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

Coming up on our program this morning...

One of the leading Chinese fugitives has reportedly been captured by authorities in the United States.

Observers are suggesting Chinese Premier Li Keqiang's time in Latin America is poised to reap benefits.

FIFA chief Sepp Blatter making his first public statements amid the legal controversy surrounding footballs governing body.

In Business.... new regulations connected to Margin Trading driving down the Chinese stock markets.

In Sports.... China takes this year's Women's World Volleyball Championships.

In entertainment... blues fans gather in Memphis to say goodbye to blues legend BB King.

Top NewsLi's Visit Raises Hope for Deeper CoopAnchorChinese Premier Li Keqiang's now-concluded tour of Latin America is sparking expectations of wider cooperation between China and the region.

CRI's Guo Yan has more.

ReporterAt a business summit in Brasilia, Premier Li Keqiang put forward the "Three Times Three" model to further promote SINO-Latin American cooperation in production capacity and equipment manufacturing.

He also proposed priorities for the construction of three passages for logistics, electricity, and information, in a bid to achieve inter-connectivity on the continent.

Also during his stay in Brazil, Li witnessed the groundbreaking for the Belo Monte power transmission project.

It will be built by China's State Grid Corporation and the first of its kind overseas using China's ultra high voltage transmission technology.

Mauricio Tolmasquim is head of Brazil Energy Research Company, which commissioned the project.

He says Chinese capability is impressive.

"We only hope the project will be completed as scheduled. It's one of our main requirements for contractors. The State Grid is of great capability. We hope they can continue to bid for our projects in the future."Tolmasquim's company also designs guidelines for the development of Brazil's energy industry.

He believes bilateral cooperation in developing power transmission capacity, solar power, wind energy, and oil drilling will gain momentum.

Tolmasquim also expresses preference for Chinese firms.

"We are confident of Chinese technologies in the energy industry. It's important. And many Chinese enterprises have abundant funds, enabling them to invest abroad, while Brazil is in an urgent demand of investment that can't be met by domestic companies, so Chinese firms can take full advantage of their technologies and money."Tolmasquim adds that Brazil not only needs China's equipment, but also hopes more Chinese enterprises, especially Chinese wind turbine makers, set up plants in his country.

Premier Li Keqiang's trip came four months after President Xi Jinping pledged $250 billion in investment in Latin America over the next 10 years.

Highlights of the premier's visit also included an agreement on a joint feasibility study for a transcontinental railway and a multi-billion-U.S.-dollar currency swap pact with Chile.

Many local entrepreneurs expect the newly-reached agreements to create new points of growth on the continent, which has become an investment destination for China.

Bilateral trade between China and Latin America rose to over 260 billion U.S. dollars last year, compared with about 12 billion dollars in 2000.

China is Latin America's second-largest trading partner and third-largest investor, with direct investment there approaching 100 billion dollars by the end of last year.

For CRI, I'm Guo YanChina Refutes US Accusations over S. China SeaThe Chinese government is answering-back to accusations its island-building efforts are "out of step" with the regional consensus.

The accusations have been made by US Defense Secretary Ash Carter.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying suggests the US side has "double standards" on the issue.

"I need to reiterate that China's projects on some islets and reefs in the South China Sea are proportional to the responsibility of a major country. The Chinese people can judge what they should do. Nobody else has the right to blame. I must note that the US has kept silent over some countries' illegitimate constructions on China's islands and reefs while criticizing China's lawful and normal projects within its sovereignty. The US either has double standards on this issue, or has some ulterior purposes."At the same time, the Chinese government is calling for the US to play a constructive role in the region.

"What does the US want to see in the Asia-Pacific? What role does the US want to play in the region? Will it serve the interests of the US if the world's growth engine plunges into turmoil? We hope the US can think it over, take a responsible attitude, stop all provocations and play a truly constructive role for regional stability."The issue is expected to be a focus on the annual Asia Security Summit, known as the Shangri-La Dialogue, which is set to take place later on this Friday in Singapore.

Sun Jianguo, China's deputy army chief, is heading the Chinese delegation to the three-day event.

