China on course for 7th Sudirman Cup

GUANGZHOU, May 16 -- Six-time Sudirman Cup winner China will meet South Korea in the final of the world mixed team championships after both sides overwhelmed their fellow Asian semi-finalists on Saturday.

The home side crushed Malaysia 3-0, while South Korea beat Indonesia 3-1.

Looking forward to Sunday's final, Chinese head coach Li Yongbo said both sides have a chance to win.

He Hanbin/Yu Yang trounced Mohd Fairuzizuan Mohd Tazari/Wong Pei Tty 21-11, 21-14 in mixed doubles, putting the hosts 1-0 in front.

"The semifinals stage is quite different from group matches and we felt excited," said He.

"We are not familiar with Tazari and Wong, that's why we made mistakes in the beginning," said Yu.

Lin "Super" Dan ended his losing streak against Lee Chong Wei in team events as he took just 56 minutes to down the world No.1 21-16, 21-16.

Lee had previously beat Lin twice in the 2008 Thomas Cup and 2007 Sudirman Cup.

"The Sudirman Cup means more than a team event to me," said Lin. "I don't want to lose."

Olympic runners-up Cai Yun/Fu Haifeng secured China's berth in the final by edging out Koo Kean Keat/Tan Boon Heong 19-21, 21-15 and 23-21.

"Tonight's fierce battle made a good preparation for tomorrow's final," said Fu.

Maijol Mahap, Malaysia's team manager, was satisfied with their performance.

"Yes, we lost the semi but our players cooperated well and had a good spirit. We are proud to be in top four at Sudirman Cup," said Mahap. South Korean head coach Kim Jung-Soo said Hwang

Hye-Youn's 23-21, 21-19 win over Maria Kristin Yulianti in the women's singles to put her side 2-1 up overall against Indonesia was the turning point of their tie earlier in the day.

"It was a big surprise because we didn't expect her to win, and it made a contribution to our big victory," Kim said.

Of the prospect of facing heavily favored China on home soil, he said: "China are the strongest team in the world...But if we can win the doubles, we are in with a chance of winning."

China and South Korea played 12 times in the Sudirman Cup and China won eight.
(Xinhua)
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Chinese shooters suffer mini-Waterloo at 10m air rifle in Munich World Cup

MUNICH, May 16 -- Shooters from China, the world's shooting powerhouse, suffered a mini-Waterloo in 10m air rifle at the ISSF World Cup in Munich on Saturday.

China's Zhu Qinan, Athens Olympic champion, shot a poor score of 9.6 points in his final try in men's 10m air rifle, losing the hope of regaining brilliance and merely taking home a bronze.

China's Yi Siling, who grabbed a silver in last month's Beijing leg of ISSF World Cup, placed the fourth in the women's 10m air rifle.

Yi's teammates Yin Wen, who had recently crowned two championships at ISSF World Cup series, and Wang Qinqin, failed to entered the final stage of the women's event.

Their fate was shared by Zhu's teammates Liu Tianyou and Li Jie, who did not get chance to shoot in the men's final either.

Zhu staged moderate performance in the qualifying round earlier on the day, scoring 597 points to elevate to the final in the 6th place.

However, the experienced shooter performed steadily in his first nine shots in the final, catching up to the second place with 691.0 points.

Unfortunately, Zhu shot an awkward 9.6 points in his final try, smashing his gold-medal dream to pieces.

Zhu has been enduring enormous pressure after he lost the widely-expected gold medal in the Beijing Olympic Games, and the 25-year-old said he could hardly stand the pressure in the final competition.

"I know I have a chance (to win the gold medal), but I felt suffocated in the final today," he told Xinhua.

Zhu did not smile when he was at the medal-awarding podium.

"At least I did do well in the first nine shots," he said, comforting himself.

Yi, who joined the national team last year, merely scored 9.7 points in her first shot in the final stage, signaling a dooming fate.

"I was very nervous in the first place," Yi said, noting that the competition was fiercer than she had expected.

Yi's coach said her shooting techniques are good, what she lacks in experience and self control.

The downfall of the Chinese regiment, however, benefits the western shooters.

Israel's Sergy Rikhter claimed the gold medal of men's 10m air rifle, edging Hunary's Peter Sidi and China's Zhu Qinan to pocket his first medal in the international arena. Sidi scored 701.5 points to take home a silver medal, while Zhu made 700.6 points. Rikhter, who had never won a medal in the ISSF World Cup series, also placed the first place with 599 points in the qualifying round earlier on the day.

