新闻纵贯线 The Beijing Hour updated 20:00 2014/05/02

 

The Beijing Hour

 

Evening Edition

 

 

Paul James with you this Friday, May 2, 2014.

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

Coming up on the programme this evening...

Officials from China, Malaysia and Australia are set to meet Sunday to discuss the latest in the search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370.

Life is said to be returning to normal in Urumqi following this week's deadly terrorist attack.

Ukranian forces have launched a full-scale assault on Slovyansk in an effort to restore control of the separatist-held city.

In business, South Korean authorities are preparing to set up an offshore Renminbi center to help foster trade with China.

In sports, the Golden State Warriors have forced a decisive Game 7 in their first round series with the LA Clippers.

In entertainment, the first-ever iHeartRadio music awards have been dolled out in Los Angeles.

 

 

Weather

 

 

Beijing will be overcast tonight with a low of 12 degrees Celsius. Overcast tomorrow with a high of 24 degrees. Cloudy on Sunday with a high of 19.　

Meanwhile Shanghai will be overcast tonight, with a low of 17, cloudy tomorrow, with a high of 22.

Chongqing will have light rain, 16 degrees the low, light rain to moderate rain tomorrow with a high of 18.

Elsewhere in the world, staying in Asia

Islamabad, thundershowers with a high of 38.

Kabul, cloudy, 27.

Over in Australia

Sydney, light rain to moderate rain, high of 16.

Canberra, light rain to moderate rain, 8.

Brisbane, overcast, 23.

And finally, Perth will be sunny with a high of 23

 

 

Top News

 

 

Trilateral meeting on missing MH370 set for next week

 

Chinese, Malaysian and Australian officials are preparing to meet early next week in Canberra to discuss the next steps in the search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370.

Malaysia's acting transport minister and the head of the Joint Coordination Center have met this Friday ahead of the Australian meeting.

Both are warning the deep water search could take anywhere from 8 to 12-months.

However, both say they're confident they will discover the wreckage of the airliner.

Angus Houston, Australian head of the search operation.

"I still am hopeful that the Bluefin work that we do between now and the end of May might still find something. But I must say the chances of finding it, I think the probability is lower than it was when we started the search."

The meeting comes following the release of a preliminary report on the disappearance of the missing flight, which is suggesting the plane intentionally avoided flying over Malaysian airspace to avoid detection.

This is adding to the evidence that authorities believe one or more members of the crew had something to do with the disappearance of the plane.

The release of the report isn't sitting well among some in Malaysia.

"We don't know what really happened and yes, the Prime Minister said the plane ended in the Indian Ocean but we still cannot find wreckage from the plane. If I were a relative of a passenger, I would not be satisfied because of the lack of information."

For more on the preliminary report, here is CRI's Jordan Lee.

Reporter:

Three possible flight-path maps have been released along with the recording of conversations between the flight and the Kuala Lumpur control tower.

"MH370: DELIVERY MAS 370 GOOD MORNING.

ATC: MAS 370 STANDBY AND MALAYSIA SIX IS CLEARED TO FRANKFURT VIA AGOSA ALPHA DEPARTURE SIX THOUSAND FEET SQUAWK TWO ONE ZERO SIX."

The audio shows communication prior to take off and MH370 signing off Malaysia's airspace, ending with the words, "Good night Malaysian 370".

The preliminary report confirms that military radar tracked a plane after takeoff in early March as it turned in a westerly direction across the Malaysian peninsula.

But the military took no further action because the plane was deemed "friendly".

The report does not explain why the flight was regarded as friendly even though its transponder was switched off by the time it turned back.

It also recommends that the U.N. body overseeing global aviation considers introducing a system for tracking commercial aircraft in real time.

The release of the report comes as Malaysia Airlines says that the continuing search and investigation will be a prolonged process.

The Airline also says it will compensate next-of-kin who are entitled to claim compensation.

Meanwhile, the Chinese Foreign Ministry says China will actively participate in the follow-up search operation.

The Ministry says China is ready to cooperate with Malaysia and Australia in the search effort and provide services to relatives of the passengers to protect their lawful interests.

Australia now plans to contract commercial companies to undertake a sonar search of the seabed northwest of the Australian city of Perth.

The process could take eight months or more.

Up to 26 countries have been involved in the search.

The Malaysian airline flight mysteriously disappeared while headed to Beijing.

Some 239 people were onboard the plane, among them are some 150 Chinese passengers.

For CRI, I am Jordan Lee.

 

 

Two suspects, one citizen killed in Xinjiang attack

 

Anchor:

Life is returning to normal in Xinjiang's capital Urumqi following Wednesday evening's deadly terrorist attack which left 3-dead, including the two attackers.

CRI's Ding Lulu has more.

