新闻纵贯线 The Beijing Hour updated 08:00 2014/05/02

The Beijing Hour
 
Morning Edition

Shane Bigham with you on this Friday, May 02nd, 2014.
Welcome to the Beijing Hour, coming to you live from the Chinese capital.
Coming up on our program this morning...
Two of the three people killed in Wednesday's terror attack in Xinjiang are suspects, with known ties to religious extremism...
An explosion near the Nigerian capital has killed at least nine people...
And pro-Russian protesters have occupied a local prosecutor's office in eastern Ukraine...
In Business...oil prices slip, in part because of China's PMI index for the manufacturing sector...
In sports...Benfica is off to the Europa League final...
In entertainment...Yundi is returning to China to promote his new album...
But first... lets get a check on the weather...
 
 
Weather
 
 
Beijing will be sunny today, with a high of 23 degree Celsius.
Overnight temperatures should drop down to around 14.
Shanghai will be overcast during the daytime with a high of 29.
Overnight, it will be cloudy with a low of 17.
In Chongqing, it will see showers with a high of 25.
Overnight lows are expected to be around 16.
Elsewhere in the world, staying here in Asia.
Islamabad will see slight rain with a high of 32.
Kabul will have slight rain with a high of 20.
Over to North America.
New York will be cloudy today with a high of 18 degrees.
Washington will be cloudy with a high of 21 degrees.
Honolulu, overcast, 28.
Toronto, Canada, will see slight rain with a high of 11 degrees.
Finally, on to South America,
Buenos Aires will be cloudy with a high of 21.
And Rio de Janeiro will be cloudy with a high of 27 degrees Celsius.
 
 
Top News
 
 
Two suspects, one citizen killed in Xinjiang attack
 
Anchor:
Two of the three dead in a terror attack in Urumqi have been confirmed as suspects.
They were killed in explosions set off during the attack.
CRI's Ding Lulu has more.
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 shorlty 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.
 
 
At least nine killed in Nigeria blast
 
At least nine people have been killed and 11 injured after a blast hit the outskirts of the Nigerian capital of Abuja.
No group has claimed responsibility yet.
Witness says a car laden with explosives appeared to blow 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."
Police have cordoned off the area around the blast site.
Paramedics and ambulances are on scene.
The checkpoint was set up after a bombing in the same area last month that killed at least 75 people.
April's attack was carried out by the Islamist militant group Boko Jaram.
 
 
Indian police issues high alerts to all airports after bomb blasts in Chennai
 
Indian police have ordered airports across the country to be on high-alert.
This follows twin blasts at a train station in the southern city of Chennai on Thursday which left 1 person dead and 14 others hurt.
Indian authorities have not said why they are raising the alert level for airports specifically.
Police in Chennai do have one person in-custody following the Thursday morning blast.
Rakesh Mishra is the general manager of the Chennai Central Station.
"We are investigating what kind of bomb it was and what was the purpose, why a miscreant woul have placed a bomb like this. So that is something which is under investigation."
The bombing in Chennai comes as India continues with its multi-stage parliamentary elections, which are due to conclude in less than 2-weeks.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility.
 
 
Registration for Syria's presidential elections closes with 24 contenders
 
Registration for Syria's contentious presidential vote has wrapped up.
24 contenders, including incumbent President Bashar al-Assad, have registered their candidacies.
The 24 applications will be scrutinized by the courts, in accordance with Syria's electoral law and constitution.
Initial results of that effort will come out in five days.
Voting for Syrians inside the country will start on June 3, while those overseas will cast their votes on May 28.
Opposition groups inside and outside Syria have criticized the decision to hold the presidential elections amid the current civil war in the country.
More than 150 thousand people have been killed and one third of the population displaced in grinding clashes between government troops and armed militant groups.
 