Despite a poor last shot of 9.8 points in the final, the 20-year-old still made his medal dream come true. "I'm every excited, I did not expect that," Rikhter told Xinhua after the final.

He said the Munich leg of ISSF World Cup is his fourth international appearance, and he was very pleased to bring a medal for his team.

On the women's event later on the day, Ukrainian and German shooters shared the medals of women's 10m air rifle.

Darya Shytko of Ukraine scored 502.7 points, edging three-time world champion Sonja Pfeilschifter and Beate Gauss. The German duo took home silver and bronze.

Boasting the same 399 points in the qualifying round, the trio staged a fierce competition in Saturday's final.

Shytko staged a come-from-behind drama despite a poor shot of 9.7 points in her fourth try, and she successfully surpassed left-handed Pfeilschifter in the ninth shot with 492.0 points against 491.7 points.

During the breath-taking final shot, Shytko tallied an amazing 10.7 points, while Pfeilschifter, who was the last to trigger, ended up with 10.6 points, a handsome score but shy of winning the gold.
(Xinhua)
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Palmeiras signs Henrique with hopes of bringing the midfield to life

RIO DE JANEIRO, May 15 -- The Palmeiras soccer team officially presented to the media on Friday their newest player.

The 23 year-old right midfielder, Henrique, was brought aboard with the mission to bring the midfield to life. The position has been problematic for the team ever since 2002.

"I am a very offensively minded player. But, I never leave my area vulnerable to the opposition. If I can manage to play well, I know that all the pressure and expectations will be positive for me. I still don't know if I will be able to play in the Libertadores Cup, but I am not worried about it. I am focuses on practice and earning my spot on the starting line-up," said Henrique, who signed a contract extending through the end of the 2009 season.

Apart from Henrique, the team is also interested in bringing in other talent at the same position. The club is currently negotiating with the Chilean midfielder from Colo-Colo, Figueroa. The player is allegedly close to being signed, however, he will not be able to play for the team until August when the registration for foreign players is open.
(Xinhua)
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"Kuki Ningyo" premiered at 62nd Cannes Film Festival


Director Kore-Eda Hirokazu (2nd L) poses on the red carpet with cast members Itao ItItzuji (2nd R), Arata (L), and Doo Na Bae (C), as they arrive for the screening of the film "Kuki Ningyo" at the 62nd Cannes Film Festival May 14, 2009. Twenty films compete for the prestigious Palme d'Or which will be awarded on May 24. The man on the right is unidentified.


Actor Matt Smith walks on the red carpet as he arrives for the screening of the film "Kuki Ningyo" at the 62nd Cannes Film Festival May 14, 2009. Twenty films compete for the prestigious Palme d'Or which will be awarded on May 24.


Director Kore-Eda Hirokazu (2nd L) poses on the red carpet with cast members Itao Itsuji (hidden), Arata (L), and Bae Doo Na (C), as they arrive for the screening of the film "Kuki Ningyo" at the 62nd Cannes Film Festival May 14, 2009.
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"Night at the Museum 2" premiered in Washington


Robin Williams arrives for the movie premiere "Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian," at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in Washington May 14, 2009.


Ben Stiller and Christine Taylor arrives for the premier of "Night at the Museum, Battle of the Smithsonian," at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in Washington May 14, 2009.


Ricky Gervais and Jane Fallon arrive for the premiere of "Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian," at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in Washington, May 14, 2009.
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Long-eared Jerboa found in NW China's Xinjiang


Photo taken on May 13, 2009 shows a Long-eared Jerboa at the scenic spot of the Mountain of Flames (Huoyanshan) in Turpan City, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. The Long-eared Jerboa, a species on the edge of extinction living in desert habitat, is a mouse-like rodent with a long tail, long hind legs, and exceptionally large ears


Photo taken on May 13, 2009 shows a Long-eared Jerboa at the scenic spot of the Mountain of Flames (Huoyanshan) in Turpan City, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. The Long-eared Jerboa, a species on the edge of extinction living in desert habitat, is a mouse-like rodent with a long tail, long hind legs, and exceptionally large ears.


A tourist takes photo of a Long-eared Jerboa at the scenic spot of the Mountain of Flames (Huoyanshan) in Turpan City, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, May 13, 2009. The Long-eared Jerboa, a species on the edge of extinction living in desert habitat, is a mouse-like rodent with a long tail, long hind legs, and exceptionally large ears.


