新闻纵贯线 The Beijing Hour updated 08:00 2014/03/21

The Beijing Hour
 
Morning Edition

Paul James with you on this Friday, March 21, 2014.
Welcome to the Beijing Hour, coming to you live from the Chinese capital.
Coming up on our program this morning...
A 2nd day of searching off the west coast of Australia is set to get underway today following the satellilte discovery Thursday of objects which could be connected to the missing Malaysia Airlines flight.
The US and Russian sides have slapped sanctions on one-another as the political battle over Crimea continues to fester.
Chinese President Xi Jinping is getting ready to make his latest overseas trip this weekend.
In Business... China Mobile is reporting a full-year decline in profits through 2013.
In sports.... Totenham has been bounced from the Europa League Championships.
In entertainment.... Chinese film-noir "Black Coal, Thin Ice" is set to hit theatres across China today.
But first... lets get a check on the weather...
 
 
Weather
 
 
Beijing will be sunny today, with a high of 20 degree Celsius in the daytime.
Overnight lows are expected to dip down to around 5.
The forecast through the weekend is calling for mostly sunshine on Saturday, with a few clouds rolling in on Sunday.
Temperatures are expected to warm up even further tomorrow, before dipping down a slight bit on Sunday.
In Shanghai, sunny today with a high of 14.
Overnight, expect temperatures of around 5 degrees.
Chongqing can expect overcast skies today with a high of 15.
Overnight lows should only dip down to around 11.
Elsewhere in the world, staying here in Asia.
Islamabad can expect rain today with a high of 23.
Kabul will also see moderate rain with a high of 10.
Over to North America.
New York can expect sunshine on Friday with a high of 10 degree.
Washington will be cloudy with highs of 15.
Houston, Texas will also be partly cloudy on Friday with a high of 20.
Honolulu, cloudy, 26.
Still cold in Toronto, Canada, with some sunshine forecast, but with a high of only 3 degrees.
Finally, on to South America,
Buenos Aires will see sunshine on Friday with a high of 23.
And Rio de Janeiro will see rain with highs of 34 degrees Celsius.
 
 
Top News
 
 
Australian search operation failed to locate assumed aircraft debris
 
Anchor:
A day of searching yesterday in the waters off the west coast of Australia has so-far failed to detect any sign of possible debris from the missing Malaysian Airlines flight first spotted by satellite imagery.
CRI's Jordan Lee has more.
Reporter:
As darkness fell, the day-long air search for two objects that could be part of missing flight MH370 ended without any success.
Flight Lieutenant Chris Birrer with the Royal Australian Air Force is one of the pilots of the four airplanes involved in Thursday's search.
"AMSA revised our search areas, so we searched a particular area that AMSA asked us to today. Unfortunately, with the weather conditions as you experienced on the flight, we were unable to locate any wreckage or debris, but other aircraft are continuing the search up until last night tonight."
The four planes were checking to see if two large objects spotted in satellite imagery four days ago are, in fact, debris from the flight MH370, which disappeared on March 8th.
One of the objects is said to be 24 metres in length.
The other is estimated at just 5 metres.
A series of marker buoys have been dropped in the area, which will provide information about the currents and help crews create a more precise search grid.
Meanwhile, Norwegian ship has been diverted from its journey from Madagascar to the area where the two floating objects were spotted.
In Kuala Lumpur, the authorities are moving to try to play down expectations surrounding the discovery of the two objects.
Acting Malaysian Transport Minister Hishammuddin Hussein is warning it may take a long time to find the objects, let alone confirm whether they have any connection to the missing Malaysia Airlines flight.
"Right now the information that we have received from the Australian authorities was actually corroborated, to a certain extent from other satellites. This is something that we can bring our ships across. This is something that two prime ministers spoke to. That makes it slightly different from the earlier lead."　
In the wake of the possible discovery, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbot have held a telephone conversation, with Abbot updating Xi Jinping on the latest developments.
For his part, Xi Jinping has asked Abbot to inform Chinese authorities of the latest developments as soon as new information comes in.
At the same time, the Chinese Foreign Ministry has confirmed MH370 did not enter Chinese territory before its disappearance on March 8th.
There have been numerous false leads and no confirmed wreckage found from Flight MH370, since it vanished from air traffic control screens off Malaysia's east coast.
The plane departed Kuala Lumpur for Beijing on March 8th with 239-passangers and crew onboard, including 154 from China.
It's since been revealed the plane's transponder and communications systems were shut down deliberately shortly after takeoff, with the plane then diverting away from its assigned flight plan.
For CRI, I am Jordan Lee.
 