Reporter:

An investigation shows that one of the two suspects was Sedirdin Sawut, a 39-year-old man from Xayar County, Aksu in southern Xinjiang.

Information on the other suspect who died has not been disclosed yet.

Police say the two have long been involved in religious extremism.

Wednesday's attack took place at the exit of Urumqi south railway station, as the two stabbed people with knives and set off explosives.

The blast killed three, and injured 79 others.

Some of the injured have been discharged from hospital.

The train station, the largest one in the city, suspended service after the attack but has now returned to normal operation.

Inside the station, tourists and locals condemned the attack. However, they did not give up their travel plans on Thursday, the first day of the three-day Labor Day Holiday.

"This makes us furious, they can't kill innocent people."

"I think we shouldn't let those things affect the good overall situation. I think we shouldn't be intimidated. So, here we were here this morning. I think everything is fine here."

After the explosions, Chinese President Xi Jinping urged "decisive actions" against violent terrorist attacks.

The attack happened shortly after the president wrapped up his inspection tour in the region earlier this week.

Meanwhile on Thursday, China's Foreign Ministry released a new statement, reiterating the country's stance in fighting against terrorism.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang says China always firmly opposes terrorism in any form and terrorist acts conducted or backed by any person under any name.

The spokesman made the remark while refuting China-related content in a report on terrorism issued by the U.S. State Department.

The report says China's cooperation in 2013 with the United States on counter-terrorism issues "remained marginal."

Qin Gang says to make irresponsible remarks toward other countries and pursue double standards on the cause will not help international cooperation.

The United States has also issued a statement on Thursday, denouncing the attack in Xinjiang.

State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf said the blast "appears to be an act of terrorism that targeted random members of the public."

She added that the United States "condemns the horrific and despicable acts of violence against innocent civilians" at the train station.

For CRI, I am Ding Lulu.

 

 

Gunfire and blasts reported in eastern city of Slovyansk

 

Firefights are said to be taking place in the Ukrainian city of Slovyansk after Ukrainian troops launched a dawn raid to try to retake the rebel stronghold.

As part of the fighting, a Ukranian military helicopter has been shot down.

The pilot has been killed.

Several others have reportedly been wounded in the assault, which Ukrainian authorities are describing as an "active phase" of their anti-terror operations.

Ukranian forces have taken a number of checkpoints which had been set up by the pro-Russia activists.

However, the pro-Russian forces are still in control of a number of other checkpoints, and people inside the city are setting up new barricades.

"In case they break through our roadblocks on the outskirts of the city, we are trying to build a different line of barricades on several parallel streets around the centre and rebuff the attackers here."

Seven European observers from the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe are still being held by pro-Russia gunmen in Slovyansk.

On the political front, Russian President Vladimir Putin has been calling on the Ukrainian military to leave both eastern and southern Ukraine.

And in a new show of force, Ukraine's acting President has ordered the renewal of the military draft.

 

 

At least 12 killed in Nigeria blast

 

At least 12 people have been killed and 19 others injured after a explosion on the outskirts of the Nigerian capital, Abuja.

A car laden with explosives has blown up near a checkpoint on a busy road in the city.

"I fell down. So I just fell down. And my brother who was standing with me (inaudible) hit him on the head."

So far there's been no claim of responsibility.

The blast comes days before Abuja is to host the World Economic Forum on Africa.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang is set to attend that event.

The checkpoint where the blast took place is in the same area where a bombing last month killed 75 people.

That attack was carried out by the Nigerian Islamist militant group Boko Haram.

 

 

Blast in eastern Afghan town wounds 18

 

A bombing in eastern Afghanistan has left 18 people injured.

The attack in the city of Mehterlam, which is about 90-kilometers east of Kabul, targeted a police vehicle.

But the injured are all said to be civilians who had been shopping nearby.

So far there's been no claim of responsibility.

However, Afghan authorities are pointing the finger at the Taliban.

This bombing comes on the heels of a deadly attack against a police vehicle in Afghanistan's northern Panjshir region Thursday night, which left 6-police officers dead and a dozen others wounded.

 

 

Egypt FM comments on Brotherhood death sentences

 

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has met with Egyptian Foreign Minister Nabil Fahmy at UN headquarters to discuss the mass death sentences recently handed down to supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood.

A panel of judges in Egypt last month ordered the execution of 680 Brotherhood supporters.

The mass death sentences have sparked an international outcry.

The courts have been criticised for not giving enough time for the defendants and their lawyers to present their cases.

Fahmy, speaking with US public broadcaster PBS, says the cases are still being processed by the courts, which he says have sought advice from Islamic authorities.

