新闻纵贯线 The Beijing Hour updated 20:00 2013/09/23

The Beijing Hour
 
Evening Edition
 
 
Paul James with you on this Monday, September 23rd, 2013.
Welcome to the Beijing Hour, coming to you live from the Chinese capital.
Coming up on our program this evening.
The death toll from the ongoing siege of a high-end shopping mall by Islamic militants in Nairobi, Kenya has reached 69.
The death toll from the deadly suicide bombing outside a Christian church in Pakistan has reached 81.
Super Typhoon Usagi has been downgraded to a tropical depression after leaving a swatch of destruction across parts of southern China.
In Business, new analysis is suggesting Manufacturing activity here in China is picking up steam this month.
In Sports, Atlanta and Oakland have clinched a berth in the Major League Baseball playoffs.
In Entertainment, this year's Emmy Awards have been dolled out in Los Angeles.
 
 
Weather
 
 
Beijing will be cloudy tonight with a low of 13 degrees Celsius.　Tomorrow sunny with a high temperature of 22.
Meanwhile Shanghai will be cloudy tonight, with a low of 25, sunny tomorrow, with a high of 31.
Lhasa will have showers tonight, 9 degrees the low, cloudy tomorrow with a high of 23.
Elsewhere in the world, staying in Asia
Islamabad, sunny, with a high of 34.
Kabul, sunny, 31.
Over in Australia
Sydney, overcast, highs of 30.
Canberra, overcast, 21.
Brisbane, sunny, 30.
And finally, Perth will have rain with a high of 19.
 
 
Top News
 
 
Soldiers, security duck for cover near upscale shopping mall
 
Sustained gunfire and thick smoke is eminating from the besieged mall in Nairobi, Kenya.
Members of the Somali al-Shabaab militia have been holed up in the mall in the Kenyan capital since Saturday.
Authorities believe the militants are still holding 10 people hostage.
UN's Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
"I condemn in the strongest terms yesterday's terrorist attacks at Nairobi's Westgate mall. This premeditated act, targeting defenseless civilians is totally reprehensible. The perpetrators must be brought to justice as soon as possible."
US lawmakers are also weighing in on the situation.
Republican Congressman Peter King contends the situation is a sign of the growing influence of terrorism in Africa.
""This is a particularly brutal attack and it almost seems as if the terror world is coming full cycle, because one of the first major attacks that we recall against the United States was the attacks on the embassies back in 1998 and now we have, 15 years later, a massacre - and a well-coordinated, well-planned horrific massacre."
British Premier Minister David Cameron is also condemning the terrorists.
"I think the other thing to remember is that these appalling terrorist attacks that take place, where the perpetrators claim they do it in the name of a religion, they don't. They do it in the name of terror, violence, extremism and their warped view of the world. They don't represent Islam or Muslims in Britain or anywhere else in the world."
The standoff has so far left 69 dead, including one Chinese national.
175 others have been hurt in the assault.
 
 
International Criminal Court allows Kenya's deputy president return home
 
Kenya's deputy president William Ruto has been temporarily excused from his hearing at the International Criminal Court.
He's been allowed to return to Nairobi for a week to help deal with the mall hostage crisis in the Kenyan capital.
Prosecutors have not objected to Ruto's returning.
At a hastily arranged hearing on Monday, Ruto's lawyer Karim Khan has told the court his client has to be back in Nairobi to help President Uhuru Kenyatta deal with the attack.
"It is essential, we say, for William Ruto to go back. One wouldn't have expected, or the world would have found it intolerable, if the president and the vice-president of the United States were not in the country after 9-11. Well this is Kenya's 9-11 and it is absolutely essential, for law and order, for assisting the president to resolve the situation."
Ruto is facing charges of crimes against humanity for allegedly orchestrating the violence in the aftermath of Kenya's 2007 presidential election.
Ruto is denying all the charges against him.
Later this year, Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta is also scheduled to stand trial in The Hague in connection with the post-election violence in 2007.
 
