Welcome to the Beijing Hour, coming to you live from the Chinese capital.

Coming up on our program this morning...

the Chinese premier is again urging Malaysian authorities not to give up the search for flight MH370. well over half of the 239 people on the missing plane were Chinese...

Chinese defense officials say consensus has been reached on a number of maritime-related issues with their Japanese counterparts...

and officials in Jordan are demanding proof from the Islamic State that a captured Jordanian pilot is still alive...

In business...Chinese officials deny that foreign-capital-flight has become problem...

In Sports...Once again, Serena Williams earns a spot in the final at the Australian Open...

In entertainment...tragedy on a movie set in Chinese Taipei...

First, let's check in with what's happening with the weather...

 

 

Weather 

 

 

Beijing will be sunny with a high of 3, clear tonight with a low of minus 8 degrees Celsius.

Shanghai will have slight rain in the day with a high of 6, overcast tonight with a low of 2.

Chongqing will also have slight rain with a high of 7 and a low of 6.

Elsewhere in Asia.

Islamabad, sunny with a high of 4.

Kabul will have snow with a high of minus 6.

Over to North America.

New York will be overcast with a high of one degree.

Washington will have sleet with a high of 2 degrees.

Honolulu, slight rain, 26.

Toronto will have sleet with a high of minus one.

Finally, in South America,

Buenos Aires will be cloudy with a high of 24.

And Rio de Janeiro will have slight rain with a high of 34 degrees Celsius.

 

 

Top News

 

 

Chinese premier calls on Malaysia to continue to exert all efforts to find MH370

 

Anchor:

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has called on Malaysia to continue to exert all efforts to find Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 and its passengers and to properly compensate the victims' families.

CRI's Qizhi has more.

Reporter:

The Chinese Premier's call came after Malaysia officially declared all passengers aboard the missing plane are presumed dead earlier Thursday.

Director General of Malaysia's Department of Civil Aviation, Azharuddin Abdul Rahman.

"With the heaviest heart and deepest sorrow that on behalf of the Government of Malaysia, we officially declare Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 an accident in accordance with the standards of Annexes 12 and 13 to the Chicago Convention and that all 239 of the passengers and crew on board MH370 are presumed to have lost their lives."

The Malaysia Civil Aviation chief adds that Malaysia is committed to continue all reasonable efforts to bring closure to this tragedy with the continuing cooperation and assistance of China and Australia.

Malaysian Airlines flight MH370, with 239 people on board, disappeared shortly after taking off from Kuala Lumpur on March 8 en-route to Beijing.

At a joint press conference with visiting French Prime Minister Manuel Valls in Beijing, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang firstly offered deep sympathy and sincere condolences.

"The Chinese government and Chinese people express deep sorrow for the misery of all the people on board, including 154 Chinese nationals and four French ones, and offer our profound sympathies and sincere condolences to their families. It is a difficult moment for all the families and every one of us."

The Premier also called for continued search efforts.

"We hope the Malaysian side act on their commitments; fulfill its obligation of investigation, compensation and comforting of the families. Particularly, the Malaysian side should try all possible means to find the whereabouts of the plane and the passengers."

Meanwhile, the Chinese Foreign Ministry says that consoling the families of MH370 passengers is another priority for the Chinese government.

The Malaysian announcement is believed to have cleared the way for the airline to pay compensation to victims' relatives while the search for the plane goes on.

For CRI, this is Qizhi.

 

 

China, France Vow Reciprocal Cooperation in Broader Areas

 

China and France have vowed to broaden cooperation during French Prime Minister Manuel Valls' first visit to China.

The pledge was made during talks between Valls and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Thursday in Beijing.

Following their talks, the two sides inked deals in areas including civil aviation, nuclear power plant, finance, maritime satellite, new energy automobile, environmental protection, and education.

Li Keqiang says the two countries have many big projects that need to be promoted.

"We have a lot of major projects in China-France economic and trade cooperation that need to be pushed forward. For example, nuclear power, railways, aviation and so on. We are also willing to see China and France working side by side to explore the markets in third countries."

On bilateral trade, the Chinese premier says China never seeks a trade surplus with any country. He urged France to further ease restrictions on exports of high technology products to China.

Valls says he hopes French exports can get more access to the Chinese market, to realize a balanced trade, and calls for more two-way investment between the two countries.

Valls says his visit sends a clear message that Chinese investment is welcome in France.

