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

 
The Beijing Hour
 
Evening Edition
 
 
Mark Griffiths with you this Friday, June 6th 2014.
Welcome to the Beijing Hour, coming to you live from the Chinese capital.
Coming up on the programme this evening...
The Chinese government issues a statement voicing its determination to safeguard China's marine rights and sovereignty in the East and South China Seas.
World leaders join veterans in France to mark the 70th anniversary of D-Day.
During the 59th commemoration of its ceasefire with North Korea, the South Korean president urges the north to abandon its nuclear weapons program.
In business, the Ministry of Commerce announces that anti-dumping duties on acetone imports from Japan, Singapore, the Republic of Korea and Taiwan will continue for another five years.
In sport, FIFA president Sepp Blatter avoids Qatar 2022 corruption questions at a news conference in Sao Paulo.
In entertainment, actress Jane Fonda receives the American Film Institute's Life Achievement Award in Los Angeles.
 
 
Weather
 
 
Beijing will be overcast tonight with a low of 28 degrees Celsius. Cloudy tomorrow with a high of 31 degrees.　
Meanwhile Shanghai will be cloudy tonight, with a low of 21, cloudy also tomorrow, with a high of 30.
Chongqing will be overcast, 22 degrees the low,　cloudy tomorrow with a high of 31.
Elsewhere in the world, staying in Asia
Islamabad, sunny with a high of 42.
Kabul, sunny, 29.
Over in Australia
Sydney, showers, high of 18.
Canberra, sunny, 16.
Brisbane, sunny, 25.
And finally, Perth will be partly cloudy with a high of 23.
 
 
Top News
 
 
China urges Vietnam to stop disruptions in oil drilling operation
 
The Chines government has issued a statement voicing its determination to safeguard China's marine rights and sovereignty.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei says China hopes countries outside the region will choose dialogue and negotiation to resolve disputes instead of making aggressive moves that intensify tension.
The comment follows a communique released after the G7 summit.
It says the Group is concerned about disputes in the East and South China Seas.
"China's determination to defend its national sovereignty and maritime interests is firm and consistent. The determination of China to preserve international law and the basic norm of international relationships is unshakable."
The spokesman has also rejected accusations that the tension with Vietnam in the South China Sea has been caused by China.
"In the South China Sea, China's ships were on the defensive and Vietnam's ships were aggressive. China's ships were only 17 nautical miles from China's territory while Vietnam's ships were a long way from home, traveling 160 nautical miles to arrive at the site. So which side started the ramming? Which side is responsible for the tension? This is very obvious."
Hong Lei says the Chinese oil rigging operation has been rammed by Vietnamnese ships over 1,200 times.
He says up to now, the Vietnamese side has not provided any compensation to the Chinese people and companies hurt in the violent anti-China protests in Vietnam last month.
 
 
Russian FM optimistic about Ukraine progress following Kerry meeting
 
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says he and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry are in agreement on the Ukraine situation.
"John Kerry agreed that we have to return the situation to this direction, to not allow what is happening in Ukraine to antagonize. And he admitted that in this case the most important demand, which we of course signed in the Geneva agreement and was, by the way, noted in the February 23 agreement, it is the end to any violence. And we clearly underlined the need for an immediate stop to armed operations, the so-called counter-terrorist operations that have gone beyond all possible limits."
However, leaders of the Group of 7 have issued an ultimatum to the Russian government over the crisis in Ukraine, while expressing support for Ukraine's new government.
US President Barak Obama says Russia has one month to take concrete and credible measures to de-escalate the situation in Ukraine.
"We will have a chance to see what Mr Putin does over the next, two, three, four weeks, and if he remains on the current course then we have already indicated the kinds of actions that we're prepared to take."
The conditions include recognizing Petro Poroshenko as the newly elected leader in Kiev, stopping arms from crossing the border, and ceasing support for anti-government groups concentrated in eastern Ukraine.
Failure to meet these terms will trigger a new round of harder-hitting sanctions against Moscow.
 