 
Pakistani Christians protest against Sunday's deadly church bombing
 
Pakistani Christians are denouncing the deadly attack on Christian worshipers by a wing of the Pakistani Taliban.
The death toll from the suicide attacks now stands at 81.
A pair of suicide bombers blew themselves up amid hundreds of worshippers outside the historic All Saints Church in northwestern Pakistan Sunday.
Haji Ghulam Ali is a Pakistan Senator.
"It is a conspiracy against Pakistan and against all of us to create misunderstanding and hate among us. But we will unite together and beat this conspiracy. Because all of you have seen that neither mosques, nor churches nor Imam Bargah, nor graveyards, no place is safe."
The attack also left over 140 people wounded.
The Pakistani Taliban says their attacks will continue until the US stops its drone attacks in Pakistan.
Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is also condemning the attack.
 
 
HK cancels all typhoon signals; 25 dead in wake of storm
 
Forecasters have downgraded once-Super Typhoon Usagi to a tropical depression.
The massive storm has burned out after making landfall last night in the city of Shanwei in eastern Guangdong.
The storm has left at least 25 people dead.
It's also caused massive gridlock, as hundreds of flights in and out of Hong Kong and the rest of the Pearl River Delta Region had to be cancelled.
The massive storm has also caused significant damage to parts of eastern and central Guangdong, leveling over 7-thousand homes.
Usagi also forced over 250-thousand people from their homes.
 
 
Flood continues in Thailand
 
Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has been holding a series of meetings in connection with the massive flooding taking place in central Thailand.
She's demanding her government's Department of the Interior provide constant updates on the current situation.
Flash flooding has been hitting 7 provinces in the central part of the country since last week.
The massive storms have been hammering the country's main farming region, doing significant damage to Thailand's rice crops.
Thailand is one of the main producers of rice for export in east Asia.
Flooding in Thailand a few years ago created a major spike in rice prices, pushing up food-price inflation across much of east Asia.
 
 
Mexican troops help with clean-up operation and airport reopens following the tropical storm
 
The Mexican resort city of Acupolco's international airport has re-opened after being flooded by Tropical Storm Manuel.
However, many in the city are complaining about the Mexican government's response to the massive storm.
"There's no point in the government offering us kind words and nothing else. They've made us promises but I don't think they'll keep them. We hope they will."
"We want water to be able to wash and to drink, because there isn't bottled water anywhere. There is no food. We have a little money but there isn't food in the shops. There is nothing."
The death toll from both Tropical Storm Manuel and Hurricane Ingrid on the country's east coast has hit 110.
70 others are listed as missing.
Close to 60-thousand have been forced from their homes.
The Mexican government is warning of continued record rains.
The Mexican military has been activated to help in the clean-up.
 
 
20,000 people without power after strong winds hit Western Australia
 
Some 20-thousand people are without power to their homes following a strong storm, which hit western Australia overnight.
Strong winds have uprooted trees and downed power-lines in the region.
Forecasters are also warning of more powerful weather in the southwest region of Western Australia through this Monday.
Winds of up to 125-kilometers per hour are expected.
Authorities are warning people in the region the winds could be potentially devastating.
 
 
Russia criticises the west over UN security council resolution
 
Russia's top diplomat is blasting the US government for its stand on Syria.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, speaking to a Russian television station, is accusing the United States of blackmailing Russia over a UN Security Council resolution that would allow for the use of force in Syria.
"They want the Security Council to adopt a resolution with obligatory reference to Chapter 7, which envisages measures of pressure on violators of international law, including sanctions and possible use of force. And our American partners are even starting to blackmail us: if you don't approve at the Security Council a resolution compliant with Chapter VII, then we will stop the work at the Organisation for Prohibition of Chemical Weapons in the Hague."
Lavrov also says the US is blinded by the idea of ousting Syrian president Bashar Assad.
"I think that our Western partners are now simply blinded by their ideological objective to change the regime (in Syria). A couple of years ago leaders of the Western world loudly declared that (Bashar) Assad has no place on this earth, and that he should go. And today they cannot admit they have made yet another mistake, as they made a mistake with Libya, having bombed the country and placed it on the brink of collapse, as they made a mistake with Iraq, where they did the same, including a ground operation."
Sergei Lavrov also says he is confident chemical weapons have been deployed by rebel forces in Syria, rather than by the government forces.
"The opposition regularly resorts to provocations, in an attempt to accuse the regime (of Assad) of using chemical weapons, and thus encourage military support from abroad for the opposition."
Lavrov adds Moscow is ready to send military observers to Syria.
Under a US-Russian plan, Syria is to give up its chemical weapons by the middle of next year.
The United States, along with France and the UK, is trying to have a UN Security Council resolution passed that would authorise the use of force if Syria reneges on the chemical weapons agreement.
 