"This is the message I came to deliver to the Chinese investors and entrepreneurs, some whom I met today, some whom I will meet tomorrow, in Beijing and in Shanghai on Saturday. My message is simple: Chinese investment is welcome in France and France will fully facilitate Chinese investors and investments."

The two prime ministers also pledged to conduct more cultural and people-to-people exchanges.

On Friday, they will visit an exhibition of famous French sculptor Auguste Rodin in Beijing, which is a part of the activities marking the 50th anniversary of the China-France ties established in 1964.

 

 

China, Japan agree to launch maritime, aerial crisis management mechanism

 

China's defense authority says consensus has been reached with its Japanese counterpart on several points, following the latest talks aiming to pave the way for launching a maritime and aerial crisis management plan.

China's Defense Ministry spokesperson Yang Yujun.

"First, the two sides have reaffirmed previous agreements mainly including the goal, constitution, and operation of the plan, and on technical issues. Secondly, the two sides have agreed to change the plan's name to the 'maritime and aerial crisis management mechanism', which will be better for consultations on both maritime and aerial issues."

The two sides have also reached consensus on communications issues.

This progress follows a meeting between defense officials that was held in Tokyo earlier this month.

China and Japan agreed to defuse tensions and improve bilateral ties in November after relations were strained for more than two years over the Diaoyu Islands dispute.

 

 

Xinjiang asks real name registration for cellphones, PCs

 

Authorities in China's Xinjiang are requiring residents to register with their real name when buying cellphones, computers, and related electronic devices.

It's the regional government's latest effort to neutralize extremists, and terrorist ideas that are often spread electronically.

Electronics shops will be asked to install software that connects them with the police to record those transactions.

The new rule also covers shops which sell used electronic gadgets and equipment, a business that's very under-regulated.

According to previous media reports, terror suspects have confessed to using the second-hand electronics market to obtain and distribute extremist content.

Many stored jihadist videos on portable digital memory cards so that they can conveniently preach extremist ideas to other people with cellphones.

 

 

Jordan demands proof pilot alive as IS deadline passes

 

Jordan has been demanding proof that a pilot threatened with execution by the Islamic State group is alive, as a deadline set by the extremists for a prisoner swap expired.

The militant group had threatened to kill airman Maaz al-Kassasbeh unless Iraqi jihadist Sajida al-Rishawi was freed in return for a Japanese hostage.

It's not clear from the group's latest message if they are ready to free al-Kassasbeh as part of the exchange.

Jordanian government spokesman Mohammad al-Momani says they are still waiting for evidence that the airman is alive and well.

"At this point we would like to emphasize that Jordan requested proof of life for the life of the Jordanian pilot and we have not received that yet. We are in constant contact and coordination with our Japanese friends in order to co-ordinate the effort to secure the Japanese hostage as well."

Jordan has said its priority is to see the airman return home safely.

But it is under heavy pressure at home and from Japan -- a major aid donor -- to save both Kassasbeh as well as the Japanese hostage Kenji Goto.

There were reports suggesting Jordan is considering freeing another jailed jihadist, along with al-Rishawi, to get the two hostages home.

The extremist group had set a deadline of sunset Thursday for the exchange, but there was no news of the hostages after night fell.

 

 

Gunman arrested at Dutch news broadcaster

 

A gunman has been arrested in a Dutch news studio after disrupting the main evening news.

Staff at broadcaster NOS were evacuated from the building in the central city of Hilversum.

The man, reportedly demanding airtime, was carrying a pistol.

He was later overpowered by armed police and no shots were fired.

The man's motive is still unclear.

NOS director Jan de Jong says the gunman had a list of demands and wanted 10 minutes' airtime.

 

 

EU Extends Sanctions on Russia over Ukraine

 

The European Union has agreed to expand its sanctions against Russia over the Ukraine conflict.

EU foreign ministers reached the agreement at an extraordinary session in Brussels which was called after dozens died in fighting in the east Ukrainian port of Mariupol.

EU's foreign affairs chief is Federica Mogherini.

"We have decided to extend the restrictive measures targeting persons and entities that were decided in March last year. We decided today to extend them until September of this year. In addition to that, we have decided to have a proposal within one week of further names of individuals and entities to be added to this list."

The sanctions were introduced after Russia's annexation of Crimea, hitting more than 100 Russian and Ukrainian figures. The measures are due to expire in March.