 
Leaders gather for D-Day anniversary
 
World leaders are joining veterans in France to mark the 70th anniversary of D-Day, the allied invasion of Normandy during World War II.
They are honouring the 150-thousand or more American, British, Canadian and other Allied D-Day troops who risked and gave their lives to defeat Adolf Hitler's Third Reich.
French President Francois Hollande has commenced the D-Day commemorations at a ceremony in Caen, paying tribute to civilian casualties.
"We owe it to the memory of those who died for us, and we also owe it -- with regard to the willingness of France --to be present everywhere, aware that it comes with a long history and that it still has a destiny to fulfill for the fate of the whole world. "
US World War II Veteran, 90 year-old Don McCarthy from Maryland
"Very special moment of my life, I'm so filled with joy right now I can hardly control myself. Thanks God for being here."
The D-Day invasion was a key turning point in World War II, cracking Hitler's western front as Soviet troops made advances in the east.
Overall at least 4,400 Allied troops were killed on the first day.
Many thousands more died in the ensuing three-month Battle of Normandy, which brought the Allies to Paris to liberate the French capital from Nazi occupation.
 
 
Veteran Tells of "The Longest Day" 
 
Anchor:
For the diminishing number of veterans who witnessed D-day first hand, it was one of the darkest days of their lives.
Our UK correspondent Duan Xuelian has more on how they reflect on this iconic experience and what they have to say to people today.
Reporter:
Seventy years have passed, but Frank Rosier still vividly remembers the atrocious waves across the English Channel. He was 18 years old, a boy soldier who's going to be part of the most important piece of Second World War history. And yet, all he can think about was the nauseating feeling of seasickness.
"I and I think many, many of us were very, very seasick. And when I got to Normandy, I only wanted to do one thing. GET OFF THAT BOAT!"
On the eve of June 6, 1944, thousands of young soldiers like Frank, left Portsmouth in southern England and began their epic landing mission onto five beaches in Normandy, France. What met them was the ruthless reality of warfare.
"When we came ashore, now what they can train you for was everything, but what they can't train you for is what was on that beach--carnage. Horrible; wounded, dead men, I won't even try to describe it to you. It was pretty horrific. D-day, I would like to forget it, please--it was among the worst hours of my life."
It is estimated that over four-thousand Allied troops, airmen or sailors died on D-day, of whom over 1,000 were British. Frank's elder brothers, Phil and Wally, were both killed in action.
Three months after landing in Normandy, Frank was severely wounded in battle and lost his right eye. He was then sent back to Britain, hospitalized for quite a long period. Still, he called himself lucky.
"I'll always remember 18, 19, 20 year-old boys, who were still laying in Normandy,laying wherever they fought."
Frank is now a member of the Normandy Veterans Association. Of the 61-thousand British soldiers who arrived on the beaches of Normandy, fewer than 500 are still alive.
Frank and other members of the veteran association are in hot demand for schools and various organizations dedicated to World War history education. As the 70th anniversary of D-Day is being commemorated worldwide, veterans like Frank are also wooed by journalists from home and abroad. Reflecting on his own experiences, Frank would often say there's at least one good thing about war.
"Russia, America, China, Britain, we're all on the same side, why can't we do it today? "
As to the special commemorations taking place in Britain and across the world, Frank obviously holds a slightly different opinion from the public.
"For me, the 70th anniversary of D-day is no more than the 69th anniversary of D-day or the 68th anniversary or the 71th anniversary, we will always be in Portsmouth, known as D-day son. We are here, all of us, every 6th of June, whatever year it is."
For CRI, I'm Duan Xuelian, reporting from Portsmouth.
 
 
President Park leads Memorial Day ceremony at Seoul's national cemetery
 
South Korean President Park Geun-hye has urged North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons program during the 59th commemoration of the ceasefire with the north, marked by Memorial Day in Seoul.
"Our government really hopes the North gives up its nuclear programme and boosts its economy, as well as improving people's lives, with the support of the international community."
The South Korean president says Seoul has made efforts to build up the foundation for peaceful reunification while dealing sternly with North Korea's provocations.
She adds peace and reunification on the Korean Peninsula will open a new opportunity for Northeast Asia and the entire world, while bringing peace and prosperity to the people of the two Koreas.
Touching on the ferry sinking disaster, Park vows to improve public safety.
"Our government will accelerate efforts to reform the safety management system along with reforms to public institutions. We will push forward the three-year plan for economic innovation as well."
The ferry Sewol capsized and sank off the southwestern coast on April 16, leaving more than 300 people, mostly high school students, dead or missing.
15 people remain unaccounted for.
 
