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

Coming up on the program this evening...

A group of executives from over 20 listed Chinese companies are stepping up to try to end the downturn on the A-share market.

The death toll from a factory collapse in east China has hit 11.

Voters in Greece are heading to the polls to vote on the latest EU bailout offer.

In the 2nd half of the hour, we'll bring you some of the stories which caught headlines in the world of Science and Technology.

In Sports.... England beats Germany for bronze at this year's Women's World Cup.

In Entertainment.... a new music video connected to the fourth and final Tiny Times film has been released.

All of that coming up in the next hour, but first, just a reminder there are several ways to reach out to us here on the Beijing Hour.

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Top News20-plus China listed firms' executives to increase shareholdingExecutives, board members and controlling shareholders of more than 20 listed companies in China have announced plans to increase the amount of shares they hold in their own firms in an effort to cut their losses on the markets.

The companies include 9 listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange and 14 on the tech-heavy Shenzhen Stock Exchange.

This comes on the heels of 25 different publically-traded funds also promising a buyback of their shares, promising to hold them for at least a year.

28 Chinese companies poised to go public soon have also announced they're delaying their initial public offerings.

It's unclear if they've made this decision on their own, or whether regulators have postponed the IPO's.

The same companies have also announced they'll be refunding the money already given to them by institutional investors starting next week.

All this comes as Chinese authorities struggle to bring a massive sell-off on the A-share market over the past 3-weeks to an end.

This has included interest rate and reserve-requirement cuts, as well as loosened rules to allow for additional margin trading.

Under the amended margin trading rules, retail investors with portfolios under 500-thousand yuan will now be able to borrow against the value of their holdings to invest in the markets.

The Shanghai Stock Exchange has lost around 30-percent of its value over the past month.

A rapid influx of new IPO's last month saw existing cash on the markets being moved into the new issues, sending the markets on an initial downward trend.

A number of observers have suggested the initial shock of that downturn then spooked retail, or individual investors, who then began selling-off their shares in a bid to limit their losses.

Factory collapse kills 11 in east ChinaThe death toll from a factory collapse in the city of Wenling in Zhejiang has risen to 11.

33 others have been hospitalized, four of whom are said to be in critical condition.

Mao Weihua, vice-director of one of the hospitals treating some of the injured, says they're coordinating amongst themselves as to how to best treat the injured.

"We have set up a special emergency team for these patients. The team consists of surgeons-in-charge and orthopedists-in-charge. We will observe and discuss their condition every day and find the most proper treatment. If we run across difficulties, we'll ask the doctors from bigger hospitals for help."51 people were working inside the brick-built shoe factory in Wenling when it collapsed on them late Saturday afternoon.

Only 9 inside the building managed to make it out unscathed.

The last of the 42-others trapped under the rubble were pulled free early this Sunday morning.

Around 300 people took part in the rescue operation.

Authorities have not said what they believe may have caused the building to come down.

Speeding causes bus crash into Jilin river: policeSpeeding and dangerous driving are being blamed for an accident this past week in northeastern China which left a number of South Korean tourists dead.

Ten South Korean tourists were killed, along with one of the Chinese driver, when their tour bus plunged through a guard-rail and into a ravine in the city of Ji'an in Jilin on Thursday.

Su Wenbo with Ji'an Police says they've determined the bus was travelling well above the 40-kilometer per hour speed limit when it hit a tight corner.

"We believe the bus was moving at a speed anywhere from 64 to 88 kilometers per hour when the accident happened, which is well above the speed limit. Our preliminary investigation shows that the cause of the accident was speeding and improper steering by the driver."Meanwhile, one of the South Korean officials who was sent to Jilin to deal with the aftermath of the accident is also dead.

The official fell from a hotel balcony in Ji'an early this morning.

The circumstances behind his death have not been made public.

230 Victims from Taiwan Water Park Blaze in Critical ConditionHealth authorities in Taiwan say a total of 230 people are now listed in critical condition following last weekend's massive Water Park fire in New Taipei City.

An additional 19 victims are listed in critical condition, as their infections brought on from their burns is putting their lives in-danger.

A number of them have been isolated in special units specifically to prevent infections from burns.

Cai Mingzhong, head the Taiwan Medical Association, says many of the injured are still fighting for their lives.

"The second week of recovery from burns is often the most critical time. If they can start recovering from this point for the next 2-weeks, its likely they will survive their injuries."Victims of severe burns can often survive for many days after the initial burns, only to succumb from infections.

So far the death toll from the fire at the outdoor water park in New Taipei City stands at 2.

However, close to 500 others were hurt after a theatrical powder caught fire while being blown into the crowd, creating a massive fire-ball which engulfed around half the crowd at the event.

The cause of the fire still remains unclear.

Voting in Greek referendum beginsVoting in the Greek referendum is now underway.

Voters in the country are casting ballots to determine whether to accept a new offer from its European creditors.