In Moscow, head of the Kremlin administration Sergei Ivanov again accused the West of using the Ukrainian conflict as a tool of its geopolitical goals.

 

 

Gas blast shatters Mexico City hospital

 

A gas tanker has exploded outside of a maternity and children's hospital in Mexico City, killing at least two people and leaving dozens missing. .

The explosion occurred when the tanker was making a routine early morning delivery of gas to the hospital kitchen, and gas started to leak.

Much of the building was destroyed.

Mexico City Mayor Miguel Mancera says the search and rescue work is difficult.

"We still have walls, we have metal structures that are standing, but basically there's no way to operate at this site, there's no possibility. The rescue crews are working to locate or dismiss that there are more survivors in the rubble. Approximately, 1,000 people are working manually in the rubble."

Officials initially said up to seven people had been killed.

The mayor later reduced the death toll to two, saying a woman and baby had died.

About 100 people were believed to be inside the hospital at the time of the blast, and dozens of victims were injured by flying glass.

 

 

China tightens prison management after scandal

 

Chinese authorities are taking measures to tighten the management of prisons.

This comes after a recent scandal in which a prisoner in a northeastern prison used a smartphone to blackmail several women.

The Ministry of Justice is to launch a campaign to ferret out forbidden items in prisons and in addiction treatment centers, especially cellphones, cash, and drugs.

It is also asking prisons nationwide to control the identity, number of visitors, and duration of visits made to prisoners.

The Ministry also says that prisoners who hide contraband will be deprived of the right to apply for commutation of sentences or for parole for a period of three years, while guards who carry forbidden items for prisoners will be fired.

 

 

2.8 billion trips expected during spring festival in China

 

Transportation authorities are expecting a total of over 2.8 billion trips around China during the Spring Festival travel rush.

The number is over 3 percent higher than the previous year.

The 40-day travel frenzy surrounding Chinese New Year will start from next week.

Transport networks including road, rail, aviation, and waterways have made plans to cope with the travel rush.

Xu Chengguang is the spokesman of the transportation ministry.

"During the "Chunyun", around 2700 trains are scheduled, nearly 500 more trains are added before and after the festival, which is the highest number in years. In aviation, every aviation corporation will adjust their transportation power according to the previous predictions; they will also make sure to have spare power to avoid the grounding of passengers."

He added that to improve transportation efficiency, toll roads will continue the free-of-charge policy for certain vehicles from February 18 to February the 24.

It includes private cars, buses with less than 7 seats, and motor cycles.

The Spring Festival is China's most important family holiday, with hundreds of millions of people heading to their hometowns for family reunion.

The stress on the transportation system has become heavier in recent years due to the increase of migrant workers and people's willingness to travel.

 

 

Wechat Ads under Fire

 

Anchor:

A new survey has found that most Wechat users are not happy with the ads service that's been added to the Moments function.

CRI's Luo Wen finds out more.

Reporter:

Recent online voting conducted by China Central Television shows more than 80 percent of Wechat users consider the ads to be commercial harassment.

"I am disgusted with it. Wechat Moments is a platform that should help me learn what's going on with my friends and let my friends know what I am doing now. Ads among my friends' feeds is an annoyance."

The popular messaging app, owned by Tencent, began testing sponsored ads last week.

The ads are pushed to 200 million Wechat users daily.

Zhang Jun, spokesman for Tencent, says the company attaches great importance to the user experience.

"An ad will appear in a place no higher than the fifth post on the page. A user will receive only one ad within a certain period of time while it will disappear automatically if left unnoticed for hours."

Brands invited to take part in the test include BMW, Coca-Cola, and Cadillac.

Users receive different ads depending on their past behavior, and are invited to "like" and post comments.

This promoting strategy soon triggered a stir.

Many Wechat users have mocked it, some with self-deprecating humour, noting that they've been identified as being able to afford only a bottle of coke, while others receive ads for automobiles.

Experts suggest that besides ad content and the way it circulates, marketers should also pay attention to how users "like" an ad recommended by friends.

WeChat boasts more than 450 million monthly active users.

But despite a drastic increase in user population, it has struggled to monetize that user base.

For CRI, I am Luo Wen.

 

 

Biz Reports

 

 

Stocks

 

First, a quick look at Thursday's closing numbers across North America and Europe.

Joining me on the desk, Bejan Siavoshy.

U.S. stocks bounced back on strong jobless data that was released on Thursday. This follows a two-day selloff, as investors took in mixed fourth-quarter earnings.

