions against the Philippines

 

Authorities on Taiwan are planning to cancel the sanctions they had been applying against the Philippines.

The announcement comes after Philippine investigators recommended homicide charges be laid against 8 coast guard officers involved in the fatal shooting of a fisherman from Taiwan in May.

Joseph Shih is spokesperson for the authorities on Taiwan.

"We are happy to see this incident settled in a peaceful way and will withdraw our sanctions and look forward to friendly cooperation with the Philippines. The priority for this case is to pursue justice for the victim's family and to protect the fishermen's fishing rights."

The Philippine investigation has determined the coast guard personnel were not in enough danger to justify firing on the fisherman's boat.

Those to face homicide charges include the coast guard patrol's commanding officer and seven of his crew.

Authorities on Taiwan have been imposing sanctions on the Philippines to rebuff the Philippines' initial response to the killing.

As part of the sanctions, authorities froze the hiring of Filipino workers and discouraged travel to the Philippines.

 

 

Memorial service held in NW China mudslide-hit zone

 

A memorial service has been held in Zhouqu County in Gansu Province to remember those who were killed in a massive mudslide there in 2010.

CRI's He Fei has the details.

Reporter:

The deadly mudslide killed more than 14-hundred people and injured some 22-hundred others.

The slide also left around 15-thousand homeless, while at the same time, damaging around 60-thousand other homes.

The local government of Zhouqu County launched the reconstruction as soon as the rescue effort came to an end.

Two new residential areas have been built in Zhouqu where over 3-thousand apartments are being provided to the relocated people of the town.

The whole project has cost over 5-billion Yuan.

The new community also has two open-air stadiums, a city square and a central park.

Precautionary systems for future geographic disasters have also been laid out in the region.

Yan Jiequn is an engineer from the local flood prevention office.

"We are able to broadcast the disaster warning massages though radio station and people can hear them from loudspeakers installed in many places amid the town. In emergency situations, I may turn on the warning system and speak through the microphone. Meanwhile, we can also send short messages to residents through mobile phone, or residents can report the disaster situations to the radio station and we broadcast them."

A mudslide drain has also been built as a precaution through the most seriously landslide-hit area in the Sanyan valley.

The artificial drain is over 2-kilometers-long, 18-meters-wide and 7-meters-deep, with 20 hectares of trees planted on the side of the valley.

The mountainous landscape and fragile soil conditions make Zhouqu an area vulnerable to mudslides.

Officials say the current situation in the area is partially caused by a lack of farmland.

However, plans to reclaim arable land from the local mountains have been rejected due to environmental concerns.

For CRI, this is He Fei.

 

 

The prospect of massive online open courses

 

The growing trend toward online education here in China is starting to raise questions about its effectiveness, and its overall viability.

While more and more people are choosing to take part in distance education in so-called Massive Online Open Courses, the drop-out rate for these programs is around 90-percent.

So to that end, CRI's Zheng Chenguang spoke earlier with Lu Jingyan, Assistant Professor with the University of Hong Kong.

…

Lu Jingyan, Assistant Professor with the University of Hong Kong, speaking with CRI's Zheng Chenguang.

 

 

Biz Reports

 

 

Asian Stock

 

Improving trade data has failed to lift the stock markets here in China as shares traded mixed on the two bourses.

Strong trade data here in China did give a temporary boost to stock prices.

However, it didn't last, as heavyweight companies including security brokers, coal producers and property developers all declined.

When the market closed,

the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index edging down 0.1 percent.

The Shenzhen Component Index gained 0.2 percent.

In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng advanced 0.3 percent.

Elsewhere,

Tokyo stocks have hit a month-and-a-half low Thursday, weighed down by weak Japanese business confidence data.

The Bank of Japan has also left its policies unchanged, as expected, while saying the domestic economy was "starting to recover moderately."

Despite this, the Nikkei 225 ended 1.6 percent lower.

But the new Chinese trade data did help bolster the South Korean market.

The benchmark KOSPI gained 0.3 percent.

In Singapore, the Straits Times Index was up 0.2 percent.