Hundreds of Greek voters are heading to the polls to vote "yes" or "no" on a new package.

It would require the Greek government to bring in further taxes and cuts to social-welfare programs in-exchange for a new batch of cash to keep the country from going bankrupt.

"I don't know what the result will be. I hope that it will be 'no' because it's a matter of democracy and equality. It's an issue that regards the basic ideals of the European Union and the basic principles and values of a nation's people to move with dignity within the European Union.""I think we have to vote 'yes' because if we want to stay in the European Union, for me, it's absolutely necessary this, so I'm supporting very strongly a 'yes' vote."Despite the potential economic threat Greece faces, including being kicked out of the eurozone, Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has been calling on voters to reject the European offer, saying the country is being "held hostage," and can hold-out for a better deal.

Opinion polling ahead of the vote suggests the outcome is going to be very close.

The results of the Greek vote are expected sometime early Monday morning Beijing-time.

Tunisia announces state of emergencyTunisian President Beji Essebsi has declared a state-of-emergency in his country.

This follows the militant attack on a beach hotel last week that has left 38 foreigners dead.

Essebsi, in declaring the state-of-emergency, is describing Tunisia as being in a "in a state of war," leaving many in Tunisia wondering what that's going to mean for their daily lives.

"I think that emergency state duration is limited and will last for a short period of time; it is justified by the terrorist attack in Sousse. There were many victims, tourism was affected and Tunisian economy was shaken by this, and we are all against this chaos in Tunisia and in the Arab countries.""I don't think that it will dramatically change... reduce the risks that are playing now. I'm not so much in favour of expressing state of emergency."Tunisian authorities are already moving to try to crack down on Islamist factions in the predominantly-secular country, including shutting down around 80 mosques suspected of recruiting young Tunisians into militant acts.

Authorities believe last week's attack is going to cost the country around 500-million US dollars in lost tourism revenues.

London bombings effect on UK security 10 years onAnchor:

This coming Tuesday is set to mark the 10th anniversary of the so-called 7/7 bombings in London.

AS CRI's Sophie Williams reports, 10-year's on, UK officials are still working to try to ensure future attacks can be prevented.

Reporter:

Some ten years have passed since four suicide bombers struck the heart of central London during the morning rush hour on July 7th, 2005.

A total of 52 people were killed and hundreds more injured.

From that day on, Britain's security landscape changed.

On June 30th of this year, London played host to its largest ever security exercise which saw armed police responding to 'maurauding' gunmen.

This exercise came just days after 30 British nationals were gunned down at a Tunisian beach resort.

Britain's security threat level currently stands at severe, suggesting authorities believe an attack is highly likely.

This has put UK emergency services into high-scale preparations.

Maxine de Brunner is London's Metropolitan Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner.

She says the UK capital needs to be ready to handle an attack.

"We have looked at events across and around the world since 7/7 and have said to ourselves, 'Would we be ready if there was that style of attack, whether it be France or Tunisia or wherever it may be, would we be ready for that style of attack here in London?"Over the past decade, the threat from terrorists has changed somewhat.

The attacks during 7/7 were directed at a distance from Afghanistan and Pakistan by al-Qaeda.

But today, Britain is facing the threat of home-grown terrorism, particularly from those who have sympathies toward the Islamic State.

Doctor Hugo Rosemont is the Assistant Director of the Centre for Defence Studies at the Department for War Studies at King's College London.

He says authorities need to be reaching out to young members of the UK's growing minority populations if they want to help prevent attacks.

"I think one of the things that UK government and other governments also need to do is reach out outside of government more, working with communities and others, funding that as appropriate to make sure that these ideas don't take root among particularly younger members of society who may feel that they have a motivation or a cause to do this."For the family of Miriam Hyman, educating young people and preventing further attacks has become their main goal.

Miriam was killed during the attacks on London when a suicide bomber detonated an explosive on board a bus in Tavistock square.

Her mother and sister are trying to introduce lesson plans about the July 7th bombings into schools, as many of the younger children may never have heard of the attacks.

Miriam's mother Mavis says with the current threat from the Islamic State, it's important to get into schools as early as possible to educate students.

"They really are pumping messages of hatred, they are pumping messages of negativity, and what we are doing by getting in as early as possible to countermand this,"On Tuesday, the tenth anniversary, a memorial service will be held at St Paul's Cathedral, followed by a minute's silence across the whole of London's transport network.

For CRI, I'm Sophie Williams.

US July 4th Celebration on High Terrorism AlertAnchor:

Concerns about the potential for terrorism has authorities in the United States on heightened alert as Americans celebrate their annual 4th of July Independence Day holiday.

CRI's He Fei has more from Washington D.C.

Reporter:

"Happy 4th of July everybody."With the good wishes from President Obama, the American people started their celebration early in the morning. As a tradition, families gather along the Constitution Ave. in Washington D.C. to watch and participate in the annual Independence Day Parade.

