The Beijing Hour
Evening Edition
Marc Cavigli here with you on this Monday, October 7th 2013.
Welcome to the Beijing Hour, coming to you live from the Chinese capital.
Coming up on our program this evening,
The Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit has opened on the Indonesian island resort of Bali.
The US and Russia are pleased with the progress made with the destruction of Syria’s chemical weapons.
And China is on alert for another typhoon, Typhoon Danas.
In Business, the World Bank has lowered its economic growth forecast for China and developing East Asian nations.
In sports, Novak Djokovich and Serena Williams triumphant at the China Open.
And in entertainment, the 10th annual Huading Image Awards get underway in Macau.
Weather
Beijing will have showers tonight with a low of 13 degrees Celsius. Tomorrow sunny with a high temperature of 21.
Meanwhile Shanghai will have moderate rain tonight, with a low of 22, rain continues tomorrow, with a high of 25.
Lhasa will be clear tonight, 4 degrees the low, cloudy tomorrow with a high of 17.
Elsewhere in the world, staying in Asia
Islamabad, sunny, with a high of 34.
Kabul, sunny, 30.
Over in Australia
Sydney, overcast, highs of 21.
Canberra, sunny, 21.
Brisbane, overcast, 27.
And finally, Perth will be rainy with a high of 21.
Top News
APEC leaders meet on sustainable growth, regional cooperation
Anchor:
The Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit has opened on the Indonesian island resort of Bali, with heads of state and governments from a dozen countries on both sides of the Pacific expected to discuss a number of world economic issues.
CRI's Su Yi has more.
Reporter:
Sustainable growth with equity and connectivity are expected to take the center stage at the summit.
Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono says stronger cooperation among companies in the APEC region can be a way to cushion a downturn.
He notes some developed countries are returning to growth, while at the same time, a number of developing countries are still facing a slow-down.
"With its combined potential, APEC is in the ideal position to kick-start the recovery of the global economy. Therefore, APEC members must put efforts in both individual and collective measures to promote growth."
Chinese President Xi Jinping is attending the meeting for the first time since he assumed presidency in March.
President Xi is expected to elaborate China's positions on such issues as current global economic landscape, APEC's role in boosting multi-lateral trade system, inter-connectivity in the Asia-Pacific region and sustainable growth.
China joined APEC in 1991.
The country has also become an advocate for numerous international issues including food security and disaster prevention, among others.
Liu Chenyang is the deputy director of the APEC Study Center at Nankai University.
"China is playing a more and more important role in perfecting and expanding cooperation areas within APEC and its long effectiveness. Before, we were just adapting ourselves into the frame, playing as an active participant. But from now on, China will be more likely a pacemaker by the country's influence."
Xi Jinping has already met with several of his counterparts including ones from South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Chile and Thailand ahead of the opening of the meeting.
For CRI, I'm Su Yi.
QA with CIIS' Ruan Zongze
For more on Xi Jinping's recent diplomatic activities and China's foreign policy, CRI's Zheng Chenguang earlier spoke with Ruan Zongze, Senior Fellow and Vice President of the China Institute of International Studies.
…
That was Ruan Zongze, Senior Fellow and Vice President of the China Institute of International Studies, speaking with CRI's Zheng Chenguang.
U.S. and Russia pleased with Syria progess: Kerry
US Secretary of State John Kerry says the U.S and Russia are very pleased with the progress made so far in destroying Syria's chemical weapons stocks.
Kerry also credits the Syrian government for complying with the chemical weapons deal.
"I think it's also credit to the Assad regime for complying rapidly as they are supposed to. Now we hope that will continue. I'm not going to vouch today for what happens months down the road, but it's a good beginning. And we should welcome a good beginning."
The comment was made while Kerry met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Indonesia.
The US Secretary of State also says the US and Russia will continue to make progress on preparations for an international conference to help to set up a transitional government.
For his part, Lavrov says the Syrian government is cooperating fully.