 
Angela Merkel wins German election
 
Angela Merkel is celebrating an electoral victory, which will give her a third term as German Chancellor.
Her Christian Conservatives have taken around 42-percent of the vote.
This is enough to win the first single-party majority in Germany in more than 50-years.
The Liberal Free Democrats, Merkel's preferred coalition partners, have taken just 4.7-percent of the vote.
This means Merkel is likely to form a coalition with the Social Democrats, who are estimated to have taken 26-percent of the vote.
Merkel, who has been Germany's chancellor since 2005, says it's too early to say exactly how they will form the government.
"Together we will do everything to make sure those are successful years. For now we will wait for the election result, it is too early to say exactly how we will proceed, we will discuss everything tomorrow in our party leadership when we know the exact result of the elections. But to celebrate - that we can do today already, because we have done super!"
Social Democrat leader Peer Steinbrueck says he will not serve in Merkel's coalition this time around.
He had previously served as finance minister.
 
 
China and Venezuela pledge to seek a stronger strategic partnership
 
Anchor:
The Chinese and Venezuelan governments are promising to work toward a stronger strategic partnership.
The pledge has come out of talks between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro here in Beijing.
CRI's Marc Cavigli has more.
Reporter:
During the welcome ceremony, Chinese President Xi Jinping said Venezuela was an important country in Latin America.
He also reviewed the sound development of China-Venezuela relations.
Xi Jinping has stressed that China-Venezuela relations are now connecting the past and the future.
"Here I would like to express my warm welcome to your visit in China. President Maduro is a good friend of China and your visit will surely promote the bilateral relationships into a new direction."
It is President Maduro's first state visit to China since taking office.
Maduro called on the two countries to deepen friendly relations and bring their strategic partnership to a new high.
"One of the prior aims of my visit to China is to further boost and broaden our strategic partnerships. The relationships between China and Venezuela have been vigorously developed under a friendly, sincere and mutually benefited principal. And our cooperation with China has also helped to boost our economic progress."
After the talks, Xi and Maduro witnessed the signing of a series of agreements on financing, culture, education and training.
The two sides also announced the cooperation of exploring a new oil field inside Venezuela.
Currently, the trade volume between China and Venezuela has reached over 23 billion US dollars.
China is the second largest trade partner for Venezuela.
Meanwhile, Venezuela is China's fourth largest trade partner and fourth leading source of raw oil in Latin America.
Felix Arellano, a Venezuelan commentator says there is a bright future for cooperation between the two countries.
"China is an emerging major economy and plays important roles in the international community. China balances and reconciles international issues such as those concerning North Korea. China also plays important roles in the United Nations, making us see the bright future of cooperation."
Maduro's visit will last till Tuesday.
For CRI, I'm Marc Cavigli.
 
 
64th International Astronautical Congress Held in Beijing
 
Anchor:
This year's International Astronautical Congress is underway here in Beijing.
More than 35-hundred delegates from over 70 countries are gathered to talk about the space industry, science and education.
CRI's Ding Lulu has more details.
Reporter:
The 64th International Astronautical Congress, the largest space-related conference in the world, opened on Monday.
The event has attracted members of the space industry, ranging from government to industry and academia from around the world.
The one-week congress is meant to share the latest developments and information about space.
It's also an opportunity for the delegates to meet and share ideas.
Tian Yulong is the Secretary-general of China's National Space Administration.
"International Astronautical Congress (IAC) is considered the Olympics of world Aerospace field. It's a worldwide platform for scientists, researchers and space agency officials to share their latest trends and insight in space exploration, which will benefit for all people in the world."
As one of the most prestigious events for the international aerospace community, China is hosting the event for the first time since 1996.
Ma Xingrui is the Director of China's National Space Administration.
He says China's space industry has undergone massive development over the past 17 years.
"China has made great achievements in its space programs. Breakthroughs have been made in major aerospace engineering and space technology such as manned space flight, lunar exploration, Beidou Navigation Satellite System. National Spatial Data Infrastructure has been built, which was composed of the remote sensing, communications, broadcast and navigation positioning. The results of space technology have been widely used in various fields such as economy, science and technology, culture and education."
The theme of this year's event is "Promoting Space Development for the Benefit of Mankind."
Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao has touched on this as part of his speech to the opening of the congress.
"China is willing to share the experience of promoting economy through space technologies with countries around the world, including developing countries. Adhering to the concept of cooperative development and shared space, China will strengthen international exchanges and cooperation in aerospace and let the results of space research be the benefits of all."
Founded in 1951, the International Astronautical Federation has representatives in 62 countries.
For CRI, I'm DLL.
 
