介绍:
China to continue search for missing plane as long as there is glimmer of hope: Premier
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang says China will not give up its efforts in searching for the missing Malaysian plane with 154 of its nationals aboard as long as there is a glimmer of hope.
He was speaking at the start of his first press conference as premier, following the conclusion of the annual session of the top legislature.
"The Chinese government has activated a comprehensive contingency response and search operation. Currently there are 8 Chinese vessels in the related waters and one Chinese vessel is on its way to the related waters. 10 satellites are now being used to provide information and technical support. We'll not give up on any suspected clue that has been found."
Li Keqiang says China has asked all relevant parties in the ongoing search to enhance coordination to investigate the cause and to locate the missing plane as soon as possible.
Earlier, Chinese satellites have found three floating objects in the suspected site of the missing plane, which appear to be close to where the initial search took place.
Vietnam's deputy transport minister says Vietnamese planes have already searched the area but would do so again.
Malaysia has also dispatched an aircraft to the site.
Death toll of New York building collapse rises to 3
A powerful explosion has leveled two residential buildings in New York's East Harlem neighborhood, killing three people and leaving nine others missing.
Fire officials say 27 people were injured. Other reports put the number of injured to more than 60.
Preliminary investigation suggests the only warning before the blast was a call about a gas leak.
Around 250 fire fighters have been on the scene trying to battle the subsequent fires and search for more victims in the rubble of the buildings.
US President Obama pledges to stand with Ukraine
US President Barack Obama has pledged to stand with Ukraine in its dispute with Russia.
He has met with Ukraine's interim prime minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk at the White House.
Obama warned Russian President Vladimir Putin the international community will be forced to apply costs if Russia does not remove its troops from Crimea.
Earlier, leaders of the G7 group of nations issued a similar threat.
After meeting Obama, Yatsenyuk said Ukraine will never surrender to Russia.
Their meeting comes ahead of Sunday's referendum in Crimea, in which citizens will be asked if they want to stay with Ukraine or join Russia.
Israel strikes Gaza targets; PLO decides not to extend peace talks
Tensions are on the rise between Israeli and Palestinian forces in Gaza and Southern Israel.
Israeli forces have launched a series of strikes on sites in northern and southern Gaza said to be targeting militant strongholds.
Israel has also closed the crossing points with the Gaza Strip.
All of these follow a series of rocket attacks into southern Israel on Wednesday.
Earlier, the Palestine Liberation Organization announced it had decided not to extend its current peace talks with the Israeli government beyond April.
Three more killed in Venezuela protests
Three people have died in fresh protests in the central Venezuelan city of Valencia.
A policeman and two other men were shot dead in separate incidents.
In Caracas, Venezuelan government supporters and opposition demonstrators took to the streets to hold rival marches.
The marches mark one month since the current protest movement began.
Twenty-five people are now known to have died in protest-related violence.
UAE slams Iraqi PM's "terrorism" charges on Saudi Arabia
The United Arab Emirates is defending its Gulf neighbor amid allegations by Iraq's leadership that Saudi Arabia is supporting terrorism in his country.
The UAE's government has summoned the Iraqi ambassador in connection with recent comments made by Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki.
Maliki has suggested Saudi Arabia, along with Qatar, is openly funding Sunni insurgents in Iraq's western Anbar province.
The UAE's Minister of Foreign Affairs has since issued a condemnation of the statement, suggesting the comments by Maliki are without foundation.
Canada ends military operations in Afghanistan
Canada has become the latest NATO country to officially bring its military operations to an end in Afghanistan.
A flag-lowering ceremony has taken place at ISAF headquarters in Kabul to mark the end of Canada's 12-year involvement in the Afghan mission.
Canada was one of the first NATO countries to send in troops into Afghanistan following the ouster of the Taliban, and at one point maintained the 3rd largest international contingent of troops in the country, behind the US and Britain.
Around 40-thousand Canadian troops took part in the Afghan mission, with 158 of them killed in action.
