【新唐人2013年08月24日讯】外媒热评：薄翻供 习权威面临挑战
8月23号，薄熙来案的庭审进入第二天，法庭上，薄熙来与前一天一样，对法庭指控的罪名全部否认，并声称他的妻子谷开来“疯了”，而王立军的证言是“闲扯”。
不过，薄熙来的举动，已经不像前一天一样，让人感到意外了，全球舆论转而开始分析他翻供的原因，以及翻供给他自己和中共当局带来的影响。
除了中共党媒发起“文革式”的痛批之外，各大国际媒体也纷纷发文评论。
法国《费加罗报》说，薄熙来案是对习近平能否树立党国主席威信的一次考验。法国《回声报》则怀疑，薄熙来是否试图告诉他以前的同党，他不会就此屈服，他在党内依然有重要的靠山。
美国《纽约时报》报导说，这一天充满戏剧性，也让人产生了疑问，中共官员会如何继续驾驭这个敏感的政治过程。
美国《新唐人电视台》新闻网也发表时事评论员章天亮的署名文章评论说，薄熙来当庭翻供是将了习近平一军，习的管治权威受到了空前的挑战，而习近平现在要想在中共党内立威，就得抛出周永康。
中国近两千万人可能受砷毒水污染
最新一期专业期刊《科学》发表一项研究成果显示，中国可能有近两千万人受含砷毒污染的水源的危害。
这项由瑞士联邦水生科学技术研究所和中国的科研人员所做的研究发现，中国有1960万人口可能饮用不安全的水源，其中包括一些以前没有估计到的地区，如四川中部和东部沿海某些地区。
中国记者刘虎被警方带走
据大陆《南方都市报》报导，曾经在网路上举报官员渎职和受贿的《新快报》记者刘虎，星期五在重庆市家中被警方带走。
《南都》引述刘虎妻子的话说，刘虎被带走时被戴上手铐，而警察出示的证件显示他们来自北京市公安局。而《南都》在网易微博上发布的消息说，刘虎被带走的具体原因尚不清楚，警方也没有留下任何通知文件。
在此之前，刘虎曾经在他个人微博上实名举报中共国家工商行政管理总局副局长马正其严重渎职、陕西公安厅厅长杜航伟接受性贿赂。
大陆活动人士许志永被正式逮捕
大陆知名公民运动活动人士许志永星期四被正式逮捕，他被指控的罪名是“聚众扰乱公共场所秩序”。
许志永的律师张庆方和他的朋友中国企业界人士王功权，8月23号证实了许志永被捕的消息。
许志永一直呼吁大众践行宪法赋予的公民权利，被称为温和理性的社会活动家。
编辑/周玉林
Bo Xilai Denying Charges Challenges Xi Jinping
On August 23, the trial of Bo Xilai entered its second session.
In court, Bo denied corruption allegation,
whilst at the first day trial, he denied bribery.
Bo alleged that his wife, Gu Kailai, “has gone
mad”, and Wang Lijun’s testimony is “nonsense".
Bo’s reaction is no more a surprise for the world.
Global media began to analyze the motives
behind his denial of charges, and its impact.
The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) state-run media
have launched Cultural Revolution-style censuring.
The leading international media
have also commented on the case.
French newspaper, Le Figaro, says that Bo Xilai’s
case is testing whether Xi Jinping can establish
his prestige as the CCP state leader.
French newspaper, Les Echos, questions if
Bo Xilai is trying to signal his political supporters.
That is, he won’t succumbs, and is still being
backed by some strong top-level CCP patrons.
The New York Times reports that “the dramatic
courtroom exchanges on Thursday raised
questions about how party officials would
continue to steer a delicate political process.”
NTD television published a commentary
on its website, authored by Zhang Tianliang.
The commentator says that Bo’s denial checked
Xi Jinping’s status, and challenges Xi’s authority.
Now, in order to assume his authority within
the CCP, Xi has to take down Zhou Yongkang.
Nearly 20 Million Chinese Drink Arsenic Poisoned Water
Latest research findings shows that nearly 20 million
people in China may suffer from arsenic water poisoning.
The study was jointly conducted by the Swiss Federal
Institute of Aquatic Science, and Chinese researchers.
Sources of drinking water for 19.6 million
Chinese people were found to be contaminated.
The scope covers some previously neglected areas.
This includes central and Eastern areas in
Sichuan, and some Eastern coastal regions.
Whistle-Blowing Journalist Liu Hu Taken Away By Police
Journalist Liu Hu is known for whistle-blowing
CCP officials’ malpractice and taking bribes.
China’s Southern Metropolis Daily reports that on
August 23, Liu was taken away by police in Chongqing.
Reportedly, Liu’s wife revealed that
he was handcuffed when taken away.
The police credentials showed that they
were from Beijing Public Security Bureau.
On its micro-blog, the media outlet published
the news, saying the police gave no reason.
Nor did they leave any notice of the detention.
Liu had blown the whistle on two CCP senior officials,
Ma Zhengqi and Du Hangwei, over the internet.
Ma Zhengqi, Deputy Director of the State Administration
of Industry & Commerce, was accused of committing
a serious dereliction of duty.
Du Hangwei, Director of Public Security Department of
Shaanxi Province, was accused of accepting sex bribes.
Renowned Rights Activist Xu Zhiyong Arrested
Xu Zhiyong, New Citizens’ Movement leader
in China, was formally arrested on August 22.
Xu was charged with “gathering people
to disturb order in public places."
Xu’s arrest was confirmed by his
lawyer and friend on August 23.
Xu Zhiyong has long been committed to appealing
to Chinese citizens to practice constitutional rights.
He is known as an inoffensive and rational social activist.