Photo taken on May 13, 2009 shows a Long-eared Jerboa at the scenic spot of the Mountain of Flames (Huoyanshan) in Turpan City, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. The Long-eared Jerboa, a species on the edge of extinction living in desert habitat, is a mouse-like rodent with a long tail, long hind legs, and exceptionally large ears.
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Safina, Jankovic go further in Madrid tennis


World number one Dinara Safina of Russia downed Czech Lucie Safarova 6-0, 4-6 and 6-3 to secure a last eight ticket of the Madrid Open tennis tournament on Thursday.

MADRID, May 14 -- World number one Dinara Safina of Russia downed Czech Lucie Safarova 6-0, 4-6 and 6-3 to secure a last eight ticket of the Madrid Open tennis tournament on Thursday.

After winning the first set easily, the Russian stumbled in the second as she twice lost her serve and also lagged behind 2-0 in the third. Yet, she rallied to break back twice and wrapped up the win when Safarova sent a return over the baseline.

Safina will next play Alona Bondarenko after the Ukrainian beat Russian Anna Chakvetadze 6-0, 2-6 and 6-3.

"I started very well, very aggressive, but then

I just stopped and let her back in," Safina explained, "All I can take from the match is how I played in the first set, which is how I should play all the time."

Fourth seed Jelena Jankovic made the last eight with an easy 6-2 and 6-2 victory over qualifier Elena Vesnina, another Russian.

Swiss Patty Schnyder is her next opponent.
(Xinhua)
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Veteran Russian shooter grabs first gold of Munich shooting World Cup


Veteran Russian shooter Irina Laricheva grabbed the first gold medal of the ISSF shooting World Cup here on Thursday at the Munich Olympic Shooting Range.

MUNICH, May 14 -- Veteran Russian shooter Irina Laricheva grabbed the first gold medal of the ISSF shooting World Cup here on Thursday at the Munich Olympic Shooting Range.

Laricheva, aged 44, hit 92 targets to claim the gold medal of women's trap shooting. Chinese Lu Xingyu snatched the silver medal by hitting 91 targets, her first-ever medal in the shooting World Cup series.


Chinese Lu Xingyu snatched the silver medal by hitting 91 targets, her first-ever medal in the shooting World Cup series.

German Susanne Kiermayer took home the bronze medal by hitting 90 targets, the first medal for the host in the fourth leg of this year's ISSF shooting series, which lasts till May 20.

Laricheva had shot at the time-honored Munich Olympic Shooting Range 14 years ago, she said she enjoys the coming-back.

In 1994, Laricheva took the 7th place at a World Cup leg here in Munich.

"I like the range which has been renewed, and it is well-prepared," she said after the final shooting.

Despite the rain fall in the process of the final competition on the day, Laricheva said the rain did not affect her performance.

The veteran shooter has cast her eyes on the London Olympics when she will be 47 years old.

"I'm looking forward to London," she said.

Last year in Beijing Olympic Games, she took the 9th place in women's trap.

The Munich leg of the ISSF World Cup series opened on Wednesday, which drew around 1,100 shooters from over 80 countries and regions.

Silver medalist Lu Xingyu is a newcomer in the Chinese national team, and the Munich leg is her first international appearance.

For the Chinese green horn, a silver medal is a satisfactory achievement at the international arena.

"I'm very satistified with a silver," Lu told Xinhua after the final, who shared her excitement and joy with her coach and teammates.

However, the World Cup debutant still regreted for a single margin with the gold medalist as Lu, Kiermayer and Laricheva all scored 72 hits in the qualifying rounds.

"I lagged behind by a single hit, I'm a little bit regretful for that," she said.

Lu's silver is the first medal for the Chinese team. The world's shooting powerhouse has sent 49 shooters to the Munich event.
(Xinhua)
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Defending champion China roll into semifinals with Malaysia

GUANGZHOU, Southeast China, May 14 -- Six-time winner China blanked Indonesia 5-0 in their final group match at 11th Sudirman Cup world team badminton championship here on Thursday, while Malaysia marched to their first-ever semis.

Olympic silver medallists Cai Yun/Fu Haifeng won the men's doubles by a narrow margin, defeating newly-paired Hendra Setiawan/Mohanmmad Ahsan 21-10, 19-21, 21-12.


