新闻纵贯线 The Beijing Hour updated 20:00 2014/06/02

 
The Beijing Hour
 
Evening Edition
 
 
Mark Griffiths with you this Monday, June 2nd 2014.
Welcome to the Beijing Hour, coming to you live from the Chinese capital.
Coming up on the programme this evening...
A senior Chinese diplomat calls the idea of "proactive peace" advocated by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe a cause for concern.
The US government says the release of Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl in Afghanistan may open up new lines of communication with the Taliban.
In Business, China's central bank decides to appoint a clearing bank in London in a move seen as an endorsement of London's efforts to become an offshore yuan center.
In Sport, World number one Rafael Nadal is now battling Serbia's Dusan Lajovic for a quarter final berth in the French Open Tennis Championships.
And the entertainment world mourns Taiwan singer Huanhuan, who has committed suicide at the age of 43.
 
 
 
Weather
 
 
Beijing will be cloudy tonight with a low of 17 degrees Celsius. Sunny tomorrow with a high of 31 degrees.　
Meanwhile Shanghai will be overcast tonight, with a low of 20, overcast also tomorrow, with a high of 25.
Chongqing will have showers, 24 degrees the low, showers continue tomorrow with a high of 31.
Elsewhere in the world, staying in Asia
Islamabad, sunny with a high of 39.
Kabul, mostly sunny, 29.
Over in Australia
Sydney, sunny, high of 21.
Canberra, cloudy, 12.
Brisbane, thunderstorms, 27.
And finally, Perth will be partly cloudy with a high of 22.
 
 
Top News
 
 
Chinese veteran diplomat debunks Japan's "proactive" approach to peace
 
A senior Chinese diplomat has called the idea of "proactive peace" preached by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe a cause for concern.
Fu Ying, a former vice foreign minister, was speaking on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue, a regional security forum held in Singapore.
She said the so-called "proactive" approach is aimed at changing the path of peaceful development set for Japan after World War II.
Fu, who now chairs the Foreign Affairs Committee of China's top legislature, raised the concern as the current leaders of Japan have been trying to deny and sanitise Japan's history of invasion.
In his keynote speech at the forum, the Japanese prime minister used various innuendoes to paint China as a threat.
He also called for revising Japan's pacifist constitution, saying the country's Self-Defense Forces should play a larger role in regional security.
 
 
Shangri-La Dialogue participants value China's role in regional security
 
ANCHOR: At the Shangri-La Dialogue, US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel [also] took issue with China, expressing support for Japan in releasing its so-called collective self-defense right.
But participants from some other countries have voiced their support for China's stance, expecting China to play a still bigger role in ensuring regional peace and stability.
CRI's Ding Lulu has more.
Reporter:
Professor Huang Jing is from the National University of Singapore.
He describes the comment made by the Japanese and US sides as provocative
"The speeches of both Abe and Hagel are setting fires and continuously provoking based on existing disputes. As responsible world powers, they should take specific actions to effectively resolve the disputes, instead of casting a bone between related parties."
During this year's dialogue, Chinese delegates have been actively advocating and elaborating on new security concept for Asia.
Wang Guanzhong, deputy chief of the general staff of the PLA, gave a speech saying China advocates dialogue and cooperation, and stands for the coordinated progress of security and development.
He also stressed that China will never seek hegemony or foreign expansion.
Professor Alexey Muraviev from Curtin University in Australia says the remarks show that China is determined to safeguard its national safety and sovereignty.
"Well, I think it clearly highlights the grand skepticism that exist in Asia about the United States future strategic role as a global player or the player global leader, as well as its capacity to lead go beyond the declarity restatements about leadership capacity in the pacific region, and also it is an indication of China's own confidence in asserting and protecting international interest in the regional context."
Hailing the 3-day meeting as an important dialogue for all the parties in Asia, the professor notes that it is understandable that there are different opinions shared during the forum.
He also stresses that what is more important is that every country should come with a constructive approach to solve disputes.
"So, I think understanding where the principal differences are, and then trying to work out, you know, these are the difficult points, these are the points we tend to agree on, and let's find the common ground and let's find the global middle which we can build a way out in a constructive way."
Participants to the forum also spoke highly of the new security concept put forward by Chinese President Xi Jingping at a recent summit in Shanghai, featuring common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security.
Professor Huang Jing from the National University of Singapore says development and security are interconnected.
Sihasak Phuanketkeow is Thailand's Permanent Secretary of Foreign Affairs,.
He expressed his hope for China's role in the Asia-Pacific security.
"China is one of our most important partners, for ASEAN and for Thailand. We have a strategic partnership, and we want our relationship to develop in a comprehensive way. So much interest is at stake, so much potential. So on the part of Thailand and ASEAN, we are fully committed to enhancing the strategic partnership with China. And China has an important role to play in the region."
The Shangri-La Dialogue, organized by the London-based think tank International Institute for Strategic Studies, has been one of the key events for defense professionals in the region to exchange views on security issues.
For CRI, this is Ding Lulu.
 