 
Palestinians Defends New Gov't, Condemn Settlements on Naksa Day
 
Anchor:
Palestinians on the West Bank have rallied to mark the 1967 war that led to the occupation of the region by Israel.
Demonstrators are defending the new Palestinian unity government and condemning the Israeli announcement of more settlements.
CRI's Alexander Aucott has more.
Reporter:
Protests have been taking place at the Qalandiya checkpoint near Ramallah, marking Naksa Day, the anniversary of the 1967 Six-Day War, which marks the beginning of the Israeli military occupation and settlements in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
Issam Bakr is from the central committee of the Palestinian People's Party.
He voices strong support to the new Palestinian unity government.
"We think the new government here is a clear answer for the Israeli government that we are going to return back to our national unity to continue our struggle to achieve our goals of independence and ending this occupation from our shoulders. I think Israeli government will try to boycott this government all over the world, but this is our decision and we are going to continue defending on this decision."
Following clashes at a checkpoint, Israeli forces fired acoustic grenades and tear gas to disperse the rally.
Four Palestinians were injured after being shot by rubber-coated steel bullets.
A local Palestinian who comes to the rally says they are trying to keep the world concerned about the Palestinian issue.
"These demonstrations will raise up the Palestinian issue as a whole, and let it to be remembered by the world. We want the world not to forget the Palestinian issue."
The Palestinian unity government sworn in this week ended the seven-year division between the two main Palestinian factions, Fatah and Hamas.
As response, Israel announced plans to build over 3,000 settlement units in the West Bank and in east Jerusalem.
The tenders have been strongly opposed by the Palestinians.
Ehab Bessaiso is the Palestinian government spokesperson.
"We condemn the approval of new settlements and we believe that this is undermining the international effort towards achieving a peaceful solution based on a two-state solution."
The United States has voiced its disappointment, saying the Israeli announcement of new housing is "unhelpful" and "illegitimate."
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon has also expressed concern, calling on Israel to "heed the calls of the international community to freeze settlement activity."
The building of settlements in the West Bank caused peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians to break down in 2010.
For CRI, I'm Alexander Aucott.
 
 
Universities face pressure in recruiting students
 
Anchor: Chinese higher learning institutions are expected to face a continuous student shortage in the future. This phenomenon is pressing universities in China to speed up their reforms. CRI's Li Dong has the details.
Reporter:
According to China's Ministry of Education, the number of Gaokao, or national college entrance exam candidates rebounded slighly this year to nearly 9.4 million following a five-consecutive-year slip.
Chen Zhiwen, editor-in-chief of eol.cn, says the overall declining trend is being caused by a drop in the birth rate.
"The number of newborns has been falling after peaking at 20 million in 1990 and dropped to 12 million around 2000. This is to say that the number of people aged 18 - the age when most students in China start college - will continue to drop before reaching the bottom in around 2018."
The declining Gaokao enrollment rate in the past few years is putting pressure on China's universities.
Eol.cn reports that at least seven provinces and one region, including Shangdong, Henan, and Anhui did not meet their recruitment goals in the past one or two years.
Chen Zhiwen notes lack of confidence in China's higher education system also contributes to the phenomenon.
"Some students who are qualified to go to college abandoned the opportunity to go to college here in China. This is a real problem. It indicates that students and parents are losing their confidence in the country's higher education."
Thus, Chinese higher learning institutions will inevitably face competition for qualified students, reversing the decades-long trend of students jostling for admission spots.
In the light of the changes, the Ministry of Education is reforming the Gaokao system, considering two separate test modes for technical and academic students.
As the technical tests lower the threshold for enrolment, it'll help colleges secure more students.
But Chen Zhiwen says many universities are not actively responding to the reform.
"Some universities lack motivation because once they gain the reputation of being technical schools, they are afraid of losing their halo as a university. That's why they don't have the motivation to take this chance."
Chen Zhiwen says the reform is one of the best he's ever known.
He urges China's universities to be more active in carrying out the reform.
The national college entrance exam attracted some nine million participants last year. Success in the Gaokao is seen by many parents as an important way of ensuring their children have a bright future.
For CRI, I am Li Dong.
 
 
Biz Reports
 
 
Stocks 
 
Asian stocks ended mixed on Friday after the European Central Bank introduced aggressive easing measures aimed at stimulating the eurozone economy.
Chinese shares closed lower, with the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index down half a percent.
The Shenzhen Component Index lost nearly 1 percent.
Hong Kong's Hang Seng contiued on a downward trend, losing nearly three quarters of a percent.
Elsewhere in the region,
Japan's Nikkei ended almost flat.
South Korea's KOSPI shed nearly three quarters of a percent.
But Australia's ASX added half a percent.
 
