新闻纵贯线 The Beijing Hour updated 08:00 2013/09/18

The Beijing Hour
 
Morning Edition
 

RH with you on this Wednesday, September 18th, 2013.
Welcome to the Beijing Hour, coming to you live from the Chinese capital.
Coming up on our program this morning...
UN Security Council members meet New York to discuss Chemical Weapons Resolution in Syria.
U.S stresses its position towards Diaoyu Islands is un-changed
American Defense Secretary honors 12 people killed at a Washington Navy Yard.
Business
U.S Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew urges Congress to increase the federal debt limit.
Sports
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has all eyes on the Champions League Prize
Entertainments
An American film director becomes the first foreign director to make a Chinese language film.
Plus
Special reports goes to Sweden, to take a look at how new innovations are being cultivated and supported in the country
First, let's check on what's happening on the weather front...
 
 
Weather
 
 
Beijing will see slight rain today, with a high of 24 degree Celsius in the daytime, and it will see showers tonight with a low of 18.
In Shanghai, it will be cloudy today, 29 the high, and it will be cloudy tonight, the low of 24 degrees Celsius.
Lhasa will be cloudy in the daytime the temperature's at 22, and tonight will have showers with a low of 9 degree Celsius.
Elsewhere in the world, staying in Asia
Islamabad, sunny, 29.
Kabul, sunny, with a high of 29.
And in North America
New York, sunny, with a high of 18 degrees.
Washington, overcast, highs of 21
Houston, overcast, 34.
Honolulu, moderate rain, 31.
Toronto, sunny, 15
Finally, on to South America,
Buenos Aires, sunny, 11.
And Rio de Janeiro will be overcast with highs of 33 degrees Celsius.
 
 
Top News
 
 
UN powers discuss Syria resolution
 
Anchor
The five permanent UN Security Council members have met in New York to discuss a resolution on making safe Syria's chemical weapons.
CRI's Xie Zhao has more.
Reporter
Diplomats from the United States, Russia, Britain, France and China launched negotiations on Tuesday on the Syria resolution. Nearly an hour of initial talks ended with an agreement to meet again on Wednesday.
Tuesday's meeting came a day after U.N. investigators confirmed the use of sarin nerve agent in an Aug. 21 poison gas attack outside the Syrian capital.
U.N Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has said a UN Security Council resolution that will approve a US-Russia deal to eliminate Syria's chemical weapons must be enforceable. He adds Syria's chemical weapons arsenal can be dismantled as quickly as possible, even without a full ceasefire.
"The finding by Dr. (Ake) Sellstrom's team was undisputable and overwhelming. They are based on scientific facts. Therefore, we must not take business as usual. I sincerely hope that Russia and the United States demonstrate their leadership at this time. Particularly, the countries, the permanent members of the Security Council. They have a crucially important historical and moral, political responsibility."
Chinese Foreign Ministry says Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, have had a comprehensive and in-depth exchange of views on the Syrian crisis over the phone.
Wang has said that China welcomes the Russia-U.S. deal on Syria, hoping the accord could be implemented as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, Lavrov says that a UN Security Council resolution on Syria's chemical weapons would not contain any references to the use of force.
"The resolution will not contain any reference to Chapter 7 (of the UN Charter, which can authorise both the use of force and non-military measures). We said that clearly in Geneva. There is not a single word about it in the document we coordinated. But it will contain the UN commitments to control on a regular basis how the decisions of the OPCW (Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons) Executive Council are being fulfilled."
The United States, Britain and France says the U.N report has proved beyond any doubt that Syrian government forces are responsible.
Despite world leaders continuing efforts to get Syria's chemical weapons stockpile under international control, fighting in the country continues between the rebels and government forces.
According to a dramatic amateur video posted online, aerial bombardments rained down on rebel positions in various locations near the capital Damascus. And a car bomb exploded on the Syrian side of the Bab al-Hawa crossing point on the border with Turkey on Tuesday, injuring at least 15 people.
For CRI, I'm Xie Zhao.
 
 
PIK callin with Li Guofu
 
For more on siuation in Syria, CRI's Nathan Wakelin-King spoke earlier with Professor Li Guofu, Senior Research Fellow with the China Institute of International Studies.
…..
Professor Li Guofu, Senior Research Fellow with the China Institute of International Studies, speaking with CRI's Nathan Wakelin-King.
 