 
Hagel and Rice on possibility of negotiating with Taliban
 
US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel says the release of Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl may open up lines of communication with the Taliban.
The Sergeant was handed to US forces in Afghanistan over the weekend.
Hagel says the US strongly supports the Afghan-led effort to come to an agreement with the Taliban.
"We have strongly supported an Afghan-led effort to come to an agreement with the Taliban. As you know, we had engaged with the Taliban up until 2012. They broke off those negotiations. We've had no formal relationship since then. So, maybe this will be a new opening that can produce an agreement."
Bowe Bergdahl was the only U.S. soldier held prisoner in Afghanistan.
He was handed over to U.S. special forces by the Taliban after the US agreed to release five Guantanamo Bay detainees.
They are believed to be the most senior Afghans held at the US detention facility in Cuba.
The swap has draw critisism from US Republicans, as they say the Pentagon did not give the required 30-day advance notification to Congress.
President Barack Obama's national security adviser Susan Rice defended the exchange.
"If for some reason we took the position now in the 21st century, when some of our adversaries may not be traditional state actors, that we would not do our utmost to bring our prisoners of war home, that would break faith with the American people and with the men and women who serve in uniform. So, regardless of who may be holding an American prisoner of war, we must do our best to bring him or her back."
Meanwhile, Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Mohammad Omar has issued a rare public statement hailing the exchange of five Guantanamo Bay detainees for a Taliban-held US soldier as a "big victory".
The Afghan government, which was not informed of the deal until after the exchange had taken place, has condemned it as a breach of international law.
The exchange comes as US President Obama announced plans to wind down America's lengthy war in Afghanistan by the end of 2016.
 
 
Belgian and French ministers say shootings highlight risk of Europeans going to fight in Syria
 
Government officials say the French national arrested over killings at a Belgian Jewish museum highlights the risk of Europeans going to fight in Syria.
The deadly killings at a Belgian Jewish museum was allegedly carried out by a radicalised French national, who had travelled to Syria and had trained with various militant groups.
Belgium's Interior Minister Joelle Milquet.
"Today, with the arrest of this suspect, we have the symbol of European citizens who go to fight in Syria and who can be a terrorist threat for their home countries. If the investigation confirms what we believe, it will be the first attack by a person who has been to Syria."
Milquet also called for a holistic approach to stopping extremism and said European nations must "prevent the phenomenon from setting off".
French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said a meeting will be held on Wednesday between European interior ministers and their counterparts from Jordan, Tunisia, Morocco and Turkey to discuss prevention methods.
"In concrete terms, it is about taking measures to improve the flow of information between our intelligence services, to increase the discovery and surveillance of terrorism networks in all parts of the European Union, at the borders of the Union too, in railway stations, and in airports."
The Brussels killings came on the eve of European parliament elections in which far right parties had a strong showing.
The killings led Belgian officials to raise anti-terror measures and raised fears of rising anti-Semitism.
Two Israelis and a French citizen were killed, while a fourth victim remains hospitalised.
Suspect Mehdi Nemmouche was arrested on Friday in Marseille.
Prosecutors say he has admitted of the killings.
 
