新闻纵贯线 The Beijing Hour updated 08:00 2013/10/28

The Beijing Hour
 
Morning Edition
 
 
Paul James with you on this Monday, October 28, 2013.
Welcome to the Beijing Hour, coming to you live from the Chinese capital.
Coming up on our program this morning...
Exit polling is showing the candidate backed by Georgia's billionaire prime minister has won that country's Presidential election.
A new report in a German newspaper is alleging US President Barack Obama has been aware of the NSA's spying on German Chancellor Angela Merkel for years.
The UK is bracing ahead of a nasty winter storm which is expected to bring traffic and power disruptions.
In Business.... China Construction Bank is reporting profits above 9-percent through the 3rd quarter.
In sports... Li Na has gone down to Serena Williams in the WTA finals in Istanbul.
In entertainment... Rapper Chris Brown has run a fowl of the law once-again.
First, let's check on what's happening on the weather front...
 
 
Weather
 
 
Beijing will be overcast today, with a high of 16 degree Celsius in the daytime, and it will see showers tonight with a low of 7.
In Shanghai, it will be sunny today, 23 the high, and it will be cloudy tonight, the low of 15 degrees Celsius.
Lhasa will be cloudy in the daytime the temperature's at 14, and tonight will sleet with a low of minus 1 degree Celsius.
Elsewhere in the world, staying in Asia
Islamabad, sunny, 28.
Kabul, sunny, with a high of 19.
And in North America
New York, overcast, with a high of 13 degrees.
Washington, sunny, highs of 16
Houston, thundershowers, 24.
Honolulu, moderate rain, 29.
Toronto, overcast, 8.
Finally, on to South America,
Buenos Aires, sunny, 21.
And Rio de Janeiro will be overcast with highs of 33 degrees Celsius.
 
 
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TIMECHECK
 
 
Top News
 
 
Exit poll indicates big win for candidate backed by PM
 
Exit polling is suggesting Giorgi Margvelashvili, the candidate backed by Georgia's billionaire prime minister, has won the presidential election.
The poll conducted by market research firm Growth from Knowledge suggests Margvelashvili has taken nearly two-thirds of the vote.
Vadim Volos is the Vice President of GfK.
"The exit poll estimate for the presidential vote by candidate is Margvelashvili 67 percent; Bakradze 20 percent; Burjanadze 8 percent; Natelashvili 2 percent; Targamadze one percent, Davitashvili one percent."
The Georgian Central Election Commission is still processing ballots from polling stations around the country.
The final results are expected to be released sometime later on this Monday.
If victorious, Margvelashvilli will become the fourth elected president of Georgia since it became an independent country following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.
The new president is expected to be sworn in on November 17th.
 
 
Madagascar's presidential vote transparent, peaceful: int'l observers
 
International observers are hailing the presidential voting in Madagascar as "transparent and peaceful."
Election observers with the African Union say the first round of voting in the election has gone off with very few problems.
There have been some complaints of people not being able to find their names on the voter rolls.
However, observers say incidents like this have been relatively limited.
The results of Friday's vote are expected to be released in around a week's time.
Some 33-candiates are vying for the Presidency of Madagascar.
If no candidate garners more than 50-percent of Friday's vote, a runoff between the top two candidates will be held.
 
 
Obama aware of spying on Merkel: German paper
 
A new report in a German newspaper is alleging US President Barack Obama has been aware of a telephone tap on German Chancellor Angela Merkel for the past 3-years, but has done nothing about it.
German newspaper Bild am Sonntag is quoting unnamed US intelligence sources are saying the US National Security Agency made Obama aware of a tap on Merkel's business cell phone and office phone in 2010.
The German government is already expressing anger following the allegations, which first came into light last week.
The White House has denied it's been spying on Merkel.
The allegations have created a lot of anti-US sentiment in Germany.
"On the one hand it is outrageous. But it also outrageous that it seems to have no serious consequences. That is the really frightening thing about it. It is obvious that a lot has happened that we don't know the details of. And one can speculate that there is a lot more information that became known, and was researched and obtained through spying - on all levels. "
The allegations in Germany come on the heels of revelations the NSA collected around 70-million French telephone conversations over the course of this past month.
This has prompted a move by the European Union to send representatives to Washington to try to clarify the situation.
At the same time, a European Parliament committee in Brussels has approved sweeping data protection rules that would strengthen online privacy.
The Obama administration does say its working on possible changes as to how it deals with its international surveilance programs.
 