S China reports first suspected case of imported MERSHealth authorities in Guangdong are treating the first suspected case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, or MERS.

The patient is a South Korean national.

It's believed he's the 44-year old who broke voluntary quarantine after members of his family came down with MERS symptoms.

South Korean officials say the man arrived in China on Tuesday in Shenzhen, then travelled to the city of Huizhou.

"We confirmed on May 27 that a suspected patient of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) left for China on May 26. Under international health regulations, we notified the World Health Organization for the Western Pacific region and China's Health Ministry to take him in to be examined and treated."Thirty-Five people with known close contact with the man are now under observation.

MERS is a form of corona virus, similar to SARS.

Mortality rates run above 40-percent.

The first case was identified in Saudi Arabia in 2012.

There is no vaccine for MERS.

S Korea Nabs 11 Illegal Plastic Surgery BrokersEleven South Korean cosmetic surgery brokers are facing charges in connection with ripping-off Chinese customers.

The crack-down follows word a Chinese woman was reportedly charged 1.2 million yuan for her cosmetic surgery.

This is 30-times the market rate.

Deng Liqiang with the Chinese Medical Association says there is little Chinese authorities can do in this particular case.

"You have to understand that the market economy normally dictates what is acceptable or not. The government is responsible for issues that involve the public interest. But at the same time, plastic surgery is one area of personal choice, where it's hard to determine whether this is harmful to the public interest. So, consumers need to be responsible for the choices they make."Over 150 others have had their passports revoked as part of the investigation.

South Korea is one of the prime destinations for cosmetic surgery for Chinese nationals.

SPP Enacts Eight Measures for protecting minorsThe Supreme People's Procuratorate, this country's top prosecuting body, has unveiled a new set of measures to try to protect the victims of child abuse.

The new regulations include fast-tracking cases involving child abuse.

Xiao Wei with the Supreme People's Procuratorate says a total of 8 different policies are being implemented.

"The Eight Measures stipulates that the objectives of procuratorate organs are now extended from the previous juveniles who committed crimes to include juvenile victims. The crimes on juveniles of sexual abuse, abduction, kidnapping, abandon, harm and abuse will be severely punished."The new measures also include the recording and videotaping of the questioning of underage victims.

Councilling and other post-traumatic services are also being recommended.

Blatter Denies Responsibility for FIFA CorruptionFIFA president Sepp Blatter has made his first public statements since the corruption scandal involving football's governing body.

Blatter, who is up for re-election as the head of FIFA, has made the statements a day after seven high-profile FIFA executives were arrested on corruption charges.

"Actions of individuals bring shame and humiliation on football and demand action and change from us all. We cannot allow the reputation of football and FIFA to be dragged through the mud any longer. It has to stop here and now."Blatter contends those involved in corruption in football are in the minority.

"I know, many people hold me ultimately responsible for the actions and reputation of the global football community - whether it's a decision for the hosting of a World Cup or a corruption scandal. We, or I, cannot monitor everyone all of the time. If people want to do wrong they will also try to hide it."Blatter is seeking re-election for a 5th term.

European football's governing body UEFA has backed down from an earlier pledge to boycot the forthcoming vote for President later on this Friday.

UEFA head Michel Platini says European football is backing Jordan's Prince Ali bin al-Hussein, Blatter's only challenger, in the presidential vote.

"It's not an easy thing to say to a friend that he must leave but I believe that it is in the interest of this story that President Blatter leaves us. This is what I wanted to tell you, you know as much as I do, and now I would like to appeal to all worldwide national associations, all those who will vote, to support Prince Ali."US authorities have charged 14 people, including 9 FIFA officials, with corruption involving some 150 million US dollars in bribes over a period of more than two decades.

Swiss authorities are also looking into whether FIFA's decision to award the 2018 and 2022 World Cups to Russia and Qatar involved any irregularities.

Iraq Exhumed 470 Bodies from Tikrit Mass Graves: MinisterThe remains of 470-bodies have been uncovered near the Iraqi city of Tikrit.

It's believed these are the bodies of the Iraqi soldiers murdered en-masse by the Islamic State after the militants took areas near the city last year.

