The Beijing Hour
Evening Edition
Shane Bigham with you this Thursday, June 19th 2014.
Welcome to the Beijing Hour, coming to you live from the Chinese capital.
Coming up on the programme this evening,
The Chinese premier has told a group of academics in London there will be no so-called "hard landing" for the Chinese economy.
Chinese and Vietnamese leaders are talking about the importance of cooperation and mutual interests as they continue to discuss a maritime dispute in the South China Sea.
And Iraqi leaders are looking for help from neighbouring countries as the crisis in the country deepens.
In business, the US fed has made another cut to its bond purchasing program.
In sports, England and Uruguay are looking to avoid Spain's fate at the World Cup.
In entertainment, autohor/director Han Han releases a trailer for his new movie.
Weather
Beijing will have thundershowers tonight with a low of 19 degrees Celsius. Overcast tomorrow with a high of 28 degrees.
Meanwhile Shanghai will have light rain tonight, with a low of 23, moderate rain tomorrow, with a high of 28.
Chongqing will have heavy rain, 23 degrees the low, moderate rain tomorrow with a high of 25.
Elsewhere in the world, staying in Asia
Islamabad, sunny with a high of 41.
Kabul, sunny, 32.
Over in Australia
Sydney, partly cloudy, high of 22.
Canberra, cloudy, 14.
Brisbane, sunny, 23.
And finally, Perth will have showers with a high of 19.
Top News
No Hard Landing for Chinese Economy, Says Premier in UK Speech
Anchor:
The Chinese Premier has made a speech to a group of academics in the UK, telling them the Chinese economy is in no danger of a so-called hard landing.
CRI's London Correspondent Duan Xuelian has more.
Reporter:
Speaking before an audience of around 300 academics from the UK's top think tanks, Premier Li Keqiang says there's still a long way to go before China can call itself a moderately developed country.
He says right now, the Chinese government's priority is to improve the lives of some 300 million people who are living below the poverty line by way of urbanization.
"China is lagging behind in urbanization. There are still 600 to 700 million Chinese people living in rural areas. And due to China's special national conditions, 200 million Chinese farmers who are working in the cities do not have access to public services compared to those who have lived in the city for a long period and acquired resident status."
The Premier also says that over the past 30 years, China has achieved remarkable economic growth.
However, he says that has also come with damage to the environment and problems with energy.
At the same time, Li Keqiang is downplaying concerns about the status of the Chinese economy.
"In recent years, our growth rate has been around 7.5%. There have been suspicions that the Chinese economy is going down. People were worried that the Chinese economy will suffer a hard landing. Here I will be very frank with you and say that it will not happen. Because just like I said earlier in this speech, China is in the process of urbanization and industrialization which will provide huge market potential."
When it comes to Sino-UK ties, the Chinese Premier says both countries are hoping to broaden their cooperation not only in economic terms, but also in areas such culture, education and technological research.
The majority of the audience listening to the speech are from The Royal Institute of International Affairs and the International Institute for Strategic Studies, both based in London.
Dr. Dana Allin, from the IISS, says he was quite impressed by the outspoken manner of the Chinese leader.
"I think it's interesting that he was very frank and sober about the economic challenges in terms of bringing so many Chinese out of poverty. I think it's interesting that Chinese leaders come aboard and don't beat their chest and emphasis the greatness of China but putting forward the huge task that lie ahead. "
China expert Martin Jacoues says he believes there are areas beyond economics that Britain can benefit from when dealing with China.
"There was something that hasn't been mentioned but predates this. It is a cooperation between China and Britain about the British trying to learn about why the Chinese has been very successful with their 15-year olds in the OECD PISA exams. So there has been an exchange of teachers and so on. I think that's also important because it's a recognition by the British that China's got not just money and the big market, but also know-how, tradition, culture that we need to learn from. "
Ahead of the speech, Li Keqiang has also co-chaired a global economic roundtable with British Prime Minister David Cameron at 10 Downing Street.
There, he's called on the international community to strive for inclusive development to help the world economy grow at a healthy pace.