 
US stresses its position towards Diaoyu Islands has not changed
 
US State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki says, the US does not take sides on the ultimate question of sovreignty of Diaoyu islands.
"I promise you, there is no clarification needed, our policy is long standing, and has not changed. we don't take position on the ultimate question of sovreignty."
Her remarks were made in response to a question regarding a recent Japanese press report.
According to a Kyodo News Agency report, during a meeting last week in Washington with Japan's New Komeito Party chief Natsuo Yama/guchi, Deputy Secretary of State William Burns "reaffirmed U.S backing for Japan in its dispute with China" over the Diaoyu Islands.
The report quoted a lawmaker in Yama/guchi's delegation as its source.
Jen Psaki says the U.S message has been conveyed privately as well as publicly.
 
 
Hagel lays wreath in honour of those killed in Navy Yard mass shooting
 
US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel, and other defence officials have laid a wreath in honour of the 12 people killed, after a gunman went on a shooting rampage at the Washington Navy Yard.
The incident has left many residents dumbfounded.
John Moore, is a tourist from Indiana:
"I guess in a word, goose bumps, is the feeling. True emotion, the tragedy of it. We do wonder about what's going on really in the country right now. These things seem to be becoming more frequent."
Dr. Elspeth Ritchie, a DC Department of Mental Health worker was also at the ceremony, encouraging anyone affected by Monday's shooting to seek help and counselling.
"It resonates with the other shooting, the Fort Hood shooting three years ago, and it strikes at the heart of the military-civilian family".
Meanwhile, commuters and workers in the neighbourhood of the Navy Yard returned to work on Tuesday.
Officials says the gunman, 34-year-old Aaron Alexis, had serious mental issues, but was not stripped of his security clearance.
Officials have said Alexis, a contract employee on a Navy project, used a valid pass to get into the Washington Navy Yard, where 18-thousand people work, and started shooting.
He killed 12 people and wounded 3 before being shot dead by police at the military complex in the heart of Washington.
 
 
News conf after gunman kills 4 in Austria; police say they storm building
 
Austrian government officials say police have stormed a building, in which a gunman who earlier killed four people, is believed to be hiding in.
According to the Interior Ministry spokesman, police were inside the building, but have yet to find the suspect.
Roland Scherscher, is a spokesperson for the police department:
"The suspect then fled into the general direction of Lassing-Hochsiedlung. There he encountered a police car at the B20/24 crossing. He started shooting there immediately, too. One policeman was left at the site with deadly gunshot wounds."
The gunman barricaded himself in a farm building on the outskirts of Melk, a central town 70 kilometres west of Vienna, after killing three police officers and an ambulance driver.
Police moved in on the building after a day-long standoff, with the suspect firing sporadically at police units near the building.
State broadcaster ORF has reported that the suspect is a 55-year-old poacher and is heavily armed.
 
 
Salvage expert detailed the operation of Costa Concordia
 
Engineers in Italy have succeeded in setting the cruise ship Costa Concordia upright, 20 months after it ran aground off the island of Giglio.
Nick Sloane, Costa Concordia chief salvage master detailed the extraordinary righting of the cruise liner
"When she started moving, she moved slowly but surely, she came up perfectly parallel. There was no twisting at all, it was exactly as the plan said it would be. Due to the very high weights it took longer to get her into a position where the gravity would assist us and we could start balancing the responses. But by four o'clock this morning she was balanced down and firmly wresting on the ground, so the platform was less than half a degree of verticality error."
In the operation that took all of Monday and most of the night, cables and metal water tanks were used to roll the ship onto a platform.
The crusieliner capsized in January 2012, killing 32 people.
The bodies of two of the victims of the disaster, by the island of Giglio, have never been found.
There were hopes that they may be located during the operation.
 
 
International cooperation helps China's space mission
 
China's first astronaut in space is suggesting international cooperation would be helpful in helping develop the Chinese space program.
Yang Liwei made the suggestion during a United Nations/China workshop on Human Space Technology here in Beijing.
(soudbite/0917 Yang Liwei, male in Chinese)
"The workshop is meaningful in developing our entire space and aeronautics industry and expanding our influence in this field. It will also promote exchanges between China and other countries, and will be helpful to constructing our space station in terms of technology and development."
The five-day conference is focused on micro-gravity science and establishing better international cooperation in space exploration.
 
