新闻纵贯线 The Beijing Hour updated 08:00 2013/10/15

The Beijing Hour
 
Morning Edition
 
 
Today is Tuesday, October 15th, 2013.
Coming up on our program this morning...
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has sat down with Vietnam's President to try to push forward ties between the two countries.
A new round of nuclear talks among Iran and the P5+1 are set to get underway later today in Geneva.
US President Barack Obama says some progress is being made toward lifting the US government debt ceiling.
In Business.... China's CPI for September has spiked more than most had been expecting.
In sports... the LA Lakers and Golden State Warriors are set to do battle here in Beijing tonight.
In entertainment... Comedic Actor Bill Murray is reportedly in talks to sign on for a new film being produced by Cameron Crowe.
 
 
Weather
 
 
Beijing will be sunny today, with a high of 16 degree Celsius in the daytime, and it will be clear tonight with a low of 4
In Shanghai, it will have moderate rain today, 20 the high, and it will be cloudy tonight, the low of 14 degrees Celsius.
Lhasa will be cloudy in the daytime the temperature's at 18, and tonight will have showers with a low of 5 degree Celsius.
Elsewhere in the world, staying in Asia
Islamabad, sunny, 31.
Kabul, sunny, with a high of 26.
And in North America
New York, overcast, with a high of 20 degrees.
Washington, overcast, highs of 21
Houston, thundershowers, 31.
Honolulu, overcast, 29.
Toronto, clear, 17.
Finally, on to South America,
Buenos Aires, overcast, 24.
And Rio de Janeiro will be overcast with highs of 32 degrees Celsius.
 
 
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Top News
 
 
China, Vietnam able to handle differences properly: Chinese premier
 
Chinese Premier Le Keqiang has met with Vietnam's President as part of his state visit to the country.
Li Keqiang has told Truong Tan Sang China and Vietnam have the ability and wisdom to settle their bilateral differences in a proper manner.
The Chinese Premier notes the two sides have already managed to sign off on a number of cooperative agreements during his time there.
For his part, Truong Tan Sang says his side is "content" with the progress the two sides have made during Li Keqiang's time in Vietnam.
Vietnam is the last stop on Li Keqiang's trip to Southeast Asia, which has also taken him to Thailand and Brunei.
 
 
Nuclear talks on Iran to be renewed in Geneva
 
The Iranian government is expressing hope for a step forward as it prepares to sit down with the P5+1 later on this Tuesday for talks connected to the country's nuclear program.
The talks are the first since the election of President Hassan Rouhani.
Rouhani, a former lead Iranian nuclear negotiator himself, is being viewed as a moderate who wants to re-set Iran's relationship with the US and its allies in an attempt to get economic sanctions against his country removed.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi is a member of the negotiation team.
"The act of enrichment and continuing it will be our red line. On no condition will we let this right of Iran to be suspended, reduced or stopped. But on matters of dimensions of enrichment - the limits, the amounts and its form - we do not have a problem with negotiation."
Ahead of the talks, Iran has once-again turned down an offer to suspend its enrichment activities in exchange for an easing of sanctions on its petrochemical and mineral industries.
At the same time, EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton is expressing "cautious optimism" heading into this round of talks.
"I hope that in the course of that time there'll be an opportunity to really go into the detail and to explore the possibilities. We come here with cautious optimism, but a real sense of determination."
Iran and the 5 permanent members of the UN Security Council, plus Germany, are set to meet for two days this week in Geneva.
 
 
Israeli PM says pressure must be kept on Iran
 
The Israeli government has issued another statement, insisting the international community has to maintain pressure on Iran to abandon its nuclear program.
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
"It would be a historic mistake to lift the pressure now, just before the sanctions reach their goal. And particularly now we cannot give in and must keep up the pressure. We need to remember that international pressure is what led to the internal changes in Iran and brought them to a position of making any concessions at the negotiating table and this will bring them to really abandon their military nuclear program."
Netanyahu contends Iran is merely trying to buy time and trick the world into dropping the sanctions against it.
Israel continues to insist Iran is trying to develop nuclear weapons.
Iran has long-held that its nuclear program is strictly for civilian use only.
 