For CRI, I'm Duan Xuelian, reporting from London
China, Vietnam should ward off interferences, strengthen cooperation: Chinese State Councilor
Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi has met with Nguyen Phu Trong, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, in Hanoi.
Yang Jiechi has repeated that China and Vietnam should properly settle maritime issues and jointly maintain relations based on a highly responsible attitude towards history and people of the two countries.
Yang is visiting on the Vietnamese government's invitation to discuss recent events that have increased tensions between the two nations.
The sides are hoping to find a solution to a maritime dispute in the South China Sea.
Vietnamese ships have been used to ram a Chinese oil drilling platform near the Xisha Islands.
The dispute has lead to riots in Vietnam. Chinese companies and nationals have been targeted.
During meetings this week, the two sides have talked about the mutual respect between China and Vietnam, the need to strengthen cooperation, and the need for candid and open communication.
The Chinese stance is that the Xisha Islands are inherent Chinese territory and the nation has the right to drill for oil in the area without interference from any other nation.
"It is up to Iraqi people to determine future of Iraq": Hagel
ANCHOR:
US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel says it is "up to the Iraqi people" to determine the future course of their country. This comes as Iraq is seeking help from other Arab countries to deal with its worsening crisis. CRI's Tu Yun has the story.
Reporter:
Hagel made the comment while addressing a Senate panel over the current violence in Iraq.
"We have done everything we could to help them, but it's up to the Iraqis. They wanted to manage and govern their own country so I don't think we should assign the blame to the United States for this. I think we go back to who is responsible for this 'ISIL', they invaded, but also this current government in Iraq has never fulfilled the commitments it made to bring a unity government together with the Sunnis, the Kurds, and the Shia. We have worked hard with them within the confines of our ability to help them do that, but we can't dictate."
The comment comes as U.S. President Barack Obama is weighing the next steps in dealing with the crisis in Iraq.
White House officials say Obama has made no final decisions and could ultimately approve limited strikes if stronger targets emerge.
Iraq has already formally called on the US to launch air strikes against Sunni fighters led by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, or ISIL.
Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari, attending a meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation in Saudi Arabia, is also asking for help from other Arab countries.
"Iraq is in danger and needs the support of the Arab countries and the entire world to stop this offensive, because the risks of separation, division and fragmentation of this country do exist, and if this happens it could be more dangerous than what is going on in Syria."
Earlier, Iraq's largest oil refinery was shut down after militants launched attacks.
The fighters also seized three villages in northern Iraq's Salahuddin province during clashes with Iraq's security forces.
Meanwhile, Chinese government says it is helping some of the 10,000 employees of Chinese companies in Iraq to evacuate to safer places.
Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying:
"As far as we know, there are about 10,000 employees of Chinese companies in Iraq. Currently most of them are located at safe areas. As for the employees of Chinese comapnies who are now at places in a relatively severe security situation, we are doing our best to help them evacuate to safer areas as soon as possible."
Earlier, a kidnapped Chinese employee of PetroChina was released unharmed in Iraq.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry says it has already asked Baghdad to increase security for Chinese citizens in the country.
The Chinese embassy is urging Chinese nationals in the country to stay away from certain areas and issued a travel advisory for Iraq.
For CRI, I'm Tu Yun.
356 people killed in eastern Ukraine: UN
UN monitors say over 350 people have been killed in eastern Ukraine since May.
The officials say 257 civilians are among the dead, while 86 Ukrainian military personnel have died as well.
Gianni Magazzeni is Chief of the Americas, Europe and Central Asia Branch at the UNJ Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
"This situation results in multiple human rights challenges for the people that are caught in the crossfire or even the larger populations within this pocket of territories. And this has to so with access to public services whether it's schools, medical services, whether it's food, whether it's electricity, water."
Magazzeni says there have been over 200 reports of torture.
The UN officer also urges armed militia and the government to start talks based on respect of the constitution of Ukraine and the territorial integrity of the country.
Meanwhile, UN High Commissioner Navi Pillay also urges the Ukrainian government to exercise restraint, ensure that security operations are in line with international standards.