"I have lived in this area for about ten years. I tried to come to the parade every year."This is Phil Helgerson, who lives in southern Maryland, not far from the capital. And this year, the tradition includes even more excitement. His grandsons are also participating.

"I have two grandsons in high school in Massachusetts. And their band was chosen to represent Massachusetts in the parade so it's exciting to see them come all the way from there. "The big party aims to represent all parts of the United States, all of its 50 states. It consists of invited bands, fife and drum corps, floats, a variety of specialty units and equestrians.

"Happy birthday America."4-year old Hollace Oaks comes with her parents from Virginia, about four hours drive to DC. The family dresses her up with the elements of the American National Flag, which is a red, white and blue celebration. Her mother Missy Oaks has a day plan for the family.

"We are here to see the parade and afterwards we gonna go over and get a spot in capitol hill so we can watch the fireworks tonight and listen to the concert and just enjoy the day in Washington D.C. "When people are having fun with the Parade, security staff are on highly alert. Both home and abroad, US leaders have been taking steps to increase security, following a warning from security officials that the July 4th celebration could be targets of a terror threat. An air show at a US Air Force base in Britain has just been canceled yesterday. And states like New York have all increased security efforts, putting officials on high alert.

In D.C., there are more police officers guarding the parade this year with only a few steps between the two stand guards. Plus, more patrol officers can be seen riding motorcycles back and forth. The good news is the majority of people are less worried than the authorities.

"I'm not that concerned about that. I think the security here is outstanding.""We still think we should celebrate America and come out and just enjoy the day. So we're just thinking in a very positive way that we should enjoy and celebrate America."The one day celebration will be continued later today with an all-star concert in front of the Capital Hill and be concluded with the traditional firework performance at the Washington Monument.

For CRI, I'm He Fei in Washington.

Despite progress in Iran nuclear talks, dispute over U.N. sanctions remainAnchor:

While a major breakthrough has been achieved at this weekend's talks in Vienna connected to Iran's nuclear enrichment program, negotiations are still pressing forward ahead of Tuesday's deadline to get a deal done.

CRI's Poornima Weerasekara has more.

Reporter:

After marathon nuclear talks on Saturday in Vienna, Iran is finally relenting to ship over 7,500 kilograms of its low enriched uranium to Russia by the end of June.

The U.N. nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency says this is a major breakthrough.

It is the first concrete step that Tehran is taking to reduce its domestic Uranium stockpile.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says Tehran was willing to be more pragmatic as long as its international partners were not being coercive.

"At this eleventh hour, despite some differences that remain, we have never been closer to a lasting outcome but there is no guarantee. Getting to yes requires the courage to compromise, the self-confidence to be flexible, the maturity to be reasonable, the wisdom to set aside illusions and the audacity to break old habits. I see hope because I see emergence of reason over illusion. I sense that my negotiating partners have recognised that coercion and pressure never lead to lasting solutions but to more conflict and further hostility."Negotiators from Iran and six world powers - including the United States, Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia – have already missed a June 30 deadline for a final agreement.

They have given themselves until next Tuesday, July 7 to come up with a comprehensive deal to lift international sanctions in exchange for Tehran scaling back its nuclear program.

Meanwhile, the head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog Yukiya Amano says they could issue a report on its investigation into past Iranian research suspected of being linked to nuclear weapons development by the end of the year. He has also hinted that Tehran was willing to cooperate on this.

"With cooperation from Iran, I think we can issue a report by the end of the year on the assessment of the clarification of the issues related to the possible military dimension. Once an agreement is reached on the joint comprehensive plan of action the IAEA is ready to implement the nuclear related elements when requested.

Amano was in Tehran on Thursday for meetings with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and other top Iranian officials to discuss the stalled IAEA investigation into Tehran's past nuclear work.

Answering questions about the possible military dimensions (PMD) of past Iranian nuclear research has been one of the major sticking points in the negotiations.

Others include gaining access to Iranian nuclear sites to monitor compliance with a future agreement and coming up with a timetable for lifting economic sanctions.

US Secretary of State John Kerry and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi have remained in Vienna throughout the talks last week. Other foreign ministers are due to return on Sunday for a final push.

All sides say a deal is within reach. But whether there is a final breakthrough will depend on some tough political decisions from all parties involved.

For CRI I'm Poornima Weerasekara.

Progress spacecraft docks with International Space StationA Russian supply spacecraft carrying food, water and equipment for the International Space Station has managed to dock with the ISS.

The Progress capsule is carrying more than 3-tons of supplies.

The unmanned Russian Soyuz was launched Friday, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, breaking a string of launch failures.

The launch had to be expedited after a Space X rocket meant to re-supply the Space Station blew up shortly after take off a week ago in a failed launch from the United States.

Immersion Corporation partner With Letv to produce 4d phonesAnchor:

The first set of so-called 4-Dimentional trailers have been produced as part of a deal between Chinese tech firm LeTV and an American tech firm.