 
Doug Young on corporate news of the week
 
Anchor:
It's been another busy week on the corporate front here in China.
Lenovo and IBM are said to be seeking an extension to the US review of IBM's 2.3 billion dollar sale of its server business to Lenovo, and Dutch Pension Fund APG appears to be doing some "shopping" in China.
For more on these stories, The Beijing Hour's Shane Bigham spoke earlier with Doug Young, associate professor at Fudan University and former China company news chief at Reuters.
…
Doug Young, associate professor at Fudan University and former China company news chief at Reuters, speaking with the Beijing Hour's Shane Bigham.
 
 
Banks' exposure to real estate healthy: official
 
A senior official with China's top banking watchdog has said Chinese banks' loan to the real estate sector is stable.
The vice chairman of the China Banking Regulatory Commission says the real estate market now draws 20 percent of total bank lending in China, of which around 70 percent goes to home buyers in mortgage loans.
Of these mortgage loans, the bad loan ratio is less than one percent.
The vice chairman's comment came amid concerns that a cooling property market may lead to an increasing risk of bad loans.
 
 
China extends anti-dumping duties on acetone imports
 
The Ministry of Commerce has announced that the Chinese mainland will continue to impose anti-dumping duties on acetone imports from Japan, Singapore, the Republic of Korea and Taiwan for another five years.
The ministry says the decision was made after a year-long review of previous anti-dumping measures at the request of domestic acetone producers.
The five-year duties were first launched on June 9, 2008 and expired last year.
Acetone is a chemical material primarily used as an organic solvent in the medical and paint industries.
 
 
Yunfeng to invest in dairy maker Yili
 
Private equity firm Yunfeng Capital have agreed to invest at least 2 billion yuan, around 320 million US dollars, in Chinese dairy giant Yili group.
Yunfeng Capital was co-founded by Alibaba founder Jack Ma and CITIC Private Equity.
The deal will see Yunfeng and CITIC buying 60 percent of Inner Mongolia Yili 's livestock development subsidiary.
The investment is Yunfeng's first in China's food sector.
Its past investments have been focused on technology, media and telecommunications.
Inner Mongolia Yili is one of China's biggest milk powder makers.
The company's name was tainted along with other big dairy companies by a safety scandal back in 2008.
 
 
Chinese business tycoon becomes owner of Edificio Espana building
 
Chinese business tycoon Wang Jianlin has bought a landmark building in Spain for some 360 million dollars.
Wang, the owner of Chinese real estate giant Wanda Group, is now owner of the the emblematic "Edificio Espana" building in Madrid.
The Edificio Espana, an example of Spanish architecture from the 1940s and 1950s, became the first skyscraper in Spain after its inauguration in 1953.
Wanda Group has quicked its steps in acquiring landmark properties in recent years.
Last year, Wanda bought the former Nine Elms site on the river Thames in London.
The company also bought Sunseeker, the UK's largest luxury yacht maker for some 320 million pounds.
 
 
Shenzhen becomes fourth national innovation zone
 
The State Council, China's cabinet has approved the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen as a national independent innovation demonstration zone.
Shenzhen, the city where Chinese tech giants Tencent and Huawei are based, will now become the country's fourth zone of this kind.
The other three are the Zhongguancun Science Park in Beijing, Donghu New Technology Development Zone in Wuhan, and Zhangjiang Hi-tech Zone in Shanghai.
Shenzhen will be the first such innovation zone to be built on a city-wide scale.
The new innovation zone will enjoy government support in taxation, research and development financing and other fields.
 
 
China remains Vietnam rice's largest importer
 
China remained Vietnam's largest rice importer in the first four months of this year, accounting for almost 42 percent of Vietnam's rice exports.
According to official figures from Vietnam's Agricultural Ministry, during the January-April period, China imported some 900,000 tons of Vietnamese rice, up 2.4 percent year on year.
Rice accounts for a large chunk of Vietnam's export revenues.
Last year, the country earned just under 3 billion US dollars from exporting some 6.7 million tons of rice.
 