"There would be due process. He said he couldn't interfere in the process. But let me add a piece of information, which is context and which is why I love coming on your show. There hasn't been a single case since then. This case is valid, it will be dealt with by the courts, I have no comment on the substance of it."

The death sentences have been handed down in connection with the violence which broke out after the ouster of President Mohamed Morsi.

Thousands of members of the now-illegal Muslim Brotherhood and supporters of the ousted president remain in prison awaiting trial.

 

 

May Day rally in US and Venezuela

 

Police have used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse a May-Day Rally in the Venezuelan capital Caracas.

Protesters have been using makeshift barricades to block streets in some of the eastern parts of the city.

This is an area where people have been demonstrating against high inflation, crime and food shortages.

The anti-government protests have left over 40-people dead since February.

Meanwhile, in the United States, thousands of people have taken to the streets of Los Angeles to protest the country's contentious immigration policies.

Protesters in LA have been calling for an immigration reform bill.

"The message, this May Day, is stop deportations and respect and dignify all workers."

In the northwestern US city of Seattle, police have used pepper spray to subdue protesters who had been throwing bottles at officers in the downtown area.

Several people have been arrested.

 

 

Sinn Fein leader arrest political motivated: Northern Ireland minister

 

Northern Ireland's deputy first minister is describing the arrest of Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams a deliberate attempt to influence local elections.

The comments from Martin McGuinness come after police arrested Adams over his alleged role in the Irish Republican Army's abduction and killing of a widowed mother of 10 children in 1972.

"And it's in that context that I view his arrest as a deliberate attempt to influence the outcome of the elections that are due to take place in three weeks time north and south on this island."

British Prime Minister David Cameron is rejecting McGuinness' assertion, saying there is no political motive behind Adams' arrest.

"We have an independent judicial system both here in England, and we do have one in Northern Ireland, and there's absolutely no political interference in this issue. We have independent policing authorities, independent prosecuting authorities, those are vital parts of the free country and free society we enjoy today."

The 65-year-old Adams has denied any involvement with the IRA and has proclaimed his innocence in the case.

Adams' Sinn Fein party shares power in the Northern Ireland government.

Under British law, Adams must be charged or freed by later tonight, unless police seek a judicial extension to his interrogation.

The IRA killed nearly 18-hundred people from 1970 to 1997 in its fight to gain independence for Northern Ireland from British rule.

The terrorist group eventually disbanded to allow Gerry Adams and Sinn Fein to pursue peace negotiations with Britain.

 

 

Philippines Police arrest dozens as part of probe into online extortion syndicate

 

Police in the Philippines have arrested 58 people allegedly linked to an online blackmail syndicate.

The suspects are being accused of persuading people in foreign countries to expose themselves in front of webcams or send explicit material.

The group then threatens to send the footage or photos to relatives unless they pay them.

The payments usually ranged from 500 to 2-thousand US dollars.

The sting operation was conducted with the help of Interpol, which has described the scale of the network as massive.

Sanjay Virmani is the head of Interpol's Digital Crime Centre based in Singapore.

"This operation shows that there is no hiding place and no matter where criminals carry out their crimes or try to hide behind the anonymity of the internet, law enforcement is equally determined in their efforts to track them down and bring them to justice."

He says the victims are mostly from the Asia, Europe and the United States.

Police in Hong Kong say more than 500 people in the city fell victim to the syndicate.

 

 

Biz Reports

 

 

Stocks 

 

Japanese stocks fell on Friday, in a session of mixed trading ahead of a U.S. labor market report, while Hong Kong moved higher on signs of stability in China's factory activity.

U.S. nonfarm payrolls for April, to be released later on this Friday, should provide a reading on the health of the world's largest economy.

In Japan, the Nikkei fell 0.2%, as Tokyo prepares to enter a long weekend.

Sony shares dropped over 1-percent after the company cut its full-year operating profit outlook by two-thirds.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng closed up three fifths of a percent, buoyed by signs of stability in factory activity.

HSBC's final PMI data for April is due out on Monday, while Chinese trade and inflation data is due late next week.

Trading on the mainland remained closed today because of the holiday.

Elsewhere in the region,

Australia's ASX 200 closed up less than 1-percent.

And both Singapore's Straits Times and South Korea's KOSPI dipped one fifth of a percent.

 

 

South Korea plans to set up offshore RMB center in Seoul

 

South Korean authorities have announced plans to establish a Renminbi offshore trading center in Seoul.

China is the largest market for South Korean exports, with trade volume between the two countries reaching 275-billion U.S. dollars this past year.

However, transactions settled in the Renminbi accounted for barely one percent of the total.

Kim Woong-ryeol is the deputy director of Woori Bank's Exchange Department.

"South Korea's striking characteristics and advantages lie in its close trade relations with China. We could meet demands in settlement arising from personnel exchange, commercial investment and financial cooperation."