In Sydney, shares of mining giant Rio Tinto tacked on 1.5 percent before the release of its own financial results.

As such, the Australian ASX 200 closed 1 percent higher.

 

 

Chinese exports and imports rise more than expected

 

Anchor:

New stats show trade here in China has rebounded more than expected through July.

The details from CRI's Hu Jia.

Reporter:

The General Administration of Customs is reporting exports have increased 5.1-pecent through this past month to just under 186-billion US dollars.

Most analysts had only been expecting a rise of around 3-percent.

This follows a 2-percent decline in exports in June.

At the same time, imports are up almost 11-percent.

Huang Guohua is with the General Administration of Customs.

"Exports are driven by the recovering demand from international markets while the surge on imports shows domestic economy is gradually bouncing back, thus helped the double digit increase in home-grown demand."

Overall Chinese trade for July has increased 7.8-percent to just over 354-billion US dollars on an annualized basis.

The export of electronics and machinery products has increased by 4-percent in July to just under 103-billion US dollars.

This accounts for just over 55-percent of overall Chinese exports this past month.

Huang Guohua with the GAC says more selective trading has helped push the numbers up.

"Growth rate in the sector of general trade in July is much faster than that seen in processing trade which registered at 12.3 percent. This indicates our decision on what and who to trade has gained more footholds."

Two-way trade with Europe through last month is up 5-percent.

Trade with the United States is up 10-percent in July.

Chinese trade within Asia itself has also risen.

"China is gradually balancing the structure of its trading partners to preemptively enhance our ability to stay immune to the trading risks. Meanwhile, China is speeding up the establishment of FTAs for example with ASEAN and Switzerland."

There was an overwhelming improvement in commodity imports last month, with iron ore jumping 17 percent from June to a record high of 62.3 million tons.

Industrial output, inflation and producer price data is due out this Friday.

For CRI, I'm Hu Jia.

 

 

Shanghai Free Trade Zone Development Plan Expected to Debut Soon

 

The Ministry of Commerce here in China has confirmed the plans to create a Shanghai Free Trade Zone are now under final revision.

The Commerce Ministry says the Shanghai FTZ will become a testing ground for major policy reforms in an attempt to further free up cross-border trade and investments.

The ministry is also encouraging innovations in the service sector in Shanghai.

The government was originally scheduled to unveil the scheme by the end of July.

 

 

Chinese e-commerce boom reaches ROK, Japan

 

An online sales boom that has been fuelled by young Chinese consumers is now making its way into Japan and South Korea.

A new report released by Alipay, which is the online payment arm of Alibaba, says Chinese online shoppers usually prefer to buy from Europe and America.

However, they are now shifting their attention to the Japanese and South Korean markets.

Sources with Alipay say the company expects purchases from the two countries to exceed 10 billion yuan for the whole of the year.

The analysis also suggests cosmetics and clothes are the most purchased items among Chinese online shoppers.

Household appliances, food and air tickets are also becoming increasingly popular.

 

 

Japan Endorses Mid-Term Fiscal Reform Plan

 

Japan's parliament has passsed the government's mid-term fiscal reform plan.

The plan will enable the government to cut 4 trillion yen worth of spending in each of the next two years.

The Japanese government is hoping to carry a 19-trillion yen deficit in fiscal 2014.

The country is currently running a 23 trillion yen deficit.

The new fiscal strategy is based on plans by the government to bring in a two-stage sales tax over the next two years.

The sales tax in Japan is due to go from 5 percent to 8 percent in 2014, then to 10 percent in 2015.

 

 

ECB Forecasters Lower Euro-Zone Growth View

 

The European Central Bank has once again cut its growth outlook for the euro zone for this year and next.

ECB now expects the euro-zone will contract by 0.6-percent this year.

The latest projection is below the previous 0.4-percent estimate made three month ago.

Weak domestic demand and disappointing data from key emerging economies are beomg cited as main reason behind the downgrade.

However, the ECB has also revised down its inflation expectations by 0.2-percent to 1.5 percent this year.

It also says inflation is likely to remain at 1.5 percent through next year.