 
Biz Reports
 
 
Stocks
 
The Asian markets have opened the trading week with a mixed day.
Stocks here on the mainland rallied on the back of initial manufacturing data.
The Shanghai Composite Index gained 1.3 percent.
The Shenzhen Component Index surged by 2.2 percent
But down in Hong Kong, the Hang Seng dropped 0.6%
Elsewhere here in Asia,
Japan's Nikkei lost 0.2%
South Korea's KOSPI gained 0.2 percent.
The Straits Times Index in Singapore lost 0.7 percent.
Australia's S&P/ASX 200 dropped 0.5 percent.
 
 
China Manufacturing Index rises to six-month high
 
HSBC's preliminary Purchasing Managers Index for China's manufacturing sector has come in at 51.2 this month.
This is up significantly from the 50.1 figure registered in August.
September's manufacturing PMI is the highest in six months.
A PMI reading above 50 signals expansion.
The initial figures have exceeded economists expectations of 50.9.
Analysts are pointing to this as evidence the Chinese economy is on the rebound, after a two-quarter slowdown earlier this year.
It's being suggested the continued industrial expansion is due largely to an expansion in credit, despite the financial risks this carries.
The Chinese government's official PMI for September will be released on October 1st.
 
 
Eurozone services grwoth fastest in more than two years
 
The service sector in the Eurozone has grown at its fastest rate in more than two years in September.
The index of activity for the services sector has jumped to 52.1 from 50.7 in August.
Meanwhile, the manufacturing index in the Eurozone has come in at 51.1, as new factory orders have risen for a third consecutive month.
According to the data from Markit Economics, optimism for the coming year has risen to the highest level in over 18 months.
The figures are being cited as evidence the eurozone is emerging from its longest-ever recession.
The improvement in demand and confidence is being led by Germany.
 
 
Morning Call In Mike Bastin
 
Anchor:
Hong Kong authorities are poised to withdraw restrictions on milk powder exports to the mainland as soon as next month.
The SAR government says the ban is likely to be lifted on condition a pressure test next month, along with a policy evaluation, shows the supply of milk powder will remain normal in Hong Kong.
Gao Yongwen is the head of Hong Kong's Food and Health Bureau.
"The stress test will reach four dimensions including estimations at the overall supply chain level, restocking system at the retail level, pre-order hotline status and reordering services at retail stores."
Hong Kong began to limit infant milk formula export to two cans per person back in March.
Those caught trying to export more than the limit face a fine up to about 65-thousand US dollars and two years in jail.
For more on this, CRI's Rebecca Hume spoke earlier with Mike Bastin, Visiting Professor at China's University of International Business and Economics.
…
That was Mike Bastin, visiting Professor at Chinese University of International Business and Economics, speaking to CRI's Rebecca Hume.
 
 
Qihoo and NQMobile expected to extend rally
 
Chinese internet companies are expected to build upon their current rally after jumping more than three-fold this year.
The analysis comes from Oberweis China Opportunies Fund, a US-based investment fund focused on Chinese stocks.
Among the top performers so far this year is NQ Mobile, which specialises in the development of mobile-security software.
NQ has surged 278-percent, gaining nearly 5 percent this past week alone.
Meanwhile, online security company Qihoo has gained 13 percent in this month alone, sending its total advance this year close to 200-percent.
Oberweis says it still believes Qihoo is undervalued.
China is currently the world's biggest smartphone market.
This country is the destination to over a third of the global handsets this year.
 
 
Won rises to strongest level in 8 months
 
The South Korean won has surged to its strongest level since January.
This has come on the first day of trading after the surprise Fed announcement last week.
South Korean markets were closed for the mid-Autumn festivals, when the news broke the Federal Reserve will maintain its 85 billion US dollar bond purchase program.
The won has gained nearly one-percent in value against the US dollar in today's trading.
The South Korean currency is sitting at 1-thousand-74 to the US dollar.
This is its highest level since January 25th.
The South Korean won has gained 6.3-percent in value against the US dollar this quarter.
 