Renminbi settlement is expected to help South Korean companies further tap into the Chinese market, as it should help cut their currency exchange fees.

Nan Guanghe heads the Bank of Communication's Seoul Branch.

"South Korean companies and people are paying ever greater attention to and becoming more fond of Renminbi. Chinese financial institutions based in South Korea, including our bank, offer various financial services like RMB deposits, loans, settlement, remittance and RMB bond purchases."

All of China's big banks have established branches in South Korea offering trade settlement services.

Authorities expect trade settlement in the Renminbi to exceed 70-percent over the next decade.

 

 

China Eastern to launch Shanghai-Toronto route

 

China Eastern Airlines has announced its launching direct flights between Shanghai and the Canadian city of Toronto on June 25th.

China Eastern customers currently have to transfer via Vancouver, on the Canadian west coast.

This adds about 5-hours to a trip to Toronto.

The direct flight will reduce the flight from Shanghai to Toronto to 14-hours.

China Eastern will fly the Shanghai to Toronto route on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

Return flights to Shanghai will go on the same days.

 

 

Corporate news of the week

 

Anchor:

Despite it being a holiday here in China right now, there was still some action in the corporate world earlier this week.

ICBC has invested itself in a Turkish bank, and China's most popular travel booking website is moving to get itself into the local attractions business.

The Beijing Hour's Shane Bigham discussed these stories earlier with Doug Young, associate professor at Fudan University and former China company news chief at Reuters.

…

Doug Young, associate professor at Fudan University and former China company news chief at Reuters, speaking with CRI's Shane Bigham.

 

 

Viacom to buy Channel 5 for ?450m

 

US media group Viacom has agreed to buy the UK's Channel 5 for 760-million US dollars.

Viacom, the owner of US music channel MTV, will be acquiring Channel 5 from the Northern & Shell Group.

Viacom says Channel 5 will complement its existing pay-TV networks.

Channel 5 was launched in March of 1997 as the UK's fifth terrestrial TV channel.

It's most popular shows include Big Brother and Celebrity Big Brother, as well as Australian soap operas Neighbors and Home And Away.

 

 

Pfizer raises AstraZeneca bid

 

US drug maker Pfizer has raised its offering price for UK firm AstraZeneca to 84 US dollars a share.

This now values AstraZeneca at 106-billion US dollars.

Pfizer's initial offer in January was a combination of cash and shares worth 79 US dollars per AstraZeneca share.

AstraZeneca rejected that offer.

Pfizer has also sent a letter to Prime Minister David Cameron to try to address UK concerns over the bid, promising to maintain Astra's planned research and development base and manufacturing facilities in the country.

Pfizer has a global workforce of more than 70-thousand.

The company currently employs 25-hundred people in the UK.

 

 

RBS reports ?1.6bn profits but warns of tough year ahead

 

Royal Bank of Scotland is reporting pre-tax profits of 2.7-billion US dollars through the first quarter.

This almost doubles the profits RBS recorded through the same quarter a year earlier.

Despite this, RBS is warning it faces a "tough year" ahead as it continues to deal with the cost of restructuring its operations as it slims down from seven divisions to three.

Royal Bank of Scotland is also facing a new batch of regulatory fines.

It is likely to be on the hook for damages connected to predatory mortgage sales in the US.

 

 

LinkedIn shares fall on weak outlook

 

Shares in professional networking site LinkedIn have fallen more than 6% in after-hours trading.

This, after the firm forecast its full-year revenues will come in at around 2 billion US dollars, lower than analysts' outlook of 2.1 billion US dollars.

LinkedIn has also reported a loss of 13-million US dollars through the first quarter.

This is down significantly from the nearly 23-million dollars in profits the company earned a year earlier.

The new numbers come amid growing signs social networking sites are becoming less profitable.

LinkedIn shares have fallen 25-percent since the start of this year, after rising 89-percent in 2013.

LinkedIn has launched a test version of a Chinese language version of its site in an attempt to boost its presence in this country.

LinkedIn says it hopes its Chinese language site will help it connect 140-million Chinese professionals with each other and with millions of global users.

LinkedIn's English language site has around 4-million users in this country.

 

 

Microsoft includes XP users in Internet Explorer fix

 

Microsoft now says users of its Windows XP operating system will also get a security update it has issued to fix a flaw in its Internet Explorer browser.

Microsoft issued the update on Thursday to fix a bug that lets hackers gain access to the user rights of your computer.

Microsoft ended support for Windows XP earlier this month, saying it will no longer issue bug fixes or security updates for it.

 

 

Headline News

 

 

Trilateral meeting to be held in Canberra on MH370-related issues

 

Chinese, Malaysian and Australian officials are preparing to meet this coming Sunday in Canberra to discuss the next steps in the search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370.