 
Jordan opens new refugee camp
 
Jordan has opened a new refugee camp meant to accommodate tens-of-thousands more Syrian refugees.
The new camp stretches for 15 kilometres and lies 90 kilometres inside Jordan away from the Syrian border.
Right now the camp can house over 50-thousand people, but could be expanded further to play host to around 130-thousand.
"We've escaped because of shelling and destruction, there is no safety in Syria, you can't be protected in Syria, then we decided to flee to Jordan, we feel good and happy here, the humanitarian agencies did their best to help us in this camp."
The new refugee camp has been under construction for around a year.
Jordan's main Zaatari refugee camp is operating close to capacity.
Jordan already hosts some 600-thousand registered Syrian refugees, which is 10-percent of the country's population.
But officials estimate the real number of displaced Syrians in Jordan is closer to 1.3-million.
 
 
Protesters storm prosecutor's office in Donetsk
 
Pro-Russia protesters have stormed the local prosecutor's office in the eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk.
Protesters have discarded the Ukrainian flag on the building and replaced it with that of the Donetsk People's Republic.
"The building of the Prosecutor's Office is under our control. Under our control, under Donbass's, under the people's."
Protesters in Donetsk have called a referendum on secession for next week, undercutting a planned presidential election in Ukraine two weeks later.
Meanwhile, Ukraine authorities have reinstated military conscription to deal with the rising tension in the east of the country.
It is reported that the authorities are also planning to retake administration buildings in the eastern regions later today by using its armed forces.
The Russian Foreign Ministry has urged Ukraine not to use armed force, saying it will lead to a catastrophe.
Russian President Vladimir Putin also called for an immediate "extensive national dialogue" in Ukraine.
Ukraine and Russia have blamed each other for the rising tensions.
 
 
Malaysia releases preliminary report into MH370
 
Anchor
Malaysian authorities have released a preliminary report into the disappearance of flight MH370.
This comes as ongoing searching for the flight has so far failed to find any clue in the nearly 2-months since the plane disappeared.
CRI's Jordan Lee has the details.
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.
 
 
Police, protesters clash in Istanbul
 
The May-Day holiday march in Turkey's capital has turned violent.
Police and protesters have been clashing in Istanbul.
Security personnel have been firing tear gas and water cannons to try to dispurse hundreds of marchers who took to the streets in defiance of an order banning a march on Taksim Square.
Scores of people have been injured or detained across Istanbul.
Taksim Square was where mass demonstrations against the government of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan broke out last year.
Mass demonstrations have also been planned for other cities across Turkey to mark the May-Day holiday.
Trade unions in Turkey have called for the marches in protest against the government's ban on rallies, which was put in-place following the unrest that engulfed Istanbul and other parts of Turkey last year.
 
 
Sinn Fein leader arrest political motivated: Northern Ireland minister
 
Northern Ireland deputy first minister Martin McGuinness has called the arrest of Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams a deliberate attempt to influence local elections.
The comment comes 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 rejected the claim, saying there is no political motive behind the 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 membership in the IRA and says he is innocent of any part in the killing.
His 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 1,800 people from 1970 to 1997, when it ceased fire to permit Sinn Fein to pursue peace negotiations with Britain.
 
