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

Coming up on the program this evening...

This year's Strategic and Economic Dialogue has come to a conclusion in Washington with a series of areas being discussed.

The Chinese government commits to nearly 500-million US dollars in assistance to help rebuild earthquake-rattled Nepal.

The Boston Marathon bomber offers his first public comments, an apology, since his trial first began.

Business.... a 300-billion yuan investment fund for the insurance sector is being established.

In Sports.... we'll hear from a young man who spent some time in the CBA ahead of his impending NBA draft tomorrow.

In Entertainment.... Chinese Olympic champion Liu Xiang has confirmed his split with his wife of less-than-a-year.

Top NewsChina, U.S. wrap up annual high-level talksAnchor:

Two days of high-level talks among leading Chinese and US officials have come to an end in Washington, with significant results being reported across a number of different fields.

CRI's Xie Cheng has more.

Reporter:

During this year's China-U.S. Strategic and Economic Dialogue, as well as the annual China-U.S. High-Level Consultations on People-to-People Exchanges, a wide range of bilateral, regional and global issues have been covered.

Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang says this year's talks have created the conditions for a stronger foundation and a more stable Sino-U.S. relationship.

"Increasing understanding is an important precondition for the willingness to cooperate between China and the United States. Dialogue and communication is an important way to develop friendly relations between the two countries. The success of the dialogue is yet another testimony to the maturity of our major country relationship. It also shows that the S&ED is an indispensable platform for China-US cooperation."Wang adds the talks have also laid the ground work for the economic agenda of Chinese President Xi Jinping's forthcoming trip to the U.S. in September.

Over 70 different agreements have been worked out as part of the 2-day sessions in Washington.

On the strategic track, Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi says the talks covered a number of different areas.

"Secretary Kerry and I had thorough discussions on how to build a new model for our major country relationship, deepen practical cooperation, enhance China-US cooperation in the Asia-Pacific, handle regional hotspots and global challenges, and manage differences in a constructive fashion."For his part, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has described the depth and breadth of the discussions as "significant."He says this reflects the commitment of both sides to cooperate in issues of common concern.

Kerry says he expects that commitment to continue.

"We are anticipating an historic visit by the president of China here. We look forward to continuing to develop the issues that we laid out today on which there is huge increase cooperation."Kerry also says the U.S. welcomes the emergence of a stable, peaceful and prosperous China that plays a responsible role in world affairs.

Meanwhile, as part of the People-to-People talks, the two sides say they've come to agreements on around 100 different issues in several areas, including science and technology, education and culture.

For CRI, I'm Xie Cheng.

China's climate action plan to be 'ambitious': officialA lead Chinese climate negotiator has gone on-record saying China's post-2020 climate action plan will be -quote- "quite ambitious."Xie Zhenhua, China's lead representative for climate change at this year's Strategic and Economic Dialogue, says their new plan is likely going to cost the country around 6-trillion U.S. dollars to meet the greenhouse gas reduction goals to be laid out in the new plans.

China's post-2020 action plan is due to be officially outlined in next few days.

To try to compensate for the massive costs, the Chinese government has been actively promoting environmental sectors.

Growth in new energy profits have risen to more than 700-billion US dollars through last year.

China-US Talks: New Bid on Ocean PreservationAnchor:

In bringing this year's China-US Strategic and Economic Dialogue to an end in Washington, the two sides have also announced a new set of plans to try to better protect the world's oceans.

The details from CRI's Qi Zhi.

Reporter:

Putting aside differences on maritime security, China and the United States say they are stepping up cooperation on ocean preservation, pledging to jointly combat illegal fishing and pollution.

The special session on ocean protection was co-chaired by US Secretary of State John Kerry and China's State Councilor Yang Jiechi.

Kerry says the new initiative again shows the two countries can work together to face the world's challenges.

"Once again, we're breaking new grounds with respect to China and the United States' ability to find an area where we can cooperate which has major significance for not just our two nations but for people everywhere."Kerry has highlighted the threats to the world's marine life, pointing out that a third of the world's fisheries are overfished and ocean pollution from plastic debris is reaching alarming levels.

There are 500 dead zones in the world's oceans -- covering a combined area the size of the UK -- where nothing lives and nothing grows.