 
Philippines is prepared for future Fed tapering
 
The Central Bank of the Philippines says the country has the policy tools at hand to buffer against the effects of possible future tapering of the Fed's stimulus package.
The statement comes from the bank's Deputy Governor, who says they have the tools to boost liquidity, survey risk and currency-swap agreements that could be tapped.
The Philippines gross domestic product rose 7.5 percent in the second quarter year on year.
 
 
Singapore introduce new hiring guidelines
 
Singapore's Ministry of Manpower has announced that it will impose new rules to encourage companies to consider local candidates before foreigners in the hiring process.
The city-state plans to set up a job bank, where companies must advertise available professional positions before looking at overseas talent.
The ministry says the policy is designed to try to make firms treat Singaporean workers fairly.
This comes amid growing complaints that foreign-owned enterprises are operating on a "hiring-own-kind" principle that discriminates against Singaporeans.
 
 
Headline News
 
 
HK cancels all typhoon signals; 25 dead in wake of storm
 
Forecasters have downgraded once-Super Typhoon Usagi to a tropical depression.
The massive storm has burned out after making landfall last night in the city of Shanwei in eastern Guangdong.
The storm has left at least 25 people dead.
It's also caused massive gridlock, as hundreds of flights in and out of Hong Kong and the rest of the Pearl River Delta Region had to be cancelled.
The massive storm has also caused significant damage to parts of eastern and central Guangdong, levelling over 7-thousand homes.
Usagi also forced over 250-thousand people from their homes.
 
 
Flood continues in Thailand
 
Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has been holding a series of meetings in connection with the massive flooding taking place in central Thailand.
She's demanding her government's Department of the Interior provide constant updates on the current situation.
Flash flooding has been hitting 7 provinces in the central part of the country since last week.
The massive storms have been hammering the country's main farming region, doing significant damage to Thailand's rice crops.
Thailand is one of the main producers of rice for export in east Asia.
Flooding in Thailand a few years ago created a major spike in rice prices, pushing up food-price inflation across much of east Asia.
 
 
Car blast in Russia's Dagestan kills 3
 
A car bombing in the Russian region of Dagestan in the Caucuses has left at least 3 people dead.
11 others have been hurt in the explosion, which went off next to a local police station.
The dead include the driver of the vehicle, a police officer and a member of Russia's Federal Migration Services.
Rebel forces in the restive region often target government and police buildings.
 
 
4 rebels, 1 soldier die in clash in S. Philippines
 
Muslim rebels in the southern Philippines are still said to be holding a number of hostages following an attack on a town.
The rebels are said to be members of the little-known Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.
The rebels first attacked a local police outpost, before breaking up into smaller groups and taking a number of people hostage.
The Philippine military then responded, managing to free most of the people held hostage.
However, at least 3 people are still being held by the rebels.
The Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters are said to be a splinter group of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
The main group is currently in negotiations with the Philippine government in an attempt to come to a peace agreement.
 
 
Newspaper Picks
 
 
Xinhua
"Taoist cultural Events heading to Europe"
A spate of events promoting Taoist culture will be held in Belgium, Britain and France from Sept 26 to Oct 6.
Taoist culture-related exhibitions, lectures and martial arts performances will be staged during the period.
Meng Zhiling, a spokesman with the Chinese Taoist Association, said the program is dedicated to promoting Chinese culture to the world.
The events will work as a new platform to showcase Chinese homegrown Taoism and mark new progress in Taoism's internationalization effort.
Under a scheme initiated by the association in 2012, the association planned to donate Taoist classics to national libraries, prestigious universities and research institutions in more than 70 countries.
Taoism is an ancient religion originating from the writings and philosophy of Lao Tze (BC 571-471).
According to his "Tao De Ching," everything in the universe was born from a vacuum, and a balance must be achieved between human beings and nature.
Shanghai Daily
"Elderly prefer to be cared for at home"
A survey by Shanghai Statistics Bureau showed nearly 70 percent of elderly people in Shanghai would prefer their children to take care of them at home rather than rely on community services.
Just over 20 percent would favor care programs provided by the community, such as housekeeping and meal deliveries at home or in community-based facilities
But only 10 percent were willing to spend rest of their lives in nursing homes.
The bureau questioned some 2,200 people aged between 60 and 79 throughout the city for its survey.
It found that up to 88 percent of those questioned were still of the traditional opinion that their children should take care of them. This was particularly the case in rural areas.
The survey also found over 70 percent said they would mortgage their house in return for pensions.
The Telegraph
"The priciest part of your takeaway coffee? It's the cup, not the beans"
Analysis found high street coffee shop chains spend twice as much on packaging as they do on the beans they use.
While the cost of the coffee served in a medium-sized ?2.20 cappuccino is just 8p, the total cost of the cup, lid, stirrer, napkin and sugar amounts to 16p.
The biggest cost covered in the price of the drink, however, is the wages paid to staff, which make up nearly a quarter of the price.
Meanwhile, some 37p from each drink goes on VAT.
Retail analysts at Allegra Strategies carried out the study to assess whether consumers were receiving value for money when they picked up a takeaway coffee.
They found the milk used in the chains cost 8p on average, while 15% of the total price covered the rent paid by the shop and other costs including business rates.
Another 15% went towards administration and the coffee shop pocketed a profit of about 13% on each drink.
 