Earlier, pro-Russia activists said they had handed over bodies of Ukrainian troops outside of Donetsk.
The exchange came as the new president of Ukraine promised that government troops will soon stop firing on pro-Russian activists.
Petro Poroshenko has said he will order a unilateral ceasefire in the east, including an amnesty for militants who lay down arms.
Japan's ruling bloc postpones approval of collective defense rights
Japan's government has confirmed that the prime minister's controversial plan to change the country's pacifist constitution will not be approved during the current cabinet session which ends on Sunday.
Members of the ruling coalition made the decision after meeting with Shinzo Abe, saying the idea needs more discussion.
Abe wants Japan to exercise its collective self defense rights and allow Japanese troops to be deployed overseas to help the nation's allies, which are currently banned under Japanese Supreme Law.
Japan's neighbours, including China, have expressed concerns over that, in light of Japan's past militaristic and imperialistic ambitions that wreaked havoc across eastern Asia.
Iran ready to prove not pursing nuclear weapons: FM
Iran's Foreign Minister says work has begun on a draft nuclear agreement with the P5+1 nations, despite profound differences that remain between the sides at the bargaining table.
The official says although the western powers continue to make demands completely unacceptable to Tehran, work on a comprehensive agreement is moving forward.
Iran's Foreign Ministry has also stated that it won't be a catastrophe if the July 20th deadline for reaching a deal is not met.
The world powers have been demanding that Iran dramatically lower its uranium enrichment capacity to reduce its ability to make nuclear weapons.
But Tehran says the country's nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only.
Durg use a rising concern in Beijing
Anchor:
Authorities in Beijing say drug use is a rising concern in the capital city, with an increasing number of women and youth drug users being identified as a major issue.
This comes as the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is one week away.
CRI's Xie Zhao has the details.
Reporter:
The authorities say the problem is getting worse.
Jiang Liangdong is the deputy director general of the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau.
"The number of drug addicts here in Beijing has been increasing by 10 percent annually over the past few years, and the problem shows no signs of slowing down. As of May, the number of registered drug addicts reached 25 thousand. More than 5000 suspected drug dealers have been arrested in the last three years, with the number of arrests increasing by more than 5 percent year on year."
Sun Li, vice dean of the Beijing Higher People's Court, says the internet now plays a key role in the drug trade, connecting dealers and users and teaching people how to produce drugs.
He blames that for the rising number of young people and women who have become hooked on drugs.
"It is becoming more common to use the Internet to spread information on how to produce drugs, along with information about using and dealing drugs. An increasing number of suspects are using Wechat or QQ to make appointments, using international credit card to pay for the drugs and to facilitate express delivery. 318 suspects under the age of 25 were recently found to be involved in drug crimes, 20 percent of all the suspects arrested over the past three years. The number of women suspects rose to 290, an increase of 26 percent."
The authorities have launched a number of new measures to crack down on online drug dealing.
Jiang Liangdong adds the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau has identified over 80 online drug dealing cases with these new methods.
That represents an increase of more than 60 percent over what would have been expected without the new technology.
For CRI, this is Xie Zhao.
34 arrested in cross-Strait fake drugs roundup
A joint law enforcement operation between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan has resulted in the arrest of 34 suspects involved in fake drugs case.
More than 980,000 pills have been seized.
According to the Ministry of Public Security, a suspect from Taiwan was sentenced to prison for crimes involving fake drugs in 2010.
He fled to the mainland before being incarcerated.
Mainland police received reports relating to the case from Taiwan authorities in January this year.
The two sides have worked together to arrest the suspects involved.
As a result of follow-up investigations, a production site for the fake drugs has been closed and a group selling the illegal products has been busted on the mainland.
Taiwan authorities have also arrested people involved in selling the drugs on the island.
43 NW China students suffer food poisoning
Food poisoning at a junior high school in northwest China's Shaanxi Province has sickened 43 students.
More than one hundred students started to suffer vomiting and diarrhea after having dinner at the school in Dali County.
