Evening Edition

 

 

Monday, August 26th, 2013.

Welcome to the Beijing Hour, coming to you live from the Chinese capital.

Coming up on our program this evening.

UN inspectors are on their way to the site of a suspected chemical weapons attack in the suburbs of Damascus.

There's been a new string of bombings in Baghdad which has left dozens dead.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai has arrived in Pakistan for his first official visit with that country's new President.

In Business, the National Development and Reform Commission is going on record, suggesting this country's economic slowdown has bottomed out.

In sports, Adam Scott takes this year' s Barclay's trophy.

In entertainment, this year's MTV music video awards has come to a conclusion.

 

 

Weather

 

 

Beijing will be clear tonight with a low of 22 degrees Celsius.　Tomorrow light rain with a high temperature of 30.

Meanwhile Shanghai will have showers tonight, with a low of 25,　thundershowers tomorrow, with a high of 32.

Lhasa will have thundershowers tonight, 11 degrees the low, showers tomorrow with a high of 22.

Elsewhere in the world, staying in Asia

Islamabad, sunny, with a high of 34.

Kabul, sunny, 33.

Over in Australia

Sydney, overcast, highs of 23.

Canberra, overcast, 18.

Brisbane, sunny, 26.

And finally, Perth will have rain with a high of 16.

 

 

Top News

 

 

UN team to start "chemical attack" fact-finding

 

Anchor:

UN inspectors are heading to the site of the suspected chemical attack last week near the Syrian capital Damascus.

CRI's Ding Lulu has the details.

Reporter:

The 20-member UN inspection team is set to look into the latest supected chemical attacks.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is calling on all-involved to ensure the investigation is a success.

"Their success is in everyone's interest, all parties in Syria and all concerned states. It will address recent allegations in the Damascus area and its success can have a deterrent effect on possible further use of chemical weapons in Syria and elsewhere. We are determined to answer the core of our member states, fulfil our mandate and resolve deeply disturbing unanswered questions."

The Syrian government is being accused of delibrately delaying access by a number of different governments.

The United States and Britain both alledged evidence could be tampered with or destroyed in the days following the alleged gassing.

Both the US and the UK say they have information suggesting Syrian government forces have deployed chemical weapons.

France has also been very vocal in its rhetoric when it comes to the situation in Syria.

However, French foreign minister Laurent Fabius says military intervention outside the auspices of the U.N. Security Council would be problematic.

"That is another problem which is very difficult. International law is defined by the United Nations, but at the same time there are countries that are blocking - China and Russia have blocked and would probably block again so it would be a problem."

Russia, one of Bashar al-Assad's strongest allies, is welcoming the decision to allow the inspectors into the site.

However, the Russian government is also warning against pre-empting the results of the investigation.

For its part, the Chinese government says it is firmly opposed to the use of chemical weapons by any party in Syria.

The Chinese side is also supporting an independent, objective and impartial investigation into the allegations of chemical weapons in Syria.

For CRI, this is Ding Lulu.

 

 

A wave of bomb attacks rip through Iraq

 

At least 3 people are dead and 6 others hurt following the latest bombing in Baghdad.

The bombing follows a series of attacks which have left at least 47-dead.

Sunday is one of the bloodiest day in Iraq.

The rising level of casualties comes amid the heightened tensions between Sunni and Shia Muslims in Iraq.

The situation in Iraq began to deteriorate in April after the security forces cracked down on a Sunni Arab protest camp in Iraq's northern city of Hawijah.

The UN estimates over a thousand Iraqis were killed and more than 23-hundred wounded in acts of terrorism and violence in July.

 

 

Afghan president Karzai visit Pakistan on Taliban issue

 

Afghanistan's president Hamid Karzai is now in Pakistan for a state visit.

Karzai has met with Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

This is Karzai's first time in Pakistan since Sharif took office in June.

Karzai has been pushing to try to improve his government's ties with Pakistan.

 

 

Three Palestinians killed in West Bank clash

 

3 Palestinians are dead and dozens other wounded after Israeli troops stormed a refugee camp in the West Bank.

Israeli troops entered the camp in the early-morning hours.

They were met with a barrage of stones thrown by the locals.

Israeli forces responded with gunfire.