Oil prices stabilized after the prior day's heavy selloff.

The U.S. dollar climbed against most major currencies on Thursday as a report showed the number of Americans applying for unemployment aid dropped more than expected last week.

On corporate news, Ford Motors says its fourth-quarter net income plummeted to 52 million U.S. dollars from 3 billion dollars a year ago.

McDonald's surged after the fast-food chain said its chief executive officer would be replaced by its chief brand officer in March.

At close,

The Dow jumped over one and one third of a percent.

Both the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq added nearly one percent.

European stocks gained slightly as reports showed Germany slid into deflation and unemployment in the nation fell less than expected.

At the closing bell,

The UK's FTSE 100 decreased by one fifth of a percent.

Germany's Dax rose about a quarter of a percent.

And finally France's CAC 40 increased around two fifths of a percent.

 

 

China denies mass foreign investment withdrawal

 

China's Ministry of Commerce has denied media reports that foreign firms are taking back their capital in China.

Reports have run wild that Microsoft closed two Nokia factories and Panasonic intends to call back two assembly lines of TV sets in China, suggesting the country was no more a favorite for foreign investors.

MoC spokesman Shen Danyang attributed the factory shutdown to corporate self-adjustment and increasingly fiercer competition in the market.

He also pointed out that China still remains a strong magnet to global capital thanks to political stability, growing markets, progress in its campaign of opening-up, and a better business environment.

 

 

China's coal output suffers record fall last year

 

Over 70 percent of the enterprises in China's coal sector suffered losses last year, according to a report by the National Coal Association.

It's believed coal output may have dropped 2.5 percent in 2014, the first fall since 2000.

A vice president with the coal association says weak demand, overcapacity, and cheap imports have compounded the sector's woes.

China's coal capacity is over four billion tonnes, with another one billion under construction.

Ratings agency Fitch holds no hope for a meaningful upswing in coal prices in 2015.

 

 

Corporate News of the Week

 

Anchor:

Let's check out some others events taking place on the corporate front in China this week.

1. Plans Film Production Deal With China's Hunan TV

Lions Gate Entertainment, a Hollywood studio, is planning a 1.5 billion US dollar film project with Hunan TV, China's second largest broadcaster, as part of an effort to tap that fast-growing motion picture market.

Lions Gate will distribute Chinese films produced by Hunan TV in overseas markets.

Meantime, Hunan TV will enjoy exclusive rights to four Lions Gate movies in China per year.

Joining me on the line now is Doug Young, associate professor at Fudan University and former China company news chief at Reuters.

…

2. Huawei Eyes $16 Bln in 2015 Smartphone Sales With High-End, Export Pus

China-based Huawei has a target to ramp up its smartphone shipments to over 100 million units in 2015, increasing them by a third over the 75 million units shipped a year earlier.

In 2014, sales of Huawei's consumer business unit, which includes mainly sales of handsets and end-market devices, reached 138 million units and generated revenues of 12.2 billion US dollars, up 30% on year.

Mid-range and high-end smartphones accounted for 18% its total handset shipments in 2014.

…

Back Anchor: Doug Young, associate professor at Fudan University and former China company news chief at Reuters.

 

 

Chinese exports subject to nearly 100 trade probes

 

China's trade partners launched nearly 100 investigations into Chinese exports last year.

Authorities are blaming the weak global recovery and the country's growing economic clout.

China was targeted by 22 countries and regions with 97 trade probes, including 61 anti-dumping cases and 14 anti-subsidy probes.

Products ranged from wind power generators to mobile phones and food.

The number of trade investigations targeting Chinese products is expected to be high once again this year as manufacturers become more competitive.

 

 

China's inland province applies for free trade zone

 

A senior official in northwest China's Gansu Province has confirmed the government has applied to set up a free trade zone in its capital Lanzhou.

China currently operates its only FTZ in Shanghai, launched in 2013.

In December, the State Council announced China will establish a second batch of FTZ including northern Tianjin Municipality, eastern Fujian Province, and southern Guangdong Province, all along the country's coastal lines.

Lanzhou, in the country's impoverished northwest, would be among the third batch of cities to receive approval if authorities grant the application.

 

 

Headline News

 

 

Chinese premier calls on Malaysia to continue to exert all efforts to find MH370

 

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang is calling on Malaysian authorities to continue the search for the remains of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 and its passengers.