 
Syria becomes 190th party to Chemical Weapons Convention
 
Syria has officially become the latest member of the Chemical Weapons Convention.
The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons has officially made Syria its 190th member.
As part of an agreement to avoid potential international intervention into its civil war, the Syrian government agreed to enter into the Chemical Weapons Convention and give up its chemical weapons stockpiles.
That process is already underway.
It's expected Syria's chemical weapons will be dismantled and destroyed by the middle of next year.
The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons is an international organization designed to police the 1993 convention banning chemical weapons.
 
 
John Kerry and UN special envoy call for Syria conference
 
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has met with the UN's Special Representative for Syria.
Both Kerry and Lakhdar Brahimi are calling for the establishment of a peace conference on Syria as soon as possible.
Kerry says it is imperative to get the so-called "Geneva II" conference organized by the mid-November target set by the United Nations.
"Special Representative Brahimi and I agree as do many others that there is no military solution in Syria and we believe it is urgent to set a date, convene the conference and work towards a new Syria."
For his part, Lakhdar Brahimi says he will be visiting Syria after the Eid-al-Adha festival concludes.
"I'm going to the region immediately after Eid to see as many people as I can to discuss with them, hear from them what are their preoccupations, what are their ideas, how they can contribute to make this Geneva conference that is coming a success for the Syrian people, for our region, and for the world."
The proposed conference is meant to implement the agreements hammered out last year in Geneva.
That conference called for the establishment of a transitional government which would run Syria while it prepares for democratic elections.
Syria's civil war has already left over 100-thousand dead.
Millions more have become refugees both internally and in other countries in the region.
 
 
Progress is being made to raise the debt ceiling: Obama
 
U.S. President Barack Obama says progress is being made in negotiations to raise the debt ceiling.
Obama has been meeting with senior lawmakers from both the Republican and Democrat sides.
"There has bee some progress on the Senate side with Republicans recognizing it's not tenable, it's not smart, it's not good for the American people to let America default. There's been some progress in recognizing that we're not going to be able to completely bridge the differences between the parties all at once. And so it doesn't make sense in the meantime to try to use a shutdown or the threat of default as leverage in negotiations."
House Speaker John Boehner has also been holding separate meetings with Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell to see if the Republicans can generate enough support within the party itself.
Many in the conservative Tea Party caucus of the Republican party have expressed an unwillingness to make concessions.
They've been demanding the delay of Obamacare, which is set to come into effect at the beginning of next year.
Obama and the Democrats are refusing to budge on that issue.
The US government is going to lose its ability to pay its bills if the debt ceiling isn't increased by Thursday.
 
 
IAEA reviews decontamination process at Fukushima plant
 
A team of experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency have met with Japanese government officials in Tokyo to assess the cleanup at the Fukushima nuclear plant.
The 16-member IAEA team is focusing on contaminated areas surrounding the site.
As part of the 9-day mission, IAEA inspectors will visit nearby villages.
Juan Carlos Lentijo leads the IAEA team.
"You have to bear in mind always that the only objective of our remediation program is to reduce doses to the people, to the citizens."
Concerns remain high as to how the lingering contamination might impact people living in the Fukushima area over the long-term.
Japanese officials finally acknowleged in July the plant has been leaking radioactive water into the Pacific Ocean shortly after the meltdown 2-years ago.
Meanwhile, forecasters are warning the Fukushima region may be hit by Typhoon Wipha later on today.
The last time Fukushima was subject to a typhoon, the subequent flooding allowed more radioactive water to leak into the Pacific.
 
 
Death toll rises to 115 in India stampede
 
The death toll in a stampede at a temple in central India has risen to 115.
At the same time, search and recovery operations at the temple have ended.
The stampede on Sunday is the second fatal crush at the temple in the central state of Madhya Pradesh in 7-years.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Chouhan has been visiting people injured in the stampede.
He says an inquiry has been opened.
"We have called for a judicial inquiry in the incident. The Judicial Commission would be formed tomorrow and we would request them to complete the inquiry within two months and we would make sure that action is taken within 15 days of the completion of the inquiry."
Nearly 150-thousand pilgrims had been gathered at the temple on Sunday to celebrate the end of a Hindu holy festival when the stampede started.
Devotees shifting toward the temple across a concrete bridge over the Sindh river panicked after some of the railings broke.
Many victims were crushed by the crowd.
Other victims drowned after they fell or jumped into the fast-flowing river.
 