 

 

Australia's unemployment rate steady at 5.7 pct in July

 

New data shows Australia's unemployment rate has remained steady at 5.7 percent in July.

This has bested expectations of a spike to 5.8 percent.

Still, the Australian economy did shed 10-thousand-200 jobs in a further signs of a major slowdown in the country's mining sector.

The data comes just days after Australia's central bank slashed its key interest rate to an unprecedented low of 2.5 percent to try to boost the economy.

 

 

S. Korea freezes rates at 2.5 pct amid economic recovery

 

South Korea's central bank has kept its benchmark rates on hold at 2.5 percent on the back of solid economic recovery.

Bank of Korea has decided to freeze the rate after lowering it three months ago.

The decision is in line with market consensus.

South Korea's real GDP expanded 1.1 percent in the second quarter.

 

 

JPMorgan faces criminal and civil probes over mortgages

 

JPMorgan is reportedly being investigated by the U.S. government over its offerings of mortgage-backed securities.

The U.S. Department of Justice alleges the firm violated federal securities laws in offering of subprime mortgage securities during 2005 to 2007.

JPMorgan says it is responding to parallel investigations relating to mortgage-backed securities.

Federal prosecutors on Tuesday filed an $850 million dollar civil lawsuit against Bank of America over the sale of bonds backed by massive mortgages.

News of the investigations comes after U.S. President Barack Obama vowed to hold companies responsible in financing the housing bubble that blew up, causing the 2007-2008 financial crisis.

JPMorgan has already raised its estimate for possible legal losses to $6.8 billion at the end of June.

The previous estimate was $6 billion three months earlier.

 

 

Toyota recalling 342,000 Tacoma pickups For seat belt problem

 

Toyota is recalling of 342-thousand Tacoma pickup trucks.

The recall is due to defective seat belts.

The models involved are Tacoma Access Cabs built from 2004 to 2011.

Toyota will notify customers by mail.

 

 

Headline News

 

 

Muslims celebrate Eid festival

 

Muslims across the world are marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan.

In Beijing, thousands of Muslims have gathered in the city's largest mosque to mark the Eid ceremony with prayers.

Meanwhile, tens of thousands of Muslims in Bangladesh have been heading home to celebrate the festival.

Trains have been packed with passengers heading home, forcing hundreds to travel dangerously perched on the carriage rooftops.

In Egypt, ousted President Mohamed Morsi's supporters continue their sit-ins in two major squares of Cairo.

.

 

 

Central China province to see extreme heat

 

Extremely hot weather is expected to hit central China's Hubei Province.

Local meteorological authorities issued its first red alert this year for high temperatures.

Most parts of the province are predicted to see temperatures greater than 37 degrees Celsius, while the four cities of Huangshi, Xianning, Huanggang, and Ezhou will likely see temperatures higher than 40 degrees Celsius.

The Hubei Provincial Meteorological Bureau has launched an emergency response to the extreme weather.

Hot weather has been lingering in central China since July, causing drinking water shortages and affecting agricultural output.

 

 

China's exports improve in July

 

New stats show Chinese exports have rebounded significantly through July.

The General Administration of Customs is reporting exports have increased 5.1-pecent through this past month to just under 186-billion US dollars.

This comes following a 2-percent decline in exports in June.

Overall Chinese trade for July has increased 7.8-percent to just over 354-billion US dollars on an annualized basis.

Two-way trade with Europe through last month is up 5-percent.

Trade with the United States is up 10-percent in July.

The export of electronics and machinery products has increased by 4-percent in July to just under 103-billion US dollars.

This accounts for just over 55-percent of overall Chinese exports this past month.

 

 

14 women, children killed in E. Afghan bombing

 

14 women and children are dead following a roadside bombing in eastern Afghanistan.

The group was visiting a cemetary to pay homage to a dead relative when the improvised explosive device went off.

3 other women and a child managed to survive the blast.

Certian Afghan tribes mark the end of Ramadan by visiting the grave sites of their relatives.

Investigators are trying to determine whether the bomb was set off intentionally by the militants who planted it, or whether someone in the group accidentally triggered it by stepping on a triggering device.