 
Anti-surveillance activists hold rally outside US Congress
 
Anti-surveillance protesters have rallied outside the U.S. Capitol over the weekend to demand Congress investigate the National Security Agency's mass surveillance programs.
The protesters have been demonstrating with signs reading "Thank you, Edward Snowden" and "Read the constitution, not my e-mail."
"If we don't all rally together and speak out about it, the government's never going to take notice and continue to abuse."
"People are apathetic; people are not awake to this. Hopefully, today's action will go a little ways toward waking up America. Because the rest of the world is looking at us and saying, 'what are your people doing, why aren't your people speaking out, why aren't your people outraged, taking to the streets?'"
NSA surveillance is threatening to damage U.S. ties with a number of foreign countries, including Brazil, France and Germany.
Brazil says it's now working with other countries to draft a UN General Assembly resolution that would guarantee people's privacy in electronic communications.
 
 
Syria submits general plan of destructing its chemical weapons
 
Syria has submitted an initial plan for the destruction of its chemical weapons to the world's chemical weapons watchdog.
The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons says the plan is in line with the deadline of the middle of this coming year.
OPCW inspectors are also due to complete visiting the last four of the 23 weapons sites declared by Syria.
Under the UN resolution which has been established, Syria's chemical weapons production equipment must be destroyed by November 1st.
Syria's stockpiles are supposed to be destroyed by the middle of next year.
 
 
Bulgaria seeks EU aid to deal with influx of Syrian
 
New stats show the number of Syrians who have fled to neighboring Lebanon has exceeded 800 thousand.
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees says more than 713-thousand of the Syrian refugees in Lebanon have been registered.
The UN agency also says more than 8 thousand Syrian babies have been born in Lebanon over the past 3 years.
The parents of these children don't have access to proper identity cards, meaning the children don't have proper documentation to travel across borders.
Meanwhile Bulgaria, another destination for Syrian refugees, is seeking EU aid, saying its been innondated with a recent wave of Syrians in recent months.
Bulgaria expects to see some 20-thousand assyulm seekers by the end of the year.
Dr. Akram Nayouff, a Syrian immigrant in Bulgaria, is helping refugees adapt at a shelter in the capital, Sofia.
"Our meeting was mainly concentrated on the themes of Syrian and other refugees' rights. We told them that the Bulgarian state provides the rights as: protection and shelter, free education, free health care. We also wanted to clearly explain not only their rights but their obligations as well."
The Bulgarian government is looking for 6-million euros from the European Union to deal with the refugees.
Bulgaria is viewed as an interim stop for people trying to enter Europe.
Most of the refugees make their way into Bulgaria in an attempt to try to use the country a a conduit to make it to other destinations in Northern Europe.
The Syrian conflict has led to at least two million Syrians fleeing abroad.
Another 4.6 million are said to be internally displaced within Syria.
 
 
Iran parliament approves 2 nominees for ministerial posts, rejects 1
 
The conservative Iranian parliament has given approval to two out of three new cabinet appointments put forward by President Hassan Rouhani.
Iranian lawmakers have voted to endorse Rouhani's choice to become the next Education and Science and Technology ministers.
However, Rouhani's choice to be the minister of Sport and Youth has been rejected.
Iranian lawmakers have been critical of the candidate's political background.
The ministry of Sport and Youth is the last of the 18 Cabinet positions Rouhani has left to fill.
A majority of his cabinet was appointed and approved back in August, shortly after his election.
The approval of Rouhani's cabinet has been seen as a litmus test of how the mostly-conservative Iranian parliament is going to work with Rouhani, who is viewed as a moderate.
 
 
Bomb blasts before Indian opposition rally kill 5, injure dozens
 
A series of explosions have killed five people and injured dozens of others in Eastern India.
The explosions in the city of Patna have come just hours before a political rally for the main opposition's prime ministerial candidate.
As many as 6 home-made bombs have gone off in different parts of the city, including at the park where the rally was to be held.
So far one man is being detained in connection with the explosions.
Patna district police Chief Manu Maharaj.
"We have tightened security and an anti sabotage team is investigating what happened. There will be an enquiry."
The political rally in Patna took place as scheduled.
It's unclear at this point if the bombings were politically motivated.
Authorities are tracking a number of leads in a neighboring state in connection with the attacks.
 
