IN BRIEF (Page 12)

IHG to bolster local presence

Having become the international hospitality group with the largest number of hotels in China in 2016 - 292 properties in total - Inter-Continental Hotels Group plans to continue to advance its position by almost doubling its presence in the country, the firm announced on Tuesday.

Upgrades for club members

InterContinental Hotels Group, one of the world's leading hotel companies, announced that IHG Rewards Club Spire Elite Members - the company's highest level of elite membership - can now enjoy tier-exclusive benefits when staying at any IHG hotel in China.

Hilton announces expansion into mid-range segment

Hilton has announced that it will expand its brand portfolio and double the number of hotels under its banner in China to cater to a wider range of consumer groups during the country's consumption upgrading and supply-side economic reforms.

Roundup

Opening

30 Chinese winners make Forbes rating list

Forbes Travel Guide released its annual Star Rating list in February, featuring 30 five-star winners from China.

Water crisis threat to world's children

NEW YORK - About 600 million children, or one in four worldwide, will be living in areas with extremely limited water resources by 2040, according to a report released by the United Nations Children's Fund on Wednesday to mark World Water Day.

Advocate kicks off 1,687 km river run

LAS VEGAS - Last time she ran 40 marathons in a row, Mina Guli wore out eight pairs of shoes. Now she is trying it a second time.

Italy's anti-establishment 5-Stars pull ahead

ROME - Like elsewhere in Europe and in the United States, Italy has seen a rising tide of anti-establishment sentiment and an eclectic grassroots movement is aiming for early elections and 40 percent of the vote now that polls have placed it well ahead of the ruling but fractured Democratic Party.

School operator makes donation claim

The head of a controversial education institute that is at the center of a political storm and accusations of hate speech claims he received a donation from the Japanese prime minister's wife and was then asked to hush it up.

Allies vow to destroy IS as attacks cast shadow over talks

WASHINGTON - The United States-led coalition against the Islamic State group vowed to crush the jihadists on Wednesday at a meeting overshadowed by an attack in London and civilian deaths in Syria.

Sunken ferry raised to surface after 3 years

SEOUL - Sunken South Korean passenger ferry Sewol was raised to the surface on Thursday after having lain on the seabed for almost three years.