200,000 visit Beijing parks on first day of Spring Festival
An estimated 200-thousand people have visited parks in Beijing yesterday, with a series of celebrations being hosted to mark the first day of the Chinese lunar New Year.

Events have been held in many of Beijing's famous parks, including the Temple of Heaven, the Summer Palace and Beihai Park to welcome the Year of the Dragon.

At the Temple of Heaven, 320 costumed performers staged a show mimicking the heavenly worship ceremonies put on during the former Qing Dynasty.

At the Summer Palace, the ancient royal garden, a traditional fair has been held featuring old-fashioned shops and stands selling items and snacks popular in the old days.

To cope with the increase in visitors, authorities in Beijing say they have deployed seven police helicopters and over 900-thousand individuals across the city to guard against fires or unrest brought on by huge crowds.

EU Bans Iranian Oil, Freezes Central Bank Assets

歐盟禁止伊朗石油、凍結中央銀行資產

European Union leaders have finally decided to impose an oil embargo on Iran. Emily Henessey has more.

At the same time, EU Foreign Policy Chief Catherine Ashton says the 27-member block is also freezing the assets of Iran's central bank.

"We've added additional restrictive measures in the energy sector including a phased embargo on Iranian crude oil imports to the EU, and in the financial sector including against the central bank of Iran, while ensuring that legitimate trade can continue under strict conditions."

The EU sanctions include an immediate embargo on new contracts for crude oil and petroleum products from Iran.

However, existing contracts with Iran will be allowed to run until July.

Italy Ship rescue continues

意大利游輪營救行動仍在繼續

The bodies of two more women have been recovered from the capsized Costa Concordia, bringing the official death toll along the coast of Italy to 15.

The bodies were discovered near an Internet cafe on the fourth deck of the ship by divers.

Their identities have not been determined.

The discovery comes at the same time Italy's Coast guard released underwater footage showing divers moving around what is believed to be the first point of impact.

Search operations are still under way for the nearly 20 others still missing.

Pakistani Senate passes resolution for Musharraf's high treason trial

巴基斯坦參議員通過審判穆沙拉夫叛國罪的決議

The Pakistani Senate has passed a resolution, demanding a trial of high treason for former President Pervez Musharraf.

Under Pakistani law, a conviction of high treason carries with it the death penalty.

The upper chamber of the Pakistani parliament contends Musharraf compromised vital national security through secret deals and unwritten agreements with foreign countries.

Musharaff, who has been living in exile since 2009, has been considering returning to Pakistan to head his self-proclaimed "All Pakistan Muslim League" party.

However, he has since decided to delay that decision, as the current Pakistani government has threatened to arrest him upon his arrival.

Musharaff ruled Pakistan as President for around 10 years after a bloodless coup as the head of the country's army in 1999, but left the country amid fears of impeachment by the parliament in 2009.

Egypt parliament holds first post-Mubarak session

埃及國會舉行第一次后莫巴拉克會議

Egypt's new parliament has started its first session in the post-Mubarak Egypt.

The new parliament is made up of supporters of Islamist parties.

Mohamed Saad Katatni, secretary general of the Muslim Brotherhood's Freedom and Justice Party was elected as speaker of the new People's Assembly, or lower house of parliament.

The Muslim Brotherhood is the leading representative in Parliament, and is vowing to guide Egypt in the transition to civilian rule.

Libyan minister denies Bani Walid taken over by Gaddafi supporters: TV

利比亞部長否認巴尼·瓦利德接管卡扎菲的支持者

Libya's interim government is throwing cold water on suggestions that a pro-Gaddafi uprising could be underway in the former Gaddafi stronghold of Bani Walid.

Libya's interior minister is flatly denying reports of a pro-Gaddafi resurgence, saying that fighting in that community is in no-way connected to a new uprising.

Instead, he says two factions in Bani Walid began fighting on Monday over how to compensate the victims of last year's civil war.

At least 5 people have been killed in the fighting in Bani Walid, which is flaring amid rising internal frustration by the Libyan people toward the National Transitional Council, with the deputy head of the NTC resigning this week amid mass demonstrations against him and his role in the NTC.

ICC denies agreement for Gaddafi's son to be tried in Libya

ICC否認卡扎菲之子在利比亞

The International Criminal Court is denying reports connected to the son of former Libyan Leader Muammar Gaddafi.

Reports have been circulating the ICC has agreed to allow Saif al-Islam Gaddafi to be tried in Libya.

A spokesperson for the ICC says a final decision has yet to be made.

Saif al-Islam is facing charges of crimes against humanity for the leading role he played in his late father's regime.

Saif al-Islam was arrested in November.

China's Hainan Airlines ranked as world's 5th safest airlines

Hainan Airlines is now being ranked among the world's safest.

A German aviation agency now ranks the Chinese airline the 5th safest in the world.

During its 19-years of service, Hainan Airlines hasn't recorded any deaths or accidents.

The Chinese carrier comes in behind Japan's All Nippon Airways, Finnair, Etihad Airways, and Cathay Pacific.