 
Underground Hospital Prepared for Emergency
 
Anchor
In the northern Israeli city of Haifa, a fortified underground hospital is scheduled to open this month, preparing for emergency situations like wars and natural disasters.
CRI's qizhi has more.
Reporter
The 2,000-bed Sammy Ofer Fortified Underground Emergency Hospital is the largest of its kind in the world, designed to protect the patients of northern Israel in times of war.
The underground hospital, attached to Rambam Health Care Campus, will operate as a three-level parking lot for 1,500 vehicles in peace time. In an emergency, it can be converted into a hospital within 72 hours, fortified against conventional and non-conventional weapons, and sustain itself for 72 hours without support from outside.
Rafi Beyar is the Director of Rambam Health Care Campus.
"The concept was developed after the 2006 second Lebanon war, when this place was actually under an intense rocket attack. Rambam really had to treat patients in situations under fire. We had to move patients to improvised locations, to corridors and basements in the old hospital."
Doctor Yaron Bar-Lavie of Critical Care Medicine, who experienced the missile attack in 2006, says the completion of the underground hospital offers the staff and patients security if emergency situation occur.
"During the second Lebanon War, around 50 missiles were launched in our direction. It was very scary. At that time, we went down to the basement. Of course there was nothing prepared to take care of patients. Now this is going to be ready and prepared to treat everybody that needs intensive care, operations, dialysis... everything. Under this condition we feel totally normal, because we'll be protected."
During a drill before the facility opens, staff members practice operating ventilation and electrical systems, deployment of necessary equipment, and transfer of hospital beds and equipment to designated locations.
Michael Halberthal, deputy director of Rambam, says they are practicing the manual of emergency and improving it.
"What we are checking today is the logistics. We are writing the manual. There's no manual like this in the world. So we are trying to see with the manual how long does it take to do something like this. Today is basically a logistic drill to use all the infrastructure."
In addition, Rambam hospital staff are well trained to deal with emergency situations.
Director of nursing Hanna Admi says they are doing drills and training regularly.
"We are all prepared to take care of emergency situations involving injured civilians and soldiers. Everyone knows what his role is in an emergency. The document is a little bit different, but the medical care is very similar."
And the army experiences of hospital staff also help, says Doctor Bar-Lavie.
"A lot of us went to the army, so we know how to function under these conditions. I was a physician in the army and I worked in the field, and I was a physician in the ambulance unit, so I know how to function in not ideal conditions and to treat patients in various situations, so for us here it will be very natural to function."
The underground hospital can also work in natural disasters such as earthquakes, though hospital staff hope none of the emergency situations will ever happen.
For CRI, I'm qizhi.
 
 
Biz Reports
 
 
Anchor
First off, a check on the closing numbers in North America and Europe.
Joining me on the desk, CRI's Ding Lulu.
Reporter
U.S. stocks ended little changed one session after the Dow Jones Industrial Average clinched its first record close of 2014.
The Dow declined 0.1%, while the S&P 500 slipped less than 0.1%.
The Nasdaq rose 0.3%, buoyed by strength in Internet stocks including Netflix and Facebook.
Trading was quiet ahead of Friday's employment report and many markets around the world were closed for May Day.
Thursday's economic data showed that US consumer spending in March rose 0.9% from the month earlier, the largest increase since August 2009.
The Institute for Supply Management's manufacturing purchasing managers index for April rose to 54.9 from 53.7 in March.
Separately, initial claims for jobless benefits in the latest week rose by 14,000 to 344,000, versus expectations of a decline to 320,000.
Construction spending for March increased 0.2% on the month, less than expected.
On the corporate front, DirecTV was among the S&P 500's top performers, rising 4.1% after the satellite-TV company was reportedly approached by AT&T about a possible acquisition in a deal that would likely be worth at least $40 billion.
Shares of fast-growing companies got a lift from upbeat earnings from Yelp, which surged 9.8% after reporting a narrower-than-expected first-quarter loss and lifting its full-year revenue outlook.
General Motors rose 1.2% after the auto maker said its total U.S. car and truck sales rose 7% in April, more than expected.
Most bourses in Europe were closed. Britain's FTSE 100 index rose 0.4% in London after a better-than-expected reading on U.K. manufacturing activity in April.
 
 
Oil prices slip on China concerns, crude supply rise
 
Oil prices declined again on Thursday, and China's PMI index for the manufacturing sector appears to be part of the reason.
Even though the index rose, indicating more activity and the likely need for more oil, an important sub-index of the manufacturing PMI dropped.
The number of "export new orders" dropped, fuelling market worries over China's economic slowdown in the first quarter.
This, and anticipation of increased crude oil supply coming out of Libya, helped to put downward pressure on oil prices.
Light, sweet crude for June delivery fell 0.32 dollar to settle at 99.42 U.S. dollars a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, while Brent crude for June delivery lost 0.31 dollar to close at 107.76 dollars a barrel.
 