He says climate change is leading to the gradual acidification of the seas, warning about the dangers of "an eco-system collapse".

Kerry is urging the US and China to cooperate to tackle the tough challenges in ocean protection and sustainable development"China and the United States, the two largest economies in the world, two of the top fishing nations in the world, two of the global leaders in ocean science, so we have a very real opportunity here to be able to come together in this special session to deal with conserving and protecting the oceans."For his part, State Councilor Yang Jiechi points out that as one of the world's ocean powers, China is moving to prioritize the ocean in its national development strategy.

"The Chinese government attaches great importance to international maritime cooperation. We're dedicated to working with countries around the world on maintaining maritime security and developing the marine economy. Our goal is to promote and develop a green ocean that is filled with harmony and cooperation."He says China and the US have broad common interests in global maritime governance and that they could jointly build a "peaceful and tranquil" marine environment.

To further boost their maritime cooperation, Yang Jiechi has proposed the two countries increase contact between maritime enforcement agencies, and elevate the level of cooperation in cracking down on illegal drift net fishing on the high seas.

Conducting maritime humanitarian search and rescue and managing transportation of hazardous materials are also included in the proposals.

Yang Jiechi expresses hope that China and the U.S. will build on the progress achieved to turn ocean protection into a new area of growing bilateral cooperation.

For CRI, I'm Qi Zhi.

China-US BIT Talks UnderwayOn the economic front, talks connected to a bilateral investment treaty have been high on the agenda.

Among the discussions, both sides say they plan to hand over their 2nd offers on their respective 'negative lists' sometime in early September.

"Negative lists" are areas of the two-sides economies which will not be granted investment access.

The swapping of "negative lists" is viewed as one of the final steps toward the creation of a bilateral investment treaty.

Both sides have been working on creating a bilateral investment treaty since 2008.

For more on this, The Beijing Hour's Shane Bigham spoke earlier with Jeff Schott, Senior Fellow with the Peterson Institute for International Economics based in Washington, D.C.

Back anchor:

That was Jeff Schott, a Senior Fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics in Washington, speaking with CRI's Shane Bigham.

US-China Symposium on Ebola, Research, and Global Health SecurityAnchor:

New calls are being made for better cooperation in health care between the Chinese and US sides as part of a symposium on global health security this week in Washington.

CRI's Sophie Williams has more.

Reporter:

Chinese and American specialists and government officials have gathered in D.C. and reviewed their overall response in fighting Ebola, both domestically and in West Africa. Through this effort, the two sides are looking for more areas of cooperation in the health sector.

Sylvia Burwell, US Secretary of Health and Human Services, describes the relationship between the US and China as close when combating Ebola in West Africa.

"The close partnership on the ground between the USCDC and Chinese staff in the mobile laboratory that China sent to Sierra Leone was an important part of the response. China and the US along with other partners came together to save lives, and turned the tide of the epidemic."Echoing Ms. Burwell, Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong says it is not only about bilateral effects but of global significance.

"No matter what nation it is, we all face a double pressure from both the emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases. Thus, strengthening Sino-US cooperation in the health sector goes beyond the health of our peoples and is of global significance."According to the Vice Premier, after the outbreak of Ebola in West Africa in 2014, China launched its largest foreign aid action since 1949. Over half a century, about 23,000 Chinese medical staff have been sent to 66 countries and regions for foreign aid actions. Their patients add up to 270 million worldwide.

The outbreak of Ebola actually drew the two countries closer in the health sector. For the first time, the China-US Consultation on People-to-People Exchange includes the health sector as one of its key areas to discuss.

More programs such as exchanges among hospital directors and other talents will be carried out to further the cooperation.

"I hope China and US can put talent training as a priority, to nurture more outstanding medical staff. I also hope that we can collaborate more in scientific research to face the global challenge. And we can learn from each other, as the US represents modern medical science and China has its traditional Chinese medicine. China would like to work with the US in multilateral organizations such as the World Health Organization. In that way, Sino-US cooperation can benefit even more developing countries. "The symposium has also witnessed the signing of Memorandum of Understanding for the China-US Collaborative Program on Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases.

For CRI, I'm Sophie Williams.

