新闻纵贯线 The Beijing Hour updated 20:00 2014/06/11

 
The Beijing Hour
 
Evening Edition
 
 
Shane Bigham with you this Wednesday, June 11th 2014.
Welcome to the Beijing Hour, coming to you live from the Chinese capital.
Coming up on the programme this evening...
The Chinese premier has spoken of the importance of 'controlled' economic growth.
half a million people have fled from Iraq's second-largest city after it was overrun by militants.
and Philippines police have captured a top militant commander who escaped from custody about seven years ago.
In business, the World Bank has lowered its growth outlook for 2014.
In sports, the Spurs regain the upper hand in the NBA finals.
In entertainment, producers of Tracey Morgan's new show are waiting for him to recover.
 
 
Weather
 
 
Beijing will be clear tonight with a low of 18 degrees Celsius. Sunny tomorrow with a high of 34 degrees.　
Meanwhile Shanghai will be cloudy tonight, with a low of 20, also cloudy tomorrow, with a high of 28.
Chongqing will be cloudy, 21 degrees the low,　also cloudy tomorrow with a high of 30.
Elsewhere in the world, staying in Asia
Islamabad, sunny with a high of 42.
Kabul, sunny, 31.
Over in Australia
Sydney, partly cloudy, high of 19.
Canberra, partly cloudy, 15.
Brisbane, mostly sunny, 24.
And finally, Perth will be mostly sunny with a high of 19.
 
 
Top News
 
 
Premier Li Keqiang stresses "targeted" economic control
 
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang is stressing the importance of keeping economic growth here in China in a proper range.
The comment comes as Li was addressing a select group of this country's top academics and scientists at a conference in Beijing.
"We are now entering a new phase of development. We have put reforms at our priority. Reforms will always affected the vested interests of some people. However, for China's economic development and to motive creativity and innovation of more, we have no other choice but continue to reform."
Li Keqiang is also warning the economy is facing a lot of downward pressure at the moment.
As such, he says to meet the government's full-year target of 7.5-percent growth, China needs to be more innovative.
"Technology is the very foundation for China to step into a higher rank of economy. It is also essential for a long-term economic growth. Therefore, we will continue to encourage innovation on technology."
The Premier's comments have been made at a combined meeting of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering taking place this week in Beijing.
 
 
Thousands flee Mosul after militants seize city
 
About 500-thousand residents in Iraq's second biggest city of Mosul have fled after Islamist militants overran much of the city.
ISIL, or the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, an offshoot of al-Qaida, launched the attack on the city today, seizing the governor's headquarters and rampaging through police stations.
Hundreds of detainees are reported to have been set free.
Roads across the city are now packed with cars as thousands of residents make their way to border crossings into the autonomous Kurdish province of Irbil.
There are no immediate estimates on how many people were killed in the assault.
Iraq's Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has already asked parliament to declare a state of emergency.
"We have to declare a comprehensive mobilisation and the utmost alert in political, financial and popular capabilities to defeat terrorism and bring life to normal in all areas occupied by terrorists, either in Mosul or any other city."
Under the constitution, parliament can declare a 30-day state of emergency on a two-thirds vote by its members, granting the prime minister the necessary powers to run the country.
That could include powers to impose curfews and restrict public movements.
Earlier this year, the ISIS captured the city of Fallujah in the west of the country.
Mosul and surrounding Ninevah province are a major export route for Iraqi oil and a gateway to Syria.
 
 
Half a million flee Iraq's Mosul
 
For more on the issue, CRI's Xu Qinduo earlier talked to Dr. Mansour O. El-Kikhia with the Department of Political Science and Geography University of Texas.
…
BACK ANCHOR: Dr. Mansour O. El-Kikhia with Department of Political Science and Geography University of Texas, talking to CRI's Xu Qinduo.
 
