新闻纵贯线 The Beijing Hour updated 20:00 2014/06/03

 
The Beijing Hour
 
Evening Edition
 
 
Mark Griffiths with you this Tuesday, June 3rd 2014.
Welcome to the Beijing Hour, coming to you live from the Chinese capital.
Coming up on the programme this evening...
Russia tables draft resolution on Ukraine at the UN Security Council.
U.S. President Barack Obama begins a four-day visit to Europe, with the ongoing Ukrainian crisis figuring high on the agenda.
A U.S.-led international operation busts a crime ring which has infected hundreds of thousands of computers with malicious bank data-stealing software.
In Business, China's service sector grows at its fastest pace in six months, helping allay fears of a sharp slowdown in the economy.
In Sport, Borussia Dortmund completes the signing of top-scoring Italian Ciro Immobile.
In Entertainment, Oscar-winning director Oliver Stone is set to adapt NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden's story for the big screen.
 
 
Weather
 
 
Beijing will be clear tonight with a low of 20 degrees Celsius. Thundershowers tomorrow with a high of 31 degrees.　
Meanwhile Shanghai will be overcast tonight, with a low of 20, overcast also tomorrow, with a high of 26.
Chongqing will have moderate rain, 24 degrees the low,　showers tomorrow with a high of 29.
Elsewhere in the world, staying in Asia
Islamabad, sunny with a high of 39.
Kabul, mostly sunny, 29.
Over in Australia
Sydney, sunny, high of 21.
Canberra, partly cloudy, 16.
Brisbane, mostly sunny, 26.
And finally, Perth will be sunny with a high of 23.
 
 
Top News
 
 
Russia tables draft resolution on Ukraine at UN Security Council
 
Russia has called an emergency meeting of the United Nations' most powerful body to introduce a resolution calling for an immediate halt to deadly clashes in eastern Ukraine.
The move by Russia comes after months of blocking any Security Council action on Ukraine.
Moscow says it will seek Security Council action to end weeks of violence in Russian-speaking eastern Ukraine between government troops and anti-government forces.
Russia's UN Ambassador Vitaly Churkin
"If you look at how the Ukrainian crisis has developed, you'll see that every time there was a delay in stopping and preventing violence, in showing political initiative, the situation was deteriorating. We don't want this to happen now so we believe that the parties need to stop fighting and need to get back to the Geneva statement of April 17 and to the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe roadmap."
In the meantime, Ukraine's opposition has continued to attack a border guard base in eastern Ukraine.
A health official for the Luhansk region says that at least seven people have been confirmed dead in the incident, which the opposition has described as a government airstrike.
Authorities have denied carrying out a strike.
 
 
Palestinians end 7 years of internal division-not done yet
 
President Mahmoud Abbas has sworn in a Palestinian unity government - ending seven years of internal division between Fatah and Hamas, which has governed separately since Hamas ousted Fatah from the Gaza Strip back in 2007. Fatah remained in power in the West Bank.
Israel has already condemned the new unity government and sanctions are now likely to be imposed.
President Abbas had this to say in response to any Israeli action.
"Any measures which may be taken by the Israeli authorities and their effect on the interests of the Palestinian people will not pass without a response from us. We are not interested in escalation and we are not interested in more tension. But we would not keep silent in the face of these sanctions. "
And as the new administration took office, the Hamas government in Gaza resigned.
Here's Ismail Haniyeh, the outgoing Hamas prime minister in Gaza,
"From today, you will not read or hear in any local or foreign broadcast any more the term of 'rival Palestinian parties'. But you will hear the national unity government, the united people, the united leadership, with our different programmes aiming to achieve freedom, liberation and independence. I congratulate the Palestinian people everywhere for this historical moment."
Meanwhile, the United States has already indicated that it will work with the newly formed government. United States State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki.
"Moving forward we will be judging this government by its actions. Based on what we know now, we intend to work with this government but we'll be watching closely to ensure that it upholds the principles that President Abbas reiterated today."
The new government comprises 17 politically independent ministers and must hold elections within six months.
For more on this, CRI's Xu Qinduo earlier talked to Tamir Sukkary,Adjunct Associate Professor of Political Science, San Joaquin Delta College.
…
BACK ANCHOR: Tamir Sukkary,Adjunct Associate Professor of Political Science, San Joaquin Delta College, talking to CRI's Xu Qinduo.
 