 
Special Reports
 
 
No Car Day
 
Anchor:
Sunday has marked the international "No Car Day".
Many cities across this country held various activities to promote the idea of green transportation and cleaner air.
CRI's Li Dong has more details.
Reporter:
The Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development says that over 150 cities in the country joined the "No Car Day" campaign on September 22 in an effort to promote public transportation and reduce automobile exhaust-caused air pollution.
This is the seventh consecutive year China has joined the international community in celebrating a day without driving private cars since 2007. However, many internet users argue that massive urban expansion and modern lifestyles have made it impossible and impractical to give up driving.
Xu Lijun, director of the transportation management department of Shanghai municipal government says such opinions are reasonable, which is why this year, they have decided to put more emphasis on promoting the idea of "green transportation" rather than setting "no car zones" in the city.
"The demo no car zone features restricted areas. It may cause some disturbance to drivers who really need to drive through this area. What's more important is that we hope that eco-friendly transportation can become common sense for all citizens in Shanghai."
Ma Changying drives to work nearly everyday in Beijing. He says that "No Car Day" is likeable to a promotional activity, but reducing air pollution and easing traffic congestion requires continuous efforts.
"The current restrictions on car purchasing and using in Beijing serve the purpose of limiting the number of vehicles on road in the city. These are the policies with long-term effect, but 'no cars day' is just for promoting awareness of 'green transportation' among the public. I think that making long-term, practical policies may be a more down-to-earth approach to tackling the air pollution in Beijing."
Ma Changying says that on "no car day", government departments should take the lead in reducing their car use and set an example for the public, because government vehicles account for a signficant portion of the motor vehicles in the street.
Earlier this month, Beijing unveiled a package of measures, including cutting vehicle emissions and curbing industrial pollution, in a bid to improve air quality in the city. The package is part of an action plan by the municipal government, which has pledged to reduce the PM 2.5 density by 25 percent or more by 2017.
According to the package, the number of vehicles in the city is expected to be no more than 6 million by 2017. According to figures from the Beijing Traffic Management Bureau, the city had 5.35 million vehicles by the end of July.
By promoting new-energy and small-displacement vehicles, reducing the intensity of vehicle use and strictly enforcing regulations, the government expects to reduce total vehicle fuel consumption by 5 percent or more compared with 2012.
For CRI, I am Li Dong.
 
 
Sports
 
 
Atlanta claims NL East title, as Yankees fall back in the standings
 
In Major League Baseball,
It was a weekend of celebration for the Atlanta Braves, who claimed the NL East title and beat the Chicago Cubs.
The Braves were in the middle of the sixth inning in their game against the Cubs, when they got the news.
Washington's 4-2 loss to Miami officially gave Atlanta its first division crown in eight years.
Shortly thereafter, Atlanta's Craig Kimbrel got his 49th save and Andrelton Simmons homered twice.
It was a different story for New York though.
The Yankees AL wild-card hopes dimmed after their 2-1 loss to the San Francisco Giants.
The Yankees fell four behind Cleveland for the second AL wild card with six games left. This is only the second time in 19 years that the Yankees have been in danger of missing the playoffs.
Oakland took the AL West title, after the Kansas City Royals smashed the Texas Rangers 4-0. Justin Maxwell ended the Royals home season with a two-out grand slam in the 10th inning.
Texas dropped 1 1/2 games behind Cleveland for the second spot, and Kansas City is 3 1/2 back.
 