 
Filipino authorities capture commander of Abu Sayyaf militant group
 
Philippine authorities have captured a top commander of the Abu Sayyaf militant group.
The group kidnapped a Chinese woman from a Malaysian resort in April.
Suspected members of the group also abducted a Chinese businesswoman and her daughter in the southern Philippines last month.
Senior Superintendent Roberto Fajardo is with the Philippines National Police.
"Actually, this is a joint operation of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and Armed Forces of the Philippines intelligence, all assisting in the arrest of Khair Mundos, a wanted member of ASG."
Khair Mundos is one of the highest-ranking militant suspects to be captured in the country in years.
The police have been hunting him for his alleged involvement in bombings and kidnappings.
Filipino security officials say he was arrested in a poor neighborhood near Manila's international airport.
It is not immediately clear why he was in the capital.
Mundos is on the US "Most Wanted" list and has acknowledged receiving al-Qaida funds.
He was captured in 2004 but escaped in 2007.
Abu Sayyaf has an estimated 300 armed fighters.
The group, which has split into about six factions, has been blamed for deadly bomb attacks, ransom kidnappings and beheadings.
 
 
Reuven Rivlin Elected Israel's 10th President
 
A former speaker of the Israeli Parliament is set to become the new President of Israel.
The job goes to 75-year old Reuven Rivlin.
"From this point, I am not a political person. I am one of the nation. Long live the State of Israel!"
A veteran member of the ruling right-wing Likud Party, Rivlin managed to beat out left-wing challenger Meir Sheetrit in the final ballot.
Rivlin, on top of being a former parliamentary speaker, was also the communications minister under late-Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.
Israeli observers expect Rivlin's main focus is going to be on domestic issues.
"He said his main challenge will be to integrate the two minorities that are always kind of excluded from Israeli society. One is the Ultra-Orthodox, and the other is the Israeli Arabs. He will do his utmost to integrate them better and make everyone understand each other better. I can guess he will be much more careful to talk about the peace process, and his term I would believe will focus more on internal social matters."
Rivlin will take over from outgoing President Shimon Peres, who is retiring after completing his 7-year term as President of Israel.
"It is a position that brings with it responsibility, you have to consider your every word and every action."
The Israeli President, elected by members of the Parliament, holds few executive powers, with the position being largely ceremonial.
Rivlin will officially take over as Israeli President next month.
 
 
South Sudan warring sides agree to form transitional govt.
 
South Sudan's government and rebels have agreed to form a transitional government within 60 days.
The announcement, made by Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, comes as leaders from eastern African nations held separate talks with South Sudan's president and rebel leader.
"The main outcome of this summit is that they agreed to commit fully themselves to all the signed agreements and to complete all the negotiations within the coming 60 days and then establish a transitional government of national unity and proceed for reforming the country."
South Sudan's government and rebels have been locked in heavy fighting since December.
The two parties signed a second ceasefire deal in May after a previous deal failed to hold.
However, clashes between the government forces and rebels were reported hours after the latest deal came into effect.
Eastern African states have threatened to slap the country's warring sides with sanctions unless they cease all military operations.
It is the first time that South Sudan's neighbors have issued such a strong warning.
The conflict has already left thousands dead and over one million homeless.
The UN has accused both sides of crimes against humanity, including mass killings and sexual slavery.
It also warns that four million people could be on the brink of starvation by the end of the year as the violence has disrupted farming.
 
 
Leader Pledge to End Sexual Violence in War at Global Summit
 
Anchor:
A global summit on the elimination of sexual violence has opened in London.
The 4-day event is focused on dealing with sex-crimes in war zones.
CRI's London correspondent Duan Xuelian has more.
Reporter:
The Summit is the result of a two-year campaign led by British Foreign Minister William Hague and UN Special Envoy Angelina Jolie.
At the opening ceremony, Hague has announced the UK is putting forward an additional 10-million US dollars to support survivors of sexual violence in conflict zones.
In making the pledge, Hague says part of their goal is to allow survivors of sexual violence to have a voice.
"We want to encourage men to speak out, to agree with us that it is only a weak or inadequate man who abuses women. We want to draw attention to the hidden survivors of sexual violence, all those who have felt unable to speak out and who have suffered in silence including men and boys. We want people around the world to understand the scale of the problem and the urgent need for action."
Hollywood actress and UN human rights ambassador Angelina Jolie has used the opening of the conference in London to share her experiences visiting women and children who have suffered from sexual abuse in conflict zones.
"This whole subject has been tabooed for far too long. War zone rape is a crime that thrives on silence and denial. The stigma harms survivors, it causes feeling of shame and worthlessness, it feeds ignorance such as the notion that rape has anything to do with normal sexual impulses. But most of all, it allows the rapist to get away with it."
As part of the agenda, ministers and heads-of-state from some 70-countries attending the event are expected to discuss practical ways to bring sexual violence in conflict-zones to an end.
The conference has also attracted non-governmental organziation from around the world as well.
This year's event is scheduled to conclude on Friday.
For CRI, I'm Duan Xuelian in London.
 