 
Three Americans share 2013 Nobel Prize in Economics
 
Anchor:
Three American professors are sharing this year's Nobel Prize in Economics.
CRI's special correspondent Chen Xuefei has more from Stockholm, Sweden.
Ann:
There is no way to predict the price of stocks and bonds over the next few days or weeks. But it is quite possible to foresee the broad course of these prices over longer periods such as the next three to five years.
That is why three American professors got their Prize in Economic Sciences in memory of Alfred Nobel according to Staffan Normark, Permanent Secretary of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.
"The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences has decided to award the Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel for 2013 to Eugene F. Fama University of Chicago, IL, USA, Lars Peter Hansen University of Chicago, IL, USA,Robert J. Shiller fromYale University, New Haven, CT, USA"for their empirical analysis of asset prices".
While Fama showed it was difficult to predict stock prices in the 1960s, Shiller found in the 1980s that stock prices fluctuate much more than corporate dividends and there is a fluctuating pattern for stocks, bonds and other assets.
The Laureates have laid the foundation for the current understanding of asset prices. It relies in part on fluctuations in risk and risk attitudes, and in part on behavioral biases and market frictions.
Although many people already predicted that they would win the prize, 68 year old Shiller said over a telephone interview that he couldn't believe that he won the prize.
"I believe finance is a theory that has many controversial elements, also has a body of knowledge that is useful for society and it will help improve human welfare. I am glad to see that this has been given recognition."
About current financial crisis, Shiller said best activities have be to financed, but the financial crisis reflected mistakes and imperfections in financial systems. That will take decades to be corrected and people should learn from crisis.
 
 
Authorities draft proposal to bar HIV patients from public baths
 
Chinese authorities have drafted a new proposal to ban people with HIV from entering public baths.
The proposal would force public bathhouses, including springs and spas, to prohibit people with sexually transmitted diseases, HIV and infectious skin diseases from entering.
Business operators who fail to set up signs warning people about the rules will face a fine of upto 30-thousand yuan.
The proposal is being met with skepticism from both medical experts and the owners of public bath houses.
"The rule is not only difficult to apply, I think it is unpractical. No HIV patient will put a label on him or herself saying 'I am a HIV patient'. If we are to follow the rule, we would not think about asking the customers if they are HIV patients when they come in. It is discriminatory and misleading."
At the same time, many in the medical community are also dismissive of the new proposal, noting there have been no documented cases of someone contracting HIV after visiting a public bath house.
The proposal has now been posted for public comment.
 
 
Home-base senior care become a model
 
Anchor
With China's aging population becoming a growing concern, one district here in Beijing is starting to champion the idea of home-based senior care.
CRI's Xie Zhao has more.
Report:
Beijing resident Mr. Ba says he wants to spend his later years in a nursing home.
"One-child generation has much burden to support seniors. I am considering the nursing home when I am getting old. If my kid becomes independent, it's ideal for me to live in a nursing home. "
An increasing number of senior citizens like Mr.Ba say they want to live in nursing homes, to help ease the burden placed on their children.
According to the Civil Affairs Ministry, the number of seniors in China is soon set to surpass 200 million.
However, there are only around 40-thousand nursing homes nationwide.
Shuang Yu Nan Li Community in Haidian District has introduced a pilot model for senior citizens and the disabled.
The government currently funds the model to set up a senior care centre and select a professional institution to enter the center through the bidding.
CAJ Senior Care Services is a professional care centre which has set up a branch in the community.
Many seniors living in the center say they are satisfied with the service.
"The employees' service attitude is good. They have certified qualifications. There are dining tables, barbershops and a hospital. I think the center is good."
"I am content. It's good. It's convenient for us to see doctors."
Li Ang, head of CAJ Senior Care Services, says his company can use rent-free buildings offered by the government.
So residents living there pay low fees to enjoy a professional service in the community.
"There is a series of services regarding home-based care, including domestic nurses, rehabilitation exercises, personal care, relaxing massage and accompanying the seniors to see doctors."
The Haidian district government plans to sponsor the launch of 60-community senior service centers by the end of this year.
The Chinese authorities have set the goal of ensuring all urban communities and half of rural communities have daytime care centers for seniors by 2015.
However, Zhan Chengfu, an official at the Ministry of Civil Affairs says less than half of that task has been accomplished.
"The goal is not achieved well based on facts. The goal of urban community home-based care service is achieved by 41%, while 17% in rural areas. "
Zhan says the central government will invest 3 billion yuan before the end of 2015 to speed up construction projects of senior care centers in rural areas.
The ministry will also urge financial authorities to improve subsidies for the elderly to purchase care services.
 