"For Justice and Peace"Anchor:

A photo exhibition on China-US Cooperation in World War Two titled “For Justice and Peace” is held in Washington D.C. Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong has visited the exhibition and met with World War Two veterans and families of the “Flying Tigers”, which is the first American Volunteer Group of the Chinese Air Force.

CRI's He Fei has more.

Nearly 100 old photographs in the exhibition provide a snapshot into the lives of American soldiers in China during the war.

But unlike the graphic images one would normally associate with the horrors of war, this exhibition details the cooperation and collaboration the two sides shared.

Edward Beneda talks about his father's story, who was a Flying Tigers pilot that helped China fight the war against the Japanese aggression.

"My father was saved on his 81 mission as a fighter pilot. He was shot down, landed in a rice paddy and the local farmers, the civilians and the military rescued my father. He has injuries and they took care with his leg. And they carried him on a stretcher for about 500 miles to reunited him with his unit. And if not for their effort, I won't be here today."This year marks the 70th anniversary of the victory of World War II and the Chinese people's war of resistance against Japanese aggression. As a main battle field of World War Two in Asia, 35 million people lost their lives in China.

Li Xiaolin heads the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, which organized the event.

"Through looking back in history, we want people to better treasure the peace we have now, and focus on the importance of friendly cooperation."Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong has close attachments to this period of history, and to this exhibition in-particular.

One of the photos on display shows her father, General Liu Ruilong, standing among several American soldiers he helped save during the war.

"Over 70 years ago, China and US joined hands to fight against Fascism. And today we are at a crucial stage to continue our relationship. America is the world's largest developed country and China is the largest developing one. As long as the two can cooperate together, they will be the anchor for world stability and a driver of world peace."Felice Davis is the daughter of one of the American men in the picture with Liu Yandong's father.

"We need to be reminded how important it is to not lose the friendship because there are a lot of very challenging issues right now between the two countries. But we have lot in common and so we just have to always remind ourselves. And how important it is that these two powerful countries stay friends."For CRI, I'm He Fei in Washington.

China opposes U.S. defense bill including TaiwanThe Chinese government is expressing strong opposition to the annual defense policy bill passed by the U.S. Senate.

The new bill contains a section inviting Taiwan forces to join US-backed military drills.

The Chinese Defense Ministry says the Chinese side remains firmly opposed to any country's military contact with Taiwan.

At the same time, its calling on the US side to abide by previous joint communiques, properly handle issues connected to Taiwan and maintain proper military ties and the overall relationship between China and the US.

Signing Ceremony for AIIB to be held on Monday in BeijingA signing ceremony for the official creation of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank is going to be held next Monday in Beijing.

The Chinese government has confirmed President Xi Jinping will meet the heads of the delegations representing the prospective founding members of the bank.

A meeting of finance ministers of the countries involved is also scheduled to take place.

Written remarks by Chinese premier Li Keqiang, who will head to Europe for visits on Sunday, will be delivered during the meeting.

The China-proposed bank is expected to begin operating later this year with start-up capital of around 100-billion U.S. dollars.

Australia's government announcing on Wednesday that it has been accepted as a founding member of the AIIB.

The Australian side is putting in over 700-million US dollars into the bank.

This will make Australia the 6th largest shareholder in the bank.

China offers 483 mln USD worth of aid package for NepalThe Chinese government is pledging 3-billion yuan in assistance for Nepal's reconstruction.

The pledge of 3-billion yuan, or just under 500-million US dollars, has been made by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi at an international donors conference on Nepal's reconstruction in Nepal's capital, Kathmandu.

In making the pledge, Wang Yi also says local governments in China will also be providing assistance in Nepal's reconstruction.

Representatives from more than 60 countries and international agencies have attended the event.

Nepalese authorities estimate they will needed around 7-billion US dollars to rebuild the country, which was rattled in late April and early May by a series of earthquakes which left around 87-hundred dead and billions of dollars in damage.

Over 23 million hectares of farmland contaminated: reportA new report from the China Geological Survey is suggesting over 23 million hectares of arable land in China is moderately or severely polluted.

This represents around 2.5-percent of the country's total farmland.

Today marks the National Land Day in China.