43 of them have been confirmed to have contracted E. coli through food poisoning, but they are all in stable conditions.
Further medical tests and investigation into the case are underway.
Biz Reports
Stocks
Anchor:
First off, a check on the closing numbers across Asia.
Joining me in the studio, CRI's Ding Lulu.
Reporter:
Japanese and Australian stocks led Asian markets higher on Thursday after the Fed signaled that interest rates would remain at record lows and China's leader vowed that the country's economic slowdown would not end badly.
Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 jumped 1.6 percent.
Australia's S&P/ASX 200 also gained strongly, adding 1.5 percent.
However, Chinese shares fell for a third consecutive day on Thursday as new share listings diverted funds.
The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index dropped 1.55 percent, The Shenzhen Component Index fell 1.60 percent.
Four companies started taking initial public offering subscriptions on Wednesday. These companies are selling their new shares at relatively low price-earnings ratios, which locks up a sizable amount of capital.
Hong Kong's Hang Seng dropped less than 0.1 percent.
South Korea's Kospi added 0.1 percent.
Singapore's Straits Times Index lost a quarter of a percent.
Yellen: US economy still needs help from Fed
Anchor:
The US Federal Reserve has moved to cut its bond-purchase program by an additional 10-billion dollars.
This now puts the bond-buying scheme at 35-billion per month.
US Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen.
"Today's announced reduction in the pace of asset purchases reflects the committee's expectation that progress toward its economic objectives will continue. If incoming information broadly supports the committee's expectation of ongoing improvement in labour markets and inflation moving back over time toward its longer-run objective, the committee will likely continue to reduce the pace of asset purchases in measured steps at future meetings."
The Federal Reserve has also sharply cut its forecast for US growth this year, reflecting the underperforming first quarter, blamed mostly on the effects of harsh weather.
"The central tendency of the projections for real GDP (gross domestic product) growth is 2.1 to 2.3 percent for 2014, down notably from the March projections, largely because of the unexpected contraction in the first quarter."
In making the announcement, Yellen says the Federal Reserve will not raise short-term interest rates from record lows anytime soon, despite a steadily improving job market.
For more on the Fed policy, we are joined on the line by Cao Can, CRI's financial commentator.
…
Back Anchor:
Cao Can, CRI's Financial Commentator.
BOC authorized as RMB clearing bank in Frankfurt
China's central bank has authorized the Bank of China to be the clearing bank for renminbi (RMB) business in Frankfurt.
The work will be undertaken by the BOC Frankfurt Branch.
The People's Bank of China made the decision in accordance with a memorandum of understanding (MOU) it signed with the Deutsche Bundesbank in March.
The MOU is expected to help turn the German city into an offshore RMB center.
Frankfurt is one of the most important financial hubs in Europe and the seat of two central banks -- the Bundesbank and the European Central Bank.
Chongqing launches carbon trading market
Southwest China's Chongqing Municipality has launched its carbon trading market. And with that, all seven pilot trading schemes in the country are now operational.
Sixteen transactions worth more than 4 million yuan, or some 700,000 U.S. dollars, were recorded within half an hour after trading started this morning.
China began piloting carbon trading in 2011 and has approved trading schemes in Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, Chongqing, Shenzhen, Guangdong, and Hubei.
Under the schemes, enterprises that exceed their quota for carbon emissions, or in other words pollute beyond officially acceptable levels, are allowed to buy unused carbon quotas from companies with emissions below approved levels.
Headline News
Premier wraps up UK tour, heads for Greece
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang is travelling to Greece following his three-day visit to the UK.
He will be signing more than 20 cooperation agreements and business contracts during his visit, mainly covering investment, trade and finance.
According to China's ambassador to Greece, the two countries will also hold their first-ever maritime cooperation forum.
Li Keqiang's time in the UK has seen the signing of a number of landmark deals worth billions of dollars.
He has also dismissed concerns over a so-called hard landing for the Chinese economy.
The premier made clear that both China and the UK are hoping to broaden cooperation not only in economic terms, but also in areas such as culture, education and technological research.
