The Beijing Hour
Evening Edition
Paul James with you this Friday, May 9, 2014.
Welcome to the Beijing Hour, coming to you live from the Chinese capital.
Coming up on the programme this evening...
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang is now in Angola for the 3rd leg of his 4-nation African tour.
Demonstrations have broken out again in Bangkok on the heels of the indictment of ousted Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.
NATO says its seeing no signs of troop withdrawls along Ukraine's border with Russia, despite a pledge by Vladimir Putin that its happening.
In business, inflation has slowed down significantly here in China through April.
In sports, Li Na back in action in the Quarter-Finals of the Madrid Open.
In entertainment, American superstar Justin Timberlake is set to make an appearance here in Beijing next month.
Weather
Beijing will be overcast tonight with a low of 15 degrees Celsius. showers tomorrow with a high of 20 degrees.
Meanwhile Shanghai will have light rain tonight, with a low of 17, light rain will continue tomorrow, with a high of 22.
Chongqing will have moderate rain, 19 degrees the low, showers tomorrow with a high of 21.
Elsewhere in the world, staying in Asia
Islamabad, mostly sunny with a high of 35.
Kabul, showers, 23.
Over in Australia
Sydney, overcast, high of 23.
Canberra, rainy, 14.
Brisbane, overcast, 24.
And finally, Perth will also be rainy with a high of 21
Top News
Li Keqiang emphasizes inclusive development between China and Africa
Anchor:
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang is now in Angola for the 3rd leg of his current African tour after attending the World Economic Forum on Africa in Nigeria.
Speaking at that forum, Li Keqiang says the rise of Africa is conducive to world peace.
CRI's Xie Zhao has more.
Report:
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has described the rise of Africa as a new pole for the world.
He also says cooperation between China and Africa has created the largest inclusive growth in the world.
"Inclusive growth has become a widely-accepted development concept. Employment and fairness, as well as balanced development, is inclusive growth. Balanced development between countries and regions is also part of inclusive growth. The population of China and African countries totals more than 2.4-billion. If our peoples can enjoy well-being, it will definitely promote balanced development in the world.
When it comes to African development, Li Keqiang says the priority needs to be developing infrastructure, particularly in transportation.
"China will continue to prioritize infrastructure construction to promote the interconnection of the African continent. After talking with African leaders, I think we have three main areas where we can cooperate. One is Africa's high-speed railway network. A second is Africa's highway network and the third is Africa's regional aviation network."
Li Keqiang has also told the World Economic Forum on Africa that China is going to provide more funding, manpower and financial assistance to the continent.
"Although China is still a developing country, it has become a major world economy. China will consistently expand its scale of assistance for Africa and improve the quality of its assistance. More than half of China's overseas assistance will go to Africa. I also want to reiterate that China will never attach political conditions to its assistance to Africa and will never use its aid programs to interfere in the internal affairs of African countries."
The Chinese Premier has also told the crowd in Abuja that China still has a solid economy, despite the current slowdown.
Diana Layfield, Regional CEO at Standard Chartered Bank in Africa, says she likes what she heard from Li Keqiang's speech.
"I thought it was excellent. I thought it was a very thoughtful review of China's new approach to Africa. I think for all of the seating audiences from the region, it was I think, the beginning of the next exciting new chapter in relationship between China and Africa."
Li Keqiang is set to wrap up his 4-nation African tour in Kenya this weekend.
For CRI, I'm Xie Zhao.
Chinese premier eyes stronger consular protection for overseas citizens
As part of Li Keqiang's time in Angola, the Premier has attended a seminar made up of over 40-companies operating in the country.
Li Keqiang has briefed the group on the Chinese government's new plan to set up a global emergency call-center to help expat Chinese nationals.
He says with more and more Chinese nationals going abroad, consular protection is becoming a bigger concern.
At the same time, Li Keqiang has told the Chinese business representatives they need to follow a principle of mutual benefit and operate their businesses in accordance with local laws and customs.