 
Libyan New prime minister takes office
 
Libya's new interim Prime Minister Ahmed Matiq has taken office, saying national security will be a top priority for his administration.
"As the (new) government starts its duties, we are committed to protecting our people. We will take the responsibility of implementing security all over the country and fight the terror and extremists strictly."
The new prime minister has pledged that his government will fight extremism and improve security for all Libyans.
Meanwhile, non-stop demonstrations across the country have been held in an attempt to push the Libyan parliament into holding early elections after its mandate expired in February.
Opponents have been accusing the parliament of financing Islamist militias across the country, especially in the east, where there are targeted killings of top officials almost every day.
 
 
Syria kicks off 1st multi-candidate presidential election
 
Syria's one-day presidential election has begun.
More than 15 million eligible and registered voters expected to cast their ballots for the country's three presidential contenders, including incumbent President Bashar al-Assad.
In one polling station in Damascus, voters crowded inside the building with pro-Assad banners and flags to show their support for the current leader.
"It is the smallest duty to vote by blood. I think the elections are the best way to express our opinion. We are with President Bashar al-Assad until the end of our lives."
"He (Assad) is a symbolic leader who deserves to be elected by blood.　He will lead the country to be better, safer and more stable. These elections are an accomplishment just like the Syrian army accomplishment. The elections complete the accomplishments of the army. May Syria stay well with its leader."
The vote is taking place despite rejection by the opposition and their Western backers, who have dismissed the poll as a "farce".
Opposition rebels have even threatened in online statements to unleash attacks against polling stations to disrupt the process.
Rebels in Damascus suburbs have fired several mortar shells that almost hit security headquarters.
Amid the threats, the Syrian government seems to have taken all necessary measures to secure the voting process.
The election is the first held in half a century.
Previously, there have only been referendums to support Assad and his late father Hafez al-Assad who was in office from 1971 to 2000.
 
 
Obama kicks off three-nation European tour
 
U.S. President Barack Obama has landed in Poland, kicking off his four-day visit to Europe.
Obama's trip is aimed to offer reassurance about U.S. commitment to the security of its allies in the light of the ongoing Ukrainian crisis.
"Given the situation in Ukraine right now, we've also increased our American presence. We've begun rotating additional ground troops and F-16 aircraft into Poland. And this is going to help our forces train together, it is going to help our forces support NATO air missions. It is also part of NATO's stepped up presence across central and eastern Europe. And I look forward to announcing some additional steps later today."
As part of his trip, Obama will attend a summit in Brussels with the leaders of six other industrialized nations -- Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan, with the focus on Ukraine and other foreign policy issues.
The US president will also visit Normandy in northern France for events marking the 70th anniversary of D-Day, where he will be joined by other leaders including Russian President Vladimir Putin.
 
 
U.S. troop leader wants deployment of new missile defense in S Korea
 
The commander of U.S. troops stationed in South Korea has proposed deploying an advanced missile-defense system to the country, to counter the growing threat of North Korea's weapons capabilities.
General Curtis Scaparrotti is recommending the deployment of the THAAD or Theater High Altitude Area Defense missiles.
Media reports say the US has carried out a site survey in South Korea for possible locations for the THAAD battery, but no final decisions have been made.
In March, North Korea test fired a mid-range Rodong missile with a range of more than 1,000 kilometers, prompting condemnation from the U.N. Security Council.
 
 
6 killed as blast hits passenger van in NW Pakistan
 
A roadside bomb has hit a passenger van in Pakistan's northwest, killing at least six people and injuring four others.
Local media say the bomb was remotely detonated as the van was passing near a restive area in the country 's northwest tribal belt bordering Afghanistan.
No one has claimed responsibility for the attack yet.
 
