介绍:
China's parliament convenes; reform cited as "powerful impetus"
China’ top legislature, the National People’s Congress, has opened its annual full session in Beijing.
Today’s opening meeting began with a silent tribute to the victims of Saturday’s deadly terrorist attack in Kunming.
Premier Li Keqiang then delivered his first government work report since taking office, in front of nearly 3,000 NPC deputies gathered at the Great Hall of the People.
In his report, Li Keqiang pledged to make breakthroughs in reform as the country seeks growth impetus in face of downward pressure on its economy.
He said the reform will focus on the most wanted areas, the most pressing problems and the sections having the biggest consensus.
"We must rely fully on the people, break mental shackles and vested interests with great determination, and pursue economic structural reform as the key step to deepen comprehensive reform in all areas."
On economy, the Chinese premier has set this year's growth target at 7.5 percent.
That's the same as last year's target and slightly lower than the 7.7-percent actual growth in 2013.
"This target is keeping with our goal of finishing building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, and it will boost market confidence and promote economic structural adjustment. More importantly, stable growth ensures employment."
Other key economic goals, such as consumer price index and unemployment rate, remain generally the same as those of last year.
Li Keqiang's government work report has also revealed the central authorities plan to increase military spending by 12.2-percent this year.
In making that announcement, Li Keqiang has told lawmakers the central authorities plan to "hold a high banner of peace."
The second session of the 12th National People's Congress will last till March 13.
10 dead, 17 injured in NE China bus fire
Ten people have been killed and another 17 injured in a bus fire in northeast China's Jilin City.
The fire started on a shuttle bus of a local wood company.
Forty-three people were on board.
The cause of the fire is being investigated.
US and Russia to hold key talks on Ukraine
US Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov are due to hold crucial talks to try to ease tensions over the Ukraine crisis.
The two are expected to meet on the sidelines of a long-planned conference on Lebanon in Paris.
Washington has called Moscow's deployment of troops in Ukraine's Crimea region an "act of aggression" - a claim denied by the Kremlin.
Despite the sharp differences, both sides have hinted they would prefer to start a dialogue.
Putin: military force would be 'last resort' in Ukraine
Earlier, President Vladimir Putin defended Russia's actions in Crimea and said he would use force in Ukraine only as a last resort.
At his first news conference since the crisis began, Putin said Russia reserved the right to use all options to protect its people living in Ukraine.
His comments, following the end of Russian war games near Ukraine's borders, have lifted Russian bonds and stock markets around the world after a panic sell-off on Monday.
Ammunition warehouse explodes in Indonesia, injuring 25
An explosion at an ammunition warehouse of the Indonesian navy has seriously wounded 25 people.
The military says most of the injured were marines.
The warehouse in North Jakarta stores ammunition for long and short rifles.
The site has been evacuated and the incident is under investigation.
India to kick off world's biggest election on April 7
Indian authorities have announced the parliamentary election will start on April 7.
The race will pit charismatic Hindu nationalist leader Narendra Modi against the ruling Congress party.
814 million people will be eligible to vote in the world's biggest election, to be held in nine phases through May 13.
Results are due to be announced on May 16.
Recent polls show Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party well short of a majority of the 543 lower house of parliament seats at stake, but widening its lead over the Congress party.
Passive smoking damages children's arteries: study
A new study suggests passive smoking causes lasting damage to children's arteries, prematurely ageing their blood vessels by more than three years.
The findings were published in the European Heart Journal, showing the damage increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes in later life.
The study surveyed more than 2,000 children aged three to 18.
Experts stress that there is no "safe" level of exposure to second-hand smoke.