 
Live call-in with Australia correspondent
 
For more on what we can expect as far as the search today is concerned, we are joined live on line now by Wang Xiao, our Australian correspondent in Sydney.
Q: What can we expect from the search today off the west coast of Australia?
Back anchor:
Wang Xiao, our Australian correspondent in Sydney.
 
 
China hopes Australia can confirm whether suspicious objects related to missing plane
 
Chinese authorities are offering their assistance in the new search for the possible debris from MH370.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei.
"We have received this information and attach great importance to it. We hope that Australia can send planes and ships to search and investigate as soon as possible. China has already been in touch with Australia through the Australian embassy, and is willing to provide assistance to Australia's search effort."
While the search continues off the west coast of Australia, Chinese ships are still continuing to the waters south-east of the Bay of Bengal and west of Indonesia.
A high-level working team sent by the Malaysian government is arriving in Beijing to help the families of the missing better cope with the situation.
This week has seen a growing amount of frustration and threats of protests by Chinese family members upset with a lack of information about the fate of their loved-ones.
 
 
US expand sanction on Russia, while Kremlin says it does not want its troops enter mainland Ukraine
 
US President Brarack Obama has signed an executive order to expand US economic sanctions against Russia over the Kremlin's move to absorb Crimea.
Obama's order is directed at Russian President Vladimir Putin's chief of staff and 19 other individuals, as well as a Russian bank.
"Based on the executive order that I signed in response to Russia's initial intervention in Ukraine we are imposing sanctions on more senior officials of the Russian government. In addition, we are today sanctioning a number of other individuals with substantial resources and influence who provide material support to the Russian leadership. As well as a bank that provides material support to these individuals."
In response, Russia has barred a number of US politicians and White House advisors from entering the country.
But at the same time, the Pentagon has confirmed Russia's minister of defense has reassured them Russia has no intention to entering mainland Ukraine.
Pentagon spokesperson Real Admiral John Kirby.
"It was a lengthy call, lasting about an hour, and I think it's fair to say that at times it was direct. But Secretary Hagel appreciated Minister Shoigu's time and the minister's assurance that the troops he has along the border are there to conduct exercises only. That they had no intention of crossing the border into Ukraine and that they would take no aggressive action."
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is calling on Russia and Ukraine to engage in direct talks and exercise restraint to resolve the Crimean situation.
Ban Ki-moon's call follows a meeting with Vladimir Putin in Moscow.
As the political wrangling takes place on the international front, Russia's lower house of parliament has ratified the treaty to annex Crimea and the city of Sevastopol with an almost unanimous vote.
The treaty is expected pass through the upper house of the Russian Duma later today.
 
 
Xi Jinping to embark on four-nation European tour
 
Chinese President Xi Jinping is getting ready to launch a four-nation tour of Europe this weekend.
His trip will see him make stops in the Netherlands, France, Germany and Belgium.
During his stay in the Netherlands, the Chinese President is scheduled to attend a Nuclear Security Summit in the Hague.
There, he's expected to meet with his counterparts from five different countries, including US President Barack Obama and South Korean President Park Guen-hye.
Xi Jinping is also scheduled to make a stop at UNESCO headquarters.
For more on the Chinese President's visit in Europe, CRI's Zheng Chengguang earlier spoke with Professor Ding Chun, Director of the Center for European Studies at Fudan University.
Back Anchor:
Professor Ding Chun, Director of the Center for European Studies with Fudan University, speaking with CRI's Zheng Chenguang.
 
 
Syrian troops recapture key town in Homs
 
Syrian government forces are reporting another key victory in their fight against rebel forces.
Government troops have re-captured a strategic town near the city of Homs in central Syria.
In taking the town of al-Husn, Syrian government forces have also reclaimed control of a centuries-old castle, raising a Syrian government flag above the heritage site as a sign of victory.
The re-taking of al-Husn comes on the heels of another major victory for Syrian government forces, who earlier this week seized the community of Yabroud north of Damascus.
Yabroud is a key intersection point between Lebanon and the Mediterranean Coast, which has been used as a key transit area for rebel forces.
Syrian government forces have been making gains in recent weeks, as rebel forces have been forced to split their time fighting both government troops and Islamic jihadists.
The jihadist groups, once on the side of the rebels, have since turned against their former partners, creating a factional divide among forces hoping to oust the administration of Bashar al-Assad.
 