The so-called Speicher massacre took place when the group invaded a recruitment base run by the US military.

Adila Hammoud with the Iraqi Ministry of Health says they're now in the process of identifying the bodies.

"The forensic department will work to find out the identification of the other bodies, and all the results will be announced after making the DNA checking and know exactly who they are."Islamic State fighters over-ran the camp last year.

It's believed some 17-hundred young men were killed.

1300 Killed in weeklong Heat Waves in IndiaThe death toll from the heat wave currently gripping India has surpassed 13-hundred, with temperatures soaring above 47 degrees in certain parts of the country.

Southern India's Andhra Pradesh has recorded over a thousand deaths.

"From last one week, we are suffering a lot due to the heat wave. Mercury is soaring. Pets, children, grandparents are suffering a lot because of the (heat) wave. Even we can see a simple person sitting in the home, sweating a lot due to dehydration. Night time also because of the power cuts and from the morning and the night and in the middle of the day, the power cuts are creating a lot of problems for the households and for all the family members."Doctors in the State are being recalled to help treat people suffering from sun-stroke.

Forecasters are suggesting the heat wave may start subsiding later on this Friday.

UN to Help Protecting Cultural Heritage of Iraq from IS DestroyingThe United Nations has adopted a resolution to save the cultural heritage of Iraq.

However, the resolution has not included any tangible plans to protect the country's historical sites.

Despite this, Irina Bokova, director-general of UNESCO, is still lauding the move by the UN General Assembly.

"I think it's important because it could identify cultural cleansing as a new phenomenon that is now emerging as a threat also to the security of the people in the Middle East. I do believe that the adoption of this resolution will have a very big impact on the thinking about the way forward in terms of protection and preservation of cultural diversity and also of cultural heritage."Islamic State fighters have been looting and destroying numerous historical sites in their bid to carve out a Caliphate.

United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson says its a loss to all humanity.

"The international community must do everything in its power to halt the destruction of Iraq's cultural heritage and to hold perpetrators to account. This type of cultural destruction does not stop in Iraq: other countries in the region and beyond have seen similar crimes. We have seen it in Afghanistan, Syria and Mali in recent years, but rarely, let's think about that, in times before that."The Islamic State has already plundered the 2-thousand year old city of Hatra in northern Iraq.

The ancient Assyrian city of Nimrud has also been looted.

Fighters with the Islamic State have also surrounded the ancient city of Palmyra, reportedly executing 20 people inside the ancient Roman ampitheatre located among the ruins.

Palmyra dates back to the neolithic era.

Pataki to Run for US PresidentFormer New York State Governor George Pataki has become the latest to throw his hat into the ring for the Republican nomination for President.

Pataki was Governor during 9/11.

He says his bid for the White House is based on 'freedom.'

"It is to preserve and protect that freedom for us that I stand here today... It is to preserve and protect that freedom for future generations that I speak. It is to preserve and protect that freedom that this morning I announce I am a candidate for the Republican nomination for president of the United States..."Pataki served three terms as Governor of New York State.

He joins a long list of would-be Republican contenders for the Presidency.

His announcement follows on the heels of former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum announcing his intention to run again.

Report: Russia masses firepower toward Ukraine BorderIt's being reported the Russian military is massing heavy firepower along its border with Ukraine.

The Russian military has maintained a solid presence in the region since the civil war in Ukraine began last year.

Russia has consistently denied any involvement in the conflict.

For more on what's happening in Ukraine, CRI's Brian Kopczynski earlier spoke to William E. Butler, Foreign Member, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine and National Academy of Legal Sciences of Ukraine.

Back anchor: William E. Butler, Foreign Member, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine and National Academy of Legal Sciences of Ukraine, spoke with CRI's Brian Kopczynski"China" Themed English Books Highlighted on BEAAnchorA number of English-language books about China and the Communist Party are being highlighted at the ongoing BookExpo America in New York.

CRI's He Fei has more from New York.

ReporterThe English version of the series "China Today: Understanding the CPC" has made its debut at the BookExpo America.