"We have no grounds to consider that the co-operation of the Syrian government to fulfill perfectly these concerns will change anyhow. And, for the Russian part, we will do everything so that Damascus follows the co-operation without any changes.."
Earlier on Sunday, International inspectors began work destroying Syria's chemical weapon stockpile.
They're working against a November deadline set by the UN last month to destroy the Syrian government's capability to produce the weapons.
China on alert for next typhoon
China is now on high alert for another typhoon.
Forecasters have issued an orange warning ahead of typhoon Danas, the 24th typhoon this year, which is expected to enter the East China Sea Monday night.
Danas comes following Typhoon Fitow which has made landfall in eastern China and already left at least 2 people dead.
Fitow has cut power to may parts of southern Zhejian with winds of 150-kilometers per hour.
Close to 750-thousand people have been moved to safer locations in both Zhejiang and Fujian ahead of the storm.
Many scenic spots were closed at the end of this year's National Day holiday because of the storm.
Rothman, Schekman and Sudhof win 2013 Nobel price for medicine
US scientists James Rothman and Randy Schekman and German scientist Thomas Sudhof have shared this year's Nobel Prize for medicine or physiology.
They are rewarded for their research into how the cell organizes its transport system.
Medicine is the first of the Nobel prizes awarded each year.
Prizes for achievements in science, literature, and peace were first awarded in 1901 in accordance with the will of dynamite inventor and businessman Alfred Nobel.
Gunmen kill 5 in Egypt
Egyptian security officials say gunmen have killed at least five soldiers near the city of Ismailiya.
The security personnel were targeted at a checkpoint in the north of the city.
Meantime, a large car bomb has killed at least two people in a security forces' building in Sinai.
Egyptian government forces have been targeted several times in recent weeks.
Death toll rises to 51 in Egypt's clashes
The death toll from clashes between security forces and supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt has risen to 51.
More than 200-others have been hurt in the fighting, which broke out on Sunday, the anniversary marking the October 6th war against Israel.
Ali Hasan is a Muslim Brotherhood supporter.
"Of course we are against the military coup first and second we are celebrating the victory of 6th October. We salute the honourable generals and the soldiers of the October sixth victory, but we cannot find them now. We are against the military council and the military coup that took place in this country. There is a big difference between the sixth of October victory and the current situation.''
It's being reported over 400-Muslim Brotherhood supporters have been arrested across the country.
Sunday marked the 40th anniversary of the so-called Ramadan, or Yom Kippur, war.
It was a 2-week battle between a mixture of Egyptian and Syrian forces against Israel.
Libyan PM demands explanation on US commando raids
Libyan prime minister Ali Zeidan is urging the US government to explain a Special Forces raid on its territory last week.
US Special Forces captured suspect, Anas al-Liby, who is said to be a key figure behind the 1998 bombings of the US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania.
The raid is one of two US commando operations carried out this weekend in Libya and Somalia.
Meanwhile, Zeidan stresses Libya is, "keen on prosecuting any Libyan citizen inside Libya."
US Secretary of State John Kerry says the US government will continue to fight against terrorism.
"We hope this makes clear that the United States of America will never stop in its effort to hold those accountable who conduct acts of terror. Those members of al Qaeda and other terrorist organizations literally can run but they can't hide. We will continue to try to bring people to justice in an appropriate way with hopes that, ultimately, these kinds of activities against everybody in the world will stop."
US officials say the assault in Somalia failed to capture any leading members of al-Shabaab.
Kenya identifies 6 terrorists in Nairobi mall attack
Kenyan authorities have positively identified a number of the terrorists who took part in the deadly attack on the Westgate mall in Nairobi last month.
Among the dead include an American-Somali, a Sudanese, a Kenyan, and one only identified as Umayr.
The four were killed after part of the mall collapsed in the midst of the battle.
Meanwhile, new TV footage has been revealed showing 2 other men entering a local bank to withdraw cash.
Kenyan authorities say the cash was used to purchase the vehicle which drove the attackers to the mall.