Over 13-hundred civilians were killed in Afghanistan through the first half of this year.

Death and injuries to Afghan women and children increased 38 percent through that same period.

 

 

Newspaper Picks

 

 

Shanghai Daliy

"Tickets slashed by 50% for tourism fest"

In the build-up to the Shanghai Tourism Festival in September, local authorities are offering 50 percent discounts at 52 scenic spots in the city for five days.

Most sites reported a big jump in visitors when they offered discounts during the "China Tourism Day" in May this year and during the Shanghai Tourism Festival in September last year.

This year, the Shanghai Tourism Bureau have added another 10 tourist spots for discounts, including the Shanghai Grand View Garden and Chocolate Happy Land.

The offer will be available from September 14 for five days. The festival will run from September 14 to October 6.

It was the third straight year that discounts are being offered at major tourist attractions across China. The scheme was created following complaints that scenic spots were overpriced.

China Daily

"China has a new 'tallest building'"

The final steel beam was placed atop the Shanghai Tower, making the structure China's newest "tallest building" and a standing testament to the country's construction frenzy.

Designed by US architecture firm Gensler, the dragon-shaped tower is the final skyscraper in the Lujiazui financial district's high-rise trilogy — along with the Shanghai World Financial Center and Jin Mao Tower.

It will soar to 632 meters, and is scheduled for completion by 2015.

To distinguish itself from its high-rise neighbors that solely provide space for offices, dining, shopping, hotels and entertainment, the tower is to be built into a cultural community.

Apart from Shanghai, other cities have also started planning or constructing mega- structures.

Zhongnan Group in Jiangsu province aims to build a skyscraper in Suzhou's Industrial Park. Although, the blueprint is yet to be finalized, media speculation suggests the building could stand more than 700 meters.

The Telegraph

"Urge to be a mother decreases with higher IQ"

Research suggests more intelligent women are less likely to choose not to have children.

A study has found that the maternal urge of women decreases with every 15 extra IQ points.

The revelations follow official figures which show the number of women without children has almost doubled since the late 1990s.

Dr Nattavudh Powdthavee, a social scientist of the University of York, argued that the idea that the key to happiness is having children was an "illusion" and said there was almost no association between children and contentment.

He said parents spend much of their time attending to the very core processes of childcare: problems at school, cooking, laundry.

And it's these small but negative experiences that are more likely to impact on our day-to-day levels of happiness and life satisfaction.

Fox News

"Eating a big breakfast could speed weight loss"

It's reported people who consumed their largest, most caloric meal at breakfast were able to lose more weight than those who ate their largest meal later in the day.

Researchers studied 93 obese women assigned to one of two 12-week diet plans.

The first eating plan required the women to consume 700 calories at breakfast, 500 at lunch and 200 at dinner.

The second plan reversed that order, requiring the women to eat 200 calories at breakfast, 500 at lunch and 700 at dinner.

Overall, the women who consumed their largest meal at breakfast lost 18 pounds and 3 inches off their waistline, while the group that consumed their largest meal at dinner lost only 7 pounds on average and 1.4 inches off their waistlines.

Additionally, the women in the large breakfast group displayed significantly lower levels of insulin, glucose and triglycerides. These factors can help lower the risk for obesity-related health issues like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol.

 

 

Special Reports

 

 

Bookstore

 

Anchor:

With online book transactions and e-reading becoming increasingly popular here in China, many of this country's bricks and mortar bookstores are struggling to stay afloat.

On top of this, the surging property market is also making their survival even more difficult.

CRI's Li Dong has more.

Reporter:

The first Jifeng Bookstore opened in 1997. The brand used to have 8 franchises and was known as Shanghai's cultural landmark, but now, only two remain.

Yu Miao is the general manager of Jifeng Bookstore.

"Last year, the rent of our bookstore exceeded our maximum budget. We were still trying to make it through, but if the rent rises again, we won't be able to."

A similar situation is taking place in Nanjing, Mou Bingwen is the manager of Popular Bookmall in Nanjing.