CRI's Sam Duckett has more.

Report:

Chinese video streaming company LeTV has partnered with NASDAQ-listed haptic technology solution provider Immersion Corporation to bring 4D videos to smartphones.

Haptic, originally a Greek term is based on the concept of using various types of vibrations to give the user a more interactive feeling.

John Pattern is the General Manager of Immersion Corporation.

"We did do a deal with Letv, where we allow haptics to be matched up to the entertainment you are watching. In that Letv deal they have a 4d app and if you go into the 4d category and you can watch the newest James Bond trailer, for the specter movie, you can watch Expendables 3, you can watch Hotel Transylvania 2 and other trailers. And as part of that every experience, if a bomb goes off your whole phone shakes, if a gun shoots you can feel it. Feel and touch as a part of that experience and we are seeing that drive engagement and positive user experience."The partnership with Letv is the only latest collaboration Immersion Corporation has made with Chinese firms. The American based company previously released a haptic technology special version of the popular mobile game fruit ninja in China, and they have already launched several deals, branching out to a wide range of Chinese companies.

John Pattern Talked about Immersion Corporation's relationship with China.

"I expect China to be one of the leaders in this; we've certainly seen how smartphone usage has become part of everyday life in China. So I think the acceptance level of new technology and what we are doing with the sense of touch, I expect China to be an industry leader in this. We have seen fruit ninja take off and really do quite well with haptics. We have seen Letv take James Bond and do this. Prior to these entertainment deals with have done deals with Xiaomi, Huawei and Meizu and they have taken their overall handsets and equipping them with haptics."While at first glance, haptics may look like another gimmick used to enhance theatre productions; it actually extends beyond Hollywood and is also a very innovative lifestyle tool.

John Pattern talked about some of their other objectives of Immersion Corporation.

"We really believe haptics has great reach into every digital device interaction. It can create ways for the device to interact with you through a distinctive notification, through something that's maybe private it creates a deeper emotional connection, through technology between two people you can give the user the sense that what the user is doing in the digital world is more real. There are all sorts of ways that haptics can, you name the application, boost what they are looking to do wit the mobile phone or tablet."The partnership Immersion has made with Letv is still young and they have already produced some impressive trailers. This also seems like only the beginning of what this technology can potentially do. Haptics technology will not affect the operating speed of a smartphone or tablet device and will only be marginally more taxing on battery life. So it seems like we may be in store for more futuristic, personal productions via haptics in the future.

Back Anchor:

CRI's Sam Duckett reporting.

Luxury Vancouver hotel aims to become eco-friendly accommodationAnchor:

A hotel in the west coast Canadian city of Vancouver is pressing to become the most eco-friendly accommodation in a city already known for its drive to preserve and protect its environmental beauty.

CRI's Wang Wei has more.

Reporter:

The Fairmont Waterfront Hotel is home to six beehives and over 500-thousand honeybees.

The hotel's so-called 'Bee Butler', Michael King, is responsible for taking care of the insects.

He says these incredible creatures are responsible for pollinating over half of the world's food.

"I see a bee with incredible intelligence, intelligence that we've only now started to understand. Their ability to navigate, their ability to feed themselves, their ability to feed us as a result of what they do. They're committed to the colony and I see an insect that from day one to the last day of its life is doing everything for other bees in its colony. And that to me is an amazing feat."Fairmont is ranked as a '5 Green Key' hotel and a '4 Green Key Meetings' hotel by Green Key Global, an environmental certification body which specialises in lodging and meetings industries.

The hotel boasts a calming 2,100 square-foot herbal garden on its roof.

Since 1991, the hotel has grown over 20 varieties of herbs, vegetables, fruits and edible flowers.

The hotel's executive chef, Dana Hauser, uses many of the garden's herbs and vegetables in her own culinary creations.

Guests are able to order cocktails made from the garden's fresh herbs too.

"When guests see how committed we are to sustainability, they get very excited, especially people who are involved in that in some way, shape or form. Whether that's gardening themselves or if they come here because they hear of our concept and what we're committed to."The hotel recently hosted Vancouver's Eco Fashion Week. A number of local fashion designers used recycled hotel linen to create elegant kimonos.

Designer Sharon Zhang's kimono was chosen to be the public's favourite creation.

She used two bed sheets and two pillowcases to create her winning design.

"I think it's a really great idea to design something out of the old stuff, because people are more and more aware of how their clothes are made and what they are made from. So it's more about being socially responsible than just looking pretty or being on top of the trend. So it will also help you to get your creativity from creating something as well."Fairmont Waterfront aims to achieve zero waste by improving its waste diversion rate through a combination of re-using, re-purposing and recycling.

For CRI, I'm Wang Wei.

Singapore Botanic Gardens Named World Heritage ListSingapore's Botanical Gardens has made UNESCO's World Heritage List.

