Rich countries have urged China to offer a firm timetable for controlling and eventually reducing its greenhouse gas emissions.

The strong endings of the opening give a sense of the epigrammatic and purposeful: they offer a firm opening statement:

The complaint did not offer a firm motive for the shooting, but police said there is no indication Chavez-Silver was the intended target.

Trumka also expressed frustration that Clinton has failed to offer a firm position on the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal that the Obama administration is negotiating.

It has apologised to those affected, and offered a firm purpose of amendment.

Neither country was offered a firm membership plan but they were told instead they would join NATO in the future.

Once within the swamp, we had to be careful not to deviate from the narrow track, which offered a firm foothold.

The capital of Alsace had been besieged since the middle of August, but was still offering a firm resistance to the enemy.