The video footage is dated on September 6th, suggesting the attack had been planned well in advance.
The 4-day siege of the upscale Westgate mall in the Kenyan capital left 71-people dead, including 61-civilians.
Somalian Islamist group al-Shabaab has claimed responsibility for the assault.
U.S. House Speaker says no "clean" bill on raising debt limit
It appears the protracted political fight over the US budget and impending debt-ceiling isn't coming to an end anytime soon.
House Speaker John Boehner says the Republican led House will not raise the borrowing limit nor end the current government shutdown without negotiation from the Democrats.
Boehner has accused the Democrats and President Barack Obama of refusing to negotiate.
"It is the path we are on. Listen the President cancelled his trip to Asia. I assumed that well, maybe, he wants to have a conversation. I decided to stay here in Washington this weekend. He knows what my phone number is, all he has to do is call."
Meanwhile, leading Democratic Senator Charles Schumer says they are willing to talk.
However, he says the Democrats are not going to negotiate with a - quote - "gun held to their heads."
US Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew.
"The problem isn't the President's willingness to negotiate. The problem is that we have not yet engaged with Republicans who are willing to put everything on the table and the speaker knows that. And I know the Speaker well. I know the Speaker doesn't want to default. He also didn't want to shut down the government. You know, he needs to give a majority a chance to vote."
Failure to increase its borrowing capacity would put the US government into default.
House Republicans have demanded a defunding or delay of the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare.
Obama has insisted his landmark legislation is non-negotiable.
California couple cancels wedding due to U.S. government shutdown
Anchor:
It has been nearly a week since the U.S. government started a partial shutdown after both houses of Congress failed to reach a deal over a new budget.
However, the lives of average families have been caught up in the chaos.
A California couple who was forced to cancel their wedding is one of them.
CRI's Alexander Aucott has more.
Reporter:
It was supposed to be her dream wedding, bride to be Joy Miller was supposed to marry her fiancé Adam Brown in California's Yosemite National Park.
It is the place where Brown proposed and where Miller held happy memories as a child.
But then came the U.S. government shutdown and with it closing of the National Park.
After a year of planning and saving, the couple spent 15-thousand dollars on a non-refundable deposit at the Ahwahnee Hotel and arranged rooms for their 85 guests, when they heard of the shutdown.
"When we heard that Yosemite was going to be closed on Monday, and our wedding was on Sunday, I cried for two days straight. Two days straight. It was devastating."
Fortunately for Miller and Brown, local residents who saw the couple's story on the news helped out by collecting donations.
A local farm donated the space for the wedding, and San Francisco chef Jen Stakich donated her time and kitchen facilities to make a menu.
For Stakich, a Democrat, the reason for donation is primarily political.
"I believe that the country is really being held hostage at the moment, I think that Republicans will really do anything to prevent people from having access to affordable healthcare, and I'm really proud that even though it affects people like Joy in a negative way, I'm really proud that for once, the Democrats aren't folding."
In total, 20 strangers have donated their time and services to provide food, beverage, flowers and even music for the couple.
Miller says she feels lucky how things work out.
"We would have been sitting at home sad and had all these friends and family in town with nothing to do and we would have always remembered for the rest of our lives that our wedding was ruined, and instead, we've chosen to take the path of 'wow, the American government couldn't get it together and shut down, but we had all these people step up.'"
For CRI, I'm Alexander Aucott.
Biz Reports
Stocks
Equity markets across Asia-Pacific are struggling under the weight of the US government shutdown.
Asian markets were weaker on Monday after heated political rhetoric from the US raised worries that the partial shutdown of the American government could bring the world's largest economy close to defaulting on its debt.
Markets here on the mainland were closed on Monday for a public holiday.
Hong Kong's Hang Seng index dipped 0.7 percent.
Elsewhere here in Asia,
Japan's Nikkei index dropped to a one-month low, slumping by 1.2 percent.
South Korea's KOSPI trimmed 0.1 percent.
The Straits Times Index in Singapore barely changed.