Figures released in April show one-fifth of all farmland in China is suffering from some form of pollution.

Yang Zhongfang sat on the expert panel which developed the report put out by the China Geological Survey.

She says the first step in fixing the problem is identifying exactly where the problems are.

"We need to clearly define the boundaries of the polluted land. But to do this, we have to improve the accuracy of our surveys and identify the pollution sources and boundaries. Only this way can we provide an overview of China's polluted soil."The study released this Thursday suggests the areas mostly affected include the country's industrial belt along the east coast, as well as inland provinces in central and western China.

The main contaminants are said to be heavy metals such as cadmium, nickel, lead and arsenic.

Shanghai hospital allows doctors to become partnersOfficials in charge of a private hospital in Shanghai are hailing a new program they've launched to have doctors at the facility become shareholders.

Under the new program, doctors working at the Shanghai International Medical Center will be given share-options in the hospital as part of their bonus structure.

The hospital's management says they move is meant to be an alternative to the current employer-employee relationship doctors have in public hospitals.

Zhang Chengyu, director of the Shanghai International Medical Center, says they believe this will give the doctors more incentive to collaborate with management.

"We are starting a business together and doing pioneering work together. We are creating a new model for the medical service industry. Under this kind of relationship, the doctors can better understand the demands from the hospital and also the common risks. They will need to have common understanding with the management."Because the Shanghai International Medical Center is a private, high-end facility, medical coverage through the social insurance system isn't allowed.

This has raised concerns about inequality in the medical system, with concerns that doctors will choose to gravitate toward facilities like the one in Shanghai.

Ma Jin, a researcher with Shanghai Jiaotong University, says the new program in Shanghai does pose some challenges for those tasked with managing the system.

"We need to guarantee that medical services provided at public hospitals won't be affected by the partnership system. I feel doctors should be first required to work at public hospitals and then work for other medical institutions in their spare time. Of course, this will require better supervision of the doctors."Health authorities in Shanghai began allowing doctors in 2012 to begin working at up to three hospitals at the same time, in either the public or private sector.

Boston Marathon bomber Apologizes, Formally Sentenced to DeathBoston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev has made his first apology for the deadly attack.

In making the statement at his official death sentencing, Tsarnaev says he feels sorry for the lives he has taken and for the irreparable damage he has done.

It is the first time the 21-year old Tsarnaev, who did not speak in his own defense during his trial, has addressed the courts.

The apology drawing mixed reactions from those in attendance in the court.

"I regret having ever wanted to hear him speak because what he said showed no remorse, no regret, and no empathy for what he has done to our lives.""For me to hear him say that he is sorry. That is enough for me."U.S. attorney Carmen Ortiz says she has been struck by what is missing from Tsarnaev's apology.

"He didn't renounce terrorism. He didn't renounce violent extremism and he couched his comments in line with Allah and Allah's views which give it a religious tone. There was nothing...There was nothing about this crime that was Islam associated."Dzhokhar Tsarnaev have been officially sentenced to death for his role in a bombing which left 3 people dead at the finish line of the Boston Marathon just over 2-years ago.

Among those killed in the bombing was 23-year old Chinese national Lu Lingzi from Shenyang, who was a graduate student at Boston University at the time.

Two MERS patients die overnight, one more case confirmedTwo more deaths connected to Middle East Respiratory Syndrome are being reported in South Korea.

Jeong Eun-kyeong with the South Korean Disease Prevention Center updated the figures earlier today.

"As of June 25th, 77 patients are receiving medical treatments, 74 were discharged, 29 have died, and 180 have been confirmed to have contracted the disease. Compared to yesterday, the number of patients under treatment has reduced by 8 and the number of the discharged has increased by 7. Two more patients have died and one more case of MERS has been confirmed."There are still more than 26-hundred people being kept isolated for possible MERS infections.

At its height, around 9-thousand people had to be isolated amid fears they could transmit the virus to the general public.

Virtually all MERS cases in South Korea have been traced to medical facilities in the country.

WeatherBeijing will have thundershowers tonight with a low of 21 degrees, tomorrow will also have thundershowers, high of 30.

Shanghai will have moderate rain overnight with a low of 24, then turn to heavy rain with a high of 27.