 
UK braces for powerful storm tipped to be worst to hit country in decades
 
The UK is bracing for what is forecast to be the biggest storm to hit the island-nation in decades.
The storm, dubbed St. Jude, is bringing heavy rains and hurricane-force gusts to the southwest coast.
This is expected to create flooding and transportation disruptions.
British Prime Minister David Cameron has told government agencies to make sure contingency plans are in place for the country's transportation, schools and power systems.
Mark Douch is a forecaster with the UK Environment Agency.
"The south-westerly storms and high winds that we are going to get tonight are going to move a lot of that shingle along the coast line. So we've got our plant pre-positioned here in readiness for Monday morning - so should we need to, we are ready to react straight away to get the shingle back into the right position and get the sea defences shorn up to the right standard."
The storm is expected to move across the country and head out over the North Sea by Monday afternoon.
Ahead of the storm, Heathrow Airport has warned travelers to expect delays.
Rail networks have cancelled many trains preemptively up through Monday morning, citing the high risk of trees and other debris falling on the lines.
The storm is also expected to roll through the UK and begin blasting the Nordic countriers later on Monday afternoon.
 
 
At least 6 killed, 27 injured in bus crash in Peru
 
At least 6 people are dead and 27 others hurt after a bus crashed head-on with a truck near the capital, Lima.
Authorities say the driver of the bus was trying to pass another vehicle at the time of the head-one crash.
Thankfully for the survivors, the bus didn't plunge down a 100-meter deep ravine next to the accident site.
 
 
Cooperation between Taiwan, Shanghai FTZ proposed
 
The latest cross-Straits Economic, Trade and Culture Forum has wrapped up in Guangxi.
19 new joint proposals have been rolled out to deal with economic cooperation.
Participants in the forum are calling for cooperation between a pilot free economic area in Taiwan and the new Shanghai FTZ.
Sun Zhaolin is the deputy head of the Department of Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao Affairs with the Ministry of Commerce.
"The mainland and Taiwan could first reach a consensus on FTZ cooperation, and then further discuss detailed cooperation mode. Under the cross-Straits Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement, the two sides can initiate some major projects to form strategic alliance so as to jointly participate in global competition."
The two-day forum was held in the regional capital Nanning.
It included Politburo member Yu Zhengsheng and the honorary chair of the Kuomintang, Wu Poh-hsiung.
The forum was first established by KMT and CPC leaders in 2006.
 
 
Yihaodian to Offer More Choices of Imported Food
 
Anchor
With China forecast to become the world's largest consumer of imported food in the next 5-years, experts are warning people to be more cautious when it comes to buying food via the internet.
CRI's Xu Fei explains.
Reporter
Yhd.com sells more than 18,000 types of imported products on its website, 78 percent of which are imported foods, ranging from milk to wine and candy.
Yu Gang, Chairman of the Board, talked about the growth of Yihaodian's import business at an event celebrating Yihaodian's deepening strategic cooperation with other nations.
"Since the start of 2011, Yihaodian began to import commodities from overseas markets. After two years, Yihaodian has developed into China's largest online trader of imported food products. Take imported milk for example, Yihaodian imports over 70 brands of milk from 29 countries around the globe with daily sales volume in China reaching more than 10 containers."
The Shanghai-based business-to-customer firm recently announced that it would develop partnerships with trade commissions and agricultural organizations in the United States, Australia, South Korea, the United Kingdom, Italy and Spain.
The partnership with the six countries will allow Yhd.com, also known as Yihaodian, to gain more firsthand information about those countries' top-quality food brands and products and enable the company to set up direct contacts with suppliers there. This will help bring more food products to Chinese customers while avoiding the cumbersome middleman process.
As Chinese consumers develop a taste for international lifestyles, leading to a rise in the popularity of imported food in China, problems concerning labels, additives and the quality of imported food are also coming into the spotlight.
China's Xinhua News Agency reported earlier that the country's top quality supervisor found more than 300 batches of illegally imported food in August of 2013.
Jin Bangquan, a food expert with Nanjing Normal University suggests Chinese consumers should be cautious when selecting online shops where imported food can be purchased.
"Online shopping is sometimes inevitably risky. Online shoppers might know about online stores with a relatively high level of credibility where they feel safe to make purchases. I advise customers to be cautious particularly when they are about to buy baby formula."
Regarding the safety of imported food, Yihaodian's chairman Yu Gang thinks Yhd.com is regarded by experts as a safe website through which to buy imported food and he bases his self-confidence on the company's strict quality control efforts.
"We have a team around 50-members strong in charge of quality supervision and control. They work closely on asserting the qualifications of suppliers to evaluating the quality of commodities. In addition, because the guarantee period for food is usually pretty short, we've developed a special monitoring system related to the food guarantee period. When the guarantee period or sell-by date approaches, we receive an alarm, which reminds us to get it off the shelves and avoid any possible channels by which expired food could reach consumers."
China's National Bureau of Statistics said that sales of imported food amounted to 63 billion yuan in 2012, with an average annual growth of 15 percent over the previous five years.
For CRI, I'm Xu Fei.
 