Australia's S&P/ASX 200 fell 0.9 percent, but trading volumes were light due to holidays in some parts of the country.
World Bank cuts growth forecast for China, developing East Asia
The World Bank has lowered its economic growth forecasts for this year and next for China and most of developing East Asia.
According to a report it released on Monday, the World Bank cut its forecast for China from 8.3-percent to 7.5-percent.
It also cut its growth forecast for developing economies in East Asia and the Pacific region as a whole in 2013 to 7.1-percent from the previous forecast of 7.8-percent.
The report says "China is likely to see further rebalancing of its economy by slowing credit growth and investment, although the pacing is likely to depend on overall growth."
The report says developing economies in East Asia are experiencing a slowdown in their domestic demand, as stimulus programs are being phased out.
But the World Bank said the East Asia and Pacific region continued to be the engine driving the global economy, contributing 40-percent of the world's gross domestic product growth.
Beijing to replace coal-fired power plants before 2015
Anchor:
Municipal authorities here in Beijing have released a new plan to try to deal with the poor air quality in the city.
As part of the new plan, 4 natural gas power stations will be built by the end of next year to replace coal-fired operations.
The Beijing government estimates coal burning accounts for close to 17-percent of the PM2.5 count in the city.
The move is part of a broader plan by the Chinese government to reduce air pollution in this country's major cities.
For more on this, CRI's Paul James earlier spoke with Mike Bastin, visiting Professor at China's University of International Business and Economics.
…
Back Anchor:
Mike Bastin, visiting Professor at China's University of International Business and Economics.
Airbus and Japan Airlines agree landmark $9.5bn deal
Japnese carrier Japan Airlines has ordered 31 A350 jets from Airbus, worth 9.5-billion US dollars, breaking open the last major aviation market dominated by rival Boeing.
Chief executive of Airbus Fabrice Bregier announced its first deal with Japanese carrier Japan Airlines.
"This is also the Airbus' largest order for the A350 so far this year, and this is the largest ever order we ever received from a Japanese customer underlining our strategic partnership moving forward."
According to the deal, JAL also has an option to purchase an additional 25-planes.
The deal is a blow for Boeing, which has dominated Japan's aviation market.
U.S. plane maker Boeing had benefited from links with Japanese suppliers and deep political ties between Tokyo and Washington to maintain a market share of more than 80-percent for decades.
JAL's shares rose as much as 3.4-percent in early trade.
Trans Pacific Partnership and its impact on Japan industries
The 12 members of the Trans-Pacific Partnership are forging ahead with trade talks on the sidelines of the APEC summit in Indonesia.
Officials from Japan, Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, the United States and Vietnam will meet on Tuesday with hopes of meeting a year-end deadline on reaching a basic agreement.
Hiromichi Shirakawa, Managing Director for Japan Economy at Credit Suisse Securities Japan, is supportive of the idea of TPP.
"Japan has to have an image of what is going on in, for example, the Asia Pacific region, including the United States. What is the focus by other countries on trade, or capital, or what. So Japan can quite easily get lost not joining TPP (Trans-Pacific Partnership)."
But Japanese farmers fear foreign imports could drive them out of business.
Japan's dairy industry has long benefited from high tariffs, including a 360-percent tariff on butter, and 218-percent for non-fat milk powder.
Shinshiro Ishibashi is a Dairy farmer.
"I am absolutely against eliminating tariffs, there's data that shows that dairies (in Chiba) will be wiped out. The Abe administration of the Liberal Democratic Party has said they will protect us, so I can only do my best and trust what they have promised."
Complex hurdles remain, both in reaching consensus among the 12-nations and in persuading citizens and businesses in each country the agreement is in their national interest.
Headline News
APEC leaders meet on sustainable growth, regional cooperation
The Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit has opened on the Indonesian island resort of Bali, with heads of state and governments from a dozen countries on both sides of the Pacific expected to discuss a number of world economic issues.
Sustainable growth with equity and connectivity are expected to take the center stage at the summit.