Chongqing will be overcast tonight with a low of 24, tomorrow will be cloudy with a high of 32.

Lhasa will have showers tonight with a low of 14, then turn to be clear with a high of 28.

Elsewhere in Asia,Islamabad will be cloudy with a high of 37.

Kabul, cloudy, 30.

Down in the Southern Hemisphere.

Sydney will have slight rain with a high of 17.

Brisbane will also see slight rain with a high of 20.

Perth, cloudy, 18.

And finally Auckland, New Zealand will also be cloudy with a high of 15 degrees Celsius.

Headline newsChina, U.S. to exchange second offers of negative lists in SeptemberThe Chinese and US governments are expected to exchange their second offers for their respective negative lists in September for the proposed bilateral investment treaty.

Negative lists are sectors which will be closed to foreign investment.

The exchange of the negative list update has been confirmed at the now-concluded China-U.S. Strategic and Economic Dialogue in Washington.

The Bilateral Investment Treaty talks have been going since 2008.

China's deputy sports head under probeThe deputy head of China's General Administration of Sport is being investigated as part of the government's anti-corruption probe.

Anti-graft authorities haven't provided any details about what exactly Xiao Tian is being investigated for.

Xiao was appointed as the deputy head of China's governing body for sports in 2005.

He was put in-charge of China's winter sports program in 1998.

Four years later, China earned its first-ever gold medal at the Winter Olympics at the Salt Lake City Games.

Death toll rises to 13 in central China apartment building fireThe death toll from an apartment fire in Henan's capital, Zhengzhou, has risen to 13.

Four others have been hospitalized after the fire broke out this morning.

The building itself is home to upward of 40 different households.

Local authorities haven't said if there are any other victims.

It's believed the fire started after an electric meter exploded on the ground floor.

China-Russia Media Forum kicks off to boost media cooperationA China-Russia Media Forum is underway in the Russian city of St. Petersburg.

The forum is focused mostly on how to improve international communication through the media.

Representatives from both China and Russia are set to discuss the media's role in promoting the integration of the Silk Road Economic Belt initiative with Russia's Eurasian Economic Union.

Inter-media collaboration, new-media exchanges and the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership will be areas of focus at the meetings in St. Petersburg.

The head of China Radio International, Wang Gengnian, is attending the sessions on behalf of CRI.

S. Korean PM at ceremony to mark start of Korean WarSouth Korea's prime minister has issued a new statement, saying he wants to see North Korea moving toward a future of permanent peace on the Korean peninsula.

Hwang Kyo-ahn has made the comments while leading a ceremony in Seoul marking the 65th anniversary of the start of the Korean War.

In his speech, the newly appointed prime minister has also insisted both sides should be preparing for inter-Korean unification.

Around 3-thousand people have attended the event, including a number of Korean War veterans.

The Korean War began on June 25th, 1950.

It ended with an armistice in 1953, although a peace treaty has never been signed.

Biz ReportsStocksFirst a look at the numbers from across the Asian markets.

Asian stock markets ended mostly lower today as investors wait to see what will happen with the Greek debt talks.

The volatility on the mainland markets continued today, with both Shanghai and Shenzhen seeing major sell-offs.

Shanghai Composite Index fell 3.5 percent.

The Shenzhen Component Index dropped 3.8 percent.

Over 130 stocks slumped by the daily limit of 10 percent.

The Chinext Index, the Nasdaq-style benchmark tracking Shenzhen-listed enterprises, sank 5.2 percent.

Meanwhile, shares of many chinese banks have gained ground after the government announcement its removing the loan-to-deposit ratio requirements for commercial banks.

We'll have more on this in just a few moments.

In Hong Kong, the Heng Seng was also down around 1 percent on the day.

Elsewhere in Asia,The benchmark Nikkei dropped 0.5 percent.

South Korean benchmark index KOSPI ended almost flat.

Singapore's benchmark Straits Times Index also ended flat.

Finally, Australia's ASX 200 closed down 1 percent today.

China Sets up 300 billion yuan Insurance Investment FundThe Chinese government has announced plans to set up a national investment fund for insurance.

The State Council, China's Cabinet, has announced the fund will be given initial seed money of close to 50-billion US dollars.

