Dennis the Mediator

Dennis Rodman (centre) arrived in North Korea today via Beijing

Hmmm former NBA star Dennis Rodman is back in North Korea to hang with his buddy Kim Jong-un.

Rodman arrived earlier today via Beijing and was mobbed by journalists.

"I'm just trying to open the door," Rodman told them. "My purpose is to actually see if I can keep bringing sports to North Korea, so that's the main thing."

Rodman has built a rapport with Kim Jong-un

The former basketball player spoke quietly and was escorted through customs and immigration by two handlers.

Rodman claims to have good relations with US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim, which would put the celebrity athlete in a very good position if he were able to try to lessen tensions between the two countries.

Tensions have heightened on the Korean peninsula due to Pyongyang's nuclear and missile tests, and it vows to develop a nuclear-tipped missile capable of hitting the US mainland, which if it does become a reality would create a very dangerous situation for Trump.

"I am pretty much sure that he [Trump] is happy with the fact that I am over here trying to accomplish something that we both need," Rodman said, when asked if he had spoken to the American president.

He also has a friendship with US President Donald Trump

US Under Secretary of State Thomas Shannon said today in Tokyo that Rodman was traveling as a private citizen.

"We are aware of his visit. We wish him well. But we have issued travel warnings to Americans and suggested they not travel to North Korea for their own safety," he said.

So the world is watching, Dennis. We hope you can persuade Kim, who you describe as "an awesome kid" to put down his nuclear toys and play basketball with you instead...

Generating Shock News

Li Xiaolin suddenly resigned from a nuclear power company yesterday

When I lived in Beijing, the government under then President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao tried to merge various state enterprises together to make them more efficient.

However, the biggest problem was at the top, where the leaders of each company would refuse to budge, ie step down, and so each continued ruling their own companies like fiefdoms.

That led to further stagnation, overproduction, and stock prices sinking.

But there is some light at the end of the tunnel, starting with Li Xiaolin, daughter of former Premier Li Peng.

On December 30, a deal was struck between China Power New Energy Development and State Nuclear Power Technology Company involving the payment of shares and cash for the latter's assets.

Li in Roberto Cavalli coat worth 35K yuan

The restructuring was engineered by the State Assets Supervision and Administration Commission.

Up until yesterday she was chairwoman of China Power International Development, a sister company of China Power New Energy Development.

Li, 54, was also vice-president of China Power Investment Corporation, working there for 12 years. But in July, CPI merged with State Nuclear Power Technology to become State Power Investment Group, and there was no announcement of her having any role in the new entity.

The news shocked those in the industry who assumed Li would lead State Power Investment Group because of her background.

However she was recently transferred to China Datang Corporation, a large state-owned enterprise focused on power generation.

But even more interesting -- because she had to resign from China Power New Energy Development, shares of the company jumped 19.35 percent on the Hong Kong stock exchange to HK$0.74. It was previously at HK$0.60.

The resignation also paves the way for the new boss, Wang Binghua to finally make some changes, such as set up a back-door listing in order to publicly trade the country's nuclear power assets.

No longer the "power queen", Li will have to be content in a somewhat respectable job, but with much less influence than before.

Perhaps this might have something to do with a report that came out last January by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists. The group found Li was director of two companies, Tianwo Holdings and Tianwo Development that were set up in the British Virgin Islands, a well-known tax haven.

The report contended that Li and many other close relatives of current and former leaders had funneled so much illicit capital that it had a severe impact on China's economy and contributed to the widening wealth gap and corruption.

And how did Chinese state media report on Li's sudden departure of China Power New Energy Development?

China Radio International said she resigned "due to her work schedule" with no further details...