 
Visitors pack Beijing's Fragrant Hills Park, causing traffic jams
 
More than 200-thousand tourists have flocked into Xiangshan, or Fragrant Hills, Beijing's northwestern mountains over the weekend, causing large traffic tie-ups at times.
The traffic around the park peaked in both the morning and late-afternoon on both Saturday and Sunday with people hoping to take-in the changing of the leaves.
(soundbite/1028 visitor, in Chinese)
"There were so many people that we couldn't move. So I gave up going to Fragarant Hills Park and went to the Botanical Garden for a change."
Park officials say around three-quarter of the leaves have begun turning.
Word of this drew well over 100-thousand people to the park on Saturday alone.
Xiangshan is famous in Beijing for its Maple trees, the leaves of which change from green into a stunning red during the fall.
 
 
Biz Reports
 
 
Anchor
Let's get a preview of what's happening in the business world this week.
Here's Hu Jia.
Reporter
Economists and traders will be very busy digesting tons of fresh information on the US economy this week.
This week's data release is heavier than usual because it contains reports that were postponed due to the government shutdown earlier this month.
Later on this Monday, US industrial Production data for September is due out.
Economists are projecting that production is likely to grow 0.4 percent.
Tuesday will see September retail sales and October Consumer Confidence index figures come out.
At teh same time, the market is also expecting a monthly budget statement on the same day.
And the Reserve Bank of India- the nations' central bank, will also make a decision Tuesday about its interest rates.
On Wednesday, the US Fed's Open Market Committee will meet to discuss monetary policy.
On Thursday, we'll see the initial U unemployment claims report for October.
Also on Thursday, Japan's central bank is exzpected provide an updated assessment of the nations' economy in its half year report.
On Friday, the Markit US PMI will be due out.
It is expected the reading is likely to register at 51.1 in October.
Meanwhile, China and India will publish the latest factory activity surveys.
In corporate news,
About 24 percent of the S&P's 500 companies will report their third-quarter earnings this week.
Apple is reporting later on this Monday.
Facebook is due to report on Wednesday.
And also on Wednesday, here in China, we'll see results from some of this country's biggest banks including ICBC, Bank of China and Agricultural Bank of China.
 
 
China Construction Bank 3Q profit up 9.4%
 
China Construction Bank is reporting its third-quarter net profit has risen 9.4 percent.
The state-run bank says it's made the profits on the back of high interest income and commission fees.
China Construction Bank is this country's second largest lender by assets.
Its total profits over the period have come in at 56.8-billion yuan.
Net interest income has increased 9.8 percent.
Income from commissions are up 14.5 percent through the 3rd quarter.
Construction Bank's net profits for the first nine months are up 11.6-percent to 176.5 billion yuan.
 
 
Call-in China unveils more market-oriented lending rate
 
Anchor
The central bank here in China has unveiled a new benchmark lending rate for commercial banks in a bid to try to further liberalize this country's interest rates.
The Loan Prime Rate is based on the lending rates reported each working day by 9 commercial banks designated by the People's Bank of China.
Five state-owned banks and 4 other domestic banks are included in the list.
Those banks will have to report lending rates for their best customers to the PBOC.
The central bank then will then use this to calculate the Loan Prime Rate.
In the initial stage, the PBOC will only release a one-year LPR to the public.
The one-year LPR for Friday stood at 5.71 percent, slightly lower than the current benchmark one-year lending rate of 6 percent.
For more on this,we're joined live now by Mike Bastin, Visiting Professor at China's University of International Economics and Business.
Questions:
1 What significance does this loosening move have particularly in the light of the interest rate marketization which has been captured the headlines for quite some time? Is this more of a token action or not?
2 Talking about demand and supply, how do you say the situation here in China in terms of bank lending? And we see the LPR stood below the appointed rate of 6 percent on its debut day (last Friday), how do you explain it?
--Even though the LPR registered under the benchmark level, can we simply think this is making borrowing money much easier?
3 And should we worry now that the new rate may consequently affect the housing loans fluctuation?
4 Do you think the move will accidentally force Chinese lenders to actually scrutinize and evaluate the credits and credentials of their clients when lending out?
How do you see the new gauge will erode the margin of big lenders?
Back Anchor
Mike Bastin, Visiting Professor at China's University of International Economics and Business.
 
 
China relaxes company registration requirements
 
Chinese authorities have decided to streamline this country's corporate registration system in an attempt to ease market access and encourage social investment.
According to a statement by the State Council, requirements for minimum registered capital for a limited liability company will be scrapped.
A system of subscribed capital will also be promoted in an effort to lower the cost of founding a company.
 
