The Beijing Hour
Evening Edition
Rebecca Hume with you on this Thursday, October 10th, 2013.
Welcome to the Beijing Hour coming to you live from the Chinese capital.
Coming up on our program this evening,
Libyan Prime Minister Ali Zaidan freed just hours after being kidnapped by gunmen in Tripoli.
Chinese Premier calls for deeper security and mutual trust in East Asia.
Egypt condemns US decision to suspend military aid.
Business, Obama nominates Dr Janet Yellen as next Chairman of the Federal Reserve.
Sports, Roger Federer crashes out of the Shanghai Masters.
Entertainments, Controversy surrounding actor Harrison Ford’s new movie.
Plus Special reports takes a look at what makes the Shanghai Masters such a successful event.
Weather
Beijing will be clear tonight with a low of 3 degrees Celsius. Tomorrow sunny with a high temperature of 23.
Meanwhile Shanghai will be clear tonight, with a low of 20, sunny tomorrow, with a high of 27.
Lhasa will be clear tonight, 5 degrees the low, cloudy tomorrow with a high of 18.
Elsewhere in the world, staying in Asia
Islamabad, thundershowers with a high of 30.
Kabul, sunny, 26.
Over in Australia
Sydney, overcast, highs of 33.
Canberra, sunny, 20.
Brisbane, sunny, 32.
And finally, Perth will be overcast with a high of 19.
Top News
Libyan Prime Minister released from captivity
Libyan Prime Minister Ali Zaidan has now been freed just hours after being kidnapped by gunmen from a hotel in Tripoli.
The Prime Minister was seized after an armed group stormed the Corinthia Hotel in downtown Tripoli.
Abd Razaq Ben Shaban is head of security at the hotel.
"People came, assigned with a paper from the Prosecutor General with an order for the arrest of Prime Minister and they showed it to the guys, they were revolutionaries, they entered and captured the Prime Minister."
A former rebel group says it arrested Zaidan under the Libyan penal code on the instruction of the public prosecutor.
Libyan authorities have denied the claim.
The government has released a statement saying it believes the Revolutionary Operations Chamber and another group, the Brigade for the Fight against Crime are behind the kidnapping.
The kidnapping comes after the United States captured Al-Qaida suspect Abu Anas al-Liby in Tripoli last weekend.
Al-Liby was wanted by the U.S for his alleged role in the 1998 bombings of two U.S. embassies in East Africa.
The Revolutionary Operations Chamber announced on its Facebook page that it "arrested" the Prime Minister as the government allowed the U.S raid which damaged the country's sovereignty.
Earlier, Zaidan condemned the U.S raid and insisted all Libyans should be tried on home soil.
Zaidan was named prime minister a year ago.
He spent nearly thirty years in exile in Geneva after defected from Muammar Gaddafi.
Chinese premier calls for deeper security mutual trust in East Asia
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang is calling on his counterparts from East Asia to build mutual trust in security cooperation.
Li Keqiang made the remarks at an East Asia summit held in the Brunei.
Li says "without peace and stability, any development is out of the question".
"Each member country should work to maintain the peace and stability of the region. We need to stick to the path of mutually beneficial cooperation and development, while prioritizing economic development and the improvement of people's livelihoods. By doing so, we can keep the cooperation in the East Asia on a right track."
The current trip will also take him to Thailand and Vietnam.
Various reactions to Premier Li Keqiang's proposals on boosting ties between China and ASEAN
Anchor:
At the just-concluded China-ASEAN leaders' meeting also held in Brunei, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang put forward a seven-point proposal on further broadening and deepening cooperation between China and ASEAN.
CRI's Qizhi has more details on various reactions to his suggestions.
Reporter:
Premier Li Keqiang urged China and the ASEAN countries to boost their cooperation in seven areas.
The premier called on China and ASEAN to strengthen financial cooperation and risk prevention in the region.
He also said that the two sides should start the process of establishing an "upgraded version" of the China-ASEAN free trade area and accelerate the infrastructure construction for interconnectivity.
Le Luong Minh, the current secretary-general of ASEAN, says ASEAN pays great attention to these suggestions.
"China is ASEAN's major trading partner. China is also a major source of FDI inflow to ASEAN. This year, we are celebrating 10 years of ASEAN-China strategic partnership. We have this target of reaching 500 billion US dollars two-way trade by 2015. So you know, the cooperation between ASEAN and China has been very encouraging."