It is among 6 new cultural sites added to the list this year, including the Tusi sites in China, as well as sites in Iran, Mongolia and Singapore.

Singapore's Botanical Gardens has become the first tropical botanical gardens on the heritage list and the first in Asia.

It's very popular among the locals in the city-state.

"Very proud of Singapore a small dot in the world has such a beautiful UNESCO site and all Singaporeans share this same passion as me. This botanic garden is one of the best in the world, there's so much of the green, lush, beautiful landscape."Singapore's Botanical Gardens were founded in 1859 while Singapore was under British control.

weatherBeijing will be clear tonight with a low of 20 degrees Celsius; tomorrow may see some clouds with a high of 31.

Shanghai has some showers tonight with a low of 20; tomorrow moderate rain with a high of 23.

Chongqing will be overcast tonight with a low of 20, cloudy tomorrow with a high of 21.

Lhasa will be cloudy tonight with a low of 11, tomorrow overcast with a high of 26.

Headline newsMan detained for stock market suicide rumorBeijing police have detained a man for spreading online rumors connected to the recent downturn in the Chinese stock market.

The 29-year old has been arrested for posting a video claiming to show a man committing suicide, along with screen shots.

Captions and an article attached to the online post suggested the victim had taken his own life because of the massive sell-offs in the market.

The post went viral almost immediately.

However, police in Beijing say they've since determined the video is not connected to the market downturn.

Polls open for austerity referendum in GreeceThe polls are now open for a critical austerity referendum in Greece this Sunday.

Greek voters are heading to the ballot boxes to decide whether or not to accept proposals from the country's European creditors for more austerity, in exchange for rescue loans.

Greece's Prime Minister is calling on the Greek people to reject the deal, saying his country can hold-out for a better deal.

Polling heading into the vote shows Greek voters are virtually split between 'Yes' and 'No.'

Greece's high-stakes standoff with its lenders has seen it default on debt payments this past week, forcing the country to close its banks to avoid their collapse.

China's export of civilian drones surgesNew stats show Chinese companies have been pumping out civilian-use drones in record-numbers so far this year.

Around 160-thousand drones worth around 120 million U.S. dollars were exported to their overseas clients through the first 5-months of this year.

This is nearly 70-times the number of drones sent out during the same period last year.

Nearly all of them have cleared customs in Shenzhen.

To deal with the surge, a so-called "green channel" has been set up in Shenzhen's customs zone to speed up the delivery of the products.

Chinese firm DJI, which produces almost three-quarters of the drones for delivery around the world, is based in Shenzhen.

Civilian-use drones are used mostly for aerial video and photography, though a number of logistics companies are now experimenting with drone technology to deliver products.

Construction of Asia's largest underground railway station completed in Central ChinaThe construction of a railway station, touted as the largest underground railway station in Asia, has been completed in Henan's capital, Zhengzhou.

The station itself, over 50-thousand square-meters in size, is located below the city's Xinzheng International Airport.

It's on a rail line linking the Zhengzhou East Railway Station and Xinzheng International Airport.

The line itself is set to open in November.

It will cut the commute time between the airport and downtown Zhengzhou from 40 minutes down to 15.

Sci&Tech (Sunday)Anchor:

It's time now to check on the news from the science and technology world in the past week, including a new 3D printing platform in the city of Qingdao and a record-breaking flight by a solar-powered airplane.

CRI's Wen Jie with our weekly Science and Technology feature.

Reporter:

The world's first open service 3D printing platform was put into use on Monday in Qingdao City of east China's Shandong Province.

The innovation center has purchased more than ten 3D printers and bio printers, or spatially-controlled cell pattern printers, from places including China, the United States and Germany.

The center marks the establishment of a complete 3D printing ecological chain, or comprehensive service system, that will enable clients to enjoy low or even zero cost of some 3D printing services.

Luo Jun is chief executive of World 3D Printing Technology Industry Alliance.

"So far, the international market of 3D printing has not been fully opened. We think, in the near future, whichever country can first open its 3D printing application market, is possibly going to take a lead in the development of global 3D printing industry."Through 3D printing technology, particularly bio-printing, internal organs and other body parts can be printed and utilized.

French cosmetics giant L'Oreal has already partnered with Organovo, a biotech company, to study and develop 3D printed tissues to be used for human skin.

////Nanjing city in East China's Jiangsu province has built seven new observation sites using animals like chickens, pigs and fish to help make general earthquake predictions.

At Banqiao ecological park, the behavior of around 200 pigs, 2-thousand chickens, and fish in a 15-hectare pond is also closely monitored to detect signals of an earthquake.

Breeders create daily reports regarding animal behavior for Nanjing's seismological departments using popular instant messaging software QQ.

Nanjing has increased its strength in earthquake prediction with new funding allocated since last year.

According to local authorities, such sites need to comply with certain requirements in order to be effective, such as being located in a relatively quiet environment to allow for better observation.