 
Sri Lanka opens second China funded highway
 
Sri Lankan authorities have opened a Chinese-funded airport highway.
The new 25.6 kilometer airport highway has been built with a loan of just under 250-million US dollars from the Export-Import Bank of China.
The China Metallurgical Group Corporation was the contractor.
The new expressway will reduce travel time between Sri Lanka's main international airport and downtown Columbo to just 20 minutes.
Sri Lanka is planning to build over 6 billion US dollars worth of infrastructure projects, which are expected to be mainly funded through Chinese loans.
 
 
JP Morgan settles for $5.1bn with US housing regulator
 
JP Morgan has reached a 5.1 billion US dollars settlement to deal with allegations its misled mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac with its mortgage products.
This is the biggest settlement ever agreed to by a US bank.
A separate settlement with the US Justice Department is expected to be announced soon.
As part of the agreement, JP Morgan will pay 4 billion US dollars to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to settle claims that it violated US securities law.
It will also pay the firms an additional 1.1 billion US dollars for misrepresenting the quality of its single-family mortgages.
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are the biggest mortgage lenders in the US.
They received 187-billion US dollars in aid to stay afloat during the financial collapse in 2008.
So far the firms have repaid 146 billion US dollars of it.
 
 
Spain to overhaul personal income tax - Treasury Minister
 
The Spanish government is planning to completely overhaul its personal income tax model in 2015.
The country's Treasury Minister says the changes will eliminate certian taxes ahead of the 2015 election.
Cristobal Montoro is being quoted as saying an exit from the recession has created the conditions for the changes to the personal income tax structure.
Tax revenues in Spain have dropped by some 66 billion US dollars since the country's economic downturn began six years ago.
The Bank of Spain estimates the country has emerged from its two-year recession in the third quarter.
The government expects the Spanish economy to grow at 0.7 percent this coming year.
 
 
German finance minister drops debt repayment goal - interview
 
Germany's Finance Minister has issued a new statement, saying his government is not going to borrowing more money or raise the country's taxes.
Wolfgang Schaeuble says Germany also plans to start paying off its debt starting in 2015.
Schaeuble says the goal is to cut Germany debt to GDP ratio to below 60 percent.
Currently that rate stands at around 80 percent.
Schaeuble has also signaled he would like to stay-on as finance minister in the new administration.
Media reports are suggesting the new German cabinet may be larger than the previous 16-member inner-circle.
 
 
McDonald's to stop serving Heinz ketchup
 
McDonald's has decided to end its relationship with Heinz ketchup after 40 years.
McDonalds will stop serving Heinz ketchup in its stores worldwide.
The decision comes after Bernardo Hees, the former head of McDonald's rival Burger King, took over as Heinz's chief executive.
The fast-food chain says its going to transfer its business to other ketchup suppliers.
McDonald's has 34-thousand restaurants around the world.
Bernardo Hees has taken over Heinz after the company was bought by Warren Buffett and Brazilian investment fund 3G Capital back in February.
Buffet and 3G Capital bought Heinz for some 28-billion US dollars.
 
 
Headline News
 
 
Exit poll indicates big win for candidate backed by PM
 
Exit polling is suggesting Giorgi Margvelashvili, the candidate backed by Georgia's billionaire prime minister, has won the presidential election.
The poll conducted by market research firm Growth from Knowledge suggests Margvelashvili has taken nearly two-thirds of the vote.
The Georgian Central Election Commission is still processing ballots from polling stations around the country.
The final results are expected to be released sometime later on this Monday.
If victorious, Margvelashvilli will become the fourth elected president of Georgia since it became an independent country following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.
The new president is expected to be sworn in on November 17th.
 
 
Obama aware of spying on Merkel: German paper
 
A new report in a German newspaper is alleging US President Barack Obama has been aware of a telephone tap on German Chancellor Angela Merkel for the past 3-years, but has done nothing about it.
The German government is already expressing anger following the allegations, which first came into light last week.
The White House denies that it's its been spying on Merkel.
The allegations in Germany come on the heels of revelations the NSA collected around 70-million French telephone conversations over the course of this past month.
This has prompted a move by the European Union to send representatives to Washington to try to clarify the situation.
The Obama administration does say its working on possible changes as to how it deals with its international surveillance programs.
 
 
Syria submits general plan of destructing its chemical weapons
 
Syria has submitted an initial plan for the destruction of its chemical weapons to the world's chemical weapons watchdog.
The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons says the plan is in line with the deadline of the middle of this coming year.
OPCW inspectors are also due to complete visiting the last four of the 23 weapons sites declared by Syria.
Under the UN resolution which has been established, Syria's chemical weapons production equipment must be destroyed by November 1st.
Syria's stockpiles are supposed to be destroyed by the middle of next year.
 