Chinese President Xi Jinping is attending the meeting for the first time since he assumed presidency in March.
China on alert for next typhoon
China is now on high alert for another typhoon.
Forecasters have issued an orange warning ahead of typhoon Danas, the 24th typhoon this year, which is expected to enter the East China Sea Monday night.
Danas comes following Typhoon Fitow which has made landfall in eastern China and already left at least 2 people dead.
Fitow has cut power to may parts of southern Zhejian with winds of 150-kilometers per hour.
Rothman, Schekman and Sudhof win 2013 Nobel price for medicine
US scientists James Rothman and Randy Schekman and German scientist Thomas Sudhof have shared this year's Nobel Prize for medicine or physiology.
They are rewarded for their research into how the cell organizes its transport system.
Medicine is the first of the Nobel prizes awarded each year.
Prizes for achievements in science, literature, and peace were first awarded in 1901 in accordance with the will of dynamite inventor and businessman Alfred Nobel.
Gunmen kill 5 in Egypt
Egyptian security officials say gunmen have killed at least five soldiers near the city of Ismailiya.
The security personnel were targeted at a checkpoint in the north of the city.
Meantime, a large car bomb has killed at least two people in a security forces' building in Sinai.
Egyptian government forces have been targeted several times in recent weeks.
US credits Syria's Assad over chemical weapons destruction
US Secretary of State John Kerry says Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government deserves credit for complying with their chemical weapons deal.
His comments come following the beginning of the destruction process of Syria's chemical weapons stockpile.
The destruction of Syria's chemical arsenal is being overseen by a team from the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.
It's expected to take months to verify and destroy all of the chemical weapons in the country.
Airbus and Japan Airlines agree landmark $9.5bn deal
Japnese carrier Japan Airlines has ordered 31 A350 jets from Airbus, worth 9.5-billion US dollars, breaking open the last major aviation market dominated by rival Boeing.
According to the deal, JAL also has an option to purchase an additional 25-planes.
The deal is a blow for Boeing, which has dominated Japan's aviation market.
Newspaper Picks
Shanghai Daily
"Travel agencies fined after tourist guide's threats"
Two travel agencies in Yunnan Province were fined and ordered to shut for a month after a tour guide threatened tourists to pay for unscheduled activities in the popular Shangri-La tourist area.
An undercover reporter with China Central Television was thrown off a bus by the guide in August after he refused to pay 100 yuan (US$16) to visit Tibetan families, an activity not included in the tour program.
A tourist guide surnamed Zhang threatened the reporter with violence when he said he would complain to the travel agency, and left him in a desolate and sparsely populated area midway between Lijiang and central Shangri-La, two hours from either place by bus.
ocal villagers said putting tourists off buses was common in the area. Some tourists were even forced off their bus at knifepoint some years ago.
Xinhua
"Xinjiang to launch huge coal gasification project"
A large coal gasification project will be built in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.
The demonstration project in Zhundong area, Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture, will be the country's largest with a designed capacity of 30 billion cubic meters annually.
The industrial project will need 90 million tonnes of coal annually.
The coal gas will be transported to booming provinces of Zhejiang in east China and Guangdong in the south through pipelines.
With the development of new technologies, coal gasification is expected to be a key sector in the country's clean energy initiative. Several big coal gasification projects have been approved by the country's top economic planning body so far.
Asia One
"Majority of sick leave applications occur on Mondays"
JobsDB Singapore has found Singapore workers feel the Monday blues most strongly on Monday mornings, from 7am to 11:30am.
A survey of 4,300 Singapore workers found that the 'Mondayitis' condition includes feelings of anxiety, fatigue and general unhappiness that the week has begun.
It added job dissatisfaction can dramatically increase the likelihood of 'Mondayitis'.
In the survey, 70 per cent of employers in Singapore reported that they receive more Medical Certificates (MCs) on Monday than any other day of the week, while 72 per cent said that employees are most commonly late for work on Monday mornings.