 
Garment maker aspires to become international brand name amongst Arab genteels
 
Anchor
At the ongoing China-Arab States Expo, local garment producers are taking the opportunity to broaden their oversea market.
CRI's Cao Yuwei has more.
Reporter
Elegant Arab Thobes cascade down the floor, as models move across the stage in time with the melodious Arabic music.
These Arab models are showcasing the work of 27-year-old designer Jin Ling.
Jin is animated when talking about her moment of inspiration.
act 1, Ling female
"I was traveling in Dubai after i left Italy. The moment i arrived, the place gave me a big Wow. The fashion there was stunning, open-minded but also with a unique local culture. And it happens to be the first China-Arab trade fair back in Ningxia. It all happens in that trip that i realized i could simply do great in Muslim costumes."
Jin studied costume design in St. Petersburg and Italy. The Ningxia native says becoming a top designer of Muslim costumes was always her goal.
Back in Ningxia, she didn't realize her return had long been expected.
Feng Jing, deputy general manager of Huichuan Garment, said the company has been holding back for five years to wait for the right moment to enter the Muslim costume market.
act 2, Feng, female
"Domestic clothing market has been stagnant for many years, that has pushed garment makers to explore new markets for survival and growth. Ningxia is a Muslim region, and its halal food exports have won considerable recognition amongst Arab nations in the past few years. therefore, we thought it's time for Arabic costumes to ride the tide."
Huichuan Garment is one of the most recognized suit brands in Northwest China.
The brand has created a niche as the wardrobe choice of government officials and businessmen.
But because cities like Yiwu and Guangzhou have already begun shipping clothing to the Arab States at much more competitive prices, Huichuan aims to go expensive.
Act 3, Feng female
"We have refused many low-price orders. The garment industry has seen a boom from the year 2005 to 2008, during which time many garment exporters have tried to beat competitors by launching price war. Now we have learnt the lessons."
Feng added that traditional garment giants on the east coast may no longer have the advantage when it comes to exports to the Gulf States and Muslim countries in South East Asia.
Yinchuan, the capital city of Ningxia where Huichuan is based, has established a duty-free zone, where cargo flights can now take off with minimal customs procedures.
In addition, direct flights between Yinchuan, Dubai, and Hong Kong make outbound cargo flights even easier.
Huichuan has already secured a 6,000-piece Arabic clothing deal with a Singaporean company at the expo.
Feng expects even bigger deals to follow in time.
For CRI, Im Cao Yuwei.
 
 
Biz Reports
 
 
Anchor
First off, a check on the stock market of North America and Europe.
Join me on the desk, CRI's Hu Jia.
Reporter
U.S stocks closed higher on Tuesday, with the S&P 500 nearing a record high, ahead of the much-anticipated Federal Reserve policy statement due Wednesday.
The two-day meeting of the Federal Open Market Committee will culminate with a statement on Wednesday afternoon, by Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke.
Most investors expect the U.S. central bank will unveil a small tapering of its monthly bond-buying programs.
On the economic front, U.S. Consumer Price Index edged up 0.1 percent in August on a seasonally adjusted basis.
In corporate news, Microsoft rose 0.4 percent after the software company unveiled a 40 billion dollars share-repurchase plan and raised its dividend by 22 percent to 28 cents a share.
When the market closed,
The blue-chip Dow jumped 0.2 percent.
The S&P 500 gained 0.4
The tech-rich Nasdaq was up 0.8 percent.
In Canada, the S&P/TSX edged up 0.1 percent.
However, European stock markets retreated from multi-year highs on Tuesday.
Car makers weighed on the index, after the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association said new car registrations in the European Union fell 5 percent in August from a year earlier.
Shares of Volkswagen dropped 1.5 percent, Daimler fell 1.2 percent and BMW slipped 0.5 percent.
Germany's DAX dropped 0.2 percent.
The CAC 40 index lost 0.2 percent.
The U.K.'s FTSE 100 index fell 0.8 percent.
 
 
China to Introduce Credit Rating System for Local Government Debts
 
A newly formed credit rating system is expected to provide a more transparent information sharing platform on local government debts here in China.
The Institute of Finance of China Academy of Social Sciences, CASS and China Credit Rating signed the agreement to cooperate on setting up the mechanism in order to monitor the scale and flow of such activities.
The system is expected to tackle existing problems in the current financing mode, such as random assets transfer, illegal guarantees for loans and false capital contribution.
Liu Yuhui, a professor at CASS predicts the debts held by local governments are likely to exceed 20-trillion yuan.
The National Audit Office launched an investigation into local government debts last month.
 
