People's Daily Tonight: Podcast News (3/5/2018 Mon.)

This is People's Daily Tonight, your news source from China. 

First session of 13th NPC begins in Beijing

The first session of the 13th National People's Congress began at Beijing's Great Hall of the People.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang delivered a government work report. 

NPC deputies will evaluate development plans and budgets reports.

They will also be briefed on a draft revision to China's Constitution.

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S.Korean president's special envoys to meet with DPRK leader

A South Korean delegation is visiting North Korea hoping to get Pyongyang and Washington to hold talks.

Thawing relations between the Koreas have prompted speculation of future direct talks between Washington and Pyongyang after months of tension.

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China sets 2018 GDP growth target at around 6.5%

China sets growth target at 6.5 percent for 2018, the same as last year's.

Premier Li Keqiang says that will allow China to achieve nearly full employment.

China hopes to keep inflation level at around 3 percent and create over 11 million new urban jobs.

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'The Shape of Water' wins big at 90th Academy Awards

"The Shape of Water" takes home the Best Picture award at the Oscars.

The film defeated strong competition from "Get Out," "Lady Bird" and "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri" in what was considered the closest Oscar race in recent years.

"The Shape of Water" is based on an idea its director Del Toro had as a boy when he first saw the 1950's cult creature classic, "Creature of the Black Lagoon."

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China to increase 2018 defense budget by 8.1%

China will raise its defense budget by 8.1 percent this year.

A government report puts the defense budget at $175 billion.

An official says China's defense budget takes up a smaller share of its GDP than other major countries.

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China to launch Long March-5B rocket in 2019

China will launch its Long March-5B carrier rocket into space next year.

Space officials say the rocket will help carry the core module and experiment modules to China's space station.

The new astronauts will include not only pilots, but also maintenance engineers.

More manned and cargo spacecraft have been scheduled for development.

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Italy general election polls suggest hung parliament

And anti-establishment groups make big gains in Italy's election.

But the election looks headed for a hung parliament.

The surge of right-wing and populist parties comes as Italy's voters punished mainstream parties for years of economic decline and rising taxes.

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And that's People's Daily Tonight. Thanks for joining us.

(Produced by David Nye, Han Xiaomeng and Liang Peiyu)