 
Argentines march to demand better pensions
 
Thousands of union members have gathered in front of Argentina's government-run pension agency in Buenos Aires, demanding an increase in pensions and benefits for retirees.
Protesters delivered a document to the court, calling for the government to pay the money owed to pensioners.
Ruben Gioannini is the president of the Argentinean national bureau of retirees.
"We don't fight so they can throw crumbs at us. We don't fight for a tiny increase. We fight so that rights for retirees are respected and also the rights of all the workers. We fight for our homeland."
The protest was called by Hugo Moyano, the head of the General Labor Confederation Union, who has been a close ally of President Cristina Fernandez.
Lately, their relationship has soured, resulting in nearly weekly strikes and protests.
 
 
Protest in Haiti demanding the leave of the president Martelly
 
Thousands of protestors marched through the downtown area of the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince, demanding the ouster of President Michel Martelly.
Police fired tear gas at the protesters and live ammunition into the air to break up the march.
Biron Odige, an opposition leader, says the president needs to go.
"The people demand that Martelly leave. This is needed for there to be a credible, transparent election, which the country needs."
Anti-government protests in Haiti have grown increasingly common in recent months.
Meanwhile, the president of Haiti, Martelly, has accused his opponents of fomenting instability that discourages foreign investment, and blocking legislation.
 
 
American campus gunshot leaving one dead and one injured
 
A student has been shot dead and a teacher injured in a shooting in Oregon, the United States.
It happened around 8 on Tuesday morning local time at Reynolds High School in Troutdale.
The shooter was found dead and another man with a weapon was later arrested on suspicion he was involved in the incident.
The shooting is the third attack on school campuses over the past couple of weeks.
US President Barack Obama has expressed his frustration about the attacks.
"My biggest frustration so far is the fact that this society has not been willing to take some basic steps to keep guns out of the hands of people who can do just unbelievable damage. We're the only society, we're the only developed country on earth where this happens. And it happens now once a week! And it's a one-day story, there's no place else like this!"
 
 
Biz Reports
 
 
Stocks 
 
Anchor:
Time for a look at what's making news in business, beginning with market numbers in Asia. With more, here's Ding Lulu.
Reporter:
Asian stock markets were weak on Wednesday, dragged down by the World Bank's lower global growth forecast.
Chinese shares closed flat, with the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index up 0.1 percent.
The Shenzhen Component Index ended unchanged.
Hong Kong's Hang Seng was down a quarter of one percent.
Tokyo stocks ended slightly higher on a bright outlook for the Japanese economy shown by a government survey released earlier the day.
The Nikkei 225 added half a percent.
South Korea's KOSPI edged up 0.1 percent.
Singapore's Straits Times Index trimmed 0.1 percent.
Australia's ASX lost 0.3 percent.
 
 
World Bank lowers projection for 2014 global economic outlook
 
The World Bank has lowered its projection for this year's global economic outlook, as developing countries are heading for "disappointing growth," while high-income countries are gaining momentum.
The Washington-based bank forecasts the global economy to grow 2.8 percent this year, down from its January estimate of 3.2 percent.
According to its twice-yearly Global Economic Prospects report, bad weather in the United States, the crisis in Ukraine and rebalancing in China slow progress on structural reform.
The bank has lowered its forecasts for developing countries to a growth of 4.8 percent this year, down from its January estimate of 5.3 percent.
China is expected to grow 7.6 percent this year, slightly down from its January estimate of 7.7 percent, but the bank says this will depend on the success of rebalancing efforts.
 
