第6顆“北斗星”凌晨升空

China launched its sixth navigation satellite early in the morning from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center.

據新華社報道，中國第6顆導航衛星今天凌晨在西昌衛星中心發射升空，該“北斗”衛星將成為中國自主研發導航定位系統的組成部分。這一體系最終將包括35顆衛星，并分別于2012和2020年在亞太和全世界范圍內提供服務。

食用油白酒方便面漲價

據《廣州日報》報道，近期國際農產品漲價壓力逐步傳導至國內終端產品，國內市場的食用油10月底出現新一輪上漲，幅度達到10%。古井貢酒決定從10月29日開始，年份原漿系列產品價格上漲5%到20%。這是繼8月茅臺、五糧液、國窖1573及水井坊提價之后的又一高端白酒品牌漲價。方便面巨頭康師傅從11月1日起也將其“經典袋面系列”漲價10%。

青島免費海葬遭爭議

從10月1日起，青島市在全省率先實行骨灰免費撒海（海葬）活動。23日，免費海葬政策后的首次海葬活動在大麥島外海海域舉行，427具逝者骨灰被撒向大海，1200余名逝者家屬海上送別親人。支持者認為海葬綠色、環保、節儉，但在如潮好評背后，保守人士認為海葬“不是入土為安”，甚至認為“骨灰對大海有污染”。不過，專業人士稱骨灰對大海不會造成污染。

遇險可撥打無聲報警

據《新京報》消息，北京公安機關表示，市民在緊急情況下無法或不便出聲時，可通過反復撥打110電話無聲報警，警方將聯合電信部門鎖定報警人位置，并采取行動。

增薪減稅呼聲高

據《人民日報》報道，全國總工會進行的一項調查顯示，有23.4%的職工5年未增加工資，并指出不同行業之間的收入差距令人擔心。多數城市中等收入人群普遍因較高的稅率感到生活壓力，即使工資見漲，也被所增稅額抵消。為中等收入階層減稅以增加收入已經成為這一群體的呼聲。

China launches 6th GPS satellite

China launched its sixth navigation satellite early in the morning from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center. The "Beidou," or compass navigation satellite will form part of China's indigenous satellite-navigation and positioning network, reported Xinhua. The network will eventually consist of 35 satellites and be operational for Asia-Pacific by 2012 and globally by 2020.

Oil, wine and noodles prices rise

The price-rising pressure of international agricultural products affected China's products recently, reported the Guangzhou Daily. Edible oil price rose 10 percent at the end of October. Gujing Group decided to raise the price of original Chinese spirits by 5 to 20 percent from Oct 29. Four large Chinese spirits groups, Maotai, Wuliangye, Gujiao 1573 and Shuijingfang, already raised their prices in August. The biggest instant noodle group, Masterkong, raised the price of its classic instant noodles by 10 percent from Nov 1.

Sea burial in Qingdao controversial

Qingdao started free sea burials from Oct. 1, and the first occurred in Shandong Province. The sea-burial ceremony was held at the open-water area of Damaidao on Oct 23. 427 boxes of bone ashes were spilled into the sea, and their 1,200 relatives joined in the ceremony. The supporters think sea-burial is green and economical. However, some oppose it. They think the dead can only receive peace after being buried. There are also some people who think bone ash pollutes the sea, but the professionals disagree.

Police advise silent alarm

The Beijing News reports that police have advised citizens in Beijing to repeatedly dial the 110 emergency number in situations where they're unable to speak. The police will locate the source of the alarm with the help of telecom companies and take action.

Pay rise and tax reduction an urge

A survey by All China Federation of Trade Unions shows that a total of 23.4 percent of the working population had no salary increase during the past five years, the People's Daily reported. The income disparity between different industries is also becoming alarmingly polarized. Meanwhile, the working middle class in most Chinese cities are suffering from a relatively high income tax rate, which cancels whatever income increases they received, if any. Tax reduction for the middle class is being urged to increase the wealth of this social stratum.

(China.org.cn November 2, 2010)