 
Headline News
 
 
China urges Vietnam to stop disruptions in oil drilling operation
 
The Chines government has issued a statement voicing its determination to safeguard China's marine rights and sovereignty.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei says China hopes countries outside the region will choose dialogue and negotiation to resolve disputes instead of making aggressive moves that intensify tension.
The comment follows a communique released after the G7 summit.
It says the Group is concerned about disputes in the East and South China Seas.
The spokesman has also rejected accusations that the tension with Vietnam in the South China Sea has been caused by China.
 
 
World leaders gather for D-Day anniversary
 
World leaders have joined hundreds of veterans in Normandy, France to mark the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings.
French President Francois Hollande launched the commemorations by paying tribute to those who died on a day that "changed the world".
Following Hollande, US President Barack Obama addressed the gathering, saying the battlegrounds of Normandy represent "democracy's beachhead".
British Queen Elizabeth II and Russian President Vladimir Putin were among nineteen heads of state in France for the commemorations.
 
 
North Korea says investigating U.S. tourist for illegal acts
 
North Korea says it's investigating an American who entered the country as a tourist in late April for violating the country's laws.
The official KCNA news say the U.S. citizen has conducted activities inappropriate for the purpose of his visit as a tourist.
No other details were given.
Earlier, Japan's Kyodo news reported that North Korea had detained a U.S. citizen in mid-May, bringing the number of Americans being held by Pyongyang to three.
 
 
1 dead, 3 wounded in Seattle campus shooting
 
A gunman has killed one person and wounded at least three others at a university in Seattle, the US, before he was disarmed by a student security guard.
Police say the lone gunman entered an engineering building at the Seattle Pacific University and opened fire.
The gunman was held down and arrested by several officers after the student subdued the man as he was reloading.
Witnesses say the suspect appeared to be in his mid-30s and might not be a student at the school.
The gunman's motive remains unclear.
 
 
Suspect in Canada shooting arrested
 
Police in Canada have arrested a man suspected in the shooting deaths of three officers following a massive manhunt.
24-year-old Justin Bourque was arrested early Friday in the eastern city of Moncton.
His motive for the shootings remains unknown.
The massive manhunt had all but shut down the of 69,000 people since the shooting occurred Wednesday.
Two officers were also wounded in this rare case of gun violence in eastern Canada.
 
 
Navy airplane crashes in east China
 
A Chinese navy airplane has crashed during a night training mission in the eastern province of Zhejiang.
Navy sources say the aircraft went down in a mountainous region of Yiwu city, causing no collateral damage.
They did not reveal how many people were on board.
Efforts are underway to search for the crew.
 
 
Newspaper Picks
 
 
China Daily
"Zhejiang to have job fair in Shanghai"
Zhejiang province will have a large-scale job fair in Shanghai this week.
Authorities hope to find talented professionals to meet the province's future development needs.
More than 230 companies and units in the province will participate in the event, offering more than 4,500 jobs.
Bonuses and benefit packages — including children's study costs, housing allowances and assistance with other family-related issues — will be provided as well as competitive salaries.
In recent years, the province has been actively working on its economic development.
It is estimated that by 2015, the province will need more than 1 million skilled professionals.
Xinhua
"Netizens gobble up watermelon micro blog"
A government agency that uses a micro blog to help farmers sell watermelons has become an Internet sensation.
The Office for Watermelon Sales Services in Zhengzhou, Henan province, opened its micro blog on Sina Weibo at the end of last month.
It is arguably the only government agency in China that exclusively handles watermelon sales affairs.
It says the office named its account "Watermelon Office" because it is simple and easy to remember.
But the name immediately aroused curiosity among internet users, many of whom said they had never heard of such a government department handling only watermelon affairs.
By Thursday, the micro blog had attracted more than 22 thousand followers.
The Telegraph
"Fasting for three days can regenerate entire immune system, study finds"
Scientists say fasting for as little as three days can regenerate the entire immune system, even in the elderly.
Although fasting diets have been criticized by nutritionists for being unhealthy, new research suggests starving the body kick-starts stem cells into producing new white blood cells, which fight off infection.
Scientists at the University of Southern California say the discovery could be particularly beneficial for people suffering from damaged immune systems, such as cancer patients on chemotherapy.
It could also help the elderly whose immune system becomes less effective as they age, making it harder for them to fight off even common diseases.
The researchers say fasting "flips a regenerative switch" which prompts stem cells to create brand new white blood cells, essentially regenerating the entire immune system.
 