 
China saw sustained fiscal revenue growth this May
 
China's government revenue continued to grow in May, reaching nearly 1.4 trillion yuan, or around 220 billion U.S. dollars.
That represents a growth rate of over 7 percent from the same period last year.
Tax revenue stood at just over 1 trillion yuan, up some 6 percent year on year.
But compared with the first four months of the year, growth in May appears to be slowing.
Liu Shangxi, an official with the Ministry of Finance, explains.
"It reflects changes from several aspects. One is that economic growth is slowing down, and revenue growth is slowing with it. The other issue is revenue reform. Then, there are policies like tax reductions related to employment. So the economic factor, the reform factor, and the policy factor together have slowed revenue growth."
However, he notes the slowing of growth rates can actually promote future economic development, which can be reflected from the structural changes between secondary and tertiary sectors.
In May, revenue from the tertiary sector was more than 11 percent higher and grew 3.4 percent faster than that of the secondary sector.
 
 
China to strengthen support for 5G research
 
China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has already turned its attention to the next generation of mobile communication.
The 4G network was introduced to China only last year but the ministry has announced it is stepping up support for research into 5G technology.
The announcement was made at a global forum on mobile telecommunications in Shanghai.
Officials say more than 80 percent of China's internet users surf the 'net using mobile phones.
 
 
Alibaba buys mobile Internet business
 
China's largest e-commerce company Alibaba Group is to buy all the remaining shares of mobile browser firm UCWeb in the biggest merger in Chinese internet history.
The e-commerce giant is stepping up its spending spree ahead of its U.S. listing.
Alibaba's latest deal will be larger even than Baidu's 1.9 billion US dollar acquisition of 91 Wireless last year.
Alibaba has finished a string of investments totaling 4.8 billion dollars in the past six months.
Alibaba's investment in UCWeb emphasises the company's push to do more business on mobile in the world's biggest smartphone market.
UCWeb has said the mobile search service has a market share of more than 20 percent.
 
 
What's Next After the $400 Billion Deal?----China-Russia Relations On the Spotlight
 
Anchor:
Politicians and analysts have gathered in Washington, DC to discuss what they call the "triangular" relationship between China, the United States, and Russia.
The seminar follows the signing of a 400-billion US dollar natural gas deal between China and Russia.
CRI's He Fei has more from Washington.
Reporter:
China and Russia clinched the 30-year gas export deal a few weeks ago.
The final agreement has been reached after 10 years of negotiations over pricing.
Many observers feel the Russian side was motivated to get the deal done as quickly as possible, given its natural gas dispute with Ukraine, and subsequently, Europe.
Attending a conference on current global dynamics, Zbigniew Brzezinski, the former US national security advisor to President Jimmy Carter, says he believes the economic relationship between China and the United States is still the most important one.
"The Chinese-Russian relationship is not the preeminent global relationship. It is the Chinese-American relationship that is the globally preeminent relationship. But the decline of Russia in that triangular relationship obviously boosts the influences of China, gives China the option of utilizing Russia whenever convenient."
Brzezinski has made the comments at a seminar in Washington that has explored the triangular relationship among China, the US and Russia.
Also at the seminar was Kevin Rudd, Australia's former prime minister.
"China, in doing so, has been simultaneously active and re-affirming the principles which governance relationship with Russia and these are not new but continuing since days of Yeltsin. And that is principles of, first of all, there would be no alliance; second one is that there would be no conflict and the third is not directed to a third party."
Stapleton Roy, a former US ambassador to China who worked in Moscow during the height of the Cold War, says neither China or Russia like a world dominated by a sole superpower.
But at the same time, Roy notes that with trade between China and the US still more than 5-times the volume between China and Russia, China can't afford to completely turn its attention to Russia.
"In terms of modernizing its economy, in terms of the expertise needed, China has largely turned to the Western countries, particularly the United States, not Russia as it did in the past…There is no question that the Sino-Russian relationship at the moment is at a high point, but I don't think China has lost sight of the fact that the United States still in very important respects is much more important to its ability to achieve the great rejuvenation of the Chinese people, which Xi Jinping put as the Chinese Dream."
China-Russia trade last year came in at 88 billion US dollars.
China-US trade through 2013 amounted to over 500-billion.
For CRI, I'm He Fei in Washington.
 
