The Beijing Hour
Morning Edition
Paul James with you on this Thursday, June 12, 2014.
Welcome to the Beijing Hour, coming to you live from the Chinese capital.
Coming up on our program this morning...
The Chinese Defense Ministry is lashing out at the United States' most recent report on China's military.
Business leaders in Britian have been meeting in the lead up to Premier Li Keqiang's visit to the UK.
Dozens of Turkish nationals are now being held hostage by Islamic militants who have taken over Iraq's 2nd largest city.
In Business... OPEC has decided not to raise its daily output limits, despite pressure to do so.
In sports... the LA Kings could be lifting the Stanley Cup later on this morning.
In entertainment... renowned Chinese pianist Lang Lang has been tapped to be part of a World Cup event in Brazil.
Weather
Beijing will be sunny today with a high of 33 degree Celsius.
Overnight it will be clear and temperatures should drop down to around 21.
Shanghai will be cloudy during the daytime with a high of 28.
Overnight, it will be overcast with a low of 20.
In Chongqing, it will be cloudy with a high of 30.
Overnight still cloudy and lows are expected to be around 21.
Elsewhere in the world, staying here in Asia,
Islamabad will be cloudy with a high of 43.
Kabul will be sunny with a high of 26.
Over to North America,
New York will see moderate rain today with a high of 29 degrees.
Washington will have moderate rain with a high of 25 degrees.
Honolulu, slight rain, 31.
Toronto, Canada, will have slight rain with a high of 21 degrees.
Finally, on to South America,
Buenos Aires will have rainstorm with a high of 17.
And Rio de Janeiro will be cloudy with a high of 24 degrees Celsius.
Top News
China's military strongly dissatisfied with U.S. accusations
The Chinese Defense Ministry is lashing out at the most recent U.S. allegations connected to the Chinese military.
The Defense Ministry says US accusations of China's military threat and lack of transparency are "clichés."
The Defense Ministry is also blaming the United States for "sending wrong signals in territorial disputes" in the Asia-Pacific region.
The comments follow the United States' annual report on China's military development and security, which came out last week.
The Chinese Defense Ministry notes the US still spends several times more per-year on its military than China does.
A spokesperson for the Chinese Defense Ministry is also accusing the US side of clinging to a cold-war mentality and trying to "bully" China.
China calls for treaty on space weapons
The Chinese government is calling on the international community to start negotiations on a legally binding treaty that will prevent an arms race in outer space.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying.
"China has always advocated peaceful use of outer space and opposed its weaponization. We call on countries around the world to start negotiations on a legally binding agreement as soon as possible on the basis of the China-Russia draft treaty, in order to safeguard peace and security in outer space. We hope that individual countries will seriously listen to calls from the international community and treat the negotiation initiative with a constructive attitude."
China and Russia have jointly submitted a new draft treaty on banning the deployment of weapons in outer space to a UN-sponsored disarmament conference.
The updated version has revised and refined certain clauses of the draft the two countries originally put forward in 2008.
The changes include the definition and scope of the treaty, and the organizations and mechanisms that would be charged with solving disputes in outer space.
China calls for harmonious maritime orders
The Chinese government says it fully backs global maritime law and supports direct talks among disputing parties when it comes to the world's oceans.
The comments have come to mark the 20th anniversary of the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying.
"China has always applied an independent and peaceful approach towards foreign affairs. China has also abided by the United Nations convention and respected lawful rights of other countries when they resolve or try to resolve disputes peacefully. Peaceful talks between involved nations on the base of law and history are the most effective way to settle disputes."
The anniversary of the implementation of the UN Sea treaty comes amid a growing number of territorial disputes in both the South and East China Seas.
Business Talks Warm up to Chinese Premier Li Keqiang's UK Visit
Anchor:
In the lead up to Chinese Premier Li Keqiang's impending visit to the UK, businesses leaders from both sides are engaged in active talks about cross-border investment and bilateral cooperation.
CRI's London Correspondent Duan Xuelian has more.