It will be used to help provide insurance products for projects companies will be involved with as part of the "Belt and Road" initiative.

The new fund will be established as a stand-alone company, and will raise funds through bonds and the equity markets.

It will provide an opportunity for companies to obtain insurance on projects that individual insurance companies might not have been interested in investing in.

PBOC Injects 35 billion yuan to money market, the first time in 2 monthsChina's central bank has injected 35-billion yuan into the money market through open market operations.

This is its first cash injection through repo operations in more than two months.

The last injection was on April 16.

The People's Bank of China says the yield for the seven-day reverse repo stands at 2.7-percent.

The injection comes as small and medium-sized banks see increasing demand for short-term capital amid the current mid-year financial assessment pressures, as well as the massive injection of new IPO's in China over the past few trading days.

China approves 28 new IPO applicationsThe China Securities Regulatory Commission has approved 28 new IPO applications.

10 of the companies will be listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange.

Another 10 will list on the small and medium enterprise board on the Shenzhen exchange, while the rest will be listed on ChiNext, which is China's Nasdaq-style board tracking growth enterprises.

In total, 218 companies have been given the green light to be listed on the stock market this year.

China removes regulation on loan-to-deposit ratioAnchor:

The State Council has approved a draft amendment to China's Banking Law.

The amendment removes the 75 percent loan-to-deposit ratio, giving banks more freedom to lend.

Under the outgoing law, for every equivalent of a dollar deposited in a Chinese bank, only 75 cents worth of it could be used to lend.

In making the announcement, Premier Li Keqiang says the ratio will be used to monitor liquidity in the system.

Authorities say this will make it easier for banks to lend to the agriculture and small business sectors.

For more on the move, CRI's Zhao Yang spoke earlier with Victor Gao, Chair of the China Energy Security Institute.

Back Anchor:

Victor Gao, Chair of The China Energy Security Institute, speaking with CRI's Zhao Yang.

Greece Bailout Deal Negotiation Reaches a Crunch TimeAn urgent talk between Greek PM Alexis Tsipras and his country's international creditors have ended without reaching any further agreements.

European finance ministers and officials first launched the meetings Wednesday night to discuss what reforms Greece will need to get more money.

However, those talks were suspended just two-hours into the session.

Greece has until the end of this month to pay the IMF a massive baloon payment worth some 1.6-billion US dollars.

The Greek government has warned it doesn't have the money to pay for it, and will require an additional cash infusion from its lenders or default on the payment.

A default could trigger the eventual removal of Greece from the eurozone.

McDonald's to sell all over 400 stores in TaiwanMcDonald's has announced its going to try to sell all of its 413 locations in Taiwan to franchise operators.

This comes amid an attempt by McDonald's to restructure its global operations.

McDonald's has been the sole operator of all of its operations on Taiwan for the last 3-decades, directly employing some 20-thousand people.

In making its announcement to franchise its Taiwan operations, McDonald says it will be seeking "suitable candidates" for its businesses.

This is part of a broader move by McDonald's to spin-off around 35-hundred of its fully-owned restaurants to franchise ownership over the next 3-years.

This represents around 10-percent of all of McDonald's current operations.

SportsFormer Guangdong Guard Emmanuel Mudiay Talks Ahead of NBA DraftThe National Basketball Association draft starts tomorrow.

Among the players up for grabs in former Guangdong Southern Tigers guard, Emmanuel Mudiay.

Mudiay opted for a stint in the Chinese Basketball Association out of highschool, rather than play college hoops while waiting for NBA elligibility.

In 12 games with Guangdong, Mudiay averaged 18 points, 6.3 boards, 5 assists and 1.6 steals per game.

With entry into the NBA in sight, Mudiay says his pro stint in China has at least partially prepared him for what's to come when he hits the courts stateside.

"It's definitely a blessing. I know my life is going to change. It kind of already changed in a perspective because I played professional last year. So I kind of made that transition. But this is the NBA. It's different. But I'm kind of am used, a little bit used to the press, all that stuff, just because I played one year in professional in China. It was the same way. The only difference is I had a translator right next to me. But other than that, basketball wise, I'm　confident. I'm going to just go in there, work hard and do what I can do."Mudiay joins a class of new guards, including D'Angelo Russell of Ohio State and Croatian shooting guard Mario Hezonja.