 
Live call-in with Doug Young on corporate news of the week
 
Anchor
Let's check out some of the key events on the corporate front in China this week.
Doug Young joins me on the line, associate professor at Fudan University and former China company news chief at Reuters.
Story 1
ICBC, China's biggest bank, has agreed to pay 669 million Turkish lira ($314.7 million) for 75 percent of Turkey's Tekstilbank as ICBC looks to expand overseas.
1. What will this deal bring to ICBC?
2. ICBC's first quarter profit beat estimates, rising nearly 7 percent, much the same as the other three big Chinese banks. How did they manage to maintain this growth rate with internet finance cutting into their business?
Story 2
Ctrip.com, a travel service provider in China, has agreed to pay 200 million dollars to become the second largest shareholder of Tongcheng Network, a ticket provider for local attractions.
1. What's special about this deal? Any implications for the tourism industry?
2. It seems there has been lots of Merger & Acquisition activity going on lately domestically and internationally, why is that?
Back to Anchor
Doug Young, associate professor at Fudan University and former China company news chief at Reuters.
 
 
China telecoms operators see plenty to gain in sharing infrastructure
 
China's three main telecommunications service providers have started talks on setting up a joint venture to allow for infrastructure-sharing.
According to data from the three firms and estimates by Barclays Research, the proposed venture would be responsible for the operation and maintenance of as many as 465 existing telecommunications towers across the Chinese mainland.
China Mobile, China Unicom and China Telecom plan to lease the towers, mobile base stations, and transmission assets from the venture instead of constructing these facilities on their own.
The market assessment is that this arrangement could lower the cost of developing mobile networks across the country by 50 billion yuan.
 
 
Bank of England official sounds warning note on house prices
 
A senior official with the Bank of England has issued a warning about the booming housing market in Britain.
Sir John Cunfliffe, the central bank's deputy governor for financial stability, says housing prices have gained 10 percent in the last year, reaching levels not seen since 2006, before the start of the financial crisis.
He says whether to act, and how to act, to ensure market stability will be the most challenging judgment the BoE Financial Policy Committee will have to make in the coming months.
Several factors are fuelling housing demand right now, including cheap credit and rising consumer confidence.
the concern is that those factors could release pent-up consumer demand and put upward pressure on housing prices for years to come, unless steps are taken to cool the market.
Cunliffe notes that because of the financial crisis, there were an estimated 3 million fewer home-sale transactions in the UK between 2008 and 2012 compared to what would have been expected under more normal conditions.
 
 
Headline News
 
 
Two suspects, one citizen killed in Xinjiang attack
 
The authorities have confirmed that two of the three people killed in the Urumqi terror attack in Xinjiang are actually suspects.
The third person was a civilian at the train station where the attack happened.
One of the dead suspects has been identified as Sedirdin Sawut, a 39 year old from southern Xinjiang. The other hasn't been named but police say both had long been involved in religious extremism.
The two suspects slashed at people with knives and set off explosions at one of the exits at Urumqi's largest railway station.
The train station returned to normal operation just a couple of hours after the attack and reports it has been busy with long-weekend travelers.
 
 
At least nine killed in Nigeria blast
 
At least nine people have been killed and 11 injured in an explosion on the outskirts of the Nigerian capital of Abuja.
No group has claimed responsibility yet, though local authorities are already blaming Boko Haram insurgents.
Witness says a car laden with explosives appeared to blow up near a checkpoint on a busy road in the city.
Police have cordoned off the area around the blast site.
The checkpoint was set up after a bombing in the same area last month that killed at least 75 people.
April's attack was carried out by the Islamist militant group Boko Haram.
 
 
Registration for Syria's presidential elections closes with 24 contenders
 
Registration for Syria's contentious presidential vote has wrapped up.
24 contenders, including incumbent President Bashar al-Assad, have registered their candidacies.
The 24 applications will be scrutinized by the courts, in accordance with Syria's electoral law and constitution.
Initial results of that effort will come out in five days.
Voting for Syrians inside the country will start on June 3, while those overseas will cast their votes on May 28.
 
