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Reform and opening-up will continue

Premier Li Keqiang presented the Government Work Report to the National People's Congress, China's top legislature, on the first day of its annual session on Monday, which summarized China's achievements in the last five years and laid out plans and targets for this year.

Tax reduction could boost newborn population

"We will raise the personal income tax threshold and create expense deductions for items such as children's education and treatment for serious diseases, appropriately lightening burdens, and encouraging our people to increase their incomes and achieve prosperity through hard work."

Belt and Road lead the way to rising trade and investment

The Government Work Report delivered by Premier Li Keqiang on Monday reflected both the rosy and not-so-rosy sides of China's economic and social development.

Hollywood braced for best picture photo finish at Oscars

HOLLYWOOD, California - Hollywood is set for a reallife cliffhanger on Sunday at the Oscars - the race for best picture is coming down to the wire to cap an awards season overshadowed by scandal over sexual misconduct in showbiz.

Language lessons, soaring hotel prices in Kazan for World Cup

KAZAN, Russia - Restaurant staff are taking crash language courses and prices are rising as the predominantly Muslim capital of Russia's Olympic dreams prepares to host the World Cup.

Fearing mass shootings, some schools turn to armored equipment

BERLIN, United States - Linda Bragg wrote a "quote of the day" on the small whiteboard in her classroom, a teaching aid that can double as a bullet-resistant shield in the event of a school shooting.

Art of cigar rolling handed down in Cuba

HAVANA - Rolling cigars completely by hand is an art that has been passed down from generation to generation in Cuba.

CULTURAL LAWS IN FOCUS

China's legislation on culture is in the fast lane. The past two years have seen a slew of new laws and regulations being introduced and coming into effect, including the Film Industry Promotion Law, the Public Cultural Service Guarantee Law and the Public Library Law.

War on financial risks intensifies

China will deepen its efforts to prevent and mitigate financial risks, with its banking regulator making the war on financial risks its top priority this year, officials said.

Insurers to face tighter scrutiny

China's insurance regulator has stepped up the regulation of insurers' assets and liabilities by releasing a new set of rules, aiming to reduce the sector's exposure to risky assets and curb potential liquidity risk resulting from aggressive business strategies.

Tencent to advance into new AI areas

Tencent Holdings Ltd is looking to deepen its artificial intelligence push into transportation solutions, security and protection, as well as voice recognition, realms that were once seen as strongholds of other tech majors.