Chinese experts say upgrading the China-ASEAN free trade area is of great significance.
Qi Jianguo is director of the Asia-Pacific Research Center with the China Institute of International Studies.
"We should say that the situation is good on the whole and has brought real benefits to various countries and their people. For example, commodities from China, which are attractive in price and quality, are available to ASEAN member states, while Chinese people can enjoy delicious tropical fruits from ASEAN countries. I think the upgraded version of the China-ASEAN free trade area is set to boost ties between the two sides in the aspects of trade, investment and finance."
The proposal on accelerating the infrastructure construction has also captured media attention.
Cai Yuan Chang is a senior reporter with the Brunei Times, the main English publication of Brunei.
"Actually, after listening to Premier Li's speech, I was thinking about the way he says they will need expertise in development of infrastructure connectivity. I think that actually is quite important for ASEAN countries, because a lot of ASEAN countries are generally quite underdeveloped. I think this proposal the premier mentioned to expand development will actually be very helpful for some ASEAN countries, especially for Laos, Burma, Cambodia and Vietnam."
During the meeting between China and ASEAN, the two sides also released a joint statement to mark the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the China-ASEAN strategic partnership.
Premier Li said China is willing to be ASEAN's permanent partner and friend, and carry out genuine cooperation with the bloc to bring more benefits to Asia and the world at large.
For CRI, I'm Qizhi.
Canada's Alice Munro wins Canada's Alice Munro is awarded 2013
This year's Nobel Prize for Literature has been awarded to Canada's Alice Munro.
Literature is the fourth of this year's Nobel prizes.
The prizes for achievements in science, literature and peace were first awarded in 1901 in accordance with the will of businessman and dynamite inventor Alfred Nobel.
PIK: Li Keqiang's visit to Thailand
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang is now set to visit Thailand and Vietnam following the ASEAN meeting in Brunei.
For more on his upcoming visit to Thailand, CRI's Nathan Wakelin-King spoke earlier with Dr. Thitinan Pongsudhirak, director of the Institute of Security and International Studies at Chulalongkorn University in Thailand.
…
That is Dr. Thitinan Pongsudhirak, director of the Institute of Security and International Studies at Chulalongkorn University in Thailand, speaking with CRI's Nathan Wakelin-King.
Floodwater starts to recede in hard-hit east China city
Floodwater has began to recede in the typhoon hit city of Yuyao in east China's Zhejiang Province.
Water levels of the Yaojiang River dropped 30-millimeters early this morning, with the near constant rain easing up.
Earlier this week the river burst its banks, submerging nearly 90-percent of the city.
More than 830-thousand people from 21-townships in the city have been affected.
"We've been trapped for three days. The flood came suddenly. We cannot get out. We don't have enough water at home. We have rice, but no electricity."
Relief supplies and daily necessities have been distributed to locals.
And volunteers are assisting in Yuyao with relief and rescue work.
"One household can only get one bag of bread and one can of porridge each person. We'll bring more tomorrow."
The city government is in the process of attempting to drain the water out of the downtown area, but such efforts are not expected to be completed until Saturday, due to poor drainage conditions.
Cross-Strait ties not international relation: Ma Ying-jeou
Taiwan leader Ma Ying-jeou says people in Taiwan and the Chinese mainland all belong to the Chinese nation and the relationship between the two sides is not an international one.
Ma made the comments during a speech in which he said the Taiwan Strait had become the most peaceful and prosperous channel in Asia.
The leader is also urging the Taiwan-based Straits Exchange Foundation and its mainland counterpart to establish representative offices on both sides.
Egypt condemns US decision to suspend military aid
The Egyptian government is criticising a decision by the US to suspend a large part of its military aid to Egypt
Egyptian Foreign ministry says Egypt will not surrender to American pressure.
The U.S has decided to cut some aid to Egypt following the ouster of President Mohamed Morsi and the crackdown on Muslim Brotherhood supporters.
However Jay Carney, White House Press Secretary, says the U.S is not halting all military assistance to Egypt:
"The President was also clear, and has been clear, that we are not able to continue with business as usual, and as you know, we have already announced that we are not proceeding with the delivery of certain military systems. Following on the results of the review directed by President Obama, we will announce the future of our assistance relationship with Egypt once we have made the appropriate diplomatic and congressional notifications."