Cai Yun (L) and Fu Haifeng of China compete during the men's doubles competition against Hendra Setiawan/Mohammad Ahsan of Indonesia at the 11th Sudirman Cup World Team Badminton Championship in Guangzhou, capital of south China's Guangdong Province, May 14, 2009. Cai Yun and Fu Haifeng won the match 2-1.

Setiawan and Kido Markis beat Cai/Fu in the men's doubles final at last year's Beijing Olympics. "I don't know why coaches decided to rest Kido. But it was the coaches' decision and I just do as I was told to," said Setiawan.

"They played better than us and we had three had serves. Maybe we can beat them the next time," said Ahsan.

Cai admitted that the change of the pairing surprised him. "We prepared to play Kido/Setiawan," said Cai. "But anyway, we are so familiar with each other and it didn't affect us.

"We won the first set quite easily and we got a bit relaxed in the second set," he added.


Hendra Setiawan/Mohammad Ahsan of Indonesia compete during the men's doubles competition against Cai Yun and Fu Haifeng of China at the 11th Sudirman Cup World Team Badminton Championship in Guangzhou, capital of south China's Guangdong Province, May 14, 2009.

Wang Yihan came from behind to beat injured Maria Kristin Yulianti 16-21, 21-5, 21-10 in the women's singles.

"I'm not familiar with Yulianti because I only watched her playing through video," Wang said. "I could not adapt to her rhythm in the beginning but I gradually adjusted and won."

Yulianti limped off the court because of her right knee injury. She said afterwards that it was hard for her to continue during the match.

"The injury really hurts. I could have tied the match at 1-1 if I was healthy," said Yulianti, the world No.15.

Lin "Super" Dan overcame a sluggish start to beat Simon Santoso 13-21, 21-14, 21-11. "I had really a poor start tonight," said Lin. "I felt quite different from I was in the previous two matches. I hope my form will becoming better in the semifinals."


Cai Yun and Fu Haifeng (front) of China compete during the men's doubles competition against Hendra Setiawan/Mohammad Ahsan of Indonesia at the 11th Sudirman Cup World Team Badminton Championship in Guangzhou, capital of south China's Guangdong Province, May 14, 2009.

Du Jing/Yu Yang crushed Poili Greysia/Nitya Krishinda Maheswari in the women's doubles 21-15, 21-13 before Zheng Bo/Ma Jin closed the match with a 22-20, 19-21 and 21-14 victory over over Devin Lahardi Fitriawan/Lita Nurlita in the mixed doubles.

"It is a good thing for players to have tough matches," said Li Yongbo, head-coach of Chinese national team. "Players will be more careful in the upcoming games."

Wong Mew Choo secured Malaysia the very important point for the ticket to their first Sudirman Cup semifinals in the history of the 20-year-old competition.

Things didn't start off well with the mixed pairing of Mohd Fairuzizuan Tazari/Wong Pei Tty succumbing to Thomas Laybourn/Kamilla Juhl.


Hendra Setiawan/Mohammad Ahsan of Indonesia compete during the men's doubles competition against Cai Yun and Fu Haifeng of China at the 11th Sudirman Cup World Team Badminton Championship in Guangzhou, capital of south China's Guangdong Province, May 14, 2009.

Lee Chong Wei evened the score with a straight set victory over Jan Jorgenhen who replaced Gade.

Lee is likely to face Lin "Super" Dan in the semifinals. "I'm not happy with my performance recently and it will be tough against Lin Dan," said Lee. "But this is a team event and we will try our best to win."

Koo Kien Keat/Tan Boon Heong had inspired performance in the men's doubles, winning 21-9, 21-14 over Lars Paaske/Jonas Rasmussen.

After leading 2-1, Wong Mew Choo came on the court to deliver the winning point.

"I am so happy that I could give my team the winning point. But it was not easy on the court. The pressure was on me. What if I failed and the tie would have gone into the very last match, putting the pressure on my teammates," said Wong.

"It was a relief when I scored the winning point and we can now look forward to playing China in the semis," she added.

Denmark had to do without women's world number one Tine Rasmussen, who missed the tournament with injury, and men's world number two Peter Gade, who was absent from the tie after a migraine that saw him sent to hospital.

Chief coach Finn Traerup-Hansen acknowledged he had had little luck.

"I have to be honest and I say it's not been our tournament at all," he said.

"We haven't had Tine and Peter of course, but at least one positive is that it gave some practice to the next generation."