 
Progress reported in removing Syrian chemical weapons material
 
A new report is suggesting more than half of Syria's chemical weapons stockpiles have been removed from the war-torn country as of this week.
The head of a joint mission helping oversee the elimination of the deadly arsenal has made the statement from the Syrian port of Latakia.
This is the location where the shipments of Syria's chemical weapons are transferred to cargo ships for eventual destruction.
Sigrid Kaag says 53.6-percent of Syrian chemical weapons have been removed from or destroyed in the country as of Thursday.
The head of the Joint Mission of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and the United Nations is also calling on the Syrian government to maintain its current pace.
Under a UN Security Council resolution, the entire Syrian chemical weapons arsenal must be destroyed by June 30th.
Despite a number of early delays, Kaag is still on-record saying they expect to meet the June deadline.
The Joint Mission was set up in October after the Syrian government agreed to a Russian proposal last year.
That agreement fended off potential US strikes on Syrian targets, in the fallout from a number of deadly chemical weapons attacks in Syria over the course of this past year.
 
 
China to continue its effort on the Iranian issue
 
The Chinese government is hailing, what it describes as, the "substantive" steps that have been achieved during the latest round of Iranian nuclear talks in Vienna.
The Chinese side says consensus has been reached on a number of issues during this week's talks between Iran and the P5+1.
The Chinese comments echo previous statements from both Iran and the US.
A senior US official taking part in the talks says the two sides now understand one-another's positions better than before.
With the 6-month interim agreement set to expire in July, pressure is on negotiators to get a final deal done.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hong Lei.
"China has been actively promoting the talks with an objective and responsible attitude, and playing a constructive role during the negotiations. The Chinese side has proposed its thoughts on how to expand the consensus and reduce disagreements. All parts in the talks have shown positive reactions. China will keep contacts with all sides to contribute our effort toward a final deal."
The current 6-month interim agreement, which has seen Iran temporarily shut down its enrichment programs in exchange for limited sanctions relief, is set to expire on July 20th.
The next round of negotiations among Iran and the P5+1 is set to be held in one-month's time.
 
 
Biz Reports
 
 
U.S. markets advanced on Thursday after a batch of economic data pointed to an improving US economy.
After several weeks of soft economic data, new labor market data released Thursday shows the number of Americans filing for jobless benefits hovered near three-month lows last week.
A report from the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia shows factory activity in the Mid-Atlantic region has rebounded in March, suggesting economic momentum may be on the upswing.
In its official policy statement following a two-day meeting, the Fed has sought to give assurances of continued low interest rates for an extended period.
But in her first news conference as chair of the Federal Reserve, Janet Yellen did indicate the first increase in interest rates could come in the first half of next year.
When the markets closed, the Dow climbed 0.7%.
The S&P 500 advanced 0.6%, and the Nasdaq gained 0.3%.
Up in Canada, the S&P/TSX gained 0.2 percent.
European markets ended mixed.
The U.K.'s FTSE 100 declined 0.5%.
However, the CAC 40 in Paris climbed half a percent.
Germany's DAX added 0.2 percent.
 
 
China Mobile's 2013 profit down 5.9 pct
 
China Mobile is reporting its first decline in annual profits in 14-years.
Tencent's mobile messaging app service WeChat is being blamed for eating into China Mobile's revenues.
China Mobile's net profits have slipped 6-percent year on year to 122 billion yuan, or 20 billion U.S. dollars, through the whole of 2013.
In a response, the company says it will spend more this year on its 4G mobile network, saying it believes its customers will spend more on data to connect to services like WeChat.
China mobile is also pointing to declining revenues from text and multimedia messages, which fell 6.5 percent to 41 billion yuan last year.
The company's shares in Hong Kong dropped 3.6 percent to 67-Hong Kong dollars on Thursday.
 