Israeli troops often enter Palestinian-controlled territory to detain individuals suspected of militant activity, which often prompts clashes.

 

 

Cargo train carrying migrants derails in remote area, killing 6

 

A cargo train in Mexico, known as "the Beast," has derailed, killing 6 and hurting 22 others.

Carrying hitchhiking migrants, the train went off the tracks in Mexico on Sunday.

The crash occured near the city of Huimanguillo, which is located in southern Mexico.

At least 250 Honduran migrants were on the train at the time.

"Around 1:10 am was when it derailed. That is when we started screaming. Some of us jumped off the train, others, sadly, died."

Officials are warning the death toll could rise as a number of the injured are said to be in critical condition.

 

 

African Tourism has bright future: UNWTO

 

Anchor

This year's UN World Tourism Organization General Assembly is now underway, with a focus this year on Africa.

CRI's Lucy Du has more.

Report:

The 6-day general assembly has been formally opened by the hosts of this year's conference, Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe and Michael Sata of Zambia.

The 155-nation tourism organization's summit is held every two years.

This time it's being held at a resort on Victoria Falls, which both countries border.

Recently re-elected Robert Mugabe says both his country and Zambia can play an important role in promoting tourism in Africa.

"We recognized the important political and economic role that tourism can play in our two countries and on our continent. We are committed to leveraging this sector as a key driver of our economic growth."

Despite the downturn in the world economy over the last few years, tourism is still growing in the African continent.

The UN World Tourism Organization is reporting a 5-percent increase in African countries this year.

This is ahead of earlier estimates of 3 to 4-percent growth through the first half.

Tourism growth in Africa is helping lead the unexpected charge.

Taleb Rifai is the Secretary General of the United Nations World Tourism Organization

"Int'l tourist grew from a near 15m in 1990 to 52m in 2012. By 2013, our forecasts studies indicate that 134m people will be visiting Africa in one single year. The future of tourism in Africa is bright. "

Still, African tourism only accounts for only 4-percent of the world's tourism market.

A lot of this is due to a lack of infrastructure and promotion.

Edem Duke is Nigeria's Minister of Tourism.

"One, there is need for better human capital and professionalism in the sector; secondly, government in Africa must find the budget to help in the communication, so that we can do a lot of marketing of Africa; it is also important to work with our partners around world with countries like China."

A series of tourism promotion activities are set to be held during the event, which wraps up on Wednesday in Livingstone, Zambia.

For CRI, I'm Lucy Du.

 

 

Japan Fishermen- Fishermen face uncertain future after new leaks from Fukushima nuclear plant

 

Fishermen in Japan are expressing their frustration after being banned from the waters around the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant.

Fishing off the coast of Fukushima has been suspended indefinitely after plant operator TEPCO revealed that some 300-tonnes of radioactive water has leaked from the plant into the ocean.

Sampling results show 40-percent of the 170-types of fish in the region are testing positive to radioactive contamination.

It remains unclear what the long-term environmental impact will be on the local sea life.

 

 

Time to Loosen China's One-child Policy?

 

Amid the the rapidly aging society here in China, on top of a looming labor shortage, experts are now starting to question this country's family-planning policy.

Under consideration is whether to allow Chinese families to have two children as long as one of the parents comes from a single-child family.

Right now, if both parents are the product of the so-called 'one-child' policy, they're allowed to have two children.

To that end, CRI's Zheng Chenguang spoke with Professor John Bacon-Shone, Associate Dean of Social Sciences at the University of Hong Kong.

…

Professor John Bacon-Shone, Associate Dean of Social Sciences at the University of Hong Kong, speaking with CRI's Zheng Chenguang.

 

 

E-commerce changes rural China

 

Anchor:

The advancement of e-commerce here in China is starting to take hold in the rural areas here in China.

CRI's Su Yi explains.

Reporter:

The development of e-commerce in the town of Shaji could trace back to 2006. At that time, some residents in the town began to sell handmade wood furniture through China's e-commerce platform Taobao.

Because of the fashionable style and reasonable price, their furniture was very popular online.

Duan Liang is one of the local pioneers who earned money from this. He mainly sells media storage cabinets and computer desks, and has experienced a progress.