Translated and published by the Party Building Publishing House and China's Foreign Language Press, the set of five books detail how the Communist Party of China helped modernize the country.

The books also detail the CPC's governance philosophy.

Chinese observer Doctor Robert Kuhn says the book should help people better understand the philosophy of the CPC.

"If the world does not understand the CPC, it's the CPC that has the obligation to reach out to the world to explain itself. That's what these books are all about: a clear, comprehensive description of the CPC by the CPC. "In addition to the CPC series, the Chinese President's book "Xi Jinping: The Governance of China" has also been released as an e-book at the BEA.

Now you can buy the kindle edition on Amazon.

Former Vice President of the China International Publishing Group, Huang Youyi, says he believes there is growing market in the world for books connected to Chinese politics.

"Foreign countries want to learn about China. They all have questions about the country. And we need an authoritative answer to them, which is the aim of this book. And the BookExpo America is a good platform to explain us to the world.""Xi Jinping: The Governance of China" has been published in eight languages.

Some 400-thousand copies have been sold since its release in October.

China is the 'guest of honor' at this year's BookExpo America.

Around 10-thousand different Chinese books are on display from around 150 publishing houses.

For CRI, I'm He Fei in New York.

New Resorts open in Macau to attract beyond gamblersAnchorNew additions to Macau's resort center are opening this week, despite the sharp downturn in the region's gaming sector.

CRI's Li Jing has more.

ReportThe second phase of Galaxy Macau has been unveiled.

Despite declining casino revenues, Galaxy Entertainment Group is still moving forward with the new complex.

It includes 3 luxury hotels, 2 casinos and other entertainment facilities, such as shopping malls, Macau's largest kids park and a 3-thousand-seat theater for live events.

Peter Caveny with Galaxy Entertainment says they've designed the new project to attract more than gamblers.

"We see the emerging middle class in China that is growing rapidly, that is an enormous demand for leisure tourists and travel. We believe this demand will come to Macau, we simply need more hotel rooms and more products offering to attract them and make it easy for them to come here. "Stats out of Macau show around 10-million people have made their way to the region so far this year.

This is down 3.6-percent compared to the same period last year.

Hotel occupancy rates have dipped below 80-percent.

Even with the slowdown, more hotels are still being built in Macau.

Davis Fong with Macau University says the new developments should help make Macau a cheaper place to visit.

"It used to cost two or three thousand Macau dollars to stay in a hotel overnight, but now you can stay for two nights at the same price. The number of high rollers from the mainland will be relatively steady, and spare rooms could accommodate middle class guests."Macau overtook Las Vegas as the world's biggest gambling market in 2006.

Gaming makes up more than half of Macau's GDP.

However, the gambling sector in Macau has hit its 11th successive month of declines through April as part of the crackdown on corruption on the mainland.

Galaxy chair Lui Che-woo says they're taking this into account, saying they are working to try to transform Macau into a more diversified tourism hub.

"We have a firm commitment to contribute to the diversification of the region's leisure and entertainment industry. We also promise to develop and nurture local talent and promote local culture to support the economy. Rooted in Macau, we are aligned with the Central Government's vision to help the territory fulfill its potential as a 'World Center of Tourism and Leisure', conducive to Macau's long-term growth."Macau, a Chinese Special Administrative Region, saw its GDP decline nearly 25 percent in the first quarter year-on-year. Gaming and related industries dropped close to 40 percent.

For CRI, this is Li Jing.

WeatherBeijing will be overcast today with a high of 27 degrees Celsius.

Overnight temperatures should drop down to 18.

Shanghai will see moderate rain with a high of 24 and a low of 21.

In Chongqing, it will be cloudy during the daytime with a high of 24 and lows of 21.

Elsewhere in the world, staying here in Asia,Kathmandu, slight rain, 32.

Islamabad will be cloudy with a high of 36.

Kabul will have moderate rain with a high of 19.

Over to North America,New York will be overcast with a high of 18 degrees.

Washington, slight rain with a high of 23 degrees.

Honolulu, overcast, 25.

Toronto will be overcast with a high of 29 degrees.