 
Teacher turned rebel leader Sanchez Ceren sworn in as president of El Salvador
 
Rural schoolteacher turned rebel commander Salvador Sanchez Ceren has been sworn in as president of El Salvador, becoming the first former guerrilla to lead the Central American nation.
The new president has promised to focus on one of the country's biggest challenges - gang violence - that has made El Salvador one of the world's most dangerous countries.
"All those challenges we must face can only be solved with unity, dialogue and broad reconciliation. We have set a great example to the world with the peace agreements. Through them we were able to end a bloody war. The agreements constitute the start of a new transition in El Salvador for the construction of the most firm pillars of democracy."
He has also promised to maintain good relations with the United States, where hundreds of thousands of Salvadoran migrants live.
The US dollar is El Salvador's official currency.
Sanchez Ceren won a narrow victory in March over Norman Quijano of the Nationalist Republican Alliance that had governed the country for most of the past two decades.
 
 
Seoul urges North to free jailed missionary
 
South Korea is urging North Korea to release and repatriate a jailed Baptist missionary from the South.
South Korean Unification Ministry Spokesman Kim Eui-do,
"North Korea sentenced a South Korean missionary a severe punishment of 'life hard labour' for entering North Korea without proper legal procedures. We've stated that North Korea's harsh punishment is unfair and too strong, and insisted for his immediate release and repatriation. We do not believe that our government's stance is too vocal."
Pyongyang on Saturday sentenced Kim Jung Wook to hard labor for life for allegedly spying and trying to set up underground churches.
Kim was reportedly arrested last October after crossing into the North from China.
He is the latest in a string of missionaries to run into trouble in the country.
 
 
Duanwu Festival
 
Anchor:
Today is the Duanwu Festival here in China, also known as the Dragon Boat Festival.
CRI's Li Dong takes us through the traditions of the festival.
Reporter:
The Dragon Boat Festival commemorates the death of Qu Yuan, a poet who lived in the Warring States Period from 475 to 221 BC.
He committed suicide by flinging himself into the Miluo River in Hunan Province after his home-kingdom fell into enemy hands.
The legend holds that people in boats raced to the site where he drowned and threw in Zongzi or wrapped rice dumplings, so fish wouldn't feed on Qu's body.
Since then, on the fifth day of the fifth month on the lunar calendar, China celebrates the Dragon Boat Festival.
People hold boat races and prepare Zongzi in memory of Qu's righteousness and his beautiful poems.
However, because of the enormous landscape of China, there is a lot of diversity when it comes to Zongzi.
Ma Jianying is the deputy director of Institute of Catering Culture at Yangzhou University.
"The fillings people put in Zongzi in southern China are more diversified than the Zongzi in the north. For instance, ham, salted meat and salted duck egg yolk. The stronger flavor of Zongzi in southern China has a lot to do with the local dinning culture. The Jiaxing Zongzi, as an example, is famous for producing ham."
And Feng Jianhua, a cultural expert in Beijing, echoes Zongzi in the north also has its own geographical culture.
"The Zongzi in the north is different. There is no meat in our Zongzi. Aside from bean and Chinese dates, it can also be made with yellow rice and bean sauce. The flavor is basically sweet and light. But in the south, Zongzi is usually made with stronger flavors."
Ma Jianying also cautions that while Zongzi is part of a fun, holiday celebration, it should also be eaten in moderation.
"Glutinous rice takes a long time to digest. Zongzi in the south is mixed up with food that have high calories. So it's not recommended you eat a lot of Zongzi, though it IS delicious. It's better if you cut it into small pieces and slow down when eating. Don't eat more than you need."
The fifth lunar month is also considered a "poisonous" month in the Chinese farmer's almanac.
This is because insects and pests are active during this time of year.
It's also a high season for people to catch infectious diseases.
As such, in addition to Zongzi, to commemorate the Dragon Boat Festival, children normally wear scented sachets, which is meant to ward off evil. A scented sachet is an ornament worn on the front of the dress containing various aromatic herbs.
Tradition also has it that you should put mugwort leaves and calamus on the doors or windows to repel insects, flies, fleas and moths from your house to stave-off epidemics.
For CRI, I'm Li Dong.
 