Singapore workers also choose to take part in certain activities to help them get through the day. These include drinking coffee, chatting with colleagues, surfing social networking sites and eating junk food.
News.com.au
"Professor of Neuroeconomics Gregory Berns reveals dogs are people too"
Researchers have finally proven what animal lovers have known for centuries - dogs are people too.
Professor of Neuroeconomics Gregory Berns and his colleagues found similar brain activity between dogs and humans in an area called "the caudate nucleus".
For the first time the researchers were able to substantiate that dogs experience positive emotions like love and attachment and "a level of sentience comparable to that of a human child".
In dogs the researchers found that brain activity in the caudate increased in response to food, familiar smells and people.
Professor Berns said the findings showed that we need to stop thinking of dogs as property and begin thinking of them as humans.
The researcher said dogs should be granted "personhood" in order to be afforded additional protection against exploitation. And they should be considered wards of the state if they are not treated properly by their owners.
Special Reports
China Telecom Seeks Co-op with Israel Companies
Anchor:
China Telecom is seeking partnerships with Israeli IT companies and has promised to provide localized operation services for Israeli companies wanting to enter China.
CRI's Ding Lulu has more.
Reporter:
During his visit to Israel, Johnny Lee, Director of Application Store Operation Center of China Telecom, says his company is trying to bridge the gap between enterprises and IT solution companies and he comes to Israel looking for IT service and solution providers.
"Israel has a lot of mature industries, like agriculture, like healthcare, and I believe that every mature industry has several IT solutions behind it. In China we are also developing different industries, and we need these kinds of hi-tech IT service and solutions."
Giving an overview of Chinese applications market needs, Lee explained China Telecom's initiative to collaborate with global technology suppliers.
Avi Levy, an Israeli veteran of hi-tech commercial cooperation with Chinese companies, says Lee's introduction has given Israeli companies a basic understanding of what they should do in order to start work in China.
"Most companies in Israel are first aiming at western countries. They really don't understand how much different it is to operate in China. I hope they will internalize the information, because one lecture is not enough, it takes many years of extension. But it's a first step. It's very important to know the difference."
In addition to IT companies, Lee says China Telecom can also try to bridge the gap for Israeli companies wanting to enter China.
"If they need localized operation services we can provided trusted partners. China Telecom will make a kind of guarantee with the partnerships. Actually we are trying to provide everything we could besides the government stuff. We are talking about the IT solutions, localizing services, localized marketing, all we can provide."
Lee says he is also looking for partnerships with Israeli master agencies to make it easier to bridge the gap. PTL Group, an Israeli company which supports foreign companies to set up and develop operations in China, is one of the potential partners.
Zvika Shalgo, CEO of PTL Group and co-founder of the Israeli Hub in eastern China's Changzhou city, says it's important to have a platform to help Israeli companies enter China, as most Israeli companies are small and limited in resources.
"One of the biggest barriers for them to go to china is money and time. They lack the resources to come to china to spend very long learning time, which can be years, just to understand what kind of products will be fitting. And then to invest the money to hold people there, to have infrastructure there is very expensive for them. So we are always trying to build a way for them to overcome this disadvantage."
Despite the culture differences, Shalgo says the cooperation with China is getting better year by year, and he expects more interactions in the future.
For CRI, I'm Ding Lulu.
Sports
USA win Presidents Cup Golf
In Golf the United States have secured a fifth successive victory of the International side in the Presidents Cup.
The hosts led 11-and-a-half to 6-and-a-half before going in to the four foursomes matches on the last day and eventually won 18-and-a-half to 15-and-a-half.
It was extra special for the USA Team Captain Fred Couples who wins for a third in a row:
"We kind of looked like we knew what we were doing but they played great. Obviously a long week and kind of a tough day to play. Three years in a row I've won or three times in a row and Tiger's (Woods) won the last points, so that's pretty cool."
And it wasn't only the victors who left with smiles on their faces…. Despite another addition to their losing streak, South African Ernie Els said everyone on the international team had a great time and the quality of the golf was very high.