The Obama administration has been considering such a move since July, when Morsi was ousted by the military.
Morsi is set to go on trial next month on charges of inciting murder and violence.
Hundreds have been killed in the clashes between authorities and Morsi supporters.
Earlier, Egyptian authorities announced the decision to dissolve Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood as a non-governmental organization.
It is reported that the U.S will withhold delivery of certain large-scale military systems and cash assistance to the Egyptian government.
But so far, neither the White House nor the State Department have given a timeline for when the aid announcement would be made.
The U.S provides Egypt with 1.5 billion US dollars a year in aid, 1.3 billion of which is military assistance.
China calls for social reconciliation in Egypt
The Chinese government has issued a statement, calling for social reconciliation and stability in Egypt.
The comments come after Egypt's decision to dissolve the Muslim Brotherhood as a non-governmental organization as well as putting Mohamed Morsi on trial next month.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying says all domestic affairs of Egypt "should be decided by the Egyptian people on their own".
UN humanitarian chief says 2 million Syrians under siege, beyond reach of aid groups
The United Nations humanitarian chief is estimating two million Syrians are under siege and beyond reach of international aid.
Valerie Amos, UN undersecretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief has accused both sides in the Syrian conflict of using siege as a weapon of war.
"We estimate that there are two million people in besieged areas we have not been able to reach, and there are terrible stories of those people running out of food, of people being injured who are not able or allowed to leave."
Amos said the top priority to ease the crisis was for the warring factions to take steps that would lead towards a ceasefire.
"The most important thing is not actually a humanitarian thing, it's a political thing,"
But she also clarified that last week's UN Security Council "consensus statement" demanding humanitarian access to Syria was a positive move.
Biz Reports
Stocks
Asian stocks rose for a third day, with the regional benchmark index heading for the longest winning streak in a month, as health care shares rose and a weaker yen boosted Japanese shares.
Chinese shares were mixed on Thursday with the entertainment and media industry leading the losses and furniture producers among the gainers.
The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index was down 0.9 percent. The Shenzhen Component Index inched up 0.2 percent.
Hong Kong's Hang Seng index fell 0.4 percent.
Elsewhere in Asia, Japanese shares gained for a third day, with the Niikei Index rising 1.1 percent.
South Korea's KOSPI edged down less than 0.1 percent.
The Straits Times Index in Singapore added half a percent.
Australia's S&P/ASX 200 trimmed 0.1 percent.
Obama nominates Dr Janet Yellen as next Chairman of the Federal reserve
As expected, U.S. President Barack Obama has formally nominated current U.S Federal Reserve Vice Chair Janet Yellen to be the next Fed chief.
"Janet is committed to both sides of the Fed's dual mandate. She understands the necessity of a stable financial system where we move ahead with the reforms we have begun, to protect consumers, to ensure that no one institution is too big to fail and to make sure that taxpayers are never again left holding the bag because of the mistakes of the reckless a few."
Obama is tapping the 67-year old to take over for current Fed Chair Ben Bernanke, who is set to leave office in January.
Yellen has spent a lot of time in Washington.
On top of being the current vice-chair of the Fed, Yellen also served as Chair of the Council of Economic Advisors for former U.S President Bill Clinton.
"The past six years have been tumultuous for the economy and challenging for many Americans. While I think we all agree, that more needs to be done to strengthen the recovery, particularly for those hardest hit by the Great Recession, we have made progress."
From a policy perspective, Yellen is considered a moderate, with a track-record leaning more toward issues of employment, rather than issues of inflation.
Stephen Oliner is a resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute.
"I think Republicans on the Senate Banking Committee are going to question her very hard about the accommodative policies that the Fed has been undertaking and that she has actively supported and would continue. I think they'll really question her about her tolerance for installation because there is this widespread perception that somehow she is soft on inflation, which I think is actually a misconception, and I would expect her to answer that quite satisfactorily."
If approved by the Senate, Yellen would be the first woman to lead the US Federal Reserve in its 100-year history.
live call-in with John Foley on Yellen's nominationas the Fed head
Now for more on Janet Yellen's nomination, we are joined live on the line by John Foley, Reuters Breakingviews' China editor.