Malaysia's acting transport minister and the head of the Joint Coordination Center have met this Friday ahead of the Australian meeting.

Both are warning the deep water search could take anywhere from 8 to 12-months.

The meeting comes following the release of a preliminary report on the disappearance of the missing flight, which is suggesting the plane intentionally avoided flying over Malaysian airspace to avoid detection.

 

 

Ukrainian authorities launch raids into Slovyansk

 

Firefights are said to be taking place in the Ukrainian city of Slovyansk after Ukrainian troops launched a dawn raid to try to retake the rebel stronghold.

As part of the fighting, a Ukranian military helicopter has been shot down.

The pilot has been killed.

Several others have reportedly been wounded in the assault, which Ukrainian authorities are describing as an "active phase" of their anti-terror operations.

Ukranian forces have taken a number of checkpoints which had been set up by the pro-Russia activists.

However, the pro-Russian forces are still in control of a number of other checkpoints, and people inside the city are setting up new barricades.

 

 

18 killed in Syria car bombings

 

A pair of car bombings in central Syria have left at least 18 people dead.

The bombings struck in two separate towns in the central province of Hama on Friday.

Among the dead are 11 children.

Around 50 others have been wounded in the attacks.

Friday's attacks come just a day after opposition activists claimed 44-people were killed by an airstrike in Aleppo.

Last week, the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front claimed responsibility for bombings which left over 100 people dead in a government-controlled district in the central province of Homs.

 

 

5 killed in attack by gunmen in Libya's Benghazi

 

At least 5 people are dead after dozens of gunmen launched an attack on a regional security building in the restive Libyan city of Benghazi.

Libyan officials say one police officer and four members of the country's special forces have been killed in the attack.

It's believed the attackers are members of a local militia.

Benghazi was where the uprising against late leader Muammar Gaddafi first began.

However, following his ouster and assassination, the city has become lawless, with the central authorities in Tripoli unable to control the fighters which helped end Gaddafi's 42-year rule.

 

 

Two subway trains collide in Seoul

 

As many as 170 people have been hurt, after two subway trains collided this afternoon in Seoul.

One train slammed into the back of another which had stopped between stations because of a mechanical problem.

So far it appears none of the injuries is life threatening.

Most of the injured are being treated for foot or ankle injuries.

The collision was strong enough to derail two of cars.

 

 

Newspaper Picks

 

 

Xinhua

"Chinese tourists urged to change improper behaviors"

With China on holiday for International Workers Day, tourist agency managers and sociologists want Chinese tourists to learn to avoid embarrassing behavior.

Nowadays lots of Chinese can afford a trip overseas now, but their knowledge remains deficient and many tourists are unaware, or claim to be unaware, that some of their habits are unacceptable to foreigners.

Li Zhongguang, of the China Tourism Academy, said Chinese travelers abroad are seen as loud, rude, self-centered and lacking in self-discipline.

Some other insiders also said talking loudly in public spaces, spitting in the streets, ignoring the queue and carving names on ancient monuments are just as improper in China as anywhere else, but people seem to get away with it in China. When you do that kind of thing in a foreign country, it is completely unacceptable.

China now has 150 countries and regions as its outbound tourism destinations. In 2013, nearly 100 million overseas trips were made.

(Notes: Last October, the first tourism law came into effect, requiring tourists to observe public order and respect local cultures. This April, China National Tourism Administration and the State Administration for Industry and Commerce jointly issued an upgraded model contract in accordance with the new tourism law. The contract stipulates for the first time that travel agencies have the right to terminate contracts if tourists are involved in illegal activities or break social ethics, no matter whether at home or abroad.)

Shanghai Daily

"Human nose can sniff out gender"

The human nose can sniff out gender from body secretions even though people don't think they smell anything.

Wen Zhou of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and her colleagues found that two compounds in human bodily fluid effectively signal masculinity and femininity, respectively.

Researchers say the findings provide behavior support for human chemosensory communication of gender, and argue for the existence of human sex pheromones.

Earlier studies showed that androstadienone, found in males, can promote positive mood in females as opposed to males. Estratetraenol, first identified in females, has similar effects on males. But it wasn't clear whether those chemicals were truly acting as sexual cues.

AFP

"African bird steals food by imitating warning calls"

A new study revealed that the forked tailed drongo bird of Africa -- quite the trickster -- imitates multiple species' warning calls to scare off other animals and steal their food.

The birds often use their own danger alert to trick their fellow bird and beast into abandoning a meal.

After following 64 drongos over the course of 847 hours, the scientists found that the bird can mock up to 51 other bird and mammal alert noises.