 
Yiwu Financial Reform Scheme Unveiled
 
The eastern city of Yiwu, which is known as the largest small commodities market here in China, is rolling out a special scheme for financial reforms.
Media reports are suggesting the reforms will focus on seven areas.
This includes facilitating the construction of a local financial system, speeding up the creation of new trade and financial products, as well as improving existing foreign exchange management systems.
Meanwhile, the local government is set to encourage innovation on cross-border yuan businesses and promote foreign currency exchange services.
 
 
Morning Call-In Luxury Goods
 
Anchor
Chinese government's crackdown on luxury spending with public expense has had a profound impact ahead of the Mid-Autumn Festival, which falls on tomorrow.
Some are saying it is spelling out a new era for the luxury goods market here in China.
Sales of high-end teas and mooncakes, traditionally given as gifts during the festive season have taken a nose dive, dropping up to 50% year on year in some provinces.
Now for more on what is in store for the future luxury goods market in China, I am joined on the line by Benjamin Cavender, Associate principal at China Market Research in Shanghai.
1. Does this spell the end for producers of high-end products that are traditionally purchased for gift giving?
How can these companies reposition their products and claw back sales?
2. Prada's sales in China grew 12% in the first seven months of this year, where other big names have seen a drop in sales.
What is the key to Prada's success?
What should foreign brands do to penetrate the Chinese luxury market in its current climate?
3. There are few domestic luxury brands competing in the market for luxury watches and fashion.
What are the prospects for more domestic producers taking a bigger share of the market for such goods?
Back Anchor:
That was Benjamin Cavender, Associate principal at China Market Research in Shanghai is on the line with me.
 
 
Lew urges quick debt limit passage
 
U.S Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew is urging Congress to swiftly increase the federal debt limit.
Lew made the comments over a breakfast speech on Tuesday, saying that even an extended debate on the merits of raising the debt ceiling would damage the economy.
Lew pointed out that America cannot be subject to a similar situation of that in 2011, when the discussion over the debt ceiling hampered consumer confidence and resulted into the first ever downgrade in the nations' triple A credit rating.
Lew has projected the government would hit the debt limit in mid-October.
 
 
U.S. debt now about 73% of GDP, CBO says
 
The US Congressional Budget Office is reporting the national debt level is now at about 73 percent of the country's GDP.
The CBO in its long-term budget outlook report, points out the debt percentage is twice as large as it was at the end of 2007.
Meanwhile, the latest reading has registered the highest since World War II.
The CBO is warning growing deficits in the US are likely to push the debt to 100 percent of GDP over the next 25 years.
 
 
Debt inspectors review Portugal's progress as businesses struggle
 
Protesters in Portugal are taking to the streets to demonstrate against stringent austerity measures, as international lenders arrive in Lisbon to review the country's economic well-being.
Tax hikes, particularly the increasing value added tax levied on the country's restaurant owners are causing frustration.
Arlindo Estevao is one of them.
"We have been having the worst of times for the past two years.Because of the VAT, the VAT has increased from 13 to 23 percent and we have to increase our prices. But even if we keep the prices the way they were the state is taking more money away from people's salaries and they don't go out to have lunch."
According to the Gerneral Secretary of AHRESP, Portugal's hotels and restaurants business association, nearly 10 thousand eateries have closed or are on the brink of bankruptcy.
Gerneral Secretary Jose Manuel Esteves with the AHRESP says, the most horrible thing is that it has left the unemployment rate surging, especially among young people.
"The VAT increase and the extra effort we are undertaking to pay more taxes has meant that tens of thousands of jobs were lost, between 80 and 90-thousand, according to our calculations until the end of this year."
The jobless rate in Portugal was recorded at 16.4 percent over the second quarter this year, one of the highest among the European Union.
The Troika is expected to release the economic outlook report in the coming month.
 
 
Headline News
 
 
Chinese, Russian FMs discuss Syria crisis on phone
 
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov have had a comprehensive and in-depth exchange of views on the Syrian crisis via telephone.
Wang said China welcomed the Russia-U.S deal on Syria, hoping the accord could be implemented as soon as possible.
Wang maintains China stance on Syria which is against military action.
He added that China would continue to contribute to helping facilitate a political solution to the crisis.
Both sides have agreed to keep in close contact and coordinate on the issue.
 