Finally, on to South America,Buenos Aires will be overcast with a high of 18.

And Rio de Janeiro will see slight rain with a high of 23 degrees Celsius.

Headline newsNo.1 Wanted Fugitive Chinese official Detained in US on Immigration ChargesThe US Immigration says it has detained a fugitive Chinese official wanted on corruption charges by Chinese government.

Yang Xiuzhu, former vice mayor of Wenzhou in Zhejiang, is being held on immigration charges.

She is accused of running off with over 250-million yuan worth of bribes for construction projects in the city.

Yang tops a Chinese government list for corrupt officials fleeing abroad.

Its unclear whether the suspect will be turned over to Chinese authorities.

S China reports first suspected case of imported MERSHealth authorities in Guangdong are treating the first suspected case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, or MERS.

The patient is a South Korean national.

Thirty-Five people with known close contact with the man are now under observation.

MERS is a form of corona virus, similar to SARS.

Mortality rates run above 40-percent and there's no vaccine for the virus.

Man executed in China for rape of 26 minorsA man in northwest China's Gansu has been executed for the rape and sexual abuse of 26 children.

Li Jishun, a former primary school teacher, was put to death on Thursday.

Li was found to have raped or sexually abused 26 girls aged from 4 to 11 when he was a teacher from 2011 to 2012.

The Supreme People's court says child sexual abuse cases are on the rise in recent years in the country.

Blatter Denies Responsibility for FIFA CorruptionFIFA president Sepp Blatter has denied responsibility for the corruption scandal hitting football's governing body following the arrest of seven high-profile FIFA officials on corruption charges.

In making his first public statements since the scandal broke, Blatter contends those involved in corruption in football are in the minority and he can't monitor them all of the time.

But he did tell the opening of the FIFA congress in Zurich that it brings shame and humiliation to the world's most popular sport.

Blatter is seeking re-election for a 5th term in Friday's presidential vote at the FIFA congress.

He is favored to win.

UK's Cameron in Paris to push for EU reformsBritish Prime Minister David Cameron has arrived in Paris to begin a European tour to push for European Union reforms ahead of the 2017 UK referendum on its EU membership.

He has met with French President Francois Hollande.

Cameron is calling for "flexible and imaginative" reforms from the EU, saying the changes will benefit not only Britain but the rest of Europe.

After Paris, Cameron will travel to Poland and German.

He plans to speak to every EU leader before a summit in Brussels next month where the proposed British reforms will be discussed in more detail.

Biz reportsAnchorFirst, a quick check on the closing numbers across North America and Europe.

Our reporter Niu Honglin.

ReporterU.S. stocks ended slightly lower on Thursday, as Wall Street digested new comments from Federal Reserve officials about the possibility of raising interest rates this year.

President of the San Francisco Fed, John Williams, says the U.S. central bank is likely to raise rates later this year, reiterating Chair Janet Yellen's latest view issued in a speech on Friday.

Meanwhile, market reaction to the weekly jobless claims data was mostly muted.

A jump in weekly jobless claims was bigger than expected.

However, the pace of layoffs still stays near a record low.

New stats also suggest pending home sales increased in April for the fourth consecutive month, reaching the highest level in nine years.

Looking ahead, investors are awaiting a revision of U.S. first-quarter gross domestic product due Friday.

At the close,The Dow Jones dropped 0.2 percent.

The S&P 500 edged down 0.1 percent.

The Nasdaq down 0.2 percent.

Over in Europe, European stocks fell on Thursday, as a potential deal between Greece and its creditors didn't come through.

Key European officials including International Monetary Fund Managing Director Christine Lagarde said more issues about the Greece debt deal are still needed to work through before the June 5 due day.

However, Greek officials are confident about reaching a deal by Sunday.

At close,The UK's FTSE 100 up 0.1 percent.

Germany's DAX shed 0.8 percent.

and France's CAC 40 fell 0.9 percent.

Chinese Stock Market Suffers a Huge LossIncreased scrutiny of margin trading has led to a major sell-off on the Chinese A-share market through Thursday.

The Shanghai Composite Index dipped 6.5 percent.