 
People in other parts of world celebrate Dragon Boat festival
 
As people in China are celebrating the Dragon Boat Festivel, the celebrations for Duanwu, or the Dragon Boat festival are also being held in other parts of the world.
Hundreds of paddlers have taken to the water in the UK city of Salford to compete in dragon boat races as part of a colorful celebration to mark the festival.
Twenty-seven teams, each made up of 10 paddlers, a drummer and a steersman, have taken part in this year's event.
Ismael Waseem is a dragon boat race competitor.
Boat Festival-1
"We really enjoy getting involved, and getting outside. It's really nice weather today, so we just wanted to give something back to the community, to get involved and show our support."
The Salford event was first held three years ago and has grown into one of the largest dragon boat races in Europe.
Meanwhile, dragon boat races are also being held in Turkey.
This is the seventh time Turkey has held such events.
Emre Mutlu is in charge of the organizing committee of dragon boat races in Istanbul.
"Only 30 teams took part in the race in the year 2008. But this year more than 600 teams have signed up. The teams has also brought their bands and dance teams. Turkish people enjoy it every much. Happy Duanwu Festival!"
Mutlu also commented that although dragon boat events originated in China thousands of years ago, they are becoming increasing popular among Turkish people.
 
 
Biz Reports
 
 
Asian Stocks
 
Asian stocks rose broadly on Monday after a gauge of China's factory activity rose to a five-month high in May.
Investors in China's mainland and Hong Kong couldn't react to the latest round of manufacturing data, as both markets remained closed for the Dragon Boat Festival.
The Nikkei stock index rose 2 percent as investor sentiment was lifted by Wall Street's closing high last week, and the strong Chinese economic data.
South Korea's KOSPI increased over a third of a percent.
Singapore's Straits Times Index added a fraction of a percent.
Australia's ASX advanced nearly half a percent.
 
 
Renminbi clearing bank to open in London
 
The Policy Chairman of the City of London says China's central bank has decided to appoint a clearing bank in London.
The news is said to be an endorsement of London's efforts to become an offshore yuan center.
Other European financial centers in the race to become a yuan center include Frankfurt, Paris, Switzerland and Luxembourg.
Previously, RMB transactions have been cleared only through certain commercial banks' own channels.
Standard Chartered teamed up with Agricultural Bank of China last year, to provide their own yuan clearing platform.
 
 
China's PMI rises to highest level in 2014
 
Growth in China's manufacturing sector continued to accelerate in May, rising to its highest level this year.
Data released by the National Bureau of Statistics showed that the purchasing mangers' index, or PMI, increased to 50.8 percent in May, up from 50.4 in April.
This is the third consecutive monthly uptick.
The index, seen as one of the key indicators gauging economic performance, began to climb in March after three months of declines.
A reading above the 50-point level marks expansion.
 
 
Russia gives Ukraine more time to pay gas bill
 
Russia' gas giant Gazprom has given Ukraine more time to settle its gas bill after receiving a part payment of 786-million US dollars.
The company had previously threatened to halt shipments of gas unless Ukraine paid its bill in full and agreed in future to pay in advance.
Gazprom says Ukraine still owes it almost 2.5-billion US dollars.
Negotiations between the two sides will resume now that a part payment has been made.
Ukraine has refused to settle the full amount in protest against Gazprom's recent 80-percent price increase.
Almost 15-percent of gas used in Europe comes from Russia through Ukraine.
 
 
Major cities home prices drop
 
Home prices in major Chinese cities posted their first monthly decline in nearly two years in May.
The survey conducted by China Index Academy shows the average price of a new home in 100 major cities fell 0.3 percent from April.
The a average cost per square metre is almost 11,000 yuan, or nearly 1800 US dollars.
This is the first time the price has fallen since June 2012.
Prices dropped in 62 cities and remain unchanged in one.
The survey added to signs that China's property market is cooling, with analysts pointing to factors including stringent bank loan criteria, expectations of falling prices and financial trouble among developers.
Only two cities, Beijing and Tianjin have seen new home prices increase.
For more on the home prices issue, CRI's Paul James earlier spoke with Mike Bastin, Visiting Professor at China's University of Economics and Business.
…
Back Anchor:
Mike Bastin, Visiting Professor of China's University of Economics and Business, talking to Paul James.
 