Thai protesters take to streets following indictment of Yingluck
Opposition protesters in Thailand have once-again taken to the streets in what they're describing as a final push to topple the interim government ahead of July's election.
Protesters in Bangkok have launched several marches on government buildings and media outlets.
A number of protesters have been injured after police fired tear gas to try to disperse the crowds at one of the protest sites.
Protest leaders are also demanding an audience with the country's interim Prime Minister or any member of the caretaker cabinet.
The renewal of protests follows an indictment against ousted Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra by the country's Anti-Graft Commission connected to her controversial rice subsidy program.
Commission member Vicha Mahakun.
"(The NACC) has voted 7-0 that there are grounds that the defendant had intentionally used her authority against Article 178 of the Constitution and intentionally used her power against the law that could lead to her impeachment."
If impeached, Yingluck would be barred from Thai politics for five years.
As a flagship policy of Yingluck's administration, the rice subsidy programme helped her win the votes of millions of farmers.
However, it accumulated losses of at least 4.4 billion US dollars and has been dogged by corruption allegations.
The indictment came just a day after the Constitutional Court ousted Yingluck and nine Cabinet members for abuse of power.
Fogh Rasmussen says no sign of Russian troops being withdrawn
NATO is calling out Russian President Vladimir Putin on statements he's been making about his forces near Ukraine.
NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen says the alliance "has not seen any indication" that Russia is withdrawing its troops from the Ukrainian border.
"While we have noted the Russian statement that they have started to withdraw troops, so far we haven't seen any indications that they are pulling back their troops. Let me assure you, that if we get visible evidence that they are actually pulling back their troops I would be the very first to welcome it."
Russian President Vladimir Putin is on-record this week saying Russian troops have been sent back to their training grounds and locations for "regular exercises."
But he has not specified whether those locations are close to Russia's border with Ukraine.
Russia has had about 40-thousand troops positioned on Ukraine's border for several weeks.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian authorities are calling for the creation of a "round table" to resolve the conflict in the country.
The proposal calls for the involvement of political forces and civil groups from all regions, as well as help from international mediators.
Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Eugene Perebiynis.
"The pledge to solve the situation caused by Russian aggression against Ukraine requires the immediate fulfillment of three key conditions. They are the de-escalation of conflict, the introduction of a nationwide Ukrainian dialogue and the holding of the election on 25 May."
The pledge comes as pro-Russian protesters in eastern Ukraine continue with plans to hold an independence referendum on Sunday, despite a call from Russian President Vladimir Putin to delay it.
Syrian government retakes control of Old City of Homs
Anchor:
Syrian officials are anticipating the so-called 'Old City' of Homs will soon be "clear and free," as rebel forces continue to withdraw after holding it for some three years.
CRI's Alexander Aucott has more.
Reporter:
Around 1,500 rebel fighters and their relatives have boarded buses and left the Old City since Wednesday.
They have moved to rebel-held territory outside the city under a deal between the insurgents and government troops.
Homs provincial governor Talal Barazis says efforts continue to completely free the city of arms.
"We continue the procedures we started yesterday and in the upcoming hours we will finish this issue completely and all neighbourhoods will be free of arms and fighters."
Government forces have now taken full control of the heart of Homs, but the evacuation will continue today to transfer another 280 fighters out of the city.
After the full evacuation, the entire city of Homs will be under government control except the al-Waer neighborhood, whose rebels have rejected calls to join the deal.
The city will be swept for explosives after the army moves in fully later today.
Homs, Syria's third largest city, was one of the first to sympathize with the anti-government movement in the country.
The country's president has in the past referred to Homs as the "capital" of the revolt.
Much of the province fell to the opposition in 2011, but government troops have regained control after besieging the Old City for two years.
Fully securing Homs is crucial for the government ahead of presidential elections in June, as the takeover connects the capital Damascus with central and northern regions.
The latest development follows a meeting in Washington, DC between U.S Secretary of State John Kerry and Syrian opposition leader Ahmad Jarba.
Kerry says the U.S. has demonstrated a growing partnership with the coalition.