Biologists said because the drongo can imitate so many species' warnings, animals do not get used to the bird's own false alerts.

When the bird's alert cry is no longer taken seriously, the drongo switches to another species in its repertory.

Researchers carried the study at the Kuruman River Reserve in the Kalahari Desert, observing the birds during 688 attempts to seize food from their animal neighbors.

According to the researchers, the birds were able to steal up to a quarter of the food abandoned by the animals they make flee.

Medical Daily

Eating Chicken Off The Bone Or Corn On The Cob Linked To Aggression In Children

A new research shows children who practice poor eating etiquette tend to have trouble controlling their appetite, which can lead to compulsive eating, binge eating, and weight gain.

Research also shows that children with a voracious appetite may have trouble controlling their attitude and temper.

A study conducted at Cornell University has revealed that kids who eat their meals by hand are more likely to display aggressive behavior compared to those who eat with a fork and knife.

The research team observed 12 elementary school children.

Researchers observed that children who ate with their hands acted twice as aggressively and were twice as likely to disobey adults. They were also more likely leave a 9-foot circle radius, jump around, and stand on the picnic tables without permission.

 

 

Special Reports

 

 

Xbox one enters mainland market/Michael 1602

 

Anchor:

Microsoft has announced its new 'Xbox One' will be available for purchase here in China in September.

CRI's Li Dong has more.

Reporter:

Microsoft says the home console will be released domestically on the Chinese mainland this September, citing the formation of the Shanghai Free Trade Zone as opening the Chinese market for its new product.

Video game consoles have had a tumultuous history on the Chinese mainland. They were originally heavily restricted, but new regulations and trade zone agreements have opened the doors.

The Xbox's foray into China comes in the form of a partnership with domestic IPTV box manufacturer BesTV. The Shanghai-based company is known for producing IPTV boxes that hook up traditional televisions to receive signals over the Internet.

Yusuf Mehdi is the chief marketing and strategy officer for Xbox.

"We have a vision with Xbox One, to do great games entertainment and online education and fitness so we believe we can create a truly amazing experience."

Last year, Microsoft founded the joint-venture with BesTV. The two companies put together a total investment of up to $237 million (US) to develop "family games and related services." BesTV is a subsidiary of the Shanghai Media Group.

Zhang Dazhong, Shanghai Media Group's deputy general manager says he is very optimistic about China's home gaming market.

"Family gaming is a blank area in China. I believe in the next few years, China may become the number one market for the home gaming market."

One Chinese gamer says he has expectations for Xbox's further move.

"Of course I hope to see more Chinese versions of these games, including the dubbing, menu, subtitles and more Chinese elements. Plus, I hope the official release of Xbox one will bring not only the authorized software, but the building of the whole infrastructure, which connects our gamers to other gamers from the globe."

Video game consoles such as the Xbox, PlayStation and Wii have long been available for purchase in Chinese mainland via less-than-legal channels.

A video game dealer also has expectations for the sales following Xbox one's official release.

"Currently, the sales of smuggled Xbox is not good because of the lack of software support. If the release of the official version will bring more software support, I think the sales of Xbox will be boosted."

There is a healthy and growing video game industry within the Chinese mainland. Last year, video games alone generated $13 billion, and that's without the input from industry leaders such as Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft.

For CRI, I am Li Dong.

 

 

Sports

 

 

Golden State Warriors beat LA Clippers to force decisive game 7

 

In Basketball the Golden State warriors have forced a decisive game seven by outlasting the Los Angeles Clippers 100 to 99 at Oracle Arena in Oakland.

The game was tight throughout but with 2-and-a-half minutes left to play Andre Iguodala sunk a three pointer to give the Warriors a seven point lead at 96-89.

He was fouled on the play by Blake Griffin, who also fouled out of the game.

The Clippers furiously tried to make baskets in the final seconds, and when Matt Barnes sank a 3-pointer the deficit was cut to a single point but there were only 1.1 seconds to play.

With just four-tenths of a second left in the game, and his side leading by that 100-99 score, Stephen Curry missed the second of two free throws on purpose, and time expired.

With the series now tied at three games each – the finale of the first-round series will conclude Saturday night in Los Angeles.

Mark Jackson is the Warriors head coach:

"I'm proud of my guys it's been an incredible, incredible ride and now against a 3-seed, with two of the top ten players in the world, and a future Hall of Fame coach, we are going to Game 7, in spite of all the sideline music and I like my chances because I got a group of guys who want to do whatever it takes to win."

That sideline music he's referring to is the controversy surrounding Clippers owner Donald Sterling who sparked outrage after recordings of him making racist comments were leaked to the press.

In the latest development, the National Basketball Association has launched a bid to oust him as owner of the team.