Reporter:
Among the series of discussions have included a gathering of Chinese and UK CEO's. Lord James Sassoon, Chair of the China-Britain Business Council, says he hopes Li Keqiang's trip to the UK will help open up business opportunties for a larger part of Britain.
"Although probably the Premier won't have much chance to go outside of southeast of England, I don't know what his programme will be, but what was great about David Cameron's visit was that he didn't just go to Beijing and Shanghai but he also went to the center and west of China, to Chengdu. It's a reminder of just what the opportunities are right across China and not just in the most obvious east or coastal cities. "
When it comes to British investment in China, Lord Sassoon says he believes there is a vast market that has yet to be explored.
"In particular what Premier Li talked about as a new objective which he called 'three hundred millions'. This is the plan in which he stated that a hundred million additional rural dwellers will be relocated to urban areas, a hundred million rural houses will be rebuild and a hundred million people will be encouraged to move to cities around the center and west of China. I think it does underline the continuing signs of the opportunity there is for British as well as Chinese business."
There has been a rush of private-sector Chinese money flowing into the UK this year, with Chinese companies already committing 4.5-billion US dollars through the first 4-months of this year.
Ron Dennis, chair of the First UK-China Business Leaders’ Summit held in London in early June, attributes the flourish of Chinese business interest in the UK to the complementary economic structures of the two countries.
"Of all countries in the world, the UK is best placed to deliver what for the current stage of its development. The UK is a world leader in innovation and emerging technologies ranging from pharmaceuticals to clean energy, we have world class know-how which could make a real difference in China."
Stephen Perry, chair of the so-called "48 Group Club," led the forum discussions at the meetings.
Perry's "48 Group Club" is the name given to a group of British businessmen who travelled to the newly-founded People's Republic of China some 60-years ago to try to establish business ties.
For CRI, I'm Duan Xuelian reporting from London.
What's Next After the $400 Billion Deal?----China-Russia Relations On the Spotlight
Anchor:
Some of the world's best known politicians and analysts have sat down in Washington to discuss what they're calling the triangular relationship among China, the United States and Russia.
The seminar comes on the heels of China inking a 400-billion US dollar natural gas deal with Russia this past month.
CRI's He Fei has more from Washington.
Reporter:
China and Russia clinched the 30-year gas export deal a few weeks ago.
The final agreement has been reached after 10 years of negotiations over pricing.
Many observers feel the Russian side was motivated to get the deal done as quickly as possible, given its natural gas dispute with Ukraine, and subsequently, Europe.
Attending a conference on current global dynamics, Zbigniew Brzezinski, the former US national security advisor to President Jimmy Carter, says he believes the economic relationship between China and the United States is still the most important one.
"The Chinese-Russian relationship is not the preeminent global relationship. It is the Chinese-American relationship that is the globally preeminent relationship. But the decline of Russia in that triangular relationship obviously boosts the influences of China, gives China the option of utilizing Russia whenever convenient."
Brzezinski has made the comments at a seminar in Washington that has explored the triangular relationship among China, the US and Russia.
Also at the seminar was Kevin Rudd, Australia's former prime minister.
He suggests while it might be beneficial for China to explore a deeper relationship with Russia, the relationship at present hasn't changed much since the fall of the Soviet Union.
"China, in doing so, has been simultaneously active and re-affirming the principles which governance relationship with Russia and these are not new but continuing since days of Yeltsin. And that is principles of, first of all, there would be no alliance; second one is that there would be no conflict and the third is not directed to a third party."
But at the same time, Stapleton Roy, a former US ambassador to China who worked in Moscow during the height of the Cold War, notes that with trade between China and the US still more than 5-times the volume between China and Russia, China can't afford to completely turn its attention to Russia.
"In terms of modernizing its economy, in terms of the expertise needed, China has largely turned to the Western countries, particularly the United States, not Russia as it did in the past…There is no question that the Sino-Russian relationship at the moment is at a high point, but I don't think China has lost sight of the fact that the United States still in very important respects is much more important to its ability to achieve the great rejuvenation of the Chinese people, which Xi Jinping put as the Chinese Dream."
China-Russia trade last year came in at 88 billion US dollars.
China-US trade through 2013 amounted to over 500-billion.