 
Protesters storm prosecutor's office in Donetsk
 
Pro-Russia protesters have stormed the local prosecutor's office in the eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk.
Protesters have discarded the Ukrainian flag on the building and replaced it with that of the Donetsk People's Republic.
Meanwhile, Ukraine authorities have reinstated military conscription to deal with the rising tension in the east of the country.
It is reported that the authorities are also planning to retake administration buildings in the eastern regions later today by using its armed forces.
The Russian Foreign Ministry has urged Ukraine not to use armed force, saying it will lead to a catastrophe.
Ukraine and Russia have blamed each other for the rising tensions.
 
 
Malaysia releases preliminary report into MH370
 
Malaysian authorities have released a preliminary report into the disappearance of flight MH370.
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 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.
 
 
Newspaper Picks
 
 CHINA DAILY
Headline
Salary of civil servants below average: report
Summary
According to a survey by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, the average income of a Chinese civil servant is 46,207 yuan, about 7,400 US dollars. That number is from 2012, and is slightly below what the average citizen makes.
The report shows the average annual income of civil servants is not only far behind those in finance or IT, but also relatively low compared to those in similar social services such as education and public health.
SHANGHAI DAILY
Headline
Firefighters die in fall from 13th floor
Summary
Two young firefighters died falling from a downtown apartment block in Shanghai yesterday, when an explosion rocked the building.
The blast blew them out of a window and they fell onto a platform on the second floor of the building.
The city's Fire Control Bureau said the two were rushed to hospital but later died from their injuries.
SHANGHAI DAILY
Headline
China sets quality control on milk imports
Summary
These are new regulations on dairy imports, set by the Chinese quality watchdog.
According to the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine, overseas diary producers must meet Chinese rules and standards on sanitary conditions and get approval from authorities to sell diary products.
The first batch of registered overseas diary producers involves 1,122 companies, including 41 makers of baby formula.
BEIJING TIMES
Headline
Traffic congestion stretches 40 kilometres
Summary
May 1 marks the first day of the three-day Labour Day holiday in China.
On the Beijing-Tibet Expressway, traffic loads began to accumulate early in teh morning and caused heavy traffic congestion.
By noon, over 40 kilometres of the expressway was packed with cars.
Beijing Times
Headline
Self-driving tour to North Korea possible
Summary
According to local tourism authorities, citizens in Dandong, a boarder city in northeast China's Liaoning province, could make self-driving tours to North Korea as early as June.
Citizens have to apply through local travel agencies.
The trip includes some famous tourist sites and even some places that are not open yet.
BEIJING YOUTH DAILY
Headline
Counterterrorism drill in Beijing Railway Station
Summary
The Beijing police authority conducted a ground drill in front of the Beijing Railway Station last night.
The drill was focused on counterterrorism and the ability of local police to react.
Chengdu Economic Daily
Headline
Eight years of fundraising to save leukemia kids
Summary
Zhou Chenyan, a doctor in Chengdu, has raised more than 12 million yuan, about 2 million US dollars, to save kids suffering from leukemia.
During the past eight years, she has contacted friends, enterprises and charity organizations to raise the money.
397 children from poor families have been saved.
 
 
Special Reports
 
 
Xbox one enters mainland market
 
Anchor
Business insiders and game enthusiasts all have high expectations after Microsoft announced the release of the Xbox One in the Chinese market.
Li Dong has the details.
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
 
 
Juventus lost out on Europa League final after drawing goal-less home leg against Benfica
 
In football,
Italian giants Juventus have lost out on a Europa League final after they were held to a goal-less draw by Benfica in Turin.
The hosts dominated the match with over 60 percent ball possession and 7 shots on target against Benfica's one.
Benfica's Enzo Perez was booked red and sent off after the break, but the visitors managed to hold on and win the tie 2-1 on agregate.
The Portugese champions will next meet La Liga side Sevilla in the final on May the 14th.
Benfica are obvious favorites to win the final.
The Portugese side hasn't lifted a continental trophy since winning the old European Cup back in 1962.
In Chinese Super League action, lost of action coming up on Saturday.
Third placed Shandong Luneng kicks off the weekend action against Dalian Aerbin.
Second placed Beijing Guo'an travels to Tianjin.
Defending champions Guangzhou Evergrande will play on the road in Shanghai against Shenxin.
Another Shanghai side, Greenland, travels to Guizhou to take on FC Cup holders Renhe.
 