"At first, I have daily sales of only 1000 yuan, but after four years, my daily sales reached 20,000 yuan. Now I can get more than 100 orders every day."

Like Duan Liang, many local people become rich through online furniture selling.

The annual income per capital in the town has risen from about 4000 yuan in 2006 to more than 9000 yuan last year.

And in the first half of this year, total sales through online platform reached 800 million yuan.

The experience of selling furniture online has provided useful guidance for selling other products online.

Local official Xing Xinfang says that from this perspective, online furniture selling has become a leading and inspiring industry in the town.

"We have taken advantage of the e-commerce platform to lower logistical fees. Last year, several e-commerce companies also began to sell underwear and electronic products online."

The town of Shaji plans to build an e-commerce industrial zone in the future. The zone will bear multiple functions, and will be a site for online trading, logistics, exhibitions, personnel training and business service to take place.

Xing Xinfang regards the zone as a comprehensive project that could integrate local resources and raise the efficiency of e-commerce in Shaji.

"We began the construction of the e-commerce industrial zone last year in order to give e-commerce more space to grow. The infrastructure, roads, factories, new communities and office buildings are all currently being built."

Through e-commerce, the town of Shaji has gained huge economic benefits and transformed its economic structure. The town's experience is regarded as a model for demonstrating how information has changed the way people conduct business, even in the rural parts of China.

BACK ANCHOR

That was Su Yi reporting.

 

 

Most of the scrap cars are sent to the illegal factories

 

Anchor:

New reports have revealed most of the scrap vehicles in Hebei's capital Shijiazhuang have failed to make it to authorized companies for dismantling last year.

This has prompted new calls for a crackdown on illegal scrap vehicle factories.

CRI's Xie Zhao explains.

Reporter:

The Shijiazhuang Used Car Company is one of the largest authorized companies in Hebei which specializes in recycling and dismantling scrap cars.

Yang Xianzhe works at the company.

He says he and his colleagues have had little work to do for a long time.

"There are no scrap cars. We do not have work to do. Now it is the wheat harvest season. Workers have been given days off. When the company receives scrap cars, the workers will be called back."

As such, Liang Bin, a manager at the Company, says it is hard for them to survive.

"Now it is hard for the legal companies to survive, while the illegal markets are rampant and booming."

According to statistics released by the Hebei Traffic Management Bureau, around 250-thousand vehicles should have been scrapped last year.

However, only around a tenth of them were delivered to authorized scrap vehicle companies.

The recycling price of scrapped cars is usually around one thousand yuan per ton at authorized companies in Shijiangzhuang.However, the price can surge upto 10-thousand yuan at certain scrap car scalpers.

In order to stimulate more private car owners to send their scrap cars to authorized companies, Liu Huixin with the Hebei Commerce department argues the current subsidy policy should be expanded further.

"The subsidy policy for the scrap cars should be enlarged and the amount of the subsidy should be increased"

In addition, Cao Yinzhong with the Hebei Traffic Management Bureau says if the private car owners don't comply with the new regulations put out this year to scrap their cars, they will be banned from applying for a new license plate.

"If the car owners do not scrap their car on time, they will be suspended to apply for new services from the Traffic Management Bureau."

After some vehicles are dismantled, various parts can be re-assembled into fully-operating, but potentially unsafe, new vehicles.

This is not uncommon in rural areas.

For CRI, I am XZ.

 

 

Biz Reports

 

 

Asian Stock

 

Most Asian stocks rose Monday.

In China,

Shares jumped on positive corporate results and reassuring comments on the country's economic growth.

Stock brokerages rallied as the Shanghai Stock Exchange said on Sunday that it would introduce a T+0 scheme that enables individual investors to sell their shares the same day they buy them to better protect the interests of medium and small investors.

The Shanghai Composite Index advanced 1.9 percent.

Then Shenzhen Component Index climbed more than 2 percent.

In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng rose 0.65 percent.

Elsewhere,

Singapore's Strait Times lost 0.14 percent.

Nikkei ended 0.18 percent lower Monday afternoon after recent rally.

South Korean KOSPI gained 1 percent.

Australia ASX 200 advanced 0.2 percent.