"You know, playing Muirfield Village is just an unbelievable experience. I mean, these guys love it. We've all played it before. So the course was great. And as I say, the level of play, and I said to some of the guys earlier, if you have to count the number of birdies that was made in this Presidents Cup compared to other ones, I think I feel this one had a lot more birdies in it, so the level of play was outstanding."
There's always next year...
Franchitti fractures spine in IndyCar crash
In IndyCar racing, Dario Franchitti, was involved in a terrible smash at this weekend's race in Houston.
The four-time IndyCar champion fractured two vertebrae and broke his right ankle when his car went airborne into a fence on the last lap of the Grand Prix, following a collision with Takuma Sato.
The accident showered debris into the grandstand, injuring 13 fans and an IndyCar Series official.
Scott Dixon who finished second now takes top spot in the series but after the race he said all that matters is that everyone is ok.
"That was a big hit, I hope you know Dario is ok. It looked like he was moving around when I drove past and it looked like a lot of the car got into the stands too so I hope all of the fans out here are ok today. We come here to race, we come here to put on a great show and we don't want to see anybody get hurt."
anchitti's team owner, Chip Ganassi, said The 40-year-old Scotsman is in a little bit of pain but he expects him to make a full recovery.
Djokovich and Williams victorious at China Open
In Tennis and Novak Djokovich has won his fourth China Open crown on with a straight sets victory over Rafael Nadal on Sunday.
The 26-year-old Serb secured a 6-3 6-4 triumph here in Beijing to capture his fourth ATP title of the year.
But none-the-less he will surrender his top spot in the world rankings to the 27-year-old Spanish ace, who advances as a result of making it to the final at the China Open.
……..
Earlier in the women's event Serena Williams bagged her 10th title of the year with a stunning performance in the final against Jelena Jankovic.
The World number one broke her Serbian opponent twice in the first set and three times in the second to win 6-2 6-2.
Williams looked in pain after serving an ace during the third game but it was Jankovic who had to take a medical time out to see to a problem with her hip.
During the match Williams never looked in trouble, the 32-year-old American claims her 56th career title here.
Guangzhou take superleague title and aim for triple
In Chinese football Guangzhou Evergrande has taken its first step to a domestic and Asian treble, after clinching the Chinese Super League title this weekend with a 4-2 victory over second-placed Shandong Luneng.
Guangzhou's coach who led Italy to World Cup victory in 2006 looks set to complete a dream first full season in charge, with the AFC Champions League final and domestic cup semifinals looming.
The super-rich outfit sealed its third domestic league title in a row courtesy of goals from Zhao Xuri, Rong Hao, Gao Lin and Zheng Zhi.
Guangzhou, which has lost only once this season, claimed the title with four games to go and leads Shandong by 14 points.
Selanne plays last game at Winnipeg
Over in the USA in the National Hockey League and Teemu Selanne has played for probably the last time in the city where he got his start, as his side the Anaheim Ducks visited his old team the Winnipeg Jets.
The 43-year-old future Hall of Famer, who's set to retire after this season, scored a career-high 76 goals during his 1992-93 rookie campaign with the Jets and was traded to Anaheim three seasons later.
Throughout the match the man known as the "Finnish Flash" was subject to standing ovations from fans on both sides of the rink, and admitted it was tough to keep it together:
"Well, obviously it was very special night. I knew it was going to be my last one here so it was emotional. I tried to keep the emotions but you know, obviously, there's great memories here and it has been great here but obviously it was good to leave with the victory and keep going."
Selanne's side were victorious in the end…. the Ducks beat the Jets 3-2.
Entertainment
Nicolas Cage, Sam Worthington and Jeremy Irons attend gala dinner ahead of the Huading Awards
The 10th Annual Huading Image Awards is getting underway in Macau.
Before the awards ceremony, the organizers held a welcome dinner for its distinguished guests, including actors Nicolas Cage, Sam Worthington, Jeremy Irons and filmmaker Quentin Tarantino.
The Huading Awards honor excellence in movies and television in China.