 
Biz Reports
 
 
Stock
 
US stocks raced to a higher finish after leading US lawmakers said they were nearing a deal to raise the federal debt ceiling and end the government shutdown.
Although investors have been concerned about the consequences of a potential US default, most market observers have been confident a deal will be reached.
Many investors also say it is unclear how firm Thursday's deadline is.
The Treasury has said that on Thursday it will be left with 30 billion US dollars in cash to pay the government's bills.
This could still give the US government upto a 2-week cushion to pay its debt obligations.
In corporate news, Netflix gained 8 percent in value after The Wall Street Journal reported the company was in talks with several pay-television providers to make its online video service available on set-top cable boxes.
When the market closed,
The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 0.4 percent higher.
The S&P 500 rose 0.4 percent while the Nasdaq gained 0.6 percent.
In Canada, the S&P/TSX closed flat.
European markets closed mixed, as jitters over the gridlock in Washington spread around the globe.
Among country-specific indexes, France's CAC 40 inched 0.1 percent higher.
Germany's DAX closed slightly lower.
The U.K.'s FTSE 100 added 0.3 percent, given a boost by oil firms.
 
 
Call-in with Mike
 
Anchor:
New data shows inflation here in China hit a 7-month high in September, fuelled mainly by a surge in food prices.
The Consumer Price Index has increased by 3.1-percent in September on an annualized basis.
This is up from the 2.6-percent rise in August.
The 3.1-percent rise in the CPI is somewhat higher than market expectations.
Most analyists had been expecting CPI in September to come in at 2.9 to 3-percent.
Despite this, CPI growth so far this year stands at 2.5-percent.
This is well below the government's full-year high-target of 3.5-percent.
At the same time, the Producer Price Index, which measures inflation at the wholesale level, continues its downward trend, coming in down 1.3-percent.
Wholesale prices here in China have been deflating for 19-consecutive months.
For more on this, we're joined live now by Mark Huges, Executive Business Editor of China Daily.
1. The CPI figure is higher than market expectation. is there any risk the rate of inflation could be above the government's 3.5% target?
2. Will the higher-than-expected inflation increase the chance of tightening the monetary policy?
3. If wholesale prices are continuing to drop, why aren't the price decreases being reflected on a consumer level?
4. GDP figures are due on Friday. What is the expectation?
Mark Huges, Executive Business Editor of China Daily.
 
 
Research Underway for Launching Continuous Trading during Long Holidays
 
China's securities regulator is now working on schemes to have trading continue during this country's extended holidays, or golden weeks.
The China Securities Regulatory Commission is researching the feasibility of keeping trading going during the week-long holidays.
Part of the research involves determining how after-hours trading in Shanghai has been working out.
The Shanghai Futures Exchange has been conducting after-hours trading for gold and silver futures since July.
 
 
Beijing Allocates CNY 5 Bn for Air Pollution Control in Six Regions
 
The Ministry of Finance is earmarking 5-billion yuan to help tackle air pollution in the capital and 6 surrounding areas.
Tianjin, Inner Mongolia, Shanxi and Shandong are identified in the air pollution control project.
However, the key focus is on Hebei, which surrounds Beijing.
Government grants will be based on local plans meant to improve air quality and cut PM 2.5 levels.
 
 
EU finance ministers meet to discuss banking union
 
EU finance ministers are meeting in Luxembourg to try to press ahead with the long-planned banking union for the 17-member eurozone.
Eurogroup head Jeroen Dijsselbloem.
"I'm very very confident that the Ecofin council tomorrow can finally agree on the legal base for the Single Supervisory Mechanism (SSM). So we are making slow but steady progress on all elements of the banking union and if we have sound legal base created tomorrow, we really can speed up our preparations, can hire people can hire buildings, so this is really good news on the banking union."
The meeting comes ahead of another round of stress-tests planned for European banks next year.
European Union members are working on a deal as to how they might be able to salvage many of Europe's failed banks.
It's expected the deal could be finished by December.
Paschal Donohoe is Ireland's Minister for European Affairs.
"Our clear policy priority has been and will continue to be to break the funding link between the sovereign and the balance sheets of banks. This has already been a firm European Council level and has been acknowledged since then. I will be stressing that again. I'm making very clear that a credible, robust banking union, delivered on time, is essential to doing that."
European Central Bank President Mario Draghi is pressing for publicly funded recapitalization.
The proposed European Banking Union would see the European Central Bank establish an agency to shut down failing banks and set up a system of deposit guarantees.
 