 

 

China economy showing clear signs of stabilization: statistics bureau

 

Anchor:

The National Bureau of Statistics has issued a new statement, saying it believes this country's economy is on-course to meet the government's target of 7.5-percent growth.

CRI's Hu Jia has more.

Report:

One of the areas of leading concern for economic health here in China has been local government debt.

National Bureau of Statistics spokesperson Sheng Laiyun contends local government is under control.

"The issue has been well acknowledged by the central government, it exits but the size of the debt is within safe limits. And some positive data approved that the previous regulatory measures have shown effects, say, the recent auditing survey of all 36 local governments have shown the debt monitoring system is well implemented. One third of them saw debt decrease over the first half."

Banks here in China have been reluctant to lend to local governments, as they're considered 'at-risk' and potentially non-profitable.

As such, the China Banking Regulatory Commission is working with the country's securities regulator to promote credit asset securitization.

The plan involves pooling together risky assets and making them tradeable in securities.

This follows a move last year to let provincial governments set up their own debt-purchasing arms.

Double digit growth here in China was driven by government investment.

Infrastructure investment accounted for 46 percent of GDP during the years of heady growth.

Sheng Laiyun points out it is unrealistic for China to maintain double-digit growth, particularly when the economy is undergoing structural adjustments.

But he points out the fundamentals of China's economy remain intact.

"We see the current development of industrialization and urbanization still brings benefits to various sectors, customers are shifting their consumption models from survival goods to recreational spending, here also bears great room for growth. Meanwhile, the vast central and western areas'catch-up growth potential shouldn't be ignored."

The latest economic data is suggesting China's economic slowdown may have bottomed out through the 2nd quarter.

In an attempt to support more steady growth, the Chinese government has recently scrapped taxes for small firms and accelerated investment in urban infrastructure and railways.

Sheng Laiyun is also cautioning the government is not going to prop-up outdated companies.

"we've noted that the economy relies on development of science and technology innovation. In addition, the central government need to prioritize reform, and deepen the efforts in carrying out those conducts."

GDP growth came in at 7.5 percent in the second quarter, down from 7.7 percent in the first 3-months of the year.

For CRI, I'm Hu Jia.

 

 

Beijing Mulls Measures to Consolidate China's Credit System

 

The National Development and Reform Commission is reportedly working on a new plan for dealing with credit cheats.

The head of the NDRC says the government is drafting a system of rewards and punishments for the credit system.

He says the government is also working on establishing a credit blacklist.

At the same time, he says the NDRC is going to continue promoting the development of corporate bonds and other direct financing instruments.

 

 

China to raise fines for trademark infringement

 

China is expected to raise the compensation ceiling for trademark infringement to 3 million yuan (about 490,000 U.S. dollars), six times the current limit, lawmakers said Monday.

 

In cases of infringement, compensation of up to 3 million yuan shall be paid to the holders of trademark rights, according to the draft amendment to the Trademark Law, tabled for a third reading at the ongoing bimonthly session of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature.

 

The first draft amendment set the compensation ceiling at 1 million yuan, up from 500,000 yuan under the current law, while the second reading in June raised it to 2 million yuan.

 

 

Tougher punishment for stock market offence

 

China's securities regulator pledges to intensify punishment for severe stock market violations amid rising offences.

China Securities Regulatory Commission is set to enhance pre-emptive oversight, streamline administrative procedures, and rely on laws to regulate the capital market.

Meanwhile, CSRC will also enhance crackdown on false information disclosure, listing fraud and illegal activities by brokerages.

26 cases have been reported for investigations during the first six months.

The number represents a hefty increase from the same period a year ago.

CSRC says stricter supervision and enforcement has played a positive role in promoting openness and fairness, and protecting small investors' interests.

 

 

Shanghai bourse defends handling of Everbright glitch

 

The Shanghai Stock Exchange has defended its handling of the Everbright glitch.

The stock exchange is saying its reaction to the incident on August 16th was in accordance with regulations and precedents.

Erroneous trading by Everbright Securities on the 16th caused a 5.96-percent spike in the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index in just three minutes.

Investors have been dissatisfied with the exchange's failure to alert them quickly to the glitch as they chased rising stocks and suffered great losses when prices tumbled.

The Exchange is upholding its decision to not issue any warning regarding the incident on its Weibo, or microblog.