 
Russia delays Ukraine gas deadline to June 16
 
Russia's gas giant Gazprom says it is giving Ukraine an extra five days to begin pre-paying for gas or risk a cut in its supply, as EU-mediated talks drag on in Brussels.
EU Energy Commissioner Guenther Oettinger, the broker for gas talks between Ukraine and Russia, says an overall agreement to avert a cut in the gas supply could take around ten days to be reached.
Ukraine, Russia and the EU are set to resume trilateral talks later today after marathon negotiations between Moscow's Energy Minister and his counterpart from Kiev broke up on Tuesday.
Gazprom has postponed its deadline several times since early June after Kiev made an initial payment of 786 million dollars to cover outstanding debts.
Russian gas transiting through Ukraine amounts to around 15 percent of gas consumed by the European Union.
 
 
Toyota recalls another 650,000 vehicles for airbag flaws
 
Toyota Motors is recalling about 650,000 vehicles in Japan because of potentially defective airbags.
This is an expansion of a costly recall the automaker announced last year because a supplier, Takata, had not fully identified problematic parts.
 
 
Headline News
 
 
Premier Li Keqiang stresses "targeted" economic control
 
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang is stressing the importance of keeping economic growth in China in a proper range.
The comment comes as Li was addressed a select group of this country's top academics and scientists at a conference in Beijing.
Li says China is entering a new phase in its development and reform must be a priority.
He also warns that the Chinese economy is facing a lot of downward pressure at the moment.
As such, he says to meet the government's full-year target of 7.5-percent growth, China needs to be more innovative.
 
 
Half a million flee Iraq's Mosul
 
As many as 500 thousand people have been forced to flee Iraq's second largest city of Mosul after Islamist militants effectively took control of it.
Troops were among those fleeing as hundreds of militants from the ISIL, an al Qaeda splinter group, overran the city and much of the surrounding province of Nineveh.
Prime Minister Nouri Maliki responded by asking parliament to declare a state of emergency to grant him greater powers.
Residents say the situation is chaotic inside the city. Many police stations were reported to have been set on fire and hundreds of detainees set free.
ISIL, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, now controls considerable territory in eastern Syria and western and central Iraq.
 
 
Fugitive ferry owner's aides nabbed in South Korea church raid
 
Thousands of South Korean police have raided a church in search of a fugitive billionaire wanted over the deadly ferry disaster in April.
Some 6,000 officers stormed the church in Anseong city belonging to Yoo Byung-eun, whose sons ran the shipping firm that operated the sunken ferry, Sewol.
Three church followers were detained on charges of assisting his escape.
Yoo is wanted as part of an ongoing investigation into embezzlement and tax fraud.
Investigators are also questioning whether corruption or mismanagement within the ferry company led to poor safety standards.
 
 
12 killed in road accident in E. India
 
A road accident in eastern India has killed twelve people and injured at least eight others.
Local police say the crash involved a truck and a minibus.
They also say it appears the bus was overpacked and speeding before colliding head-on with the truck.
Road accidents are common in India. An estimated 100-thousand people are killed each year in auto wrecks.
 
 
93 suffer food poisoning in South China
 
Suspected food poisoning at a boarding school in south China's Guangxi has left 93 students and staff hospitalized.
They showed symptoms after having dinner at the cafeteria of the school in Guigang city.
21 students are still receiving treatment.
The case is being investigated.
 
 
Coal mine gas outburst kills 10 in China's Guizhou
 
Ten people have been confirmed dead in a coal mine gas burst in southwest China's Guizhou Province.
The accident occurred when 130 miners were working underground in the mine in Liupanshui city.
120 of them managed to escape.
The bodies of the 10 victims were retrieved early this morning.
 