////China's latest high-speed train which operates at an average speed of 350 km per hour rolled off the production line on Tuesday.

The train, to which China owns the independent intellectual property rights, runs with five percent less air resistance than previous high-speed models.

The train is designed to run on smoother lines and is capable of reaching 400 km per hour, according to engineers.

He Huawu, chief engineer at China Railway Corporation, says what makes this new train different from its predecessors are two key devices.

"When the distance between this train and the train ahead of it or behind it is shorter than the safe distance required, the system will give warnings to the driver. Besides, the train is fitted with an earthquake early warning alert and a disaster reduction system."Passengers can enjoy access to a wireless internet service and the carriage's spacious interior allows more room between rows of seats.

The train is expected to be put into operation once it has successfully completed 600-thousand kilometers of test running.

///It's being reported that the Chinese government will soon start the country's brain project, as the U.S. and EU have launched their own relevant research programs.

According to academics, intelligence technology can draw inspiration from brain science and neuroscience, in order to develop new theories and methods to improve the machine intelligence level.

An academician at Chinese Academy of Engineering says brain-computing is one of the major challenges the scientific community faces in this century.

Experts pointed out that the deep integration of brain science and intelligence technology will greatly promote the breakthroughs and development of brain-like intelligence research, reshape a country's industry, military, and service structure.

///A plane powered by the sun's rays landed in Hawaii on Friday after a record-breaking five-day journey across the Pacific Ocean from Japan.

Pilot Andre Borschberg and his single-seat aircraft landed at Kalaeloa, a small airport outside Honolulu.

The pilot says this flight proves that solar technology can be an option for future travel.

"The demonstration that of technology works. That you can fly almost forever with the sun."His 120-hour voyage from Nagoya broke the record for the world's longest nonstop solo flight, his team said.

The late US adventurer Steve Fossett set the previous record of 76 hours when he flew a specially-designed jet around the globe in 2006.

But Borschberg flew the Solar Impulse 2 without fuel.

Instead, its wings were equipped with 17,000 solar cells that charged batteries.

The plane ran on stored energy at night.

Bertrand Piccard was Borschberg's co-pilot who had been taking turns flying the plane on an around-the-world trip since taking off from Abu Dhabi in March.

"Very often renewable energies are presented as a break, as an obstacle for development. And we want to show the opposite. We want to show that renewable energies, and clean technology can achieve the impossible. That it's a fantastic solution to grow, to create jobs, to make profit, but also to protect the environment."The plane's ideal flight speed is about 45 kilometres per hour though that can double during the day when sun's rays are strongest.

The carbon-fibre aircraft weighs as much as a minivan or mid-sized truck.

After Hawaii, it will head to Phoenix, Arizona and then New York.

The plane was created in order to encourage governments to replace vehicles that pollute with clean technology.

///Japanese robot developer Cyberdyne announced on Thursday it will provide robotic suits at Tokyo's Haneda Airport to help reduce the load on the waists of baggage handlers and passengers.

The robot company and the airport operator company said they had signed an agreement to introduce robots in the airport's passenger terminals.

The robotic suit HAL, which stands for 'Hybrid Assistive Limb', is equipped with a computer, motors, and sensors that detect electric nerve signals transmitted from the brain when a person tries to move his or her waist.

Developer and CEO of Cyberdyne Yoshiyuki Sankai, explains that when signals are detected, the computer starts up the relevant motors to assist the person's motions.

"This robot suit detects the signal from the human nerve system to support the waist's movement. It self-adjusts the level of support it provides to reduce the load on the human waist,making the load quite light and compact."The 'Lumbar Type' HAL weighs three kilograms and operates for up to three hours on a single charge.

Cyberdyne also plans to provide automated cleaning robots able to ride elevators on their own to clean multiple floors and transport unmanned robots that can carry up to 200 kilograms of luggage.

Faced with an ageing society and declining labour population in Japan, Sankai said he believes the airport is an ideal place to test the possibility of robots in future society.

"An airport is in fact a small community. To introduce our robots to the airport and make them evolve with the community inside is closely connected to our dream of making a better society. We believe we can start making a better future from the airport."Cyberdyne will rent three robot suits, five cleaning robots and three transport robots to Haneda airport during a six-month test period.

And that actually brings us to the end of this edition of our weekly science and technology report.

Thank you for listening and hope you enjoy the show.

I'm Wenjie. See you next week.

SportsWWC: England Beats Germany for 3rd, U.S and Japan Prepare for FinalIn football action from the Women's World Cup:

England took third place after beating top-ranked Germany 1-0.

England was 20-0 against Germany leading up tot he match. But the match remained a scoreless stalemate through 90 minutes. In extra time, Germany's Tabea Kemme fouled Lianne Sanderson, and it was Fara Williams who netted the game-winning spot kick.