 
PetroChina net profit up 12.4 pct for 2013
 
PetroChina is reporting a 12.4 percent year-on-year increase in net profit through this past year, reversing a drop in profits through the previous year.
The largest oil and gas producer in China is reporting its net profits for the year have risen to 130 billion yuan, or 21 billion U.S. dollars.
The company's overseas businesses have recorded a turnover of 754-billion yuan last year, contributing a third to the firm's total revenues.
PetroChina recently made a major natural gas discovery in Sichuan.
The find in the Anyue gas field is said to contain reserves of up to 440-billion cubic meters.
 
 
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.
So, what are your picks of the week?
Topic 1. Pudong Development Bank to develop Shanghai Trust as Shanghai consolidates local financial sector;
SPD's Shanghai-listed shares were suspended last week when rumors first emerged that it would acquire Shanghai Trust as part of the city's plan to consolidate the local financial services sector.
Now the bank has officially confirmed the plan, though details are still being worked out.
Questions:
1. How come SPD shares only rose slightly after trading resumed?
2.What are the roles of the Shanghai Trust and Pudong Development Bank?
Topic 2. Twitter CEO Dick Costolo makes first China trip
Questions:
1. What did he do in China? I heard he went to Fudan University, did you get to meet him?
2. Do you think it's a bit late for twitter to come to China given that Sina weibo is already big and strong?
Back to Anchor:
Doug Young, associate professor at Fudan University and former China company news chief at Reuters.
 
 
Alibaba invests $215m in US chat app Tango
 
Alibaba is investing 215-million dollars in US-based free mobile messaging service Tango.
Tango has 200-million users.
The deal is expected to help Alibaba strengthen its presence in the mobile messaging sector.
Mobile messaging services have seen robust growth in recent years, with many leading firms keen to tap into its potential.
Last month, Facebook bought WhatsApp, one of the biggest players in the sector, in a deal worth 19-billion dollars.
Alibaba has been facing increasing competition from rival Tencent, who's WeChat messaging service has more than 270 million users.
Alibaba launched its own messaging service Laiwang last year.
However, it is little used here in China, given the popularity of WeChat.
 
 
German chemicals maker agrees China price deal
 
German chemicals maker Wacker Chemie and China's Ministry of Commerce have agreed to a minimum pricing deal as a solution to trade frictions connected to polysilicon.
Polysilicon is the key material in the creation of solar cells.
Under the deal, the Ministry will not apply anti-dumping and anti-subsidy tariffs on Wacker Chemie, provided the company sells material produced in its European plants above a minimum price in China.
The MOC has previously ruled solar-grade polysilicon from the EU has been dumped in the Chinese market, on top of receiving unfair subsidies.
The ministry launched the probe in response to requests filed by Chinese polysilicon manufacturers amid an import surge and price decline of European products in 2012.
 
 
All big U.S. banks but one pass Fed's health test
 
The US Federal Reserve is reporting 29 out of the 30 big US banks its reviewed have enough capital buffers to withstand a drastic economic downturn.
All of the banks, for the exception of Zions Bancorp, have maintained a 5 percent requirement for top-tier capital in the latest round of stress tests.
The tests have been conducted to see if banks could weather a financial collapse similar to the 2007 to 2009 crisis.
Stress tests are closely watched by the financial markets as a gauge of the banking industry's health.
European regulators plan to conduct similar stress tests later this year.
 
 
Headline News
 
 
Australian search operation failed to locate assumed aircraft debris
 
A day of searching yesterday in the waters off the west coast of Australia has so-far failed to detect any sign of possible debris from the missing Malaysian Airlines flight first spotted by satellite imagery.
As darkness fell, the day-long air search for two objects that could be part of missing flight MH370 ended without any success.
Meanwhile, a Norwegian ship has been diverted from its journey from Madagascar to the area where the two floating objects were spotted.
In the wake of the possible discovery, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbot have held a telephone conversation, with Abbot updating Xi Jinping on the latest developments.
 
 
Russia produces tit-for-tat sanction list against U.S.
 
The Russian government has responded to the most recent US sanctions by imposing a set of its own on US politicians.
Moscow has barred a total of nine of US politicians from entering the country.
Among those banned include US House Speaker John Boehner, Senate Majority leader Harry Reid, former US Presidential candidate and senator John McCain, along with three other lawmakers.
Three of US President Barack Obama's leading advisors are also being barred from entering Russia.
The Russian sanctions come three days after the United States imposed sanctions against a number of leading Russian officials and lawmakers in the fallout from the absorption of Crimea into the Russian Federation this week.
 