 
Chinese state councilor meets DPRK official
 
Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi has met with Kim Kye Gwan, North Korea's First Vice Foreign Minister in Beijing.
Kim is in China for an international workshop on the 10th anniversary of the six-party talks.
Yang said China hopes relevant parties make concerted efforts to strive for an early resumption of the six-party talks.
Kim said the North Korea-China friendship should carry on, and bilateral ties should be strengthened.
 
 
UNGA president calls for "decisive action, highest levels of collaboration" for new development agenda
 
The president of the 68th session of the UN General Assembly is calling for member states to work out the post-2015 development agenda.
John William Ashe made the statement as he was opening the new session of the 193-member General Assembly.
Ashe said the magnitude of the task would require decisive action and the highest levels of collaboration by member states.
 
 
Brazilian president postpones U.S. trip over spy scandal
 
Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff has announced she will postpone an official state visit to Washington D.C next month.
The Brazilian President says the decision follows the U.S government's failure to adequately explain its alleged spying activity in Brazil.
Documents leaked in the Edward Snowden affair, show the U.S. government had been carrying out widespread surveillance and monitoring of millions of e-mails and phone calls made by Brazilian citizens and companies, as well as foreigners in the country.
Brazil has demanded an explanation from the United States and asked for an end to the surveillance.
The U.S has claimed the program was part of a strategy to prevent acts of terrorism and therefore would continue.
 
 
Iran, US presidents exchange letters: official
 
The presidents of Iran and the United States have exchanged letters.
Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham says that U.S. President Barack Obama congratulated Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on his election.
In response, Rouhani thanked the U.S. president and expressed his views about a range of diverse issues.
Diplomatic relations between the countries broke down in 1980, after a group of Iranian students seized the U.S embassy in Tehran and captured some 60 US diplomats in 1979.
 
 
Newspaper Picks
 
 
Beijing Times
Airport bomber expresses remorse
Summary:
Ji Zhongxing, the man charged with causing an explosion at Beijing Capital International Airport has told a court his device went off by accident, when he tried to stop a police officer grabbing it.
He said that he did not intend to cause any injuries, but was only trying to gain public attention.
South China Metropolitan Daily
Qingdao gang boss executed
Summary:
The head of a mafia-style gang in Qingdao, Shandong province, has been executed.
Nie Lei, was convicted on several counts, including intentionally injuring others and running a mafia-style gang that operated underground casinos, organized prostitution rings and illegally possessed guns.
Yanzhao Metropolitan Daily
Township chief sacked for slamming citizens
Summary:
A township official in Hebei Province has been fired for slamming civilians during a lavish banquet.
Video footage of the event was uploaded onto the Internet.
Liang Wenyong, Party chief of Guzishan Town, is seen enjoying high-priced lobsters, high-end cigarettes and premium distilled spirits at the banquet, costing tens of thousands of yuan.
Beijing News
Hospitals in formula ban
Summary:
The National Health and Family Planning Commission has required hospitals strictly abide by the law governing breast milk substitutes, warning against promoting such products.
This comes after media reported alleged secret deals between Tianjin hospitals and formula brands over feeding options for newborns.
Medical institutions have also been told not to accept donations, kickbacks or benefits in other forms from manufacturers or marketers of breast milk substitutes.
Global Times
Tourists caught faking handicaps
Summary:
23 tourists from Shanghai have been caught using phony handicapped certificates to get into a tourist spot in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region for free.
Most of them were over 60 years old.
All was arranged by their guide, who turned out to be holding a fake guide license.
China Daily
Large gold deposit found in Fujian
Summary:
A gold deposit with a reserve of 250,000 tons has been found in Dehua county, Fujian province.
Exploration is still being carried out.
Shanghai Daily
Ministry approves new university in Kunshan
Summary:
Establishment of Duke Kunshan University in east China's Jiangsu Province has been approved.
The university was jointly created by Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, the city of Kunshan and Wuhan University.
It will offer both degree and non-degree academic programs for students from China and around the world.
 