"The biggest problems are the soaring rent in the context of a downtrend market and the rising cost of labor resources."

Obviously, the popularization of online book buying and the changing of people's reading habits have also placed significant pressure on traditional bookstores. More readers are now reading on electronic books, mobile phones or gadgets such as iPads.

Meanwhile, some bricks and mortre bookstores can survive by initiating new modes of operation. One Popular Bookmall store in Shanghai is being promoted as a women themed bookstore. Another bookstore brand, One-way Street Bookstore is gaining popularity through holding cultural activities.

Xiao Wu is the manager of the bookshop.

"We carefully select each book and we hold high-standard public welfare cultural salons each weekend: these are our specialties."

More than 500 salons have been held at One-way Street Bookstore in the past seven years. And One-way Street also uses Weibo as an effective platform to attract many mobile internet uses.

Another bookstore, Fenglinwan turns their focus to meet the specific demand from enterprises. By making customized libraries for enterprises, Fenglinwan also stepped out of the traditional, single operating mode.

An economic commentator with CCTV says that the government should provide preferential policies to these bricks and mortor bookstores. But it's not just a matter of giving subsidies, there should be a focus on restoring the habit of enjoying paper books among the public and the atmosphere provided by bookstores.

For CRI, I am Li Dong.

 

 

Sports

 

 

Chinese shuttlers strong at World Championships

 

It's been a solid day for Chinese compeditors so far this Thursday at the World Badminton Championships taking place in Guangzhou.

Chinese men's singles star Lin Dan was victorious today, taking out Malaysia's Chong Wei Feng in straight sets, 22-20, 21-10.

2nd seeded Chen Long only needed 49-minutes to dispatch Malaysia's Darin Liew 21-18, 21-15.

Third-seeded Du Pengyu is also through to the quarter-finals.

However, he needed three sets to down Japan's Takuma Ueda 21-19, 13-21, 21-7.

14th seeded Wang Zhengming wasn't so lucky.

He was hammered this afternoon by world number-1 Malaysian Lee Chong Wei 21-12, 27-7.

On the women's singles side, top seeded Li Xuerui is easily through to the next round.

It only took her 30-minutes to dispatch 9th seeded Lindaweni Fanetri 21-10, 21-12.

7th seeded Wang Shixian downed Japan's Eriko Hirose 21-8, 21-13.

It was 6th seeded Tai Tzu-ying from Taiwan downing Bulgaria's Linda Zetchiri 21-13, 21-16.

Hong Kong's Yip Pui-yin is done. The 16th seed was bounced by Thailand's 4th ranked Intanon Ratchanok in straight sets.

Women's number-2 seed Wang Yihan is currently taking on 10th seeded Indian P.V. Sindhu.

In Men's doubles, it was the Chinese duo of Cai Yun and Fu Haifeng taking down a Malaysian pair in straight sets.

In women's doubles action, it was the Chinese team of Wang Xiaoli and Yu Yang hammering South Korea's Lee Hee-so and Shin Chan-seung 21-7, 21-3.

On the mixed doubles bracket, tt was second-seeded Zhang Nan and Zhao Yunlei dispatching a duo from Indonesia in straight sets.

 

 

Li Na through to round 3 at Rogers Cup

 

Li Na is now set to face 16th seeded Russian Ana Ivanovic in the 3rd round of the Rogers Cup tennis tournament in the Canadian city of Toronto later on this Thursday.

This, after the 4th seed easily dispatched Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-1, 6-4 in her first match at the tournament.

Li Na had a bye through the first round.

In other action in the women's draw on Wednesday, it was Serena Williams easily winning her first match of the tournament, hammering Italian Francesca Schiavone 6-3, 6-2.

Williams will now have a chance to avenge her sister when she takes on Belgium's Kirsten Flipkens in the quarter-finals.

Flipkins bounced Venus Williams in the first round of this tournament.

5th seeded Sara Irrani is also through to the quarter finals, after bouncing Czech Klara Zakopalova 6-2, 7-6.

On the men's side, world number-2 Andy Murray is set to take on Lativan Ernest Gublis

Murray is into the 3rd round after dispatching Spain's Marcel Granollers 6-4, 6-4 on Wednesday.