 
Germany wins backing of EU ministers to block car emissions law
 
European lawmakers have given in to Germany by delaying a planned EU law aimed at curbing CO2 emissions from vehicles.
Connie Hedegaard is the EU's Climate Commissioner.
"You will not be surprised when I as representing the Commission, think that it is not a terrific thing that we could not conclude on cars. So now I take from the discussions we had that we are talking about a swift solution, we are talking weeks not months that was important. So this can not be a never ending story. "
The original plan agreed to in June would force carmakers in the region to cut their models' average emissions significantly by 2020.
However, Germany has successfully persuaded lawmakers to postpone the implementation of the new rules until at least to 2024.
Peter Altmaier is Germany's Environment Minister.
"It was clear from all sides that we need ambitious climate goals but it was also clear that more flexibility is needed and can be found, and this means we have a good chance to find new guidelines within the next weeks."
Britain and Poland have also backed the German argument, suggesting the European Commission needs to come up with a compromise deal.
It estimated the new emission targets will save the EU up to 95 billion US dollars a year in oil import costs.
However, automakers have complained about the costs and time needed to change their vehicle production methods to meet the new standards.
 
 
Spain Forecasts End to Economic Contraction
 
New analysis is suggesting Spain is poised to emerge from its recession.
The country's finance ministry is forecasting Spain's GDP is likely to grow at zero to 0.2 percent through the third quarter.
Spain's economy contracted 1.7-percent in the second quarter.
Spain's official 3rd quarter GDP isn't due out until the end of November.
 
 
Avon to close its French operations
 
US cosmetics heavyweight Avon has announced plans to shut down its French operations by end of this month.
The company's Paris office also says it can only guarantee current orders.
Avon is also warning its self-employed representatives may face difficulties in getting supplies in the coming months.
Avon has been in France for almost 50 years.
It employs about 120 permanent staff in Paris who support the roughly 11-thousand sales representatives.
Avon sells most of its products through direct sales by self-employed representatives, known colloquially as 'Avon Ladies.'
 
 
Headline News
 
 
China, Vietnam able to handle differences properly: Chinese premier
 
Chinese Premier Le Keqiang has met with Vietnam's President as part of his state visit to the country.
Li Keqiang has told Truong Tan Sang China and Vietnam have the ability and wisdom to settle their bilateral differences in a proper manner.
The Chinese Premier notes the two sides have already managed to sign off on a number of cooperative agreements during his time there.
For his part, Truong Tan Sang says his side is "content" with the progress the two sides have made during Li Keqiang's time in Vietnam.
Vietnam is the last stop on Li Keqiang's trip to Southeast Asia, which has also taken him to Thailand and Brunei.
 
 
Ashton expresses "cautious optimism" ahead of nuclear talks with Iran
 
The European Union's foreign policy chief is expressing 'cautious optimism' about the forthcoming talks among Iran and the P5+1 grouping.
Catherine Ashton says the talks in Geneva should provide an opportunity to explore proposals they've put on the table.
She also says they're also looking forward to hearing the ideas Iran is going to bring to the table.
Iran and the 5 permanent members of the UN Security Council, plus Germany, are due to meet for two days in Geneva starting later on this Tuesday.
 
 
Call-in with Mike
 
New data shows inflation here in China hit a 7-month high in September, fuelled mainly by a surge in food prices.
The Consumer Price Index has increased by 3.1-percent in September on an annualized basis.
This is up from the 2.6-percent rise in August.
The 3.1-percent rise in the CPI is somewhat higher than market expectations.
Most analyists had been expecting CPI in September to come in at 2.9 to 3-percent.
 
 
All 86 tourists evacuated from Mount Qomolangma camp
 
A total of 86 tourists have been rescued from the base camp on Mount Qomolangma, otherwise known as Mount Everest, in Tibet.
The tourists became stranded after heavy snows blocked the roads leading down from the base camp.
8 of them were stranded at the Rongbuk monastery, which is some 51-hundred meters above sea level.
The rest were trapped for a time at base camp.
Around 40 people had to be mobilized to clear the road to reach the tourists.
 
