Chinese manned submersible begins 5th try targeting 7,100 meters deep

China's manned submersible, Jiaolong, is now in its 5th dive in the Mariana Trench, trying to reach as far down as 7,100 meters below the Pacific Ocean.
Jiaolong set a new national dive record on Sunday after reaching 7,020 meters during its fourth dive.
Jiaolong has enabled China to join the ranks of deep-sea faring countries.
The United States, Japan, France and Russia currently lead the world in the development of deep-sea exploration technology.
China, U.S. to forge new military relations: China DM

Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guanglie is calling for "new type" of military ties between China and the United States.
Liang made the comments following his meeting with Samuel Locklear, head of the U.S. Pacific Command in Beijing.
Liang says a healthy, stable China-US military ties are important to the Asia-Pacific region as well as the whole world.
Locklear says although differences remain, the two countries have more interests in common.
China asks Japan to stop causing new disturbances over Diaoyu Islands

China is at odds again with Japan again over the disputed Diaoyu Islands.
The Foreign Ministry is calling on the Japanese government to stop causing fresh controversies over the islands.
The call comes in response to a visit by a group of Japanese lawmakers earlier this week.
It is the second time Japanese lawmakers have visited the Diaoyu Islands this month.
China sends patrol ships to South China Sea

A Chinese maritime patrol is heading into the South China Sea.
On top of conducting patrols, the group might also take part in drills if the conditions are right.
China has been sending out regular patrols into the South China Sea since 2006.
China, Ukraine sign currency swap agreement

The central banks of China and Ukraine have signed a currency swap contract agreement worth 15 billion yuan or about 2.4 billion U.S. dollars.
The People's Bank of China said the agreement is for an initial three-year period and could be extended with the consent of both sides.
Since the outbreak of the global financial crisis, China has signed currency swap agreements worth at least 1.5 trillion yuan with a dozen countries - including the South Korea and Malaysia - to support its trade and investment.
EU unveils vision for monetary future

Ahead of this week's summit, EU leaders have unveiled a 10-year road-map aimed at strengthening the Eurozone and preventing future economic crises.
The document – entitled "Towards a Genuine Economic and Monetary Union" – proposes the creation of a European Treasury which would have power over national budgets. It also suggests limits on the amount an individual country can borrow.
European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso called the document "a defining moment for European Integrattion". However, leaders were also keen to stress that the proposals were only a blueprint for an agreed way forward.
Syrian troops and rebels clash in capital Damascus

Intense fighting is being reported between Syrian troops and rebel forces in the suburbs of the capital Damascus.
Some unverified reports claim that rebels have clashed with members of Syria's elite Republican Guard in some of the fiercest fighting since the uprising against President Basher al-Assad started last year.
The violence comes as Turkey issued a stern warning to its neighbour Syria over the downing of its fighter jet last week.
On Tuesday, Prime Minster Tayyip Erdogan told Damascus that any attempt to move Syrian troops towards the Turkish border would be seen as a military threat.
Police buses crash, killing 14, injuring 53 in Argentina

At least 14 people have been killed and 53 injured Tuesday in a crash involving a coach and a cereal truck in Argentina's Patagonia region.
Many of the victims were police returning from a security operation at a local oilfield.
Rescue workers said that the critically injured were transported to hospitals in the nearby town of Trelew and the provincial capital Rawson.
Authorities are investigating the cause of the accident.
Russia, US eye nuclear deal

Russia's state atomic agency, Rosatom, is suggesting Moscow and Washington have completed the drafting of a new cooperation agreement on the peaceful use of nuclear energy.
The deal could be signed as early as September.
Rosatom says the agreement will allow Russian and U.S. scientists to obtain access to each other's nuclear research facilities.
China hails signing of WIPO Audiovisual Treaty

The Chinese government is hailing the signing of an international treaty in Beijing by the World Intellectual Property Organization dealing with the protection of audio-visual performers' rights.
The group says the "Beijing Treaty" will shore up the rights of audio-visual performers.
The clause is also expected to strengthen the economic rights of actors and audio-visual performers and give them extra income from their work.