A growing number of brokerages have been forced to tighten their requirements on margin trading.

Margin trading allows traders to borrow on the capital they have in their portfolios.

Observers also say the Thursday sell-off has also been bolstered by profit-taking ahead of a new flood of initial public offerings next week.

Financial shares and real estate stocks led the decline in Shanghai.

Corporate News of the Week with Doug YoungAnchor:

Let's check out some of the main events taking place on the corporate front in China this week.

Joining me on the line now is Doug Young, associate professor at Fudan University and former China company news chief at Reuters.

Story 1:Gucci discounts inventory.

Gucci has made a bold move in China, slashing prices of many products by 50%.

The rare discount has led to long queues and a massive rush of customers in Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu and other cities.

Some customers in Shanghai say they need to stand in line for at least 2 hour in an attempt to buy products from Gucci.

This is Gucci's biggest seasonal price reduction since it entered the Chinese market in 1996.

Earlier this year, several fashion brands like Chanel, Lancome and Dior have all cut their price largely.

Talking points:

1)Some are saying the price-cut for luxury brands like Gucci is simply brands' seasonal promotion in a bid to clear-up stockpiles, while others suggest it is due to their latest sluggish sales in China. How do you view this ?

2) The Chinese government earlier this week has announced plans to cut the import tariff of products including the clothing. Will this move further influence luxury brands' pricing strategy and make their price-cut continue?

-----------Story 2:Juneyao Airlines IPO Surges by Limit 44 Pct on Shanghai DebutShares of Juneyao Airlines, or known as "Jixiang Airlines", have surged by 44% during its first trading day in Shanghai stock exchange on Wednesday.

This has made the shares of Shanghai-based budget airlines close at some 2.6 USD (16.1 yuan) from IPO price of some 11 yuan.

Privatedly owned by Juneyao Group, the airlines launched its serive in 2006, it now has a fleet of 42 airbus A320 crafts.

It has reported a 26% rise of its net income last year.

Juneyao is also the second private carrier listed in the A-share market after Spring Airlines.

Talking points:

1) What accounts for the share surge of Juneyao Air during its first trading day this Wednesday? Is this mainly driven by an IPO boom in the overall Shanghai Composite Index?

2) Another private budget carrier Spring Airlines have seen its IPO jumping over 6 times since its January listing.

Will the share price of Juneyao match up with that of Spring Airlines in future? Any difference between the two airlines' share surge?

3) What makes the booming investment of China's budget airlines and aviation industry? will this trend continue to grow?

Doug Young, associate professor at Fudan University and former China company news chief at Reuters.

China Development Bank to invest 900 billion USD in the "Belt and Road"The China Development Bank, a Chinese policy bank, has said projects involved in the "Belt and Road" Initiative will total around 900-billion US dollars.

The sum involve around 900 projects in 60 different countries.

Over 10-billion US dollars has already been poured into around 50 different projects in the "Belt and Road" plan.

They cover areas such as gas, mining, electricity and telecommunications.

Meanwhile, Chinese vice-Premier Zhang Gaoli has said the "Belt and Road" plan may include the creation of 6 economic corridors.

The economic cooridors will link throughout Asia and Europe.

Zhang Gaoli says this will be funded, in part, through the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and the Silk Road Economic Development Fund.

Zhang has made the remarks at an Asia-Europe Meeting in Chongqing.

China's first oil futures likely to start trading by year-endChina's first oil futures contract is likely to start trading by the end of this year.

The head of the Shanghai Futures Exchange says the blueprint of the contracts are due out in the near future.

China is the world's largest oil importer.

Nearly 60 percent of this country's oil consumption comes from imports.

Ctrip Website & App Breaks DownChinese travel website Ctrip has been hacked.

All the functions and links on the site were shut down for close to half-a-day.

The company has confirmed its web servers have been attacked by an unidentified group.

It's unclear at this point what information the hackers may have gotten.

This follows on the heels of Alipay, Alibaba's online payment service, also shutting down for around 2-hours on Wednesday night.

However, Alibaba says the disruptions were caused by optical cable damage at a construction site in its headquarters in Hangzhou.