The U.S also plans a 27 million dollar increase in non-lethal assistance to the opposition.
Syria's government forces now control most of the capital Damascus, while rebels control much of the desert in the north and east. The country's largest city, Aleppo, in the northwest, is contested.
Earlier, a rebel-claimed bombing in Aleppo leveled a hotel that government troops used as a military base.
The ongoing fighting has also hampered the removal of the remaining chemical weapons in the country.
Sigrid Kaag, the head of the UN mission charged with destroying Syria's chemical weapons, says the last 16 containers of chemical agents are in an area which is not accessible due to fighting.
"In terms of chemical weapons removal for onward destruction, including destruction in the country, we've reached significant progress 92 percent. However, there is concern, and that we have also expressed as a joint mission, that the remaining eight percent is currently inaccessible due to the security conditions in the country."
Kaag urges countries with influence on the armed groups in Syria to ensure unfettered access to remove the remaining chemicals.
More than 150,000 people have died in the three-year old Syrian conflict and about one third of the country's population has been displaced.
For CRI, I'm Alexander Aucott .
UN to send high-level envoy to Abuja to tackling "internal challenges"
The United Nations is sending a high-level envoy to Nigeria to talk about ways the UN can help the Nigerian government tackle the country's "internal challenges."
UN spokesperson Farhan Haq says Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has accepted U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon's offer of support.
"The basic terms of what this representative would do are still being worked on. Ultimately, it would include ways of strengthening cooperation on issues of counter-terrorism and on issues of human rights, but beyond that it's a work in progress."
More than 300 Nigerian school girls have been kidnapped over the past month by the militant group Boko Haram, which is threatening to sell them into slavery as wives or concubines.
The kidnappings have sparked anger against the Nigerian government, with many believing its not doing enough to stop the militant movement in the country's northeast.
Outrage over the situation has also brought protesters onto the streets.
Boko Haram has killed more than 15-hundred people so far this year as part of its campaign to have Sharia Law enshrined in the Nigerian constitution.
The 170-million people living in Nigeria are divided between a predominantly Muslim north and a Christian south.
Indian president not to cast vote in general elections
Adding to speculation India's current election could end up with a hung-parliament, the country's President has opted not to cast a ballot.
Pranab Mukherjee is registered to vote in the last phase of the 9-phase general election, which is slated to be held on Monday.
He was originally planning to mail in a ballot.
However, he's since opted not to cast a vote.
While officially the President of India is the Head of State, the position is largely ceremonial.
But he does have the ability to intervene in the make-up of the government if a parliamentary majority can't be formed.
Most polling is suggesting the opposition is headed toward a narrow victory over the incumbent Nehru-Ghandi camp.
PIK on Water Safety
Anchor:
Water supplies were cut off today in the city of Jingjiang in Jiangsu after a strange odor was detected in the city's drinking water source, the Yangtze River.
The taps have since been turned on now that water is being sourced from backup supplies.
Testing is currently underway to discover what caused the odor.
This incident in Jingjiang is the latest in a string of water-quality problems which have hit Chinese cities this year.
Panic buying of bottled water hit Gansu's capital Lanzhou last month after excessive benzene levels were discovered in the city's tap water.
For more on issues connected to water quality, CRI's Zheng Chenguang spoke earlier to Jim Salzman, professor of Environmental Policy at Duke University in the United States.
…
Jim Salzman, professor of Environmental Policy at Duke University in the United States, speaking with CRI's Zheng Chenguang.
Biz Reports
Stocks
Asian stocks remained relatively flat this Friday, though some were bolstered by positive growth prospects of certain industries.
Concerns about Ukraine have also kept investors on edge.
Here on the Chinese mainland, both the benchmark Shanghai Composite and the Shenzhen Component Indexes ended slightly lower.
But in Hong Kong, the Hang Seng index gained some territory helped by the rise in the lottery industry.
In Japan, the Nikkei ended a quarter-of-a-percent higher.
South Korea's KOSPI rose a third-of-a-percent.