For CRI, I'm He Fei in Washington.
Thousands flee Mosul after militants seize city
Around 500-thousand people have now fled Iraq's second biggest city, Mosul, amid the overrun of the city by Islamic militants.
The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, an offshoot of al-Qaida, has seized the governor's headquarters and has been rampaging through police stations.
Hundreds of detainees have reportedly been set free.
It's not known how many people have been killed in the assault.
Most of those trying to flee the city are trying to head into the Kurdish autonomous province of Irbil.
Iraq's Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.
"We have to declare a comprehensive mobilization and the utmost alert in political, financial and popular capabilities to defeat terrorism and bring life to normal in all areas occupied by terrorists, either in Mosul or any other city."
Earlier this year, al-Qaeda-linked forces captured the city of Fallujah in the west of the country.
Mosul and the province of Ninevah are a major export route for Iraqi oil.
They're also a gateway to Syria.
Iraqi militants seize 49 Turkish diplomatic personnel, family in Mosul
As part of the al-Qaeda takeover of Mosul, 49 Turkish staff and their family members have been taken hostage at the consulate in the city.
At the same time, another 31 Turkish nationals have also been taken hostage at a power plant in Mosul.
Meanwhile, the United States is now promising to provide assistance to the Iraqi government.
State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki.
"We join Turkey and the international community in calling for the immediate release of Turkey's kidnapped personnel. The security reiterated the United States' commitment to working with the Iraqi government and leaders across Iraq to support a unified approach against ISIL's continued aggression. We are in touch with the government's of Turkey and Iraq and stand ready to provide any appropriate assistance."
The Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant has also seized effective control of Saddam Hussein's former hometown of Tikrit.
South Sudan warring sides agree to form transitional govt
South Sudan's government and the rebels have agreed to form a transitional government within 60 days.
The announcement, made by Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, comes as leaders from eastern African nations hold separate talks with South Sudan's president and his former deputy.
"The main outcome of this summit is that they agreed to commit fully themselves to all the signed agreements and to complete all the negotiations within the coming 60 days and then establish a transitional government of national unity and proceed for reforming the country."
South Sudan's government and rebels have been locked in heavy fighting since December, after forces loyal to ousted former vice-President Riek Machar took up arms against supporters of President Salva Kiir.
The two parties signed a ceasefire deal in May after a previous deal failed to hold.
However, clashes between the government forces and the rebels have been reported just hours after the latest deal came into effect.
Eastern African states have threatened to slap the country's warring sides with sanctions unless they end the fighting.
This is the first time South Sudan's neighbors have issued such a strong warning.
The conflict has already left thousands dead and over one million homeless.
The UN is accusing both sides of crimes against humanity, including mass killings and sexual slavery.
It's also warning that around 4-million people could be on the brink of starvation by the end of the year, given the violence has disrupted local farming in South Sudan.
Filipino authorities capture commander of Abu Sayyaf militant group
Philippine authorities have captured a top commander of the Abu Sayyaf militant group.
This is the group which kidnapped a young Chinese woman from a Malaysian resort in April.
Suspected members of the group also abducted a Chinese business woman and her daughter in the southern Philippines last month.
Superintendent Roberto Fajardo is with the Philippines National Police.
"Actually, this is a joint operation of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and Armed Forces of the Philippines intelligence, all assisting in the arrest of Khair Mundos, a wanted member of ASG."
Khair Mundos is said to be one of the highest-ranking militant suspects to be captured in the country in years.
Police have been hunting him for his alleged involvement in bombings and kidnappings.
He was arrested in a neighborhood near Manila's international airport.
It is not immediately clear why he was in the capital.
Mundos is on the US "Most Wanted" list and has acknowledged receiving al-Qaida funds.
He was captured in 2004 but escaped in 2007.
Abu Sayyaf has an estimated 300 armed fighters.
The group, which has split into different factions, has been blamed for deadly bomb attacks, ransom kidnappings and beheadings.
Japan, Australia agree to jointly develop submarine technology
Japan and Australia have agreed to jointly develop stealth submarine technology.
The decision has been made at this year's so-called "2-plus-2" meeting.
Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera and Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida have sat down with their Australian counterparts, Julie Bishop and David Johnston at the meeting in Tokyo.
Onodera says they've agreed to begin the research next year.
"In the two-plus-two meeting, Japan and Australia have reached a substantial conclusion to agree on the transfer of defense technology and equipment. We have also discussed in detail the joint research for marine hydrodynamics planned to begin during the next fiscal year."
Australian Defense Minister David Johnston has suggested the two sides are also considering involving other countries when it comes to stealth submarines.
"Australia has a program to build a new submarine and we are engaging a number of countries seeking assistance and guidance with respect to this very complex technology."
Japan and Australia have been increasingly growing their cooperation in both military and economic fields for the past few years.
Biz Reports
First off, let's take a quick look at the closing numbers across North America and Europe.
Joinning me on the desk, CRI's Luo Wen.
Reporter:
U.S. stocks declined on Wednesday after the World Bank lowered its growth outlook for the global economy.
The Dow closed down 0.6%, the S&P 500 dipped 0.4%, and the Nasdaq ended down 0.1%.
On the economic front, U.S. mortgage applications increased by 10.3% last week following the Memorial Day holiday.
In corporate news, Boeing shares declined 2.3%, became the biggest decliner among Dow components.
On the commodities front, gold futures rose 0.1% and oil price remained flat.
The European stock markets were generally down.
Germany's DAX dropped 0.8%, France's CAC 40 closed down 0.9%, and Britain's FTSE 100 ended down 0.5%.
OPEC keeps output ceiling at 30 mln bpd
OPEC has decided to maintain its output ceiling capped at 30-million barrels a day.
The 12-member bloc has made the decision at a meeting Wednesday in Vienna.
In making the decision, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries says its pleased with current crude prices, and says it sees the market at a stable level right now.
The move to maintain the 30-million barrel a day ceiling comes despite calls from the International Energy Agency for OPEC to pump more oil into the market to meet demand.
OPEC has been maintaining the current ceiling since late 2011.
The bloc accounts for around 40-percent of all the world's crude demand, and pumps around one-third of all the oil in the world.
MSCI not add China A shares to emerging index
Anchor:
New York-based equity index provider MSCI has announced it will not add China's mainland-based A shares to its benchmark emerging markets index for the time being.
But at the same time, MSCI says mainland shares will remain on review for a possible move next year.
China's current share of the index is composed of shares listed in Hong Kong, or listed on the mainland, but denominated in U.S. or Hong Kong dollars.
China's A-shares are the renminbi-denominated shares of companies incorporated in China's mainland and traded on the Shanghai and Shenzhen exchanges.
MSCI estimates the inclusion of mainland listed A-shares to its index could move as much as 12-billion dollars into China's struggling stock markets.
For more on this, we are joined on the line by Cao Can, CRI's financial commentator
Back anchor: Cao Can, CRI's financial commentator
Chinese banks issue NCD worth US$1.1b
Four Chinese commercial banks have issued 7-billion yuan worth of Negotiable Certificates of Deposit, or NCD's.
The Bank of China, China Minsheng Bank, CITIC Bank and the Shanghai Pudong Development Bank have issued the NCD's in the interbank market.
Interbank NCD's can be bought by and resold to members of the interbank market.
They're designed to be a low-risk and low-interest investment instrument.
They cannot be cashed-in before maturity.
The People's Bank of China created the Negotiable Certificates of Deposit late last year to try to help banks deal with issues of liquidity.
EU investigates corporate taxation of Apple, Starbucks, Fiat
The European Union has opened in-depth investigations into corporate tax issues connected to Apple, Starbucks and Fiat.
The investigations are related to the so-called "tax rulings" connected to Apple in Ireland, Starbucks in the Netherlands, and Fiat's Finance and Trade division in Luxembourg.
The three countries will examine whether the corporate income tax imposed on the three companies is in-line with EU state aid rules.
EU officials say the probe is looking to see whether the companies have been using tax planning strategies and loop-holes to reduce their global tax burdens.
IMF launches index for global housing market
The International Monetary Fund has launched a website to feature its analysis of the global housing markets.