In the upcoming final tomorrow morning, world no. 2 United States will take on defending champions, Japan.

Japanese captain, Aya Miyama, says her team's not obsessing over the coming final, but they are still aiming for a second-straight championship.

"We came this far, and it's not like we're constantly thinking about the game, but I'm hoping that after the game all 23 members and the staff, all of us will be able to say we were able to play and also that we were able to lift the trophy."U.S. head coach Jill Ellis was not the coach in 2011 when the two sides met in the final in Germany and she says this team won't let past failures affect the outcome.

"I wasn't around in 2011 as part of the staff but I've said this a lot, I don't have a rearview mirror in my life, I always look forward and try and be about tomorrow. So, it's not about whats happened before for me, its the opportunity to have this amazing group of women to potentially win a world championship."The Women's World Cup final kicks off tomorrow at 7 p.m., Beijing time.

Chile Wins Copa America, Beats Argentina 4-1 in ShootoutIn football action from South America:

Chile are the Copa America champions for the first time in history, winning the trophy on home soil after beating Argentina 4-1 in a penalty shootout.

It boiled down to penalties after the 120 minutes wound down with both teams even at 0-0.

Chile's Alexis Sanchez struck the game-winning fourth penalty shot. Barcelona star Lionel Messi was the only player to score in the shootout for the Argentines.

Chile coach Jorge Sampaoli says, both during game time and the shootout, his side had the edge:

"I believe that penalty shoot out gave justice to a result that should have been before, I say again, and I don't want to be irresponsible, but at first sight, Chile's game plan was better than Argentina's."The loss now puts Argentina at 22 years without the national team winning a single championship.

CSL PreviewTonight, in the Chinese Super League:

Hangzhou will take on Tianjin Teda;Third place Shanghai SIPG will batte city rivals and last-place Shanghai Shenxin;And Guangzhou Evergrande, now languishing in fourth after Shandong leapfrogged to second place, will take lower-rung Chongqing Lifan.

Tennis RecapIn tennis action from Wimbledon,Andy Murray is the last Briton standing in the singles at Wimbledon after he overcame a third-set blip to beat Italy's Andreas Seppi 6-2, 6-2, 1-6, 6-1.

Second-seed Roger Federer beat Australia's Sam Groth 6-4, 6-4, 6-7, 6-2.

No. 6 Tomas Berdych beat Spain's Pablo Andujar 4-6, 6-0, 6-3, 7-6.

20th-seeded Spaniard Roberto Bautista Augt defeated Nikoloz Basilashvili of Georgia 7-6, 6-0, 6-1.

And Serbian Viktor Troicki took out Germany's Dustin Brown 6-4, 7-6, 4-6, 6-3.

Over in women's singles action,Serbian Jelena Jankovic beat Petra Kvitova of Czech Republic 3-6, 7-5, 6-4.

Jankovic expressed her delight at knocking out defending champion Kvitova.

"Grass is not my favourite surface. And Petra plays so well on it. I think it's her favourite surface. It shows by winning two Wimbledon titles. So overall, you know, I'm glad I was able to stay strong and positive."Other results in women's singles,Fifth seed Caroline Wozniacki took out No. 31 Italian Camila Girogi 6-2, 6-2.

13th seeded Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland beat Aussie Casey Dellacqua 6-1, 6-4.

And No. 20 Garbine Muguruza of Spain beat Angelique Kerber of Germany 7-6, 1-6, 6-2.

China Wins 10m Shooting Event at Gwangju UniversiadeOlympic champion and world record holder Yi Siling helped team China clinch the women's 10-meter air rifle event at the 2015 Gwangju Universiade on Sunday.

Yi, who took the first gold medal on offer at the 2012 London Olympic Games, teamed up with Chen Dongqi and Liu Yishuo to win the gold medal with a total of 1245.6 points, surpassing the previous Universiade record of 1245.4 set by Russia two years ago at the Kazan Universiade.

It was the third gold medal for China at the Gwangju Universiade. Chinese divers won the first two of 13 diving titles on Saturday.

NBA: LaMarcus Aldridge Finds New Home with San AntonioIn news from the National Basketball Association:

In-demand free agent, LaMarcus Aldridge, is heading to San Antonio.

Aldridge confirmed the news via Twitter early this morning. The Texas native wrote that he was happy to be going home and become a Spur.

ESPN is reporting that San Antonio signed Aldridge for a max of four years worth more than 80 million dollars, with an opt-out after year-three.

Aldridge ended his nine-year stint with the Portland Trailblazers this year. The highly-coveted forward was approached by the Los Angeles Lakers, Houston, Dallas, Phoenix, Toronot and Miami before signing with San Antonio.

The Spurs starting line-up will most likely be Aldridge, veteran Tim Duncan, Kawhi Leonard, Danny Green and Tony Parker when the next NBA season starts.