The Straits Times in Singapore rose slightly one tenth of a percent
But Australia's ASX lost nearly a third-of-a-percent, as local investors turned cautious ahead of next week’s Federal Budget
China's CPI rises 1.8% in April
Consumer prices here in China have increased at a slower pace in April, with the cost of fresh vegetables and pork both coming down.
The Consumer Price Index has increased 1.8 percent year-on-year last month.
This is down from the 2.4-percent growth seen in March.
The National Bureau of Statistics says slower increases in food prices are the main factor bringing down the CPI.
The price of pork, a staple here in China, was down over 7-percent.
Fresh vegetable prices decreased nearly 8-percent.
Meanwhile, the producer price index, which measures inflation at wholesale level, has contracted 2-percent year on year in April.
This follows a 2.3-percent decline in March.
China levies anti-dumping duties on pipes
Chinese authorities are set to impose anti-dumping duties on certain alloy-steel seamless pipes imported from the European Union and the United States.
The year-long levies will begin tomorrow.
The Ministry of Commerce says the duties will range between 13 and 14 percent.
Similar pipes from Japan are also involved in the probe.
However, no anti-dumping measures will be levied on them due to the small amount imported here in China.
China to cut gas price
The retail price of gasoline and diesel is coming down here in China starting from tomorrow.
The National Development and Reform Commission is reducing the pump-price of both gas and diesel by 0.04-yuan per liter.
The cut is the smallest since the Chinese government introduced the sliding gasoline pricing system in 2009.
Corporate news of the week
Anchor:
It's been another busy week in the corporate world here in China, with news surrounding Alipay's Yu'e'bao investment platform and issues about the profitability of online travel booking website Ctrip making headlines.
CRI's Shane Bigham talked about these stories with Doug Young, associate professor at Fudan University and former China company news chief at Reuters.
…
Doug Young, associate professor at Fudan University and former China company news chief at Reuters, speaking with CRI's Shane Bigham.
Property tracking system launched in China
China's land watchdog is planning to set up a unified real estate registration bureau.
The Ministry of Land and Resources says the bureau will supervise the registration of real estate across the country, including housing, forests and grasslands.
The system is expected to be operational by 2016.
Observers say a national system to track property ownership is meant to try to stop people from skirting property ownership rules.
It should also help pave the way for levying property taxes across the country.
S.Korea freezes interest rates at 2.5 percent
South Korea's central bank has decided to leave its key interest rate unchanged at 2.5 percent.
The Bank of Korea has now been maintaining its wait-and-see stance for 12 straight months.
BOK Governor Lee Ju-yeol says the decision to hold the rate steady is because they haven't seen any factors which might prompt them to either hike or cut interest rates.
The move to hold the interest rate steady has been expected by most observers.
South Korean interest rates have been anchored at 2.5-percent since May of last year, when the central bank lowered borrowing costs by 25-basis points.
S.Korea to frontload 7.6 bln USD to boost ferry-hit consumption
The South Korean government is planning to inject 7.6 billion U.S. dollars into the economy in the second quarter.
The move comes amid signs of weakening private consumption following the ferry disaster.
World's largest oil trade show concludes with heavy Chinese presence
The world's largest oil trade show has come to a conclusion in Houston, Texas.
This year's Offshore Technology Conference has seen a record high number of people taking part, including a heavy Chinese presence.
The annual conference has attracted over 100-thousand people from 43 countries and regions.
More than 100 Chinese companies were represented at this year's Conference.
This year's session has focused on technology connected to deep-water drilling.
Headline News
Chinese premier eyes stronger consular protection for overseas citizens
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang is now in Angola as part of the 3rd leg of his 4-nation African tour.
As part of his time there, Li Keqiang has briefed the group on the Chinese government's new plan to set up a global emergency call-center to help expat Chinese nationals.
He says with more and more Chinese nationals going abroad, consular protection is becoming a bigger concern.
Li Keqiang arrived in Angola on Thursday after attending the World Economic Forum on Africa in Nigeria.