Spain's new king Felipe VI is sworn in by parliament
Spain's new king, Felipe VI, has been proclaimed head of state in a ceremony in parliament.
He acceded to the throne at the stroke of midnight after his father, Juan Carlos, formally abdicated on Wednesday.
The ceremony took the form of a proclamation rather than a coronation. It is the first royal transition in Spain since democracy was restored in the 1970s.
No foreign leaders or royal families have been invited to the event.
7 soldiers killed, 13 hurt in clashes in S. Philippines
Seven soldiers have been killed and 13 others wounded in separate encounters with suspected Abu Sayyaf rebels in southern Philippines.
A military spokesman says the fatalities include an officer who was killed in action after his troops encountered the rebels in Sulu province early on Thursday.
The spokesman says the attacks will not hamper military efforts against the insurgency.
Abu Sayyaf rebels are believed to be behind a spate of bombings and kidnappings in southern Philippines.
Bodies found after Malaysia capsize
At least nine people have died and 27 are missing after a boat overloaded with Indonesians capsized off the western coast of Malaysia.
Officials say the passengers, believed to be illegal migrant workers, were returning home to Indonesia's Aceh province for the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.
All 60 of the rescued passengers were arrested under immigration laws.
The boat was believed to be carrying 97 passengers, far exceeding its maximum capacity of 50 people.
Death sentence for family planning officials' killer
A man convicted in the killings of two government officials in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region has been sentenced to death.
The court has also ordered He Shenguo to pay 280-thousand yuan for the plaintiff's losses.
Last July He slashed people at the local Family Planning Bureau after officials refused to register his fourth child with a permanent resident's permit, or Hukou.
The man had not paid the fee for a child born outside of the country's family planning policy.
Two clerks died at the scene. Four other people were injured.
2 dead, 3 missing after Qinghai flood
Flood water has washed away six workers at a construction site in northwest China's Qinghai, leaving two dead and three others missing.
One of them was rescued in the flood triggered by downpours in Haidong city.
Newspaper Picks
China Daily
"China Telecom releases digital reading survey results"
Nanning has the most digital readers in the country.
Tianyi Reading, China Telecom's e-reading department, has released a report of e-reading habits, collected from its 220 million subscribers in the first three months of this year.
The survey found that citizens of Nanning, in the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, are the most avid e-readers in the country, consuming an average 2.5 books per person in the first quarter of the year.
Beijing, Tianjin, Suzhou and Hefei also made the top five, averaging around two books.
Use of digital readers seems to peak around 1 in the afternoon, and in the evening between 9 and midnight. More than 80 percent of the people who used their readers spent more than 30 minutes per session on their devices.
80 percent of digital readers used devices with 4-inch screens or larger.
Shanghai Daily
"Regulator cracks down on reporters"
Reporters in China are forbidden to publish critical reports without the approval of their employer.
The State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television published the rule in a circular announcing a crackdown on false news and journalists who take bribes or extort money from their sources.
The regulator said news agencies must crack down on corruption and journalists who break the law must be handed over to judicial authorities. Journalists who violate the rules will lose their license to report.
It added journalists are forbidden from setting up their own websites, video sites or writing internal reports with critical content.
The rules also forbid journalists from conducting interviews or writing reports outside their fields.
The Telegraph
"Occasional glass of wine could save your eyesight"
Scientists believe an occasional glass of wine may protect against loss of sight in later life.
Although heavy drinking is associated with poor eyesight, the odd tipple could be more beneficial than complete abstinence.
It may lower the risk of developing debilitating sight loss problems such as Age Related Macular Degeneration.
Researchers from the University of Wisconsin examined the relationships between visual impairment and three lifestyle behaviors; smoking, drinking alcohol and staying physically fit.
Later they found those who consumed alcohol, but had less than one drink per week, were 49 per cent less likely to develop vision problems within a 20 year period, compared to those who never drank.
CBS News
"Is vitamin D the key to longer life?"