 
Obama to unveil sharp curbs on coal power plants
 
US President Barack Obama is to unveil new rules for coal-burning power plants aimed at dramatically cutting emissions that contribute to global warming.
US media say the proposals seek to cut carbon pollution from nearly 1,600 power plants by 30% by 2030 as compared with 2005 levels.
It's seen as a step toward achieving a pledge Obama made in his first year in office to make sizeable cuts in US carbon emissions by 2020.
 
 
Spain to launch 6.3bn euro stimulus package
 
Spain is set to unveil a new stimulus package worth 6.3bn euros next week.
The main rate of corporate tax will also be cut to 25% from 30%.
The measures are designed specifically to boost the economy's competitiveness and to create jobs.
Reports suggest that the package will include credits to small and medium-sized firms, as well as investments aimed at research and development, transport and energy-saving.
Spain has the second highest unemployment rate in the eurozone, behind Greece.
 
 
Samsung unveils first Tizen-powered smartphone
 
Samsung has unveiled a smartphone powered by the Tizen operating system, with an aim to rely less on Google's Android operating system.
The smartphone offers a faster start-up time and immediate multi-tasking capabilities.
It's set to be released at the Tizen Developer Conference later this week in San Francisco.
The phone will be available in the third quarter in Russia and is planned to expand to other markets later.
 
 
Headline News
 
 
Chinese veteran diplomat debunks Japan's "proactive" approach to peace
 
A senior Chinese diplomat has called the idea of "proactive peace" preached by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe a cause for concern.
Fu Ying, a former vice foreign minister, was speaking on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue, a regional security forum held in Singapore.
She said the so-called "proactive" approach is aimed at changing the path of peaceful development set for Japan after World War II.
Fu, who now chairs the Foreign Affairs Committee of China's top legislature, raised the concern as the current leaders of Japan have been trying to deny and sanitise Japan's history of invasion.
 
 
Massive suicide attack leaves 8 dead in S. Afghanistan
 
A group of suicide bombers have attacked a district headquarters in southern Afghanistan's Helmand province, leaving eight people dead.
A local official says four bombers equipped with suicide vests and light arms attacked the headquarters.
One of them died in the blast and the rest were killed by police after a two-hour gun battle.
Militancy is on the rise since the Taliban launched their spring offensive on May 12.
 
 
Iran unveils new long-range radar system
 
Iran has unveiled a new long-range radar system to enhance its air defense.
The radar system, named Qadir, or Almighty, has a range of about 1,100 kilometers.
It can monitor the surrounding area round the clock and detect small three dimensional targets.
The system was designed and manufactured by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
 
 
NBC censors Snowden interview, key part unaired: report
 
A Russian news website says the key part of US TV network NBC's recent interview with intelligence leaker Edward Snowden was not aired.
The Russia Today website says NBC condensed four hours' conversation with the former National Security Agency contractor into a 60-minute time slot and did not air it in primetime broadcast.
It says in the deleted portion, Snowden said Washington failed to stop the 9/11 terrorist attacks even with all the proper intelligence and information.
He reportedly claimed that the CIA had known the identities of the terrorists before the tragedy.
 
 
King Juan Carlos of Spain abdicates
 
King Juan Carlos of Spain has decided to abdicate after almost 39 years on the throne.
Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has announced that the king's son, 45-year-old Crown Prince Felipe, will take over the throne.
Rajoy said the 76-year-old king is stepping down for personal reasons.
For much of his reign, Juan Carlos was seen as one of the world's most popular monarchs, but recently many Spaniards have lost confidence in him.
His reputation has been tarnished by a long-running corruption investigation into his daughter and her husband.
Support for the king fell further when it was discovered he had been on a lavish elephant hunting trip to Botswana in the middle of Spain's financial crisis.
 