 
Special Reports
 
 
China should be cautious about stimulus: IMF
 
Anchor:
The International Monetary Fund has advised the Chinese government to be cautious about issuing short-term stimuli amid concerns about a deep economic slowdown.
Our reporter Yin Xiuqi has the details.
Reporter:
The IMF's first deputy head David Lipton made the remarks in Beijing after meeting Chinese economic officials, including Vice Premier Ma Kai and central bank governor Zhou Xiaochuan.
"Our discussions with the authorities showed broad agreement on the underlying vulnerabilities and challenges which threaten sustained rapid growth in the medium and long term. Over the past year the authorities have moved on several fronts to begin addressing the vulnerabilities that they face, such as in shadow banking, and on local government debts. We welcome the efforts that have been made."
The Chinese authorities have increased efforts to curb more lightly regulated shadow financing, where loans are extended outside the formal banking system.
Meanwhile, the central government has launched a pilot scheme to allow some local authorities to issue bonds on their own as a way of financing local projects and solving local debt problems.
The country's economic growth dropped to 7.4 percent in the first quarter, the lowest pace of growth in years.
China's leaders are now trying to keep economic expansion from dropping below the official target of 7.5 percent amid signs of downturns in both exports and the real estate sector.
But Lipton cautions that Chinese policy makers should refrain from laying out immediate forceful stimulus programs.
"We believe that it is important for the government to carry through one of its objectives from the third plenum which is to reorient the economy somewhat from credit investments and exports to the strengthening of household incomes and consumption. So in the event of a slowdown, we would prefer to see policies that will be supportive in that way."
At a key conference last November, known as the third plenum, the ruling Communist Party of China laid out a set of market-oriented reform plans for the economy, ranging from loosening controls over interest rates, and private and foreign investment, to speeding up urbanization.
Despite the latest slowdown, the Chinese government has limited its support to tax breaks and speeding up infrastructure and welfare housing investment.
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has said the focus remains on the quality of growth and on changing the structure of the economy.
For, CRI, I'm Yin Xiuqi.
 
 
Sports
 
 
Nadal, Murray set for semifinal matchup
 
In tennis, the French Open will present men's semifinals tonight.
Eight-time champion Rafael Nadal will face the seventh-seeded Wimbledon champion Andy Murray.
This is 27-year-old Murray's second time in the French Open semis.
He missed the event last year due to injury.
In the meantime, Nadal leads Murray 14-5 in their head-to-head matches.
The clay king is trying to become the first man to capture five straight French Open champions.
Friday's other semifinal will be 2nd seed Novak Djokovic against 18th seed Ernests Gulbis.
Djokovic has taken 4 of the last matches against Gulbis.
The only Gulbis victory was from Brisbane in 2009, when he took out Djokovic in straight sets.
Over on the women's side,
On Thursday, No. 7 seed Maria Sharapova beat Eugenie Bouchard 4-6, 7-5, 6-2 to advance to the finals.
Bouchard gave Sharapova a difficult time at the beginning, but the Russian veteran fought back and stopped the Canadian from reaching the final.
Simona Halep and Andrea Petkovic both appeared in their first Grand Slam semifinal, with Halep taking the match 6-2, 7-6.
Halep will now take on Sharapova at the final and she seems quite eager to prove her strength.
"I have to take the revenge. I will fight for this one. I played a really good match in Madrid the first set. I started really well. I was very fast on court and I opened the angles very well. But she came back very, very, well and she hit strong, stronger than me at that moment. Now, I have to be aggressive again, to play fast, like my style, and to stay there with the nerves because it will be a tough moment for me. I know, I'm sure that will be, but I have to be happy and just enjoy."
The women's singles final will take place on Saturday.
 
 
Rio mayor says 12 cities too much
 
Football news,
Just a few days ahead of the World Cup, Rio de Janeiro Mayor Eduardo Paes has criticized the idea of holding the matches in 12 different cities.
"I think that when Brazil decided to have 12 stadiums, we are a continental country, we are very big, I think we did a mistake. We should have fewer cities hosting the World Cup than what we have, and that prompted this kind of situation."
The International Federation of Football Associations requires only eight venues for a World Cup, but the Brazilian government decided to spread the games across the country.
With only a week to go, several of the 12 stadiums are still under construction.
Work outside the stadiums continues, with roads and pavements being laid, and media areas still under construction.
Paes adds that the delays have hurt the country's image.
Brazil has suffered many protests and delays linked to the event.
On Tuesday night, hundreds of striking teachers returned to the streets of Rio to demonstrate their opposition and demand better salaries and labour conditions.
The teachers have been on strike for a month.
It was the latest protest to hit Brazil since huge nationwide anti-government demonstrations last June.
 