Latest explanations from the exchange have generated largely negative responses from netizens.

Most say could have been done to warn investors of possible risks.

 

 

China Construction Bank net profit up 12.63 pct in first half

 

China Construction Bank is reporting a rise in net profits of over 12.6 percent in the first half from a year earlier.

The country's second-largest state-owned bank says net profits hit more than 119.7 billion yuan in the first six months.

The bank is also reporting its net interest income rose 10.6 percent year on year and net income from commissions and service fees soared 12.8 percent.

The bank's non-performing loan ratio remained at 0.99 at the end of June.

It is at the same level recorded at the end of 2012.

 

Greece could receive additional aid without fresh bailout terms or haircut: Greek FinMin

 

Greece's Finance Minister is suggesting the country could receive additional aid without fresh bailout terms.

Yannis Stournaras says the additional financial aid from the European Union and the International Monetary Fund will not have fresh bailout conditions.

Stournaras says in the face of a possible funding gap Greece is still in no position to return to the international markets in the near future. BJH/biz - China's online shopping transactions boom

 

 

Headline News

 

 

Bo Xilai trail concludes

 

The trial of the former leading party official Bo Xilai has concluded.

The court is reserving a verdict for a later date.

The trial began on Thursday, and has run through this weekend.

Bo Xilai is also accused of obstructing a criminal investigation into the murder charges his wife faced, on top of bribery and embezzlement.

Bo Xilai has admitted to making mistakes in his varoius political roles.

However, he insists his actions don't constitute abuse of power.

 

 

UN inspectors has started looking into the suspected chemical attack

 

UN inspectors has started looking into the suspected chemical attack last week near the Syrian capital Damascus.

Meanwhile UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is calling on all-involved to ensure the investigation is a success.

The Syrian government is being accused of deliberately delaying access by a number of different governments.

For its part, the Chinese government says it is firmly opposed to the use of chemical weapons by any party in Syria.

 

 

Three Palestinians killed in West Bank clash

 

3 Palestinians are dead and dozens other wounded after Israeli troops stormed a refugee camp in the West Bank.

Israeli troops entered the camp in the early-morning hours.

They were met with a barrage of stones thrown by the locals.

Israeli forces responded with gunfire.

Israeli troops often enter Palestinian-controlled territory to detain individuals suspected of militant activity, which often prompts clashes.

 

 

Afghan president Karzai visit Pakistan on Taliban issue

 

Afghanistan's president Hamid Karzai is now in Pakistan for a state visit.

Karzai has met with Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

This is Karzai's first time in Pakistan since Sharif took office in June.

Karzai has been pushing to try to improve his government's ties with Pakistan.

 

 

Beijing Mulls Measures to Consolidate China's Credit System

 

The National Development and Reform Commission is reportedly working on a new plan for dealing with credit cheats.

The head of the NDRC says the government is drafting a system of rewards and punishments for the credit system.

He says the government is also working on establishing a credit blacklist.

At the same time, he says the NDRC is going to continue promoting the development of corporate bonds and other direct financing instruments.

 

 

45 dead, 1.6 mln affected in Yunnan floods

 

The death toll from flooding in Yunnan has reached 45.

2 are still listed as missing.

Torrential rains have been hammering the province since May.

The floods have forced around 26-thousand out of their homes.

Forecasters are warning more heavy rains are expected in Yunnan throughout the week.

 

 

Knife-wielding man kills 4, injures 11 in China

 

Four people are dead and 11 others hurt following a stabbing in Chengdu.

A 41-year old man randomly attacked people on-board a public bus.

The suspect says he took part in the random attack because he had financial problems.

The attack follows an incident in Henan where 3 were killed and a dozen other hurt in a knife attack.

 

 

Newspaper Picks

 

 

Xinhua

"China to strengthen calligraphy education"

Chinese education authorities has called for providing better calligraphy education for the country's primary and middle school students.

An official with the ministry of education said Calligraphy, which was a sort of time-honored handwriting art in China, was suspended for a period of time in school classes.

Earlier in 2011, the ministry rolled out a guideline requiring primary school students to practise writing-brush skills starting from the third grade.