The comments come as the Malaysian government officially declares the ill-fated flight an accident, with all 239 people onboard presumed dead.

At the same time, Malaysia Airlines is beginning the process of compensating the families.

The flight disappeared on March 8th of last year en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing.

Months of searching has failed to turn up any evidence of the missing airliner.

Close to two-thirds of those onboard the flight are Chinese nationals.

 

 

China, France Vow Reciprocal Cooperation in Broader Areas

 

China and France have vowed to broaden cooperation during French Prime Minister Manuel Valls' first visit to China.

Following a meeting between Valls and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, the two sides have inked deals in areas including civil aviation, nuclear power plant, finance, maritime satellite, new energy automobile, environmental protection, and education.

The Chinese premier says China never seeks a trade surplus with any country. He urged France to further ease restrictions on exports of high technology products to China.

For his part, Valls says he hopes French exports can get more access to the Chinese market, to realize a balanced trade, and calls for more two-way investment between the two countries.

 

 

Jordan demands proof pilot alive as IS deadline passes

 

Jordan has been demanding proof that a pilot threatened with execution by the Islamic State group is alive, as a deadline set by the extremists for a prisoner swap expired.

The militant group had threatened to kill airman Maaz al-Kassasbeh unless Iraqi jihadist Sajida al-Rishawi was freed in return for a Japanese hostage.

It's not clear from the group's latest message if they are ready to free al-Kassasbeh as part of the exchange.

The extremist group had set a deadline of sunset Thursday for the exchange, but there was no news of the hostages after night fell.

 

 

Egypt military targeted in deadly Sinai attacks

 

Egypt's state TV says at least 25 people have been killed in a series of attacks by suspected Islamist militants in the Sinai Peninsula.

The report says a car bomb and mortars hit military targets in El-Arish, killing a number of soldiers.

Other attacks took place in the nearby town of Sheik Zuwayid and the town of Rafah, bordering Gaza.

Tensions have been high across Egypt this week amid protests marking the anniversary of the 2011 uprising that ousted former leader Hosni Mubarak.

 

 

EU Extends Sanctions on Russia over Ukraine

 

The European Union has agreed to expand its sanctions against Russia over the Ukraine conflict.

EU foreign ministers reached the agreement at an extraordinary session in Brussels which was called after dozens died in fighting in the east Ukrainian port of Mariupol.

The sanctions were introduced after Russia's annexation of Crimea, hitting more than 100 Russian and Ukrainian figures. The measures are due to expire in March.

In Moscow, head of the Kremlin administration Sergei Ivanov again accused the West of using the Ukrainian conflict as a tool of its geopolitical goals.

 

 

Newspaper Picks

 

 

New Culture Daily

Headline

Woman sues Beijing Parcel company

Summary

A college graduate surnamed Lu has filed a lawsuit against a parcel company for gender discrimination in employment.

Lu was refused by the company when she asked to sign an official labor contract after probation and was told the vacancies are only available for men.

The Beijing News

Headline

Midwife faints for overwork

Summary

A midwife fainted in the operation room after having helped deliver 11 babies in eight hours at a hospital in Zhejiang.

She had been working under huge pressure and suffered a lack of glucose.

Jianghuai Morning Post

Headline

Job hunting swindler

Summary

A white collar worker was swindled out of 30,000 yuan while seeking a position with the government in Xiamen.

An imposter pretended to be an official of the State Security Bureau and promised to secure a job in the bureau for the victim.

The man has been arrested and sentenced to one year in prison.

Fuzhou-based Strait News

Headline

Parents' Guarantee for Daughter

Summary

A young couple has been told to write a guarantee for their daughter, in order to get approval for a second baby.

The parents promised to love their daughter forever and put her first.

Psychologists say many children in China feel nervous about having a sibling as the "one child policy" has long made them the center of attention.

Shanghai Daily

Headline

Different ticket price plan to cut Metro crush

Summary

Shanghai's subway operator plans to charge different ticket prices for rush hour and off-peak travelers in a bid to reduce overcrowding at peak times.

Rush hour commuters will pay more, off peak travellers less.

It is hoped that this will encourage companies and commuters to stagger their working hours or adopt flextime.

China Daily

Headline

Lawyers to be given greater say in sentencing

Summary

China's top court will take the opinions of lawyers into consideration when handling reviews of death sentences.