…
Back Anchor:
John Foley, Reuters Breakingviews' China editor.
IMF's Zhu Says China Has Tools to Deal With Debt Levels
Zhu Min, a deputy managing director at the International Monetary Fund, says the Chinese government has room to deal with rising debt levels.
Zhu says the government has a lot of "policy buffer," including 3.5 trillion dollars in foreign reserves to resolve the problems.
Former deputy governor at China's central Bank said the government has already taken actions to curb borrowing, reducing the chances for an economic "hard landing."
Fitch Ratings estimates China's total credit, including off-balance-sheet loans, swelled to 198 percent of GDP in 2012 from 125 percent four years earlier.
Data Show China Passing US as Biggest Oil Importer
New data shows China has surpassed the United States in September as the world's biggest net oil importer.
According to U.S government data, Chinese oil consumption outstripped production by 6.3 million barrels per day, which indicates the country has had to resort to imports.
U.S Energy Information Administration says "China's steady growth in oil demand has led it to become the world's largest net oil importer, exceeding the United States in September 2013.
EIA forecasts the trend will continue through 2014.
At present the United States still consumes more oil per person than China.
In September, Americans used 18.6 million barrels per day while China used 10.9 million.
S. Korea freezes policy rate at 2.5 pct amid U.S. shutdown
South Korea's central bank has kept its policy rate at 2.5 percent, maintaining its neutral monetary policy stance for five straight months.
Bank of Korea decided to keep the benchmark seven- day repurchase rate on hold after lowering the rate in May.
The seven-member committee cut borrowing costs by 25-basis points in July and October last year.
The decision is in line with market consensus as experts predict the rate freeze is due to worries about the protracted shutdown of the U.S administration.
Headline News
Libyan Prime Minister released from captivity
Libyan Prime Minister Ali Zaidan has now been freed just hours after being kidnapped by gunmen from a hotel in Tripoli.
The Prime Minister was seized after an armed group stormed the Corinthia Hotel in downtown Tripoli.
The kidnapping comes after the United States captured Al-Qaida suspect Abu Anas al-Liby in Tripoli last weekend.
Earlier, Zaidan condemned the U.S raid and insisted all Libyans should be tried on home soil.
Zaidan was named prime minister a year ago.
He spent nearly thirty years in exile in Geneva after defected from Muammar Gaddafi.
Chinese premier calls for deeper security mutual trust in East Asia
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang is calling on his counterparts from East Asia to build mutual trust in security cooperation.
Li Keqiang made the remarks at an East Asia summit held in the Brunei.
Li says "without peace and stability, any development is out of the question".
The current trip will also take him to Thailand and Vietnam.
Cross-Strait ties not international relation: Ma Ying-jeou
Taiwan leader Ma Ying-jeou says people in Taiwan and the Chinese mainland all belong to the Chinese nation and the relationship between the two sides is not an international one.
Ma made the comments during a speech in which he said the Taiwan Strait had become the most peaceful and prosperous channel in Asia.
The leader is also urging the Taiwan-based Straits Exchange Foundation and its mainland counterpart to establish representative offices on both sides.
Egypt condemns US decision to suspend military aid
The Egyptian government is criticising a decision by the US to suspend a large part of its military aid to Egypt
Egyptian Foreign ministry says Egypt will not surrender to American pressure.
The U.S has decided to cut some aid to Egypt following the ouster of President Mohamed Morsi and the crackdown on Muslim Brotherhood supporters.
The Obama administration has been considering such a move since July, when Morsi was ousted by the military.
But so far, neither the White House nor the State Department have given a timeline for when the aid announcement would be made.
The U.S provides Egypt with 1.5 billion US dollars a year in aid, 1.3 billion of which is military assistance.
UN humanitarian chief says 2 million Syrians under siege, beyond reach of aid groups
The United Nations humanitarian chief is estimating two million Syrians are under siege and beyond reach of international aid.
Valerie Amos, UN undersecretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief has accused both sides in the Syrian conflict of using siege as a weapon of war.
Amos said the top priority to ease the crisis was for the warring factions to take steps that would lead towards a ceasefire.
Newspaper Picks
Xinhua
"China to crack down on unlicensed medical practices"
China will launch a year-long crackdown on illegal medical practices including unlicensed practitioners and beauty salons offering cosmetic surgery.