The NBA said a panel of 10 fellow team owners unanimously agreed to proceed "as expediously as possible".

Sterling has already received a life ban from the sport and been fined 2.5 million US dollars.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has called on the 29 other club owners who make up the governing board to exercise their authority to force Sterling to sell the Clippers, but experts have suggested that some of Sterling's fellow owners might be hesitant to support action they felt could set a precedent weakening their own future property rights.

The-80-year-old, who bought the Clippers in 1981 for $13 million when the team was based in San Diego, has not indicated whether he would relinquish ownership without putting up a fight.

Experts have estimated that the franchise, which moved to Los Angeles in 1984, could now be worth as much as $1 billion, posing an enormous potential capital gains tax liability on Sterling if he were to sell the team.

 

 

Montreal beat Boston 4-3 in first game of NHL Eastern Conference Semifinals

 

The 2nd round of the NHL playoffs is underway, with the Montreal Canadiens scoring a 4-3 double-overtime victory over the Boston Bruins.

The game was a back-and-forth affair.

Montreal held a 3-2 lead late into the 3rd before Johnny Boychuck equalized for the Bruins.

The first overtime frame solved nothing.

But a holding penalty on the Bruins' Matt Bartkowski in the 2nd overtime gave the Habs the power play and allowed defenceman PK Subban to score his 2nd goal of the evening to give the Canadiens the 4-3 victory.

Game 2 of the series will also be in Boston on Saturday night.

There two more 2nd round series set to open tomorrow.

The other Eastern Conference semi-final will see Pittsburgh open up at home against the New York Rangers.

In the West, the defending Champion Chicago Blackhawks will begin their 2nd round series at home to the Minnesota Wild.

 

 

Chinese Women through to World Champs Table Tennis Quarter Finals after beating Austria

 

The defending champions Chinese women's team have gone through to the quarterfinals of the 2014 World Team Table Tennis Championships after beating Austria 3-0 in their final group match.

Liu Shiwen defeated Li Qiangbing of Austria 11-6, 11-8 and 11-4.

Ding Ning lost the second game 11-8 to Liu Jia but quickly secured the second match in four games. Chen Meng then secured China's victory by beating Elena Waggermayer 11-3, 11-4 and 11-9.

 

 

Angel Carera takes lead after first day of Wells Fargo Championship

 

In golf,

Angel Cabrera took advantage of good conditions in the morning to record a six-under-par round of 66 to put him in the lead after the first day of the Wells Fargo Championship.

The Argentinian two-time major champion made seven birdies to post his lowest score of the year and only the fourth time he shot in the 60s.

Coming off his first missed cut at the Masters in 17 years, Phil Mickelson caught up to Cabrera's six-under score twice but bogeyed soon after each occasion. He is tied for second with Martin Flores one shot back.

Flores, looking for his first career PGA Tour win, sank five birdies in an eight hole span around the turn to get to six under, but he too spoiled his day hitting a bogey on the 17th.

 

 

Bradley Wiggins encourages Californians to get on their bikes

 

In Cycling,

former Tour de France winner Bradley Wiggins says he hopes the upcoming Tour of California will help inspire more people to get riding.

"You know with the Tour of California, we're here as guests of 21st Century Fox, and it's an opportunity to inspire people to get on their bikes and see what we do and the best way of doing that is on the 17th of May, coming along to the ride and participate in Pasadena and experience it for themselves."

The Tour of California begins on May 11 and lasts one week.

 

 

California Chrome favourite for 140th Kentucky Derby

 

And from the tour of California to California Chrome who has been named as an early short-priced favourite for tomorrow's Kentucky Derby.

The three-year-old colt got the perfect starting gate in the draw earlier and has romped to victory in each of his three races so far this year.

Oddsmakers immediately installed him as the 5-2 choice for the $2 million classic when he drew barrier five in the 20-horse field.

Due to the unusual position of the starting gates for the 1-1/4 mile journey, horses drawn in the inside are invariably cut off as they approach the rails and shuffled back through the pack.

It may not bode well for California Chrome however as the number one spot has failed to produce a winner for more than a quarter of a century.

Trainer Todd Pletcher has four runners in the field, including Intense Holiday, a runner-up in the Louisiana Derby who drew 16 and 10-1 shot Danza, the Arkansas Derby winner who drew four.

He spoke about the importance of the race:

"You know for anyone that trains horses the Derby is sort of the pinnacle and the race that everyone wants to win. I don't know that it changes you career or changes your life but its certainly fulfilling."

Preparations for the 140th Kentucky Derby have been affected by bad weather, but conditions are expected to be good for the race on Saturday.

 

 

Entertainment

 

 

iHeartRadio Music Awards takes place; Michael Jackson song bebuts

 

The first-ever iHeartRadio Music Awards ceremony has taken place in Los Angeles.