Content of the site will include the IMF's Global House Price Index and data on housing indicators.
The IMF will also publish a quarterly report on the global housing market on the site.
China expects to launch 5G service in 2020
Industry regulators have revealed China is developing 5G technology.
The revelation has been made at the opening forum of the Mobile Asia Expo 2014 in Shanghai.
It's expected the 5G technology will be ready in 2020.
Headline News
China's military strongly dissatisfied with U.S. accusations
The Chinese Defense Ministry is lashing out at the most recent U.S. allegations connected to the Chinese military.
The Defense Ministry says US accusations of China's military threat and lack of transparency are "clichés."
The Defense Ministry is also blaming the United States for "sending wrong signals in territorial disputes" in the Asia-Pacific region.
The comments follow the United States' annual report on China's military development and security, which came out last week.
The Chinese Defense Ministry notes the US still spends several times more per-year on its military than China does.
China calls for harmonious maritime orders
The Chinese government says it fully backs global maritime law and supports direct talks among disputing parties when it comes to the world's oceans.
The comments have come to mark the 20th anniversary of the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
A statement from the Chinese foreign ministry says negotiations based on law and history are the most effective way to settle maritime disputes.
The anniversary of the implementation of the UN Sea treaty comes amid a growing number of territorial disputes in both the South and East China Seas.
UN confirms four deaths of peacekeepers in north Mali
Four UN peacekeepers have been killed in northern Mali.
A truck loaded with explosives blew up at the gate of a UN camp in the restive region, killing 4 and leaving 10-others injured.
The nationalities of the UN peacekeepers killed have not been released.
The attack has taken place in the Kidal region of northern Mali, which was the rallying area for the Tuareg rebels when they took control of northern Mali in 2012.
The region is now back in the hands of the Malian government, after a French-led multi-national force swept in to regain control last year.
17 confirmed dead from ebola in Sierra Leone
Authorities in the west African country of Sierra Leone now say there have been 17 deaths recorded in connection with a new outbreak of the ebola virus.
There have been 46 cases of the virus, which have emerged since the first one was recorded in late May.
Health authorities in Sierra Leone are warning they're seeing new human cases of the virus emerging almost daily.
Ebola is a deadly pathogen which can have a mortality rate of as high as 90-percent in certain strains.
Ugandan FM elected UN General Assembly president
Ugandan Foreign Minister Sam Kutesa has officially been elected as the President of the UN General Assembly.
Kutesa was put forward as the African Union's only candidate.
Kutesa, who takes over from Antigua's UN representative, is promising to be accessible, transparent, fair and balanced.
The President of the UN General Assembly holds little official power.
Newspaper Picks
THE BEIJING NEWS
Headline
China rejects Japan's protest over 'comfort women'
Summary
The Chinese government is rejecting Japan's call for it to withdraw an application to register records of Japan's wartime sex slaves with UNESCO.
Japan has lodged the protest after the Chinese side announced its moving to enshrine 'comfort women' with UNESCO's Memory of the World Register.
'comfort women' is a euphemism for sexual slaves exploited by the Japanese military during World War II.
BEIJING MORNING POST
Headline
Academic's misconduct not tolerated
Summary
Chinese academic authorities have announced new rules for the election of China's top academics.
Under the new rules, scholars who commit academic misconduct and fraud will be sacked.
Authorities say the reforms are a critical step in rooting out academic fraud.
SOUTH CHINA METROPOLITAN DAILY
Headline
Dead official leaves graft denial
Summary
An official in Hunan who committed suicide after jumping from his office building left a note, saying he was the innocent party in an anti-graft investigation.
His suicide note reportedly says he was merely following his leaders' instructions.
THE BEIJING TIMES
Headline
Information on food additives
Summary
The National Health and Family Planning Commission is adding new software on its website, which will allow people to look up information about food additives.
Officials also say new food safety standards are going to be introduced soon.
SHANGHAI DAILY
Kindergarten guard held for molestation
Summary
Police say a security guard at a kindergarten in Shanghai has been detained on suspicion of molesting three girls aged 5 and 6.