 
Newspaper Picks
 
 
China Daily
"Chinese spend the most on international vacations"
A report released by tourism shopping company Global Blue on Tuesday said Chinese tourists remain the biggest spenders on travels overseas.
The report says Chinese people's average spending on overseas travel in the first quarter grew 25 percent year-on-year to 850 euros ($1,150) per person, compared with the global average of 502 euros.
The report also showed that Chinese outbound tourism spending accounts for 27 percent of the total global consumption, followed by Russia, Indonesia, the United States and Japan.
According to marketing firm Global Blue, France is the favorite shopping destination for Chinese, followed by Singapore, Germany, the UK and Italy.
Eighty-two percent of Chinese tourists surveyed for the report said they believe shopping is a priority task while traveling.
Crienglish.com
"Chinese celebrities urge boycotting dog meat festival"
Chinese actress Sun Li has joined many other Chinese celebrities calling for the boycott of a festival that serves dog meat in a city in south China.
The annual dog meat festival in Yulin, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, is expected to kick off on June 21 this year.
Sun Li wrote on her Weibo microblog account on Monday afternoon, "The dog is man's most intimate and loyal friend, and I love dogs, I even regard them as part of my family. My children have learned love from the adoption of stray dogs. I hope people in Yulin, Guangxi will not indulge in eating dog any more."
Yang Mi, another Chinese actress, wrote on her Weibo account, "Dogs' loyalty is beyond my imagination. I treat a dog as a friend. I do not eat dog meat, and I oppose eating dog meat. "
Yang's post has been re-posted by Guo Jingming, a popular young Chinese writer and publisher.
The Telegraph
"Want clean teeth? Drink strong coffee"
A study has found that coffee with high caffeine content destroys the bacteria which causes dental plaque.
But scientists say the coffee must be drunk without milk, cream or sugar as these will have a counterproductive effect.
Research by Rio de Janeiro's Federal University examined the impact of an extract of Coffea canephora – known as robusta.
Robusta, a coffee bean grown in Brazil and Vietnam, has a higher caffeine level than the Arabica variety. Tests found it can break down a thin film of plaque-causing bacteria on teeth.
It is hoped that in future the chemical could be extracted and added to toothpastes or mouthwash to help reduce plaque, as drinking coffee still has harmful side effects on teeth such as staining.
Sky News Australia
"Too much driving 'is bad for you'"
A study of 40 thousand middle-aged Australians find driving too much is bad for your health
The University of Sydney's School of Public Health says two hours a day is too much. These drivers are much more likely to be fat and inactive than other people in their age group.
They are also more likely to smoke and be stressed and sleep-deprived.
Researchers say the link between driving time and health risks is independent of socioeconomic factors such as gender and education levels.
 
 
Special Reports
 
 
China Food Safety Publicity Week launched in Beijing/Michael 1602
 
Anchor:
Authorities in China have launched a national campaign to mark Food Safety Publicity Week.
The move is aimed at rebuilding public confidence in food safety, a sensitive issue for Chinese consumers, following a number of scandals in related industries in recent years.
CRI's Li Dong has the details.
Reporter:
Food Safety Publicity Week has been observed in China annually since 2011.
This year it highlights respect for morality, laws, and regulations.
Zhang Yong is the minister of the China Food and Drug Administration or CFDA.
"The food safety environment is positive in general though the possibility for problems remains. Violations of food safety laws are still rampant in some industries. This is the combined result of lapses in supervision, insufficient enforcement of laws and regulations, and the lack of moral sensibility."
China's food industry has been facing a crisis of confidence amid a series of food scares in the past eight years, including cancer-causing turbot fish, melamine-tainted milk powder, cadmium-tainted rice, and clenbuterol-contaminated pork.
Consumers are increasingly turning to green and organic foods. Many young parents even go to the trouble of buying infant formula from overseas.
But, Ji Xiaohua, CEO and founder of popular science website Guokr.com, says unfounded rumours about food safety also undermine the confidence of Chinese consumers.
"For instance, artificial eggs. The media has reported on these for years but we've never seen even one such egg. Other examples of nonsense rumours include using shoe soles to make bread, milk powder causing early puberty, and seafood and the food additive SMG being lethal. In the past few years, Our website, Guokr.com, has done analysis on more than 200 such cases."
Ji Xiaohua says to rebuilt confidence in the food safety system a lot of work needs to be done.
"Lack of confidence is the result of many factors. Food safety standards are sometimes too accommoding to manufacturers. Supervision departments need to be more professional. Our manufacturers are still used to minimizing the effect of food safety issues and compromise to rumors. Media sometimes forgoes journalism principles just to attract the public's attention. And of course, gullible consumers sometimes misinterpret information."
To improve public access to food safety information and knowledge, an app about food and drug safety has been launched by the administration.
Users can use the app to track the latest news and information on food, drugs, cosmetics, and medical appliances.
For CRI, I am Li Dong.
 