 
Russian hacker accused of leading group behind $100 million theft
 
A U.S.-led international operation has disrupted a crime ring.
The Justice Department says the ring has infected hundreds of thousands of PCs around the globe with malicious software used for stealing banking credentials and cyber extortion.
U.S. Deputy Attorney General James M. Col
"Evgeniy Bogachev, a Russian national, has been indicted in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania for his role as an administrator of the Gameover Zeus Botnet. Bogachev, a true 21st century criminal who commits cyber crimes across the globe with the stroke of a key and the click of a mouse. As alleged in the unsealed indictment, Gameover Zeus is the most sophisticated and damaging botnet we have ever encountered, frequently targeting the computers of small and midsized businesses".　　
The botnet, known as Gameover Zeus, derives its name from a version of the Zeus credential-stealing software.
Court documents say between 500,000 and 1 million machines worldwide have been infected with the malicious software, or malware.
　　
Its primary purpose is to capture banking credentials, though it has been known to change the recipients of legitimate payments orders, for example targeting U.S. hospitals' payroll operations.
The suspect, who the authorities said is known online as Lucky12345, is charged with writing computer code used to compromise banking systems and assist others in stealing banking credentials, according to court documents.
Prosecutors say Bogachev and his group infected thousands of business computers with software that captured passwords, account numbers, and other information used to log in to online bank accounts.
 
 
International Engineering Science and Technology Conference held in Beijing
 
Anchor:
Experts from around the world have gathered in Beijing to discuss the future development of engineering science and technology.
CRI's Xie Zhao reports.
Reporter:
At the two-day International Engineering Technology Conference held in Beijing, Zhou Ji, Dean of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, explains the importance of engineering science and technology.
"Engineering science and technology is a powerful engine for innovation as humankind develops its civilization, and a significant contributor to the economic and social development of countries all over the world".
Engineering science and technology has exerted a tremendous influence on people's lives in such ways as concrete building construction, city infrastructure and transport and nuclear power generation.
But as it develops, a growing number of people are beginning to worry about the side effects, such as the leak of radioactive water at Japan's Fukushima nuclear plant.
Xu Mi, a leading expert in fast reactor technology at the China Institute of Atomic Energy, says such concerns are reasonable.
But he notes the safety in the nuclear industry is improving.
"It is getting safer, as all countries have learnt the lessons of Fukushima. Many countries such as the U.S and France are continuing with their nuclear power projects without any hesitation because they are confident that their nuclear power technology has developed to a mature stage. China has also accumulated some experience as well. The authorities have also studied how to improve the safety issue. We can ensure the safe operation of our nuclear power stations as long as we pay more attention to meteorological, geological and environmental factors."
At the conference, Chinese president Xi Jinping says China should strengthen cooperation with other countries in this field.
"China will deepen international cooperation in engineering technology to a greater extent, and strengthen cooperation in major technology engineering projects, to solve common problems and jointly create a brighter future."
Irina Bokova, secretary general at the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organzation, says UNESCO will continue its cooperation with China.
"The complexity of challenges calls for new approaches to science as a whole. To support states in shaping a new global development agenda for sustainability after 2015, and in all this, China plays a leading role. We see this leadership in the sciences, we see it in education. China is a champion country of the United Nation Secretary General's Global Education First Initiative."
Over 1500 experts from 15 countries and regions have attended the two-day event.
For CRI, I'm Xie Zhao.
 
 
Biz Reports
 
 
Stocks
 
First off, Chinese shares closed lower on Tuesday despite some positive economic data.
The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index was flat.
The Shenzhen Component Index lost over half a percent.
Hong Kong stocks added nearly 1 percent, mirroring regional gains as investors took heart from positive manufacturing data out of China and the United States.
China's non-manufacturing PMI advanced further in May compared to April. We'll come back to the details of it later in the business section.
Elsewhere in Asia, Japan's Nikkei rose nearly three quarter of a percent.
U.S. shares' rise overnight coupled with the yen's retreat helped send the index above the 15,000 line for the first time in two months.
South Korea's KOSPI added 0.3 percent.
Singapore's Straits Times Index finished a fraction of a percent lower.
And Australia's ASX is down half a percent.
 
 
China's non-manufacturing PMI rises in May
 
China's service sector grew at its fastest pace in six months in May, helping allay fears of a sharp slowdown in its economy.
The National Bureau of Statistics says the country's non-manufacturing purchasing managers' index rose from 54.8 in April to 55.5 this month.
China's service sector, which includes construction and aviation, accounts for almost 43% of its overall economy.
The PMI is a key indicator of the health of the sector and a reading above 50 indicates expansion.
 