 
Special Reports
 
 
Government demand, social challenges can be driving force for innovation: Swedish official
 
Anchor
Sweden claims to be a nation of innovation not just for already existing brands like ABB or Ericssion.
But it is now trying to stimulate more innovations through government demand as well as social and environmental challenges.
CRI's Chen Xuefei explores more on how Sweden supports such innovation.
Ann
Goran Marklund, Deputy Director of Swedish Innovation Agency said that Sweden now tries to let government demand drive a new market in social challenges.
"Improve the demand side, how the government really demands solutions for the societal challenges, which like energy, water, health care, social welfare, all those things need to be improved in the future, in order to not become a real problem for the society."
He explained that let the government have a higher demand or raise standards for example in water quality, air quality, in medicare and let companies present their innovation and solutions.
He said that Swedish government has increased the funding in this kind of innovation or solutions by 30 percent while the companies and research institutes have to spend 30 percent each so that they are accountable for it.
He said that the government should not just buy the cheap things that is already there, but require the best product or service to foster a new market for the long term.
"While you do that you also become a motor for societal entrepreneurship, this is an important part of purchasing power in the society. Particularly like a country of Sweden. Where we have a big public sector, a big public responsibility such as transportation, energy, health care, social welfare and those kind of things."
Marklund said that in Sweden there is still room for improvement and still challenges in measuring quality in public services.
He said the society needs cleaner energy, better transportation and better health care. But the solution or innovation can be provided by both private and public sectors.
With fair competition between the two, the people can benefit from the better service. Marklund said that if it is a good innovation and good for Swedish society, likely it will be good globally and can be exported too because Sweden is such a country that highly relies on export.
For CRI, this is Chen Xuefei reporting from Stockholm.
 
 
Sports
 
 
 Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has eyes on Champions League Prize
 
So beginning with European football, and Jose Mourinho says he has his eyes firmly on this year's Champion's League title.
The Chelsea Boss won the title with Porto from his home country in 2004 and Italian side Inter Milan in 2010, but he says that just makes him more hungry to claim the win for his home-from-home at Stamford Bridge.
"For me, the important thing is that Chelsea had a dream and the dream became true by winning the Champions League two years ago. I think it's normal that if you win it once, you dream to win it twice... that's normal. It happened to me. And when I won the second time, I dreamt to win for the third time - that's the nature of football."
His side will be taking on Swiss side FC Basel at 2:45 tomorrow morning Beijing time.
A Quick run-down of the scores in the Champions League this morning though, and Man U have beaten Bayer Laverkson 4-2 while Shaktar Donensk defeated Real Sociedad 2-0
Juventus v Koberhaven ended one all while Real Madrid destroyed Galatasaray 6-1… Cristiano Ronaldo with three goals there, but none for Gareth Bale who was brought in at 64 minutes.
Benfica beat Aderlecht 2-0 and PSG won 4-1 against Olympiakos.
Elsewhere, Bayern Munich won three-nil against Cska Moscow, while Man City beat Victoria Pluzen away, also three nil.
 
 
Australia to sue Fifa over 2022 World Cup bid
 
The Football Federation of Australia said it could seek compensation if the 2022 World Cup is switched to winter.
Australia along with the US, Japan and South Korea were all beaten by Qatar in the bids to host the tournament, with Australia spending some 40 million US dollars on the process.
Fifa is now looking at moving the tournament to the winter, because of the scorching 50 degree heat during the Qatari summer, which would mean disrupting domestic tournaments all over the world including Australia.
The FFA said Fifa should consider giving compensation to those nations that have invested millions, and national presige, in bidding for a summer event.
 
 
Postponed Braves v Nationals game goes ahead after shooting
 
Now over to the US, where the Braves and Nationals baseball teams are to play their postponed match in a split double header at 1:05 and 7:05PM local time. Those times in the AM here in Beijing.
The game was called off due to the shooting at the nearby Navy Yard Metro shop in which 12 people died.
Ahead of the match Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said it's best for them to try carry on as normal.
"I think that the sooner we get back to normal, I think tomorrow, I think you got to take one day and pay respects and get back to normal. And not only for us as baseball teams but for the fans and for the people that support both clubs. And as soon as we can do that after we take care of this first, s day here, it'll be better off for everybody."
 
 
Laura Robson through to round two of Guangzhou open
 
In Tennis, British Number one Laura Robson has eased through to the second round of the Guangzhou Open here in China.
The 19-year-old scored a comforatable 6-2 6-4 victory against Javana Jaksic of Serbia.
The third seed will face either Saisai Zheng or Luksika KumKhum in the next round.
Top seed Agnieska Radwanska also went through to the next round comfortably, with a straight sets victory 6-4 6-LOVE against Romania's Alexandra Cadantu.
Chinese trio Zheng Jie, Peng Shuai and Zheng Saisai all won their first round matches and went into the final 16.
 