 
Sports
 
 
San Antonio beat Miami on the road and regain series lead at 2-1
 
Starting off with the NBA finals,
Kawhi Leonard scored a career-high 29 points to help the San Antonio Spurs get away with a 111-92 victory in Miami and retake the series lead, two-games-to-one over the Heat.
San Antonio made 19 of its first 21 shots and hit 75.8 percent in the best-shooting half in NBA Finals history.
With several key three-pointers from Manu Ginobili, Patty Mills and Danny Green, the Spurs raced to a 71-50 lead over Miami at the end of the first half.
LeBron James and Dwyane Wade each had 22 points for the Heat.
Spurs guard Ginobili was very pleased with his team's hot shooting start.
"It was huge and that, especially the first quarter was incredible. At a point I think we were 19 for 20. I don't know what we shot at the end of the quarter but it was fun to watch. And it was one of those games that it happens once in a while. So it was our turn, we were very inspired early in the game. We took a great lead and we sort of maintain(ed) it."
The Heat will be hoping to avoid a two-game home sweep by San Antonio when they face the Spurs again in a couple of days.
Game four begins at 9am sharp Beijing time Friday.
 
 
Knicks introduce Derek Fisher as new coach
 
Off the court, the New York Knicks have introduced former player Derek Fisher as their new head coach.
Just days after finishing his 18th season, the 39-year-old Fisher is now taking over from Mike Woodson, whom Phil Jackson fired in his first major move as Knicks team president.
Fisher won five championships playing for Jackson with the Los Angeles Lakers and has played a record 259 play-off games.
He says he has everything to become a good coach despite his lack of experience in a coaching post.
"There will obviously be a lot of talk about my inexperience as a head coach. That is obviously, factually true: I have not been a head coach in the NBA, or college or high school. But I am experienced. Basketball is a game that I am experienced in playing, understanding, leading in, guiding in, helping another group of people achieve the greatest gift in the world as a professional athlete - and that's being a champion. That I have experience in."
The terms of Fisher's deal were not released, but it is believed it was worth 25 million US dollars over five years, the same length of Jackson's contract.
Jackson, who declined an original offer to coach the team, was instead hired to run the front office in March.
The Knicks went 37-45 and missed the play-offs, just a year after winning the Atlantic Division and advancing to the Eastern Conference semi-finals.
 
 
World Cup to broadcast live on APP in China
 
With less than two days to go before the start of the World Cup, China's Central Television and digital firm Ali Cloud have released a unique APP that is authorized to broadcast the games live.
The APP, named "CCTV5" will enable viewers on the Chinese mainland to watch live World Cup matches on smart phones and tablets alike.
The "CCTV5" app also offers alternative perspectives on the live games.
Fans of a certain team can choose to follow their team's schedule instead of the TV broadcast schedule.
It's estimated that millions of fans will visit the "CCTV5" app during the World Cup.
 
 
Guangzhou Evergrande signs two national boots with 48 million yuan
 
Some domestic football news,
Reigning champions Guangzhou Evergrande opened their transfer account with two big signings.
The deals, which saw Guangzhou pay up to 48 million yuan, are for two key players, Yu Hanchao and Li Xuepeng from super league side Dalian Aerbin.
Yu and Li are both players with the national team, meaning Guangzhou now has 10 national squad players on its roster.
The deal comes less than a week after China's largest e-commerce company Alibaba bought into the Asian champions with 1.2 billion yuan.
The cash boost is expected to consolidate Guangzhou's reign of the domestic league and its aspirations on the Asian football scene.
 
 
Bayern Munich extends contracts with Lahm and Muller
 
In football,
Bayern Munich has decided to keep two key players, Thomas Muller and captain Philipp Lahm for another two years each.
According to the announcement, striker Muller's contract with the German champions will be extended till June 30, 2019, while Lahm will stay with Bayern till June 30, 2018.
30-year-old Lahm is also captain of Germany's national team.
He has led Bayern to a domestic treble, and two continental titles last year.
Muller is viewed as one of Germany's best strikers.
The 24 year-old scored 5 goals in six appearances in the last World Cup in South Africa.
 