Golf RecapIn Golf:

In the PGA Tour's Greenbrier Classic:

Jason Bohn shot a nine-under-par 61 on Saturday, 4 July, and was tied with Sean O'Hair, Sung Joon Park and Bryce Molder for the lead through three rounds of the Greenbrier Classic.

Tiger Woods shot a one-over-par 71 Saturday that included four birdies three bogeys and a double that left him at four under - seven strokes out of the lead.

On the European tour:

South Africa's Jaco van Zyl stormed into a two-shot lead at the French Open on Saturday with a third-round score of 64, two shots clear of the field.

Matt Stonie Beat Champ Joey Chestnut at July 4th Hotdog Eating ContestMatt Stonie upset Joey Chestnut to win the annual July Fourth hot dog eating contest on Saturday at Nathan's Famous in Coney Island and defending champion Miki Sudo captured the women's division.

Defending champion Miki Sudo captured the women's division.

Sudo ate 38 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes to claim the title for the second straight year, along with the 10-thousand dollars that comes with it.

Matt Stonie shocked the competitive eating world by upsetting Joey "Jaws" Chestnut to win the men's contest, breaking Chestnut's bid for a ninth straight victory.

Stonie, 23, who finished second last year, downed 62 hot dogs and buns, beating Chestnut by two. Both are from San Jose, California.

The next closest competitor ate 35 hot dogs.

Entertainment"Tiny Times 4" Releases New MV Featuring Kris WuA new music video from Kris Wu has been released for the new coming-of-age movie "Tiny Times 4."The music video includes scenes and highlights from the previous three movies, put also gives some sneak-peeks into the forthcoming film.

From its first installment, the Tiny Times franchise has seen a number of popular singers perform songs for the show, including Taiwan singers A Mei, Jolin Tsai, and Soda Green.

Kris Wu left South Korean boy band EXO last year amid a dispute with the band, as well as because of health problems.

"Tiny Times 4" is said to be the last of the "Tiny Times" franchise.

The films themselves follow the stories of four long-time friends navigate among relationships, work and friendships in modern-day Shanghai.

"Tiny Times 4" is set to open in Chinese theatres on Thursday.

Zhang Liangying Makes 12-year Relationship Public on StageChinese pop singer Zhang Liangying put her long-term boyfriend 'on-the-spot' last night during a concert in Hunan's capital, Changsha.

"I have thought it over. If you want to marry me, please come onstage."The singer's boyfriend of some 12-years, the CEO of Show City Times, Feng Ke did eventually come on-stage to make his presence known - apparently somewhat reluctantly.

However, Feng Ke didn't take the bait from the crowd, who were urging him to propose.

"This is indeed a surprise. It is something that should have been done by me. But thank you Liangying."Feng Ke did later post on his Sina Weibo that a special proposal of marriage is 'in the works.'

Zhang Liangying shot to fame after coming in 3rd in 2005 in "Super Girl," which is China's all-female version of "American Idol."Since than, Zhang Liangying, or Jane Zhang, has won 42 best female singer awards, and five best album awards.

Billy Joel marries for the 4th timeVeteran American singer Billy Joel has surprised his guests at his annual 4th of July party at his estate in New York in a somewhat unique way... he got married.

Billy Joel surprised his guests at his home on Long Island by unveiling a snap-ceremony to wed his 34-year old girlfriend.

The 66-year old Billy Joel has been with Alexis Roderick since 2009.

New York governor Andrew Cuomo presided over the surprise ceremony this weekend.

Others in attendance included actor Kevin James and Billy Joel's daughter with his second wife, Christy Brinkley.

Billy Joel and his new wife are expecting their first child.

The "Piano Man" is currently on-tour right now, and actually broke a record this past week, surpassing Elton John for the most performances by a single artist at New York's Madison Square Garden with his 65th show there on Wednesday.

New Spider-Man Will Be a John Hughes Movie, Adding New VillainNew details about the next Spider-Man movie have been emerging.

Marvel chief Kevin Feige is being quoted saying the new film will dig into Spider-Man's high school life, in a John Hughes-esq sytle format.

Marvel has selected British actor Tom Holland to play the role of Peter Parker this time.

The 19-year old is best known as playing Ewan McGregor's son in the 2012 tsunami drama "The Impossible."The next installment of The Amazing Spider Man films, which originally starred Andrew Garfield as Spider Man, isn't due for release until the summer of 2017.

However, Spider Man is going to be featured in the Marvelverse for the first time next year when he makes an appearance in the next Capitan America film, "Civil War."weatherBeijing will be clear tonight with a low of 20 degrees Celsius; tomorrow may see some clouds with a high of 31.

That's it for this weekend edition of the Beijing Hour.

A quick look at the headlines before we go...

A group of executives from over 20 listed Chinese companies are stepping up to try to end the downturn on the A-share market.

On behalf of the Beijing Hour staffers, this is Paul James in Beijing hoping you'll join us for the next edition of the Beijing Hour, and open a window to the world together.