介绍:
1. China to innovate permanent residence policy to attract foreign talent
China is ready to ease the permanent resident application process for foreigners to attract more international talent.
According to a circular issued by the State Council, China will explore grading applicants' qualifications based on their salaries, taxes and social scores, and allow more entities to employ permit applicants.
Meantime, restrictions will be eased for outstanding overseas students to work in China, and they will be provided channels to apply for permanent residence.
The circular also clarifies that foreigners with permanent residence will enjoy equal treatment with Chinese citizens in purchasing property, getting education, and obtaining driver's licenses.
2. China to cut home transaction taxes
China is to cut taxes for home purchases in most cities to curb the property glut.
The Ministry of Finance says houses above 90 square meters will be levied a deed tax at 1.5 percent of the house value for first time buyers, down from the current 2 percent.
For the second home purchase, tax rates will be 1 percent for those under 90 square meters and 2 percent for larger homes in cities excluding Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen.
The new policy will take effect on Feb. 22.
3. EU leaders vow to implement existing agreements on migration
European Union leaders have agreed to implement existing agreements concerning the ongoing migration crisis hitting Europe.
Leaders at the two-day European Summit said the implementation of the EU-Turkey Action Plan remains a priority, in the effort to stem migration flows and to tackle traffickers and smuggling networks.
The action plan was signed in late 2014. Under the deal, Turkey agreed to protect EU borders from the flood of refugees in exchange for billions of U.S. dollars from the EU.
Meanwhile, leaders welcomed NATO's support in monitoring illegal crossings on the Aegean sea, and called on all NATO members to support the measure.
4. S. Korea to create new army unit against possible DPRK terror attacks
It's being reported that the South Korean military is set to create an additional army unit in preparation for possible "terror attacks" from North Korea.
An unidentified South Korean military official has been quoted by Yonhap news agency saying the military is pushing for the creation of a state-level anti-terror army unit or an expansion and promotion of the existing anti-terror unit.
South Korea's military has already operated anti-terror units under the army's special warfare command and the chemical, biological and radiological protection command.
The plan comes amid growing worries in South Korea about possible terrorist attacks from the North after its fourth nuclear test on Jan. 6 and a long-range rocket launch on Feb. 7.
5. Brazil's Air Force joins fight against Zika transmitting mosquito
Brazil's Air Force has joined the fight against mosquitoes that carry Zika and other viruses.
200-thousand Brazilian soldiers are involved in the "Zika zero" campaign, searching for possible mosquito breeding grounds.
The government has decided to inspect around three million houses in the country's 350 cities.
Brazil is currently in a state of emergency due to the spread of Zika and its possible link to the increasing cases of microcephaly in the South American country.
6. Tibetan antelope sanctuary applies for world heritage
The remote western Hoh Xil nature reserve in western China has applied for UNESCO world natural heritage status.
The reserve, home to 70-thousand Tibetan antelope, covers 60-thousand square kilometers in northwest China's Qinghai Province.
It will be the only site in China to apply for listing in 2017.
The UNESCO committee will inspect the reserve in September with findings expected to be released in the summer of 2017 at the 41st session of the World Heritage Committee.
7. Cold front to sweep China
Another cold front is expected to sweep across most of China, lowering temperatures as early as Friday in regions along the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, and areas north of the river.
Strong winds are also expected to bring sand and dust to parts of Inner Mongolia, Gansu, Ningxia, and Xinjiang.
The National Meteorological Center is also forecasting rain for southern China on Friday and Saturday.
8. Shanghai teachers among world's most qualified: OECD survey
A survey by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development shows Shanghai middle school teachers are among the world's most qualified.
The organization surveyed 4-thousand teachers from 200 junior middle schools in Shanghai last year along with teachers from 37 other countries.
According to the survey, 99 percent of the teachers surveyed have bachelor's degrees, while the global average is 93 percent.
It also shows the average age of the Shanghai teacher is 38, five years younger than the average level in the world.
9. 2022 co-host to build Olympic sports center
2022 Winter Olympic co-host city Zhangjiakou is set to begin construction on its Olympic sports center.
Five designs have been posted on local official websites for public opinion and selection.
The center, comprised of a stadium, a gymnasium, a speedskating rink and more, will be able to host up to 70-thousand people at a time.
Zhangjiakou will host snow events including biathlon, Nordic combined, ski jumping, snowboarding, and freestyle skiing.
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