South Sudan leader sets off for talks with rival
South Sudan President Salva Kiir is heading for Ethiopia to hold direct talks with rebel leader and former vice-President Riek Machar.
It will be the first face-to-face meeting between the two since the violence in South Sudan broke out in December after Kiir accused Machar of plotting a coup.
Machar has already arrived in Addis Ababa.
The two sides signed a peace deal in January.
However, it has failed to bring an end to the violence which has left thousands dead and more than one million homeless.
2 killed, 40 injured in 5.0 magnitude quake in South Pakistan
At least two people are dead following an earthquake in southern Pakistan.
Around 40 others have been hurt, after the 5.0-magnitude quake shook loose the roofs of several buildings in a populated region about 200-kilometers northeast of Karachi.
Medical officials are warning the death toll may rise as several of the injured are in critical condition.
While a 5.0-magnitude earthquake is considered moderate, it struck at a shallow depth of just 10-kilometers, intensifying the shaking.
13 killed as train rams jeep in N. India
Thirteen people have been killed after a train crashed into a jeep at an unmanned railway crossing in northern India.
The jeep was carrying 16 people returning from a wedding party in the state of Uttar Pradesh.
Three others in the jeep managed to survive.
However, one of them is suffering serious injuries.
Russia celebrates Victory Day
Victory Day is being celebrated today across Russia and other countries within the former Soviet Union.
In the Russian far east city of Vladivostok, a military parade made up of some 15-hundred military personnel has taken place.
Similar events have been held across Russia and other former Soviet satellite states, including Ukraine.
May 9th is known as Victory Day in Russia and other former Soviet countries.
This is when the former Soviet Union declared victory over Germany in 1945.
Berlusconi to begin community service for tax fraud
Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is set to begin a year of community service at a care home near Milan.
Berlusconi's original sentence of four years in prison for tax fraud was commuted to four hours of work a week with elderly dementia patients.
Berlusconi has been studying Alzheimer's disease in preparation for his community service.
The billionaire has been embroiled in string of legal problems for the last few years.
Newspaper Picks
China News Service
"Beijing 'circle' installs earthquake early warning system"
As of Wednesday, people in China's capital circle will be alerted seven seconds before an impending earthquake takes place through mobile apps, social media and television.
The system covers a quake-prone area of over 50,000 square miles including Beijing, Tianjin and cities in Hebei and Shanxi provinces.
The system could save lives and reduce property damage. Time saved can be used to alert people to seek safety, slow down trains before rails break, or stop elevators and let people out.
Xinhua
"Antibiotics in surface water pose 'indirect health risk'"
A recent review of research has found high levels of antibiotics are polluting China's surface water, posing risks to the ecosystem and human health.
The review was done by six researchers from East China University of Science and Technology, Tongji University and Tsinghua University
According to the review, 159 types of pharmaceuticals and personal-care products have been discovered in the country's water, 68 of which are antibiotics.
The review said the detection frequency of some antibiotics even reached 100 percent in several main rivers, such as the Pearl River in southern China and the Huangpu River in eastern China.
The concentration and detection of antibiotics far exceeds those in Western countries.
Concentrations sometimes hit hundreds of nanograms per liter, while figures in developed countries are below 20 nanograms per liter.
The Independent
"Nagging could drive men to an early grave, study suggests"
People who are frequently nagged and put upon by family and friends are more likely to die during middle age – and men are most at risk.
A new research shows individuals who regularly experience stress in their relationships with their partner, children, family, friends or neighbours are two to three times more likely to die prematurely.
The study was carried out by scientists at the University of Copenhagen.
It also found that unemployed men are most at risk of going to an early grave.
Men are thought to be more significantly affected as they tend to keep problems bottled up and have weaker support networks than women.
Scientists studied data from some 10,000 men and women between the ages of 36 and 52.
It was found that people who had reported frequent worries and demands from a partner of had a 50-100 per cent increased mortality risk.