Sam Worthington said China is a market that truly embraces cinema.
"They (China) embrace movies, they embrace the culture. Look at how many things are here? It's crazy. That means, there's a love for films, there's a love for what I do as a job. It's very humbling to come to a place that appreciates movies and what we tend to do."
Nicolas Cage couldn't agree more.
The star is currently filming a new project in China and is even considering buying a home in Hong Kong to make it his base here.
To the 49-year old actor, China is the place to be for movie making.
"Hollywood kicked us all out of town. China, the rest of the world knows, is the new face of cinema. You're going to have the biggest movie studio in the world in China, and I'm very thankful that Chinese people have always invited me and been warm to me and that we're going to be making a lot of movies here. I just want to say (Mandarin) 'I love you guys'."
Other celebrities expected to attend the Huading Image Awards tonight include Nicole Kidman, Matthew Perry, and Avril Lavigne.
Sandra Bullock's 'Gravity' breaks US box office record
Gravity has topped the US box office this weekend.
With a weekend opening of over 55-million US dollars, the movie set a new record for the best ever October opening.
The sci-fi thriller - directed by Alfonso Cuarón - stars Sandra Bullock and George Clooney as 2-astronauts who must try to survive in space after their shuttle is damaged.
Gravity beat last weekend's number one "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2".
"Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2" is a follow-up to the 2009 film adapted from Judi and Ron Barrett's book of the same name.
Prisoners, which also debuted at number one on its first weekend, slid down from second place to fourth place.
Two new releases made the top ten - Runner Runner in third place with 7.6-million dollars and Pulling Strings in ninth place with 2.5-million.
Director Paul Greengrass and Somali actor on their true-life pirate film starring Tom Hanks
Director Paul Greengrass again turns his roving camera to dramatize real news events in the piracy story "Captain Phillips".
This time Greengrass tackles the 2009 hijacking of the Maersk Alabama cargo ship by four Somali pirates.
Academy award winning actor Tom Hanks has signed on for the role of the titular Captain Richard Phillips.
Somalian newcomer Barkhad Abdi will portray the leader of the pirates, and the only one who survived the hijacking.
Abdi remembers the pirate leader, named Muse's, demeanor following the attack.
"It was just fascinating. I was shocked. I remember watching it as it happened on CNN, and it was just -- 'What's going to happen?' It was an amazing story. And he came out smiling. Huh. It's crazy, you know."
Muse is now serving a 33-year prison sentence.
Abdi and Greengrass claim they reached out to Muse to get his perspective on the incident, but he refused to cooperate.
"Captain Phillips" is set for release in the US this month.
Justin Timberlake adds extra dates to 2014 UK tour
Justin Timberlake has added extra dates to his 2014 '20/20 Experience' UK tour.
The 'Mirrors' singer - who released the first batch of dates last week - will play an additional 4-shows in the UK in April.
He will play London's O2 Arena for a second night in April followed by an additional date in Glasgow.
Meanwhile, a second date at Manchester's Phones 4u Arena has also been scheduled.
Timberlake's UK tour will now wrap up with a performance in Birmingham on April 12th.
Tickets for the new shows will go on sale in a few days.
Justin Bieber releases new single 'Heartbreaker'
Justin Bieber has released a new single 'Heartbreaker'.
The track comes as part of a 10-week #MusicMondays campaign, in which the singer will unveil a new track from his upcoming album each week.
Fans previously heard a 30-second snippet of the song in a commercial for Bieber's fragrance The Key this summer.
The 19-year-old's manager Scooter Braun previously announced new material would launch from October until December, as well as a "special movie" during the holiday season.
'Heartbreaker' is available to download worldwide today.
A quick recap of headlines before we go.
Leaders from a dozen countries on both sides of the Pacific meet at this year’s APEC summit in Indonesia
US Secretary of State John Kerry says he and his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov are pleased with Syria’s progress of destroying their chemical weapons.
And China braces for another typhoon, Typhoon Danas. |