Economy

China's Parliament kicked off its annual session yesterday. The hot topic: The rural poor. More than half of all Chinese people still live in the countryside, and they've been largely left behind by China's economic boom. Some have taken to the streets recently, and it appears the higher-ups have heard them. Premier Wen Jiabao outlined the plan to pump billions into rural areas to improve the living standards of its impoverished farmers. From Beijing, Ruth Kirchner reports.

Four out of ten federal workers telecommute at least one day a week. As Hillary Wicai reports, it's part of efforts to make the federal workforce more flexible and more secure.

Today more than 400 economists and other academics will call on US Census officials to spare a $40 million survey to find out how federal programs help needy families. Scott Tong reports.

Scott Jagow talks to author Gucharan Das about the economic transformation President Bush is likely to see as he starts his visit to India today.

Hillary Wicai looks at an innovative state program to encourage poor residents to save up for home ownership.

Personal finance expert Chris Farrell tells Brian Watt that in some respects, new Fed chief Ben Bernanke is a refreshing change of pace compared to Alan Greenspan.

A report out today says that 25 million Americans use some kind of food assistance, up 8% from 2001. From the Work and Family Desk, Hillary Wicai reports.

The Internal Revenue Service reports millions of taxpayers are due a refund that will revert back to Uncle Sam if they don't claim the money soon. John Dimsdale reports.

A new report out today predicts that healthcare spending will account for 20% of the GPD by 2015. Helen Palmer reports.

The new Fed Chief comes before the House Financial Services Committee today for a report on the state of the Federal Reserve. Eric Niiler reports that the financial markets are going to hang on every word.