 
Muslims from around the world pray at start of annual pilgrimage
 
Muslims from around the world are converging on Saudi Arabia for the annual Hajj pilgrimage.
It's estimated around 2-million people are making the pilgrimage this year.
This is down significantly from the roughly 3-million who made the pilgrimage to Mecca last year.
Pilgrims have been gathering around Mount Arafat, which is about 20 kilometers east of Mecca.
Amid concerns about the potential spread of MERS, or the Middle East Respiratory Syndrom, Saudi authorities sharply cut back on visas for the elderly, pregnant women, and those with chronic illnesses.
The new coronavirus killed 2 men near Riyadh earlier this month.
Of the 138 people who have come down with the virus, 60 have died.
 
 
Newspaper Picks
 
 
BEIJING NEWS
Headline
Government pledges billions to fight pollution
Summary
The central government has put out a new 5-billion-yuan plan to fight pollution in northern China, especially Hebei.
The plan will reward regional governments when effective measures are taken to curb air pollution.
SOUTH CHINA METROPOLITAN DAILY
Headline
Civil service recruitment
Summary
The application for next year's public service exam for national-level government positions will open tomorrow.
Authorities are planning to recruit over 19-thousand civil servants this year.
This would be a slight drop compared to this year's recruitment.
BEIJING TIMES
Headline
Experts say weekends may not be moved next year
Summary
Government advisors are now suggesting weekends may not be moved to make a longer holiday next year.
This, after a massive poll was taken to gauge people's thoughts on the 'golden week' structure following the National Day holiday.
Over half said they didn't like the concept of weekends being moved to stretch out the holiday.
However, the same advisors also say it's unlikely we'll see a resumption of the May-Day golden week, which many in the poll had been calling for.
BEIJING MORNING POST
Headline
CPI hits 7-month high
Summary
New stats show the CPI has gone up by 3.1-percent in September, which is higher than expected.
Food prices have hit a 16-month high, which authorities attribute to strong seasonal demand and bad weather.
The multiple holidays in September also played a role in the CPI increase.
GLOBAL TIMES
Headline
Hunan gears up for Mao anniversary
Summary
Authorities in Hunan are spending 2-billion yuan on celebrations to mark the upcoming 120th anniversary of Mao Zedong's birth on December 26th.
Observers quoted in the article contend the spending is a bid by the authorities in Hunan to try to revitalize the concept of Mao Zedong Thought in a bid to battle inequality and corruption.
SHANGHAI DAILY
Headline
Simplicity in FTZ proves a boon
Summary
The article talks about how the simplified registration and processing system in the Shanghai Free Trade Zone has reduced the time corporations need to get their business licenses to four working days.
The system is meant to simplify setting up operations through online registration or by submitting materials to one-stop service desks in the zone.
 
 
Sports
 
 
Lakers and Warriors meet for first global game tonight in Beijing
 
The Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors will meet in Beijing tonight at the Master Card Center, the first of their two-stop global game tour through China.
Warrior's centre Jermaine O'Neal said for many of the guys, it's their first visit to China.
"Our expectation is to see other cities, to see Beijing and Shanghai. We are probably more excited about that, than the actual game itself, because we play a lot of games. You get an opportunity to go see a place like the great wall yesterday and historical sights that we don't get the opportunity to see a lot."
The teams arrived over the weekend, and one of the first stops was the Great Wall.
I guess when a group of pumped up NBA players are let loose on the Great Wall, some injury is bound to happen.
Apparently some of the Lakers players took those toboggan rides down to the bottom and Chris Kaman had his hand smashed between two sleds.
However, the Caveman said he still expects to play tonight.
One person who will not be playing tonight is Kobe Bryant. China's favorite NBA star is still sidelined with his Achilles injury.
"Well right now I'm just trying to get healthy. Once I get healthy, I can get out there and start playing, then I can determine what my game is going to become. If I need to make adjustments, where I need to make adjustments, but right now, I'm not really sure."
Tip-off is at 7:30 tonight. After that the teams will head to Shanghai.
 