SportsChina Beats S. Korea 3-0 to Win 13th Asian Women's V-Ball TitleChina defeated South Korea 3-0 to lift their 13th Asian Women' s Volleyball Championship in Tianjin on Thursday.

As Kim Yeokoung' s smash gave South Korea the 20-18 lead, China hammered in six points to surpass and finished the set 25-21.

The second game was a back-and-forth affair, but China eventually eked out a 25-21 win.

In the third game, Team China kept ahead of South Korea, but blew a 7-14 lead to allow the Koreans to get within 2 points at 20-22.

But China's Zhu Ting spiked in 3 points in the end to get another 25-21 finish and win the tournament.

The performance earned Zhu Ting the tournament MVP award.

Thailand beat Chinese Taipei 3-0 in the bronze medal match.

Football RecapIn football:

In on pitch action--In the Chinese Super League:

Now in third place, Shanghai SIPG take on second-place Shandong Luneng tonight.

And current leaders Guangzhou Evergrande battle Guizhou Renhe on Sunday.

Over in Europe, two cups are on the line this weekend.

Arsenal and Aston Villa hit the pitch for the FA Cup.

The wait for FA Cup success for Aston Villa has been substantial, with the last of their seven FA Cup triumphs coming in 1957.

That was Villa's seventh FA Cup win--a record at the time. Fast forward 58 years and now Arsenal looks to win the trophy for a record breaking 12th time.

And over in La Liga:

Barcelona take on Athletic Bilbao in Leg 1 of the Copa del Rey.

Chicago Fires Head Coach After Post-Season Crash-outIn basketball:

The National Basketball Association Finals will see Golden State take on the Cleveland Cavaliers, after the Warriors eliminated the Houston Rockets yesterday.

Game one of the finals tip off on Monday at about 9 a.m., Beijing time.

In other news, the Chicago Bulls fired head coach Tom Thibodeau after five seasons with the team.

The former coach still had two years and 9 million dollars left on his contract.

Thibodeau was the 2010-2011 Coach of the Year after leading the bulls to a .647 win percentage.

This season, Chicago went down in the post-season to an injury-plagued Cleveland Cavaliers team.

Bulls chairman Jerry Reinsdorf said in a statement that Thibodeau's firing is meant to lead the team back to a "culture" of winning.

Badminton RecapIn badminton:

World no. 1 Chen Long made quick work of compatriot Hu Yun at teh Australian Badminton Open in Sydney on Thursday.

Chen won 21-11, 21-8, in a game that lasted just 30 minutes.

World No. 9 Viktor Axelson took down Xue Song 21-19, 18-21, 21-14; Axelson is coming off an upset win over Lin Dan in the first round.

In women's action, No. 1 Li Xuerui beat Japan's Mitani Minatsu 21-16, 21-14 in 39 minutes.

Top-seeded men's doubles pair Xu Chen and Ma Jin and former world champions Fu Haifeng and Zhang Nan are also through to the quarter finals.

French Open RecapTaking a look at tennis, from the French Open:

World no. 1 Novak Djokovic overcame a groin injury scare to handily beat Luxembourg's Gilles Muller 6-1, 6-4, 6-4 in the second round.

Third-seeded Andy Murray came back from a set down to beat Portugal's Joao Sousa in four sets.

Rafael Nadal, seeded sixth there, finished off compatriot Nicolas Almagro 6-4, 6-3, 6-1.

Also through are No. 7 Spaniard David Ferrer, ninth-seeded Croatian Marin Chilich, and no. 15 South African Kevin Anderson.

In women's action:

No. 1 Serena Williams stumbled in her first set before rallying back to beat German Anna-Lena Friedsam 5-7, 6-4, 6-2.

Fourth-seeded Czech Petra Kvitova beat Spain's Silvia Soler Espinosa 6-7, 6-4, 6-2.

No. 5 Caroline Wozniacki crashed out hard, losing in straight sets to Germany's Julia Georges.

Golf: Rory McIlroy Has Dismal Start at Irish OpenIn GolfAt the Irish Open:

A cold wind and heavy rain challenged the golfers who started their rounds early.