 
Indian police narrow down on perpetrators of bomb blasts
 
Indian police say they're narrowing down on the perpetrators behind a series of explosions which rocked the eastern city of Patna on Sunday.
The bombings have left 5 dead and over 80 others hurt.
Indian police say they've been conducting a series of raids in the state capital Jharkhand in eastern India based on the results of the initial investigation.
Indian police are holding one suspect who was spotted trying to escape after one of the explosions took place.
The bombings hit a railway station, a movie theatre and a field which is used for large-scale political rallies.
So far no group has claimed responsibility.
 
 
China relaxes company registration requirements
 
Chinese authorities have decided to streamline this country's corporate registration system in an attempt to ease market access and encourage social investment.
According to a statement by the State Council, requirements for minimum registered capital for a limited liability company will be scrapped.
A system of subscribed capital will also be promoted in an effort to lower the cost of founding a company.
 
 
Newspaper Picks
 
 
SOUTH CHINA METROPOLITAN DAILY
Headline
Guangzhou airport fire
Summary
A fire broke out inside the Baiyun Airport in Guangzhou yesterday.
An electronic display board reportedly short-circuited and sparked the fire.
The blaze burnt down a nearby clothing shop and delayed over 26 flights.
No injuries have been reported.
BEIJING TIMES
Headline
Li Na goes down in final
Summary
Li Na fell to Serena Williams yesterday in the WTA tennis final in Istanbul.
Despite she loss, this is the first time Li Na has made it to the WTA Championship final.
She will finish the year at a career-high World No.3.
SHANGHAI DAILY
Headline
Mayor pledges FTZ reforms
Summary
The Mayor of Shanghai, Yang Xiong, says the authorities will push for more liberalization of the Shanghai the free trade zone.
To attract more talent to the city, he is also pledged to keep a tight grip on housing prices.
GLOBAL TIMES
Headline
Company registrations relaxed
Summary
The State Council is moving to streamline the corporate registration system.
As part of the new rules, requirements for minimum registered capital will be scrapped.
The move is desgined to try to ease market access and encourage social investments.
BEIJING MORNING POST
Headline
Few red leaves, lots of trash
Summary
Over 100 thousand tourists poured through Xiangshan, or Fragrant Hills, on Saturday, setting a new record for the park.
However, many who turned up at the park in the western mountains of Beijing have complained that not as many leaves have turned red as they expected.
The massive amount of people, on the other hand, did produce a lot of trash.
CHINA DAILY
Headline
Pharmacies begin to sell baby formula
Summary
Five pharmacies in Beijing have started using a vending machine equipped with tracking systems to sell baby formula.
The powdered milk cost 10-percent less than at supermarkets.
The tracking system is designed to inform consumers directly if any quality problems are found.
Sales on the first day are said to have been sluggish.
DONGTUAN TIMES
Headline
Power available on trains
Summary
Starting during the Spring Festival of next year, air-conditioned trains will be equipped with power sockets.
This will allow passengers to finally be able to charge their electronic devices on the trains.
 
 
Special Reports
 
 
Science Behind China's Holiday Arrangement
 
Anchor:
The national holiday structure continues to come under scrutiny here in China.
A new survey by the China National Tourism Association has found a majority of people are dissatisfied with the current holiday rules.
To that end, CRI'S Zheng Chenguang spoke earlier with Cai Yibai, a member of the holiday system reform research group at Tsinghua University.
That's Cai Yibai, a member of the holiday system reform research group at Tsinghua University, speaking with CRI's Zheng Chenguang.
 
 
Sports
 
 
Serena Williams defeats Li Na to win at the WTA Championships
 
Yesterday in Istanbul, Serena Williams defeated China's Li Na to win her second straight WTA Championship title and wrap up her golden season in style.
Li Na was on track to win her first ever WTA Championship, and got off to a great start taking the first set 6-2. But the top-seeded American proved indomitable.
Williams rallied with a vengence, taking the second set 6-3, and the third 6-0.
But Li's championship run did bump her up to world number three, a career high ranking for China's top player.
Also, Hsieh Su-Wei and Peng Shuai claimed the doubles title, their ninth WTA title as a pair.
Over in the ATP,
Argentina's Juan Martin del Potro beat home favorite Roger Federer at the Swiss Indoors final.
"It means a lot to win this tournament once again, beating Roger in the big final once again. I'm so glad to win my first title in this season. I'm looking forward to my last two tournaments this year. I'm getting closer to the top."
Still, Federer has a good shot at securing his place in the ATP World Tour Finals in London next week.
And at the Valencia Open, Russia's Mikhail Youzhny upset defending champion David Ferrer in the final, 6-3, 7-5.
 