The Wimbledon champ says he's using the tournament in Canada as a tune-up for the forthcoming US Open.

"I think the preparations are stay pretty much the same. It's a new experience for me so I can say 'I can handle it well' but also I don't know. I have never been in that position before so I will do all of the same sort of things I did last year to get ready.I will stay in the same hotel and get comfortable in the same sort of surroundings. Hopefully (I will) perform well. It is probably not an easy thing to do I would imagine. But I'll just have to wait and see and deal with it."

Other action later on this Thursday on the men's side in city of Montreal will see 4th seeded Rafael Nadal taking on Poland's Jerzy Janokowitz.

World Number-1 Novak Djokovic will battle rising Uzbek star Denis Istomin.

9th seeded Kei Nishikori of Japan will take on 7th seeded Frenchman Richard Gasquet.

And Canadian Milos Raonic will try to keep his run going in front of the home audience when he takes on Argentine Juan Martin Del Potro.

 

 

Quarter final draw set at Asian Basketball Championships

 

The quarter final draw has now been set at the Asian Basketball Championships in the Philippines.

China's men's team has been matched up in the quarter finals against Chinese Taipei.

Chinese Taipei comes into the match having only lost 1 of its 5 group matches.

The mainland squad finished its group matchs with a 3-2 record.

Other matchups have top-ranked Iran taking on Jordan.

Iran is the only undefeated team at the tournament.

Host Philippines will battle Kazakhstan.

And South Korea will take on Qatar.

The relegation matchups have Hong Kong taking on Bahrain.

The Hong Kong squad has yet to win a game at the tournament.

And Japan will take on India.

All these matches will take place on Friday.

 

 

PGA Championships are underway

 

This year's PGA Championships is underway.

The first groups teed off about half-an-hour ago at Oak Hill in Rochester, New York.

Defending Champion Rory McIlroy, who will tee off later on in the afternoon, will be looking to turn his game around in Rochester.

The young star from Northern Ireland has been struggling this year.

He's been paired up with Vijay Singh and Martin Kaymer through the first two rounds.

Despite not being able to hoist a trophy so far this year, McIlroy says he's feeling good heading into this year's Championships.

"Yeah, I mean, first and foremost, I just haven't been swinging it the best this year. I got into a couple bad habits with my golf swing, and it's just taken my a little bit longer to get out of them and obviously when you're fighting that so much, it's hard to play the golf that I want to play, which is fluid, which is free-flowing, I guess. That's the way I play my best, you know, trying to work on my swing so much this year has not allowed me to do that, just because I've been trying to get the club in the right position to enable me to hit the shots that I know I can play."

Tiger Woods, coming of a 7-stroke victory at the Bridgestone Invitational last week, is golfing with Davis Love III and Keegan Bradley.

He's due to tee off in just under an hour.

British Open Champion Phil Mickelson, who is also a favorite to win this year's PGA Championships, will be golfing with Adam Scott and Justin Rose.

That group has an afternoon start.

 

 

Real Madrid won Champions Cup after beating Chelsea 3:1

 

Cristiano Ronaldo scored a pair of goals to help Real Madrid to a 3-1 victory over Chelsea in the final of the Guinness International Champions Cup in Florida.

Ronaldo scored the eventual winner on a free kick in the 30th minute after being taken down from behind.

He also potted Real's 3rd marker in the 57th minute.

The Guinness International Champions Cup is made up of a number of international teams who are using the competition in the United States to prepare for their forthcoming seasons.

The tournament has seen games played in a number of locations around the United States in an effort to try to promote football in the US market.

 

 

Entertainment

 

 

"Elysium" premieres in LA

 

The stars of late-Summer blockbuster "Elysium" celebrated at the film's premiere in LA overnight.

The event took place at the Westwood Theatre, which star Matt Damon recognized as the location of his first ever premiere for "Good Will Hunting".

In the film, Damon plays a former car thief doing practical slave labour who accidentally finds himself with only days to live.

The politically charged film deals with issues of wealth gaps, immigration and healthcare.