Rory McIlroy struggled more than most.

In the end, McIlroy slumped to a nightmare 80, nine-over-par, and very much at the back of the field.

It was Padraig Harrington who cruise up the leaderboard, finishing the first round at four-under-par for a round of 67.

And at the PGA Tour's AT&T Byron Nelson:

In the lead after round 1 is Aussie Steven Bowditch at 8 under for 62, followed by American Jimmy Walker, who hit a 6 under 64.

EntertainmentFans say farewell to BB KingFans of blues legend BB King have lined the streets in Memphis, Tennessee to say their final farewells.

Thousands gathered to pay tribute to King, who died earlier this month.

At the event, a Dixieland jazz band walked ahead of a black hearse down Beale Street, the street where the young King was nicknamed the Beale Street Blues Boy.

King died on 14 May this year. US authorities are investigating claims he was poisoned.

Two of his daughters have alleged the musician was given "foreign substances to induce his premature death" by his business manager Laverne Toney and personal assistant Myron Johnson.

Lawyers for King's estate have said the claims are unfounded and disrespectful.

Pink Floyd unveil plaque to mark 50th anniversaryRoger Waters and Nick Mason, the founding members of rock group Pink Floyd have unveiled a plaque to mark the site at 309 Regent Street where they first met.

The plaque celebrates the 50th anniversary of the band.

While studying architecture at Regent Street Polytechnic between 1962 and 1965, Roger Waters, Nick Mason and Richard Wright met and formed the band.

Originally called Sigma 6 they first performed in the common room and at fellow student's parties.

The band began to evolve and took off while the members were still attending school.

Nick Mason said they were honored to be recognized in this way, adding that it was unclear in 1965 that a life time in music beckoned.

"PK" breaks records in ChinaBollywood movie "PK" has broken the Chinese box office record for an Indian-made film.

The film was released on May 22nd, and so far it's taken almost $7 million in China alone.

'PK' has also turned out to be the highest grossing Indian film in Australia, New Zealand and Pakistan, and the highest grossing foreign language movie in North America in 2014.

"PK" starring well known Bollywood actor Aamir Khan is a science fiction comedy, telling the story of an alien who comes to Earth on a research mission, where he befriends a television journalist and questions religious dogmas and superstitions.

Fox to make TV adaptation of "Urban Cowboy"Fox entertainment is joining forces with writer-director Craig Brewer, and Paramount TV for a series adaptation of the 1980 John Travolta classic "Urban Cowboy."Brewer is on board to write and direct the pilot and executive produce the series for Paramount TV and 20th Century Fox TV.

Like the movie, the TV adaptation of "Urban Cowboy" will follow the star-crossed relationship of Sissy and Bud as it unfolds against the gritty backdrop of rodeos, oil refineries, line dancing clubs and other aspects of modern-day Texas.

The original "Urban Cowboy" helped solidify John Travolta's status as a mega movie star.

Symbolic Exchange to cooperate with China's Meridian EntertainmentFormer Focus Entertainment CEO James Schamus' production company 'Symbolic Exchange,' has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with China's 'Meridian Entertainment.'

The deal will provide development and production funding for Symbolic's English-language slate, while also helping with co-development of Chinese projects.

Schamus said in a statement that Meridian's ambitions are paired with an independent spirit that will allow his company to work on a broad an array of projects together, in the U.S., in China, and around the world.

Schamus also plans on making his directorial debut with his adaptation of Philip Roth's best-selling novel "Indignation."That’s it for this edition of the Beijing Hour.

A quick look at the headlines before we go...

One of the leading Chinese fugitives has reportedly been captured by authorities in the United States.

Observers are suggesting Chinese Premier Li Keqiang's time in Latin America is poised to reap benefits.

FIFA chief Sepp Blatter making his first public statements amid the legal controversy surrounding footballs governing body.

In Business.... new regulations connected to Margin Trading driving down the Chinese stock markets.

On behalf of the Beijing Hour staffers, this is Paul James Beijing hoping you'll join us for our next edition of the Beijing Hour to open a window to the world together.