India created history by breaking into the Group 2 for the first time after they trounced Bulgaria 3-0 in the promotion playoff.

Australia will be relegated to bottom Group 4 at the next Sudirman Cup after losing 3-1 to Sweden in a Group 3 playoff while Sweden retains its berth in Group 3 at the world mixed team championship in 2011.
(Xinhua)
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Rockets force Game 7 with 95-80 win over Lakers


Houston Rockets' Luis Scola of Argentina reacts to scoring a basket against the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half of Game 6 of their NBA Western Conference playoffs basketball series Thursday, May 14, 2009 in Houston. The Rockets won 95-80 to tie the series at 3-3. Rockets pushed the top-seeded Lakers to the brink in their Western Conference semifinal series with a 95-80 win in Game 6 on Thursday night.


Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant (24) drives to the basket as Houston Rockets' Shane Battier defends during the first half of Game 6 of their NBA Western Conference playoffs basketball series Thursday, May 14, 2009 in Houston. Rockets pushed the top-seeded Lakers to the brink in their Western Conference semifinal series with a 95-80 win in Game 6 on Thursday night.
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Phelps to return to swimming


Swimmer Michael Phelps (L) answers questions as his personal coach Bob Bowman looks on during a news conference at the Mecklenburg Aquatic Center in Charlotte, North Carolina May 14, 2009


Olympic swimming gold medalist Michael Phelps, center, laughs while visiting patients at Levine Children's Hospital in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, May 14, 2009.


Swimmer Michael Phelps talks with Joseph Clark, 10, while visiting patients at the Levine Children's Hospital in Charlotte, North Carolina May 14, 2009.
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Nadal enjoys walkover, Federer gets in quarters in Madrid Open

MADRID, May 14 -- World number one Rafael Nadal had an easy walkover while No. 2 Roger Federer scored a 6-2 and 6-4 win over James Blake into the quarterfinals of the Madrid Open tennis tournament on Thursday.

Nadal's opponent Philipp Kohlschreiber was forced out with a left leg injury. And sixth seed Andy Roddick also handed in a walkover as Nikolay Davydenko of Russia withdrew also with a left leg injury.

Also into the last eight were Andy Murray, who downed Spanish 16th seed Tommy Robredo 7-5, 6-1, and Novak Djokovic, who advanced with a 6-4, 6-4 victory over unseeded Italian Andreas Seppi.


Roger Federer of Switzerland returns the ball during the men's singles 3rd round match against James Blake of the USA at the Madrid Open tennis tournament in Madrid, Spain, May 14, 2009. Federer won the match 2-0.

The 13-time grand slam winner Federer who lost to Blake at last year's Beijing Olympics, broke the American 14th seed to open the match and wrapped up the victory to face Roddick in a chase of his first title this year.

Murray broke Robredo's serve in the 11th game to win the tight first set, and broke three more in the second for a comfortable win. The Briton has never won a tour title on clay, and will next play Juan Martin Del Potro after the Argentine fifth seed battled past 11th-seeded Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka 4-6, 6-4 and 6-4.

World number four Djokovic had a smooth passage against Seppi to set up a last-eight clash against wildcard Ivan Ljubicic, who battled back from a set down to beat eighth seed Gilles Simon 3-6, 6-4 and 6-3.
(Xinhua)
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Red carpet rolls out as Cannes film festival kicks off


Creators and their family memebers of the 3D animated movie "Up" pose during the screening of their movie on the opening night of the 62nd International Film Festival in Cannes, France, May 13, 2009.


Jury member and Italian actress Asia Argento poses during a photocall at the 62nd Cannes Film Festival May 13, 2009. The 62nd Cannes film festival opens on Wednesday and 20 films compete for the prestigious Palme d'Or which will be awarded on May 24.


Italian actress and director Asia Argento (C) poses on the red carpet while arriving for the opening ceremony of the 62nd International Film Festival in Cannes, France, May 13, 2009.
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"Drag Me to Hell" premiere held in Hollywood


Director of the movie Sam Raimi smiles at the premiere of the movie "Drag Me to Hell" at the Grauman's Chinese theatre in Hollywood, California May 12, 2009. The movie opens in the U.S. on May 29.


Cast member Alison Lohman poses at the premiere of the movie "Drag Me to Hell" at the Grauman's Chinese theatre in Hollywood, California May 12, 2009. The movie opens in the U.S. on May 29.