The Minnesota Timberwolves are expected make versatile big man Karl-Anthony Towns of Kentucky the top pick in the draft.

The Los Angeles Lakers hold the second pick among the 30 NBA teams while the Philadelphia 76ers, New York Knicks and Orlando Magic round out the top five.

Cleveland's Kevin Love, Portland's LaMarcus Aldrige Headed for Free AgencyIn more basketball news:

Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love is officially a free agent.

Love notified the Cavs on Wednesday that he is opting out of the final year on his contract with the Eastern Conference champs, which would be worth nearly 17 million U.S. dollars.

ESPN reports that Cleveland plan to re-sign Love, whose season was cut short when his shoulder was injured during Cleveland's first-round playoff series against Boston.

But other teams have their eyes on the former All-Star; ESPN sources say that Boston, the LA Lakers and Portland Trailblazers plan to make a run for Love.

Also poised for free agency is Portland's LaMarcus Aldridge. Quoting an unnamed source, ESPN reports that Aldridge doesn't believe Portland can attract the talent to boost the team, he feels underappreciated and he wants a change of living environment.

Aldridge has been with Portland since starting his NBA career in 2006.

NBA to Invest $1.6mln to Build, Repair B-ball Courts in ChinaIn basketball news on this side of the Pacific:

The NBA plans to invest 10 million yuan, or about 1.6 million U.S. dollars, to build and refurbish public basketball courts in China.

The plan was announced on Tuesday in Washington, D.C.

The NBA has recently announced the creation of three public basketball courts at the Oriental Pearl Tower Plaza in Shanghai, the Longgang Universiade Center in Shenzhen, and the High-Tech Sports Center in Chongqing.

Senior Chinese Sports Official Suspected of CorruptionIn other Chinese sports news:

Xiao Tian, deputy director of China's General Administration of Sport of the vice presidents of basketball's international governing body, is being investigated for alleged corruption.

China's Central Commission for Discipline Inspection announced via its official website on Thursday that Xiao is under investigation and is suspected of serious graft.

Further details were not given by the corruption watchdog.

Xiao was elected as one of the Swiss-based FIBA's three vice presidents last September. The FIBA has yet to issue a statement on the matter.

CSL: Beijing Takes on 1st Place Guangzhou EvergrandeIn football action from the Chinese Super League:

Kick off tonight:

Third place Beijing Guo'an will take on first-place Guangzhou Evergrande and 8 p.m., China time.

Beijing emerged victorious in their last meeting with Evergrande, beating the eventual champs 1-0.

However, Guangzhou are one of the best teams in Asia and have found their rhythm at this point in the season, taking the CSL's top spot just before the league's summer break that began on June 5.

Also hitting the pitch tonight are Shanghai Shenxin and Hangzhou.

Copa America: Chile Beats Defending Champs Uruguay 1-0In football action from the Copa America:

Hosts Chile eliminated defending champs Uruguay with a 1-0 win.

The sole goal of the match came at the boot of Chilean defender Mauricio Isla in the 81st minute; Isla netted a low shot from the inside edge of the area off a pass from teammate Jorge Valdivia .

The win places Chile in the semis of the Copa for the first time in 16 years.

Chile will next face the winner of tomorrow morning's match between Bolivia and Peru.

Football: Liverpool Signs Brazil International FirminoIn football news from the Premiere League:

Liverpool announced on Wednesday they are bringing Brazilian international Roberto Firmino to Anfield after his participation in the Copa America.

The gifted 23-year-old attacking midfielder is moving to Liverpool from Germany's Hoffenheim, where he played since 2010, scoring 47 goals in 151 appearances.

No details were given regarding the transfer fee or length of contract, although the deal was reported to cost Liverpool around 28 million pounds (or around 44 million U.S. dollars).

Firmino started Brazil's last two fixtures at the Copa America, scoring the winner against Venezuela as his country advanced to the last eight of the competition.

Firmino is the latest player to join Liverpool in a hectic start to the summer transfer window after the departure of long-time captain Steven Gerrard.