 
Cardinals lead world series 2-1 going into game 4
 
In major league baseball,
World Series play continues between the St. Louis Cardinals and Boston Red Sox.
The Cardinals lead the best-of-seven series 2-1, after a controversial 5-4 win on Saturday.
The sticky call came in the bottom of the ninth, when third base umpire Jim Joyce called obstruction on Boston's Will Middlebrooks for tripping Allen Craig on his way to homeplate.
"Allen had slid into third and stood up to attempt to go to home plate, everything was off right there. And when he tried to advance to home plate, the feet were up in the air, and he tripped over Middlebrooks right there, and immediately and instinctually I called obstruction."
The call allowed Craig to score with two outs left in the ninth, and that was enough to put the Cardinals up by one for the win.
Boston manager John Farrell was disappointed, but understood that the call would have been a conversation either way.
"Tough way to have a game end, particularly of this significance, when Will (Middlebrooks) is trying to dive inside to stop the throw. I don't know how he gets out of the way when he's lying on the ground. And when (Allen) Craig trips over him, I guess by the letter of the rule you could say it's obstruction. Like I said, that's a tough pill to swallow."
The Red Sox will have their chance to level the series back up, as the two teams meet for game 4 this morning.
 
 
Detroits beats Dallas Cowboys
 
In the NFL,
The Detroit Lions scored a last minute touchdown to beat the Dallas Cowboys 31-30. The Lions overturned a 10-point deficit and four turnovers in the fourth quarter alone to beat the cowboys.
The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Cleveland Browns 23-17, which means they remain the NFL's lone undefeated team.
And after a sluggish start, the New England Patriots came into the second half with renewed energy to score twice in the third and beat the Miami Dolphins 27-17.
 
 
Guangzhou Evergrande and FC Seoul draw 2-2 in opening leg of AFC Champions League final
 
Over the weekend in football,
Guangzhou Evergrande opened their final run for the AFC Champions League title with a 2-2 draw against FC Seoul in the South Korean capital.
The home side opened scoring in the eleventh minute, and then goalkeeper Kim Yong-dae thwarted Gao Lin's close-range equalizer attempt.
Guangzhou tied it up at the half hour mark with a nodder by Brazilian striker Elkeson, and then the Chinese side pulled ahead with a score by Gao Lin.
But FC Seoul managed to tie things up in the 83rd, ensuring that the two teams would meet on equal footing in the next round.
The return leg of the 2013 AFC Champions League will take place at Guangzhou Tianhe Stadium on November 9th.
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And in the English Premier Leauge,
Chelsea posted a last-minute victory over Manchester City yesterday.
The late goal was thanks to Fernando Torres, who capitalized on a defensive mix-up between Joe Hart and Matija Nastasic.
Man City manager Manuel Pellegrini appeared frustrated after losing his third straight away match, and refused to shake hands with opposing coach Jose Mourinho.
"We are losing stupid points, yes, from the beginning. I think the three defeats we had away we did not deserve not one of them. But the reality is that we have but we have time to arrange and we will try to arrange. For the other part, I think that I am very happy with how the team is playing everywhere. At home or away I think we have a way to play football. Today I think that in a very difficult stadium here playing away against a great team I think we have the control and we did a very good game also."
Chelsea takes all three points and moves up to second with that win.
 
 
Sebastian Vettel claims fourth consecutive drivers championship title
 
In formula One,
Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel sealed his fourth consecutive championship title yesterday, after winning the Indian Grand Prix.
"I'm speechless. I crossed the line. I was empty. I took ages to think of something to say and it's one of these moments where you wish to say so many things but you can't. So (it was) a phenomenal season. I think the team, the spirit inside the team, I said it that in the race it gives me so much power that it's a pleasure to jump in the car and go out for the guys and just try to give it all I have and the car was phenomenal today."
The only possible challenger on Sunday was Fernando Alonso, who needed a second place finish to keep the title alive.
But Alonso clipped Mark Webber on the very first lap, and the damage was enough to force him to make a repair stop. So the Spaniard ended up with an 11th place finish.
Vettel is the fourth man in history to win four titles in a row, alongside Juan Manuel Fangio, Alain Prost, and Michael Schumacher.
 
 
Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano wins at BMW Masters Shanghai
 
In golf,
Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano triumphed at the BMW Masters in Shanghai. The 33-year old Spaniard luckily had a three stroke lead at the final hole, because he double-bogeyed to end with a one shot victory.
At the Asia-Pacific Amateur championship, South Korean golfer Lee Chang-woo finished with a 1-under 70 to win by three over Japan's Shohei Hasegawa.
China's Dou Zecheng came in fourth, and defending champion Guan Tianlang finished in eighth.
And in the LPGA,
Suzann Pettersen carded a 3-under 69 to win her second consecutive Taiwan Sunrise championship.
 