However, the guideline was not well implemented as a lack of specialized teachers and unified teaching materials, as well as students' preference to other courses that were evaluated by academic scores

The ministry said it will also work together with relevant mass organizations to promote and standardize calligraphy education.

China Daily

"Experts discuss the benefits of home schooling"

Education analysts and experts are calling on the public to have an open mind on a new way of educating children in China — the home-school.

This follow a recent survey showing that about 18,000 children on the Chinese mainland now receive their education at home.

The survey, issued by the 21st Century Education Research Institute on Saturday, showed 60 percent of children being home-schooled in China are 4 to 10 years old.

In China, children those ages are in kindergartens and primary schools.

The survey found about 62 percent of children that age who are receiving home schooling had had public education before.

The survey said that the top three reasons that parents decided to educate their children at home are that they do not agree with school's educational concepts; the schools' slower teaching methods; and a lack of respect for children in public schools.

Also, nearly 82 percent of the interviewed children who engaged in home schooling said they like or like very much being home-schooled.

Forbes

"Ford Is Studying Space Robots To Make Smarter Cars"

Ford Motor Company has announced to study how robots communicate in space so that one day in the future, you'll have a smarter car.

This is part of an ongoing effort by Ford, as well as other companies in the industry, to develop smart networks between cars, street lights, and other parts of the road to help avoid auto accidents.

Other goals for such networks include improving emergency response times and easing traffic congestion.

By studying how robots in space handle communications failures, auto engineers can apply that to the use of vehicles on Earth.

The Province

"Study: Climbing CO2 in the world's oceans hurting marine life, from oysters to cod"

German researchers say climbing levels of carbon dioxide are harming all forms of marine life as the gas dissolves in the oceans, making them more acidic.

According to the study, Mollusks, corals and echinoderms, a class of creatures that includes starfish and sea urchins, are the worst affected by the uptake of CO2 by the seas. The gas forms carbonic acid when it dissolves in the oceans, lowering their pH level.

Commercial species that show negative effects from acidification include oysters and cod.

Negative effects include behavioral and sensory changes that make fish less fearful of predators, altered metabolism, and a slowing of the rate at which mollusks can form shells.

Given the pace at which carbon-dioxide levels are growing, the study says human emissions threaten to trigger extinctions at a faster pace than die-outs millions of years ago.

 

 

Special Reports

 

 

Shanghai International Model Exhibition 2013/Michael 1602

 

Anchor:

This year's Shanghai International Model Exhibition has come to an end.

As CRI's Liu Min tells us, this year's show has drawn an increasing number of foreign exhibitioners.

Reporter:

It's a sea of all sorts of models.

Fancy fixed win planes, traditional exquisite ship and train models, high-power 4-by-4 race cars, speed boat with roaring engines. Radio controlled model toys are the stars of the show.

Wang Yong is a model enthusiast.

He says he thinks domestic manufacturers have made remarkable progress in recent years.

"Take multi-rotor aerocraft as an example, the products of many domestic manufacturers are way better than the overseas manufacturers. The foreign brands are more expensive and it's hard to find matching accessories. The domestic brands give you a variety of choice. Plus some of the control systems made by Chinese enterprises are also better."

Despite the rise of Chinese manufacturers, foreign brands are still showing their mark.

Dan Rodawig is the director of international business development with Horizon Hobby, a US radio control model manufacturer.

"The Chinese market is really important for us because the Asian market in general is under served by our products right now. We believe it's an opportunity for Asia in general. But the China market has this incredibly large potential just the economics behind the size the magnitude of the market is huge, so we choose to first start in China. And then from China we will develop the Asian market in general."

Gu Chen is the deputy director of Chinese Airplane Model Association.

He says playing with model aerocraft used to be unthinkable in China.

"Nowadays, many parents hope their children can be capable. They cultivate their children's DIY ability by introducing them models. But buying them toys is just playing. Only when they are interested in basic knowledge like aerodynamics, mechanics, classification of materials and radio communication can the children really be self-motivated to learn sciences."

Here in China, model aircraft aren't only for the young.

They're also for the young-at-heart.

66-year old Yang Bugen travelled to Shanghai from Changzhou to take part in the show.

"We senior people like to buy different parts, accessories and DIY our own models. We even make our own control systems. This hobby makes us think and practices the collaboration of brain and hands. It's a good hobby to prevent dementia, which is a typical disease for the senior."