 
Chicago Bears remain unbeaten after defeating Steelers 40 to 23
 
This weekend in the NFL,
Tom Brady threw a pair of touchdown passes to his rookie receiver Kenbrell Thompkins, as the New England Patriots beat Tampa Bay 23-3.
Andrew Luck faked out the defense and ran for a 6-yard touchdown, when the Indianapolis Colts beat the San Francisco 49ers 27-7.
Chicago's season remains untarnished, after the Bears defense forced five turnovers and scored twice to defeat the Pittsburgh Steelers 40 to 23.
Miami had a four-point victory over Atlanta, 27 to 23
Cincinnati beat Green Bay 34 to 30.
And the Seattle Seahawks stomped Jacksonville 45 to 17.
 
 
Henrik Stenson wins Tour Championship and FedEx Cup
 
In golf,
Henrik Stenson is the first European to win the Tour Championship and FedEx Cup after his victory at East Lake.
The number two seed had his first ever 54-hold lead coming into the final round, and all he needed to do was hold onto that lead to claim the FedEx Cup and its 10 million dollar bonus.
The 37-year-old managed to play a steady final round, and carded a 2-under 68. He finished 13 under 267 overall.
"I think it just shows that you never give up and always keep on trying harder. I managed to come back out of bad slumps twice, and I think that just shows to hang in there and try your best good things will come your way eventually."
Steve Stricker and Jordan Spieth both stood out on the final day as they did their best to overtake the Swede.
Stricker sank an eagle putt on the back nine to get within two shots.
20-year-old Spieth capped an impressive rookie season by running off four consecutive birdies on the back nine. He managed to pull within one shot of Stenson.
"It was nice to get that par on 18, it was nice to get it in today. I felt once that first putt was hit, but before that, before I had the tap-in left, I was grinding hard. Feeling pressure and feeling nerves. That's what happens out here.
Spieth and Stricker finished three shots behind to share second.
Number one seed Tiger Woods had a lousy tournament start, and wasn't able to recover.
He finished with a 67 to tie for 22nd place, his worst finish at East Lake.
But Woods was placated by winning his 11th PGA player of the year award.
"Very satisfied. I had a number of chances to win some tournaments, won five which is a I think a pretty good year. I've done that a few times over the course of my career. I wish I could have been more consistent at some of these events, but overall, at the end of the day, to add to the win total for the year it's always a good thing."
Woods had 90 points accumulated from his five PGA Tour wins, money title, and the Vardon Trophy for lowest adjusted scoring average.
 
 
France claims gold at Eurobasket 2013
 
In basketball,
It came down to a final match-up between France and Lithuania at the 2013 European Basketball Championship
The two teams had met earlier in the tournament, with Lithuania claiming a 76-62 win.
But this time, the French emerged victorious and claimed gold after winning 80-66.
After 36 tournament appearances, France finally captured its first championship title.
The Spurs Tony Parker, who was one of France's six NBA talents, said it was a moment to celebrate.
"The journey was unbelievable, and I would change nothing. Going through pain, growing pains, ups and downs, bronze medals, silver medal and finally getting a gold//Today it was maybe our best game as a team, at the perfect moment. And it just means a lot. Just very happy for French sports and for French basketball."
Lithuania had made it through to the finals after defeating Croatia in the semifinals. Point guard Donatas Motiejunas was a gracious loser.
"It was a tough game. They played better today. They are better team then us. They deserved to win. We did not play good, but we are happy. We won the silver."
Two-time defending champions Spain took third place, after beating Croatia 92-66 over the weekend.
 
 
Vettel wins at the Singapore Grand Prix
 
In Formula One,
It was yet another victory for Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel at yesterday's Singapore Grand Prix.
"Yeah, well, this is a long race. It seemed to go on forever. So there is a lot of things that can go wrong. The walls sometimes get really, really close. Sometimes closer than you think so you can't really afford to lean back."
Daniel Ricciardo misjudged one of the course's many corners, and crashed his Toro Rosso into the barrier.
But Vettel had already controlled the gap by that point, and was lapping nearly 2 seconds faster than everyone else.
Vettel further extended his lead in the drivers championship to 60 points over second place Fernando Alonso.
 