 
French PM urges "everything" to block far-rightists in local elections
 
France's Prime Minister has put out an urgent call for right-wing parties to "do everything" to stop members of the extreme-right Front National Party from being elected.
Jean-Marc Ayrault's plea comes just over a week ahead of municipal elections across France.
The far-right FNP campaigns on an anti-immigration and anti-EU platform.
The Front National Party is hoping to see upward of 15-hundred of its candidates elected in the forthcoming vote, which is scheduled for March 30th.
 
 
More Chinese kindergartens investigated over drug scandal
 
At least two more kindergartens are being investigated amid allegations they have been feeding antiviral drugs to children.
Local authorities in Hubei say a legal representative of a Kindergarten in the city of Yichang has been detained in connection with the latest allegations.
A number of parents say their children at the kindergartens told them they were asked to eat "bitter tablets."
Word of the investigation comes on the heels of revelations that authorities at some kindergartens in Shaanxi's capital Xi'an had been illegally giving children small doses of anti-viral drugs.
Those involved say they took part in the scheme to try to help the children resist the spread of viruses during the spring and fall months.
 
 
China to relax green card policy
 
The Chinese government is preparing to relax its policies of awarding permanent residency, Chinese Green Cards, to expats.
The relaxed policies appear to be targeted toward members of the overseas Chinese community.
The head of the State Council's Overseas Chinese Affairs Office, Qiu Yuanping, says the plans include tightening the protection of domestic investments by overseas Chinese.
The new rules will also make it easier for them to obtain education, employment and social insurance.
The government began relaxing the Green Card rules here in China last year.
 
 
Newspaper Picks
 
 
CHINA DIALY
Headline
Over 250-million vehicles on China's roads
Summary
Authorities now say the number of vehicles in China has reached 253 million as of the end of February, with a monthly increase of 1.6 million this year.
The new data is suggesting that nine provinces, including Guangdong, Shandong, Henan and Jiangsu, have more than 10 million vehicles each.
SOUTH CHINA METROPOLITAN DAILY
Headline
Rat poison behind kindergarten deaths
Summary
Tetramine, a banned toxic rat poison, is the suspected cause of a case of food poisoning that has left at least two children dead in a kindergarten in Yunnan.
Investigators have found the toxic substance in snacks brought to the Kindergarten by a student who shared the food with the other children.
Thirty-two children are showing symptoms of food poisoning.
SOUTH CHINA METROPOLITAN DAILY
Headline
School revokes maternity leave
Summary
A recent regulation which banned female teachers from taking maternity leave in their first three years at a high school in Ningxia has been revoked.
The rule applied to female teachers younger than 27.
The city's education bureau had to step in after the illegal regulations were revealed.
SHANGHAI DAILY
Headline
Orange juice off the menu in malls
Summary
Food safety officials in Shanghai have pulled the plug on the orange juice vending machines operated by Shanghai Chengyi after it failed to comply with food safety regulations.
The Shanghai Food and Drug Administration says all of the company's 20 machines have been sealed off pending a full investigation.
The FDA began its probe following complaints that the juice tasted bad.
YANZHAO METROPOLITAN DAILY
Headline
Government prohibits illegal confinement of petitioners
Summary
A circular released by the CPC Central Committee says people should not be prevented from normal petitioning.
The new circular stresses that illegal or indirect confinement of petitioners is strictly prohibited.
Petitioning, also known as "letters and calls," is the system for hearing public grievances in China.
There have been numerous cases over the years of petitioners being banned from having their grievances heard.
BEIJING NEWS
Headline
Relocations for new airport
Summary
More than 3-thousand hectares of land is being expropriated for the construction of a new airport here in Beijing.
11 villages are being relocated.
The new international airport is being built in southern Beijing.
It's scheduled to be finished by the end of 2018.
BEIJING MORNING POST
Headline
Slippery customers detained
Summary
Police officers have found barrels of counterfeit lubricating oil at a hideout in Fengxian District in Shanghai.
More than 10 people have been detained in connection with the find.
Nearly 300 tons of industrial lubricant falsely labeled as popular brands such as Mobil and Sinopec have been confiscated.
 
