IN BRIEF (Page 22)

Allowances raised for orphaned youngsters

China's central government has allocated 2.5 billion yuan ($387.8 million) as the basic living allowances for orphaned children this year, according to the Ministry of Civil Affairs on July 25.

Orphans in China's less developed western regions will receive 4,800 yuan this year, up 480 yuan from 2010. Orphans in central areas will receive 3,600 yuan, while those in eastern provinces will get 2,400 yuan - both figures are up by more than 10 percent year-on-year.