A health official said on Thursday the crackdown will also target unlicensed clinics, quack doctors, and unauthorized pharmacies that offer medical services.
The crackdown will begin this month and end September 2014.
China Daily
"Kindergartens punished for primary school classes"
Kindergartens in Anhui province with a primary school curriculum face being penalized or shut down.
To regulate preschool education for children aged from 3 to 6, the Anhui provincial government has proposed draft legislation which prohibits kindergartens offering primary school curriculums.
The new legislation is a bid to guarantee equality while providing children with enough play time.
According to the draft, nursery schools should not provide any textbooks to children nor teach them academic lessons for the purpose of primary school education.
AP
"Study: Temperatures go off the charts around 2047"
Starting in about a decade, Kingston, Jamaica, will probably be off-the-charts hot — permanently.
Other places will soon follow. Singapore in 2028. Mexico City in 2031. Cairo in 2036. Phoenix and Honolulu in 2043.
And eventually the whole world in 2047.
A new study on global warming pinpoints the probable dates for when cities and ecosystems around the world will regularly experience hotter environments the likes of which they have never seen before.
And for dozens of cities, mostly in the tropics, those dates are a generation or less away.
Space.com
"First Evidence of Comet Striking Earth Found in Egypt"
A team of scientists claims to have found the first-ever definitive evidence of a comet striking Earth.
After conducting a series of analyses, the researchers determined a mysterious black pebble discovered years ago in the Egyptian desert is a piece of a comet nucleus — the first ever discovered.
Study team members say this impact occurred about 28-million years ago over Egypt.
The comet exploded in the atmosphere, heating the sand below to a temperature of 2-thousand degrees Celsius and generating huge amounts of yellow silica glass across 6-thousand square kilometers of the Sahara Desert.
Comets have almost certainly struck the Earth many times over the planet's long history.
Special Reports
One of the Best Tournaments- Shanghai Masters [by Liu Yuanhui]
Anchor:
The Shanghai Masters is rolling on this week, with the finals set for Sunday. It has already attracted attention from all over the world, but what makes this event so successful?
CRI's Marc Cavigli has more.
Reporter:
The Shanghai Masters is the only Masters 1000 event in Asia, yet this is the fourth year in a row it is considered to be the best of the ATP 1000.
Alison Lee, executive vice president of ATP International Region, points out the top players participating in the event as one of the reasons they've been so successful.
"The players; you've got the best players in the world. You've got the top guys all on the court, all of our star players. I think Shanghai's very lucky to have a tournament like that."
Besides the importance of the players attending, Alison adds that the facilities of the tournament also make the Shanghai Masters outstanding.
"To see this stadium in particular start out in 2005 with the Tennis Masters Cup, we thought the facility then was spectacular. To see what it's become today, 2013, as the Masters 1000 event, the facility itself grows more and more beautiful."
Alison also mentions that they try to provide an atmosphere that allows foreign athletes to experience the Chinese culture.
Roger Federer, the world's former number one, says that it's interesting how players are able to see aspects of Chinese culture emerge.
"Because it was so different to anywhere else in the world, I kind of liked that new different culture, different way of life. People have to be extremely patient here because there are so many people around. I tried to really embrace it. I always see the glass half full in life. It's always been a treat for me coming over here."
Alison says they are working towards making this the best tournament in the world, adding that she wants to do more to improve the event.
"Of course, people do talk about that it's a fair distance from the city. Perhaps, one day, we will see a train line come here. The best venues around the world, the big ones in America and other places, the most successful ones have a train line. That's probably what Shanghai needs in the next step in the next few years to attract more spectators."
Alison says that the tournament is relatively young, but it has seen its early success, and she is trying to do better for the tournament and its spectators.
For CRI, I am Marc Cavigli.
Sports
Roger Federer crashes out of the Shanghai Open in second round shocker
In Tennis
Roger Federer has suffered a shock defeat to Gael Monfils sending him crashing out of the Shanghai Masters in the second round.
The Swiss ace, who has 17 grand slams to his name, has never won this event and struggled from the outset against the Frenchman.
Federer who suffered an unexpected fourth round loss to Tommy Robredo at the US Open, lost the first set here in China.
The 32-year-old just about managed to stay in the game in the second set after scraping through 7-6.
But in the end his 26-year-old opponent was too strong for him powering through to a 6-3 victory in the decisive third set.