 
Special Reports
 
 
Experts Call for Gov't Investments in Sleep-related Researches
 
Anchor:
A Chinese research group is recommending the Chinese government invest more in studying the links between traffic accidents and a lack of sleep, as today marks the World Sleeping Day.
CRI's Xu Fei explains.
Reporter:
The China Sleep Research Society defines the theme of this year's World Sleep Day as 'Good Sleep, Safe Driving'
Professor Chen Guihai, a senior doctor who specializes in sleep difficulties explains that fatigue and distractions due to sleep loss played a role in an increase in traffic accidents.
"Research shows that 30 percent of traffic accidents took place as a result of drowsy driving. The main factors that lead to a driver's tiredness include inadequate sleep, bad quality of sleep and not enough breaks being taken during long drives, successively."
Along with those who sit behind the wheel for a living, regular workers in Chinese cities, where life often moves at a fast pace, are at high risk for having sleep problems.
Xin Bing, head of sci-tech popularization with the China Association for Science and Technology, reveals the severity of sleep disorders in China.
"Almost one-third of the world's population has problems sleeping. Here in China, 38.2 percent of the population suffers from sleep difficulties, and the percentage is much higher than the world average. As far as we know, over 80 types of diseases are caused by inadequate sleep."
Sleep problems, including snoring, sleep apnea, insomnia, sleep deprivation, and restless legs syndrome, are common. However, most Chinese people are not aware that sleep disorder can trigger heart disease.
This fact makes many experts in the field believe relevant departments did little in informing the public of the dangers of sleep disorder. There's also very little investment in sleep-related research.
Professor Hu Zhi'an, an expert on the sleep-wake cycle with Third Military Medical University, says this needs to change.
"The government should first invest in the sleep-related research. Then the government should also guide the development of sleep-related products. For example, devices that can monitor a driver whether he or she feels sleepy behind the wheel have not yet reached China. At the beginning phase, the government should support its development."
By contrast, the US has been leading the way in sleep research. Professor Hu believes intervention helps with both people's health and the economy.
"First, the US leads in fundamental sleep-related research. Secondly, the US began to pay attention to the ties between drowsy driving and traffic safety much earlier than China and many other countries. Thereafter, they invented two ways to deal with the problem. First, they've invented sleep monitoring devices. Secondly, they now also have early intervention devices, like a pair of special glasses which can prevent drivers from falling sleepy."
As sleep insufficiency linked to motor vehicle crashes, industrial disasters, and medical and other occupational errors, Hu urges the public to raise its awareness of sleep health, as well as the relevant health authorities to research sleep-related health problems and publish their result.
 
 
Sports
 
 
Tottenham Hotspurs dumped from Europa League after 2-2 draw with Benfica
 
In football,
The Tottenham Hotspurs are out of the Europa League after a 2-2 draw with Benfica. The Spurs actually staged a magnificent second half comeback from being down 1-0, when Nacer Chadli scored two goals within the span of a minute.
The Spurs surge of energy almost got the better of Benfica, who haven't lost a game in 23 matches, but substitute Lima tied it up with a score from the penalty spot in injury time. Benfica moved on winning 5-3 on aggregate.
There were also wins for Valencia, Juventus, and Porto in the European League.
Over in the English Premier League,
Everton manager Roberto Martinez dismissed rumors that Seamus Coleman is looking to move over to Manchester United ahead of his club's game against Swansea City.
Crystal Palace travel to Newcastle, where a win could see them moving as high as 13th in the league table. Newcastle will be without manager Alan Pardew, who is banned from the stadium after headbutting a player last week.
Crystal Palace manager Tony Pulis said he didn't think Pardew's absence would be detrimental to the Newcastle.
"It's not as though he's been taken away from the training ground, so all the work would have been done through the week, and then you know, that 90 minutes he's away. But, you know, he's got John (Carver, Newcastle assistant manager) there so they've obviously worked very closely together, he's in contact with him so he'll be watching the game and I'm sure if there's things that need to be changed, Alan will be telling him."
And Sunderland travels to Norwich with the threat of relegation hanging heavily over their heads. Sunderland Manager Gus Poyet is keeping it real, and is advising his players to treat every game as if it's their last.
"Yes I think it's a crucial game for both teams. Teams that, I think (are in) the bottom ten, every single game now is crucial because you don't know when you're going to win and get those three points that are so expensive (valuable) in the Barclay's Premier League. I think that the idea is to take every game like it's the last one, Cup Final (football) people call it. I think of it as the last one, there is nothing after this one. You need to win this one to stay up and do everything possible because that's all you can offer to the fans."
Sunderland snapped a three-game losing streak with a scoreless draw at home to Crystal Palace, but they need four or five more wins to save their necks.
And elsewhere,
Andre Villas-Boas has been named new coach of Zenit St. Petersburg. The former Porto, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur boss takes over the Russian club after being sacked by the Spurs back in December.
Zenit were knocked out of the champions league by borussia Dortmund yesterday, and currently trails leaders Lokomotiv Moscow by three points with nine games to go.
 