A new analysis of existing research shows higher levels of vitamin D may protect people from an earlier death, particularly from cancer and heart disease.
And, the opposite may also be true -- low levels of vitamin D may be linked to a higher risk of premature death.
But the researchers acknowledge that the review's findings aren't definitive.
Researchers say people with low vitamin D die more frequently from heart disease and cancer, but it is not known if the low vitamin D is a cause of these diseases or just a byproduct of generally poor health.
Still, the research published online in BMJ does hint at the possibility that vitamin D may benefit people across genders, ages and Western countries.
Vitamin D is nicknamed the sunshine vitamin because the body produces vitamin D when exposed to sunlight. People also get vitamin D through foods like eggs, milk, yogurt, tuna, salmon, cereal and orange juice.
Special Reports
Internet changes future film industry by Liu Kun
ANCHOR:
Insiders from traditional movie companies and online video providers, attending this year's Shanghai International Film Festival, are suggesting the internet is reshaping the way people watch movies, as well as how companies sell them.
CRI's Liu Kun has more from Shanghai.
Reporter:
Imagine yourself watching "Coming Home," the latest film by director Zhang Yimou, during the weekend on a TV set with 4K resolution from an online video portal, when others have to drag themselves to a cinema.
At the on-going 17th Shanghai International Film Festival, Gao Fei, vice president of popular video website Le TV, has just confirmed that the above scenario will be possible in just a few days.
Gao says, once equipped with larger screens, watching movies over the internet at home will give audiences almost the same experience as watching a film in a cinema.
"Nowadays, 4K screens are a rarity for cinemas. But people will be able to watch movies with 4K resolution on a TV set at home soon. In the future, low prices and low costs will continue, but the viewing experience will be greatly improved."
Zhu Huilong, senior vice president of Youku Tudou Corporation, further points out that, with the number of smart phone users continuing to rise, the way of movie ticket purchases will change, as well.
"I think in the coming year, more than 50 percent of movie tickets will be purchased online. About 900-million people in China own mobile phones. And only 300 to 400 million of these are not smart phones. If these phones become smart phones, the number of online ticket sales will be enormous."
The recent sales blast jointly conducted by mobile application Wechat and the production company responsible for the recently-released 3D reboot of "Godzilla," has exemplified Zhu's predictions.
Two-million film coupons, each worth 19 to 199 yuan, were quickly snapped up by Wechat users within just one hour after they were available on the mobile messaging platform.
Aside from changing the way movies are watched and theater tickets are purchased, the internet has influenced cinema goers' choices of which movie to attend, as well.
An Xiaofen, a producer and distributor of hit movies like the "Tiny Times" and "Ip Man" film franchises, says the internet is offering audiences more information on a movie than traditional posters can provide.
"All video websites will be able to get intellectual property rights of a movie for free. Because the number of web users is huge, even though the intellectual property is free, the profit will still be impressive."
An, however, says the quality of a movie's content will ultimately dictate whether a production is a box office smash, or a dud.
Back Anchor:
CRI's Liu Kun reporting from Shanghai.
Sports
Preview of three fixtures of the 2014 World Cup Friday Morning
England is set to face Uruguay at the World Cup. The action begins on Friday at 3 o'clock in the morning Beijing time.
Both teams lost their opening matches, meaning the loser of the upcoming match faces elimination from the tournament.
England coach Roy Hodgson says both teams are in similar straits.
"I believe some of the Uruguay players and their manager have said they're going to treat it like a World Cup final and us equally will treat it with the same kind of importance but it's not a cup final and that's a fact but of course it's a very important game; there's a lot at stake. For me I think the key in this game is who defends the best because you've got two very good teams full of attacking players. And we're very confident going into the game that we can get the right result."
England forward Wayne Rooney is expected to start the match despite British media arguing incessantly about where Rooney should play, and his critics say he does not deserve a place in the starting lineup.
The Manchester United forward is likely to play in a more central role with winger Raheem Sterling moving to the left wing where Rooney played against Italy.
In other action tomorrow,
After losing their Group C openers, Japan and Greece will be looking to rediscover the qualities which got them to Brazil as they bid to keep their campaigns alive.
Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni says his main job since the opening defeat has been urging his players to rediscover that attacking verve.
"The expectations for Japan at this World Cup are the results of what Japan has done during the last four years and consequently I've concentrated on telling the team of my confidence that if they play to their best they can get good results."
Meanwhile, Greece has played down a training ground bust-up between defenders Yannis Maniatis and Giorgos Tzavellas, saying they are "200 percent" focused on getting their World Cup campaign back on track with a victory against Japan.
There is little doubt that only by earning three points will either side be able to extend its stay in Brazil beyond the group stage.
The match-up is due to kick off at 6' o'clock.
And Colombia faces Cote d'Ivoire at midnight.
Spain sent packing, Netherlands, Chile reach last 16
Still in the World Cup,
Earlier this morning,
Defending champion Spain suffered an early exit from the competition after being stunned by a highly-spirited squad from Chile.
Spain lost 2-0 in its second game from the tournament.
Chile, a 3-1 winner over Australia in its first match, have also booked a berth in the knockout stage as Australia has gone 0-2 in the opening round as well.
The Socceroos lost 3-2 to the Netherlands. The Dutch side has won both of its games so far and is off to the final 16.
The Spanish squad became the first reigning World Cup champion to be knocked out of competition in just two matches.
In other action,
Mario Mandzukic scored twice in his return from suspension as Croatia eliminated Cameroon 4-0.
Croatia still needs to win its last group match against Mexico to be guaranteed a berth in the round of 16.
The Netherlands will take on Chile in its last group match.
With both teams already assured of a place in the final 16, this game will decide the winner within their group.
San Antonio Spurs celebrated their fifth NBA championship
In the NBA,
The San Antonio Spurs have celebrated winning the NBA title with a boat ride along the city's riverwalk neighborhood.
The City of San Antonio has estimated that about 100,000 people attended the River Walk parade.
Point guard Tony Parker
"I feel very blessed. It's sometimes hard to put into words how I feel. Because I feel very lucky to be in a great organization and being able to share that with Pop (Coach Greg Popovich) and Manu and TD. That's a special bond".
Finals MVP (Most Valuable Player) Kawhi Leonard
"You know. This is what I wanted to do. Win an NBA Championship and we did it as a team and its just been a great overall experience for me."
The celebration has also included former Spurs players David Robinson, Avery Johnson and Malik Rose, all members of the team's first NBA title in 1999.
The Spurs are facing an uncertain future with six free agents on the roster, likely meaning major changes in the off-season.
Defending men's champion Lopez beats German qualifier Kamke 7-6, 7-5
In tennis,
Feliciano Lopez, the defending Eastbourne champion and number three seed, has begun his title defence with a 7-6, 7-5 victory over German qualifier Tobias Kamkey.
Lopez created 14 break point opportunities, capitalising three times during the two-hour match, to earn his 20th match win of the season.
The Spaniard narrowly missed out on his fourth ATP World Tour title in the AEGON Championships final at Queen's Club on Sunday, going down to Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov after having held a match point.
Lopez will next play Frenchman Jeremy Chardy, who defeated Argentine Carlos Berlocq 6-4, 7-5.
In off-court news,
The final line-ups for next week's Wimbledon Championship have been announced.
Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams are seeded No.1.
Two-time Wimbledon champion Rafael Nadal and Chinese ace Li Na are seeded No.2.
Defending champion Andy Murray has moved up two spots above his world ranking to the third seed.
Seven-time champion Roger Federer has the No.4 spot.
Wimbledon is set to begin on Monday.
Entertainment
Special trailer of Han Han's movie released
Author/director Han Han has held a news conference in Shanghai to promote his first film "Hou Hui Wu Qi", or "Continent".
Leading actors Feng Shaofeng, Wallace Chung, Wang Luodan and Joe Chen showed up, revealing their roles in the film.
During the conference, a special trailer was released.
The trailer was tagged "The Island Song Version".
The island refers to Dongji Island, where the movie was shot.