Sky News Australia
"Japanese man arrested over printed guns"
In a world first, a Japanese man has been arrested for possession of 3D printed firearms.
27 year old Yoshitomo Imura, was arrested in Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan for possession of 5 3D printed firearms, two of which had the ability to be loaded with live metal ammunition.
Police also recovered a 3D printer from Imura's home, which is believed to have been used to produce these weapons.
Plans for the 3D printing of guns are available free of charge on numerous internet sites and the legislation required to maintain safety is yet to be created.
Special Reports
Outdoor barbecue banned in Beijing
Anchor:
With summer on its way here in the capital, people are expressing mixed reactions to a new ban on outdoor barbeques.
CRI's Li Dong has more.
Reporter:
The Beijing Commission of Commerce says the move is part of authorities' latest efforts to improve environmental and food hygiene standards. In addition to improving food safety, the ban is aimed at reducing air pollution in the capital.
Although barbecued food is tasty, cooking it does produce a bit of pollution. With Beijing grappling to clear its skies of persistent dense smog, it has paid attention on barbecue fumes within the city.
Residents have mixed opinions on the measure.
"Barbecue pollutes the environment and air. It gives out a lot of smoke."
"It's ridiculous for the government to leave the polluting industries alone, while blaming outdoor barbecues for the hazy days."
Under the new regulation, barbecues in the open will be banned throughout the city. All outdoor food outlets should also be equipped with water, drainage and power facilities and be at least 25 meters from places like outdoor dumpsites, cesspools and toilets. Businesses that do not obey the rule could be fined up to 20,000 yuan and may have their equipment confiscated.
The ban also stipulates that food such as soybeans and peanuts should be cooked and served warm to avoid unhygienic practices. The same applies to meat dishes.
However, some people are really missing eating barbecue outside as an important part of life in Beijing.
"It comes with the summer. Who wants to have barbecue outside in winter! It's weird to have some dishes served hot in the intense summer heat. You cannot restrict people's eating preferences."
"Barbecue is convenient. I can have something to eat rather than cooking by myself when I finish my night shift."
Beijing banned outdoor barbecues way back in 2000. But there were still many barbecue stalls around the city over the past years. Law enforcers agree that one of the biggest difficulties in banning outdoor barbecue will come from customers. Some say the effective way to deal with the issue might be for the environmental authority to inform and convince the public, how much they'll contribute to cleaning up the air if they give up barbecuing outdoors.
For CRI, I am Li Dong.
Sports
Serena Williams withdraw from Madrid Open
In tennis,
The quarterfinals are underway at the Madrid Open.
Top ranked Serena Williams has withdrawn from her match against Petra Kvitova.
It's still not clear why Williams has pulled out of the tournament.
Williams earned her 650th career victory and a spot in the quarters with a 6-2, 6-3 win over Carla Suarez Navarro last night.
Chinese ace Li Na is in action today in the quarter-finals against Russian Maria Sharapova.
In yesterday's third round action,
Simona Halep of Romania managed to set up a quarter final against Ana Ivanovic after she upset Sabine Lisicki 5-7, 6-3, 6-2.
Also through are Agnieszka Radwanska and Caroline Garcia.
On the Men's side,
Seventh seed Andy Murray has been given an early exit from Madrid after being overwhelmed 6-3, 6-2 by qualifier Santiago Giraldo.
Murray admits he didn't expect to be eliminated this quickly:
"I didn't envisage the match finishing like that. You obviously go into most matches believing you can win and looking for a positive and yeah, to lose with, with that scoreline is just disappointing."
Giraldo next faces Spain's Roberto Bautista Agut, who beat Poland's Lukasz Kubot 6-4, 6-2.
Fifth seed David Ferrer is into the quarter-finals with a straight sets victory over American John Isner 6-4, 6-4.
Miami tops Nets in Game 2, 94-82
In the NBA playoffs,
The Miami Heat have taken a 2-nothing series lead in their Eastern Conference semi-final after dumping the Brooklyn Nets 94-82 this morning.
LeBron James led the heat with 22 points.