 
HSBC PMI shows economy is stabilizing
 
Meanwhile, HSBC's final PMI reading for China's manufacturing sector rebounded in May but was weaker than the preliminary reading.
According to HSBC and research company Markit, the index stood at 49.4 last month compared to 48.1 in April.
It was revised down from the flash reading of 49.7.
Compared to the official PMI reading released by the NBS, the HSBC Purchasing Managers' Index focuses more on activity in private and export-oriented firms.
The official PMI, unveiled on Saturday, rose to a five-month high of 50.8 in May.
 
 
Chinese bank borrows first KRW funds from swap deal with S.Korea
 
Anchor:
The Bank of Communications has become the first Chinese bank to borrow South Korean won as part of a yuan-won swap arrangement.
It borrowed 400-million won from the People's Bank of China as part of the currency swap.
The money is going to be lent to a China-based multinational and a joint-venture.
The Chinese and South Korean governments have an agreement to allow the exchange of some 56-million US dollars worth of one-another's currencies.
To find out more about this, CRI's Shane Bigham spoke earlier with Gao Shang, an analyst with Beijing-based Guantong Futures.
…
Back Anchor:
Gao Shang, Analyst with Guantong Futures.
 
 
Eurozone jobless rate at 11.7 pct in April
 
Official figures show that Eurozone inflation fell to 0.5 percent in May, down from 0.7 percent in April but below the 0.2 percent target.
The drop means the European Central Bank will be expected to act to boost growth when it meets on Thursday.
Figures from EU statistics office Eurostat also showed that the eurozone unemployment rate fell slightly to 11.7 percent in April from 11.8 percent in March.
The drop means the number of people unemployed now stands less than 19 million.
 
 
France calls US ?7bn fine on BNP-Parisbas 'unreasonable'
 
France's foreign minister has criticised a potential 10 billion US dollar fine for banking giant BNP Paribas as "not reasonable".
Media reports have suggested the bank might have to pay the fine for allegedly evading American sanctions on Iran, Sudan and Cuba.
In the first public comments by a senior French official on the high-profile case, Laurent Fabius says "the fine has to be proportionate and reasonable. These figures are not reasonable."
His warning comes just two days ahead of Barack Obama's visit to France, where the US President is set to hold bilateral talks with French President Francois Hollande.
Last year BNP set aside some 1 billion dollars to resolve the US sanctions case.
The US Justice Department is currently looking into the claims.
 
 
Apple unveils new operating system and apps
 
Apple has updated its mobile and desktop operating systems at an annual developer's conference in San Francisco.
Apple Software-engineering boss Craig Federighi announced the company's latest operating system for MACs, "Yosemite."
"Yosemite is a fantastic new release, with a new interface, big enhancements to our most popular apps and something all new, we call continuity."
Apple also unveiled its iOS 8 operating system, calling it the company's biggest release "since the launch of the App Store."
The firm also unveiled iCloud Drive, an internet-based storage app that mimics Dropbox.
Apple has improved its iMessage app with extra features, some of which are similar to rival service WhatsApp, recently acquired by Facebook for 19 billion US dollars.
The company introduced HealthKit software that works with third-party wearable health devices.
A parallel app, called Health, measures users' personalised healthcare statistics, and even contacts their hospital directly if it notices irregularities.
Apple shares slid 0.7 percent when the market closed as investors are waiting for Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook to keep a promise to create new product categories.
 
 
Japan sees largest wage drop in April since Dec. 2009
 
New figures show that average inflation-adjusted wages in April for workers in Japan dropped 3 percent from a year earlier.
This is the biggest year-on-year slide since December 2009.
The Japanese labor ministry says the drop could be attributed to a sales tax rise on April 1st, which triggered price rises.
The average monthly pay for workers in Japan rose nearly 1 percent in April from a year earlier, to about 2700 U.S. dollars.
The average basic salary fell for the 23rd straight month, declining 0.2 percent to about 2,400 dollars.
 
 
Alibaba will begin offering mobile numbers
 
Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group has released its mobile phone service package.
All services including making phone calls and sending messages will be charged based on the traffic flow.
The company says it will start offering mobile numbers directly soon.
 