 
Newspaper Picks
 
 
China Daily
"China looks to relax green card policy"
China is considering relaxing its "green card" policy by lowering the application and approval threshold, a move to attract more foreign talent.
Authorities are deliberating revision to regulations on permanent residence for foreigners, considering more flexible and pragmatic application standards.
China launched its green card system in 2004.
Under the system, the foreign family members of Chinese nationals and foreign people who have worked as elite talent or made large investments (at least 500,000 U.S. dollars), among others, can apply for permanent residence cards.
Nearly 5,000 foreigners had been granted Chinese green cards by 2012.
As of May 23, over 1,300 foreigners had gained permanent residence in China through.
Xinhua
"Beijing adds police dogs to anti-terrorism campaign"
Beijing is deploying more police dogs in the capital's tightened anti-terrorism campaign.
Police are told to bring large-breed dogs, such as German Shepherds, during their routine patrols in densely populated areas such as urban centers and transport hubs.
The dogs are also expected to help police deal with terrorist attacks and keep order in large-scale gatherings.
Beijing police have now trained more than 650 dogs.
Following fatal terrorist attacks in recent months, China has relaxed controls on armed patrols and reinforced public security to prevent and crack down on criminal activities.
The India Express
"Root canal may become a thing of the past!"
Painful dental procedures, such as root canals, may soon become a thing of the past!
In a first, scientists have used light to coax stem cells to regrow parts of teeth.
The researchers used a low-power laser to trigger human dental stem cells to form dentin, the hard tissue that is similar to bone and makes up the bulk of teeth.
They outlined the precise molecular mechanism involved, and demonstrated its prowess using multiple laboratory and animal models.
A number of biologically active molecules, such as regulatory proteins called growth factors, can trigger stem cells to differentiate into different cell types.
Current regeneration efforts require scientists to isolate stem cells from the body, manipulate them in a laboratory, and return them to the body.
Researchers say the treatment modality does not introduce anything new to the body, and lasers are routinely used in medicine and dentistry, so the barriers to clinical translation are low.
 
 
Special Reports
 
 
How Smartphones Have Changed Our Life
 
The latest numbers show that around the world there are some 1.4 billion people using smartphones.
This year, about 90 percent of all cellphones sold here in China are expected to be smartphones.
While smartphones have changed lives dramatically, some lament that smartphone addiction is pushing people further apart, while use of these devices leaves people vulnerable to privacy and security breaches.
For more on that, CRI's Zheng Chengaung spoke earlier with Roel Vertegaal, Professor of Human-Computer Interaction at Queen's University.
…
BACK ANCHOR:
That is Roel Vertegaal, Professor of Human-Computer Interaction at Queen's University, speaking with CRI's Zheng Chenguang.
 
 
Sports
 
 
Nadal battles Dusan Lajovic for a place in the last eight at Roland Garros
 
Starting off with the lastest tennis news from Roland Garros,
World number one Rafael Nadal is now battling Serbia's Dusan Lajovic for a quarter final berth in the French Open.
Eight-time champion Nadal earlier beat Leonardo Mayer of Argentina in the third round and extended his winning streak at Roland Garros to 31 matches.
Lajovic came into this match after dispatching Jack Sock in straight sets 6-4, 7-5, 6-3.
Also coming up, fifth seeded David Ferrer will go up against South Africa's Kevin Anderson for his ticket in the last eight.
And Briton Andy Murray will play Spain's Fernando Verdasco in their last 16 tie.
That match gets under way at 2pm British Summer Time, 9pm Beijing time.
Verdasco was the man Murray beat in five sets on his way to victory at Wimbledon last summer, and the Scot has a 9-1 record against the Spaniard.
Earlier, 4th seed Roger Federer was knocked out by Latvia's Ernests Gulbis.
Federer's streak of nine consecutive quarter-finals at this tournament ended with a 6-7, 7-6, 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 defeat to the 18th-seed.
Federer was explict with this disappointment.
"Clearly very disappointed, you know, not to come through with the win. After the chance in the second set, fighting back in the fourth, not to play a better fifth set. A lot of regrets here now. It was a tough match and I'm disappointed I lost it."
Gulbis will next play the sixth seed, Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic in the last eight, who beat American John Isner 6-4, 6-4, 6-4.
Meanwhile, second seed Novak Djokovic eases through in straight sets 6-1, 6-4, 6-1 against local favorite Jo-Wilfried Tsonga to move into the quarter-finals against Canada's Milos Raonic.
On the women's side,
Seventh seed Maria Sharapova advanced into the quarter-finals after edging Australian Samantha Stosur 3-6, 6-4, 6-love.
Sharapova will next meet Spain's Garbine Muquruza in the quarterfinals.
Muquruza earlier ousted Frenchwoman Pauline Parmentier 6-4, 6-2.
Fourth seed Simona Halep, the highest seed left in the women's draw, beat Maria-Teresa Torro-Flor 6-3 6-love to set up a tie with Sloane Stephens for a place in the last eight.
 
