Luxury reborn

The Peninsula Beijing has undergone a renovation, and what a difference it has made, rising on the stepping stone of its former self to be something altogether better, and - well - more Peninsula really.

Shangri-La promotes events planning reward program

Four properties of Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts in Beijing launched the Shangri-La Events Collection and Golden Circle Event Planner Rewards with a grand reception on Tuesday.

Tea expo offers wide selection

The annual Beijing International Tea Expo will run this year at the Beijing Exhibition Center from June 24 to 27. The expo can be a lot of fun for people who are interested in sampling Chinese tea, judging from my visits the previous two years.

Roundup

Appointments

Wreckage of crashed plane found

Cockpit voice recorder from missing EgyptAir flight retrieved, but damaged

Rivals in EU vote skirmish on Thames

The battle over whether or not Britain should stay in the European Union spilled from the airwaves to the River Thames on Wednesday.

Documents reveal chained detainees worried Bush

Newly declassified documents offer more details about a detainee who died inside the secret prison network the CIA operated abroad after the Sept 11, 2001 attacks and disclose that then-president George W. Bush was worried about the image of shackled detainees wearing adult diapers.

Obama to seek healing as gun control fight flares

Senate Democrats claimed a small victory early Thursday, forcing the US upper house to consider legislation to help keep guns out of the hands of terrorism suspects.

IN BRIEF (Page 11)

Duolun campaign to restore deserts bearing fruit

Desert restoration projects have developed at an incredible rate in Duolun county in the Inner Mongolia autonomous region.

Country makes gains in fight against desertification

China's long-term policies are paying off, but more action is needed, says official

Local tourism, environment, weather benefit from increased tree planting

Visitors may find it hard to imagine that the beautiful scenery along a scenic road in Zhangbei county in Zhangjiakou, North China's Hebei province, was once only weeds on barren mountains.