Monfils' compatriot Jo-Wilfried Tsonga also goes through to the second. He beat Japan's Kei Nishikori 7-6,6-0.
Elsewhere Rafael Nadal, sailed past Alexandr Dolgopolov in his first match since being recrowned world number one.
He beat the Ukrainian in straight sets 6-3 6-2.
Tonight the Spaniard will face world Number 46 Carlos Berlocq of Argentina.
Nadal is looking to become the first player to win SIX Masters tournaments in a single season after having triumphed at Cincinnati, Montreal, Rome, Madrid and Indian Wells.
Also tonight Serbian World Number two Novak Djokovic, who is suffering from a foot injury, is just about to serve up against Italy's Fabio Fognini who's currently ranked 17th in the world.
MLB Cardinals beat Pirates to go through to NLCS
Beginning with Major League Baseball and Adam Wainwright pitched an entire game to secure a 6 – 1 victory for the St. Louis Cardinals over the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Victory in the fifth deciding game sends his side through to the National League Championship Series.
Wainwright's pitching was sublime throughout and he even managed a scoreless inning in the ninth to close out the game.
Clint Hurdle the Pittsburgh Pirates Manager, was gracious in defeat:
"We tip our hat to the Cardinals. I think this rivalry has turned into something that baseball can be proud of. It's become a rivalry for all the right reasons. Professional respect, the way the game is played, the effort. They beat a very good team."
Adam Wainwright himself was elated by the performance saying it is a night to remember:
"Yeah, these are the kind of moments that starting pitchers live for. I think back to Josh Beckett when he was with the (Florida) Marlins, getting carried off the field in the World Series, and Chris Carpenter in Game 5 against Philly (Philadelphia Phillies). Those big moments like that, that's just something that pitchers dream of that stuff."
St. Louis gets to stay at home to open the NLCS against the well-rested Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday night.
China complete clean sweep in East Asian Games shooting events
China are continuing their winning streak at the East Asian games.
The host nation today finished off a clean sweep in the shooting events after collecting their eighth gold in the discipline.
Su Yuling won the women's 10 metre air pistol event in the northern port city of Tianjin.
The 24-year-old also won gold in the team event earlier on.
In the overall medals table China now has 72 Golds way ahead of South Korea who sit second with 20.
This is the last time that the East Asian Games will be played in this format as in the future they will become a youth competition for 14 to 18-year-olds.
Golf - Il-hee Lee takes one shot lead in Malaysia
In Golf
South Korea's Il-hee Lee holds a one-shot lead after the first round of the LPGA in Malaysia.
She shot a seven-under-par round of 64 to take a one shot lead over Brittany Lang of the USA.
Lang had a chance to end the day tied for first place but missed the par putt on her final hole.
Elsewhere Beatriz Recari, Paula Creamer, Jodi Ewart Shadoff and Eun-Hee Ji are all tied for third following after scoring a round of 66.
One shot behind them was China's Feng Shanshan, who scored an emotional win at on the last hole at last weeks LPGA in Beijing.
Inbee Park, the South Korean World Number one, managed only a single birdie on the first day of her championship defence.
She is tied in 28th place after an even par round of 70.
Boxing - Bradley vs Marquez last press conference
In Boxing
Timothy Bradley and Juan Manuel Marquez have held their final press conference ahead of their showdown in Las Vegas on Saturday.
Bradley, the Undefeated Welterweight Champion will defend his title against Juan Manuel Marquez of Mexico in a 12-round bout.
Many are predicting this to be a very close fight including Bradley himself:
You know it's very seldom you have two guys that want to fight one another and, you know, quite evenly matched and you know it's going to be an interesting night Saturday night. I'm looking forward to it. I always call fight night 'Fun Time,' and I can't wait I'm just ready and I just want the world to be ready for a tremendous, tremendous fight Saturday night."
Both of these fighters have previously defeated Philippines fighter Manny Pacquiao and both turned down the chance to fight him again despite the chance of earning much more for a Pacquiao fight.
In going for the welterweight belt, 40-year-old Marquez could become the first Mexican to win a world title in five weight classes.
Entertainment
Actress Sandra Bullock Opens Up About Gravity Role
Actress Sandra Bullock has opened up about her role as an astronaut in the new record-breaking critically acclaimed film Gravity.