 
Headline News
 
 
Russia tables draft resolution on Ukraine at UN Security Council
 
Russia has called an emergency meeting of the United Nations' most powerful body to introduce a resolution calling for an immediate halt to deadly clashes in eastern Ukraine.
The move by Russia comes after months of blocking any Security Council action on Ukraine.
Moscow says it will seek Security Council action to end weeks of violence in Russian-speaking eastern Ukraine between government troops and anti-government forces.
 
 
Libyan new PM takes office after storming gov't building
 
Libya's new Prime Minister Ahmed Maitiq has held his first cabinet meeting at the premier's office after police forces helped him take over the building.
Maitiq made a statement saying his cabinet has begun working, despite that his predecessor Abdullah Thinni refused to transfer the power.
Maitiq was sworn in as prime minister last month, but he was immediately challenged by Thinni and some other politicians.
Thinni called the parliamentary vote that elected Maitiq invalid and has since refused to transfer power.
 
 
Spanish cabinet to discuss King Juan Carlos's abdication
 
The Spanish cabinet is to discuss the next steps in the process of King Juan Carlos's abdication.
The king announced on Monday his intention to abdicate after nearly 40 years on the throne.
Ministers will now discuss the steps needed to approve his son Crown Prince Felipe's accession to the throne.
Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy says the cabinet meeting would aim at carrying out the "constitutional measures" needed to clear the way for the succession.
 
 
South Korean, 73, linked to ferry disaster fails in asylum bid
 
Prosecutors in South Korea say a businessman and Christian sect leader, who is wanted on charges tied to the ferry disaster in April, has sought asylum at a Seoul embassy but was rejected.
73-year-old Yoo Byung-un is wanted on charges of embezzlement, negligence and tax evasion. His son has an investment firm which owns the operator of the sunken ferry Sewol.
Prosecutors declined to disclose which embassy was contacted by Yoo's representative, or if there were others.
 
 
Senior Indian Minister killed in road mishap in national capital
 
An Indian cabinet minister has been killed in a car accident.
Rural Development Minister Gopinath Munde died of injury after his car was hit by another speeding vehicle when he was heading to the airport.
He was pronounced dead at a hospital.
A massive manhunt is underway to track down the driver of the speeding car.
 
 
Thai confidence jumps on hopes army will bring order after chaos
 
Consumer confidence in Thailand jumped in May on hopes a new military government would impose order after months of political chaos.
The University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce says its May consumer confidence index hit its highest level since January, just before protesters disrupted a Feb. 2 snap election.
The index rose to 70.7 in May from 67.8 in April, when it had fallen for the 13th month in a row and was at its lowest level in more than 12 years.
The Thai military took over power on May 22 following months of anti-government protests.
 