It says the court must arrange for judges to meet attorneys applying for a face-to-face defense in a timely manner and such talks should be undertaken in the Supreme People's Court and must be recorded.

 

 

Special Reports

 

 

China's Water and Ink Works to Go to Venice Biennial Exhibition

 

Anchor:

The Beijing-based Today Art Museum, China's first private museum plans to spur interest on the international stage for China's unique art of water-ink.

The effort involves a show at a prestigious event in Italy.

CRI's Zhang Wan has more.

Reporter:

The Venice Biennial is a major contemporary art exhibition that takes place once every two years, usually in odd years, in Venice, Italy.

Ever since its foundation in 1895, it has been developed into one of the most prestigious cultural gala in the world, promoting new artistic trends and organizing international events themed on contemporary arts.

Yang Jie, an experienced curator, values this platform and also plans an exhibition that revolves around the development and future of China's water-ink.

"We install a total of seven libraries from time to time in history at the venue. Chinese traditional classic pieces by painters dating back to different historic era will be on display and they will be interpreted via modern approaches. This way the exhibition is expected to provoke deep thinking on what are the core values of modern as well as traditional water and ink works of art."

Integrating calligraphy, poetry and painting, the Chinese tradition of "ink art" stretches far beyond works in ink, to embrace a set of aesthetic principles centered on renewal and reinterpretation of the past.

Despite the large wave of enthusiastics collecting valuable Chinese water-ink works, Yang Jie thinks not all collectors are able to well interpret meaning behind those artworks.

"In recent years, China's water-ink works have evoked fanatic enthusiasm worldwide. There's lack of correct understandings about the core values of this unique expression of Chinese art, The Venice Biennale, a renowned world leading-edge platform of art, offers us a chance for an in-depth consultation on the Chinese water and ink works."

This Chinese orientated water-ink exhibition will be held in Venice, Italy in May.

BACK ANCHOR:

That is CRI's Zhang Wan reporting.

 

 

Sports

 

 

Australian Open: Williams vs. Sharapova, Djokovic vs. in Finals

 

Serena Williams overcame aggressive teenage challenger Madison Keys to advance to her sixth Australian Open final on Thursday with a 7-6(5) 6-2 victory.

American Williams has won all five of her previous Melbourne Park finals, and while pushed by her clean-hitting compatriot on Thursday, she was able to win the critical points to get out of trouble.　

Williams heads into the finals to face world no. 2 Maria Sharapova, who overcame some tricky wind conditions to advance to her fourth Australian Open final.

The American had this to say about facing Sharapova:

"Maria's been playing great, she's in the tournament only because she's a fighter and only because she refuses to give up, so, yeah, it's a new match and she has nothing to lose, once again, so she has only things to gain and i feel that way too. I won this tournament several times, I don't have to go out there and have another title, I want it, but it's not life or death for me and I feel that helps me relax and, yeah, she absolutely has nothing to lose and I have nothing to lose, so it should be fun."

Sharapova, who saved two match points in her second round clash with Alexandra Panova and has barely been troubled since, used her experience and powerful ground strokes to dominate an opponent playing in her first Australian Open semi-final.

No. 2 Sharapova wrapped it with a strong service game to clinch her place in the final in 87 minutes with a 6-3, 6-2 straight-set victory.

Asked about the possibility of reaching the finals against Williams, to whom she's lost 15 straight in 10 years, Sharapova said this:

"Her power and her aggressiveness I think that's always made me a little bit too aggressive or going for more than I had to. She's great at making players hit that shot that you don't necessarily have to go for, maybe going for a little too much, going on the line, and it’s been a really difficult match-up for me, but I am a competitor and if I do play her, I will go out and I will do everything I can to try to change that result around."

And on the men's side of things, Briton Andy Murray downed seventh-seeded Czech Tomas Berdych in four sets to advance to the finals. Murray will go on to face the winner of today's match between world no. 1 Novak Djokovic, who has yet to drop a set in the tournament, and defending champion Stan Wawrinka.

Fourth-seed Wawrinka ended Djokovic's reign in Melbourne Park last year.

And in the women's double's finals:

The duo of China's Jie Zheng and Chinese Taipei's Yung-Jan Chan will face American Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Czech Lucie Safarova later today.

 

 

Asian Cup: Australia vs. South Korea in the Final This Weekend

 

In football action down-under at the Asian Cup:

Hosts Australia will battle the Taeguk Warriors of South Korea for the continental title on Saturday at about 3 p.m., Beijing time.