 
Entertainment
 
 
Modern Family, Breaking Bad and Behind the Candelabra win at Emmy Awards
 
So we begin of course with this weekend's Emmy Awards.
ABC's 'Modern Family' again won the award for best comedy series.
The show all about the dysfunctional antics of Jay Pritchett and his extended family in Los Angeles win this award for the fourth year in a row.
Modern family executive, Steve Levitan, said this was miraculous given the competition.
"Well this may be the saddest Emmy's of all time, but we could not be happier… Seriously we have the deepest respect for our co-nominees, you guys  make us laugh and you make us jealous every week and it is an honour just to be mentioned among you."
Elsewhere Big Bang Theory star, Jim Parsons – who plays the socially inept Sheldon Cooper in the series – claimed the best comedy actor prize for the third time.
Cult Crime Show Breaking Bad also had a cracking year. The gritty tale of a school teacher turned drugs kingpin won the most prestigious award of best drama serious for the first time.
The show's creator Vince Gilligan could not believe he had won.
"I did not see this coming, I thought this was going to be house of cards… or it could have been homeland, or it could have been Mad Men, or it could have been Game of Thrones or Downton Abbey it could have been any of them or maybe some others that were not nominated, in this golden age of television that we feel so proud to be a part of."
Another big winner on the night was Liberace Biopic, Behind the Candelabra.
The film staring Michael Douglas and Matt Damon was shown on cable network HBO in the United States and won three awards including best TV movie.
On the red carpet before the awards Michael Douglas, who's clearly had a long film career, spoke of how the industry is changing.
"What's happened now is a lot of the really talented screenwriters are going into cable television because not only do they have the freedom of a longer format.. But they're also the producers so it's economically more beneficial. I think finally we're reaching that point a little as they do in Britain where you can cross over more freely between television and movies and truth be told some of the best work is being done in Television."
 
 
Zeta-Jones joins other celebrities at Qingdao Oriental Movie Metropolis opening
 
Accepting his first ever Emmy award Douglas thanked his wife Catherine Zeta Jones with whom he has recently split.
The soon-to-be 69-year-old actor and his wife would normally always spend their shared September 25th birthday together when this year she will be 44….
But this year as Douglas bathed in the glitz and glamour back home, the Welsh-born actress was taking to the red carpet in our neck of the woods, in China's Shandong province.
Joined by other global stars such as Leonardo DiCaprio, John Travolta and Nicole Kidman she was attending the launch party for the Qingdao Oriental Movie Metropolis.
Actor and martial artist Jet Li was also obviously thrilled to see a project like this in his home country.
"I'm very happy that Wanda chose the city of Qingdao. The city is very beautiful, there will be more people coming here to makes films and hold film festivals. This is the happiest thing for filmmakers."
This audacious project by China's richest man, Wang Jianlin, will see the Chinese city between Bejing and Shanghai take on Hollywood as a place to make films.
Wang is expecting to invest as much as 50 billion Yuan.. or around 8 billion US dollars in a record breaking site which would take the Chinese film and TV industry into a golden age.
 
 
Mumford and Sons to take a break
 
Now for some music news and UK folk group have announced plans to take "A considerable time off.
The band played the last gig of their tour in Kansas this weekend and afterwards keyboard player, Ben Lovett, revealed there would be "No more Mumford and Sons activities for the foreseeable future.
Mumford and Sons released their debut Album sigh no more in 2009 and followed it with last year's 'Babel' which debuted at Number one in both the UK and the US album charts.
The band have toured excessively to promote both albums including headline sets a Glastonbury and T-in-the-park in the UK this summer.
 
 
Changes to rules of Eurovision Song Contest to stop bribery
 
Now then back in 1974 Abba won the Eurovision song contest with this worldwide smash hit.
Any excuse to play a bit of Abba on the radio...
But in modern times the competition has been hit by controversy and allegations of corruption have forced organisers to make changes to the competition from next year.
From now on the names of each country's jury will be revealed ahead of the competition in a bid to increase openness and accountability.
Also for the first time international juror scores will be published immediately after the final.
The changes come after allegations that votes had been bought for the Azeri contestant at last year's competition.
 
 
That's it for this edition of the BJH
A quick recap of the headlines BEFORE WE GO...
The death toll from the ongoing siege of a high-end shopping mall by Islamic militants in Nairobi, Kenya has reached 69.
The death toll from the deadly suicide bombing outside a Christian church in Pakistan has reached 81.
Super Typhoon Usagi has been downgraded to a tropical depression after leaving a swatch of destruction across parts of southern China.
In Business，new analysis is suggesting Manufacturing activity here in China is picking up steam this month.