 
Brazil will face Zambia at the Birds Nest in friendly
 
Another major sporting event taking place in Beijing later tonight is an International friendly between Brazil and Zambia's football teams at the Bird's nest.
Brazil will be gunning for its fourth straight victory and second in Asia after beating South Korea over the weekend.
Zambia will head into the match without a permanent head coach, after Herve Renard left to take over French club Sochaux last week.
 
 
Tour of Beijing ends in the city center
 
And don't be surprised if you see a peloton cruising through the streets of Beijing today, because it's the final day of the Tour of Beijing.
Cyclists will be starting from Tiananmen Square and will make their way to the finish line near the Water Cube.
 
 
Economical hosting the big legacy of Tianjin East Asian Games by Haipeng
 
The 2013 Tianjin East Asian Games are drawing to a close today,
China topped the swimming medals table with 26 golds, after taking six more titles yesterday.
Asian record holder Ning Zetao completed a gold-double after wining the mens 50 meter freestyle. And London Olympic bronze medalist Tang Yi won that same event for the women.
Chinese gymnasts also did well yesterday, claiming 4 of the 5 available golds.
But China's junior basketball team had to settle for silver after losing to Chinese Taipei 96-78.
As the games wind down, CRI's Ding Lulu finds out how hosting the games has left Tianjin with a legacy of success.
Reporter:
The 10-day East Asian Games has been a chronicle of great athletic feats and amazing success stories.
Besides the grand gathering of some of the best athletes in East Asia, spectators were also impressed by the 23 state of the art venues that hosted those gatherings.
Meng Xiandong is Director of Policy and Regulations at the Tianjin General Administration of Sports.
He explained that though the cost of building those facilities was astonishing, they didn't strain the government's pocket.
"At the time, the government only set aside a total of 100 million Yuan for the construction of the venues. We made up the rest by introducing the policy called exchange of land at equal values. That has helped to pool another 1.4 billion Yuan that were needed."
Meng said the sports administration has sold most of its properties, land and facilities in the downtown center in exchange for some undervalued but considerably bigger land in the city's outskirts.
Since the planned construction of sports venues were part of the city's overall urban planning, it was followed by huge land development interest and investments.
Dismissing doubts that the facilities could turn into white elephants, Meng said one misunderstands the core of the exchange program to have such worries.
"Where did the old training bases go? They were all moved to the Tuanbo Sports New Town. So the new sport industry park is not simply a consortium of venues, it is also home to Tianjin's all sport teams, their training base with the most comprehensive logicists and sports research and development support."
Tianjin has also won the right to host the 13th National Games, the country's highest-level sports event in 2017.
Meng said the Sports New Town and more importantly, its management and supporting personnel will prove to be a huge asset by the time the event opens.
The city is also aiming higher as a host city to sports event, Meng made that goal clear with a Chinese proverb.
"Building the nest first and then you can hope to attract the phoenix. Once the facilities are in place, we will be confident to host more high-level sports events and add new functions to the venues."
The phoenix may be still on the way, but Meng said Tianjin is determined to make its mark on the sports map where the host city tells the story of smart successes.
 
 
Teams approach final World Cup qualification games
 
In other football news, teams are approaching their final World Cup qualifying games.
Russia is poised to qualify, and can secure their spot by beating Azerbaijan today.
Bosnia can also secure their ticket with a win over Lithuania.
Turkey will host Group D winners the Netherlands, hopeful of a win and a chance to take the lead over Romania.
England is favored to qualify after a big 4-1 win over Montenegro, but needs a victory against Poland to secure its spot in Brazil.
France is three points behind group leaders Spain and will likely have to settle for a playoff place, despite their one remaining game with Finland.
The only way France could take over the top spot is if Spain loses at home to Georgia and France wins and overturns the three-goal difference.
 
 
Australia head coach stresses consistency ahead of Bledisloe Cup
 
In rugby,
Australia is looking to ahead to its upcoming Bledisloe Cup clash with New Zealand this weekend.
Wallabies head coach Ewen McKenzie said his squad is focused on getting two wins in a row, a nod to their inconsistent season so far.
"Well, we want to be more consistent and I guess the best team to look at is the All Blacks in terms of how they go about it, game in game out. We're just hitting that winning two games in a row focus, so that's a big challenge when you're playing the All Blacks, but that's the way it is."
Taking on the All Blacks in their own back yard is no easy feat.
The Wallabies will be out Christian Lealiifano and his critical place kicking, as the centre is sidelined with an ankle injury.
After the match with the All Blacks, the Wallabies will head to Europe to kick off a hefty tour to five different countries.
 