This year's exhibition has attracted more than 200 model manufacturers from over 30 countries and regions.

For CRI, I am Liu Min.

 

 

Sports

 

 

Australian Adam Scott wins The Barclays

 

In Golf...

Masters Champ Adam Scott has taken this year's Barclay's championships.

The Australian fired a bogey-free round to take a 1-stroke victory.

"Well I can't believe it to be honest with you. I think I just played a good round today and I came in and really didn't think I had a chance. But, obviously things went my way a lot out there and (I'm) so happy."

Tiger Woods and Justin Rose finished in a 4-way tie for 2nd at minus-10.

 

 

16-year-old amatuer Lydia Ko wins the Canadian Women's Open

 

16-year old Lydia Ko has repeated as the Canadian Women's Open champion.

The teenager fired a blistering 6-under-64 on the final day at Royal Mayfair in the northern Canadian city of Edmonton to take the event for the 2nd time in a row.

"I shot 10 under at the Australian Open this year but, you know, that was round one and, you know that was great. But today I was in a little bit more of a pressure position so I was really happy with me 64 and you know I got off to a really good start so that kinda helped my day."

The South Korean-born New Zealander also won the Australian tour's New South Wales Open last year.

With the win, Lydia Ko is projected to jump from 19th to 7th in the world rankings.

 

 

Australian reaction after fifth and final Ashes Test

 

Australia's capitan has been trying to take away positives from their blanking at the Ashes.

Michael Clarke.

"It doesn't surprise me. Look, that's the way I would like to see cricket played and I would certainly like to see the Australian team playing in that type of manner. I think we had nothing to lose - obviously 3-0 down and to me, even if we weren't 3-0 down, you have got to try and do everything you can to win the Test match. There is obviously the risk of losing and that was there today as well but, yeah, I think it was what we try and do."

England, chasing 227 to win, had to settle for a draw amid the sunset on the final day of the affair.

The English side was just 21 short of the target when the umpires called the match.

Despite the draw, England walks away with a 4-nil score, the first time the English side has ever blanked the Aussies.

England has now won three Ashes 3-times in a row.

This is the first time they've done this since the 1977-1981 run.

 

 

Sebastian Vettel wins Belgian GP to extend points advantage

 

Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel has earned his 5th win of the F1 season at Spa in Belgium.

Vettel's point lead in the Drivers Standings has increased by 46.

Fernando Alonso came in second.

Lewis Hamilton finished 3rd.

With the 3rd place finish, Hamilton has jumped ahead of Kimi Raikkonen 3rd in the Driver's Standing with 139 points.

Raikkonen had to retire from the race after smoke started pouring from his right-front tire on lap-27.

Next up is the Italian Grand Prix this coming weekend.

 

 

NFL: New Orleans 31, Houston 23 ;

 

In the NFL,

Andy Tanner hauled down a pair of TD passes to help the New Orleans Saints stay unbeaten in the pre-season, with a 31-23 win over Houston.

Quaterback Drew Brees played sparingly, connecting on just 4-of-6 passes for 104 yards and a touchdown.

Backup Luke McCown did the majority of the work, going 10-of-14 for 118 yards, including a pair of touchdowns.

Colin Kaepernick went 7-of-13 through for 72 yards with a TD pass to help the San Francisco 49ers' over Minnesota 34-14.

Among the highlights was Lavelle Hawkins scoring on a 105-yard kickoff return.

The loss leaves the Vikings winless on the pre-season.

 

 

Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli on retirement and US Open

 

Marion Bartoli is reflecting on her tennis career ahead of the start of the US Open.

The 28 year-old, who won her first Grand Slam at Wimbledon this year, stunned the tennis world by announcing her retirement from the sport shortly afterwards.

However, Bartoli isn't closing the door on the sport all-together.

"You never know what's gonna happen and it's hard to call it for now. That's why I'm still in the ranking. I think I will be there until the end of the year and then we'll see what is happening, but it's pretty hard to say 'I will never come back' "

Bartoli is going to be a commentator on Eurosport for the US Open.

Tennis's final Grand Slam of the year will get underway in New York later tonight.

