Shanghai

Poisoning case sent to procuratorate

The procuratorate in Shanghai will handle charges against a postgraduate medical student at Fudan University who is accused of fatally poisoning his roommate earlier this year. Shanghai police have completed their investigation and will transfer the case to the procuratorate next week, according to West China Metropolis Daily. The suspect, surnamed Lin, did not show signs of psychosis during a forensic psychiatry assessment by police, Huang Guoqiang, the victim's father, was quoted as saying by the newspaper.

Police destroy gambling machines

More than 4,000 gambling machines were destroyed by Shanghai police on Wednesday. Police seized the gambling machines during a campaign against game centers. More than 120 unlicensed sites were shut down and 420 illegal operators were investigated. The police action was part of a bid to stop teenagers from using them during the summer holidays.

Beijing

Ministry vows to increase security

Concerted efforts will be made to ensure public safety after Beijing experienced an airport explosion, a knife attack and fires in the space of a week, the Ministry of Public Security said on Thursday. The police will always "maintain high vigilance against terrorism, violent crimes and crimes involving guns or explosives, deal with problems affecting social stability and those complained of most by people, and eliminate various safety risks", read a statement issued after a national teleconference on tackling public order offenses.

Medical reform efforts continue

China will continue its efforts to deepen reform in the medical and healthcare sector in 2013, the National Health and Family Planning Commission said on Thursday. According to a recent outline issued by the State Council, China will focus on 26 tasks, including accelerating the building of a national healthcare system, consolidating the basic pharmaceutical system, improving the operation of grassroots medical institutions and promoting reform of public hospitals.

Funds allocated for ex-military

The central government will allocate 658 million yuan ($106.56 million) for vocational education of former members of the military in 2013, a year-on-year increase of 9.81 percent, the Ministry of Finance said on Thursday. The funds will cover former troops' tuition, accommodation and administrative fees, a subsidy for costs of living and medical aid, according to the MOF.

Heilongjiang

170,000 affected in flood, one killed

Heavy rain that has hammered Heilongjiang province since Wednesday has affected about 170,000 people in 23 counties and districts, local authorities said on Thursday. One person has been killed and 381 houses damaged in the flooding, according to the provincial civil affairs department. The downpours have ruined or damaged 66,000 hectares of crops and plants, resulting in direct economic losses of 300 million yuan ($48.6 million).

Anhui

Drunk official died of heat stroke in car

Local authorities in Yingshang county, Anhui province, suspended several officials from their posts after an official died of heat stroke after being left drunk in a car after a banquet, local news portal anhuinews.com reported on Thursday. The official, surnamed Wang, attended a banquet earlier this month with five colleagues. He was left in a car after getting drunk at the banquet and died later of heat stroke. Those present at the banquet agreed to compensate his family a combined 600,000 yuan ($97,800) for his death, the report said.

China Daily-Xinhua

(China Daily USA 07/26/2013 page2)