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Here are today’s picks from our editors.
Xi stresses focusing on reform to strengthen military
Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, has stressed concentrating efforts to implement the strategy of strengthening the military through reform to advance the cause of building a strong military in the new era.
Xi made the remarks while presiding over a group study session of the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau on reforming military policies and institutions on Tuesday.
Xi noted the historic change to the organizational structure of China's military and the revolutionary shift in its force composition through reforms since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012.
Xi said the reform of military policies and institutions aims to address the incompatibility of policies with the new era, new missions and new institutions.
Xi spoke of the need to focus on reform targets, stay confident and determined, and rise to challenges in the reform.
He also stressed the complexity of the reform of military policies and institutions and the need to take a holistic approach. (Xinhua)
China to improve litigation services
The Supreme People's Court (SPC) has asked for improved litigation services by developing easier ways to file cases and solve disputes, according to a guideline issued by the SPC on Thursday.
A one-stop dispute settlement mechanism should be established across China by the end of 2020, the guideline said, noting the mechanism will provide easier ways to solve disputes at lower costs.
Mediation committees, administrative agencies, and lawyers as well as commerce chambers should be used to the fullest potential before court proceedings to settle the disputes, the document said. (Xinhua)
Al-Qaeda heir Hamza bin Laden killed: US media
Osama bin Laden's son Hamza, chosen heir to the leadership of Al-Qaeda, has been killed, US media reported Wednesday citing US officials.
NBC News said three US officials had confirmed they had information of Hamza bin Laden's death, but gave no details of the place or date.
The New York Times subsequently cited two US officials saying they had confirmation that he was killed during the last two years in an operation that involved the US. (AFP)
US Navy fighter jet crashes in national park
A US Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet jet on Wednesday crashed in Death Valley National Park, leaving seven visitors with minor injuries.
The crash occurred at about 10 am near an area known as "Star Wars Canyon," 380 kilometers north of Los Angeles, not far from the Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, and area that offers rare opportunities for tourists to photograph jets flying, local media reported.
US Navy's search-and-rescue teams planned to continue their search for the pilot throughout the night. (Xinhua)
US designates Brazil as major non-NATO ally
US President Donald Trump designated Brazil as a major non-NATO ally, opening doors to further military cooperation with the South American country.
In a memo released Wednesday, Trump made good on a previous promise to make Brazil the second country in South America after Argentina a major non-NATO ally.
The designation would give Brazil preferential access to certain kinds of US military assistance, including purchasing excess defense items and participating in cooperative defense research and development projects. (Xinhua)
Water Cube to serve as both swimming pool and ice rink
The 2008 Beijing Olympic Games' icon venue, the Water Cube, has been transformed into the "Ice Cube,” which is the world's first Winter Olympic Stadium to create curling ice in a swimming pool.
The construction of the convertible structure of the Water Cube was completed on Tuesday.
Following the completion of major construction, the Water Cube will finish sports lighting renovations, ice-making, and air-conditioning in the curling competition venues in October.
The Ice Cube will make its debut in December when it hosts the China Youth Curling Championship. (Xinhua)
Chinese ‘cute goddess’ online host revealed as 58-year-old receives ban
Chinese live-streaming platform Douyu has deleted the videos and banned an online celebrity who was previously worshipped as a "cute goddess" and who later turned out to be a 58-year-old woman who was revealed during a technical glitch.
Douyu said her deceit was intended to self-hype and her improper remarks "challenged the public's bottom line and caused adverse social impact."
The online celebrity was known for her "sweet and healing voice" and was worshiped as a "cute goddess" by tens of thousands of followers. During her earlier online broadcasts her face was blocked by a superimposed emoji.
Her true likeness was finally revealed after a technical glitch on July 25 exposed her to be a much older woman.
Most Chinese netizens supported Douyu's move to ban the woman. (Global Times)
Thanks for listening and be sure to catch us tomorrow.
And now for the Question of the Day:
How many separate patents did Thomas Edison file?
(Answer: 1093.)
Today's quote is from English philosopher John Locke (1632-1704).
"All men are liable to error; and most men are, in many points, by passion or interest, under temptation to it."
(Produced by Nancy Yan Xu, Ryan Yaoran Yu, Lance Crayon, Elaine Yue Lin, and Paris Yelu Xu. Music by Eugene Loner.)