Cast member Alison Lohman poses at the premiere of the movie "Drag Me to Hell" at the Grauman's Chinese theatre in Hollywood, California May 12, 2009. The movie opens in the U.S. on May 29.


Cast member Justin Long poses with co-star Alison Lohman at the premiere of the movie "Drag Me to Hell" at the Grauman's Chinese theatre in Hollywood, California May 12, 2009. The movie opens in the U.S. on May 29.
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10 immigrants dead after boat sinks off Florida


A recovered body from a capsized migrant boat is brought to shore by first responders in Riviera Beach, Florida, May 13, 2009. U.S. Coast Guard crews pulled 17 survivors and nine bodies from the Atlantic Ocean on Wednesday, hours after a boat believed to be carrying illegal Haitian migrants sank off the Florida coast.

HOUSTON, May 13 -- Ten immigrants are dead and 17 rescued on Wednesday after an overloaded boat carrying immigrants sank off the coast of the southern U.S. state of Florida, local media reported.

The search for survivals is underway and local officials say they do not know exactly how many people were aboard the boat, said Coast Guard Captain James Fitton, quoted by the reports.


A survivor from a capsized migrant boat is brought to shore by the U.S. Coast Guard and first responders in Riviera Beach, Florida, May 13, 2009.

Fitton believed around 30 were dumped into the sea.

The boat "apparently left Bimini in the Bahamas" on Tuesday night and "apparently" carrying immigrants of Haiti, the reports added.
(Xinhua)
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More than 160 people hospitalized after exposure to unclear gas in NE China


Sick people receive treatment in a hospital in Jilin City, northeast China's Jilin province, May 13, 2009. More than 160 people had been hospitalized on Wednesday after exposure to unclear gas in Jilin province and investigation into the event had been launched, said the local authorities.

JILIN, May 13 -- More than 160 people had been hospitalized after exposure to unclear gas in northeast China's Jilin province and investigation into the event had been launched, said the local authorities.

The staff members of Jilin Chemical group Company Ltd. and residents around the company began to feel sick and dizzy when smelled a irritant gas since April 23 in Jilin City, capital of Jilin province.

Hospitals had received more than 1000 people who suffered from the same symptom as of Wednesday, according to local health authorities.

The patients thought the gas were from Jilin Kangnaier Chemical Industry Company Ltd. neighbouring Jilin Chemical group Company Ltd., which had not confirmed by the government.

An investigation was launched soon after the municipal government received the report from Jilin Chemical group Company Ltd..

A work team consisted of officials from Jinlin Municipal Environmental Bureau, Jilin Municipal Administration of Work Safety and Jilin Municipal health Bureau.

An observation of the air started on may 5 and totally 18 monitoring points had been planted in the two companies, said Su Xuefei, deputy director of the municipal environmental bureau.

No pollution had been found in the air, Su said.


A sick person receives treatment in a hospital in Jilin City, northeast China's Jilin province, May 13, 2009. More than 160 people had been hospitalized on Wednesday after exposure to unclear gas in Jilin province and investigation into the event had been launched, said the local authorities.

The local government has ordered Kangnaier company to stop operation.

The municipal health bureau had conducted four times of medical examinations for the patients and Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention had sent experts to Jilin, said Bai Huiying, deputy director of the municipal health bureau.

An assessment report was expected to be worked out in a couple of days, Bai said.
(Xinhua)
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Van Gaal to coach Bayern Munich


AZ Alkmaar's coach Louis van Gaal reacts during a UEFA Cup second knockout round, sdecond leg soccer match against Newcastle in Alkmaar March 15, 2007.

MUNICH, May 13 -- Dutch renowned football coach Louis van Gaal will shortly be appointed head coach of Bayern Munich, the Munich soccer club confirmed on Wednesday evening.

The 57-year-old will put his name to a two-year contract in Bavaria, beginning on 1 July this year and lasting until 30 June 2011. The Dutchman will ink the deal within the next few days, according to the official website of Bayern.

The Bayern Munich AG board of directors, comprising Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, Uli Hoeness and Karl Hopfner, travelled for talks with Van Gaal's current club AZ Alkmaar of The Netherlands on Wednesday.

Alkmaar agreed to cancel Van Gaal's contract with AZ a year early, unconditionally releasing the coach to join his new club at the start of the new season.