 
India and Pakistan to face each other at World T20
 
In cricket,
A classic cricket matchup between India and Pakistan will kick off the Super 10 stage at the ICC World Twenty20 today in Bangladesh.
Indian captain MS Dhoni expects an intense competition, but says the rivalry is often overblown.
"Well the intensity is there of course. It's something that you can't really take away from the game irrespective of what opposition you are playing. But it's always that India Pakistan matches always catch the imagination of people from either sides. I feel it has mellowed down to some extent, whatever the reason but you don't see many alterations on the field but still you see good, competitive cricket which is very important."
Yesterday, Hong Kong had a shock 2-wicket win over hosts Bangladesh. Skipper Jamie Atkinson commented on what it meant for his side to be only the fourth Associate to have beaten a Full Member at the World T20 tournament.
"I'm sure there will be a lot of people that will have been following Hong Kong. We've been getting a lot of messages throughout the tournament, a lot of support back home. I'm sure there will be a few celebrations back home in Hong Kong as well, just with the significance of the victory. To beat a Test nation is just fantastic on our part and yeah, a dream come true, yeah."　
Despite the defeat, Bangladesh advances to the Super 10 phase Group A, joining India, Pakistan, along with defending champions the West Indies and Australia.
 
 
Beijing and Xinjiang gear up for round 2 of finals
 
In the NBA,
Yesterday the New York Knicks kicked off the start of new team president Phil Jackson's career with a 92-86 win over the Indiana Pacers.
The Knicks were on a roll before Jackson came aboard, with yesterday's victory being their seventh in a row.
New York forward Amar'e Stoudemire said Jackson's presence on the sideline gives the team a boost.
"Well it's great. I mean, with a guy like that around, it creates a winning mentality. It creates an atmosphere that's pretty golden and we got to capitalise on that."
This morning,
Oklahoma City vs. Cleveland
Tipping off at 8am, Minnesota takes on Houston. At 10, the Washington Wizards play Portland. And at 10:30, Milwaukee takes on the Golden State Warriors.
But actually, NBA action is slightly eclipsed by college ball right now in the states, because it's that beautiful time of year.. March Madness. The tournament that pits the country's best NCAA teams against each other.
Several teams are already through to round two after early wins. Second seeded Wisconsin dumped American University out of the tournament. But it was upset wins for 11th seed Dayton over Ohio state, 12th seed Harvard over Cincinnati, and 9th seed Pittsburgh over Colorado.
And tonight in the CBA playoffs, Beijing and Xinjiang will meet for Game 2 of their best-of-seven final series. The Ducks lead 1-0 after a twenty point win over Xinjiang at home in round 1.
Tonight's game tips off at 7:30 in Xinjiang.
 
 
Peng Shuai, Zhang Shuai, and Zheng Jie all dumped from Sony Open
 
In tennis,
ATP and WTA players are competing at the Sony Open this week in Miami.
For the men, Jack Sock of the United States advanced after beating Argentina's Guido Pella 6-3, 6-4. Julien Benneteau and Jiri Vesely also advanced through to round 2.
But Juan Martin del Potro withdrew from the tournament with a wrist injury that bothered him at the Indian Wells tournament.
On the womens side, it hasn't been a good showing for Chinese players. In round one, Zhang Shuai was sent packing by American Lauren Davis 6-2, 6-3. And Zheng Jie was dispatched by American Christina McHale 6-4, 6-2.
Peng Shuai made it through to the second round where she was defeated by fifth-seed Angelique Kerber 6-3, 1-6, 7-6.
Also through to the third round is Ana Ivanovic, Flavia Pennetta, Samantha Stosur, and Sabine Lisicki.
 