The star-studded event has played host to some of the US music industry's biggest names.

Among those who strolled the red carpet was Motley Crue's Nikii Sixx, who swapped out his usual sleeveless black T-shirt and ripped jeans for a suit and tie.

"We love music, that's all we do, listen to music all the time. So to come to an event like this where we get to hear a bunch of great music, different kinds of music too, it's not all the same. A lot of cool artists here, yeah we get to get dressed up and I get to put on a suit. That's rare around here. Usually it's going to court."

As for the awards themselves, Rihanna was the big winner.

On top of being named Artist of the Year, she also won the award for Best Song for her hit "Stay" with Mikky Ekko.

Other winners on the night included Lorde for Best New Artist and Pharrell Williams, who took home the Innovator Award.

The iHeartRadio awards also heard the debut of a new Michael Jackson single from a series of unreleased songs by the late artist.

A new Album of unreleased Jackson songs called "XSCAPE" is set to be released on May 13th.

 

 

Cuban musician Juan Formell dies aged 71

 

Renowned Cuban musician Juan Formell has died.

Formell's death has announced on Cuban state television.

The announcement says Formell died "suddenly."

But his exact cause of death has not been revealed.

Formell rose to fame as the leader of Cuba's most famous big band orchestra.

He won a Latin Grammy for his band Los Van Van's album "Llego" in 1999.

He was also honored at last year's Latin Grammy's with an Excellence award.

Juan Formell was 71.

 

 

Sandra Oh leaves Grey's Anatomy

 

Fans of the US TV series "Grey's Anatomy" are preparing to say goodbye to star Sandra Oh.

The Canadian-born actress has finished filming the final episodes of her 10th season on the medical drama.

Oh plays Doctor Cristina Yang on the ABC hit program.

Ahead of the season finale, former "Grey's Anatomy" cast member Isaiah Washington is returning to the program to help set up "Cristina's" departure from the program.

Oh, who has won a Golden Globe award for her work on the program, has past credits which include a role in the hit film "Sideways."

She has not said what her future plans are.

 

 

Jennifer Esposito to star in new NBC show

 

American actress Jennifer Esposito is set to return to the small-screen.

The 41-year old is set to star opposite Chyler Leigh in a new action/comedy series called "Taxi Brooklyn" on NBC.

Esposito will be playing the partner of Leigh, who teams up with a cab driver to solve crimes.

Esposito climbed to fame on the TV series "Spin City" opposite Michael J. Fox.

She later went on to star in a number of films, including "I Still Know What You Did Last Summer" and "Summer of Sam and Crash."

Her new vehilce, "Taxi Brooklyn," is set to air on June 25th on NBC.

 

 

First Shanghai TV Series Month underway in NY

 

The first ever Shanghai Television Series Month is underway in New York City.

Some of the most popular TV shows produced by SinoVision and Shanghai Media Group are to be aired in "The Big Apple."

Representatives of the two firms are hoping the programs can improve cross-cultural communications.

"In order to enable American and Chinese audiences to understand Chinese culture, SMG and SinoVision are devoted to being the meaningful platform and bridge for the new generation of American audiences.

The ICS program "Fistful of Kung Fu" will be shown in New York as part of the event.

The program is meant to explain to foreigners how shadow boxing works.

One of the screenwriters of the series says they hope the show will give Americans a clearer understanding of daily life in Shanghai.

"I also hope that through these dramas, New Yorkers and Americans in general will better understand Shanghai, China's age of rapid development, and the current situations today's Chinese people encounter."

As part of the Shanghai Television Series Month, SinoVision's Chinese and English language channels will both be broadcasting two dramas from Shanghai.

One is titled "Four Seasons in My Family."

The other is "When the Mother-in-Law Arrives."

 

 

Jennifer Lawrence named sexiest woman of the year

 

Hunger Games actress Jennifer Lawrence has been named the "Sexiest Women in the World" for this year by American magazine FHM.

The 23-year old Lawrence has been bestowed the title ahead of British actress Michelle Keegan, who the magazine has dubbed "the sexiest woman in the UK."

Singer Rihanna has come in 3rd on the list.

Past recipients of the FHM "Sexiest Woman" award include Halle Berry, Britney Spears, Keria Knightly and Megan Fox.

 

 

A quick recap of headlines before we go.

Officials from China, Malaysia and Australia are set to meet Sunday to discuss the latest in the search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370.

Life is said to be returning to normal in Urumqi following this week's deadly terrorist attack.

Ukranian forces have launched a full-scale assault on Slovyansk in an effort to restore control of the separatist-held city.

In business, South Korean authorities are preparing to set up an offshore Renminbi center to help foster trade with China.