Director Neill Blomkamp sets the story in the year 2154 when only the wealthy can escape the dilapidated state of the Earth by moving to orbital oasis "Elysium".

Blomkamp talks about his decision to film much of the movie in Mexico.

"It basically put Americans in the feeling of looking over the fence, kind of like what it feels like in Mexico. They are looking up in this film, and that was the idea. We needed to go to Mexico to get it has broken and devoid of all resources as the outskirts of Mexico City are. It's really flipped the point of view for someone who is American that now you're on your side of the border. That was the idea."

"Elysium" opens today in Israel, and will arrive at cinemas across the world later in the month.

 

 

Ashton Kutcher talks new Steve Jobs biopic

 

Ashton Kutcher attended a special event in anticipation of his upcoming Steve Jobs biopic "Jobs" overnight.

The New York MOMA played host to the pres junket for the Joshua Michael Stern picture.

The film follows the life of the mastermind behind Apple Computer and features Josh Gad as co-founder Steve Wozniak.

Kutcher says he undertook extensive research to prepare himself for the role.

"I probably watched a hundred speeches that Steve gave over the years, and that gave me an indication of what Steve wanted people to think about Steve. We all have an image we want to portray and we want other people to think something about us. But more valuable than Steve's speech was Jon Ive's (Apple Design Chief) eulogy about Steve, where he explained what he thought about Steve and how he felt about him. Maybe he saw the Steve that Steve didn't always want to show."

Steve Jobs was highly influential in the revolution of personal computing as the CEO of Apple Inc.

He also co-founded Pixar Animation Studios and served on the board of directors for The Walt Disney Company.

Jobs passed away from Insulinoma at the age of 56 in 2011.

"Jobs" was chosen to close this year's Sundance Film Festival back in January and has been a highly anticipated picture.

The film will be released on 15 August in Singapore, arriving in the US a day later.

 

 

Arcade Fire to score new Spike Jonze movie

 

It has been confirmed that Arcade Fire will record the soundtrack for Spike Jonze's upcoming film, "Her"

The film stars Joaquin Phoenix as a lonely man who falls in love with a Siri-like voice recognition program.

Scarlett Johansson provides the voice for the alluring computer program.

Olivia Wilde, Rooney Mara and Amy Adams completes the cast.

This is not the first time the "Being John Malchovitch" director has teamed up with the Canadian band.

Jonze directed a 30 minute short film inspired by Arcade Fire's Grammy-winning album "The Suburbs", scenes from which was used in the music video to the title single.

The band also recorded an acoustic version of their hit "Wake Up" for Jonze's 2009 film Where the Wild Things Are.

Arcade Fire have also been working on a collection of new material, which is expected to drop in October.

"Her" will be released in the US late November while Arcade Fire's yet untitled

 

 

The Killers collaborates with M83

 

Las Vegas band the Killers have been hitting up the studio with the founder of M83, Anthony Gonzalez.

The French producer's electronic band supported the Killers on their US tour back in 2009.

M83 broke into the mainstream with 2011 hit "Midnight City.

The Killers, who are known to shy-away from producer collaborations made an exception for Gonzalez.

Guitarist Dave Keuning said that the band were proud of the fruit of their jam session, adding that the Killers would like to see it released as a single.

Whilst Keuning said a whole album of M83 collaborations was unlikely, fans have no need to despair.

The band have reportedly been working on their 5th studio album since March.

 

 

Rookie director only Mainland finalist for Horizon Award at Venice Film Festival

 

A young Chinese director has conquered fierce competition to make it into the shortlist for the Venice Film Festival's Horizon Award.

28 year old Wang Xiaowei's short film "Backwater" is the only mainland entry to be selected as a finalist for the prestigious award.

Previous Chinese directors to make the cut include Jia Zhang Ke, who took home best screeplay for "A touch of Sin" at this year's Cannes.

"Backwater" is only Wang's second ever production and centres on a painter's dialogue with a taxi driver on a hot Beijing afternoon.

The Horizone Award will be presented at 70th Venice International Film Festival, which will runs from August 28 to September 7.