Han Han says the melody was chosen from Hollywood movie "Borat", and he filled the words himself.
When asked about the theme of the film, Han says several youngsters who were born and raised on Dongji Island, wanted to explore the outside world, and they began a journey that changed their whole lives.
"Continent" will hit Chinese screens July 24.
Eason Chan promotes latest album in Taiwan
Pop singer Eason Chan is in Taiwan to promote his latest Mandarin-language album, "Rice and Shine".
The album includes 10 tracks.
During a press conference for the album, Chan says that he picked its title to represent the producers, but somehow, it turned into a play on words.
"I told the producers 'Mars Radio' in Beijing, 'Why don't you be in charge of the 'Rise' part. Because they're not so well-known.' And JJ (Lin) is like a shining star; they were into it. They said, 'Rice, great! Chinese people rely heavily on rice.' I think they were joking, but then I thought it made sense. So then it became 'Rice and Shine'"
Although many record labels release music solely on digital platforms to cut back costs, Chan says he remains old school.
"Everyone says the music industry is not doing so well; why spend so much energy to make (the CD), but this is why (a CD) is so precious; because, in the digital world, there's no album per se. So that's why we wanted to make (a CD) and now I have two parts and two names."
39-year-old Chan began his music career in 1995.
He has now become one of the most recognized pop stars in Chinese music.
In April 2012, Chan became the first Chinese artist to hold a concert in London's O2 Arena.
"Rice and Shine" is Chan's 12th album.
Paul Haggis on new film
Just a day before the release of "Third Person", director Paul Haggis has given some thoughts on his new film.
The film consists of three interconnected love stories.
Academy Award winner Haggis wrote and directed the indie film.
He says it's a puzzle pretending to be love stories.
"I wanted three different styles of storytelling in this, but for a reason and I wanted it to be purposely in the cities where these characters could never meet. You've got New York, Paris and Rome and so as things start happening that cannot happen you have to ask yourself, 'OK, so what's happening?'"
The film stars A-list actors such as Liam Neeson, Olivia Wilde, and Mila Kunis, as well as Israeli actress Moran Atias.
Atias says along with the multiple storylines, there are many meanings for things in the movie, including the title.
"Third Person' does represent the form of writing - third person - as Liam's character and there's always a third person in the relationship metaphorically speaking whether he's present or an object, whether it's your past demons, the art."
Atias plays a gypsy living in Italy.
The actress was so eager to play the part that she moved herself to an office where gypsies live in Italy even before she was confirmed for the role.
"Third Person" opens tomorrow in New York, Los Angeles and Japan.
Judge dismisses copyright case against Lady Gaga
A federal judge in Chicago has dismissed a copyright lawsuit against Lady Gaga.
Chicago songwriter Rebecca Francescatti filed the suit in 2011, alleging that Lady Gaga had copied music and the title lyric from her 1998 song "Juda."
Gaga's 2011 song is called "Judas".
The judge ruled that the songs do not have common lyrics, have different themes, and sound nothing alike musically.
The judge also concluded there was not enough evidence that Gaga could have known about Francescatti's song before publishing "Judas".
Katy Perry launches record label
American pop star Katy Perry has launched her own record label, "Metamorphosis Music".
It's a joint venture with her current label, Capitol Records.
Perry has signed pop singer Ferras as her label's first artist.
Ferras released his first Perry executive-produced EP the day of the announcement.
He will also join Perry for the North American leg of her Prismatic World Tour, which kicks off on Sunday.
Perry and Ferras met in 2007 when they were both signed to Capitol Music.
That's it for this edition of the Beijing Hour - a quick recap of headlines before we go:
The Chinese premier has told a group of academics in London there will be no so-called "hard landing" for the Chinese economy.
Chinese and Vietnamese leaders are talking about the importance of cooperation and mutual interests as they continue to discuss a maritime dispute in the South China Sea.
And Iraqi leaders are looking for help from neighbouring countries as the crisis in the country deepens.
In business, the US fed has made another cut to its bond purchasing program.
|