 
Mike D'Antoni resigns as Lakers head coach
 
In basketball,
The Los Angeles Lakers have announced that head coach Mike D'Antoni has resigned his post.
D'Antoni had one year left on his contract but said he and the team management had hit an insurmountable impasse over some assurances on his future.
D'Antoni took the Lakers to the 2013 playoffs, where they were swept by San Antonio in the first round without their superstar shooting guard Kobe Bryant.
This season, the team tumbled to the worst record (27-55) the franchise has recorded since moving to Los Angeles.
The Lakers also missed the playoffs this season for only the third time in 38 years.
The Lakers said a search for a replacement for D'Antoni will begin immediately, though no timetable has been set.
In playoff action today,
The Indiana Pacers are now battling Atlanta in Game Six of their first round meetings.
The Hawks hold a 3-2 advantage after the first five matches.
Later on, western conference powerhouse Oklahoma City will engage Memphis.
The Grizzlies also hold a 3-2 advantage.
And lastly in California, the Golden State Warriors will be looking to even their series at three games apiece when they take on the LA Clippers in Game Six.
 
 
Donald Trump will host two major championships on his golf courses
 
Two golf courses owned by American billionaire real estate developer Donald Trump will be the site of two upcoming PGA championships.
　
Ted Bishop, the President of PGA America announced, that the 2017 PGA Senior Championship will be played at Trump National Golf Club in Washington DC.
It will be the first Senior PGA Championship in the state of Virginia.
Bishop added that another Trump course will host a PGA event in the year 2022.
"Today the PGA of America is absolutely thrilled to announce that in 2022, the 104th PGA Championship will be hosted at Trump National Golf Club of Bedminster. It will be the championships fourth overall visit to the state of New Jersey."
The Bedminster course is about 40 minutes from Midtown Manhattan.
These will be the first major championships hosted by Trump-owned golf courses.
 
 
Svetlana Kuznetsova knocked out Eugenie Bouchard to progress to the last four at Portugal
 
In tennis, Russia's double Grand Slam champion Svetlana Kuznetsova has advanced to the last four of the Portugal Open after closing out a 6-4, 6-1 win against Canada's Eugenie Bouchard in the quarterfinals.
Second seeded Bouchard started strongly and prevailed in the tight early games, opening out a 4-1 lead.
But Kuznetsova reeled off 11 of the next 12 games to book her first WTA semifinal berth of the season.
Kuznetsova will next meet compatriot Elena Vesnina, who knocked out Italian fourth seed Roberta Vinci in three sets 7-6, 4-6, 7-5.
Meanwhile, top seed Carla Suarez Navarro eased past Slovenian Rolona Hercog 6-1, 6-3 to set up the other semi-final match against Romania's Irina Begu.
Begu booked her place in the last four with a 6-3, 7-6 victory over Switzerland's Timea Bacsinszky.
 
 
China whitewash Serbia to proceed to World Table Tennis quarter finals
 
In table tennis, the defending champions in Chinese men's table tennis blasted Serbia 3-0 in their final group match to reach the quarterfinals at the 2014 World Team Table Tennis Championships in Tokyo.
Chinese Captain Ma Long stunned Marko Jevtovic in three games at 11-2, 11-5, 11-6 to open the match for China.
Wang Hao came on the court in the second match to beat Bojan Crepulja also in three games.
Xu Xin concluded the victory for China as the world No. 1 defeated Zolt Pete 11-9, 11-2 and 11-6.
China won all five group matches 3-0 and become the first team to reach the quarterfinals.
China will next play the winner between Greece and Austria in the last eight.
 
