介绍:
China ready to strengthen all-round cooperation with Iraq: FM
Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi says China is ready to strengthen its all-round cooperation with Iraq.
He has told Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki that China firmly supports Iraq's efforts to safeguard its independence, accelerate its national reconciliation and fight against terrorism.
For his part, Al-Maliki noted that China is now Iraq's top trading partner and Baghdad welcomes more Chinese firms to invest in Iraq.
Wang Yi arrived in Baghdad from Afghanistan for the first visit to Iraq by a Chinese foreign minister in 23 years.
Int'l community calls for unity in Ukraine after president ousted
The international community is calling on all sides in Ukraine to preserve the country's unity and avoid violence after President Viktor Yanukovych was dismissed by parliament.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has phoned his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov, saying Ukraine's democratic institutions should be respected.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has stressed that Ukraine's territorial integrity must be preserved.
EU's foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton is set to visit Ukraine later today for talks, after interim president Oleksandr Turchinov said Ukraine's priority is to return to the path of European integration.
S. Korea, U.S. begin annual war games
Combined forces of South Korea and the United States have begun their annual military exercises.
They will involve Key Resolve, a computer-based simulation, and Foal Eagle, which involves air, ground and naval drills.
The military drills, involving more than 12,500 US troops, will last until April 18.
They came as Pyongyang allows reunions of elderly Koreans separated since the Korean War.
Bangkok blast toll rises to three
A young girl has died from injuries sustained in Sunday's bomb blast in Bangkok, bringing the death toll from the attack to three.
The apparent grenade blast took place near an anti-government protest site in the heart of the capital.
Twenty-two people were wounded.
The attack came hours after gunmen opened fire on an anti-government rally in eastern Thailand, killing a five-year-old girl.
Venezuelan president calls for peace amid violence
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is calling for peace and coexistence in his country amid violent protests.
In a TV interview, Maduro accused the hardline opposition of trying to take the country to the path of a civil war.
He called on various groups in the country to attend a national conference for peace on Wednesday in order to stop the violence.
Venezuela has been beset with social turmoil since Feb. 12 and violent protests in Caracas have left at least nine people dead.
Mexico's top drug lord arrested
One of the world's most wanted drug loads, Joaquin Guzman, known as El Chapo or "Shorty", has been arrested in Mexico.
He was the leader of the Sinaloa cartel, which smuggles huge amounts of illegal drugs into the US.
Guzman had been on the run since escaping a high-security prison in 2001.
Beijing pollution alert maintains as smog lingers
Beijing is maintaining its orange pollution alert, the second-highest level, as severe smog is forecast to linger in the Chinese capital for another three days.
The authority is advising children and the elderly to stay indoors and to wear masks while going out.
Residents are being urged to take public transport and reduce driving.
The capital city has ordered 36 companies to halt production and another 75 to reduce production.
The smog has shrouded 15 percent of China since last week.
China sacks vice police chief under investigation
China's former vice minister of public security, Li Dongsheng, has been formally removed from office.
He was put under investigation for suspected serious disciplinary and law violations last December.
There were nine incumbent vice-ministers of public security, and Li ranked No 2.
China's giant pandas arrive at new home in Belgian zoo
A pair of giant pandas from China has arrived at their new home in Belgium, the first since 1987.
The two pandas - 'Xing Hui' or "Twinkling Star" and 'Hao Hao,' or "Good Good," will be part of a research program for the next 15 years before being returned to China.
If successful, it will be the longest time any giant pandas have lived abroad.
Belgian Prime Minister Elio Di Rupo.
"It is very important for Belgium, because our relationships between our two countries are very close on different niveau (levels) - scientific, commercial, industrial and with the pandas our relations with China are better."
The pandas' public debut is scheduled for April.
In 1987, two giant pandas visited Belgium but only stayed a few months.
