Beijing

Consumer rights law to be amended

The top legislature will consider a series of draft laws and amendments, including one to the country's consumer rights law, it decided on Monday. The National People's Congress Standing Committee will convene a bimonthly session between April 23 and 25, according to a decision made at Monday's Chairmen's Council, presided over by top legislator Zhang Dejiang.

Rainstorms to hit central area

Rainstorms will sweep most of central and eastern China, lowering temperatures by 4 to 8 C from Tuesday to Friday, the National Meteorological Center said on Monday. Rainfall and downpours are likely to hit areas to the south of the Yellow and Huaihe rivers, parts to the south of the Yangtze River and South China. Some regions will experience thunderstorms, strong winds and hail.

Troupe's branch to open in Melbourne

Popular crosstalk troupe Deyun Society said on Monday it will open its first overseas branch in Melbourne, Australia. Its director, Guo Degang, posted on his Sina micro blog that the branch will produce films, open a mini-theater and give performance lessons. Deyun Society, based in Beijing and with a branch in Tianjin, is reportedly the first domestic crosstalk troupe to promote the art form abroad.

Association to hold meeting in capital

The 43rd International Advertising Association World Congress will be held in Beijing from May 9 to 11 next year. It will be the second time for the Chinese capital to host the event. Beijing held the 39th congress in 2004. The 2014 congress is expected to see the participation of around 1,600 global professionals from advertising companies, media, advertisers, academic institutions and representatives of IAA's worldwide branches.

Yunnan

Drug addicts flee from detention

Thirty-nine drug addicts escaped from a rehabilitation detention center earlier this month, authorities in Yunnan province said on Monday. The drug addicts fled from the center on April 6 when they were taking part in physical exercise, said a Zhenxiong county government statement. Police have captured 12 of the runaways and are still searching for the remaining 27.

Hubei

Hotel fire death toll hits 14

The death toll from a hotel fire on Sunday has risen to 14 after one person who was injured died in a hospital, the local government said on Monday. The fire in the Yijing City Garden Hotel left 47 others injured, said the Fancheng district government of Xiangyang city, Hubei province.

Jiangsu

Huaxi residents urged to spend

Residents of one of China's richest villages have been encouraged to spend at a money-losing local five-star hotel in Jiangyin, Jiangsu province. Longxi International Hotel, which is located in Huaxi village, can barely make ends meet, said deputy general manager Dai Liming. To solve the problem, the Huaxi village, which has a stake in the hotel, has given residents discount coupons that can only be used in the village, including the hotel.

Henan

Officials suspended after gambling bust

Several officials in a county have been removed from their posts after being caught gambling in a store when they were on duty. The sacked officials include Gao Zhuanjun, Party chief of the audit bureau of Mianchi county, in Henan province; and Zeng Hui, deputy chief of the county's development and reform commission. Police caught the officials gambling in a cigarette and wine store on April 10. Gambling is punishable by up to three years' imprisonment under Chinese law.

Ningxia

Record amount of heroin seized

Police in the Ningxia Hui autonomous region said on Monday they have seized 36.2 kg of heroin, the largest amount of the drug to be seized in the region. Five suspects have been arrested, according to the Public Security Bureau of Yinchuan. Three of them were captured in Yunnan province while they were transporting the drugs to Ningxia, authorities said.

Hunan

Mine accident leaves 7 dead

Seven miners were confirmed dead in a coal and gas explosion in a mine in Hunan province on Sunday, the local government said on Monday. The accident occurred around 8:10 pm in Gaoyan Coal Mine, Xiangmei township of Yongxing county. An investigation is underway.

China Daily-Xinhua

(China Daily 04/16/2013 page2)