As a reciprocal gesture, Bayern will visit the Netherlands for a friendly against the freshly-crowned domestic champions. There will be no appearance fee charged for the match, provisionally scheduled for summer 2010.

"We're delighted to be bringing Lous van Gaal, a very experienced and successful coach, to FC Bayern Munich," Bayern chairman Rummenigge commented after the talks in Alkmaar.

Van Gaal boasts rich coaching experience as he had served as head coach of Spanish Barcelona, Dutch Ajax and the national squad of The Netherlands.

Under his helm, AZ Alkmaar took the top title of Dutch top league this season with three rounds remaining.
(Xinhua)
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Madrid Open: Li Na lost to Russian Safina at 2nd round


Chinese Li Na returns the ball to Russian Dinara Safina during their second round match of women's singles at the Madrid Open tennis tournament on May 13, 2009. Li Na lost 0-2 (3-6, 6-7).


Russian Dinara Safina celebrates after beating Chinese Li Na in their second round match of women's singles at the Madrid Open tennis tournament on May 13, 2009. Dinara Safina won 2-0 (6-3, 7-6).


Russian Dinara Safina returns the ball to Chinese Li Na during their second round match of women's singles at the Madrid Open tennis tournament on May 13, 2009. Dinara Safina won 2-0 (6-3, 7-6).


Chinese Li Na returns the ball to Russian Dinara Safina during their second round match of women's singles at the Madrid Open tennis tournament on May 13, 2009. Li Na lost 0-2 (3-6, 6-7).


Russian Dinara Safina returns the ball to Chinese Li Na during their second round match of women's singles at the Madrid Open tennis tournament on May 13, 2009. Dinara Safina won 2-0 (6-3, 7-6).
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Djokovic wins 2-0 at Madrid Open, advances to next round


Oscar Hernandez of Spain returns the ball during the men's singles 2nd round match against Novak Djokovic of Serbia at the Madrid Open tennis tournament in Madrid, Spain, May 13, 2009. Hernandez lost the match 0-2.


Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates for winning over Oscar Hernandez of Spain during the men's singles 2nd round match at the Madrid Open tennis tournament in Madrid, Spain, May 13, 2009. Djokovic won the match 2-0, and advanced into the next round.


Novak Djokovic of Serbia returns the ball during the men's singles 2nd round match against Oscar Hernandez of Spain at the Madrid Open tennis tournament in Madrid, Spain, May 13, 2009. Djokovic won the match 2-0, and advanced into the next round.
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AZ Alkmaar's El Hamdaoui named Dutch Player of Season


AZ Alkmaar's Mounir El Hamdaoui fights for the ball with Radek Sirl (R) of Zenit St. Petersburg during their UEFA Cup Group A soccer match in St.Petersburg October 25, 2007.
BRUSSELS, May 13 (Xinhua) -- Dutch premier league champions AZ Alkmaar forward Mounir El Hamdaoui has been named Dutch Player of the Season, brushing aside challenges from Groningen keeper Luciano and Twente attacker Eljero Elia, Dutch media reported on Wednesday.

El Hamdaoui will receive the Golden Boot at a gala event on Aug. 31.

The Rotterdam-born Moroccan international was in superb form throughout the season, which saw AZ Alkmaar win their first ever Dutch title in 28 years. He was the top scorer of the league, scoring 23 goals.

He is the first AZ player to win the Golden Boot, which is awarded on the basis of assessments by former Dutch internationals throughout the course of the season.
(Xinhua)
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U.S. shuttle Atlantis lifts off on mission to upgrade Hubble Space Telescope


Space shuttle Atlantis lifts off on a mission to NASA's Hubble Telescope from its launch pad at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida May 11, 2009.

WASHINGTON, May 11 -- The U.S. space shuttle Atlantis lifted off Monday with seven-member crew onboard from Kennedy Space Center in Florida, on a mission to upgrade the 19-year-old Hubble Space Telescope for the last time.

The blastoff occurred at 2:01 p.m. EDT (1801 GMT). It is NASA's second space shuttle flight in 2009 and the 30th flight for Atlantis.


Space shuttle Atlantis lifts off on a mission to NASA's Hubble Telescope from its launch pad at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida May 11, 2009.

The seven astronauts are commander Scott Altman, shuttle pilot Gregory C. Johnson and mission specialists Michael Good, Megan McArthur, John Grunsfeld, Michael Massimino and Andrew Feustel.