Chinese Ace Li Na is set to take on Belarussian Olga Govortsova.

Zheng Jie will face the Netherlands's Kiki Bertens.

Peng Shuai takes on Austrian Yvonne Muesberger.

Chinese qualifier Duan Yingying goes up against 6th seeded Dane Caroline Wosniaki.

 

 

Entertainment

 

 

MTV Video Music Awards Round Up.

 

The MTV Video Music Awards shook Brooklyn, New York last night.

Lady Gaga opened the show with new single, marking her first public performance since hip surgery.

Meanwhile, Kanye West made history with his seventh appearance at the event, an achievement matched only by the Queen of Pop, Madonna herself.

West gave a sparkling performance of "Blood on the Leaves" from his latest album Yeezus.

Elswhere, Justin Timberlake opened his performance with a medley of hits from his solo career.

The singer was then joined on stage by his former band *nSYNC for a special reunion performance.

The appearance was a dream come true for fans, amongst whom rumour of the reunion had caused a rancorous stir of late.

The fivesome put on a show to remember with resplendent renditions of "Bye Bye Bye" and "Girlfriend".

This is the first time in nearly a decade that the band had made a public appearance together.

The performance preceded Timberlake's acceptance of the prestigious 'Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award'.

The 32 year old, who was lauded as a "legend" by the award's presenter comedian Jimmy Fallon, also picked up the Video of the Year for single "Mirrors" .

Other major winners include Taylor Swift, who took home the "Best Female Video" gong and One Direction, whose "Best Song Ever" was labelled "Best Song of the Summer".

 

 

Robin Thicke sues Marvin Gaye's family

 

Robin Thicke is serving court papers to Marvin Gaye's family following allegations of plagiarism.

The family has been accusing Thicke's song "Blurred Lines" of stealing elements from Gaye's "Got to Give it Up"

The talk prompted Thicke to offer a six figure settlement to snuff the rumours, which was reportedly rejected by Gaye's children.

Thicke and co-writers Pharrell and Clifford Harris Junior subsequently filed pre-emptive court papers to prevent a plagiarism case from the family.

The papers state that the intent of the song was to invoke an era and no singular artist can claim ownership of a genre.

On hearing the news, Gaye's family expressed comtempt of Thicke's way "of doing business".

 

 

Divergent releases first trailer

 

The MTV Videon Music Awards also played host to the premiere of Divergent's first trailer.

Directed by Neil Berger, the film stars Shailene Woodley who plays a teenager forced to fight for survival in a dystopian society.

Based on Veronic Roth's best-selling young adult trilogy, the film has been hotly tipped as the next "Hunger Games".

Theo James, Kate Winslet, Ashley Judd, and Zo? Kravitz join Woodley in the sci-fi thriller.

One of the most anticipated movies of the year so far, Divergent is slated for release on March 21st 2014.

 

 

Thai martial arts star Tony Jaa joins Fast and Furious 7

 

Asian action star Tony Jaa has been signed on for Fast and Furious 7.

The Thai star will be making his Hollywood debut in the upcoming Universal project.

Jaa will be joined by Jason Statham, Vin Diesel and Paul Walker.

The 37 year old Thai martial artist and former Buddhist monk praised the franchise's "great mix of humour and action" in a statement.

Jaa added that the opportunity is the best English-language debut conceivable.

The actor drew international attention for his performance in the Ong Bak series, which began in 2003.

The exactly role that Jaa will play remains to be determined.

The screenplay for Fast and Furious 7 is currently in development by the series' writer, Chris Morgan.

 

 

Woody Allen's Blue Jasmine to be most successful Indie film This year

 

Woody Allen's new film is poised to become the highest grossing indie film of the year.

Starring Cate Blanchett and Alec Baldwin, the film's distributors expanded its release, bringing it to over 1000 more screens.

The moves comes after the film continues to pull in the audiences into its fifth week at the box office.

The film's slow release is modeled on the release strategy for Oscar Winning "Midnight in Paris", which scored Allen his "best-ever opening per screen-average".

"Blue Jasmine" has so far grossed 14.8 million dollars at the box office - an impressive achievement for independent cinema.

The success has had both critics and audiences hailing Blue Jasmine as symptomatic of Allen's return to form.