Relatives of the three girls actually went to the kindergarten and tackled the 47-year-old guard.
He's reported to have begged the relatives not to report him and even offered them a payoff.
GLOBAL TIMES
Headline
Anti-terror volunteers to be insured
Summary
Public security volunteers here in Beijing are going to be given accident insurance.
Volunteers have been mobilized in Beijing to patrol streets and help police with safety inspections.
CHINA DAILY
Headline
Xinjiang students to get free education
Summary
The central government is set to roll out a new education policy next year in southern Xinjiang, allowing children to go to school for free.
Observers are suggesting the free education in high schools should increase enrollment rates and prevent them from being brainwashed by extremists.
Special Reports
Anchor:
Authorities here in China have launched a national campaign to mark Food Safety Publicity Week.
The idea is to try to rebuilding public confidence in food safety amid a raft of food safety scandals in recent years.
CRI's Li Dong has more.
Reporter:
Food Safety Publicity Week has been observed in China annually since 2011.
This year it highlights respect for morality, laws, and regulations.
Zhang Yong is the minister of the China Food and Drug Administration or CFDA.
"The food safety environment is positive in general though the possibility for problems remains. Violations of food safety laws are still rampant in some industries. This is the combined result of lapses in supervision, insufficient enforcement of laws and regulations, and the lack of moral sensibility."
China's food industry has been facing a crisis of confidence amid a series of food scares in the past eight years, including cancer-causing turbot fish, melamine-tainted milk powder, cadmium-tainted rice, and clenbuterol-contaminated pork.
Consumers are increasingly turning to green and organic foods. Many young parents even go to the trouble of buying infant formula from overseas.
But, Ji Xiaohua, CEO and founder of popular science website Guokr.com, says unfounded rumors about food safety also undermine the confidence of Chinese consumers.
"For instance, artificial eggs. The media has reported on these for years but we've never seen even one such egg. Other examples of nonsense rumors include using shoe soles to make bread, milk powder causing early puberty, and seafood and the food additive SMG being lethal. In the past few years, Our website, Guokr.com, has done analysis on more than 200 such cases."
Ji Xiaohua says to rebuilt confidence in the food safety system a lot of work needs to be done.
"Lack of confidence is the result of many factors. Food safety standards are sometimes too accommoding to manufacturers. Supervision departments need to be more professional. Our manufacturers are still used to minimizing the effect of food safety issues and compromise to rumors. Media sometimes forgoes journalism principles just to attract the public's attention. And of course, gullible consumers sometimes misinterpret information."
To improve public access to food safety information and knowledge, an app about food and drug safety has been launched by the administration.
Users can use the app to track the latest news and information on food, drugs, cosmetics, and medical appliances.
For CRI, I am Li Dong.
Sports
NHL finals could come to an end today
From the Stanley Cup playoffs in the NHL,
The Los Angeles Kings are poised to raise their 2nd Stanley Cup in 3-years as they take on the New York Rangers this morning.
The Kings have a 3-games-none lead in the best-of-7 series, and can take home hockey's top prize this morning with a victory over the Rangers.
The Kings come into the game in New York with all the momentum, having blanked the Rangers 3-0 in game-3.
Puck-drop in Game-4 of the NHL Finals gets underway at 8am Beijing time.
---
Meanwhile, in some off-ice news,
The Ottawa Senators appear to be ready to ship their captain out of the Canadian capital.
Senators General Manager Brian Murray has told reporters at the annual General Managers meetings that he's been entertaining calls from around the league about Jason Spezza.
Spezza is in the last year of his 7-year contract with the Senators, where he's been making an average of 7-million a year.
The 31-year-old centre has been with the Senators for his entire 11-year career.
He has 687 points in 686 games with the Sens, and helped lead the club to its first and only Stanley Cup Final appearance - a five-game loss to the Anaheim Ducks in 2007.
Spurs vs. Heat Game 4 Preview
In the NBA finals,
The Miami Heat are doing a bit of soul-searching today in the aftermath of their game-3 loss to the San Antonio Spurs yesterday.
The Spurs made an NBA Finals-record 75.8 percent of their shots in the first half in an 111-92 victory over the Heat in Game 3.