According to NASA TV, about two minutes and five seconds after liftoff, the twin solid rocket boosters assisting Atlantis' launch into space have separated as planned from the shuttle's external tank. The reusable boosters will fall back toward the Atlantic Ocean, where they will land under parachutes and be retrieved by recovery ships. They are equipped with cameras to record the performance of Atlantis' external tank and any foam loss seen during its ascent.

Atlantis is expected to reach Hubble on Wednesday. Its 11-day mission is the final shuttle flight to Hubble.

The seven-member crew will enhance the observatory and ensure cutting-edge science. The mission will put in place advanced technology that improves the telescope's discovery power by 10 to 70 times. Five spacewalks are planned to install new instruments and thermal blankets, repair two existing instruments, refurbish subsystems and replace gyroscopes, batteries and a unit that stores and transmits science data to Earth. The result will be six working, complementary science instruments with new capabilities, and an extended operational lifespan through at least 2014.

When Atlantis was on its way to Hubble, space shuttle Endeavour was prepared as a backup vehicle for Atlantis. Endeavour will also be launched if in the unlikely event that it's needed for a rescue flight.

That's because Atlantis' 11-day mission comes with a higher risk than usual. Atlantis will be flying in an unusually high orbit for a space shuttle -- 350 miles up. Space is more littered there with spacecraft parts, and the odds of a catastrophic strike are greater.

If Atlantis is irreparably damaged during flight, its crew won't be able to reach the safe haven of the International Space Station to seek refuge for the months required to ready an unprepared shuttle for a rescue. Hubble flies higher than the space station (about 350 miles up, while the station sits at 220 miles) and in a different orbital inclination -- or tilt with respect to Earth's equator.

Without access to the space station, Atlantis would only have enough food and air to keep its crew alive for 25 days, even less time if serious damage is discovered late in the mission.


Space shuttle Atlantis lifts off on a mission to NASA's Hubble Telescope from its launch pad at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida May 11, 2009.

Scientists estimated that there's a slightly higher risk of damage from the orbital debris -- about a 1-in-229 chance of a critical strike. To offset that, NASA plans to fly Atlantis down to a safer orbit just after releasing Hubble back into space near the end of the flight.

Hubble, launched by NASA in 1990, was named after U.S. astronomer Edwin Hubble whose work revolutionized our understanding of the size and structure of the universe. After its first two months of tests in 1990, the initial images from Hubble were a blurry disappointment. A slight flaw in the telescope's main mirror -- barely the width of a human hair -- fouled the observatory's vision.

In 1993, NASA sent a shuttle up to Hubble, where astronauts added corrective lenses -- essentially glasses -- to sharpen its vision. The result was crystal clear: 16 years of stunning cosmic photos followed.

Since that first orbital fix, astronauts returned to Hubble three more times; in 1997, 1999 and 2002.

Hubble has given the world amazing insight into the origins of our universe. Among its greatest discoveries are determining the age of the universe (13.7 billion years); finding that virtually all major galaxies have black holes at their center; discovering that the process of planetary formation is relatively common; detecting first ever organic molecule in the atmosphere of a planet orbiting another star; and providing evidence that the speed at which the universe is expanding is accelerating – caused by an unknown force that makes up more than 75 percent of the universe.
(Xinhua)
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Astronauts uncover nicks on shuttle Atlantis


A NASA graphic shows an impact event believed responsible for damage along an area of about 21 inches (53 cm) spanning four of space shuttle Atlantis' thermal tiles in this image from NASA TV May 12, 2009. The Atlantis astronauts have uncovered a long stretch of nicks on their space shuttle, the result of launch debris. NASA says the damage does not appear to be serious.
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Fire-eater: Saint Roque, please give me a wife


A fire-eater entertains the crowd at a street procession honouring Saint Roque, a miracle worker and the patron saint of the unmarried, in Valenzuela City, north of Manila May 12, 2009. During the street procession, unmarried men chant "Saint Roque, please give us a wife" and approach unmarried women for a dance as they try to find a match. According to local beliefs, singles who take part in the procession will be able to get married before the end of the year.


A fire-eater entertains the crowd at a street procession honouring Saint Roque, a miracle worker and the patron saint of the unmarried, in Valenzuela City, north of Manila May 12, 2009. During the street procession, unmarried men chant "Saint Roque, please give us a wife" and approach unmarried women for a dance as they try to find a match. According to local beliefs, singles who take part in the procession will be able to get married before the end of the year.
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