 
Newspaper Picks
 
 
China Daily
"Online zoo attracts millions of viewers"
Baidu Online Zoo has attracted more than 3 million page views as of June 1st, a figure which also represents six months' of visitor numbers for the animal park itself.
Beijing users accounted for just 14 percent of visitors while the rest were from other provinces.
More than 80 percent of users were adults, and the penguin ranked as the most popular animal, followed by the giant panda.
The project is China's first online zoo offering netizens live broadcasts of animals.
Six animal sites are currently open, including penguins, giant pandas, elephants, alpacas, ring-tailed lemurs and giraffes.
Such was the demand from visitors on June 1 the online zoo used a 3G China Unicom network to upload data but the cloud player automatically shifted to a recorded broadcast to avoid long delays.
Baidu is now cooperating with Beijing Zoo and China Unicom to lay fiber optic cables to open more venues and offer more services.
Shanghai Daily
"Children's clothing fails safety standards for drawstrings, chemicals"
Close to 10 percent of drawstrings on children's clothing in China fail to meet standards and pose a danger.
Experts warned this at a world-leading German-based testing facility on Tuesday.
Chinese parents should not buy garments with drawstrings for children under 7 years old because of the risk of strangulation.
Experts also sounded the alarm about potentially harmful chemicals on children's clothing.
They say parents should not buy clothes with a strong smell or very dark colors for children.
About 3 percent of children's clothes they tested in China fail to meet the standard on formaldehyde.
Asia One
"Cynical attitude in golden years linked to dementia risk"
A new study from Finland shows an individual's personality and outlook on life may affect their risk of developing dementia.
While cynical distrust, anger or hostility have been linked to heart problems and inflammation in past research, researchers say dementia may be another potential consequence of a bad attitude.
For their analysis, they defined cynicism as a person's belief that others are motivated by selfishness.
They looked at data on 1,500 Fins between the ages of 65 and 79. The participants were examined for basic characteristics, attitudes and dementia in 1997 and again eight to 10 years later.
The study found that people who scored highest on the cynicism scale, tended to be more overweight and were more likely to smoke.
Of the highly cynical group, 8 in 100 people developed dementia. Of the moderate-cynical group, 5 in 100 people developed dementia. 4 percent people in the least-cynical group developed the disease.
The Independent
"British feet get two sizes bigger in 40 years"
Experts have said British feet are getting longer and wider.
The College of Podiatry said during the past four decades, the average British foot has increased by two shoe sizes.
In 1970, men's feet were on average size eight and women had size four feet, but now the average male wears a size 10 and the average female wears a size six.
Researchers say the increase could be linked to the population's increased weight and height.
A new poll conducted by the college found that two-thirds of women claim their feet have got wider in adult life and 35 per cent said they have got bigger.
And the survey of 2,000 British adults found that 48 per cent of men said their feet have got bigger, and 61 per cent said their feet are wider.
The college also cautioned that many people risk foot problems by trying to squeeze their feet into shoes that are too small.
 
 
Special Reports
 
 
How to Make Chinese Cities Migrant Friendly
 
ANCHOR:
As China presses ahead with its massive and ambitious urbanization plan, migrants continue to swarm into the cities looking for job opportunities.
How can the government make Chinese cities friendlier towards migrants?
For this and other questions, CRI's Zheng Chenguang earlier talked to Professor John Bacon-Shone, Director of the Social Sciences Research Center at the University of Hong Kong.
…
BACK ANCHOR: Professor John Bacon-Shone, Director of the Social Sciences Research Centrer at The University of Hong Kong, speaking to CRI's Zheng Chenguang.
 
 
Sports
 
 
Sharapova takes on tournament blackhorse Garbine Muguruza in the last eight at Roland Garros
 
Starting off with the French Open Tennis Championships,
Seventh seed Maria Sharapova will face 20-year-old Garbine Muguruza for a spot in the semifinals at Roland Garros.
Sharapova came into the match having defeated Australian veteran Samantha Stosur 3-6, 6-4, 6-love.
Spaniard Muguruza proved she's in form in her second round upset with defending champion Serena Williams.
The ebullient athlete then went on to take the next two rounds dropping no more than four games in a set, and booked her place in the quarterfinal with a two-straight sets win over local favorite Pauline Parmentier in the last 16.
The Sharapova-Muguruza match is just some twenty minutes away.
Later, in the mens' event,
Second seed Novak Djokovic will take on Canada's Milos Raonic in their quarterfinal draw.
The match begins at 10 pm Beijing time.
Earlier, top seed Rafael Nadal set up a all-Spanish quarter final against David Ferrer after he beat unseeded Serbian Dusan Lajovic 6-1, 6-2, 6-1 in the fourth round.
Nadal, who is seeking a record fifth consecutive title at Roland Garros, said it takes a different level of skill to beat Ferrer.
"I think the matches I won, well, I won them because I did what I had to do and because I played at a good level. Then things get more complicated as you move up, and you need to step up your level to be able to face opponents like David. You know, when a player gets to the quarter-final, it means that they are at a very high level."
The other two quarterfinal draws will see Briton Andy Murray take on local player Gael Monfils.
Sixth seeded Czech Tomas Berdych goes up against Latvia's Ernests Gulbis, who earlier knocked out Roger Federer in the fourth round.
 