The Spurs' Kawhi Leonard scored a career-high 29 points.
Danny Green and Tony Parker each had 15 points in the victory.
LeBron James and Dwyane Wade each scored 22 for the Heat.
The Spurs now hold a 2-1 series lead.
Game 4 is set to tip off in Miami tomorrow morning at 9am Beijing Time.
----
In off-court news,
A court hearing has been scheduled for next month to determine whether Donald Sterling was properly removed as an administrator of the family trust that owns the Los Angeles Clippers.
An attorney for Donald Sterling's ex wife, Sherry Sterling, has requested the hearing to confirm that as the sole trustee, she can proceed with the 2 billion dollar sale of the Clippers to former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer.
The hearing is scheduled for July 7th, and is expected to last 4-days.
The deadline for the sale of the team is July 15th.
Murray beats Mathieu to reach third round of the Aegon Championships
In tennis,
Defending champion Andy Murray has rolled past France's Paul-Henri Mathieu 6-4, 6-4 to reach the third round of the Aegon Championships at Queen's Club in London.
Murray will next face Czech Radek Stepanek, who downed Australia's Bernard Tomic 7-6, 7-6.
Top seeded Stan Warinka is also through to the last-16 after his opponent Marcos Baghdatis retired with a shoulder injury at 3-2 in the first set.
5th seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga survived a strong challenge from Belgium's David Goffin in the first set, but managed through with a 7-6, 6-2 victory.
Sixth seeded Ernests Gulbis has failed to advance after being upset by France's Kenny De Schepper 7-6, 7-5.
Australian veteran Lleyton Hewitt has also been eliminated by 10th seeded Spainyard Feliciano Lopez 6-3 6-4.
---
On the women's side in London,
Rising Chinese star Zhang Shuai, the 9th seed, is through to the 3rd round after getting past Israel's Shahar Peer 6-3, 3-6, 6-2.
Other women advancing on Wednesday included 2nd seeded Sam Stosur, 3rd seeded American Sloane Stephens and 4th seed Kristen Flipkins of Belgium.
----
Over at the Gerry Weber Open in Halle, Germany.
3rd seeded Canadian Milos Raonic has crashed out of the tournament after losing to German qualifier Peter Gojowczyk 6-4 6-4.
Kei Nishikori of Japan has downed Frenchman Gael Monfils 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 to reach the quarter finals.
Also through to the quarter-finals is South American Alejandro Falla who edged Dutchman Robin Haase 7-6, 6-4.
French Open Champion Rafael Nadal will begin his grass court season campaign later today.
Nadal is up against Dustin Brown of Germany.
Costa says he's ready for the World Cup
Ahead of the start of the World Cup, a couple of notable players have been talking about their status.
Spain's Diego Costa says he has fully recovered from his nagging hamstring injury and says will be ready when Spain opens their World Cup campaign against Netherlands on Friday in Brazil.
Costa has scored 36 goals for Spanish champions Atletico Madrid.
Meanwhile,
Uruguay's head coach says striker Luis Suarez is doing all he can to regain full fitness following surgery to his left knee.
But at the same time, Oscar Tabarez admits he's still not sure if Suarez will be able to play in the tournament.
Uruguay faces Costa Rica in their Group D opener.
After Costa Rica, they'll meet England on June 19th, before completing their group games against Italy five days later.
Sepp Blatter to stand for fifth term as FIFA president
FIFA president Sepp Blatter has announced that he will stand for a fifth term as head of FIFA.
The announcement comes after FIFA rejected the idea of imposing age limits and maximum terms for Federation officials.
The Switzerland native has been heavily criticized for the allegations of corruption connected to FIFA's bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
Re-election for FIFA president isn't until next May.
The announcement comes just hours ahead of the start of the World Cup in Brazil.
Roberto Mancini leaves Galatasaray after one season
In football news out of Europe,
Former Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has left Turkish club Galatasaray, after just nine months in charge.
Mancini's departure comes after a season, in which Galatasaray finished second in the Turkish League, won the Turkish Cup and qualified for the UEFA Champions League.