 
San Antonio Spurs beat Miami Heat 110-95 to take Game 1 of NBA Finals
 
In basketball,
The San Antonio Spurs have beaten Miami Heat 110-95 to take Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
Playing at the AT&T Centre, the home arena of the Spurs, the host team has perfectly handled the conditions and won the opener for the first final rematch since 1998.
Spurs lost Games 6 and 7 in last year's NBA Finals to give the Heat their second consecutive championship.
Following an air conditioning breakdown, the steaming hot in the arena seemed to affect LeBron James, who didn't make it to the finish.
The heat proved to be quite helpful to the opposition though.
Tim Duncan clocked up 21 points and 10 rebounds.
Manu Ginobili had 16 points and 11 assists. Ginobili's 3-pointers gave the Spurs a 18-13 edge over the Miami Heat in the first quarter.
Tony Parker added 19 points to the team's score.
Game 2 is scheduled to open on Sunday night.
 
 
FIFA president avoids Qatar controversy allegations
 
Staying with football,
FIFA president Sepp Blatter has avoided corruption questions on Qatar 2022 at a news conference in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Blatter steered clear of any Qatar controversy, giving only short and sweet answers to related allegations.
"Let me answer. I am not a prophet - that's all. So we await the results and we will see what will happen."
He urged people to wait for the initial report by American lawyer Michael Garcia who will release his findings next Monday.
The scandal was first revealed by the British newspaper, The Sunday Times.
The article alleged that former FIFA presidential candidate Mohamad bin Hamman bribed Qatar's bid to host the 2022 World Cup which involved millions of dollars.
The Qataris have denied any wrongdoing and distanced themselves from bin Hamman.
Many from the British media are calling for a re-vote.
After the 2014 World Cup is over, Garcia will release a full report on the issue.
But it's up to German judge Hans-Joachim Eckert to decide any sanctions.
 
 
Rosberg, Hamlilton to take on the Canadian Grand Prix
 
Formula 1's Canadian Grand Prix will take place on Sunday.
The race is the seventh of the season and Mercedes team-mates Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton lead the pack on 122 and 118 points respectively.
Hamilton has four victories this season, while Rosberg won the opening Australian Grand Prix as well as the Monaco race on 25th May.
The two have been involved in something of a public spat of late, but Hamilton has tried to play down the situation.
"People have ups and downs as I said, so it's no different to any other experience me and Nico have had in our whole...God knows how many races we've had together, so we move on and we're pushing forward, there's a long, long way to go in the season and I'm looking forward to that battle."
Force India's Nico Hulkenberg echoed Hamilton's sentiments regarding the Canadian leg of the race calendar, saying he's been looking forward to the event.
 
 
Entertainment
 
 
Screen Couple Nick Wu and Liu Shishi Star in 'Incisive Great'
 
Real life couple Nicky Wu and Liu Shishi are pairing up again in an ancient Chinese comedy drama 'Incisive Great Teacher', or Xi Li Ren Shi.
The drama tells the story of an emperor's undercover investigator played by Nicky Wu, who disguises himself as a teacher in an attempt to ensure the smooth carrying out of the emperor's policy to grant girls equal schooling.
The investigator enlists the help of a highly diverse group of students to challenge the schools age old tradition.
In the process, the investigator gradually falls in love with a female teacher acted by Liu Shishi.
As a popular onscreen couple Wu and Liu have achieved huge success with their time traveling series Bu Bu Jing Xin, Trending on Thin Ice, and its sequel Bu Bu Jing Qing.
Apart from the star couple, the drama also features hilarious animation and special effects, which is similar as another comedy drama Longmen Express.
Co-produced by Hoirun Studios and Scarecrow Studios, the 44-episode drama also stars Taiwan idol star Gui Gui of Hey Girl fame, and features a guest appearance by popular actor Wallace Huo.
Just six episodes of the drama have already been viewed over 30 million times at Tencent Video.
 