 
Adam Scott out front at Arnold Palmer Invitational
 
In golf,
Masters champion Adam Scott sank two eagle putts to tie the course record at Bay Hill during round one of the Arnold Palmer Invitational. The Aussie leads by four strokes over second place Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano of Spain and Japan's Ryo Ishikawa.
Tiger Woods, who's the defending champion at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, pulled out ahead of the tournament due to the back pain that continues to plague him.
And in the LPGA,
Inbee Park and American Gerina Piller share the lead at 6-under over at the JTBC Founders Cup in Phoenix.
China's Feng Shanshan is down in joint-34th at one-under.
 
 
Entertainment
 
 
"Black Coal, Thin Ice" to be released in Beijing
 
(Black Coal, Thin Ice)
Chinese film "Black Coal, Thin Ice" by director Diao Yinan starring Liao Fan, Gwei Lun-Mei and Wang Xuebing is hitting theaters across China today.
The film won the prestigious Golden Bear, the top prize at this year's Berlin International Film Festival.
"Black Coal, Thin Ice" is a film-noir that follows an ex-cop who investigates a series of murders.
Wang Xuebing tells CRI that when Diao asked him to star in "Black Coal, Thin Ice," he agreed with no hesitation.
"I immediately said yes without even reading the script. I know his work would be excellent. After I read the script we discussed the film. I really like the script. It doesn't matter which role I play in the film, working with him is what really matters."
The film premiered here in Beijing on Wednesday.
 
 
Talk show host Ellen checks in on U.S President Barack Obama while first lady Michelle travels to China
 
U.S. President Barack Obama has appeared on the US daytime talk show "Ellen," as TV host Ellen DeGeneres has promised to "check in" on him while his wife is traveling in here China with the couple's daughters Malia and Sasha.
The playful interview began with a list of questions provided by first lady Michelle Obama.
"There's something important I have to do right now, I have a friend named Michelle, and she's out of town this week, and she had to leave her husband alone, and she wasn't sure how he was going to handle being alone, so she gave me a list of questions and asked me if I would check on him, and see if he's doing these things, let's see if he's there. Michelle's husband - are you there?"
"I am here."
"Mr. President, Michelle said she's out of town, and she wanted to know, did you make your bed this morning?".
"Uh, that would be no. And you know, when she's out of town, things get a little slovenly around the house. Socks everywhere, shoes, I will say though, before you even started asking this question, why do you have an introduction in which you reminded us all how much smarter women are then men? Did MIchelle put you up to that?"
Obama has also shared the plan he and his wife have concocted in the event either of their daughters decide to get tattoos.
"Let me, let me mention this.　I don't know if everyone heard this, but you made the most amazing comment about 'if they would ever get a tattoo, and I think everyone should stick to this rule, if your daughters got tattoos, then you and Michelle would also get the same tattoo in the same place, and you'd all take a family photo of all the tattoos."
"That's exactly right.　We will reduce the 'cool factor' of any tattoo.　Michelle and I will be right there, and we'll post it so that everybody will be able to see it, and we'll say 'we all got matching tattoos,' and I'll suspect that will be a pretty good deterrent for both Malia and Sasha."
The president has also used the appearance as an opportunity to plug Obamacare, given that the deadline for signing up for the mandatory program is March 31st.
 
 
China Focus: "DreamCenter" project kicks off in Shanghai
 
Construction of the "DreamCenter" project, a media and entertainment destination, has officially kicked off in Shanghai.
The project was jointly created by the DreamWorks Animation, China Media Capital and Hong Kong's Lan Kwai Fong Group.
With a total area of 463-thousand square meters in Shanghai's Xuhui District, the center will consist of 12 art, cultural and entertainment venues.
The site will also include theaters and music halls.
It will also contain the headquarters of Oriental DreamWorks, which is expected to become Asia's leading animation production base.
The new facility in Shanghai will see the construction of a 500-seat IMAX Cineplex tailor-made for premieres and red carpet events.
It will also be home to a number of bars and restaurants.
The "DreamCenter" project is expected to be complete by 2017.
 
 
That’s it for this edition of the Beijing Hour.
A quick recap of headlines before we go.
A 2nd day of searching off the west coast of Australia is set to get underway today following the satellilte discovery Thursday of objects which could be connected to the missing Malaysia Airlines flight.
The US and Russian sides have slapped sanctions on one-another as the political battle over Crimea continues to fester.
Chinese President Xi Jinping is getting ready to make his latest overseas trip this weekend.
In Business... China Mobile is reporting a full-year decline in profits through 2013.
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.