Mancini had two years remaining on his contract.
He hasn't said exactly why he's quit.
However, it's being reported that Mancini is now the bookies favorite to be the next manager at Southhampton, back in the Premier League.
Entertainment
Jennifer Lopez to take part in Brazil World Cup opening ceremony
(We are one)
It's now reported that Jennifer Lopez will take part in tonight's World Cup opening ceremony in Sao Paulo despite reports to the contrary earlier this week.
The US singer had cited "production issues" as her reason for pulling out, but whatever those were seem to have been resolved.
The American rapper Pitbull, who along with Lopez and Brazilian pop star Claudia Leitte released the official World Cup anthem for this year, "We Are One (Ole Ola)", said J-Lo has done everything she can to perform during tonight's festivities.
"Jennifer has got a lot of things going on and it just goes to show you what kind of - I call her a soldier, you know she's a hustler, she's a grinder, we are all hard workers, and she's going not out of her way to get down here, she's done everything over and beyond to try and get down here. So, we're waiting for her and we're excited to be on stage with her."
The opening ceremony will get going at 1pm local time and the that'll be 1am here in Beijing.
The first match will be the hosts Brazil vs Croatia, that's kicking off at 4am Beijing time.
Lang Lang to perform with Placido Domingo ahead of World Cup final
It has been announced that Chinese superstar pianist Lang Lang will be involved in a special concert two days before the World Cup final.
He'll be starring alongside the famed Spanish tenor Placido Domingo in Rio de Janeiro on July 11.
73-year-old Domingo, who was one of the three tenors alongside Luciano Pavarotti and Jose Carreras, will now have performed ahead of six World Cup finals, the first being in 1970.
He with Lang Lang, soprano Ana Maria Martinez, conductor Eugene Kohn and the Orquestra Sinfonica Brasileira will perform a mix of classical music and traditional Brazilian songs.
Zhang Yimou praises Gareth Edwards for 'Godzilla'
Chinese film director Zhang Yimou has heaped praise on Gareth Edwards, the director of the latest Hollywood adaption of Godzilla.
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The "House of Flying Daggers" director spoke with Edwards for about an hour at the film's Chinese premiere in Beijing last night.
He said he likes the direction that he took.
"The monster in 'Godzilla' is really massive, and it looks different from the original version. Visually the film director is really imaginative and he really brings something new to the character."
Zhang also disclosed for the first time in public that he is set to direct Hollywood movie "the Great Wall". The sci-fi action film will be completely in English but Chinese elements will be at the forefront.
Godzilla is just Edward's second film, after Monster (2010) and will be released in China tomorrow.
Prince Harry hosts London event to mark 50th anniversary of 'Zulu'
(ulu)
It's 50 years since the release of the iconic film Zulu and to mark the occasion, a special gala has been held in London with Prince Harry as the star guest.
The war epic from 1964, which starred Michael Caine and Stanley Baker, tells the true story of the 1879 Battle of Rorke's Drift between the British Army and the Zulu warriors in South Africa.
A small band of vastly outnumbered soldiers successfully defended the small outpost from thousands of Zulus.
Suzanna Oliver is the daughter of the film's director Cy Enfield.
"It's the human story really. It's not just about a battle which obviously is a big story in itself but it shows the pathos of the battlefield really and the bravery of the Zulus as well as the white soldiers as well. I mean, it was bravery on all sides.
At the event, a newly remastered version of the film was screened for the first time and many current members of the Zulu tribe flew into the English capital to join in the celebrations.
That’s it for this edition of the Beijing Hour.
A quick recap of headlines before we go.
The Chinese Defense Ministry is lashing out at the United States' most recent report on China's military.
Business leaders in Britian have been meeting in the lead up to Premier Li Keqiang's visit to the UK.
Dozens of Turkish nationals are now being held hostage by Islamic militants who have taken over Iraq's 2nd largest city.
In Business... OPEC has decided not to raise its daily output limits, despite pressure to do so.
On behalf of the Beijing Hour staffers, this is Paul James in Beijing hoping you'll join us for our next edition of the Beijing Hour to open a window to the world together.
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