 
Romanian gymnast revealed as high-class prostitute 'to make ends meet'
 
Romania's former medal-winning gymnast Florica Leonida has been exposed as a high-end prostitute.
The 27-year-old says she gave up a career in coaching younger gymnasts and took up sex work because it was the only way to make ends meets.
Media reports suggest that after giving up gymnastics, Florica became a prostitute in Germany before moving to neighboring Austria.
She works in the sex industry under a different name, currently residing with another girl in a Viennese brothel.
She was a silver medalist at the worlds and a silver medalist in European competition.
She was also a successful junior gymnast winning gold on beam and three silver medals at the 2002 Junior European Championships.
 
 
Entertainment
 
 
Screening marks 50th anniversary of "Zulu"
 
U.K. and Zulu princes have attended at the 50th anniversary gala screening of 'Zulu' in London.
Directed by Cy Endfield, the iconic 1964 film tells the story of the 1897 Battle of Rorke's Drift between the British Army and Zulu warriors in South Africa.
85-year-old Prince Buthelezi played his own great grandfather, King Cetshwayo kaMpande, an important role in ending apartheid in South Africa in the movie.
"It was a lot of fun because I didn't ask for it. They asked me because they said they noticed the resemblance between me and my great grandfather, the King."
The film has been digitally re-mastered and the screening aims to celebrate and raise funds for charities such as Walking with the Wounded and Sentebale, all of which Prince Harry supports.
At the time of the original premiere, apartheid laws prevented him and any other actors who portrayed Zulus from attending the premiere.
Suzannah Olivier, Endfield's daughter, also at the gala, praised the film's enduring legacy.
"It's the human story really. It's not just about a battle which obviously is a big story in itself but it shows the pathos of the battlefield really and the bravery of the Zulus as well as the white soldiers as well. I mean, it was bravery on all sides."
'Zulu' was Michael Caine's first major film role.
Caine was not at the screening, but sent a video to express his disappointment at not being there.
The gala also handed out 11 Victoria Crosses for valour and bravery to defenders of Rorke's Drift.
It is the most ever received in a single military action by one regiment.
 
 
Mexican circus performers protest against ban on animals
 
More than a thousand acrobats, clowns and other circus employees in Mexico are protesting a new ban on animals in circuses.
Politicians in Mexico City passed a law banning the use of animals in circus rings.
Protesters are holding signs reading "Mexico wants circuses with animals" and "Circuses love their animals".
They paraded plastic animal statues on flat-bed trucks to show what the circus would look like without live animals.
Circus performers say the law will leave many unemployed.
"Many circus families will be left without work. Each person who is here, each adult, we depend if not 100 percent, at least 80 percent on making a living in a circus with animals. This is a tradition of more than 250 years, so what are our families going to do?"
Protesters also claim that the animals are treated well and are already regulated by the environment department.
But supporters of the new ban say the relentless training, constant movement in enclosed vehicles and frequent performances hurt animals.
Circuses have been given one year to change their acts.
According to the law, penalties include fines ranging from 45-thousand to 60-thousand US dollars.
 
 
Morgan's show will be waiting for him, FX says
 
Cable network FX says it will wait for Tracy Morgan's return.
Morgan was due to star in an untitled half-hour comedy series from FX productions.
The show was scheduled to begin production in August and premiere in January.
FX Networks and FX Productions have said in a statement that they, quote, "will support Tracy and his family in every way possible throughout his recovery."
Morgan is expected to remain hospitalised for several weeks.
He suffered a broken leg, nose and ribs after a six-car crash on Saturday night.
The accident has caused one dead and two other seriously injured.
Morgan's friend, Jimmy Mack, was killed at the scene.
 
 
Sarah Brightman to sing in space
 
British singer Sarah Brightman is going to become the first professional musician to sing from space.
Space Adventure, the company arranging the trip, says Brightman is scheduled to begin training this year for the 2015 flight to the International Space Station.
The famed soprano will pay about 52 million US dollars for a 10-day stay aboard the orbital outpost.
 
 
A quick recap of headlines before we go.
The Chinese premier has spoken of the importance of 'controlled' economic growth...
half a million people have fled from Iraq's second-largest city after it was overrun by militants...
and Philippines police have captured a top militant commander who escaped from custody about seven years ago...
In business, the World Bank has lowered its growth outlook for 2014...