The actress described the recent role as one of the most challenging of her career with the scenes in which her character was stranded in space being the most difficult.
She says working with filmmaker Alfonso Cuaron was an added layer of pressure because she had always dreamed of working with him.
She has earlier said she signed on for Gravity specifically to work with Cuaron.
However, Bullock confesses at times she feared she wouldn't be able to deliver the performance Cuaron was looking for.
She also revealed costar George Clooney was a big help on set and compared his presence on set as being bathed in sunshine.
Clooney even had a part in writing a scene Cuaron and Bullock were struggling with.
Bullock claims when she and Cuaron were having trouble writing organic dialogue for a particular scene, Clooney decided to write it himself and send it through an email.
Gravity has broken the box office record in the US for highest grossing opening film in October.
80-percent of its box office has come from 3D-ticket sales.
Actor Harrison Ford Reacts to Controversy Surrounding His New Film
Legendary actor Harrison Ford has spoken out in defense of his new film Ender's Game.
The upcoming film, which is based on the book by author Orson Scott Card, has come under fire recently because of Card's controversial views.
Many filmgoers threatened to boycott the film after Card made anti-same-sex marriage remarks and revealed until recently he used to be a member of the National Organization for Marriage, an extreme pressure group against gay marriage.
He also roused scorn for writing an opinion piece comparing US President Barack Obama to Adolf Hitler.
Ford has promised the new film does not contain or reference any of Card's politics or views.
He said the author's disposition and prejudices are not relevant to the film's content and the whole cast and crew wanted to focus on the positive aspects of the story.
Ender's Game is a military sci-fi novel which gathered a huge following after its publication in 1985.
Actor Peter Dinklage Signs on for New Controversial Role
Game of Thrones actor Peter Dinklage has signed on to star in a new dark comedy in which he tricks people into believing he is a real leprechaun.
The new film is being compared to the Billy Bob Thornton movie Bad Santa, which has plenty of dark, adult humor but ends on a relatively uplifting note.
Some have been surprised to hear the Emmy award winning Dinklage, who has dwarfism, would sign on to the new film, where the entire premise hinges on his short stature.
The film has been penned by screenwriter Andre Dodge, who recently received rave reviews at the Toronto International Film Festival for his comedy Bad Words.
Dinklage will return next year not only as the cunning Tyrion Lannister in the 4th season of Game of Thrones but also as genius villain Bolliver Trask in X-Men Days of Future Past.
John Lennon Memorial Vandalized
A memorial on Hollywood's Walk of Fame for deceased musician John Lennon has been defaced by vandals.
Graffiti was scribbled all over the ex-Beatles star in Hollywood, California.
The Hollywood Walk of Fame is famous in California for having over 25-hundred stars embedded into pavement along 15 blocks of Hollywood Boulevard.
Each star is dedicated to different artists.
The vandals wrote "I love you," and "Blackbird…Rain was here," in different colored pens.
The graffiti has been successfully removed but representatives from the Hollywood Walk of Fame have not closed the case.
They are currently trying to find any video which may have captured the vandals in the act.
The stars are registered state landmarks and carry a hefty penalty for those who vandalize them.
If the Lennon vandals are caught they could face jail time and a hefty fine.
Update on Virtual Kidnapping of Music Group 'Delorean'
Alternative dance band Delorean has released a statement regarding their bizarre experience in Mexico where they were victims of virtual kidnapping.
The statement reads the band was held by criminals who lured the band to a secluded area by pretending to be security guards.
It goes on to say they were held for 30-hours where the threat of death was real due to psychological manipulation.
The kidnappers called the families of the band members demanding ransoms of 5-million pesos each, or over 380-thousand US dollars.
The band went on to thank the police in Mexico, Spain, and Interpol who successfully rescued them.
They also stressed they did not wish to place blame on Mexico as the virtual kidnapping could have occurred anywhere in the world.
They hope their experience will help keep other travelers from falling prey to this crime.
A quick recap of headlines before we go.
Libyan Prime Minister Ali Zaidan freed just hours after being kidnapped by gunmen in Tripoli.
Chinese Premier calls for deeper security and mutual trust in East Asia.
Egypt condemns US decision to suspend military aid.
Business, Obama nominates Dr Janet Yellen as next Chairman of the Federal Reserve. |