Australia has a home-field advantage that seems to have helped the Socceroos through to just one game away from clinching the cup in front of a home crowd.

But South Korea already beat the hosts in the group stage and can boast a strong defense--plus a solid pressure game moving forward.

Taking place today, it's the match for 3rd and 4th place in the Asian Cup,

when the United Arab Emirates face off against Iraq in Newcastle at 6 p.m., Beijing time.

The Emiratis came out strong in their Asian Cup bid, most notably ousting defending champions Japan on penalties after holding the Samurai Blue to 1-1 in the knockout stage.

Iraq won in similar fashion against Asian football powerhouse Iran, where a close game came down to penalties, where the lions of Messapotamia would take the win over Team Melli.

Now, the two gulf nations meet in a bid for third place and a guaranteed seating in the next Asian Cup tournament.

 

 

Basketball: NBA and CBA preview

 

Taking a look at hoops action:

Tonight, in the CBA, tipping off at 8 p.m. Beijing time:

Guangdong Southern will face Zhejiang Chouzhou;

The Sichuan Blue Whales take on Chongqing;

Dongguan hit the court against Zhejiang Guangsha;

Jiangsu and Beijing will go at it in the capital;

Shanxi take on Guangdong Foshan;

Jiangsu Tong Xi will face Jilin Northeast;

Tianjin will battle Shandong;

Liaoning is on the road in Qingdao;

The Bayi Rockets are in Shanghai to face the Sharks;

Fujian will host Xinjiang.

Over in the NBA, light schedule this morning, with just four games on tap:

The Milwaukee Bucks are looking for their first win in 10 years against the Magic when they hit Orlando.

The New York Knicks are looking to win their fifth game in six showings against a struggling Indiana Pacers team.

Pau Gasol is looking to lead the Chicago Bulls to a second win of the season over his former team, the Los Angeles Lakers.

And Memphis are looking for their fifth-straight win when they host the Denver Nuggets.

 

 

Entertainment

 

 

Man killed on Martin Scorsese's "Silence" movie set in Taiwan

 

A construction worker has died on the set of Martin Scorsese's new movie "Silence" in Taiwan.

Two others were also injured while preparing to film in Taipei.

According to City Fire Department, the scaffolding collapsed on the movie set at the Chinese Culture and Movie Center while the workers reinforced the building.

The film crew expressed their "shock and sorrow" about the tragedy in a statement.

"Silence" is the first major Hollywood production to be shot in Taiwan since Luc Besson's action thriller "Lucy," part of which was filmed in Taipei in 2013.

 

 

Jim Parsons set to star as 'God' on Broadway

 

U.S. actor Jim Parsons will be ascending new heights as he has been cast to play 'God' on Broadway this spring.

Best known as the nerdy scientist Sheldon Cooper in the popular TV comedy "The Big Bang Theory", Parsons will star in the limited run of "An Act of God."

The play is based on "The Last Testament: A Memoir by God" dubbed as the ultimate celebrity autobiography.

It's as told to David Javerbaum, the Emmy-winning former executive producer and head writer of "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart."

Two-time Tony Award winner Joe Mantello will direct the play, scheduled to open on May 28th.

 

 

'Dragon Ball' To Be Japan's Debut 3D IMAX Movie

 

"Dragon Ball Z: Fukkatsu no F" will be the first Japanese film release in the 3D IMAX format.

It's the latest feature installment in the long-running "Dragon Ball" action anime series.

The picture will open on 18 3D IMAX screens on April 18, with Toei and 20th Century Fox co-distributing.

The 'F' in the original title stands for "Frieza" an intergalactic tyrant who battles the doughty hero, Songoku, and his fellow defenders of the Earth from various alien threats.

The previous series entry, the 2013 "Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods," also opened in IMAX theaters, but not in 3D.

It earned 25.3 million U.S. dollars at the Japanese box office.

 

 

New York City set for Chinese New Year

 

New York is ready to light up for Chinese New Year.

Public artworks, a light show and fireworks created by Chinese artists will dazzle the City.

It's a chance for locals to join in with the Chinese New Year celebrations.

Backed by the Ministry of Culture, the "Fantastic Art China" program has brought together professionals from the China Central Academy of Fine Arts to mix contemporary Chinese art with Spring Festival traditions.

Installations by six artists will be on display at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts.

The New York Chinese New Year celebrations will run from Feb 17-24.