Hockey: NHL to Change Overtime Format to 3-on-3In Hockey news:

The National Hockey League has approved to change the overtime format to three-on-three -- a departure from the current 4-on-4 rule.

The change is expected to bring in a lot less games ending in shootout, and more winners.

Next season will also see the addition of coach's challenges.

If a team has a remaining timeout, the coach can demand a video review of any goals that could be overturned by goalie interference or offside calls.

EntertainmentLiu Xiang Announces DivorceChinese Olympic gold medalist Liu Xiang has announced his divorce from actress Ge Tian.

Liu Xiang, in making the announcement on social media, is citing character differences for their split.

The two married in September of last year.

However, the two have lived separately since then.

There have been wide-spread reports of their separation circulating on the internet in China over the past month.

The former world record holder announced his official retirement from competitive track on May 17th in Shanghai.

Ge Tian didn't show up.

Interviewed a day later, all she would say about his retirement is that she wished him the best in his future, sparking suggestions the two had split.

20 Chinese Films Make Promotions at "China Movie New Force" EventTwenty new Chinese films have been presented at a promotional event in Beijing.

"China New Movie Force" is an event initiated by CCTV's Channel 6 to promote Chinese films to see this summer.

This year's list of films includes "Hollywood Adventures", "I Am Somebody", "The Crossing", "Monk Comes down the Mountain" and "The Dead End".

Crime drama "The Dead End" won two major awards at the just concluded Shanghai International Film Festival.

The thriller follows three brothers connected to a murder case.

It's going to be released in Chinese theatres on August 27th.

Other highlights at the event include the release date for new film "Forever Young," which is due for release on July 10th.

Talk show host Da Peng's first foray into film is being released on July 17th.

The comedy is being called "Jianbing Man" after the popular street snack in Beijing.

Last summer saw Chinese films generate around 9-billion yuan in revenues.

Observers expect that figure could surpass 10-billion yuan this year.

"Ted 2" Premieres in New YorkThe creators of the comedy "Ted 2" have turned out for its premiere in New York.

"Ted 2," from Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane, stars Mark Wahlberg, Amanda Seyfried and Morgan Freeman.

Mark Wahlberg, who comes back as the human best friend of the character Ted, admits he was very reluctant about doing the original film.

"It wasn't until I reluctantly read the script and met with Seth and then saw the test of the bear that I knew it could be something special. Obviously you couldn't predict the kind of success that it had. There's no way you can anticipate that sort of thing. But it felt like there was a lot of potential there."Seth MacFarlene does the voice of Ted, who is a foul-mouthed teddy bear brought to life by the wish of his owner, played by Wahlberg.

MacFarlane has taken time to address those who say his style of comedy goes beyond common decency.

"I think you see a big disconnect from the perception that the media creates and the way people actually think. I think that most people are actually much better at thinking critically and separating actual offenses from comedy, than the media would have us believe. I don't buy it. I don't think it's real."Patrick Stewart also returns as the narrator of the storyline.

"Ted 2" is rated R in the US.

The movie will hit US theatres on Friday.

USA Network Books 'Mr. Robot' for Second Season ahead of PremiereUSA network is taking a chance on the initial popularity of one of its new shows.

The American TV channel has decided to confirm it will produce a 2nd season of the new TV show "Mr. Robot," even before the official launch of the first season.

The TV series, which launched its pilot episode last month to much fan-fare, follows the story of a young computer programmer.

The character doubles as a cyber-security engineer and a vigilante hacker.

Actor Christian Slater also stars in the show as a mysterious figure who recruits the young hacker to become part of his organization determined to bring down corporate America.

The pilot episode has already drawn nearly 3-million viewers.

"Mr. Robot" Season 2 will have a minimum of 10 episodes.

The first season of the TV show officially kicked off on the USA network on Wednesday.

That’s it for this edition of the Beijing Hour...

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

This year's Strategic and Economic Dialogue has come to a conclusion in Washington with a series of areas being discussed.

The Chinese government commits to nearly 500-million US dollars in assistance to help rebuild earthquake-rattled Nepal.

The Boston Marathon bomber offers his first public comments, an apology, since his trial first began.

Business.... a 300-billion yuan investment fund for the insurance sector is being established.

On behalf of the Beijing Hour staffers, I'm 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...