 
NBA final set after Spurs past Thunder to join Miami
 
In basketball, this year's NBA final is set to be a rematch of last year's.
This, after the San Antonio Spurs beat the Oklahoma City Thunder in overtime on Sunday to take the series in six games.
The Spurs will play the Miami Heat for the championship.
Game One is in San Antonio on Thursday morning.
 
 
Former New Jersey Nets owner Lewis Katz died in plane crash
 
Off the court, former New Jersy Nets owner, Lewis Katz, has been killed along with six other people in a plane crash in Massachusetts.
His son, Drew, and a business partner confirmed Katz's death after a private jet crashed shortly after taking off from Hanscom Field outside Boston, bound for Atlantic City.
There were no survivors.
The crash came just days after Katz gained full control of The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Katz bought the Nets in 1998 and owned the team during its most successful years in New Jersey, as the team reached the NBA Finals in 2002 and 2003.
 
 
Hideki Matsuyama becomes fourth Japanese player to win a PGA Tour
 
In golf, Hideki Matsuyama has become the fourth Japanese player ever to win on a PGA Tour when he captured the Memorial tournament in Dublin, Ohio.
The 22-year-old also became the youngest champion of the 6.2 million-dollar event.
Matsuyama had a 3-under-par 69 to match Kevin Na at 13-under 275 through 72 holes of regulation play.
The five-time winner on the Japan Golf Tour then had a birdie on the 18th hole to force a playoff with Na and won the tournament with a 10-foot par putt on the first extra hole.
Golf legend Jack Nicklaus is tournament founder and host.
"I thought it was a great week, great weather, great tournament, it was, I think we have a great winner, this young man is going to win a lot of golf tournaments and it's his first one in the United States, you got to start somewhere, he started here, we're proud that he's our winner."
Masters champion Bubba Watson started the day with a one-shot lead and finished third at 12 under of 72, moving him to world number three ahead of the injured Tiger Woods.
Australian world number one Adam Scott finished three shots behind after a 71.
 
 
Entertainment
 
 
Huading Awards gain popularity in Hollywood
 
The 12th Huading Awards have seen China gain more and more popularity in the global market.
For the first time, the Huading Awards ceremony has been held abroad in Hollywood, Los Angles.
The awards, designed to reward those who present positive images in society, have received 80 million votes from Chinese audiences.
Halle Berry, Orlando Bloom, Charlie Hunnam, Lucy Liu and Guillermo del Toro were among those in attendance at the ceremony.
"Fast and Furious 6" was the big winner of the evening, taking home the top prize, Best Global Movie.
Jordana Brewster took the prize on behalf of the team, and paid tribute to the late Paul Walker in her speech.
Oscar-winner Halle Berry was given the "Icon" award for her film work.
She expressed her gratitude for the acknowledgement in China.
"A few years ago, I managed to go to Shanghai, and I had a welcome there that simply took my breath away.　The love that came towards me and the appreciation for the work that I've done really has stayed with me, and I hope that I will continue to be able to make movies and entertain the Chinese audience, and I'm so glad that now you get to see more of what we do and get to have an interpersonal relationship with all of you, so I thank you very much for this acknowledgment tonight, it truly is an honor."
"Lord of the Rings" star Orlando Bloom was given the global male star award.
During his acceptance speech, he revealed his idea of making a film in China.
"I was born in England, and I never thought that I would be fortunate to make films with so many artists I admire, from New Zealand to Europe, the United States and Africa. Now all that's left is for me to try and make some moves and try to make a film in China, which I would very much enjoy."
The Best Global Director prize went to Guillermo del Toro, director of Pacific Rim and Pan's Labyrinth.
And Charlie Hunnam was recognised with the emerging talent prize.
The bilingual ceremony will be broadcast in China's mainland, Taiwan and Hong Kong through cable networks as well as online.
 