The Nets' Mirza Teletovic set a club playoff record with six 3-pointers in the loss.
Game 3 is Saturday night in Brooklyn.
The San Antonio Spurs also have a 2-nothing series lead in their Western conference semi-final after cruising to 114-97 victory this morning over the Portland Trail Blazers.
The Spurs' Tony Parker recorded a double-double with 16 points and 10 assists.
Nicolas Batum led the Trail Blazers with 21-points.
The Trail Blazers came into the match a bit rattled this morning.
A 3-foot rattle snake was discovered in their locker room a couple of hours before tip-off!
The series now shifts to rattle snake-free Portland on Saturday.
In NBA offcourt news,
The Los Angeles Clippers' Jamal Crawford has been given this year's Sixth Man Award as the league's best player in a reserve role.
Crawford came off the bench in 45 of the 69 games he appeared in, leading NBA reserves in scoring - averaging 18.6 points per game.
Selanne leads Duck past Kings 3-2, back in series
In the NHL playoffs,
The Anaheim Ducks have managed to work their way back into their 2nd round series, downing the Los Angeles Kings 3-2 this morning to trim LA's series lead to 2-1.
With the win, Anaheim has snapped the Kings' six-game postseason winning streak.
The Ducks' starting keeper Frederik Andersen left midway through the 3rd period with a right leg injury.
Jonas Hiller turned aside 7 shots in the final 10-minutes to secure the victory.
Game 4 is Saturday night at Staples Center in Los Angeles.
The Boston Bruins have evened their 2nd round series with Montreal after a 1-nothing overtime win this morning.
Mark Fraser, making his NHL playoff debut, scored the O-T winner in a goal-mouth scramble.
The rookie was just called up to the team from the minor-leagues the night before.
The series now shifts back to Boston for Game 5 on Saturday night.
Martin Kaymer shoots 63 to seize PGA Players lead
In golf,
Germany's Martin Kaymer birdied his last four holes to shoot a record-tying 9-under par 63 in the first round of the PGA Players Championships.
Kaymer sits two strokes clear of American Russell Henley.
South Korean Bae Sang-Moon is 3-back at minus-6.
Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy struggled on the back-9 to card an opening round 70.
British Open champion Phil Mickelson shot a disappointing 75.
Australian world number two Adam Scott, who has the chance to take over the top spot in the PGA rankings from the absent Tiger Woods, fared even worse with an opening-round 77.
Mourinho fined for mocking referee
Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho has been fined just under 17-thousand U.S. dollars by the English Football Association after making inappropriate comments about a match official.
Mourinho sarcastically described referee Mike Dean's performance as "unbelievable" and "fantastic" after his side lost 2-1 to Sunderland in an April 19th Premier League match.
The FA says while Mourinho's comments did not question the officials' integrity, they did amount to disrepute and improper conduct.
On the pitch, all eyes will be on Manchester on Sunday for the final match of the season in the Premiership.
Man City is at home to West Ham United on Sunday with a chance to secure this season's title.
City is currently 2-points clear of Liverpool for the top of the table, and will require at least a draw to secure the Premiership.
However, a loss by Man City and a Liverpool victory at home to New Castle on Sunday would lift Liverpool to the title.
All the matches will get underway at 10pm Sunday evening here in China.
Houston Texans select South Carolina's Clowney as the first pick of the NFL draft
In NFL football news,
The Houston Texans have made South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney the first pick in this year's NFL draft.
The 21-year old, who stands 6-foot-6 and 266 pounds, brings size, speed and power to a Texans lineup that already has 2012 NFL Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt.
But Clowney's work ethic has been questioned after he recorded only 3-sacks this past season after making 13 the year before.
Critics argue Clowney was protecting himself from injury in his junior year before declaring early for the draft.
Clowney becomes the first defensive player taken first overall since Houston selected another end, Mario Williams, in 2006.
Entertainment
Weekly TV Series Promotion by Tencent
First off is our weekly TV series recommendation from Tencent Video we bring you every Friday evening.