 
Entertainment
 
 
Yundi prepares for China tour to promote "Emperor/Fantasy"
 
(piano)
Chinese Pianist Yundi is heading back to China to promote his new album "Emperor/Fantasy" later this month.
The 31-year old musician is currently touring in London, and says he hopes the album will resonate especially with a younger generation.
Yundi has a growing fanbase that includes Katy Perry and Kylie Minogue, the latter with whom he collaborated to produce a jazz version of her song "I should be so lucky" in Shanghai.
Yundi's quite hip when it comes to social media and has 15 million followers on Weibo.
"I feel like a very modern classic musician because when you live in this modern century with a huge social media stuff because think back to Beethoven's time of Chopin's time, they don't have Internet. They have not close connection with the world, but now the world is very small for the rest of us. So it's a very direct and very close and when you feel you can have some connection with a lot of people even (those) you haven't meet. But you have some connection and to share your thoughts, share your life."
Yundi's China tour kicks off in Dongguan on May 15, and will hold performances in Dongguan, Huizhou, Baotou, and Shaoxing.
 
 
Rascal Flatts apologizes for lip-synching at CMA
 
(Rewind)
Country music group Rascal Flatts has officially apologized for lip-synching during their performance at last month's Academy of Country Music Awards.
The band lip-synched during a performance of their new single "Rewind", but nothing gets by those Las Vegas fans, because they noticed.
Lead singer Gary LeVox explained that in the days leading up to the show, their schedule had been jam packed with various performances and interviews. That combined with Las Vegas's dry climate left them with the infamous "Vegas Throat". So it was either lip-synch or cancel the performance.
"We really do sing. We always sing live. We've never lip-synched before. It was funny walking out there. I go, 'Man, I am not even good at doing videos, so this should be interesting.' But we had already done? We had already been in Vegas for a couple of days. So we had already done the Outnumber Hunger show, we had already done seven hours of radio, and we had already done a 2-hour Dr. Pepper show the night before. So we knew we had that performance and then the following night, the ACMs All Star Salute to the Troops. So in Vegas there is a thing called 'Vegas throat.' It is so dry, it's just ridiculous. So I was out there (speaking in hoarse voice). It was terrible."
Bass player and harmony vocalist Jay DeMarcus added that tons of recording artists and bands use vocal tracks while touring on the road. Some are just better at a convincing lip-synch routine than others.
Rascal Flatts has said that they will not be attempting lip-synching again.
 
 
Police say heroin likely played role in death of Peaches Geldof
 
(Peaches)
Police are saying that heroin likely played a role in the death of British model and television host Peaches Geldof, who was found dead on April 7 at the age of just 25.
The post-mortem examination was inconclusive, so police tested for heroin and the results confirmed the presence of the drug in her system.
Geldof's death tragically mirrored the death of her mother Paula Yates, who was also a television presenter and who died of a drug overdose in 2000 when Peaches was 11.
Her final posting on Twitter had been a picture of herself as a toddler next to her mother.
 
 
Stormtroopers march through streets in Tunisia
 
(StarWars)
A few days after the new cast was announced for the upcoming Star Wars 7 film, an army of white-clad Imperial Stormtroopers marched through the streets of the Tunisian capital Tunis.
The galactic parade was part of a campaign to encourage tourists to come back to the sunny North African country, which was the filming location for many of the scenes in the original 1977 Star Wars film.
Long-time President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali was overthrown in 2011, and ever since the nation has been torn by social unrest, terrorism, and political assasinations, all of which have put a damper on the country's tourism industry.
So the Tunisian National Office of Tourism teamed up with the country's Star Wars fan club and bing bang boom.. stormtroopers are marching through the streets.
 
 
 
That’s it for this edition of the Beijing Hour.
A quick recap of headlines before we go.
Two of the three people killed in Wednesday's terror attack in Xinjiang are suspects, with known ties to religious extremism...
An explosion near the Nigerian capital has killed at least nine people...
And pro-Russian protesters have occupied a local prosecutor's office in eastern Ukraine...
In Business...oil prices slip, in part because of China's PMI index for the manufacturing sector...
On behalf of the Beijing Hour staffers, this is Shane Bigham in Beijing hoping you'll join us for our next edition of the Beijing Hour to open a window to the world together.