 
Entertainment
 
 
Lou Reed dies at 71
 
(Lou Reed)
Legendary musician Lou Reed has passed away at the age of 71.
Perhaps best known as co-founder of the Velvet Underground, Reed was a defining voice of the swinging 60s with songs like "Venus in Furs" and "Waiting for my Man".
After leaving the band in 1970, Reed went on to have a wildly successful 4 decade long solo career.
News of Reed's death has caused a flood of tributes from the likes of David Bowie, Duran Duran and The Dandy Warhols.
 
 
Chris Brown charged with Assault
 
(Chris Brown)
Chris Brown was arrested early Sunday in Washington, D.C., after a fight broke out near the W Hotel.
This is the latest scandal on the 24 year old's colourful history of running with the law.
Police spokesman says that Brown was charged with felony assault in an incident that started just before 4:30 a.m in DC.
Another 35 year old suspect was also arrested at the scene and both are currently held in custody.
One man was injured in the fight and was taken to hospital.
(Rihanna)
Brown remains on probation for the beating of his then-girlfriend Rihanna whilst the pair were on route to th 2009 Grammy Awards.
His probation was revoked briefly earlier this year after a hit-and-run incident, for which he was given 1000 more hours of communuity service.
Other incidents including a fight with fellow RnB star Drake and a wrestle with singer Frank Ocean after Ocean allegedly took Brown's parking space at a LA recording studio.
(Frank Ocean)
Brown's probabtion now looks exceedingly likely to be revoked, which could spell out imprisonment for the Grammy winning singer.
Brown is due back in court Nov. 20 in Los Angeles to update a judge on his probation.
 
 
Kesha Councert banend in Malaysia
 
(Kesha)
US pop star Kesha will not be performing in Malaysia after all as local authorities banned a planned concert.
The "Tik Tok" singer was scheduled to play Kuala Lumpur over the weekend but local authorities had decided to pull the plug at the last minute.
Cultural and religious sensitivities were cited as the reasons for the decision.
This comes after the star modified her costume and lyrics in accordance with Malaysia's rules for performers.
The Muslim country requires female performers to cover up from at least the chest down to the knees.
Kesha took to Twitter to explain that she was willing to flout the rules and make sure the show goes on but was tolds that the show would be shut down anyways.
This is not the first time pop has caused a stir in Malaysia.
Beyonce backed out of an appearance in 2007 due to the strict rules whilst local promoters for the Pussycat Dolls were fined for allowing them to perform "suggestive" dance routines.
 
 
Jamie Foxx copies Diddy for Annie remake
 
(Jamie Foxx)
Speaking about his upcoming film adaptation of the classic stage musical Annie, Jamie Foxx has revealed that he based his character on Sean Diddy Combs.
Foxx plays the billionaire Benjamin Stacks who adopts the titular orphan.
The film also stars Cameron Diaz as Miss Hannigan
Speaking on a US talk show, Foxx describes his character as juggling a career as a telecommunications mogul whilst running for mayor.
Asked about research, Foxx says that frankly all he had to do was copy Sean Diddy Combs, formnerly known as "Puff Daddy".
(Diddy)
A Grammy winning artist, Combs also represented the likes of The Notorious BIG under his record label Bad Boy and has been running his own fashion label since the late 90s.
The film is produced by Jay Z, Will Smith and wife Jada Pinkett and is currently filming in New York City.
 
 
Major Circus event opens in Hebei
 
An International Circus Event has opened in China's Hebei.
Hundreds of performers from the US, Russia, Germany and many other countries have gathered for the 14th China Wuqiao International Circus festival in the provincial capital of Shijiazhuang.
Aside from competitions, the 9 day event also features 30 public performances during the nine day festivities.
This year the bill boasts acrobatic artists from 19 countries.
Since beginning in 1987, the event has been held every other year and is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious circus themed competitions in the world.
 
 
 
That's all we have time for on the show as well.
Recapping our top headlines....
Exit polling is showing the candidate backed by Georgia's billionaire prime minister has won that country's Presidental election.
A new report in a German newspaper is alleging US President Barack Obama has been aware of the NSA's spying on German Chancellor Angela Merkel for years.
The UK is bracing ahead of a nasty winter storm which is expected to bring traffic and power disruptions.
In Business.... China Construction Bank is reporting profits above 9-percent through the 3rd quarter.
On behalf of the Beijing Hour staffers, this is Paul James in Beijing, hoping you'll join us for our next edition of the Beijing Hour to open a window to the world together!