This week, we're introducing you to some hit South Korean dramas.
Our first highlight is "Big Man" starring Kang Ji-hwan and Lee Da-hee.
The story centers around a man living a so-called "third-class life".
The main character has a dream of owning his own restaurant, and seeks love and happiness despite a childhood trauma.
The dark drama is updated on Tuesday and Wednesday on Tencent Video.
Another popular Korean drama is "Triangle."
It's the story of three brothers who are separated at a young age after their parents are killed in an accident.
They meet again twenty years later, but find themselves at odds with one-another.
And our last recommendation is "You're All Surrounded", or "Ni men bei bao wei le" in Chinese.
This drama tells the story of four rookie detectives at a police station in Seoul's upscale Gangnam district.
You can watch these shows at v.qq.com under the 'Television Series' tab.
Chinese studio aims high in Hollywood partnership
Huayi Brothers, one of China's most established private film studios, has announced to invest up to 150 million U.S. dollars in the Hollywood's Studio 8.
The production giant has also announced plans to produce 32 movies this year and next, including "Mortdecai" starring Johnny Depp.
Other big names being courted to take part in the Huayi brothers films include Brad Pitt, Jackie Chan, and Hong Kong film director Hark Tsui.
Huayi Chair Wang Zhongjun says the studio hopes to gross 10 billion yuan, or around 1.6 billion US dollars, at the box office in the next two years.
Leehom invites Timberlake to Beijing
Fans of Justin Timberlake here in China may have a chance to see him in person!
Chinese pop star Wang Leehom is inviting Timberlake to be a guest on Wang's "Music-Man II, Fired Up" world tour.
Timberlake has reportedly agreed to show up at Leehom's Beijing show on June 14th at the Bird's Nest.
A release from Timberlake's publicist says "Timberlake and Wang share many similarities in their respective markets."
Both are actors, songwriters and musicians.
'Edge of Tomorrow' Director Announces Its Release Date in China
American film director Doug Liman has announced his new film "Edge of Tomorrow" will hit Chinese theatres on June 6th.
Liman has made the announcement via a promotional video.
"Dajia hao. Hello everyone. My name is Doug Liman. I'm director of 'Edge of Tomorrow.' Tom, Emily and I could not be more excited that 'Edge of Tomorrow' will be released in China on June 6th, simultaneously with U.S. 'Edge of Tomorrow' is a sci-fi adventure with incredible action. We can't wait for the Chinese audience to see our film and share our excitement."
The Sci-Fi film has Tom Cruise getting caught up in a time-loop while fighting in a war with aliens.
The film also stars Emily Blunt and Bill Paxton.
Contest on Chinese language held in Armenia
A Chinese language contest for college students has been held in the Armenian capital, Yerevan.
The event is a first of its kind in the country.
Nine contestants have competed in three segments featuring free speech, Q&As and artistic performances.
The top prize has gone to 21-year-old Goara Gabrielyan from a Russian-Armenian University.
A 19-year old from Yerevan State University finished second.
The two will represent Armenia in a global contest, the 13th "Chinese Bridge" Competition, to be held here in Beijing later on this year.
Tony the Tiger voice actor Lee Marshall dies aged 64
The man who did the voice for Tony the Tiger has died.
Voice actor Lee Marshall has lost his battle with throat cancer.
He was 64.
Tony the Tiger is the spokes-mascot for breakfast cereal Frosted Flakes.
In addition to his gig as Tony the Tiger, Lee Marshall also worked as a wrestling announcer.
Marshall was the second actor to play the voice of Tony the Tiger.
He took over the role in 1999 from Thurl Ravenscroft.
A quick recap of headlines before we go.
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang is now in Angola for the 3rd leg of his 4-nation African tour.
Demonstrations have broken out again in Bangkok on the heels of the indictment of ousted Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.
NATO says its seeing no signs of troop withdrawls along Ukraine's border with Russia, despite a pledge by Vladimir Putin that its happening.
In business, inflation has slowed down significantly here in China through April.
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