 
O'Sullivan claims match fixing is widespread in snooker
 
In Snooker, Ronnie O'Sullivan has caused a storm by saying that match fixing is widespread in the sport.
The comments came after fellow player Stephen Lee was found guilty of match fixing by a tribunal and now faces a ban for life.
Following the verdict, O'Sullivan took to twitter to saying "I've heard there's loads more players who throw snooker matches, I suppose Lee was just caught out."
The five-time world champion made later tweets, that also saying those in charge of the sport like "Keep things under the carpet."
World snooker boss Barry Hearn has commented saying if O'Sullivan has evidence then he has a duty to provide it.
 
 
Entertainment
 
 
US Director Makes Chinese-Language Film
 
A US filmmaker has made history by becoming the first American director to make a Chinese-language film.
For the film, titled My Lucky Star, 50-year-old Gordon teamed up with Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon actress Zhang Ziyi and actor Wang Leehom.
Gordon has established herself in the film industry by directing episodes of television shows such as 30 Rock and The Office plus films like Joe Dirt.
My Lucky Star premiered in China yesterday, and has so far the romantic-comedy received overall positive reviews despite critics reporting it doesn't push convention in the romance department.
The film was initially conceived of as a prequel to filmmaker Eva Jin's 2009 film Sophie's Revenge, which starred Zhang.
However, the new film only keeps the same main character and her gossipy friends, and discards the original film's backstory and spirit.
Many are describing My Lucky Star as a family-friendly adventure-caper about a travel agent who chasing after a rare diamond.
 
 
Arnold Schwarzenegger for Avatar 2?
 
We know filmmaker James Cameron plans on making 3-more Avatar films, which has led many to wonder who will pick up the bad guy role following actor Stephen Lang's evil performance from the original.
According to several rumors floating around, Hollywood Cameron is wooing actor turned governor turned actor Arnold Schwarzenegger for the part.
Cameron and Schwarzenegger go way back having worked on films such as True Lies the Terminator series, which launched their careers.
Though he'll direct the three sequels, Cameron reportedly will not take part in any of the writing process.
Screen scribes Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver will fill that role, having recently completed their author JD Salinger's documentary titled Salinger.
 
 
Filmmaker Ron Howard Discusses Dark Tower Adaptation
 
Filmmaker Ron Howard has confessed he is still working on an adaptation to author Stephen King's The Dark Tower book series.
Though Howard refuses to give any information regarding a time-table for when fans can expect a release, he says it is a project he has been continuously working on.
He concedes an adaptation of the complicated anti-hero non-linear story, which spans several books, is tricky business.
Howard has revealed Stephen King has been very helpful and patient, as Howard nurses the dream of bringing The Dark Tower series to either the small or big screen.
 
 
Actress Laurie Holden Casted for Dumb and Dumber Sequel
 
Walking Dead actress Laurie Holden has been cast as the female lead in the upcoming Jim Carrey, Jeff Daniels comedy sequel Dumb and Dumber 2.
Holden, who starred in the first 3-seasons of the hit zombie TV series,m will appear as a rich scheming villain, who uses the clueless pair to cover her tracks.
Carrey recently tweeted a picture of his chipped tooth with the caption 'Guess who's back?', referring to his classic character from the first Dumb and Dumber film in 1994.
The new film is planning on a 2014 release to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the first.
The Farrelly Brothers are back in the director's chairs for the film.
 
 
Britney Spears Announced Vegas Residency; Album Info
 
US pop icon Britney Spears has confirmed plans and released details about her new show in Las Vegas.
The performer has signed a 2-year contract to headline a residency show titled Piece of Me at the Planet Hollywood hotel.
Spears has said she wants to bring one of her son's, Preston, on stage with her at some point.
Details concerning ticket packages have also been released.
Fans have the option to meet the star with the Meet & Greet ticket package, in which they are introduced to the star before the show.
Buyers of this package will also have front row seats and backstage passes.
Prices for the different ticket packages have not yet been revealed, but Spears will soon be releasing more details about the residency shows soon.
Spears also recently revealed the release date of her 8th studio album.
The as-of-yet untitled album and follow up to her 2011 record Femme Fatale will hit shelves early December.
 
 
 
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