 
FIFA president hands over World Cup trophy to mark 10-day countdown of the event
 
The Chief of the World football governing body has handed over the World Cup trophy to Brazil's President to mark the ten-day countdown to the sport's biggest showpiece tournament.
FIFA president Sepp Blatter also says the tournament, which kicks off on the 12th of June, will be a great opportunity for Brazil to promote itself around the planet.
Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff.
"We will continue working hard so that the FIFA 2014 World Cup can become the Cup of Cups, our dedication will be as big as our fans, who start to infect us with the thought of being a sixth time world champion."
Earlier, FIFA's general secretary, Jerome Valcke opened the World Cup international broadcast centre in Rio de Janeiro.
The two top officials however, declined to answer questions about the integrity of Qatar's winning bid for the 2022 World Cup.
British newspaper the Sunday Times has reported it has obtained substantial evidence to show a former member of FIFA's executive committee, Mohamed Bin Hammam of Qatar has bribed other football officials to build support for his home country's bid.
FIFA has already started investigating the allegations and said the probe could be completed next week.
But FIFA says it will not make a decision on Qatar's bid until after the Brazilian World Cup is over in July.
 
 
Dortmund signs Serie A top scorer Immobile
 
Also in football,
German Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund has completed the signing of Ciro Immobile,top scorer in the Italian Series A this past season.
Immobile comes to Dortmund as a replacement for striker Robert Lewandowski, who has joined league rivals Bayern Munich.
Media reports suggest Dortmund has paid Immobile's club Torino a transfer fee of 18.5 million euros and the striker's salary will reach 3.8 million euros a year at Dortmund for a five-year contract.
24-year-old Immobile scored 22 goals in 33 appearances to help Torino finish seventh in Italy's top flight.
His current performance has also earned him a berth in the Italian national final 23-member squad for the Brazilian World Cup which starts next week.
 
 
Sterling attends African-American church to redeem racist remarks
 
Some off-court basketball news,
Embattled L.A. Clippers owner Donald Sterling has attended a predominantly African-American church in a gesture aimed at redeeming himself after making racist remarks which led to his expulsion from the league.
The 80-year-old was invited to attend a service at the Praises of Zion Baptist Church in the city of Los Angeles.　
The senior pastor and Sterling embraced during the service.
Earlier, the NBA said it has reached an agreement with Sterling's estranged wife to sell the team which she co-owns.
Various reports suggest that the buyer is former Microsoft Chief Executive Officer Steve Ballmer.
 
 
Lin Dan faces Australian qualifying
 
Badminton news,
two-time Olympic gold medalist and five-time world champion Lin Dan will have to qualify to make his debut at this month's Australian Open.
The organizers said they made the decision on the grounds that Lin's ranking had dropped to 104th after his seven-month sabbatical from the sport last year.
No consideration was given to the 30-year-old's returning to the sport and winning the Asia Championships and China Masters to race back to world No. 35 ranking this year.
The Australian Open will take place between June 24th and 29th in Sydney.
 
 
Entertainment
 
 
Ex-journalist who tried to hug Brad Pitt says he meant no harm
 
The arrested ex-journalist Vitalii Sediuk has said he was merely trying to give Brad Pitt a hug and didn't mean him any harm.
He has denied any involvement in attacking the actor.
"I leaned down right away. It was a little bit high in my position. I leaned down with my hands and I was pulled by security right away, wrestled to the floor. And that's it. As I say, I never, I never hit, I never punched, I never slapped Brad Pitt in the face. And this is absolutely false information. It's something that hurts not only me, but my family."
Sediuk is a former Ukrainian television reporter. He has gained a reputation for outlandish pranks on red carpets.
Last month at the Cannes Film Festival, He crawled underneath America Ferrera's dress at a film screening.
Last Wednesday, he jostled with actor Brad Pitt and got arrested.
He was sentenced to three years probation and a year's worth of psychiatric counseling.
Sediuk claimed he is a normal guy and he did it for entertainment.
The journalist has been fired by Ukrainian television station 1+1. Though he said he would like to remain in the entertainment field.
But he didn't want his named to be remembered as the man who attacked Brad Pitt.
Sediuk said he wanted Pitt to clarify the situation. Pitt hasn't commented on the incident, but information that Sediuk struck the actor initially came from the police.
 