 
Entertainment
 
 
Indie Band NMH Returns Following Decade Long Hiatus
 
Cult-favorite indie rock band Neutral Milk Hotel has played their first live show in 15-years in Baltimore, Maryland.
(neutral milk clip)
Lead singer, guitarist, songwriter, and general weirdo Jeff Mangum took to the stage alone unrecognized by the audience.
Only when he launched into a solo version of the band's song Two-Headed Boy did the audience realize who was performing.
The original band lineup from their breakout 1998 album In the Aeroplane Over the Sea has now begun their world tour to the delight of fans everywhere.
Following the release of Aeroplane the band went on an indefinite hiatus, which has now ended with the current tour.
Their tour will take them through the United States, Canada, New Zealand, and parts of Asia.
Some proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to the Children of the Blue Sky organization to help poverty stricken children in Mongolia.
 
 
Tom Hanks' New Film Coming Under Fire
 
Filmmaker Paul Greengrass' new movie Captain Phillips is receiving a lot of flak from members of the actual crew who worked with the real Captain Richard Phillips.
(phillips trailer)
An anonymous source who was on the actual ship which was boarded by Somali pirates claim the accuracy of the new film and the depiction of Captain Phillips, played by Academy Award winning actor Tom Hanks, is all wrong.
The source claims the film portrays Phillips as a respected man and hero when in reality he was a notoriously poor captain whom everyone dreaded sailing with.
However, reports suggest the source making the claims is a part of the group of 11-crew members suing the shipping company for Phillips' willful, wanton and conscious disregard for their safety.
They are suing Maersk for 50-million US dollars.
The group claims Phillips ignored orders and sailed too close to the coast of Somalia despite warnings of pirate activity.
The film depicts the 2009 Somali pirate attack on the large shipping vessel the Maersk Alabama.
During its opening weekend it failed to knock Alfonso Cuaron's film Gravity off the top spot at the US box office.
 
 
Bill Murray Signing on to Cameron Crowe Film
 
Actor comedian Bill Murray is in talks to join director Cameron Crowe's next film.
(murray clip)
Crowe, who is known for films such as Almost Famous and Jerry Maguire, is working on the untitled film in Hawaii.
So far the new movie stars Hangover actor Bradley Cooper as a military contractor on a secret mission where he meets air force pilot Emma Stone, from Easy A.
No word yet on what Murray's role would be, but the actor is reportedly in final talks with the filmmaker.
Actors Rachel McAdams, Danny McBride, and Alec Baldwin have also signed on to the project.
The new Cameron Crowe film is expected to hit screens sometime next year.
 
Disney World to Add Avatar Inspired Attractions
 
Disney World in Orlando, Florida is working on a new attraction based on the world from filmmaker James Cameron's film Avatar.
(avatar trailer)
The new addition to the park is expected to open in 2017.
Concept art shows families walking and riding through the fictional planet of Pandora, which includes floating mountains, bioluminescent rainforests, and soaring Banshees.
Several images released by Disney display the Tree of Life as a massive centerpiece tying together the whole experience.
The development of the new Avatar attraction will be an extension to Disney's Animal Kingdom.
It will also feature several forms of nightlife entertainment.
 
 
Banksy Secretly Sells Signed Artwork for CHEAP
 
Popular British political artist Banksy has sold one-of-a-kind, signed, authentic paintings from a stall in New York for 60-US dollars each.
The stall was largely ignored by passers-by though some fortunate few did stop to make a few purchases.
Each item is estimated to be worth up to almost 32-thousand dollars each.
One lady negotiated a 50-percent discount on 2-pieces.
Banksy made an estimated 420 dollars from the one-time street sale.
In a statement, the artist promised the stall would not be there tomorrow.
 
 
RECAP
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has sat down with Vietnam's President to try to push forward ties between the two countries.
A new round of nuclear talks among Iran and the P5+1 are set to get underway later today in Geneva.
US President Barack Obama says some progress is being made toward lifting the US government debt ceiling.
In Business.... China's CPI for September has spiked more than most had been expecting.
In sports... the LA Lakers and Golden State Warriors are set to do battle here in Beijing tonight.