 
Mark Chao and Gao Yuanyuan Get Married
 
China's mainland actress and model Gao Yuanyuan has married Taiwan actor Mark Chao.
The star couple met and fell in love on the set of Chinese director Chen Kaige's film "Caught in the Web" in 2012.
They went public with their romance and have been inseparable ever since.
Chao and Gao were spotted in Paris shooting wedding photographs last month.
It fueled wedding rumors but the couple remained quiet.　
Chao's manager finally confirmed the wedding news by announcing that Chao and Gao had officially registered for marriage in Beijing.　
In his latest appearance to the public, he says he still expects the public to focus on his work.
"When you have the opportunity you will do your best, like everybody. I am grateful for your recognition and look forward to my next project."
Regarding his marriage news, he confessed and spoke through his rep that the wedding day was a happy and blissful one.
Chao's career started in television in the popular Taiwan cop drama, "Black and White."
Since then he has moved on to the big screen and starred in "Monga," "Love" and most recently, the Chinese coming-of-age love story "So Young."　　　
Gao Yuanyuan is a model and actress who made her name from an advertisement for breath freshening tablets in 2000.
Her film credits include "City of Life and Death" and "Don't Go Breaking My Heart."
Chao's manager says that the newly weds will have a wedding celebration on both the Chinese mainland and Taiwan.
 
 
Rihanna Unveils Charity T-Shirt at Hard Rock Café in Paris
 
International superstar Rihanna is at the Hard Rock Cafe in Paris to unveil a T-shirt to be sold for charity.
The limited edition T-shirt is an original design featuring a mixture of images - Rihanna's face on the top of a skull plus the stars and stripes of the U.S. flag.
It will be sold in branches of the Hard Rock Cafe as well as in their casinos and hotels around the world.
Proceeds will go to The Clara Lionel Foundation to improve healthcare in Barbados.
Rihanna launched the foundation in 2012 in honor of her grandparents, Clara and Lionel Brathwaite.
She also donated some outfits from her various world tours to the Hard Rock memorabilia collection.
"You guys approached me and asked me to donate twenty costumes and it was without a doubt I would have done it because it was for charity. I always do things that I love. That's what I am motivated by, things that I'm passionate about,"
The Hard Rock also made a $200,000 USD donation to Rihanna's foundation.
 
 
Jane Fonda honored lifetime achievement award from AFI
 
76-year-old Oscar winning actress, Jane Fonda, has received the American Film Institute's Life Achievement Award in Los Angeles.
Jane is known for her two Oscar-winning films "Klute" in 1971 and "Coming Home" in 1978, as well as "On Golden Pond" and "The China Syndrome".
Fonda said she was overwhelmed by the honor.
"Whoa, I mean it's hard for me to even believe this is happening, I keep wanting to look over my shoulder to see, not me. I gave it to Bette Davis, I gave it to Barbara Stanwyck, my father and I can't believe, I never thought that I would receive this honor one day so I feel like I'm on Cloud nine."
Meryl Streep, Sally Field, Sandra Bullock, Lily Tomlin and Cameron Diaz were among the actresses saluting Jane Fonda who accepted the award at Hollywood's Dolby Theatre.
Actor Diego Boneta, who served as the AFI's ambassador to Mexico, praised Fonda as a role model for women both on screen and off.　
"Jane Fonda in my opinion at least, it's beyond her work, it's what she stands for. I think that she's such an amazing example for women. She is so confident and strong and sure of herself and classy and elegant."
The AFI Lifetime Achievement Award: Tribute to Jane Fonda will air in a special broadcast on Saturday, June 14th on Turner Classic Movies.
 
 
A quick recap of headlines before we go.
The Chinese government has issued a statement voicing its determination to safeguard China's marine rights and sovereignty in the East and South China Seas.
World leaders are joining veterans in France to mark the 70th anniversary of D-Day.
During the 59th commemoration of its ceasefire with North Korea, the South Korean president has urged the north to abandon its nuclear weapons program.
In business, the Ministry of Commerce has announced that anti-dumping duties on acetone imports from Japan, Singapore, the Republic of Korea and Taiwan will continue for another five years.
In sport, FIFA president Sepp Blatter has avoided Qatar 2022 corruption questions at a news conference in Sao Paulo.
In entertainment, actress Jane Fonda has received the American Film Institute's Life Achievement Award in Los Angeles.