 
'The Fault in Our Stars' premiere in Manhattan
 
Hundreds of screaming fans have gathered outside the Ziegfeld Theatre for the premiere of the long anticipated film "The Fault in Our Stars".
The movie, based on John Green's best-seller, tells the story of two teenagers - Hazel Grace Lancaster and Augustus Waters - with cancer who meet at a support group and fall in love.
Green showed up early to sign autographs and take selfies with the predominantly young female fans.
"I mean this is not something an author ever expects to experience in their life. It's absolutely nuts. There's thousands of people here to support the movie. We're so happy they're here."
Green says his book and the movie aren't just telling a sad story about a couple of doomed kids but about people living with a lot of other stuff.
His opinion is shared by actor Ansel Elgort.
"I think the most important thing is what this movie says, is not, 'Oh, well these sick people can die and teach healthy people a lesson.' It says, 'No, sick people are just as important as healthy people. All people are just as important as everyone else and just because you're sick and might only live until 20 doesn't mean that someone who lives to 100 is more important than you."
Leading actress Shailene Woodley, who also appeared in the blockbuster 'Divergent', says she desperately wanted to see the book turned into a film, even writing Green a 13-hundred word email urging him to make the movie.
The film will hit US screens this Friday.
 
 
Shanghai Film Festival releases guest list, featuring big stars
 
The Committee of the Shanghai Film Festival has released this year's guest list.
As the only A-Class film festival in China, the Shanghai Film Festival has become a famous red carpet event in Asia.
This year is no exception.
Nicole Kidmanm, Hugh Grant, Hayden Christensen, Rain and Song Seung-heon will all appear at the opening ceremony.
And during the closing ceremony, Natalie Portman, Kirsten Dunst and Son Tae-yeong will grace the red carpet.
It is estimated that more than 400 hundred celebrities will attend this year's ceremony.
The Shanghai Film Festival will run from June 14 to 22.
 
 
Oliver Stone to adapt Edward Snowden story for film
 
The British newspaper The Guardian has revealed that Oscar-winning director Oliver Stone will adapt Edward Snowden's story for the big screen.
Stone bought the rights to Guardian journalist Luke Harding's new book, "The Snowden Files: The Inside Story of the World's Most Wanted Man".
Edward Snowden was former US National Security Agency contractor.
Last year, he leaked a raft of secret documents revealing the U.S. government's monitoring of phone and Internet data.
After the incident, many Americans regard Snowden as a traitor.
But Stone has spoken highly of him.
"Edward Snowden is a hero. Because he did this not for profit, not to give, exchange, give secrets away that could hurt our country supposedly. I haven't seen any evidence of that. He is doing it out of conscience. The higher law of his conscience dictated it. He sacrificed his life for this."
The filmmaker, who has previously won two Oscars, will write and direct the film and also include material from the Guardian journalists who broke the story.
 
 
CFDA Awards recognizes Rihanna as 2014 Fashion Icon
 
The 2014 Council of Fashion Designers of America Awards has drawn a mix of fashion insiders and Hollywood stars walking the red carpet in New York.
Rihanna was the big draw last night.
The singer and pop culture star received the group's 2014 Fashion Icon Award.
Previous honorees have been Lady Gaga, Kate Moss, Nicole Kidman and Johnny Depp.
The annual show, hosted this year by director and screenwriter John Waters, honors the year's top designers.
Designer Tom Ford won the CFDA's lifetime achievement award.
Joseph Altuzarra won the CFDA's womenswear award while the menswear award went to designers Dao-Yi Chow and Maxwell Osborne, the duo behind the label Public School.
Sisters Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen won the accessories award.
The CFDA's international award went to Raf Simons who is now working at Dior.
 
 
A quick recap of headlines before we go.
U.S. President Barack Obama has begun a four-day visit to Europe, with the ongoing Ukrainian crisis figuring high on the agenda.
President Mahmoud Abbas has sworn in a Palestinian unity government amid condemnation from Israel.
A U.S.-led international operation has busted a crime ring which has infected hundreds of thousands of computers with malicious bank data-stealing software.
In Business, China's service sector grew at its fastest pace in six months in May, helping allay fears of a sharp slowdown in the economy.
In Sport, Chinese badminton Olympic gold medalist Lin Dan will have to qualify anew for this month's Australian Open following his seven-month sabbatical from the sport.
And in Entertainment, Oscar-winning director Oliver Stone is to adapt NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden's story for the big screen.