To revive China, Xi holds high banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics

President Xi Jinping has called for upholding the banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics on the road towards victory in building a well-off society and realizing the Chinese dream of national rejuvenation. Full Story

Housing finance reform remains priority for Trump administration, U.S. treasury secretary says

U.S. Secretary of Treasury Steven Mnuchin said on Thursday that housing finance reform remains a priority for the Trump administration. Full Story

• S. Korea to make final decision on THAAD after general green audit
• Japan's defense minister resigns over coverup scandal, foreign minister to fill in
• U.S. lawmakers scramble to pass healthcare legislation, but outcome remains unknown
• Libyan eastern-based authorities expel Sudanese diplomats
• Civilians flee Raqqa due to battles against IS

• Sweden to reshuffle cabinet over IT security scandal: PM
• U.S. Senate approves sanctions bill targeting Russia, Iran, DPRK
• Putin clarifies Russia-China military ties, deplores possible U.S. sanctions
• Hillary Clinton releases tell-all book about her 2016 presidential election defeat
• Venezuela's Maduro, defying U.S. sanctions, says elections will go ahead

National roaming fee scrapped

NATIONAL roaming charges will be scrapped for 1.36 billion Chinese phone users from September, one month ahead of the original plan, China’s three biggest telecommunication carriers said yesterday. Full Story

• Growth in industrial profits quickens
• VR ‘not in winter’ as sector starting to heat up
• China willing to give up growth in short-term
• IMF sees small monetary policy effects from Fed's balance sheet unwinding
• Starbucks eyes market growth in China with 1.3 bln USD deal

• IMF says Trump's proposed expansionary fiscal policy "counterproductive"
• Germany orders recall of 22,000 Porsche Cayennes with illegal emissions software
• No middle-income trap for China as restructuring moves forward
• Car supermarket! China's O2O giant eyes auto sales
• Should we worry about AI?

Jason Bateman honored with star on Hollywood Walk of Fame

Actor Jason Bateman poses with his family during a star honoring ceremony on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles, the United States, July 26, 2017. Jason Bateman was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Wednesday. Full Story

• Tom Hardy joins BBC sitcom ‘Sticky’
• ‘Wonder Woman 2’ sets release date
• Jolie talks about Pitt, Bell’s palsy in Vanity Fair story
• Director of harrowing ‘Detroit’ hopes film starts dialogue on race
• Women in focus at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival

• Leo and Kate will be your date, for the right price
• Lawrence, Jolie and Stone to show films at Toronto Film Festival
• Netflix to air Simpsons’ creator Groening’s new show
• Australian indigenous singer Yunupingu dies
• New Bond film announced, but where is Daniel Craig

Zou sheds 7kgs for title defense

TWO-TIME Olympic champion Zou Shiming lost near seven kilograms before yesterday’s weigh-in, on the eve of his World Boxing Organization flyweight title defense in Shanghai. Full Story

• Kalisz, Dressel boost US; Fu 2nd in 50 back
• Cavs downplay James-Irving tensions
• Masters champion Garcia to contest Australian PGA
• Villar quits FIFA in another graft case
• China enters last four at Women's Basketball Asian Cup

• Dynamo Kiev beats Young Boys 3-1 in Champions League qualifier
• Milan kick off European return
• Coca-Cola suffers big profit drop
• Clubs pay debts after CFA threat
• Monaco insists no Real-Mbappe deal

Children prepare for national dance competition in S China

Kids perform ballet at Qinzhouwan Square in Qinzhou City, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region July 26, 2017. A group of children practise ballet on the square to prepare for a national dance competition. Full Story

• Scientists edit human embryos for first time in U.S.
• Researchers hopeful of new treatment for Zika
• People in Heilongjiang spend summer in winter clothes
• Study: Immune-cell numbers predict response to combination immunotherapy in melanoma
• Soft robotic ankle support improves walking in stroke patients: study

• Mandela book withdrawn after outrage from widow
• 63rd Eurovision song contest to take place in Portuguese capital
• Holograms may help search for life signs in space: new study
• Tanzania education regulator bars 19 universities from admitting students
• Experimental HIV vaccine regimen elicits immune responses in early-stage trial