 
Video revealed on Justin Bieber making racist jokes
 
Canadian pop singer Justin Bieber is in trouble again.
The British tabloid, "The Sun on Sunday" has revealed footage of Bieber making racist jokes.
In the brief clip, the singer is heard making a joke about why dark-skinned people might be afraid of chainsaws.
BIEBER: "Father's day."
UNKNOWN VOICE: "That's just mean."
BIEBER: "Why are black people afraid of chainsaws?"
UNKNOWN VOICE: "Don't answer it."
BIEBER: "Run nigger, nigger, nigger, nigger."
UNKNOWN VOICE: "You could say motorcycle too, right?"
The video appears to show Bieber in his mid-teens.
The newspaper claims representatives of Bieber have tried to buy silence with what they call a "huge" sum of money.
The singer has immediately responded, expressing his regret for his, quote, "childish and inexcusable mistake", unquote.
He says he was a child and thought it was Ok to repeat hurtful words, but he is a man now and understands the responsibilities.
Bieber was accused of attempted robbery last month.
And he is due to stand trial in July in Miami on charges of driving under the influence, resisting arrest and using an expired license.
In February, Bieber was charged with assaulting a limousine driver in Toronto.
 
 
Former Taiwan girls' group member died of suicide
 
Taiwan police have confirmed that Huanhuan, whose real name was Yu Jiahui, has died by committing suicide at the age of 43.
Huanhuan was a member of the once popular girls' group, Youhuan Party, in Taiwan.
Police say the entertainer committed suicide at home by inhaling carbon monoxide from burning coal.
A note was said to have been left in the room, reading "Others told me to do it."
Her brother said Huanhuan had suffered from depression for a long time and had taken medicine for three months.
She reportedly had suffered from depression since her father's death in 2012.
Huanhuan and Youyou, whose real name is Cai Yulun, founded the girl group Youhuan Party in 1987, which quickly became popular in Taiwan.
They were also the predecessor of the popular boys' group Xiao Hu Dui, or the Little Tigers.
The investigation continues.
 
 
MTV Africa Music Awards to take place in South Africa for the first time
 
The winners of the 2014 MTV Africa Music Awards KwaZulu-Natal are to be announced at Durban's International Convention Centre in South Africa.
It is the first time the ceremony will be held in the African continent.
Created in 2008, the awards celebrate African contemporary music and achievement in 18 different categories, including Best Male, Best Female, Best Group, Song of the Year, and other categories.
South African artists Mafikizolo and Uhuru, and Nigerian superstar Davido lead the field in the 2014 MAMA with 4 nominations each.
Kenyan actress and Oscar winner Lupita Nyong'o is nominated in the Personality of the Year category.
This year's awards ceremony will also crown the winner of the MTV Base Leadership Award.
 
 
A quick recap of headlines before we go.
Senior Chinese diplomat Fu Ying has called the idea of "proactive peace" advocated by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe a cause for concern which appears to be aimed at changing the path of peaceful development set for Japan after World War Two.
The US government says the release of Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl in Afghanistan may open up new lines of communication with the Taliban.
In Business, China's central bank has decided to appoint a clearing bank in London in a move seen as an endorsement of London's efforts to become an offshore yuan center.
In Sport, World number one Rafael Nadal is battling Serbia's Dusan Lajovic for a quarter final berth in the French Open Tennis Championships.
And the entertainment world is mourning Taiwan singer Huanhuan, who has committed suicide at the age of 43.